FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Union leader Tony Clark says major league players remain concerned about the unusual amount of unsigned free agents with spring training nearing the end of its second week.Clark began his annual tour of camps on Saturday with Boston in Fort Myers. Clark said after his session in the Red Sox clubhouse that the union's special training camp for free agents in Bradenton will stay open indefinitely.About one-third of the 166 players who exercised free agency rights last November have not reached a contract agreement with a team. That includes stars like starting pitcher Jake Arrieta and third baseman Mike Moustakas.Clark said "everything's worthy of more discussion" on the subject of a potential tanking tax or a payroll floor for a future collective bargaining agreement.___For more AP baseball coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Colin Moran was considered one of the best players in college baseball in 2013 while starring at North Carolina."We loved him going into the draft that year," Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said. "He was a player we had a lot of interest in."The Pirates finally got their man Jan. 13 when they acquired Moran and three other players from the Houston Astros in a trade for right-hander Gerrit Cole. Moran is penciled in as the starting third baseman, with veteran David Freese moving into a backup role.The Pirates never got the chance to draft Moran four years ago. They had the ninth and 14th picks in the first round but the Miami Marlins chose him at No. 6.Moran has yet to make the impact that many scouts expected. The Marlins traded him to the Astros in 2014 and he played in just 16 major league games with Houston, hitting a combined .206 with one home run in 2016 and 2017.The Pirates, though, believe they are acquiring Moran at the right time after he... [More]

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — The Minnesota Twins have signed 12-year veteran shortstop Erick Aybar to a minor league contract with an invitation to major league spring training.The Twins announced the deal on Saturday, when Aybar was expected to report to camp. Aybar made his debut with the Los Angeles Angels in 2006 and was their everyday shortstop for seven seasons. He won a Gold Glove award in 2011 and made the All-Star team in 2014. He played last year for the San Diego Padres, batting .234 with 11 stolen bases in 333 at-bats.The Twins have plenty of middle infield depth behind second baseman Brian Dozier and shortstop Jorge Polanco with versatile backups Eduardo Escobar and Ehire Adrianza, so Aybar will be a long shot to make the team.___For more AP baseball coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — Left-hander Kevin Siegrist agreed to a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates and will report to big league spring training.The 28-year-old was 1-1 with one save and a 4.81 ERA in 46 games last year for St. Louis and Philadelphia, striking out 43 in 39 1/3 innings.He has an 18-10 record with 10 saves and a 3.04 ERA in 276 relief appearances over five big league seasons with the Cardinals and Phillies, who claimed him off waivers on Sept. 2.His deal was announced Saturday.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Aaron Boone walked to home plate for his first game as a manager at any level and was greeted by Detroit's Ron Gardenhire, a 60-year-old baseball lifer back in charge of a big league team for the first time in four years."I told him to go easy on me," Boone said. "I didn't want to look him in the eye — like Jedi mind trick on me or something."Hired to replace Joe Girardi, the former ESPN broadcaster managed the Yankees over the Tigers 3-1 on a warm and sunny Friday afternoon in their spring training opener.Boone arrived at Steinbrenner Field at about 7 a.m., his usual time, six hours before the first pitch. He got in an early morning workout, was in the famous pinstriped uniform more than an hour before game time and wore his cap high on his forehead, like Joe Torre did when Boone helped the 2003 Yankees reach the World Series with a pennant-winning home run.Boone watched the game from a folding chair on the home plate-side of the Yankees dugout, with new bench coach... [More]

