NEW YORK (AP) — Chris Sale pitched his latest Bronx gem, Rafael Devers went 5 for 5 with a first-inning grand slam and the Boston Red Sox held the New York Yankees to two hits during an 11-0 rout Saturday night to take back baseball's best record.Sale (8-4) allowed only Giancarlo Stanton's clean single over seven innings, striking out 11. He has a 1.73 career ERA against the Yankees, best among pitchers with at least 10 starts against them since 1920. His ERA at Yankee Stadium is 1.86, second only to Seattle's Felix Hernandez among pitchers with five starts.Boston is a major league-leading 56-28, just ahead of the Yankees at 53-27. New York held the majors' best mark by percentage points after winning Friday's series opener 8-1.Yankee Stadium hosted a season-high sellout of 47,125, and the crowd gave starter Sonny Gray (5-6) an earful after he gave up six runs in 2 1/3 innings. The right-hander dropped to 0-4 with a 9.35 ERA against Boston since being acquired by New York from Oakland last... [More]

PLAYERS TO PICK UPDOMINGO GERMAN, SP, New York Yankees (41 percent owned in Yahoo) - It's looking like the Yankees have found something in German. The surface stats (4.77 ERA) don't pop out, but his underlying numbers show he's performing better than the stats. He's generating a lot of swing-and-misses, and he has a great offense backing him up.FREDDY PERALTA, SP, Milwaukee Brewers (25 percent) - Peralta got the call earlier this week, and he looks to remain in the Milwaukee rotation for the foreseeable future as the group lacks talent. He relies on his fastball a lot, so he's going to have to start mixing in some secondary pitches to continue his success. He should be considered a SP5.SHELBY MILLER, SP, Arizona Diamondbacks (6 percent) - Miller is coming off Tommy John surgery right into a two-start week. He's a risky play next week, but he's worth the stash to see if he can put it together in the pitcher-friendly environment as a backend starter.KEVIN KIERMAIER, OF, Tampa Bay Rays (21... [More]

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Shelby Miller is scheduled to return to the Arizona Diamondbacks' rotation Monday, 14 months after the right-hander underwent Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery.Miller will face the Marlins in Miami. He rejoined the NL West-leading Diamondbacks before their game Thursday night against the Pirates after making four rehab starts in the minor leagues."I'm pretty excited but I'm assuming the first (start) back won't be perfect," Miller said. "There are going to be times where I'm going to have to bear down and get through some stuff. I've talked to people (who have had the surgery) and they say command is the last thing to come back."The 27-year-old Miller pitched a combined 19 1/3 innings in his rehab starts, two with Double-A Jackson and two with Single-A Visalia. He allowed 10 runs and 20 hits while striking out 28 and walking six.A 15-game winner in 2013 with the St. Louis Cardinals and an All-Star in 2015 with the Atlanta Braves, Miller was injured in his fourth... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks were one of baseball's big surprises a year ago. The surprise this year would be if they don't keep winning."Last year we kind of snuck up on people and had to earn their respect," said Torey Lovullo, the National League manager of the year in his first season in the desert. "I think we've done that, which I'm very proud of."Nearly everyone is back from the team that went 93-69 — 24 more wins than the previous year — and earned the National League's No. 1 wild card spot. Optimism abounds in the clubhouse."We learned from last year," outfielder David Peralta said, "and that's why we're going to be better this year."Not quite everybody returns. The glaring omission is outfielder J.D. Martinez, whose torrid performance after he came in a mid-season trade with Detroit (29 home runs, 65 RBIs in 62 games), carried the Diamondbacks down the stretch. Arizona couldn't afford to keep the free agent Martinez but tried to make up for some of that lost offense... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks were one of baseball's big surprises a year ago. The surprise this year would be if they don't keep winning."Last year we kind of snuck up on people and had to earn their respect," said Torey Lovullo, the National League manager of the year in his first season in the desert. "I think we've done that, which I'm very proud of."Nearly everyone is back from the team that went 93-69 — 24 more wins than the previous year — and earned the National League's No. 1 wild card spot. Optimism abounds in the clubhouse."We learned from last year," outfielder David Peralta said, "and that's why we're going to be better this year."Not quite everybody returns. The glaring omission is outfielder J.D. Martinez, whose torrid performance after he came in a mid-season trade with Detroit (29 home runs, 65 RBIs in 62 games), carried the Diamondbacks down the stretch. Arizona couldn't afford to keep the free agent Martinez but tried to make up for some of that lost offense... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Zack Greinke won't be the opening-day starter for the Arizona Diamondbacks.Manager Torey Lovullo said what's perceived to be a minor health issue will bench his ace for the opener.Lovullo, speaking before Monday's spring training game against the Chicago White Sox, said the tightness Greinke experienced in his groin in his latest start last Wednesday led to him being ruled out for what is usually his opening-day role. Greinke left that game after one inning.If there had been no health issue, Lovullo said, Greinke would be on the mound for Arizona on opening day for the third straight season."Every staff has a No. 1 and he fit the bill perfectly," the manager said. "He won 17 games last year. He was our staff ace."Lovullo said he's not ready to name who will take Greinke's place in the March 29 opener at home against Colorado, although Robbie Ray would seem to be the logical alternative.Ray had a breakout season a year ago, going 15-5 with a 2.89 ERA and making the... [More]

