CHICAGO (AP) — Kyle Schwarber and Albert Almora Jr. became free agents Wednesday when the Chicago Cubs declined to offer contracts to two key players from their historic 2016 World Series championship. While Schwarber, Almora, slugger José Martínez and pitcher Ryan Tepera were non-tendered, the Cubs offered 2021 contracts to infielders Kris Bryant and Javier Báez, catchers Willson Contreras and Victor Caratini, and outfielder Ian Happ. They agreed to one-year deals with relievers Kyle Ryan, Colin Rea and Dan Winkler, avoiding arbitration with all three. Chicago also announced it had claimed reliever Robert Stock off waivers from the Boston Red Sox. The 31-year-old right-hander was designated for assignment last week. Wednesday's non-tender deadline was the first major look at the state of the Cubs since Jed Hoyer was promoted to president of baseball operations last month, replacing Theo Epstein. While the Cubs held onto All-Star sluggers Bryant, Báez, and Contreras, those players could... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Ryan Tepera? Baseball fans love to argue over who should win big awards. But there likely was no debate about the most surprising name on the list of players getting NL MVP votes Thursday. That was Tepera, the Chicago Cubs reliever who was 0-1 with a 3.92 ERA during the virus-shortened season. The 33-year-old righty received a single 10th-place vote for one point, leaving him tied for 18th in the NL balloting, far behind winner Freddie Freeman. Still, that’s more support than the likes of Bryce Harper, Jacob deGrom and Nolan Arenado drew as they got shut out. Tepera struck out 31 in 20 2/3 innings over 21 games, and pitched in the playoffs for the Cubs. A valuable piece of Chicago's bullpen, for sure, but MVP worthy? Turns out there was a simple explanation for the vote. It was a mix-up — one that didn’t affect the results in any way. “I meant to hit Trea Turner and thought I had,” longtime St. Louis Post-Dispatch writer Rick Hummel said. No worries, Tepera tweeted. “One... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Ryan Tepera? Baseball fans love to argue over who should win big awards. But there likely was no debate about the most surprising name on the list of players getting NL MVP votes Thursday. That was Tepera, the Chicago Cubs reliever who was 0-1 with a 3.92 ERA during the virus-shortened season. The 33-year-old righty received a single 10th-place vote for one point, leaving him tied for 18th in the NL balloting, far behind winner Freddie Freeman. Still, that’s more support than the likes of Bryce Harper, Jacob deGrom and Nolan Arenado drew as they got shut out. Tepera struck out 31 in 20 2/3 innings over 21 games, and pitched in the playoffs for the Cubs. Turns out there was a simple explanation for the vote. It was a mix-up — one that didn’t affect the results in any way. “I meant to hit Trea Turner and thought I had,” longtime St. Louis Post-Dispatch writer Rick Hummel said. Fondly called “The Commish” by his peers, Hummel in 2006 won the Baseball Writers' Association of America's award for excellence that is presented during the Hall of Fame’s induction ceremonies. Hummel said he intended to click on Turner’s name on a drop-down list, but figures he accidentally clicked Tepera. Turner, the Washington shortstop, finished all alone in seventh place. “I should have double-checked it,” Hummel said. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Voting for the 2020 National League Most Valuable Player Award, with first-, second- and third-place votes and total points based on a 14-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis: Player1st2nd3rdTotalFreddie Freeman, Braves282-410Mookie Betts, Dodgers2215268Manny Machado, Padres-216221Fernando Tatis Jr., Padres-25201Juan Soto, Nationals-32172Marcell Ozuna, Braves--2167Trea Turner, Nationals---83Mike Yastrzemski, Giants---81Corey Seager, Dodgers---43Trevor Bauer, Reds---32Trevor Story, Rockies---23Ronald Acuña Jr., Braves---21Dominic Smith, Mets---16Yu Darvish, Cubs---14Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals---9Brandon Belt, Giants---2Wil Myers, Padres---2Max Fried, Braves---1Ian Happ, Cubs---1Dansby Swanson, Braves---1Ryan Tepera, Cubs---1Devin Williams, Brewers---1

