HOUSTON (AP) — Astros manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow were fired Monday after the pair were suspended by Major League Baseball for the team's use of electronics for sign-stealing during Houston's run to the 2017 World Series title and again in the 2018 season.In U.S. sports' largest scandal since the New England Patriots' “Spygate,” Commissioner Rob Manfred announced the discipline Monday and strongly hinted that current Boston manager Alex Cora — the Astros bench coach in 2017 — will face equal or more severe punishment. Manfred said Cora developed the sign-stealing system used by the Astros. The Red Sox are under investigation for sign-stealing in Cora's first season as manager in 2018, when Boston won the World Series.Houston was fined $5 million, the maximum allowed under the Major League Constitution. The Astros will forfeit their next two first- and second-round amateur draft picks.The investigation found that the Astros used the video feed from the center-field camera... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Astros manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow were fired Monday after the pair were suspended by Major League Baseball for the team's use of electronics for sign stealing during Houston's run to the 2017 World Series title and during the 2018 season.In U.S. sports' largest scandal since the New England Patriots' “Spygate,” Commissioner Rob Manfred announced the discipline Monday and strongly hinted that current Boston manager Alex Cora — the Astros bench coach in 2017 — will face equal or more severe punishment. Manfred said Cora developed the sign-stealing system used by the Astros. The Red Sox are under investigation for sign-stealing in Cora's first season as manager in 2018, when Boston won the World Series.Houston was fined $5 million for sign stealing, the maximum allowed under the Major League Constitution. The Astros will forfeit their next two first- and second-round draft picks.Houston was found guilty of using a television camera in center field to relay... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Astros manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow were fired Monday after the pair were suspended by Major League Baseball for the team's sign-stealing during Houston's run to the 2017 World Series title and during the 2018 season.In the sport's largest scandal since the Biogenesis drug suspensions in 2013, Commissioner Rob Manfred announced the discipline Monday and strongly hinted that current Boston manager Alex Cora— the Astros bench coach in 2017 — will face equal or more severe punishment. Manfred said Cora developed the sign-stealing system used by the Astros. The Red Sox are under investigation for sign stealing in Cora's first season as manager in 2018, when the Red Sox won the World Series.Houston was fined $5 million for sign-stealing by the team during its run to the 2017 World Series title and during the 2018 season — the maximum allowed under the Major League Constitution. The Astros will forfeit their next two first- and second-round draft picks.In addition,... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers and pitcher Alex Wood agreed to a $4 million, one-year deal Sunday, a person familiar with the agreement said.The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced.“We back,” Wood tweeted on Sunday, his 29th birthday.Wood returns to Los Angeles after spending last season with the Cincinnati Reds. He was part of a deal in which the Dodgers sent Yasiel Puig and Matt Kemp to the Reds last offseason. Wood's time in Cincinnati was plagued by injury. His back flared up in spring training and then he began last season on the injured list. The left-hander was activated in July and made just seven starts before his season ended early in September. He was 1-3 with a 5.80 ERA.Wood's best year in Los Angeles was 2017 when he was a National League All-Star and had a 16-3 record with a 2.72 ERA. He took a no-hitter into the sixth inning against Houston in Game 4 of the World Series that fall.He returns with a chance to join the Dodgers' starting rotation, which he was part of at various times during four seasons.___AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum in New York contributed to this report.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Veteran infielder Todd Frazier and the Texas Rangers have reached an agreement on a $5 million, one-year contract, filling a significant need for the team. A person familiar with the deal said the agreement was pending a successful physical. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been announced. Frazier will make $3.5 million in 2020, and the deal includes a 2021 club option with a $1.5 million buyout. Third base is one of the primary needs for the Rangers, who lost out in their pursuit of free agent Anthony Rendon this offseason when he signed with the division rival Los Angeles Angels. Frazier also gives the Rangers another right-handed hitter in their left-leaning lineup, and could also play first base. Frazier, a month shy of his 34th birthday, spent the past two seasons with the New York Mets. He hit .251 with 21 homers and 67 RBIs in 133 games last year. He has also played for the Cincinnati Reds (2011-15), Chicago White Sox (2016-17) and Yankees (2017) in his nine big league seasons.___AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CINCINNATI (AP) — Trevor Bauer agreed to a $17.5 million, one-year deal with the Cincinnati Reds on Friday, bypassing salary arbitration after the All-Star pitcher had a contentious hearing with Cleveland last offseason.Bauer, acquired from the Indians in July, relished beating Cleveland in arbitration the past two offseasons but complained after last winter's hearing that Major League Baseball labor relations staff attempted “character assassination” against him.The right-hander was awarded $13 million over the Indians' $11 million offer in 2019, a year after winning a raise to $6,525,000 against Cleveland's $5.3 million offer. Bauer donated his extra winnings in 2018 to charity in what he called “69 days of giving” — an online campaign that leaned on sexual innuendo and a reference to marijuana to raise awareness. Bauer said MLB labor relations department representatives attempted to use the operation to “demean my character” in the 2019 hearing."That kind of put a black mark on what... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — Trevor Bauer agreed to a $17.5 million, one-year deal with the Cincinnati Reds on Friday, avoiding salary arbitration after the All-Star pitcher had a contentious hearing with Cleveland last offseason.Bauer, acquired from the Indians in July, relished beating Cleveland in arbitration the past two offseasons but complained after last winter's hearing that Major League Baseball labor relations staff attempted “character assassination” against him.The right-hander was awarded $13 million over the Indians' $11 million offer in 2019, a year after winning a raise to $6,525,000 against Cleveland's $5.3 million offer. Bauer donated his extra winnings in 2018 to charity in what he called “69 days of giving” — an online campaign that leaned on sexual innuendo and a reference to marijuana to raise awareness. Bauer said MLB labor relations department representatives attempted to use the operation to “demean my character” in the 2019 hearing."That kind of put a black mark on what I... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Right-hander Noah Syndergaard has agreed to a $9.7 million, one-year deal with the New York Mets to avoid salary arbitration.Syndergaard is coming off a fairly disappointing season in which he made $6 million. He went 10-8 with a 4.28 ERA and 202 strikeouts in 197 2/3 innings.Syndergaard bristled at pitching to No. 1 catcher Wilson Ramos and has had a rocky relationship with the Mets' front office at times. Syndergaard’s name has been mentioned in trade talk on several occasions — including last summer.The 6-foot-6, 240-pound right-hander nicknamed Thor has power stuff, good control, an impressive array of pitches and all sorts of upside. He’s 27 years old and under club control for two more seasons. At the beginning of the offseason, general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said Syndergaard would return in 2020 to slot right back into the rotation behind two-time defending Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom.Syndergaard, an All-Star in 2016, is 47-30 with a 3.31 ERA in five major league seasons. He can become a free agent after the 2021 season. ___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

WASHINGTON (AP) — Eric Thames still thinks about the eighth inning of the NL wild card game, when Milwaukee held a two-run lead against Washington and was four outs from advancing.“I'll never forget that feeling of being heartbroken, seeing Juan Soto's base hit over my head," Thames said. “”I thought we had this game."Three months after the Nationals scored three runs on Soto's hit for a 4-3 win over the Brewers and went on to the franchise's first World Series title, Thames joined the team that knocked him out. Washington finalized a $4 million, one-year contract with the first baseman, a deal that includes a $3 million salary this year and a $4 million mutual option for 2021 with a $1 million buyout.“Everybody, the whole media was against them throughout the world, everybody counted them out and they still fought back,” Thames said. “That definitely shows how the team model, how their team atmosphere was."Washington also completed a $2.5 million, one-year deal to keep infielder Asdrúbal... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Add Asdrúbal Cabrera to the group of players the Washington Nationals are bringing back — and using to create flexibility in their infield.Cabrera and the Nationals finalized a one-year deal Wednesday that includes a $2.5 million salary and the chance to earn performance bonuses. The team also completed its $4 million, one-year contract with first baseman Eric Thames, which includes a mutual option for 2021. The 34-year-old Cabrera was a big part of Washington's surge to the World Series, hitting .323 with six homers and 40 RBIs in just 38 games after signing with the Nationals in August. He played primarily second base for the club, but also appeared at third base and first.That was the switch-hitter's second stint with the club. He joins postseason star Howie Kendrick, free agent Starlin Castro and Wilmer Difo as players who could be used at second or third base.The 33-year-old Thames had 25 homers and 61 RBIs with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2019, his third season with that team.The lefty batter averaged 24 homers per season with the Brewers after returning to the majors from playing in South Korea.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

