ATLANTA (AP) — Philadelphia pitcher Jake Arrieta has been assigned to Class A Clearwater while working into shape for his Phillies debut.Since the 2015 NL Cy Young Award winner got a late start in spring training, finalizing a $75 million, three-year deal March 12, he will stay in Florida to pitch simulated games before making his first start for Philadelphia on April 8.The Phillies will go with four starters until Arrieta is ready to pitch.Arrieta has started two spring training games for the Phillies, giving up 10 hits, two homers and six runs in five innings. The 32-year-old went 14-10 with a 3.53 ERA last season with the Chicago Cubs.Philadelphia opened the season Thursday against the Atlanta Braves.___For more AP baseball coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

ATLANTA (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies are eager to get started on a new, winning era.For the Atlanta Braves, opening day still feels like it's a few weeks away.The NL East rivals begin the season Thursday at 2-year-old SunTrust Park, where Julio Teheran will make his fifth straight opening day start for the Braves against Philadelphia's Aaron Nola.The Phillies are coming off their fifth straight losing season, a 96-loss debacle that left them at the bottom of the division, but all signs points to a team on the rise .Stocked with young talent on the big league roster and plenty of top prospects in the minors, Philadelphia began to fill in the gaps from its long rebuilding job. The team doled out a three-year, $75 million contract to 2015 Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta . First baseman Carlos Santana received a three-year, $60 million deal."The chemistry is coming together," said Nola, who will make his first opening day start after going 12-11 with a 3.54 ERA last season. "The guys are coming... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies are eager to get started on a new, winning era.For the Atlanta Braves, opening day still feels like it's a few weeks away.The NL East rivals begin the season Thursday at 2-year-old SunTrust Park, where Julio Teheran will make his fifth straight opening day start for the Braves against Philadelphia's Aaron Nola.The Phillies are coming off their fifth straight losing season, a 96-loss debacle that left them at the bottom of the division, but all signs points to a team on the rise .Stocked with young talent on the big league roster and plenty of top prospects in the minors, Philadelphia began to fill in the gaps from its long rebuilding job. The team doled out a three-year, $75 million contract to 2015 Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta . First baseman Carlos Santana received a three-year, $60 million deal."The chemistry is coming together," said Nola, who will make his first opening day start after going 12-11 with a 3.54 ERA last season. "The guys are coming... [More]

Shohei Ohtani has a starting assignment, and the Los Angeles Dodgers have a mess on their hands.With the regular season set to begin Thursday, the Angels scheduled Ohtani to make his major league pitching debut Sunday in their fourth game at Oakland. The two-way sensation from Japan is expected to be Los Angeles' designated hitter in at least one of the first three games, but manager Mike Scioscia said Tuesday night the team hadn't decided on an opening-day lineup yet.The 23-year-old Ohtani, who struggled in spring training, was told after the exhibition finale against the Dodgers that he'll pitch Sunday."He's gotten into the mid-80-pitch range and should be able to get over 90 if he's throwing to his capabilities," Scioscia said. "That's plenty of pitches for him to get deep into the game. We're going to take it one pitch at a time with all of our pitchers."Ohtani was supposed to get an at-bat or two Tuesday night but that didn't happen because the game was called in the bottom of the... [More]

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Jake Arrieta felt fine after his second spring training start with the Philadelphia Phillies, and that was more important than the mediocre results.Arrieta allowed four runs, seven hits and struck out three over three innings Tuesday in the Phillies' 5-5, nine-inning tie against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He also had a balk and a throwing error on an errant pickoff attempt to first base."My body is bouncing back really well the after day," Arrieta said. "I haven't been sore at all, knock on wood. Arm strength, I'm happy where it is. All signs point in a really positive direction."He threw 45 pitches, up from 31 in his first outing on March 22, when he pitched two innings against Detroit.Arrieta and the Phillies finalized a $75 million, three-year contract on March 12, a deal that could be worth up to $135 million over five seasons."I think he demonstrated he's a veteran," Kapler said. "He ran a pretty high pitch count early on (26 in the first). He was featuring a lot... [More]

