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]

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — Yoenis Céspedes arrived at spring training and was as silent as his bat has been for most of the past two seasons. The New York Mets outfielder stepped back toward his locker as the media approached before the team's first full-squad workout on Monday and said, “Not today, not tomorrow, not at all this year” when asked if he would talk. A two-time All-Star, Céspedes said he felt no obligation to speak with the media. “Because I don’t want to,” he explained.Asked whether he would speak to his fans, he replied: “To my fans, maybe."Céspedes turned his back to media, spritzed cologne on and forcefully put the bottle down in his locker. Céspedes hit and ran but did not break with the outfielders as the horn sounded for the fielders to break into two groups when the Mets took the field for the first time in spring training. Against reliever Michael Wacha in batting practice, Céspedes turned on a curve and drove it just left of the foul pole in left field — with home-run... [More]

A team-by-team look at the American League East 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:___New York YankeesManager: Aaron Boone (third season). 2019: 103-59, first place, lost to Houston in AL Championship Series. Training Town: Tampa, Florida. Park: George Steinbrenner Field. First Workout: Feb. 13/18. He's Here: RHP Gerrit Cole, C Erik Kratz, C Chris Iannetta, C Josh Thole, RHP Nick Tropeano, LHP Luis Avil�nHe's Outta Here: LHP CC Sabathia, SS Didi Gregorius, 1B Edwin Encarnacion, C Austin Romine, RHP Dellin Betances, OF Cameron Maybin, OF Jacoby Ellsbury, 1B Greg Bird, RHP Chance Adams, LHP Stephen Tarpley, LHP Nestor Cortes Jr., RHP Cory GearrinGoing campin': After a big league-record 30 players went on the injured list a total of 39 times last season, health remains a concern. Left-hander James Paxton had back surgery Feb. 5 and is expected to be sidelined until May or... [More]

A team-by-team look at the National League East 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:___Atlanta Braves Manager: Brian Snitker (fifth season). 2019: 97-65, first place, lost to Cardinals in Division Series.Training Town: North Port, Florida.Park: CoolToday Park. First Workout: Feb. 13/18. He's Here: LF Marcell Ozuna, C Travis d'Arnaud, LHP Cole Hamels, LHP Will Smith, RHP F�lix Hern�ndez.He's Outta Here: 3B Josh Donaldson, LHP Dallas Keuchel, RHP Julio Teheran, C Brian McCann, OF Matt Joyce, RHP Anthony Swarzak, RHP Josh Tomlin, LHP Jerry Blevins, OF Billy Hamilton, C Francisco Cervelli. Going campin': The Braves are coming off their second straight NL East title, led by one of baseball's brightest young stars. In his first full season in the big leagues, 22-year-old OF Ronald Acu�a Jr. hit 41 homers, led the league with 127 runs and tallied 37 stolen bases to become the second-youngest... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — This is the next stop on Dellin Betances' subway ride around New York.After spending his first eight seasons in the majors with the crosstown Yankees, the New Yorker has joined the Mets on a one-year contract with a player option for 2021. The deal was announced on Christmas Eve and guarantees the towering right-handed reliever at least $10.5 million.“This past week-and-a-half has brought a lot of excitement to myself and my family,” Betances said during his introductory news conference Thursday at Citi Field, where he was joined by more than two dozen family members. “Christmas, in fact, came a little bit early as we celebrated our signing with the New York Mets.”Betances’ journey has taken him through all five of New York City’s boroughs. Born in Manhattan’s Washington Heights neighborhood, the four-time All-Star grew up on the island’s Lower East Side.The Yankees drafted Betances out of Brooklyn’s Grand Street Campus High School in 2006. A year later he suited up for... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — This is the next stop on Dellin Betances' subway ride around New York.After spending his first eight seasons in the majors with the crosstown Yankees, the New Yorker has joined the Mets on a one-year contract with a player option for 2021. The deal was announced on Christmas Eve and guarantees the towering right-handed reliever at least $10.5 million.“This past week-and-a-half has brought a lot of excitement to myself and my family,” Betances said during his introductory news conference Thursday at Citi Field, where he was joined by more than two dozen family members. “Christmas, in fact, came a little bit early as we celebrated our signing with the New York Mets.”Betances’ journey has taken him through all five of New York City’s boroughs. Born in Manhattan’s Washington Heights neighborhood, the four-time All-Star grew up on the island’s Lower East Side.The Yankees drafted Betances out of Brooklyn’s Grand Street Campus High School in 2006. A year later he suited up for... