SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred apologized Tuesday for what he called a disrespectful reference to the World Series trophy as a “piece of metal.”Even before being asked about it, Manfred said he made a mistake with those comments while trying to deliver a rhetorical point in an interview two days earlier.“I referred to the World Series trophy in a disrespectful way, and I want to apologize for it,” Manfred said. "There's no excuse for it. ... It was a mistake to say what I said."MLB players, already upset with Manfred's handling of the Houston Astros' sign-stealing scandal and some of his comments in trying to explain it, became further infuriated by his “piece of metal” comment during a lengthy interview with ESPN on Sunday, the same day he spoke in Florida.Even NBA superstar LeBron James joined the anti-Astros chorus, voicing his anger on social media Tuesday.While speaking at the Cactus League media day in the Arizona desert, Manfred also pledged Tuesday to protect... [More]

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Commissioner Rob Manfred’s stern warning covering the intentional beaning of Houston players in the wake of the Astros' sign-stealing scandal hasn’t stopped an offshore sports book from publishing odds on a variety of bets related to possible plunkings.The player who’s the favorite to get hit the most according to these odds? Third baseman Alex Bregman, whose news conference apology last week was not well received.The possibility of Houston’s hitters being intentionally hit this season has become a topic of discussion after pitchers around the league have either said or implied they would throw at them. Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Ross Stripling, who was on the team that lost to the Astros in the 2017 World Series, said he would “lean toward yes” when asked if he would consider throwing at Houston batters this season. Cleveland right-hander Mike Clevinger, who has been outspoken against the Astros since the cheating scandal emerged, said he doesn’t think “it’s... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred apologized Tuesday for what he called a disrespectful reference to the World Series trophy as a “piece of metal.”Even before being asked about it, Manfred said he made a mistake with those comments while trying to deliver a rhetorical point in an interview two days earlier.“I referred to the World Series trophy in a disrespectful way, and I want to apologize for it,” Manfred said. "There's no excuse for it. ... It was a mistake to say what I said."MLB players, already upset with Manfred's handling of the Houston Astros' sign-stealing scandal and some of his comments in trying to explain it, became further infuriated by his “piece of metal” comment during a lengthy interview with ESPN on Sunday, the same day he spoke in Florida.Even NBA superstar LeBron James joined the anti-Astros chorus, voicing his anger on social media Tuesday.While speaking at the Cactus League media day in the Arizona desert, Manfred also pledged Tuesday to protect... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred apologized Tuesday for what he called a disrespectful reference to the World Series trophy as a “piece of metal.”Even before being asked about it, Manfred said he made a mistake with those comments while trying to deliver a rhetorical point in an interview two days earlier.“I referred to the World Series trophy in a disrespectful way, and I want to apologize for it,” Manfred said. "There's no excuse for it. ... It was a mistake to say what I said."MLB players, already upset with Manfred's handling of the Houston Astros' sign-stealing scandal and some of his comments in trying to explain it, became further infuriated by his “piece of metal” comment during a lengthy interview with ESPN on Sunday, the same day he spoke in Florida.Even NBA superstar LeBron James joined the anti-Astros chorus, voicing his anger on social media Tuesday.While speaking at the Cactus League media day in the Arizona desert, Manfred also pledged Tuesday to protect... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Milwaukee Brewers owner Mark Attanasio claims his team “had an operating loss” in 2019 but that isn't why the club's projected payroll has dropped nearly $30 million.Attanasio says the Brewers are down from last season's franchise-record $132.6 million payroll because president of baseball operations David Stearns didn't find any splashy free-agent fits, instead preferring to rely on depth, versatility and manager Craig Counsell's knack for balancing options."There’s nothing that David didn’t do this offseason that he wouldn’t have done if we’d have had a different budget number," Attanasio said. “He’s always free to come to me and say, ‘I want to do ‘fill-in-the-blank.’ I want to acquire 'fill-in-the-blank.’”Milwaukee was fifth in the National League last year in attendance at 2,923,333 and has been in the top-6 each of the past three seasons, yet it was 11th in the NL in payroll. Only the Pirates and Marlins spent less than $100 million among NL clubs, which is roughly... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred apologized Tuesday for what he called a disrespectful reference to the World Series trophy as a “piece of metal.”Even before being asked about it, Manfred said he made a mistake with those comments when trying to deliver a rhetorical point in an interview two days earlier.“I referred to the World Series trophy in a disrespectful way, and I want to apologize for it,” Manfred said. "There's no excuse for it. ... It was a mistake to say what I said."MLB players, already upset with Manfred's handling of the Houston Astros' sign-stealing scandal and some of his comments in trying to explain it, became further infuriated by his “piece of metal” comment during a lengthy interview with ESPN on Sunday, the same day he spoke in Florida.Even NBA superstar LeBron James joined the anti-Astros chorus, voicing his anger on social media Tuesday.While speaking at the Cactus League media day in the Arizona desert, Manfred also pledged Tuesday to protect... [More]