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Fernando Tatis Jr. wasted no time in showing the San Diego Padres how much talent he has.One of baseball's top prospects and the son of a former major leaguer, Tatis hit a monster opposite-field home run in his second at-bat in the Padres' spring opener against the Seattle Mariners on Friday.Tatis swung and missed at two sliders from right-hander Shawn Armstrong in the eighth inning of the 3-2 loss. After taking a ball and fouling off a pitch, Tatis drove a 1-2 outside fastball off the top of the wall in the back of the Padres' bullpen beyond the right-field fence at Peoria Stadium."It feels awesome, man," said Tatis, who turned 19 last month. "I've been working hard for this, being here now and trying to show off what I've got, and just working."After falling behind, "I made the approach and kind of got him back," Tatis said.Tatis was acquired on June 4, 2016, when the Padres sent James Shields to the Chicago White Sox. The Padres' win-now effort with highly paid veterans... [More]

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Texas Rangers reliever Chris Martin won't need help finding his home ballpark. It is home.The right-hander went to Arlington High School, not far from Globe Life Park."In Arlington, I probably know every street, every back road," Martin said. "I can tell you every inch of Arlington."Martin, however, took a circuitous journey to get to pitch for his hometown team. He spent the last two years pitching in Japan following his first stint in the majors."Going from 6,000 miles away to 30 minutes from home, it's a blessing," Martin said. "I'm really excited about it."Martin was selected by Detroit in the 18th round in the 2004 draft out of high school, but opted to go to McLennan Community College. Colorado drafted him in the 21st round after his freshman season in junior college. He decided to go back to school, but tore his right labrum.He had surgery in 2007 and did not pitch for three years. He worked for UPS loading trucks. He worked for Lowe's and an appliance company."Some... [More]

Spring training got off to a solemn start as MLB teams wore hats to honor Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, where 17 people were fatally shot nine days ago.Stoneman Douglas baseball coach Todd Fitz-Gerald and his two sons were guests of the Houston Astros for their spring opener against the Washington Nationals. Members of the school's baseball and softball teams were guests of the Marlins and mingled on the field with players, coaches and CEO Derek Jeter.Teams had the option of wearing he caps, which are black with "SD" in block letters, during the games or only during warmups. Both the Astros and Nationals wore them during Friday's games.MLB ordered more than 2,500 of the caps from New Era, league spokesman Steven Arrocho said. Many teams will have players sign them, and they will be auctioned to benefit the victims and families affected by the shooting.Fitz-Gerald said it was a "relief" to get back to the sport he loves and to stop thinking, at least for a moment,... [More]

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — The Boston Red Sox have still yet to finalize their contract with prized free agent J.D. Martinez.Manager Alex Cora said after Boston's Grapefruit League exhibition opener against Minnesota on Friday that he's not bothered by the delay and is simply focused on preparing the players he already has in camp."We're still working and getting ready, you know? That's all we can do," Cora said after the Red Sox beat the Twins 4-3 at JetBlue Park.Martinez agreed to terms on Monday to a deal that's as long as five years and worth as much as $110 million, according to a person familiar with the negotiations who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the contract is subject to a successful physical exam and has not been announced by the club.Nine-figure deals like this one need due diligence, and teams usually take out insurance policies on fully guaranteed big-money contracts in case a player is injured and unable to play out the balance of the deal.... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Detroit agreed to a $4 million, one-year contract with left-hander Francisco Liriano, giving the Tigers added pitching depth.The 34-year-old was 6-7 with a 4.62 ERA in 18 starts last season with Toronto and 20 relief appearances with World Series champion Houston, which acquired him at the July 31 trade deadline. He is 102-99 in a 12-year big league career.Tigers general manager Al Avila said it has not been decided whether Liriano will start or pitch in relief."He told us he would like to start but if we needed him to work out of the bullpen, he would do that also," Avila said. "We do have some question marks. It's good to know you have a versatile guy that's very experienced."The deal came after the Tigers watched Liriano throw off a mound in Miami. It was announced Friday during Detroit's 3-1 loss to the New York Yankees, the Tigers' first exhibition of the year against a big league opponent.Liriano pitched in Minnesota from 2006-12, a time when new Detroit manager... [More]