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — Dansby Swanson and Sean Newcomb are hoping to rebound from rocky seasons with the Atlanta Braves."It's almost silly to think about it like this, but this is a game of failure," said Swanson, who had a 144-game audition as the Braves shortstop in 2017."What happened last year, we're going to build off of it and be better now. I've already reflected and I'm ready to move on."Newcomb, a left-handed pitcher, came up in June and showed he could strike out major league hitters (108 in 100 innings) without giving up too many home runs (10). However, his 57 walks were a contributing factor to his 4-9 record and 4.32 ERA.In the major league camp for the first time as a member of Atlanta's rotation, Newcomb's spring plan is "just getting more comfortable, being able to trust my stuff in the zone and let it rip, not try to strike everyone out." He said cutting down on the walks is "an over-time kind of thing in my development."Swanson and Newcomb are at the developmental core... [More]

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — Dansby Swanson and Sean Newcomb of the Atlanta Braves are hoping to rebound from rocky seasons."It's almost silly to think about it like this, but this is a game of failure," said Swanson, who had a 144-game audition as the Braves shortstop in 2017."What happened last year, we're going to build off of it and be better now. I've already reflected and I'm ready to move on."Newcomb, a left-handed pitcher, came up in June and showed he could strike out major league hitters (108 in 100 innings) without giving up too many home runs (10). However his 57 walks were a contributing factor to his 4-9 record and 4.32 ERA.In the major league camp for the first time as a member of Atlanta's rotation, Newcomb's spring plan is "just getting more comfortable, being able to trust my stuff in the zone and let it rip, not try to strike everyone out." He said cutting down on the walks is "an over-time kind of thing in my development."Swanson and Newcomb are at the developmental core of... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Speedy outfielder Jarrod Dyson and the Arizona Diamondbacks agreed to a $7.5 million, two-year contract Monday.Arizona announced the move shortly after the Boston Red Sox reached agreement on a $110 million, five-year deal with former Diamondbacks slugger J.D. Martinez. The right-handed-hitting outfielder had a big half-season with Arizona last year after being acquired from Detroit in a trade, and the Diamondbacks were hopeful they could work out some sort of agreement to bring him back. But in the end, he was out of Arizona's price range.Unlike Martinez, Dyson is no slugger. The left-handed hitter batted .251 and stole 28 bases for the Seattle Mariners last season. He had five home runs and 30 RBIs in 111 games.Dyson played all seven of his previous major league seasons with the Kansas City Royals.Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen has said all spring that the team's top priority was to add outfield depth, so Dyson might have been signed regardless of what... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — There isn't a lot new to the Arizona Diamondbacks this spring, with a couple of notable exceptions.J.D. Martinez won't be in the outfield and the Diamondbacks need a closer.Still, there should be plenty of optimism when the team reports to the Scottsdale, Arizona, training facility, with the entire rotation and pretty much every position player returning from the team that won 93 games, earned the top NL Wild Card spot and beat Colorado in the Wild Card game before being swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS.The glaring omission from last year's team is Martinez, who probably slugged his way well out of the Diamondbacks' price range with his half-season in Arizona following a trade with Detroit. Martinez is among the many free agents yet to sign a deal.Torey Lovullo, named National League manager of the year for his work in his first season in Arizona, has to determine who his team's closer will be. Fernando Rodney is gone, and an intriguing possibility is for the... [More]