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Commissioner Rob Manfred’s stern warning that the intentional beaning of the Houston Astros in the wake of their sign-stealing scandal hasn’t stopped an offshore sports book from publishing odds on a variety bets related to their possible plunking.The player who’s the favorite to get hit the most according to these odds? Third baseman Alex Bregman, whose news conference apology last week was not well received.The possibility of Houston’s hitters being intentionally hit this season has become a topic of discussion after pitchers around the league have either said or implied that they’d throw at them this season. Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Ross Stripling, whose was on the team that lost to the Astros in the 2017 World Series, said he would “lean toward yes” when asked if he would consider throwing at Houston batters this season. Cleveland right-hander Mike Clevinger, who has been outspoken against the Astros since the cheating scandal emerged, said he doesn’t... [More]

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Carter Kieboom, a rookie who will get a shot to be the Washington Nationals' starting third baseman on opening day, took grounders alongside Asdrúbal Cabrera, a versatile, 14th-year infielder who was among seven free agents returning to the World Series champions.Across the diamond on Field 3 at the club's spring training facility, Ryan Zimmerman, another one of those returnees, shared duties at first base with Eric Thames, one of the few new faces expected to be on the 26-man roster.A short while later Tuesday, at Field 6, slugging left fielder Juan Soto sent kids chasing balls that flew over the wall as he joined Howie Kendrick and Cabrera for the first round of batting practice.As the Nationals engaged in their first full-squad workout, manager Dave Martinez's message was simple: Go ahead and think about the special moments of 2019, but also make sure to realize it's time to start over."It's 2020 now. At some point, you have to turn the page," said Zimmerman,... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees star Aaron Judge feels the Houston Astros should be stripped of their 2017 World Series championship.“You cheated and you didn't earn it,” Judge said Tuesday after the Yankees' first full-squad workout. “That's how I feel. It wasn't earned. It wasn't earned the way of playing the game right and fighting to the end and knowing that we're competing, we're competitors. The biggest thing about competition is laying it all out on the line, and whoever is the better player, better person comes out on top. To know that another team had an advantage that, nothing you can really guard against, I just don't feel like that's earned.”Major League Baseball concluded the Astros used a video camera to steal catcher's signs in 2017, including during the postseason, and in 2018. Manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow were suspended for one season each, then were fired by the team. Houston was fined $5 million and stripped of its next two first- and second-round... [More]

NORTH PORT, Fla. (AP) — Nothing like a little encouragement from Hammerin' Hank himself to show the way at spring training for the Atlanta Braves.The Braves welcomed Hall of Fame slugger Hank Aaron to their first full-squad workout and named a street for him at their new complex Tuesday, starting off a season full of high expectations."It's awesome, we're so appreciative," manager Brian Snitker said. "We talked in the winter of him coming down. I told the guys and Hank we'd like to have him around more."The two-time NL East champions intend to put some pressure on themselves this year.The Braves signed outfielder Marcell Ozuna, starting pitcher Cole Hamels and reliever Will Smith in the offseason, and gave contract extensions to general manager Alex Anthopolous, Snitker and his coaching staff.That's all intended to boost a team that went 97-65 last season, but lost to Ozuna and the St. Louis Cardinals in a five-game Division Series.Atlanta hasn't won a playoff series since 2001, with one-and-done... [More]

