CLEVELAND (AP) — For any other team, a historic 22-game winning streak, 102 victories, second straight division title and playoff appearance would be worth celebrating.Not the Cleveland Indians, who remain unsatisfied, yet undeterred after consecutive postseason collapses."We're going after it, man," said dazzling All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor. "We want to win. We're not backing down from anything."The Indians have spent the past two postseasons in lamenting what might have been.One year after blowing a 3-1 lead and losing the World Series in seven games, they squandered a 2-0 advantage last October to the New York Yankees and again fell short of delivering a championship to Cleveland for the first time since 1948.Maybe this is the year they end the majors' longest title drought.With Cy Young winner Corey Kluber at the top of perhaps baseball's deepest starting rotation, and in Lindor, one of the game's transcendent talents, the Indians are certain to be in the mix to finally win... [More]

Capsules of American League Central teams, listed in order of finish last year:___Cleveland Indians2017: 102-60, first place, lost to Yankees in ALDS.Manager: Terry Francona (sixth season).He's Here: 1B-DH Yonder Alonso, LF Rajai Davis, RHP Alexi Ogando.He's Outta Here: 1B Carlos Santana, OF Jay Bruce, RHP Bryan Shaw, RHP Joe Smith, OF Austin Jackson, LHP Boone Logan.Projected Lineup: SS Francisco Lindor (.273, 33 HRs, 89 RBIs, 44 2Bs, 15 SBs, 10 errors), 2B Jason Kipnis (.232, 12 HRs, 35 RBIs in 90 games), 3B Jose Ramirez (.318, 29, 83, AL-leading 56 2Bs), DH Edwin Encarnacion (.258, 38, 107), 1B Yonder Alonso (.266, career-high 28 HRs, 67 RBIs with Athletics and Mariners), RF Lonnie Chisenhall (.288, 12, 53 in 82 games), C Roberto Perez (.207, 8, 38, club went 44-22 in his starts) or Yan Gomes (.232, 14, 56), CF Bradley Zimmer (.241, 8, 39, 18 SBs, 0 errors), LF Michael Brantley (.299, 9, 52 in 90 games) or Rajai Davis (.235, 5, 20, 29 SBs with Oakland and Boston).Rotation: RH Corey Kluber... [More]

A team-by-team look at the American League Central entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad:___Cleveland IndiansManager: Terry Francona (sixth season).2017: 102-60, first place, lost to New York Yankees in ALDS.Training Town: Goodyear, Arizona.Park: Goodyear Ballpark.First Workout: Feb. 15/19.He's Here: 1B-DH Yonder Alonso, OF Melvin Upton Jr., RHP Alexi Ogando.He's Outta Here: 1B Carlos Santana, OF Jay Bruce, RHP Bryan Shaw, RHP Joe Smith, OF Austin Jackson, LHP Boone Logan.Going campin': Poised to possibly end their 70-year-old World Series title drought, the Indians, who reeled off 22 straight victories in 2017, didn't even make it back to the AL Championship Series after squandering a 2-0 playoff lead against the Yankees. Unlike last winter, when the club signed DH Edwin Encarnacion in free agency, the Indians were relatively quiet, counting on their core to carry them in... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Once the pain from their postseason elimination eased, the Cleveland Indians didn't panic.Instead, they stayed mostly intact — and confident — this winter.Determined to end their World Series title drought in 2017 after coming so close the previous season, the AL Central champions were bounced in the playoffs by the New York Yankees despite taking a 2-0 series lead.It was a bitter finish for a team that won 102 games and reeled off 22 straight victories. But while there was a sense of finality for some Cleveland fans, manager Terry Francona said these Indians aren't done."I don't think anybody should be pessimistic right now," Francona said last month. "My goodness, we have the best record in the American League the last five years. This has been a good run of baseball, and I don't see that going anywhere."With one of baseball's top rotations, anchored by two-time Cy Young winner Corey Kluber, the Indians are aiming to win their first Series since 1948 and end the majors'... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Indians settled all their arbitration cases but one. Once again, Trevor Bauer is an exception.The club avoided arbitration with starter Danny Salazar and right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall on Friday, agreeing to one-year contracts for the 2018 season.Salazar, who is coming off an inconsistent and injury-slowed 2017, will make $5 million next season. Chisenhall's contract is worth $5,587,500. He's projected to be the starting right fielder for the AL Central champions.Cleveland also reached agreement with reliever Zach McAllister on a $2.45 million contract.The Indians, however, didn't settle with Bauer before the deadline to exchange salary figures. The enigmatic right-hander won a career-high 17 games last season and developed into a vital member of Cleveland's rotation. He made 31 starts and established himself as a premier pitcher, known as much for his array of pitches as his hobby of flying drones or unique training regimen.Bauer went 10-1 with a 2.60 ERA... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Reliever Zach McAllister and the Cleveland Indians have agreed to a $2.45 million, one-year contract, a raise from the $1,825,000 he earned last season.The agreement with the 30-year-old right-hander was reached Thursday, a day before players and teams swap proposed salaries in arbitration.McAllister was 2-2 with a 2.61 ERA in 50 relief appearances last year, striking out 66 in 62 innings. He has been with the Indians for his entire seven-season big league career and is eligible for free agency after this season.Cleveland closer Cody Allen agreed Wednesday to a one-year deal for $10,575,000, up from $7.35 million.Three Indians remain eligible for arbitration: right-handers Trevor Bauer and Danny Salazar, and outfielder Lonnie Chisenhall.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

RHP Danny Salazar, who struck out nine while allowing one walk and one hit in 4 2/3 innings in his last start, is still being considered for the postseason roster, either as a starter or reliever. "That's something we've got to figure out," said manager Terry Francona. "Do we lengthen him out to start him, or let him work out of the pen?"