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Lance Lynn pitched seven strong innings, Elvis Andrus homered and the Texas Rangers snapped a six-game losing streak with a 7-1 win Tuesday night over the Los Angeles Angels, who had won five in a row.Lynn (5-2), the first major league pitcher to make 10 starts this season, struck out six, walked two and limited the Angels to one run on four hits. The right-hander had lost his previous two starts, allowing 10 runs (nine earned) — more than he had allowed combined his first seven starts. Andrus put the Rangers ahead to stay with a solo shot in the second. They went ahead 3-0 with two unearned runs in the fourth on second baseman Matt Thaiss’ two-out error. Andrew Heaney (3-3) allowed five runs (three earned) in five innings. He struck out four and walked one. Heaney had won his last two starts and had pitched 10 consecutive scoreless innings before Andrus went deep. The lefty also gave up five runs (over 3 2-3 innings) in his first start at the Rangers’ new ballpark... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Lance Lynn pitched seven strong innings, Elvis Andrus homered and the Texas Rangers snapped a six-game losing streak with a 7-1 win Tuesday night over the Los Angeles Angels, who had won five in a row.Lynn (5-2), the first major league pitcher to make 10 starts this season, struck out six, walked two and limited the Angels to one run on four hits. The right-hander had lost his previous two starts, allowing 10 runs (nine earned) — more than he had allowed combined his first seven starts. Andrus put the Rangers ahead to stay with a solo shot in the second. They went ahead 3-0 with two unearned runs in the fourth on second baseman Matt Thaiss’ two-out error. Andrew Heaney (3-3) allowed five runs (three earned) in five innings. He struck out four and walked one. Heaney had won his last two starts and had pitched 10 consecutive scoreless innings before Andrus went deep. The lefty also gave up five runs (over 3 2-3 innings) in his first start at the Rangers’ new ballpark... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Lance Lynn pitched seven strong innings, Elvis Andrus homered and the Texas Rangers snapped a six-game losing streak with a 7-1 win Tuesday night over the Los Angeles Angels, who had won five in a row.Lynn (5-2), the first major league pitcher to make 10 starts this season, struck out six, walked two and limited the Angels to one run on four hits. The right-hander had lost his previous two starts, allowing 10 runs (nine earned) — more than he had allowed combined his first seven starts. Andrus put the Rangers ahead to stay with a solo shot in the second. They went ahead 3-0 with two unearned runs in the fourth on second baseman Matt Thaiss’ two-out error. Andrew Heaney (3-3) allowed five runs (three earned) in five innings. He struck out four and walked one. Heaney had won his last two starts and had pitched 10 consecutive scoreless innings before Andrus went deep. The lefty also gave up five runs (over 3 2-3 innings) in his first start at the Rangers’ new ballpark... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Lance Lynn pitched seven strong innings, Elvis Andrus homered and the Texas Rangers snapped a six-game losing streak with a 7-1 win Tuesday night over the Los Angeles Angels, who had won five in a row.Lynn (5-2), the first major league pitcher to make 10 starts this season, struck out six, walked two and limited the Angels to one run on four hits. The right-hander had lost his previous two starts, allowing 10 runs (nine earned) — more than he had allowed combined his first seven starts. Andrus put the Rangers ahead to stay with a solo shot in the second. They went ahead 3-0 with two unearned runs in the fourth on second baseman Matt Thaiss’ two-out error. Andrew Heaney (3-3) allowed five runs (three earned) in five innings. He struck out four and walked one. Heaney had won his last two starts and had pitched 10 consecutive scoreless innings before Andrus went deep. The lefty also gave up five runs (over 3 2-3 innings) in his first start at the Rangers’ new ballpark... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Khris Davis homered and hit an RBI double against previously unbeaten Zack Greinke, and the Oakland Athletics sent the Houston Astros to their sixth straight loss, 4-2 Tuesday in the first game of a doubleheader.Ash from nearby wildfires fell inside the Coliseum as the A’s stretched their AL West lead over second-place Houston to 5 1/2 games.Robbie Grossman hit a go-ahead double in the sixth and Ramón Laureano added an RBI single for Oakland.The A’s played as the visiting team in a makeup of a postponement from Aug. 30 after pitcher Daniel Mengden’s positive coronavirus test result.Davis snapped an 0-for-8 stretch playing for the first time since Aug. 26 at Texas. He began the day 3 for 8 lifetime against Greinke with a home run and a double.Greinke (3-1) allowed four runs and seven hits over six innings. He struck out six.A’s starter Frankie Montas (3-3), 0-2 over his previous three outings, gave up two runs on six hits in five innings. Liam Hendriks finished for... [More]

