GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The Chicago White Sox agreed Saturday to a $16 million, five-year contract with reliever Aaron Bummer that includes two club options, and a $3.5 million, one-year deal with infielder Leury Garcia.Bummer is due $1 million in 2020, $2 million in 2021, $2.5 million in 2022, $3.75 million in 2023 and $5.5 million in 2024. The White Sox hold options for $7.25 million in 2025 and $7.5 million in 2026, with $1.25 million buyouts for either season.Garcia gets $3.25 million in 2020, with the White Sox holding a $3.5 million option for 2021 with a $250,000 buyout. He avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.25-million contract in January.The 26-year-old Bummer had a 2.13 ERA and 27 holds in 58 appearances with the White Sox last season.Garcia, 29, hit .279 with eight home runs, 40 RBIs and a team-leading 93 runs for Chicago last year.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — It will be champs vs. cheaters in a World Series rematch when the Washington Nationals and Houston Astros play their exhibition opener on Saturday night.The last time these teams met, the Nationals were celebrating their first World Series title in Houston after winning Game 7 at Minute Maid Park. Since then, the Astros have become the league's villains, with a sign-stealing scandal sullying their reputation and casting a shadow on their 2017 title. As the Astros prepare to take the field for the first time since their cheating scam was uncovered there’s much speculation about what kind of reception they’ll receive, though the players say they're focused on baseball. “Honestly, I haven't thought about it,” shortstop Carlos Correa said. “But whatever it is, our job is to go there and play baseball. So, I'm not too concerned about that.”There have been a handful of hecklers at Astros camp this week as the team assembled for the first time since Major League Baseball... [More]

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — After Corey Kluber was traded to Texas, his new manager got a lot of texts and calls from people saying what a phenomenal pitcher and person the Rangers got. The only message that surprised Chris Woodward was the one he got from the two-time Cy Young Award winner. “One of the first texts he sent me, 'I've got a lot to prove,'” Woodward said Friday. “You don't expect that to come from a guy who's had so much success."While the 33-year-old right-hander had an injury-plagued final season in Cleveland last year, he was coming off an extended stretch as one of baseball's best pitchers. He was a 20-game winner in 2018, and the American League Cy Young winner in 2014 and 2017 — all that during a five-year span when he threw at least 203 innings with 222 strikeouts or more each season.Kluber was the Indians' opening day starter for the fifth season in a row last year, but suffered a broken right forearm when he was hit by a comeback liner in his seventh start. When he was... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees right-hander Luis Severino says it is "definitely frustrating" to be shut down in spring training for the second consecutive year.Severino has right forearm soreness near the elbow, which has been an off and on issue since October. "It’s more inside, close to the bone, so I would say more like where the muscle attaches to the bone," Severino said Friday. "It’s a weird spot. I’ve never experienced pain up there."Severino will go to New York on Monday for tests. He was examined Friday by team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad.“We took a couple of issues off the board, I would say shoulder or stuff like muscles, but we will see on Monday what is the real issue, or the days after that” Severino said. “We’re looking to get all the answers that we can get.”Severino experienced renewed discomfort at home Wednesday night."I went to, in the offseason, New York twice to do the MRI and they didn’t find anything so right now we’re not sure what is causing that." Severino... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Cleveland Indians right-hander Carlos Carrasco has been diagnosed with a mild strain of his right hip flexor after feeling discomfort while doing squats in the weight room during spring training.The team said Friday that Carrasco was considered day to day after an MRI revealed the strain.Manager Terry Francona said Carrasco felt something in his upper leg when squatting on Wednesday.The 32-year-old pitcher made an inspiring comeback last season after being diagnosed with leukemia. He revealed that in June, and returned as a reliever in September after treatment.Carrasco had said earlier in camp that his health was good and that he was excited about the upcoming season, when he is expected to move back into the rotation.The Indians, who traded two-time AL Cy Young winner Corey Kluber this winter, were already down one starter this spring with right-hander Mike Clevinger recovering from knee surgery and out until mid-April. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