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Carlos Santana's influence on the Philadelphia Phillies goes beyond stats.The team agreed to a $60 million, three-year deal with the slugger in December to bolster the lineup and provide leadership in the clubhouse. Santana knows what it takes to be a winner and has been mentoring his new teammates in spring training."I try to help them mentally," Santana said. "The younger players are asking me a lot of questions. Every player is different but I try to help them be patient, pick the right pitch to hit. I tell them my approach. I think in the future, you'll see it from them."Many of the younger players already gravitate toward Santana."Carlos's influence has spread throughout this clubhouse but it's also spread to the coaches' room," new manager Gabe Kapler said. "We can depend on him as a leader to send messages to our players, especially with our Spanish-speakers."Santana spent his first eight seasons in Cleveland. He batted .259 with 23 home runs, 79 RBIs and... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Yankees are on track to open the season this week with baseball's seventh-highest payroll, their lowest ranking since 1992, according to projections by The Associated Press.The Boston Red Sox will top the major leagues at about $223 million, ending the Los Angeles Dodgers' four-year run as the top spender. San Francisco will be second at around $203 million, and the Chicago Cubs are set to be third at about $183 million.The Dodgers and Washington Nationals will each be at approximately $180 million, and the Los Angeles Angels will be next at about $170 million. The Yankees will be at around $167 million — their lowest payroll since 2003.New York has not been ranked as low as seventh since 1992, when it finished ninth at $34.5 million in the final season of owner George Steinbrenner's 2½-year suspension. The Yankees rose to third the following year and topped the major leagues from 1994-97 and 1999-2013, interrupted by a season in which Baltimore finished $207,000... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Yankees are on track to open the season this week with baseball's seventh-highest payroll, their lowest ranking since 1992, according to projections by The Associated Press.The Boston Red Sox will top the major leagues at about $223 million, ending the Los Angeles Dodgers' four-year run as the top spender. San Francisco will be second at around $203 million, and the Chicago Cubs are set to be third at about $183 million.The Dodgers and Washington Nationals will each be at approximately $180 million, and the Los Angeles Angels will be next at about $170 million. The Yankees will be at around $167 million — their lowest payroll since 2003.New York has not been ranked as low as seventh since 1992, when it finished ninth at $34.5 million in the final season of owner George Steinbrenner's 2½-year suspension. The Yankees rose to third the following year and topped the major leagues from 1994-97 and 1999-2013, interrupted by a season in which Baltimore finished $207,000... [More]

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Scott Kingery celebrated his historic contract with a home run.A day after the Phillies gave the prized prospect a $24 million, six-year contract that could be worth $65 million over nine seasons, Kingery went deep in his second at-bat against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday in Philadelphia's next-to-last spring training game."It's unbelievable to be in a moment like this," Kingery said a few hours earlier. "Right now, I'm just excited and with the talented group of guys we've got in this clubhouse. It's an exciting time and there's something special going on. For me, there is a lot of excitement to get up to Philly and get this thing started."Kingery gets a $1.5 million signing bonus payable within 90 days of the deal's approval by the commissioner's office and salaries of $750,000 this year, $1.25 million in 2019, $1.5 million in 2020, $4 million in 2021, $6 million in 2022 and $8 million in 2023. The Phillies have 2024 option at $13 million with a $1 million... [More]

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Scott Kingery celebrated his historic contract with a home run.A day after the Phillies gave the prized prospect a $24 million, six-year contract that could be worth $65 million over nine seasons, Kingery went deep in his second at-bat against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday in Philadelphia's next-to-last spring training game."It's unbelievable to be in a moment like this," Kingery said a few hours earlier. "Right now, I'm just excited and with the talented group of guys we've got in this clubhouse. It's an exciting time and there's something special going on. For me, there is a lot of excitement to get up to Philly and get this thing started."Kingery gets a $1.5 million signing bonus and salaries of $750,000 this year, $1.25 million in 2019, $1.5 million in 2020, $4 million in 2021, $6 million in 2022 and $8 million in 2023. The Phillies have 2024 option at $13 million with a $1 million buyout, a 2025 option at $14 million with a $500,000 buyout and 2026 option... [More]

The Philadelphia Phillies are banking on young Scott Kingery.A prized prospect who has never played in the majors, Kingery reached a six-year deal with the Phillies on Sunday that takes him through the 2023 season.The contract includes three team options running through 2026. Multiple media reports said Kingery was guaranteed more than $23 million.The 23-year-old Kingery is batting .392 in 20 spring training games and is tied for the Grapefruit League lead with 20 hits.Kingery hit a combined .304 with 26 home runs and 29 steals as a second baseman for Triple-A Lehigh Valley and Double-A Reading last year. He was a second-round pick in the 2015 draft from the University of Arizona.Kingery is regarded as the best second-base prospect in baseball. The Phillies currently have Cesar Hernandez as their starting second baseman, so Kingery has also seen time at third base this spring and worked in the outfield.Coming off a 66-96 record and last-place finish in the NL East, the Phillies have been... [More]