Pirates second. Colin Moran homers to center field. Ke'Bryan Hayes strikes out swinging. Gregory Polanco doubles to shallow left field. Anthony Alford flies out to deep right center field to Cameron Maybin. Gregory Polanco to third. Jacob Stallings walks. Cole Tucker called out on strikes.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Pirates 1, Cubs 0.Cubs fourth. Willson Contreras singles to right field. Anthony Rizzo doubles to deep right field. Willson Contreras to third. Javier Baez homers to left field. Anthony Rizzo scores. Willson Contreras scores. Steven Souza Jr. called out on strikes. Jose Martinez grounds out to shallow infield, Kevin Newman to Colin Moran. Cameron Maybin doubles to left field. David Bote walks. Nico Hoerner reaches on catcher interference. David Bote to second. Cameron Maybin to third. Interference error by Jacob Stallings. Ian Happ pops out to Ke'Bryan Hayes.3 runs, 4 hits, 1 error, 3 left on. Cubs 3, Pirates 1.Cubs seventh. Nico Hoerner singles to left center field.... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Michael Perez hit a go-ahead solo homer in the eighth inning and the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays beat the Baltimore Orioles 4-3 on Wednesday night.Perez homered to center off Mychal Givens (0-1). It was his first long ball since Aug. 10, 2018.Ryan Sherriff (1-0) worked a perfect eighth in his first big league game since May 7, 2018, due to Tommy John surgery. Diego Castillo pitched the ninth to get his first save. Ten Tampa Bay relievers have a save this season.Brandon Lowe hit his 10th homer for the Rays, who have won nine of 11. The Orioles are 8-3 on the road after losing the first two games of the series. Their only other defeat away from home came opening day at Boston.BLUE JAYS 9, RED SOX 1BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Rowdy Tellez drove in four runs with two homers and a double, and Toronto beat Boston.Vladimir Guererro Jr. hit a pair of doubles, including a three-run bouncer down the left field line that keyed a four-run seventh inning for Toronto (15-14).... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Michael Perez hit a go-ahead solo homer in the eighth inning and the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays beat the Baltimore Orioles 4-3 on Wednesday night.Perez homered to center off Mychal Givens (0-1). It was his first long ball since Aug. 10, 2018.Ryan Sherriff (1-0) worked a perfect eighth in his first big league game since May 7, 2018, due to Tommy John surgery. Diego Castillo pitched the ninth to get his first save. Ten Tampa Bay relievers have a save this season.Brandon Lowe hit his 10th homer for the Rays, who have won nine of 11. The Orioles are 8-3 on the road after losing the first two games of the series. Their only other defeat away from home came opening day at Boston.BLUE JAYS 9, RED SOX 1BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Rowdy Tellez drove in four runs with two homers and a double, and Toronto beat Boston.Vladimir Guererro Jr. hit a pair of doubles, including a three-run bouncer down the left field line that keyed a four-run seventh inning for Toronto (15-14).... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Michael Perez hit a go-ahead solo homer in the eighth inning and the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays beat the Baltimore Orioles 4-3 on Wednesday night.Perez homered to center off Mychal Givens (0-1). It was his first long ball since Aug. 10, 2018.Ryan Sherriff (1-0) worked a perfect eighth in his first big league game since May 7, 2018, due to Tommy John surgery. Diego Castillo pitched the ninth to get his first save. Ten Tampa Bay relievers have a save this season.Brandon Lowe hit his 10th homer for the Rays, who have won nine of 11. The Orioles are 8-3 on the road after losing the first two games of the series. Their only other defeat away from home came opening day at Boston.BLUE JAYS 9, RED SOX 1BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Rowdy Tellez drove in four runs with two homers and a double, and Toronto beat Boston.Vladimir Guererro Jr. hit a pair of doubles, including a three-run bouncer down the left field line that keyed a four-run seventh inning for Toronto (15-14).... [More]

A team-by-team look at the American League East 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:___New York YankeesManager: Aaron Boone (third season). 2019: 103-59, first place, lost to Houston in AL Championship Series. Training Town: Tampa, Florida. Park: George Steinbrenner Field. First Workout: Feb. 13/18. He's Here: RHP Gerrit Cole, C Erik Kratz, C Chris Iannetta, C Josh Thole, RHP Nick Tropeano, LHP Luis Avil�nHe's Outta Here: LHP CC Sabathia, SS Didi Gregorius, 1B Edwin Encarnacion, C Austin Romine, RHP Dellin Betances, OF Cameron Maybin, OF Jacoby Ellsbury, 1B Greg Bird, RHP Chance Adams, LHP Stephen Tarpley, LHP Nestor Cortes Jr., RHP Cory GearrinGoing campin': After a big league-record 30 players went on the injured list a total of 39 times last season, health remains a concern. Left-hander James Paxton had back surgery Feb. 5 and is expected to be sidelined until May or... [More]