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — This is the next stop on Dellin Betances' subway ride around New York.After spending his first eight seasons in the majors with the crosstown Yankees, the New Yorker joined the club on a one-year contract with a player option for 2021. The deal was announced on Christmas Eve and guarantees the towering right-handed reliever at least $10.5 million.“This past week-and-a-half has brought a lot of excitement to myself and my family,” Betances said during his introductory news conference Thursday at Citi Field, where he was joined by more than two dozen family members. “Christmas, in fact, came a little bit early as we celebrated our signing with the New York Mets.”Betances’ journey has taken him through all five of New York City’s boroughs. Born in Manhattan’s Washington Heights neighborhood, the four-time All-Star grew up on the island’s Lower East Side.The Yankees drafted Betances out of Brooklyn’s Grand Street Campus High School in 2006. A year later he suited up for Low... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets have reached an agreement with free-agent reliever Dellin Betances on a one-year contract with a player option for 2021.The Mets announced the deal with the four-time All Star on Tuesday. Betances is guaranteed $10.5 million under the contract.The 31-year-old, who is from New York, is staying in his hometown after spending his first eight seasons in the majors with the Yankees.He missed most of 2019 because of injuries. Betances’ season ended after just eight pitches. He tore an Achilles tendon in his first appearance back from a lat injury that had sidelined him since spring training.Betances was the first reliever in baseball history to have 100 or more strikeouts in five consecutive seasons (2014-2018). The right-hander led all major league relievers in strikeouts in each year from 2014-2016.“Dellin is one of the elite relievers in the game with an incredible track record of pitching on the biggest stage and in playoff games,” Mets general manager Brodie... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets have reached an agreement with free-agent reliever Dellin Betances on a one-year contract with a player option for 2021.The Mets announced the deal with the four-time All Star on Tuesday. Betances is guaranteed $10.5 million under the contract.The 31-year-old, who is from New York, is staying in his hometown after spending his first eight seasons in the majors with the Yankees.He missed most of 2019 because of various injuries. Betances’ season ended after just eight pitches. He tore an Achilles tendon in his first appearance back from a lat injury that had sidelined him since spring training.Betances was the first reliever in baseball history to have 100 or more strikeouts in five consecutive seasons (2014-2018). The right-hander led all major league relievers in strikeouts in each year from 2014-2016.“Dellin is one of the elite relievers in the game with an incredible track record of pitching on the biggest stage and in playoff games,” Mets general manager... [More]

Patrick Corbin was an exception last offseason.Amid a slow free agent market — some stars didn’t sign until after the start of spring training — Corbin’s search for a new home was over in December when he received a $140 million, six-year contract from Washington.That worked out pretty well for both team and player. Corbin was a key part of the Nationals’ starting rotation this year, and he threw three scoreless innings in relief in Game 7 of the World Series, helping the team win its first World Series title.Now, another offseason is in full swing. It’s hard to say whether teams will be more aggressive in pursuing free agents, hoping to land the next Corbin, but the Atlanta Braves already made a significant move, signing reliever Will Smith away from San Francisco.Here’s a look at the top free agents still available, broken down by position. Players are listed with their most recent teams, with their ages in parentheses:LEFT-HANDED STARTERHyun-Jin Ryu, Dodgers (32)The runner-up for the... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Just four years ago, Matt Blake was varsity pitching coach at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School, about 20 miles outside of Boston. Next spring, the 34-year-old will be guiding the high-priced arms of the New York Yankees."The biggest thing is just finding out where the player is at and what it is that makes him tick," Blake said Thursday after his hiring as Yankees pitching coach was formally announced. "Across different ages or nationalities and cultures, you got to get to the root of what is it that they are seeking for help and then bring it to the edge of their learning zone, if you will."Blake replaced Larry Rothschild, who was fired after nine seasons and got hired as pitching coach of the San Diego Padres.A 2007 graduate of Holy Cross, where he pitched, Blake started coaching at the youth level while working alongside his father."Just to give back because he coached me when I was younger, so it's kind of interesting jumping off point as a favor to the... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — After falling short of reaching the World Series for the 10th straight year, the New York Yankees intend to have conversations with top free agent pitchers Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg."It's a good time to be them," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Monday as the general managers meeting began. "Certainly we'll have conversations from our perspective. And they'll either lead to further ones or lesser ones."During a moonlit availability in a courtyard surrounded by palm trees, Cashman confirmed changes in the team's staff, led by Matt Blake replacing Larry Rothschild as pitching coach. He said New York has had conversations with the agents for several of its players who became free agents, including outfielder Brett Gardner, shortstop Didi Gregorius and reliever Dellin Betances.Starting pitching is the Yankees' biggest need following their loss to Houston in a six-game AL Championship Series. Manager Aaron Boone's rotation could use a premier arm to... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Aroldis Chapman is staying with the New York Yankees, amending his contract to a $48 million, three-year deal.The 31-year-old All-Star closer had been owed $15 million in each of the next two seasons as part of an $86 million, five-year contract, and he had the right to opt out of the deal and become a free agent.The left-hander's amended deal includes salaries of $16 million annually and a full no-trade provision. Under the original contract, he had a full no-trade through 2019, then a limited no-trade provision that said he could not be dealt during 2020 or 2021 to any of the five California teams or Seattle without his consent.Chapman had a stellar regular season with the Yankees, converting 37 saves in 42 chances while going 3-2 with a 2.21 ERA and striking out 85 in 57 innings. He earned his sixth All-Star selection and was selected the Reliever of the Year in the American League.His average fastball velocity has dropped from 101 mph in 2016 to 98 mph this year, and... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Gerrit Cole could be seeing a lot more of the New York Yankees real soon.While there was no Game 7 for the Astros' ace to face the Yankees in the AL Championship Series, could he start New York's opener at Baltimore on March 26?"The work never ends," New York manager Aaron Boone said after Saturday night's season-ending Game 6 loss. "We'll continue to try and I guess close that gap or put ourselves in a position to get over the hump. I know everyone in our room believes we will, and we'll have a lot of battle scars when we do finally get to the top of that mountain."Boone memorably called his team Savages in the Box during a midsummer tirade at an umpire. While that may be true, he lacked Marauders on the Mound.Specifically in his rotation.New York starters had a 4.51 ERA, 15th in the major leagues, well behind the elite staffs of Los Angeles Dodgers (3.11) and pennant-winning Washington (3.53) and Houston (3.61). Yankees starters were just 26th among the 30 teams in innings,... [More]

A look at the best-of-seven American League Championship Series between the New York Yankees and Houston Astros:___Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Saturday, at Houston, 8:08 p.m.; Game 2, Sunday, at Houston, 8:08 p.m.; Game 3, Tuesday, at New York, 4:08 p.m; Game 4, Wednesday, at New York, 8:08 p.m.: x-Game 5, Thursday, at New York, 8:08 p.m; x-Game 6, Saturday, Oct. 19, at Houston, 4:08 p.m. or TBA; x-Game 7, Sunday, Oct. 20, at Houston, 7:38 p.m. (All games on Fox or FS1).x-if necessary.___Season Series: Astros won 4-3.___Projected Lineups:Yankees: 1B DJ LeMahieu (.327, 26 HRs, 102 RBIs), RF Aaron Judge (.272, 27, 55 in 102 games), CF Brett Gardner (.251, 28, 74), DH Edwin Encarnaci�n (.244, 34, 86 in 109 games for Mariners and Yankees), LF Giancarlo Stanton (.288, 3, 13 in 18 games), 2B Gleyber Torres (.278, 38, 90), C Gary S�nchez (.232, 34, 77 in 106 games), SS Didi Gregorius (.238, 16, 61 in 82 games), 3B Gio Urshela (.314, 21, 74 in 132 games).Astros: CF George Springer (.292,... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Aroldis Chapman threw just 70 pitches in September.Alone among major league teams, the Yankees never used a pitcher three days in a row during the regular season.A bullpen featuring Chapman, Zack Britton, Adam Ottavino, Chad Green and Tommy Kahnle is a relief for New York fans and fear-inducing for opponents, a baseball Cerberus, the mythical multi-headed dog with snakes and a serpent protruding."I just think it's a luxury to have it happen this way," Ottavino said. "Luckily, we took care of business this year and got a nice lead and they were able to kind of stagger our appearances a little bit heading down the stretch. I think it's just good because we're expecting a big workload here in October."If ever relievers were ready and rested during the postseason, it is this group as the Yankees head into the AL Championship Series against Houston or Tampa Bay starting Saturday. And now they have four more days to rest up, increasingly important in a postseason in which none... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Slumping first baseman Luke Voit was picked over rookie Mike Ford for the New York Yankees' AL Division Series roster against Minnesota because he provides a potential right-handed bat off the bench in the late innings.Minnesota chose three players who had been hurt of late: center fielder Max Kepler and infielders Luis Arráez and Ehire Adrianza.New York also selected speedy and versatile Tyler Wade for the series, which started Friday night. Wade can play second base, third, shortstop, outfield, and pinch run or be a defensive replacement.Voit struggled in his return from a sports hernia, ending the season hitless in his last 12 at-bats and in a 1-for-33 slide, leaving him with a .263 batting average, 21 homers and 71 RBIs. Ford hit .259 with 12 homers and 25 RBIs, including .379 with eight homers and 17 RBIs from Aug. 17 on.Yankees manager Aaron Boone viewed Voit as a better potential pinch-hitting option against Twins closer Taylor Rogers, who is left-handed, than the... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Versatile Tyler Wade was included on the New York Yankees' AL Division Series roster while slumping first baseman Luke Voit made it over rookie Mike Ford.Minnesota chose three players who had been hurt of late: center fielder Max Kepler and infielders Luis Arráez and Ehire Adrianza.The series starts Friday night at Yankee Stadium.Wade, who can play outfield, second, shortstop and third, can pinch run or be a defensive replacement.Voit struggled in his return from a sports hernia, ending season hitless in his last 12 at-bats and 1 for 33, leaving him with a .263 average, 21 homers and 71 RBIs. Ford hit .259 with 12 homers and 25 RBIs, including .379 with eight homers and 17 RBIs from Aug. 17 on.Yankees manager Aaron Boone views the right-handed-hitting Voit as a better potential pinch-hitting option against Twins closer Taylor Rogers, who is left-handed, than the left-handed hitting Ford."Looking at it from an off-the-bench situation, there's not a lot of our righties that... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Versatile Tyler Wade was included on the New York Yankees' AL Division Series roster while slumping first baseman Luke Voit made it over rookie Mike Ford and Cameron Maybin was picked for outfield depth.Minnesota included three players who had been hurt of late: center fielder Max Kepler and infielders Luis Arráez and Ehire Adrianza.Both teams decided on 12 pitchers.Wade, who can play outfield, second, shortstop and third, can pinch run or be a defensive replacement.Voit struggled in his return from a sports hernia, ending season hitless in his last 12 at-bats and 1 for 33, leaving him with a .263 average, 21 homers and 71 RBIs.Ford hit .259 with 12 homers and 25 RBIs, including .379 with eight homers and 17 RBIs from Aug. 17 on. Maybin, the fourth outfielder, batted .285 with 11 homers and 32 RBIs in 239 at-bats.As expected, the Yankees included designated hitter Edwin Encarnación, who hasn't played since Sept. 12 because of a strained left oblique. Encarnación hit .249... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Versatile Tyler Wade was included on the New York Yankees AL Division Series roster while slumping first baseman Luke Voit made it over Mike Ford and Cameron Maybin was picked for outfield depth.Minnesota included 12 pitches and three players who had been hurt of late: center fielder Max Kepler and infielders Luis Arráez and Ehire Adrianza.Kepler started only two of the last 19 games because of a strained left shoulder muscle. Arráez sprained his right ankle last weekend, and Adrianza strained his right oblique muscle Sept. 12.Voit struggled in return from sports hernia, ending season 0 for 12 and 1 for 33.Ford hit .259 with 12 homers and 25 RBIs, including .379 with eight homers and 17 RBIs from Aug. 17 on. Wade, who can play outfield, second, shortstop and third, can pinch run or be a defensive replacement.New York's 12 pitchers included lefty Tyler Lyons and righties Luis Cessa and Jonathan Loisiga. The team's pitching was weakened last month when reliever Dellin Betances tore an Achilles tendon in first appearance back from a lat injury that had sidelined him since spring training, and 18-game winner Domingo Germán was placed on administrative leave under baseball's domestic violence policy.