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies and prized prospect Scott Kingery have reached a six-year contract, a major endorsement for a player who has yet to reach the big leagues.The Phillies announced the deal Sunday that goes through the 2023 season. There also are three team options running through 2026. Multiple media reports said Kingery was guaranteed more than $23 million.The 23-year-old Kingery is batting .392 in 20 spring training games and is tied for the Grapefruit League lead with 20 hits.Kingery hit a combined .304 with 26 home runs and 29 steals as a second baseman for Triple-A Lehigh Valley and Double-A Reading last year. He was a second-round pick in the 2015 draft from the University of Arizona.Kingery is regarded as the best second-base prospect in baseball. The Phillies currently have Cesar Hernandez as their starting second baseman, so Kingery has also seen time at third base this spring and worked in the outfield.Coming off a 66-96 record and last-place finish in the NL East, the Phillies have been aggressive going into this season. They recently signed former NL Cy Young Award winner Jake Arrieta after previously adding slugger Carlos Santana.

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies and prized prospect Scott Kingery have reached a six-year contract, a major endorsement for a player who has yet to reach the big leagues.The Phillies announced the deal Sunday that goes through the 2023 season. There also are three team options running through 2026.The 23-year-old Kingery is batting .392 in 20 spring training games and is tied for the Grapefruit League lead with 20 hits.Kingery hit a combined .304 with 26 home runs and 29 steals as a second baseman for Triple-A Lehigh Valley and Double-A Reading last year. He was a second-round pick in the 2015 draft from the University of Arizona.Kingery is regarded as the best second-base prospect in baseball. The Phillies currently have Cesar Hernandez as their starting second baseman, so Kingery has also seen time at third base this spring and worked in the outfield.Coming off a 66-96 record and last-place finish in the NL East, the Phillies have been aggressive going into this season. They recently signed former NL Cy Young Award winner Jake Arrieta after previously adding slugger Carlos Santana.

Capsules of National League East teams, listed in order of finish last year:___Washington Nationals2017: 97-65, first place, lost to Cubs in NLDS.Manager: Dave Martinez (first season).He's Here: 1B-OF Matt Adams, C Miguel Montero, RHP Jeremy Hellickson, RHP Joaquin Benoit, INF Matt Reynolds.He's Outta Here: Manager Dusty Baker, LF Jayson Werth, 1B-LF Adam Lind, C Jose Lobaton, RHP Matt Albers.Projected Lineup: SS Trea Turner (.284, 11 HRs, 45 RBIs, 46 SBs in 98 games), LF Adam Eaton (.297, 2, 13 in 23 games), RF Bryce Harper (.319, 29, 87), 3B Anthony Rendon (.301, 25, 100, 41 2Bs), 2B Daniel Murphy (.322, 23, 93, 43 2Bs; expected to begin season on DL recovering from knee surgery), 1B Ryan Zimmerman (.303, 36, 108, 33 2Bs), CF Michael A. Taylor (.271, 19, 53), C Matt Wieters (.225, 10, 52).Rotation: RH Max Scherzer (16-6, 2.51 ERA, NL-high 268 Ks, 200 2/3 IP, 3rd Cy Young Award), RH Stephen Strasburg (15-4, 2.52, 204 Ks), LH Gio Gonzalez (15-9, 2.96, 79 walks), RH Tanner Roark (13-11,... [More]

Capsules of National League East teams, listed in order of finish last year:___Washington Nationals2017: 97-65, first place, lost to Cubs in NLDS.Manager: Dave Martinez (first season).He's Here: 1B-OF Matt Adams, C Miguel Montero, RHP Jeremy Hellickson, RHP Joaquin Benoit, INF Matt Reynolds.He's Outta Here: Manager Dusty Baker, LF Jayson Werth, 1B-LF Adam Lind, C Jose Lobaton, RHP Matt Albers.Projected Lineup: SS Trea Turner (.284, 11 HRs, 45 RBIs, 46 SBs in 98 games), LF Adam Eaton (.297, 2, 13 in 23 games), RF Bryce Harper (.319, 29, 87), 3B Anthony Rendon (.301, 25, 100, 41 2Bs), 2B Daniel Murphy (.322, 23, 93, 43 2Bs; expected to begin season on DL recovering from knee surgery), 1B Ryan Zimmerman (.303, 36, 108, 33 2Bs), CF Michael A. Taylor (.271, 19, 53), C Matt Wieters (.225, 10, 52).Rotation: RH Max Scherzer (16-6, 2.51 ERA, NL-high 268 Ks, 200 2/3 IP, 3rd Cy Young Award), RH Stephen Strasburg (15-4, 2.52, 204 Ks), LH Gio Gonzalez (15-9, 2.96, 79 walks), RH Tanner Roark (13-11,... [More]