A team-by-team look at the National League West 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:___Los Angeles DodgersManager: Dave Roberts (third season).2017: 104-58, first place, lost to Houston in World Series.Training Town: Glendale, Arizona.Park: Camelback Ranch.First Workout: Feb. 14/19.He's Here: OF Matt Kemp, RHP Tom Koehler.He's Outta Here: 1B Adrian Gonzalez, RHP Yu Darvish, LHP Scott Kazmir, RHP Brandon McCarthy, INF Charlie Culberson, OF Curtis Granderson, 2B Chase Utley, OF Andre Ethier.Going campin': The Dodgers returned to the World Series for the first time since winning it in 1988, only to lose to Houston in seven games. They topped 100 wins while earning a fifth straight NL West title. Clayton Kershaw is one of the elite pitchers in the game, a seven-time All-Star and three-time Cy Young Award winner. He begins the season with 144 career victories, 21 shy of Sandy... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — There isn't a lot new to the Arizona Diamondbacks this spring, with a couple of notable exceptions.J.D. Martinez won't be in the outfield and the Diamondbacks need a closer.Still, there should be plenty of optimism when the team reports to the Scottsdale, Arizona, training facility, with the entire rotation and pretty much every position player returning from the team that won 93 games, earned the top NL Wild Card spot and beat Colorado in the Wild Card game before being swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS.The glaring omission from last year's team is Martinez, who probably slugged his way well out of the Diamondbacks' price range with his half-season in Arizona following a trade with Detroit. Martinez is among the many free agents yet to sign a deal.Lovullo, named National League manager of the year for his work in his first season in Arizona, has to determine who his team's closer will be. Fernando Rodney is gone, and an intriguing possibility is for the team's... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Catcher J.T. Realmuto lost his salary arbitration case against Miami and first baseman Justin Bour beat the Marlins to leave players with a 3-1 record this year.Realmuto was given a $2.9 million salary Friday instead of his request for $3.5 million. The decision was made by arbitrators Andrew Strongin, Elizabeth Neumeier and Allen Ponak, who heard arguments Wednesday.Bour was awarded $3.4 million instead of Miami's $3 million offer by James Oldham, Steven Wolf and Mark Burstein, who presided over Thursday's hearing.Realmuto may be traded as part of the Marlins' payroll purge under new chief executive Derek Jeter. Miami already has dealt major league home run champion Giancarlo Stanton, Marcell Ozuna, Dee Gordon and Christian Yelich. Realmuto made $562,500 last year and was eligible for arbitration for the first time after hitting .278 with 17 homers and 65 RBIs.Bour hit .289 with 25 homers and 83 RBIs last year, when he had a $552,500 salary.Boston All-Star outfielder Mookie... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Catcher J.T. Realmuto lost his salary arbitration case against Miami and first baseman Justin Bour beat the Marlins to leave players with a 3-1 record this year.Realmuto was given a $2.9 million salary Friday instead of his request for $3.5 million. The decision was made by arbitrators Andrew Strongin, Elizabeth Neumeier and Allen Ponak, who heard arguments Wednesday.Bour was awarded $3.4 million instead of Miami's $3 million offer by James Oldham, Steven Wolf and Mark Burstein, who listened to arguments Thursday.Realmuto may be traded as part of the team's payroll purge under new chief executive Derek Jeter. The Marlins already have dealt major league home run champion Giancarlo Stanton, Marcell Ozuna, Dee Gordon and Christian Yelich. Realmuto made $562,500 last year and was eligible for arbitration for the first time after hitting .278 with 17 homers and 65 RBIs.Bour hit .289 with 25 homers and 83 RBIs last year, when he had a $552,500 salary.Boston All-Star outfielder... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Catcher J.T. Realmuto lost his salary arbitration case against Miami and first baseman Justin Bour beat the Marlins to leave players with a 3-1 record this year.Realmuto was given a $2.9 million salary Friday instead of his request for $3.5 million. The decision was made by arbitrators Andrew Strongin, Elizabeth Neumeier and Allen Ponak, who heard arguments Wednesday.Bour was awarded $3.4 million instead of Miami's $3 million offer by James Oldham, Steven Wolf and Mark Burstein, who listened to arguments Thursday.Realmuto may be traded as part of the team's payroll purge under new chief executive Derek Jeter. The Marlins already have dealt major league home run champion Giancarlo Stanton, Marcell Ozuna, Dee Gordon and Christian Yelich. Realmuto made $562,500 last year and was eligible for arbitration for the first time after hitting .278 with 17 homers and 65 RBIs.Bour hit .289 with 25 homers and 83 RBIs last year, when he had a $552,500 salary.Boston All-Star outfielder Mookie Betts and Arizona pitcher Shelby Miller won the first two cases of the year.Houston closer Ken Giles had a hearing Thursday, and his decision is not expected until Saturday.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