WASHINGTON (AP) — Infielder Starlin Castro finalized a two-year contract with the Washington Nationals on Tuesday, one of a flurry of recent moves by the World Series champions.Castro's deal gives the club someone who can start at second base and maybe also play some at third, where Anthony Rendon left as a free agent. Castro gets $5 million next season and $7 million in 2021 plus the chance to earn award bonuses.Last season with the Miami Marlins, Castro batted .270 with career highs of 22 homers and 86 RBIs. He appeared in all 162 games, making 115 starts at second and 42 at third, along with two at shortstop.Castro will turn 30 in March and is entering his 11th season in the majors. In addition to the Marlins, he has played for the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees and been an All-Star four times.For his career, Castro has hit .280, with a .319 on-base percentage, .414 slugging percentage, 133 homers and 636 RBIs.Other agreements for Washington in recent days included free agents Will Harris — a reliever whose three-year deal will pay him $8 million each season — and Eric Thames, a first baseman, as well as returning reliever Daniel Hudson.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Rich Hill can earn $9.5 million in performance bonuses in his contract with the Minnesota Twins and Homer Bailey can earn $1 million.Minnesota announced the one-year deals with the pitchers on Dec. 31. Hill was guaranteed $3 million and Bailey $7 million.Hill's bonuses are based on starts or innings: $1 million each for five starts or 25 innings, seven or 35 and nine or 45, $1.5 million for 11 or 55, $2 million for 13 or 65 and $3 million for 15 or 75.Bailey would get $333,333 each for 150 and 165 innings, and $333,334 for 185.Both have identical awards bonuses: $100,000 for winning the Cy Young Award, $75,000 for finishing second in voting, $50,000 for third and $25,000 for fourth through sixth. He also would get $25,000 for making the All-Star team and winning a Gold Glove, $50,000 for League Championship Series MVP and $100,000 for World Series MVP.A 33-year-old right-hander, Bailey was 13-9 with a 4.57 ERA last year for Kansas City and Oakland, which acquired him... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Infielder Starlin Castro finalized a two-year contract with the Washington Nationals on Tuesday, one of a flurry of recent moves by the World Series champions.Castro's deal gives the club someone who can start at second base and maybe also play some at third, where Anthony Rendon left as a free agent.Last season with the Miami Marlins, Castro batted .270 with career highs of 22 homers and 86 RBIs. He appeared in all 162 games, making 115 starts at second and 42 at third, along with two at shortstop.Castro will turn 30 in March and is entering his 11th season in the majors. In addition to the Marlins, he has played for the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees and been an All-Star four times.For his career, Castro has hit .280, with a .319 on-base percentage, .414 slugging percentage, 133 homers and 636 RBIs.Other agreements for Washington in recent days included free agents Will Harris — a reliever whose three-year deal will pay him $8 million each season — and Eric Thames, a first baseman, as well as returning reliever Daniel Hudson.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

WASHINGTON (AP) — Infielder Starlin Castro finalized a two-year contract with the Washington Nationals on Tuesday, one of a flurry of recent moves by the World Series champions.Castro's deal gives the club someone who can start at second base and maybe also play some at third, where Anthony Rendon left as a free agent.Last season with the Miami Marlins, Castro batted .270 with career highs of 22 homers and 86 RBIs. He appeared in all 162 games, making 115 starts at second and 42 at third, along with two at shortstop.Castro will turn 30 in March and is entering his 11th season in the majors. In addition to the Marlins, he has played for the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees and been an All-Star four times.For his career, Castro has hit .280, with a .319 on-base percentage, .414 slugging percentage, 133 homers and 636 RBIs.Other agreements for Washington in recent days included free agents Will Harris — a reliever whose three-year deal will pay him $8 million each season — and Eric Thames, a first baseman, as well as returning reliever Daniel Hudson.