RHP Danny Salazar has endured a second consecutive injury-plagued year, but he is making a late push for a spot on the Indians' postseason roster. His performance Wednesday night should help. In 4 2/3 innings, Salazar held the Twins scoreless on one hit and one walk while striking out nine. "Danny looked great. That was really, really encouraging," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "He worked ahead in the count and had dominating stuff. That was exciting to see." With the Indians leading 2-0, Salazar was taken out of the game with two outs and nobody on base in the fifth inning, one out shy of qualifying for the win. He threw 64 pitches. "We wanted him to go around 65 pitches," Francona said.

RHP Danny Salazar, vying for a postseason roster spot, gave up one run and two hits in his start Thursday against the Angels, lasting 2 2/3 innings while making 54 pitches. He gave up an RBI double to DH Albert Pujols in the first inning but nothing else.

RHP Danny Salazar will start Thursday against the Angels, and his performance could go a long way in determining where he fits into the Indians' postseason plans. Salazar could find his way into the playoff rotation, likely to be four starters. He could also be picked to pitch out of the bullpen, or he might not even make the postseason roster at all. In his last start on Sept. 5 vs. the White Sox, Salazar lasted only two-thirds of an inning and gave up four runs. He is 1-1 with a 3.74 ERA in four career starts against the Angels.

RHP Danny Salazar, who has been injured and ineffective for most of the second half of the season, was moved out of the rotation and into the bullpen. In his first appearance since that move, Salazar pitched two scoreless innings Monday. Manager Terry Francona said the Indians will need to a spot start for a game in the near future and Salazar or LHP Ryan Merritt will pitch that game.

RHP Danny Salazar, who has been injured and ineffective for most of the second half of the season, resulting in him being moved to the bullpen, pitched two scoreless innings of relief Monday, allowing one hit, with one strikeout and no walks. "The ball was coming out of his hand well. You can tell his arm feels fine by the way he was throwing," said manager Terry Francona.

RHP Danny Salazar will begin throwing out of the bullpen Sunday. Salazar came off the disabled list Tuesday and lasted only two-thirds of an inning. Manager Terry Francona said Thursday the Indians considered having Salazar throw a simulated game, but instead, decided to move him to the bullpen and Salazar could eventually throw two or three innings. Salazar is 5-6 with a 4.66 ERA.

RHP Danny Salazar (5-6, 4.30 ERA) was activated from the 10-day disabled list (right elbow inflammation) for Tuesday's start against the White Sox, but lasted just 2/3 of an inning, the shortest start of his career. He allowed four runs on one hit (a homer run), two walks and a hit batter. He had been on the disabled list since Aug. 21, his second stint this season. In his six second half starts after being activated from his first DL trip from June 4-July 21 he went 2-1 with a 2.68 ERA.

RHP Danny Salazar (right elbow) is slated to return to Cleveland's rotation next week. "I think we're leaning toward starting him on the fifth," manager Terry Francona said Saturday. "He won't go real deep, but I think he's situated to start that game." Salazar has been out of action since Aug. 21 with an inflamed right elbow.

RHP Danny Salazar (right elbow inflammation) is on target to throw a simulated game Friday. Salazar was slated to throw a bullpen session Tuesday before the game was rained out. On Monday, he threw off flat ground. Salazar was placed on the disabled list Aug. 22 and the Indians are hopeful he can return shortly after rosters expand Sept. 1. Salazar is 5-6 with a 4.30 ERA and 128 strikeouts in 92 innings in 18 games (16 starts) this season.

RHP Danny Salazar (right elbow inflammation) threw off flat ground Monday and is on pace to throw a bullpen session Tuesday. The bullpen will be the first for Salazar since he was placed on the 10-day disabled list Aug. 22 (retroactive to Aug. 21). The Indians are hopeful he can rejoin the rotation shortly after rosters expand Sept. 1. Salazar is 5-6 with a 4.30 ERA and 128 strikeouts over 92 innings in 18 games (16 starts) this season.

RHP Danny Salazar was placed on the 10-day disabled list with right elbow inflammation. "He feels stiffness in the elbow, and when he feels it it's hard for him let loose," manager Terry Francona said. Salazar underwent an MRI late Tuesday afternoon. "Everything came back good," Francona said. "We'll give him a couple days down then try to build him up." This is Salazar's second stint on the DL this year. He was on the DL from June 6 to July 22 with right shoulder soreness. In six after coming off the DL, Salazar was 2-1 with a 2.68 ERA.

RHP Danny Salazar was placed on the 10-day DL with right elbow inflammation. He owns a 5-6 record with a 4.30 ERA in 18 appearances this season.

The Cleveland Indians placed left-hander Andrew Miller and right-hander Danny Salazar on the 10-day disabled list, the team announced Tuesday.Miller, who is dealing with patellar tendonitis in his right knee, exited Monday's game against the Boston Red Sox after making seven pitches in the seventh inning. The All-Star reliever had just returned from a 16-day stint on the disabled list.Miller owns a 4-3 mark with two saves and a 1.65 ERA in 48 appearances this season.Like Miller, Salazar is also making his second trip to the disabled list this season. The 27-year-old, who is being plagued by right elbow inflammation, has posted a 5-6 record with a 4.30 ERA in 18 appearances this season.Cleveland recalled right-hander Shawn Armstrong and utility man Yandy Diaz from Triple-A Columbus in a pair of corresponding moves.Armstrong owns a 1-0 mark with a 4.22 ERA in 18 appearances with the Indians. He also has posted a 1-1 record with 10 saves and a 2.96 ERA in 26 relief showings with Columbus.Diaz will make his third stint with Cleveland this season, and first since May 8-15. He is batting .350 with five homers and 33 RBIs in 85 games with Columbus.