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Clayton Kershaw is pleased practically everybody in the sport seized the opportunity to tee off on the cheating Houston Astros and Commissioner Rob Manfred's handling of the scandal over the past several days.The Los Angeles Dodgers' veteran ace also believes it's time for baseball to go back to work.“This type of thing has never happened before, and people are upset by it,” Kershaw said Tuesday after the Dodgers' first full squad workout of the spring. “People feel cheated, and rightfully so. The only thing I will say now is we’ve got a great season coming up. Everybody is really excited about baseball. Baseball is in a great spot. We’ve got a lot of incredible players.”Kershaw echoed the vibe around the clubhouse with the team that was among the most damaged by — and the angriest about — the Astros' use of illegal methods during their 2017 World Series championship run. The Dodgers haven't cooled down about the revelations, but Kershaw thinks that energy can be... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees star Aaron Judge feels the Houston Astros should be stripped of their 2017 World Series championship.“You cheated and you didn't earn it.,” Judge said Tuesday after the Yankees' first full-squad workout. “That's how I feel. It wasn't earned. It wasn't earned the way of playing the game right and fighting to the end and knowing that we're competing, we're competitors. The biggest thing about competition is laying it all out on the line, and whoever is the better player, better person comes out on top. To know that another team had an advantage that, nothing you can really guard against, I just don't feel like that's earned.”Major League Baseball concluded the Astros used a video camera to steal catcher's signs in 2017, including during the postseason, and in 2018. Manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow were suspended for one season each, then were fired by the team. Houston was fined $5 million and stripped of its next two first- and second-round... [More]

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Manny Machado took care of business again this winter. It was all about baseball on the field this time.“It was good, it was a regular offseason for me," Machado said Tuesday before the San Diego Padres had their first full-squad workout of the spring. “I was able to work out, have a full offseason, not worry about business." Much different than last year, when the four-time All-Star slugger and two-time Gold Glove-winning third baseman was still a free agent at this point in spring training. Machado wound up with a $300 million, 10-year blockbuster deal, then had a disappointing first season with the Padres.“I think it's a clean slate for Manny to finally go home in the winter and not have to worry about contracts or negotiations or anything like that, and just worry about being a baseball player,” first baseman Eric Hosmer said. “We know he's one of the best baseball players there is. So for him to just solely focus on that, you know, you feel pretty good about him... [More]

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Twins right fielder Max Kepler didn’t get to watch a lot of major league baseball growing up in Germany. The games he did did see included many Boston Red Sox-New York Yankees matchups, which caused him to become a big fan of Derek Jeter.“I loved watching Jeter, even though I’m a lefty and the complete opposite of what he was,” Kepler said Tuesday before Minnesota’s second full-squad workout. “He was the guy I really looked up to.”The 27-year-old Kepler never played against the Yankees shortstop but learned from afar by watching how Jeter handled himself on the field.“He was in the league for plenty of seasons and had countless awards and recognitions,” Kepler said. “He would go out there every year and play as if he was a rookie fighting for his job, which impressed me.”Kepler hopes that he’ll learn what it takes to establish a lengthy career.“To keep that type of consistency is tough because you can get full of your success, any success,” Kepler said. “I’ve been... [More]