A team-by-team look at the National 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:___St. Louis CardinalsManager: Mike Shildt (third season). 2019: 91-71, first place, lost to Nationals in NLCS.Training Town: Jupiter, Florida.Park: Roger Dean Stadium.First Workout: Feb. 12/17. He's Here: LHP Matthew Liberatore, C Matt Wieters, LHP Kwang-Hyun Kim.He's Outta Here: OF Marcell Ozuna, RF Jose Martinez, LF Randy Arozarena, RHP Dominic Leone.Going campin': The Cardinals return largely intact after getting swept in the NLCS by World Series champion Washington. The biggest competition throughout the spring will be in the outfield, where only Dexter Fowler has a position locked up — mostly because of his contract. Center fielder Harrison Bader probably has another spot under control, and that leaves Tyler O'Neill, Lane Thomas and top prospect Dylan Carlson competing for the last... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The Cubs and reliever Ryan Tepera agreed Friday to a one-year deal that pays a $900,000 salary while in the major leagues.The 32-year-old right-hander is 12-11 with a a 3.64 ERA and 10 saves over five seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays. He was limited to 23 appearances last season because of a right elbow impingement that sidelined him from mid-May through August and finished 0-2 with a 4.98 ERA.Tepera gets a $300,000 salary while in the minors.Chicago went 84-78 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014.———More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Orioles third. Austin Wynns singles to center field. Jonathan Villar grounds out to third base, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to Rowdy Tellez. Austin Wynns to second. Hanser Alberto flies out to left field to Lourdes Gurriel Jr.. Trey Mancini doubles to deep right center field. Austin Wynns scores. Anthony Santander reaches on third strike. Trey Mancini to third. Renato Nunez grounds out to shortstop, Bo Bichette to Rowdy Tellez.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Orioles 1, Blue jays 0.Blue jays fourth. Bo Bichette grounds out to second base, Hanser Alberto to Renato Nunez. Cavan Biggio homers to center field. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. homers to center field. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. flies out to deep center field to Austin Hays. Justin Smoak lines out to right field to Trey Mancini.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Blue jays 2, Orioles 1.Orioles fifth. Jonathan Villar strikes out swinging. Hanser Alberto singles to center field. Trey Mancini singles to center field. Hanser Alberto to third. Anthony... [More]

Rays fourth. Avisail Garcia singles to third base. Tommy Pham singles to shallow right field. Avisail Garcia to third. Austin Meadows singles to center field. Tommy Pham to second. Avisail Garcia scores. Jesus Aguilar flies out to deep right field to Billy McKinney. Tommy Pham to third. Matt Duffy hit by pitch. Austin Meadows to second. Kevin Kiermaier strikes out swinging. Willy Adames walks. Matt Duffy to second. Austin Meadows to third. Tommy Pham scores. Mike Zunino strikes out swinging.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Rays 2, Blue jays 0.Blue jays sixth. Cavan Biggio called out on strikes. Rowdy Tellez singles to right field. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. doubles. Rowdy Tellez to third. Justin Smoak walks. Reese McGuire singles to right field. Justin Smoak to second. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to third. Rowdy Tellez scores. Jonathan Davis singles to left center field. Reese McGuire to second. Justin Smoak to third. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. scores. Billy McKinney out on a sacrifice fly to deep... [More]

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Brian Moran became the first player in major league history to make his debut while on the mound facing his brother, striking out younger sibling Colin in the Miami Marlins' 10-7 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night.Brian (1-0) entered in the fourth inning with the Marlins trailing 5-2. After Bryan Reynolds led off with a groundout, Colin stepped to the plate having doubled in each of his first two at-bats.The 30-year-old Brian fell behind 3-1 before throwing back-to-back sliders to strike out Colin looking. The 26-year-old Colin shouted toward the mound on his way back to the dugout. Moran hit Josh Bell with a pitch and then got Melky Cabrera to fly out in his only inning of work.The Marlins rallied for four runs in the fifth, allowing Brian to get the win. Colin finished 2 for 4.They became the first siblings to face each other in a pitcher-batter scenario with one of the brothers making his major league debut, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.Dario... [More]

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Brian Moran became the first player in major league history to make his debut while on the mound facing his brother, striking out younger sibling Colin in the Miami Marlins' 10-7 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night.Brian (1-0) entered in the fourth inning with the Marlins trailing 5-2. After Bryan Reynolds led off with a groundout, Colin stepped to the plate having doubled in each of his first two at-bats.The 30-year-old Brian fell behind 3-1 before throwing back-to-back sliders to strike out Colin looking. The 26-year-old Colin shouted toward the mound on his way back to the dugout. Moran hit Josh Bell with a pitch and then got Melky Cabrera to fly out in his only inning of work.The Marlins rallied for four runs in the fifth, allowing Brian to get the win. Colin finished 2 for 4.They became the first siblings to face each other in a pitcher-batter scenario with one of the brothers making his major league debut, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.Dario... [More]