GOODYEAR, Arizona (AP) — The Cleveland Indians could have another significant pitching problem.Right-hander Carlos Carrasco felt discomfort in his right leg during a spring training workout Wednesday and is undergoing imaging tests to find out the severity of the injury and how long he'll be sidelined.Carrasco, who made an inspiring comeback last season after being diagnosed with leukemia, got an MRI on Thursday. The Indians kept him from working out and the team plans to provide an update on his status Friday.“He was squatting and felt something in his upper leg area,” manager Terry Francona said. "I know it's a little vague but that's what we know. Instead of telling you something we don't know, we'll wait for more information and pass it on."If Carrasco is out for any period, it will put further strain on Cleveland's pitching depth. Right-hander Mike Clevinger recently underwent knee surgery and will be out until mid-April. On top of that, the team is counting on other pitchers to pick... [More]

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — It will be months, at best, before Mitch Haniger is ready to suit up and take the field for the Seattle Mariners. But after three surgeries in seven months and two within the last four weeks, Haniger is in a positive frame of mind.The 2018 All-Star outfielder said Thursday that he isn’t feeling much pain from surgery in his core area in January plus a back procedure earlier this month.“Excited to be in camp with the guys and be around everybody,” Haniger said. “Hopefully I can contribute to the team as much as I can during this time that I’m not going to be on the field.”Haniger said he believes he can play at some point this season.“I tend to and I hope so and I expect to be,” he said.Haniger, who hit .285 with 26 home runs and 93 RBIs in 2018, took time to rehash his recent timeline of medical events. It all started last June when he fouled a pitch off his groin area during a game.Haniger went on the 10-day injured list with a ruptured testicle, and in August went... [More]

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — As the Houston Astros put together their rotation for this season, they're faced with a Texas-sized hole after Gerrit Cole left as a free agent to sign with the New York Yankees. New manager Dusty Baker is looking for somebody to step up and help make up for the loss. But more than likely no one player will be able to replace Cole, and Baker will need multiple pitchers or "somebodies" to take a step forward.“It's not easy to replace his quality of work, or his innings pitched,” Baker said. “So, we're looking for somebody to replace him or somebodies as a group.”Justin Verlander and Cole provided a powerful 1-2 atop Houston’s rotation last season to help the Astros win the American League pennant. Cole led the AL with a career-best 2.50 ERA and finished second in the majors to Verlander with 20 wins, also a career-best.Cole was the runner up to Verlander in Cy Young Award voting before leaving Houston to sign a $324 million deal with the Yankees. Zack Greinke,... [More]

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Rick Renteria has been here before. He was managing the Chicago Cubs in 2014 when they were building a team that would end its century-long championship drought.But just as that team was coming together for a four-year postseason run, Renteria's contract was terminated when the Cubs had a chance to bring in free-agent manager Joe Maddon.Now 58, Renteria landed with the White Sox and replaced Robin Ventura as manager just as the team began its own massive rebuilding project. Now in his fourth season on the South Side, Renteria's patience is finally getting rewarded.Expectations are high for the White Sox for the first time in a decade, and Renteria is ready for it."I'm very happy right now," Renteria said Thursday at Camelback Ranch. "The task is not complete but there is satisfaction."It's like seeing your kids grow up, there are a lot of ups and downs that go along with it, some tears, some great laughter and some great harmony and joy."Renteria's personality can... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees right-hander Luis Severino has been shut down from throwing for the second consecutive spring training, this time because of right forearm soreness.Severino, who turned 26 on Thursday, was sidelined until the final weeks of the regular season last year.Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Severino has been feeling on and off discomfort since October. "That's certainly concerning," Boone said. "We'll just have to continue see how this declares itself."Severino also has a loose body in his right elbow that the manager said has not been an issue.New York already expects to be without left-hander James Paxton for the first two months of the season following back surgery on Feb. 5.Severino is to be examined Friday by team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad. General manager Brian Cashman was not sure Severino would be available for the March 26 opener at Baltimore."We haven't determined what we're dealing with yet," Cashman said. “All tests have been negative so far.... [More]

