MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Major League Baseball is encouraging players to go home, a day after canceling the rest of the spring training schedule and postponing opening day by at least two weeks amid the novel coronavirus outbreak.Ballparks in Florida and Arizona were locked down Friday as the sport considered how to proceed following an outbreak that has brought the U.S. sports schedule to a standstill. Teams speculated the season might not start until sometime in May, necessitating a reduced schedule.Many teams said in the morning they planned to close for the weekend and re-open camps Monday. Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred met Friday with the players' association leadership, and a decision was made to encourage players to leave camp in the afternoon.“We don't have a playbook for this," Cleveland Indians president Chris Antonetti said in the morning. "We are learning on the fly. We are taking the approach that we will continue to prioritize the health and wellness of our players, our staff,... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Baltimore slugger Chris Davis was driving down Florida's west coast on Interstate 75 from Sarasota to Fort Myers for an exhibition game against the Minnesota Twins when he got the call.No game tonight. No games for a while.“Pretty shocked,” Davis said, “just how quickly things have escalated.” Major League Baseball delayed the start of its season by at least two weeks because of the coronavirus outbreak and suspended the rest of its spring training schedule.Opening day had been scheduled for March 26. The decision announced by Commissioner Rob Manfred on Thursday left open whether each team would still play 162 games.“It’s unfortunate but I think it’s the proper measure we need to take now given the situation the country’s in and the world’s in," New York Yankees star Giancarlo Stanton said. "It’s important to know that some things are bigger than baseball, bigger than sports at the moment. Once we’re able to hopefully get a hold on some things and get some questions answered... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Baltimore slugger Chris Davis was driving down Florida's west coast on Interstate 75 from Sarasota to Fort Myers for an exhibition game against the Minnesota Twins when he got the call.No game tonight. No games for a while.“Pretty shocked,” Davis said, “just how quickly things have escalated.” Major League Baseball delayed the start of its season by at least two weeks because of the coronavirus outbreak and suspended the rest of its spring training schedule.Opening day had been scheduled for March 26. The decision announced by Commissioner Rob Manfred on Thursday left open whether each team would still play 162 games.“It’s unfortunate but I think it’s the proper measure we need to take now given the situation the country’s in and the world’s in," New York Yankees star Giancarlo Stanton said. "It’s important to know that some things are bigger than baseball, bigger than sports at the moment. Once we’re able to hopefully get a hold on some things and get some questions answered... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Baltimore slugger Chris Davis was driving down Florida's west coast on Interstate 75 from Sarasota to Fort Myers for an exhibition game against the Minnesota Twins when he got the call.No game tonight. No games for a while.“Pretty shocked,” Davis said, “just how quickly things have escalated.” Major League Baseball delayed the start of its season by at least two weeks because of the coronavirus outbreak and suspended the rest of its spring training schedule.Opening day had been scheduled for March 26. The decision announced by Commissioner Rob Manfred on Thursday left open whether each team would still play 162 games.“It’s unfortunate but I think it’s the proper measure we need to take now given the situation the country’s in and the world’s in," New York Yankees star Giancarlo Stanton said. "It’s important to know that some things are bigger than baseball, bigger than sports at the moment. Once we’re able to hopefully get a hold on some things and get some questions answered... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Baltimore slugger Chris Davis was driving down Florida's west coast on Interstate 75 from Sarasota to Fort Myers for an exhibition game against the Minnesota Twins when he got the call.No game tonight. No games for a while.“Pretty shocked,” Davis said, “just how quickly things have escalated.” Major League Baseball delayed the start of its season by at least two weeks because of the coronavirus outbreak and suspended the rest of its spring training schedule.Opening day had been scheduled for March 26. The decision announced by Commissioner Rob Manfred on Thursday left open whether each team would still play 162 games.“It’s unfortunate but I think it’s the proper measure we need to take now given the situation the country’s in and the world’s in," New York Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton said. "It’s important to know that some things are bigger than baseball, bigger than sports at the moment. Once we’re able to hopefully get a hold on some things and get some questions... [More]