PHOENIX (AP) — Pitcher Shelby Miller won his salary arbitration case on Thursday against Arizona after missing most of last season because of a torn elbow ligament, a decision that gave players a 2-0 record this year.Miller was awarded a $200,000 raise to $4.9 million by arbitrators Robert Herzog, Gary Kendellen and Sylvia Skratek, who heard the case Wednesday. The Diamondbacks argued he should be paid the same salary as in 2017, when he lost in arbitration after asking for $5.1 million.Houston closer Ken Giles and Miami first baseman Justin Bour went to hearings Thursday. A decision also is pending for Miami catcher J.T. Realmuto, whose case was heard Wednesday.A 27-year-old right-hander, Miller was 2-2 in four starts last year. He left an outing against the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 23, and Arizona said four days later he had a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament. He had surgery May 10.Miller became an All-Star with Atlanta in 2015. He had a 3.02 ERA but went 6-17 and led the... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Pitcher Shelby Miller has won his salary arbitration case against Arizona after missing most of last season because of a torn elbow ligament, a decision that gave players a 2-0 record this year.Miller was awarded a $200,000 raise to $4.9 million on Thursday by arbitrators Robert Herzog, Gary Kendellen and Sylvia Skratek, who heard the case a day earlier. The Diamondbacks argued he should be paid the same salary as in 2017, when he lost in arbitration after asking for $5.1 million.A 27-year-old right-hander, Miller was 2-2 in four starts last year. He left an outing against the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 23, and Arizona said four days later he had a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament. He had surgery May 10.Miller became an All-Star with Atlanta in 2015. He had a 3.02 ERA but went 6-17 and led the major leagues in losses.He was traded after the season to Arizona in the deal that brought highly regarded infielder Dansby Swanson to the Braves along with outfielder Ender... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Pitcher Shelby Miller has won his salary arbitration case against Arizona after missing most of last season because of a torn elbow ligament, a decision that gave players a 2-0 record this year.Miller was awarded a $200,000 raise to $4.9 million on Thursday by arbitrators Robert Herzog, Gary Kendellen and Sylvia Skratek, who heard the case a day earlier. The Diamondbacks argued he should be paid the same salary as in 2017, when he lost in arbitration after asking for $5.1 million.A 27-year-old right-hander, Miller was 2-2 in four starts last year. He left an outing against the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 23, and Arizona said four days later he had a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament. He had surgery May 10.Miller became an All-Star with Atlanta in 2015. He had a 3.02 ERA but went 6-17 and led the major leagues in losses.He was traded after the season to Arizona in the deal that brought highly regarded infielder Dansby Swanson to the Braves along with outfielder Ender Inciarte and pitcher Aaron Blair, then went 3-12 with a 6.15 ERA for the Diamondbacks.All-Star outfielder Mookie Betts beat the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday and will get a raise from $950,000 to $10.5 million instead of the team's $7.5 million offer.A decision is pending for Miami catcher J.T. Realmuto, who asked for a raise from $562,500 to $3.5 million instead of the team's $2.9 million offer.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

PHOENIX (AP) — All-Star outfielder Mookie Betts beat the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday in the first salary arbitration decision of the year and will get a raise from $950,000 to $10.5 million instead of the team's $7.5 million offer.Miami catcher J.T. Realmuto and Arizona pitcher Shelby Miller went to hearings on the second day of offseason cases that could see as many as 25 decisions, which would be the most since 1987.Arbitrators Daniel Brent, Mark Burstein and Phillip LaPorte ruled for Betts one day after hearing arguments. The 25-year-old hit .264 with 24 homers and 102 RBIs last year, when he made his second straight AL All-Star team. He batted .318 with 31 homers and 113 RBIs in 2016.The gap between Betts and the Red Sox was the largest among the 27 players who swapped figures with their teams on Jan. 12.Realmuto, 26, asked for a raise to $3.5 million instead of $2.9 million. He made $562,500 last year and was eligible for arbitration for the first time after hitting .278 with 17 homers... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks have reached one-year deals with center fielder A.J. Pollock, third baseman Jake Lamb and starters Robbie Ray and Taijuan Walker, avoiding salary arbitration with them and several other players.Right-hander Shelby Miller was the only Arizona player left in salary arbitration, asking for $4.9 million and being offered $4.7 million as the sides exchanged figures Friday. He lost in arbitration last year, getting $4.7 million instead of the $5.1 million he sought.The 30-year-old Pollock will get $7.75 million, up from the $6.75 million he made last season while hitting .266 with 14 home runs and 49 RBIs. An All-Star in 2015, he missed nearly the entire 2016 season after breaking his elbow in a headfirst slide at home plate near the end of spring training.Lamb received a $4,275,000 contract, Ray got $3.95 million and Walker received $4,825,000.Also reaching deals were left-handed reliever Andrew Chafin for $1,195,000; right-hander Brian Boxberger at $1.85... [More]