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — It will be months, at best, before Mitch Haniger is ready to suit up and take the field for the Seattle Mariners. But after three surgeries in seven months and two within the last four weeks, Haniger is in a positive frame of mind.The 2018 All-Star outfielder said Thursday that he isn’t feeling much pain from surgery in his core area in January plus a back procedure earlier this month.“Excited to be in camp with the guys and be around everybody,” Haniger said. “Hopefully I can contribute to the team as much as I can during this time that I’m not going to be on the field.”Haniger said he believes he can play at some point this season.“I tend to and I hope so and I expect to be,” he said.Haniger, who hit .285 with 26 home runs and 93 RBIs in 2018, took time to rehash his recent timeline of medical events. It all started last June when he fouled a pitch off his groin area during a game.Haniger went on the 10-day injured list with a ruptured testicle, and in August went... [More]

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Maikel Franco has a new look to go along with a new attitude.Franco had short hair, rather than his usual shoulder-length dreadlocks, when he arrived at the Kansas City Royals’ spring training clubhouse.In fact, Royals catcher Salvador Pérez did not recognize him at first when Franco showed up in Miami to work out together."In general, I just want to be different this year,” Franco said. “A new year, a new team, a new experience. I’ve got a lot of reputation, but I’m just trying to be a new guy.”Franco was let go by the Philadelphia Phillies after hitting .234 with 17 home runs and 56 RBIs last season. The Royals signed him to a $2.95 million, one-year contract on Dec. 27 with a chance to earn another $1.05 million in performance bonuses.Franco is set to become the Royals’ everyday third baseman.Hunter Dozier, who started 99 games at third base for the Royals last year, will shift to right field. Cheslor Cuthbert, Chris Owings and Kelvin Gutierrez also started games... [More]

GOODYEAR, Arizona (AP) — Cleveland Indians pitcher Carlos Carrasco felt discomfort in his right leg during a spring training workout this week and is undergoing imaging tests. Carrasco, who made an inspiring comeback last season after being diagnosed with leukemia, is getting an MRI. The Indians said he will not work out Thursday and the team plans to provide an update on his status Friday.If Carrasco is out for any period, it will put further strain on Cleveland's pitching depth. Right-hander Mike Clevinger recently underwent knee surgery and will be out until mid-April.The 32-year-old Carrasco revealed last June that he had been diagnosed with leukemia. He received treatments and battled back, making his return as a reliever on Sept. 1. He and the Indians are hoping he can again pitch in their starting rotation this season.Carrasco recently said his health was good and he was excited about the upcoming season.After he returned last season, Carrasco made 11 relief appearances in September, posting a 6.60 ERA with 17 strikeouts in 15 innings.Carrasco's comeback moved his players and fans across baseball. He received an emotional salute at the All-Star Game in Cleveland. Following the season he received the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award, given annually to a player who demonstrates a deep commitment to community.___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Mike Fiers is scheduled to start a split-squad game for Oakland on Sunday in his first game action since revealing the Houston Astros' cheating scheme.It had not been determined Wednesday whether Fiers' spring training debut would come in the home game versus San Francisco or against Arizona in Scottsdale.Fiers went 15-4 last season, including the second no-hitter of his career, as the A's earned an AL wild-card spot.In a story published by The Athletic in November, Fiers said the Astros had stolen signs using a camera in center field during their run to the 2017 World Series championship. Fiers played on that team.The ensuing scandal resulted in three managers losing their jobs, a fine and other penalties, and has become the talk of Major League Baseball. Many players have harshly spoken about the Astros, saying they should be stripped of their title.There has been debate among fans and others whether Fiers did the right thing in his role as a whistleblower. Commissioner... [More]

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — As Justin Verlander approaches his 37th birthday, Houston's ace evolves to maintain the skills that allowed him to win his second Cy Young Award last season, eight years after he won the first one. Verlander, who will turn 37 on Thursday, talked about aging this week as he prepares for his 16th MLB season. “The end goal is just to continue to adapt and try to be successful and fight this age thing,” he said. “You can't just keep doing the same stuff. Your body changes as you get older and you need to adapt and do things a little bit differently to try stay on top of your game.”Verlander was able to do that last season when he led the majors with 21 wins and his 2.58 ERA ranked second in the American League. He won the AL Cy Young Award for the first time since 2011, when he also was MVP.Verlander led the majors with 223 innings, his most since 2012, and his 34 starts tied for the most in the league. he became just the sixth pitcher to throw three no-hitters.... [More]