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Bryan Price observes, listens, suggests and tries to lead pitchers to their own conclusions.The new pitching coach could end up being the most valuable addition the Philadelphia Phillies made in the offseason if he can get some talented members of the staff to reach their potential. Price already has made a positive impression in camp. "He's all about pitchers being confident in what they're doing and having the ability to pitch and not just throw," All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto said. "That's where finding their strengths comes in. If a guy is pitching to his strengths, he's going to be able to maneuver the baseball and have confidence in what he's doing. If you are asking someone to pitch to a scouting report and not something he's confident in doing, it's not going to work out very well. That's something Price has honed in on is pitching to your strengths." Pitching is Philadelphia's biggest question mark. An offense that features Realmuto, Bryce Harper, Didi... [More]

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Washington pitcher Max Scherzer was pleased with his first bullpen session after being scratched from a scheduled start.“It was good, was able to throw all pitches,” Scherzer said Thursday.The 35-year-old right-hander missed Tuesday's game because of fatigue in the muscles on the right side of his body, in the area of the latissimus dorsi, serratus and oblique muscles. Scherzer is to pitch next in an intrasquad scrimmage.“We just want him to go down there and get his work in and be in a controlled environment,” Washington manager Dave Martinez said. “We're just going to try to get him his five or six innings.”Scherzer has made three spring training starts. He last pitched on March 3, allowing two runs in 3 1/3 innings. A three-time Cy Young Award winner, Scherzer was 11-7 with a 2.92 ERA last year, when he pitched 172 1/3 innings during the regular season and 30 more in the postseason. He endured two separate stints on the injured list last season, the first time with inflammation under his right shoulder and the second, after making one return start, with a rhomboid strain.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — The Chicago Cubs had data. Lots of data. On velocity, pitch shaping and mechanics. Swing path, bat speed and launch trajectory. Numbers on numbers on numbers.They also had a problem. The pipeline from research and development to their players and coaches wasn't working as well as they wanted.Looking to make life easier on Kris Bryant, Jon Lester and everyone else, the Cubs' solution included two of the fastest growing positions in the next wave of baseball's analytics age. They added directors of pitching and hitting to their revamped front office.“I think you just have to take a step back and say, ‘Hey, do our teachers, do our coaches, do we have the right infrastructure for them to be able to actually digest this information and ultimately have it land with the players?'" said Matt Dorey, the senior director of player development for the Cubs. “Because if it doesn’t land with them, then it's irrelevant.” The twin directors or similarly styled positions are becoming... [More]

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — Sidelined by an oblique strain, New York Mets outfielder Michael Conforto would not speculate whether he could return for the March 26 opener against Washington.“I feel very good right now. It’s different for everybody — the timeline can be short or long,” Conforto said Wednesday.Conforto was injured Saturday against the Nationals and returned to New York on Monday night and was diagnosed with the strain on Tuesday.“I feel good, definitely feel better than a couple of days ago,” said Conforto. “My symptoms weren’t all that crazy. After a couple of days of treatment, I felt quite a bit better, and so right now I feel pretty good.”The 27-year-old outfielder got hurt when he lost a fly ball to right in the sun and felt a tug in his right side after a late sudden move to catch the ball. His right side tightened up on him later in the game.“I didn’t think anything of it — it felt like a cramp,” Conforto said. Notes: OF Pete Alonso, the NL Rookie of the Year, agreed... [More]

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — Sidelined by an oblique strain, New York Mets outfielder Michael Conforto would not speculate whether he could return for the March 26 opener against Washington.“I feel very good right now. It’s different for everybody — the timeline can be short or long,” Conforto said Wednesday.Conforto was injured Saturday against the Nationals and returned to New York on Monday night and was diagnosed with the strain on Tuesday.“I feel good, definitely feel better than a couple of days ago,” said Conforto. “My symptoms weren’t all that crazy. After a couple of days of treatment, I felt quite a bit better, and so right now I feel pretty good.”The 27-year-old outfielder got hurt when he lost a fly ball to right in the sun and felt a tug in his right side after a late sudden move to catch the ball. His right side tightened up on him later in the game.“I didn’t think anything of it — it felt like a cramp,” Conforto said. Notes: RHP Jacob deGrom allowed one hit over four innings... [More]