Just the thought of Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge in the same lineup sent fans into a frenzy. Come opening day, all of baseball will see which teams really have the muscle.A season of haves and have-nots begins March 29 with Derek Jeter's pared-down Marlins playing the pumped-up Cubs. Later that day, the New York Yankees unleash their most potent pair of sluggers since Mantle & Maris.MVP Jose Altuve and the World Series champion Houston Astros added ace Gerrit Cole to a rotation with Dallas Keuchel and Justin Verlander. The Dodgers and Indians are still poised after coming within one win of that elusive crown. The Nationals hired a new manager to help free agent-to-be Bryce Harper, Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg reach the top. And the Red Sox got the bopper they needed.Where does that leave the Reds, Pirates, Tigers, Rays and A's? Well, better luck next year. Or the year after that.Major League Baseball is in a hurry these days, with record home runs and strikeouts the new norm.... [More]

Just the thought of Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge in the same lineup sent fans into a frenzy. Come opening day, all of baseball will see which teams really have the muscle.A season of haves and have-nots begins March 29 with Derek Jeter's pared-down Marlins playing the pumped-up Cubs. Later that day, the New York Yankees unleash their most potent pair of sluggers since Mantle & Maris.MVP Jose Altuve and the World Series champion Houston Astros added ace Gerrit Cole to a rotation with Dallas Keuchel and Justin Verlander. The Dodgers and Indians are still poised after coming within one win of that elusive crown. The Nationals hired a new manager to help free agent-to-be Bryce Harper, Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg reach the top. And the Red Sox got the bopper they needed.Where does that leave the Reds, Pirates, Tigers, Rays and A's? Well, better luck next year. Or the year after that.Major League Baseball is in a hurry these days, with record home runs and strikeouts the new norm.... [More]

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Eight days before opening day, Jake Arrieta made his first appearance for the Philadelphia Phillies."I had a ton of nervous energy," Arrieta said Thursday after allowing two runs that included Miguel Cabrera's solo homer during a 6-2 loss to the Detroit Tigers.Arrieta struck out two and walked none, throwing 31 pitches over two innings. He gave up three hits."Very anxious to get out there," the 32-year-old right-hander said. "I was in here at 8, and I couldn't stop moving. But now that's over, I can kind of take a deep breath and remember what it feels like to be in a game situation. Umpires, crowd, and it felt great."Arrieta and the Phillies finalized a $75 million, three-year contract on March 12, a deal that could be worth up to $135 million over five seasons.Detroit starter Matthew Boyd and Philadelphia relievers Parker Frazier and Pedro Beato were ejected along with Philadelphia manager Gabe Kapler and bench coach Rob Thomson as three batters were hit by pitches.ELSEWHERE... [More]

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Eight days before opening day, Jake Arrieta made his first appearance for the Philadelphia Phillies."I had a ton of nervous energy," Arrieta said Thursday after allowing two runs that included Miguel Cabrera's solo homer during a 6-2 loss to the Detroit Tigers.Arrieta struck out two and walked none, throwing 31 pitches over two innings. He gave up three hits."Very anxious to get out there," the 32-year-old right-hander said. "I was in here at 8, and I couldn't stop moving. But now that's over, I can kind of take a deep breath and remember what it feels like to be in a game situation. Umpires, crowd, and it felt great."Arrieta and the Phillies finalized a $75 million, three-year contract on March 12, a deal that could be worth up to $135 million over five seasons. Aaron Nola will start the March 29 opener at Atlanta, and it is not clear whether Arrieta will take a turn in the first time through the rotation."Do I think I can handle going out there? Of course," he... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Rebuilding time is over for the Philadelphia Phillies.When free-agent ace Jake Arrieta arrived at spring training on co-owner John Middleton's private plane, it signaled the start of a new era for this franchise.Stocked with young talent on the major-league roster and prospects in the minors, management sent a clear message that it will do whatever it takes to start winning after five straight losing seasons and 96 losses last year."I intend to come in here and win right away," Arrieta said.Even before the 2015 NL Cy Young award winner joined the Phillies, players were confident this team could contend this season."We're ready to win right now," third baseman Maikel Franco said. "We have a lot of talent here. We're on the same page."The Phillies signed veteran slugger Carlos Santana away from Cleveland in December and bolstered the bullpen by adding right-handers Pat Neshek and Tommy Hunter. They waited on Arrieta and got him at their price — $75 million over three years... [More]