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Mike Fiers is scheduled to start a split-squad game for Oakland on Sunday in his first game action since revealing the Houston Astros' cheating scheme.It had not been determined Wednesday whether Fiers' spring training debut would come in the home game versus San Francisco or against Arizona in Scottsdale.Fiers went 15-4 last season, including the second no-hitter of his career, as the A's earned an AL wild-card spot.In a story published by The Athletic in November, Fiers said the Astros had stolen signs using a camera in center field during their run to the 2017 World Series championship. Fiers played on that team.The ensuing scandal resulted in three managers losing their jobs, a fine and other penalties, and has become the talk of Major League Baseball. Many players have harshly spoken about the Astros, saying they should be stripped of their title.There has been debate among fans and others whether Fiers did the right thing in his role as a whistleblower. Commissioner... [More]

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Expecting another big season from their high-octane offense, the Minnesota Twins hope to pitch well enough to win a second straight AL Central title.Minnesota set a major-league record with 307 homers and was eighth with a 4.18 ERA last year."We had a pretty darn good pitching staff last year statistically speaking,” said right-hander Jake Odorizzi, who went 15-7 with a 3.51 ERA in 30 starts. “You didn’t hear anything about it because we had such a historic offense. As with any staff, I think we’re fine with it. We don’t need the notoriety. This isn’t the Nationals’ pitching staff, the guys that have tremendous staffs that always get talked about.”Minnesota was second in runs with 939 and batting average at .274. The ERA was fifth among AL teams.“I think we’re just going to try and build off what we did last year,” the 29-year-old Odorizzi said. “If we get talked about a little more this year, great. If not, as long as we win, we’re a happy group.”Minnesota signing... [More]

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Shin-Soo Choo wants to enjoy baseball even more this season, all of those times in the clubhouse and on the field while still at the top of the Texas Rangers lineup."I don't know what's going to happen at the end of the year," said Choo, the 37-year-old leadoff hitter going into the final season of his $130 million, seven-year contract.Choo has genuine confidence that he can play at a high level for another couple of years, or more, after 2020. There is just no way to know if he will be re-signed by the Rangers, maybe go to another team or decide it's time to be at home full-time with his wife and three growing children. Those are all questions he said are too early to consider. “I still love this game," Choo said. "I'm still lucky to play major league level, and then it's very special, major league uniform, wearing my number on it, my name on it on the back. That's very special, very lucky. I still feel that way, so we'll see.”His oldest kid is a 14-year-old son... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees star Giancarlo Stanton imagined having the advantage the Houston Astros gained in their scam."If knew what was coming in '17, I probably would have hit 80-plus home runs," he said Wednesday.Stanton agreed with teammate Aaron Judge that the Astros should be stripped of their 2017 World Series title and that they kept on cheating during the 2019 season.Major League Baseball concluded the Astros used a video camera to steal catchers' signs in 2017, including during the postseason, and in 2018. "They did their investigation and it was clear-cut that they cheated that year, which means it should be taken away," Stanton said. "If you cheat in another way during the season, you can't even be in the playoffs. It's pretty much the same difference."Houston owner Jim Crane said at a news conference last week he wasn't sure how much of an advantage the sign stealing was for his team.Houston beat the Yankees in a seven-game AL Championship Series in 2017, winning... [More]

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Marcus Semien stayed with his batting cage routine from the start of last season, and it paid off with career numbers for the Oakland Athletics’ slugging shortstop.Semien posted career-best numbers with 33 home runs, 92 RBIs, a .285 batting average and 187 hits. All from almost exclusively the leadoff spot in 2019, from where he helped lead the A’s to their second straight AL wild-card game.“In years past I felt like I was searching a little bit, trying to find something that felt right,” Semien said Wednesday at spring training. “And I stuck with something the whole year. I did in my lower half. It was more in my legs with my swing and just learned a lot about my swing.”Semien, at 29 years old now in his sixth season with the A’s, said his home runs were a byproduct of being ahead in the count more often and swinging at strikes. He hit 22 of his home runs from July to September.Semien was as reliable as any A’s player in the A’s 97-win 2019 campaign. He played all 162... [More]