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Miami manager Don Mattingly believes Jonathan Villar's move to center field is progressing nicely.Villar isn't so sure.“Hopefully I will be more comfortable when we start that first day,” Villar said.An offseason trade brought Villar, a second baseman last season, from Baltimore to Miami. A perceived glut of middle infielders prompted the Marlins to try to convert the athletic Villar into an outfielder.“We feel good about it,” Mattingly said. Villar has only played center field eight times during his seven-year career, most recently in 2017 with Milwaukee. He's primarily been a middle infielder, but also has major league experience at third base and left field.Miguel Rojas is entrenched at shortstop and the Marlins expect prospect Isan Diaz to make the full-time transition to the majors this season.Villar arrived at Marlins camp four days early to begin working on outfield drills with first base/outfielders coach Billy Hatcher. Mattingly sees improvement on Villar's... [More]

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — A year after moving on from Bryce Harper, the Washington Nationals must move on from Anthony Rendon. No one accumulated more homers or RBIs for the Nationals in 2019 than Rendon. Just like no one accumulated more homers or RBIs for the Nationals in 2018 than Harper.Might not seem simple to overcome the departure of a middle-of-the-order All-Star who hit 34 homers and drove in a majors-best 126 runs while playing well at third base. That is what Rendon did last season along the way to winning a World Series title, before signing for $245 million over seven years with the Los Angeles Angels as a free agent. "It's big. Time will tell, I think, because he did a lot of things for our team, for our lineup, that maybe you can't quantify," Nationals reliever Sean Doolittle said. "Just kind of the player that he was, the teammate that he was, what his presence did. .. We're going to need new guys to step up."Still, the end result of a championship in the immediate aftermath... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Cleveland Indians executive Chris Antonetti says the franchise and representatives for star shortstop Francisco Lindor made a “sincere and earnest effort” to agree on a long-term contract before deciding this week to suspend talks.Antonetti, the president of baseball operations, said Wednesday the sides worked for months and tried “different and creative concepts” to strike a deal, but ultimately decided not to continue negotiations with opening day two weeks away. Lindor characterized the discussions in a similar manner to The Athletic on Monday. Lindor will make $17.5 million this year and can become a free agent after the 2021 season."I’m really appreciative of the effort Francisco and his representatives and our ownership put into the process of trying to find alignment," Antonetti said.Lindor, a four-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner, hit .284 with 32 home runs, 22 stolen bases and an .854 OPS last season. The 26-year-old is among the game's top young... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees reliever Zack Britton has a bruised right wrist after getting hit by a line drive during a simulated game Wednesday. The Yankees said X-rays and a CT scan were both negative.Britton was pitching in his second inning when he got hurt on the drive off the bat of Erik Kratz. The 32-year-old left-hander walked to shallow left field while holding his wrist. He kept his right arm still and appeared to be in pain while walking off the field with athletic trainer Gene Monahan.Up until that point, it had been a good day on the injury front for the Yankees.Giancarlo Stanton faced pitching for the first time since straining his right calf on Feb. 26 and hit an opposite-field homer to right off Britton. Stanton is expected to be sidelined until April.Left-hander James Paxton resumed a throwing program in his rehabilitation from Feb. 5 back surgery and said he felt great and had no pain. He made 25 throws at 60 feet. Paxton said his best-case scenario is for a mid-May return.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sport s

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees reliever Zack Britton was hit on his right wrist by a line drive during a simulated game Wednesday and will undergo tests at a hospital.Britton was pitching in his second inning when he got hurt on the drive off the bat of Erik Kratz. The 32-year-old left-hander walked off the mound and to shallow left field while holding his wrist. He kept his right arm still and appeared to be in pain while walking off the field with athletic trainer Gene Monahan.Up until that point, it had been a good day on the injury front for the Yankees.Giancarlo Stanton faced pitching for the first time since straining his right calf on Feb. 26 and hit an opposite-field homer to right off Britton. Stanton is expected to be sidelined until April.Left-hander James Paxton resumed a throwing program in his rehabilitation from Feb. 5 back surgery and said he felt great and had no pain. He made 25 throws at 60 feet. Paxton said his best-case scenario is for a mid-May return.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sport s