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Rich Hill can earn $9.5 million in performance bonuses in his contract with the Minnesota Twins and Homer Bailey can earn $1 million.Minnesota announced the one-year deals with the pitchers on Dec. 31. Hill was guaranteed $3 million and Bailey $7 million.Hill's bonuses are based on starts or innings: $1 million each for five starts or 25 innings, seven or 35 and nine or 45, $1.5 million for 11 or 55, $2 million for 13 or 65 and $3 million for 15 or 75.Bailey would get $333,333 each for 150 and 165 innings, and $333,334 for 185.Both have identical awards bonuses: $100,000 for winning the Cy Young Award, $75,000 for finishing second in voting, $50,000 for third and $25,000 for fourth through sixth. He also would get $25,000 for making the All-Star team and winning a Gold Glove, $50,000 for League Championship Series MVP and $100,000 for World Series MVP.A 33-year-old right-hander, Bailey was 13-9 with a 4.57 ERA last year for Kansas City and Oakland, which acquired him... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Reliever Daniel Hudson agreed to terms on an $11 million, two-year contract to return to the Washington Nationals, and the World Series champions also added first baseman Eric Thames.Each deal was confirmed to The Associated Press on Monday by people who spoke on condition of anonymity because neither agreement had been announced.Thames, who gets a one-year contract guaranteeing $4 million, moves into the lefty-hitting first baseman role filled by Matt Adams last season. The 33-year-old Thames hit .247 with 25 homers, 61 RBIs and 140 strikeouts for the Milwaukee Brewers last year.Since returning to the majors after playing in South Korea from 2014-16, Thames averaged 24 homers per season in three years with the Brewers. Signed by Milwaukee to a $16 million, three-year contract, he became a free agent after the Brewers declined a $7.5 million option, triggering a $1 million buyout.Hudson was acquired in a trade-deadline swap with the Toronto Blue Jays on July 31 and eventually... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Reliever Daniel Hudson agreed to terms on an $11 million, two-year contract to return to the Washington Nationals, and the World Series champions also added first baseman Eric Thames.Each deal was confirmed to The Associated Press on Monday by people who spoke on condition of anonymity because neither agreement had been announced.Thames, who gets a one-year contract guaranteeing $4 million, moves into the lefty-hitting first baseman role filled by Matt Adams last season. The 33-year-old Thames hit .247 with 25 homers, 61 RBIs and 140 strikeouts for the Milwaukee Brewers last year.Since returning to the majors after playing in South Korea from 2014-16, Thames averaged 24 homers per season in three years with the Brewers. Signed by Milwaukee to a $16 million, three-year contract, he became a free agent after the Brewers declined a $7.5 million option, triggering a $1 million buyout.Hudson was acquired in a trade-deadline swap with the Toronto Blue Jays on July 31 and eventually... [More]

The Los Angeles Angels and catcher Jason Castro have agreed to a $6.85 million, one-year contract, according to a person with knowledge of the deal.The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday night because the deal was pending a successful physical and had not been announced.The 32-year-old Castro was an All-Star with Houston in 2013 and has a strong defensive reputation. He batted .232 with 13 home runs and a .767 OPS in 79 games for the Minnesota Twins last season. Los Angeles used five players at catcher last year, with Jonathan Lucroy and Kevan Smith getting the most starts. Angels backstops combined to bat .221 with 15 home runs and were valued at -0.6 wins above replacement (per FanGraphs). Castro has been worth at least 1.6 WAR in six of the past seven seasons.Castro is set to join a lineup that also added All-Star third baseman Anthony Rendon on a $245 million, seven-year deal last month. ___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Former Texas Rangers pitcher Doug Mathis has been hired as the team's bullpen coach. Mathis replaces Oscar Marin, who was hired last month as pitching coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Mathis was a minor league pitching coach the past three seasons, in the Seattle and Toronto organizations, after playing professionally for 11 years. His only major league experience came in 45 games for the Rangers from 2008-10. He also pitched professionally in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. Texas on Tuesday also named former major league infielder Darwin Barney as manager of its Triple-A team in Nashville. It is the first professional coaching role for Barney, who played for three teams over eight big league seasons (2010-17), and was the NL Gold Glove second baseman in 2012 with the Chicago Cubs. Switch-hitting outfielder Henry Ramos signed a minor league contract with an invitation to major league spring training. He spent all of last season at Triple-A Sacramento. ___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins have signed pitchers Homer Bailey and Rich Hill to one-year contracts.Bailey, a 33-year-old right-hander, made 31 starts between the Kansas City Royals and Oakland Athletics last season. He was a combined 13-9 with a 4.57 ERA. He started 18 games for Kansas City before being traded in July.Hill, a 39-year-old lefty, started 13 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers last season, going 4-1 with a 2.45 ERA. He missed about two months with a left forearm strain. Hill has been in the majors parts of 15 seasons with eight teams.Terms of the deal were not announced Tuesday.