NORTH PORT, Fla. (AP) — Before taking batting practice, Atlanta outfielder Nick Markakis teed off on the scam-ridden Houston Astros."I feel every single guy over there deserves a beating," he said Tuesday.Markakis wasn't happy with commissioner Rob Manfred, either.“I think the commissioner completely handled it the wrong way. But that's the way he did it and we got to live with that. I know a lot of people disagreed with the way he handled this decision," Markakis said. “He should be embarrassed of himself.”As the Braves began their first full-squad workout, Markakis became the latest major leaguer to take aim at the Astros in the wake of their sign-stealing scandal."I ain't commenting on everybody's comments. Go ahead. You want to beat on us, go ahead," new Astros manager Dusty Baker said. "I didn't think Markakis talked too much."When told Markakis doesn't, Baker said, “OK, maybe he had his Wheaties.”The Braves and Astros play twice in spring training. Houston closes the regular season... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Wade Davis has again entered spring training as the Colorado Rockies' closer after a rough 2019 season.Davis lost his ninth-inning role in the final two months last year, when he finished 1-6 with 15 saves and an 8.65 ERA in the least effective effort of an 11-year career. “It sucks when you're not doing well at anything, anything in life,” Davis said. “The biggest thing is to move past it. That's when you learn and grow. You work harder. You prepare and you are at ease with what happened and your struggles. That's why I feel good about where I'm at now, despite whatever.”Scott Oberg took over as closer and pitched well before a blood clot in his right shoulder forced him to miss the final six weeks of the season and required offseason surgery, though he is healthy this spring and will join Davis in the back end of the bullpen.“I think in a perfect world, Wade is our closer and Scotty pitches in front of him in some capacity, whether it is an inning or one-plus... [More]

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Elvis Andrus has a few aging distinctions going into his 12th major league season. The only player left in the Texas Rangers clubhouse to wear that uniform in a World Series, the 31-year-old shortstop is the club's longest-tenured player by five years and expected to be the oldest regular starting shortstop in the majors.“I still believe I'm a rookie," Andrus said Monday, when the Rangers had their first full-squad workout. “I never want to feel comfortable. I always want to feel that somebody is going to take my job, and that's the mentality and that's the reality of the game." Andrus hit .275 last season — matching his career average through 1,623 regular-season games. He was hitting .361 through the season's first month and was at .309 by the end of June, then batted .240 over the final 74 games of the season while Texas skidded to its third straight losing season since AL West titles in 2015 and 2016. Second-year manager Chris Woodward said the Rangers “were pretty... [More]

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Elvis Andrus has a few aging distinctions going into his 12th major league season. The only player left in the Texas Rangers clubhouse to wear that uniform in a World Series, the 31-year-old shortstop is the club's longest-tenured player by five years and expected to be the oldest regular starting shortstop in the majors.“I still believe I'm a rookie," Andrus said Monday, when the Rangers had their first full-squad workout. “I never want to feel comfortable. I always want to feel that somebody is going to take my job, and that's the mentality and that's the reality of the game." Andrus hit .275 last season — matching his career average through 1,623 regular-season games. He was hitting .361 through the season's first month and was at .309 by the end of June, then batted .240 over the final 74 games of the season while Texas skidded to its third straight losing season since AL West titles in 2015 and 2016. Second-year manager Chris Woodward said the Rangers “were pretty... [More]

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Elvis Andrus has a few aging distinctions going into his 12th major league season. The only player left in the Texas Rangers clubhouse to wear that uniform in a World Series, the 31-year-old shortstop is the club's longest-tenured player by five years and expected to be the oldest regular starting shortstop in the majors.“I still believe I'm a rookie," Andrus said Monday, when the Rangers had their first full-squad workout. “I never want to feel comfortable. I always want to feel that somebody is going to take my job, and that's the mentality and that's the reality of the game." Andrus hit .275 last season — matching his career average through 1,623 regular-season games. He was hitting .361 through the season's first month and was at .309 by the end of June, then batted .240 over the final 74 games of the season while Texas skidded to its third straight losing season since AL West titles in 2015 and 2016. Second-year manager Chris Woodward said the Rangers “were pretty... [More]

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Players who have won a World Series -- and those who have come up short -- seethed Monday at Commissioner Rob Manfred's reference to the sport's championship trophy as merely a "piece of metal," saying that comment reflected a disconnect between baseball's boss and those who produce the product on the field."It bothered me, man. I hated it. It made him sound really out of touch," said reliever Sean Doolittle, a member of the 2019 title-winning Washington Nationals. "That's the holy grail of our sport. That's what we show up for in the beginning of February, thinking about and working towards."Added Doolittle: "I just can't believe how out of touch that is. You're the commissioner of our game. You're the steward of this game. That's a really special thing. It's an iconic symbol of our game. Please don't say that, even off-hand, even tongue-in-cheek." As with so many things being talked about around the majors as spring training gets started, this all stems from... [More]