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Oakland found its closer in Blake Treinen last summer, and its bullpen transformation continued when it acquired offseason targets Yusmeiro Petit and Ryan Buchter this winter.For a team that had 25 blown saves, one short of the major league high, and converted only 58 percent of its save chances a year ago, it is another step forward."We feel like we're a lot better," A's manager Bob Melvin said, "and we feel like we have a deep bullpen, too."We have a number of guys who can give us multiple innings now, where you are not having to go through one-inning guys and use so many guys during the course of a game."Everything starts with the closer, of course, and Treinen is ready to continue that role after recording 13 saves following his acquisition from Washington for veteran relief arms Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson in mid-July.Treinen was used in a setup role upon arriving in Oakland before being given the ninth inning almost exclusively in early August. It took.He converted... [More]

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — Mickey Callaway had his first big managerial decision Friday, and it came down way before the New York Mets' first pitch was delivered by starting pitcher Zack Wheeler.A day before when the Mets announced their lineup for their Grapefruit League opener against the Atlanta Braves, prized first baseman Dominic Smith was scheduled to bat cleanup.However, Callaway scratched Smith on the updated lineup card when the clubhouse opened on game day.Right slugger Peter Alonso was penciled in at first base, while lefty-swinging Smith was out."I didn't even see the lineup when I left yesterday, so I didn't even know," Smith said in his first interview at his locker."It's spring training. Everybody's got to get work in and everybody needs ample amount of time to show the coaches what they can do."Smith, 22, initially said being taken out of the order wasn't frustrating and that "it's the first game, we have a lot more."That explanation changed dramatically a few minutes later... [More]

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Cardinals manager Mike Matheny isn't sure when first baseman Matt Carpenter will make his Grapefruit League debut.Carpenter is battling back tightness. For the time being, he is in the hands of the Cardinals' medical staff, who will determine when Carpenter can return to the field."When they are in their hands, we're following their lead," Matheny said. "They'll tell us."A three-time All-Star, the 32-year-old Carpenter missed much of last spring with back and oblique soreness.Matheny believes Carpenter's recent preseason injury issues can be attributed to his tenacious spring regimen."This is like Disney World for a baseball rat — spring training," Matheny said, "You come down, you can work all you want, the sun is shining, you use these beautiful facilities, you've got every single coach and every trainer at your disposal."The injury will at least force Carpenter to get some rest that Matheny said might help stave off fatigue later in the season."This could be one... [More]

SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — Colby Rasmus is making a new start with the Baltimore Orioles after taking an eight-month break from baseball.Rasmus signed a minor league contract with the Orioles this week, after abruptly leaving the Tampa Bay Rays in midseason. The contract is for $3 million if he makes the Orioles and contains up to $2 million in incentives.The 31-year-old outfielder, who had a lingering hip injury last season, discussed some of the reasons for his departure."I started working out at 8 or 9 years old to play in the big leagues, and I just kind of hit a point to where I was like, 'man, I need to take a little break and enjoy some time with my family'" Rasmus said Thursday. "My 8-year-old girl was in school, just had a boy who was 10 weeks old, so being able to spend time with them and keeping my wife feeling good through her pregnancy was important to me."Rasmus has a .242 lifetime average in nine seasons with St. Louis, Toronto, Houston and Tampa Bay. He hit .281 with nine home... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — New Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich struck out twice in his spring training debut Friday when the Brewers hosted the Chicago Cubs in a split-squad game.He also singled before departing after the fourth inning.Yelich, who arrived via trade for four prospects in one of the major leagues' most notable offseason moves, played left field. That's the spot where he figures to see most action in 2018.Yelich was primarily a left fielder from 2013 to 2016 with the Miami Marlins, then played 155 games in center field there last season. He ran down a curling line drive off the bat of the Cubs' Ian Happ on the first pitch of the game, then went 1 for 2 with two strikeouts and a soft single to left-center."Excited to get things under way. These guys have been awesome," Yelich said.Coming from the Marlins, who let their entire starting outfield from 2017 go in the offseason, the Brewers with their additions and better outlook for a winning season seem to be a happy destination.... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Aaron Boone was a winner in his first game as a baseball manager at any level.Hired to replace Joe Girardi in the New York dugout, Boone managed the Yankees to a 3-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Friday in their spring training opener.Giancarlo Stanton played in the Yankees' pinstripes for the first time since he was acquired from Miami in December. The major league home run champion and NL MVP walked and grounded into a double play.AL home run champion and Rookie of the Year Aaron Judge hit on a back field and likely won't play in an exhibition game until next week.Ron Gardenhire managed Detroit for the first time after replacing Brad Ausmus.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Detroit agreed to a $4 million, one-year contract with left-hander Francisco Liriano, giving the Tigers added pitching depth.The 34-year-old was 6-7 with a 4.62 ERA in 18 starts last season with Toronto and 20 relief appearances with World Series champion Houston, which acquired him at the July 31 trade deadline. The 34-year old is 102-99 in a 12-year big league career.Tigers general manager Al Avila said it has not been decided whether Liriano starts or pitches in relief.Liriano pitched in Minnesota when new Detroit manager Ron Gardenhire managed the Twins.Liriano can earn $1 million in performance bonuses based on starts.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School baseball coach Todd Fitz-Gerald and his sons were guests of the Houston Astros for their spring opener against the Washington Nationals on Friday as Major League Baseball honored victims of the school shooting in Parkland, Florida, by having its teams wear caps with the school's initials.Fitz-Gerald said it was a "relief" to get back to the sport he loves and to stop thinking, at least for a moment, about the Valentine's Day mass shooting that left 17 people dead and more than a dozen others wounded."You can't put it into words," he said, fighting back tears. "I think it's great what Major League Baseball is doing to show support for our community and our school. It's been a rough week and just being out here ... (gives me) a sense of freedom."Teams had the option of wearing he caps, which are black with "SD" in block letters, during the game or only during warmups. Both the Astros and Nationals wore them during Friday's... [More]

SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — Colby Rasmus is making a new start with the Baltimore Orioles after taking an eight-month break from baseball.Rasmus signed a minor league contract with the Orioles this week, after abruptly leaving the Tampa Bay Rays in midseason. The contract is for $3 million if he makes the Orioles and contains up to $2 million in incentives.The 31-year-old outfielder, who had a lingering hip injury last season, discussed some of the reasons for his departure."I started working out at 8 or 9 years old to play in the big leagues, and I just kind of hit a point to where I was like, 'man, I need to take a little break and enjoy some time with my family'" Rasmus said. "My 8-year-old girl was in school, just had a boy who was 10 weeks old, so being able to spend time with them and keeping my wife feeling good through her pregnancy was important to me."Rasmus has a .242 lifetime average in nine seasons with St. Louis, Toronto, Houston and Tampa Bay. He hit .281 with nine home runs and... [More]

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (AP) — Tampa Bay traded All-Star designated hitter Corey Dickerson to Pittsburgh on Thursday in exchange for relief pitcher Daniel Hudson, minor league infielder Tristan Gray and cash.The 28-year-old Dickerson was designated for assignment last Saturday. He was the AL's starting DH in last summer's All-Star game, but struggled at the plate the second half of the season. The trade lets the Rays shed Dickerson's $5.95 million salary.Hudson is a 30-year-old right-hander who went 2-7 with a 4.38 ERA in a career-high 71 appearances in 2017. He's 37-30 with a 3.98 career ERA over eight seasons with the Pirates, Chicago White Sox and Arizona Diamondbacks.Hudson has 59 career starts, but primarily as a reliever since returning from a second Tommy John surgery in 2015.Dickerson batted .282 with 27 home runs and 62 RBIs last season. He was obtained from the Colorado Rockies in January 2016 and hit .265 with 51 homers and 132 RBIs over the past two years.Gray was a 13th-round... [More]