NEW YORK (AP) — If Major League Baseball can't play in front of fans at a team's home ballpark because of the virus outbreak, the sport's first preference likely would be to switch games to the visiting team's stadium if possible, a person familiar with the deliberations told The Associated Press.The person spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday because no decisions have been made.MLB starts its season on March 26. Among the games on opening day is Texas at Seattle — the Seattle area has been hit hard by the virus, with 24 deaths.MLB anticipates government officials will decide whether it is safe to play in front of fans in each city. If changes to the schedule are necessary, MLB would make determinations at the point when a ballpark has been ruled out.Washington Gov. Jay Inslee plans to ban gatherings and events of more than 250 people in virtually the entire Seattle area, a person familiar with the decision told the AP on Tuesday night. The person was not authorized to disclose the decision... [More]

Few players have been as consistently excellent at the plate as Miguel Cabrera in his prime.That seems like a long time ago now.Cabrera hit only 12 home runs last season and has just 31 over the past three years. He'll turn 37 in April, and there are plenty of indications that the Detroit star is in the middle of a protracted decline. From 2005-13, Cabrera batted at least .320 eight times in nine seasons — and hit at least 30 home runs in all but one year.At this point, the Tigers would probably settle for a 20-homer season and an average around .300. That would be a step up from last year, but it remains to be seen if Cabrera — whose big contract lasts until at least 2023 — is capable of halting this slide in production.Cabrera is one of a handful of players around baseball with a lot to prove this year. Here are a few more:CLAYTON KERSHAW, DODGERSKershaw's 2019 season ended in agonizing fashion, when his failed relief appearance cost Los Angeles dearly in the Division Series finale against... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — If Major League Baseball can't play in front of fans at a team's home ballpark because of the virus outbreak, the sport's first preference likely would be to switch games to the visiting team's stadium if possible, a person familiar with the deliberations told The Associated Press.The person spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday because no decisions have been made.MLB starts its season on March 26. Among the games on opening day is Texas at Seattle — the Seattle area has been hit hard by the virus, with 24 deaths.MLB anticipates government officials will decide whether it is safe to play in front of fans in each city. If changes to the schedule are necessary, MLB would make determinations at the point when a ballpark has been ruled out.Washington Gov. Jay Inslee plans to ban gatherings and events of more than 250 people in virtually the entire Seattle area, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Tuesday night. The person was not authorized to... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — If Major League Baseball can't play in front of fans at a team's home ballpark because of the virus outbreak, the sport's first preference likely would be to switch games to the visiting team's stadium if possible, a person familiar with the deliberations told The Associated Press.The person spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday because no decisions have been made.MLB starts its season on March 26. Among the games on opening day is Texas at Seattle — the Seattle area has been hit hard by the virus.MLB anticipates government officials will decide whether it is safe to play in front of fans in each city. If changes to the schedule are necessary, MLB would make determinations at the point when a ballpark has been ruled out."I hope it doesn't turn into us missing games or pushing scheduled games back," Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis said.Baseball's preference is to play in front of fans and not in empty stadiums, the person said familiar with the deliberations... [More]

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Michael Kopech didn't have any trouble getting back up to speed after 18 months away from the mound."Yeah, I might have been a little geeked," the Chicago White Sox right-hander said Tuesday.Kopech threw 11 pitches against the Texas Rangers in Cactus League play — six of them reached 100 mph.It was the 23-year-old's first game action since undergoing Tommy John surgery in September 2018. "The first two pitches, I felt out of control," Kopech said. “By the third pitch, I took a breath and settled back in. But I still had quite a bit of adrenaline going.”“I felt really good, I was able to command my fastball after those first two and aside from that, just go out there and get an inning under my belt,” he said.Kopech, who made four starts in 2018 before being sidelined, was a key part of the five-player deal that sent pitcher Chris Sale to Boston after the 2016 season. Third baseman Yoan Moncada has already made his presence felt, and Kopech was also expected to be a... [More]