PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Omar Narvaez is expected to do plenty with the bat as the Seattle Mariners new catcher.In his first spring training with the organization, he's doing some important work with a 5 iron, too.Narvaez has come into camp committed to establishing a rapport with Seattle's young pitching staff, and he's putting in overtime on that effort. The 27-year-old isn't just talking shop around the clubhouse and the dugout — he's also played golf with several of the team's pitchers already, and he's using the time learn about his battery mates."The more you know the guys, the more it's going to help me to call the game better," Narvaez said. "I like (golf), so that way, it makes it easy for me to meet everybody."Narvaez is expected to start the majority of Seattle's games after being acquired from the Chicago White Sox for reliever Alex Colome in November. David Frietas is the top reserve catching candidate.Narvaez, a left-handed hitter, was quietly one of baseball's best offensive... [More]

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — As a rule five draft selection, Brad Keller was a surprising success with Kansas City last season.The rebuilding Royals are hoping to do it again with Chris Ellis and Sam McWilliams.Kansas City plucked Keller from the Arizona Diamondbacks, and the right-hander rewarded them with a stellar rookie season, going 9-6 with a 3.08 ERA while making 20 starts. He was named the organization's pitcher of the year, and he's going into 2019 as the team's No. 2 starter behind Danny Duffy.Ellis and McWilliams are hoping to join them on that pitching staff. Rule five picks rarely make the kind of impact Keller did in 2018, but if the Royals can hit big in the draft once, their newest rule-five righties are hoping it may happen again."It would be great if I could have a season like that," Ellis said of Keller. "I was at the Royals' FanFest when he got the award for pitcher of year for last year. It was pretty cool seeing that. I'm happy to see that worked out for him. I hope it works... [More]

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Albert Pujols has a bold if unrealistic prediction for his 2019 season."I'm expecting to play 162 games," the Los Angeles Angels first baseman said Sunday. "One hundred ninety games I'm going to play this year, including spring training."A month past his 39th birthday, Pujols is an 18-year big league veteran, 10-time All-Star and three-time MVP."He will not be playing 190, I promise you that," new Angels manager Brad Ausmus said.Pujols had knee surgery last August. He appeared in 117 games and had 465 at-bats, his fewest since 2013, while hitting .245 with 19 home runs and 64 RBIs.Because the surgery was in the summer, he was able to have a normal offseason."If he's playing well, he's going to play, it's as simple as that," Ausmus said. "The important thing about spring training is making sure he's healthy going into the season. We certainly don't want to overload him here and have an issue in April and May. It's going to evolve as we go. We'll certainly be cautious... [More]

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Albert Pujols has a bold if unrealistic prediction for his 2019 season."I'm expecting to play 162 games," the Los Angeles Angels first baseman said Sunday. "One hundred ninety games I'm going to play this year, including spring training."A month past his 39th birthday, Pujols is an 18-year big league veteran, 10-time All-Star and three-time MVP."He will not be playing 190, I promise you that," new Angels manager Brad Ausmus said.Pujols had knee surgery last August. He appeared in 117 games and had 465 at-bats, his fewest since 2013, while hitting .245 with 19 home runs and 64 RBIs.Because the surgery was in the summer, he was able to have a normal offseason."If he's playing well, he's going to play, it's as simple as that," Ausmus said. "The important thing about spring training is making sure he's healthy going into the season. We certainly don't want to overload him here and have an issue in April and May. It's going to evolve as we go. We'll certainly be cautious... [More]

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani hopes to hit off a tee next week for the first time since Tommy John surgery."That's the thought, but I'm not trying to rush myself," the two-way Los Angeles Angels star said through an interpreter Sunday.The AL Rookie of the Year had surgery Oct. 1 to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament, and the Angels think the earliest he could be ready to hit in games is in May. The 24-year-old hopes to start the pitching phase of his rehabilitation at the end of spring training."So far, things are going as planned," Ohtani said. "No problems at all. But maybe once I start throwing, maybe I'll start having some issues. But as of now, everything has been going well."Ohtani went 4-2 with a 3.31 ERA in 10 starts as a pitcher. He played 104 games overall as a rookie, hitting .285 with 22 homers and 61 RBIs."Physically, he's a once in a lifetime type talent," new Angels manager Brad Ausmus said. "Now if we can get him back to where he was at the start of last year, it'd... [More]

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Miguel Sano walked into the Minnesota Twins' clubhouse just before 8 a.m., looking trimmed down in rainbow sneakers and a black sweat suit."You look good," said catcher Jason Castro, a sentiment echoed by teammates between hugs and handshakes with the 25-year-old slugger.A slimmer Sano is a promising sign for Minnesota. He struggled with his weight last season following offseason surgery on his left shin and was demoted to Class A Fort Myers in mid-June after hitting .203 over 37 games. He finished the year at .199 with 13 homers in 71 games."I worked really hard and I've been doing a lot of yoga and a lot of agility stuff and a lot of lifting, so I feel a lot different from last year," Sano said. "I feel like this year can be a lot different for everybody."One of Sano's first stops Sunday was expected to be the trainer's room. He arrived to camp with a cut on his lower right leg that he suffered near the end of the Dominican winter ball season."Otherwise, besides... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Madison Bumgarner was joking when he told manager Bruce Bochy he absolutely refuses to pitch behind an opener.It won't happen anyway.San Francisco's ace lefty is hardly a likely candidate to follow someone else to the mound who works the first inning."If you use an opener in my game, I'm walking right out of the ballpark," Bumgarner wrote in a text to Bochy after new team president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi said in December the Giants were open to the idea.Bochy recalled the message this month during Fan Fest."Everybody in this clubhouse knows what kind of teammate I am," Bumgarner said. "Some people may have forgotten that. Not in here. Outside, according to all this being talked about right now with that junk. It's OK. All I care about is the guys in here, and that's it. When it comes to the stuff on the field, I think they all know what kind of teammate I am."Cubs manager Joe Maddon is curious to see how many clubs employ an opener strategy, one that... [More]

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Ryan Zimmerman finds it odd that so many teams now feel the need to announce they are trying to win."I try and win every day," the veteran Washington Nationals first baseman said Sunday. "I think that's kind of the point of sports. That's kind of what the whole basis about professional sports is — you try and win. When you have teams actively saying that we're going to go into this free agent market in a win-now mode, I don't know that you should have to state that it's a win-now mode, but I guess that's where we're at. I think that's troubling,"Zimmerman made the comments while sitting at his locker, a few feet from where one of the offseason's two premier free agents once dressed.His former teammate Bryce Harper and Manny Machado are considered the jewels of the free-agent market, yet with position players reporting to most camps early this week, neither has signed."I don't think I'm surprised. It happened last year," Zimmerman said. "We were told it was going... [More]

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — New York Mets infielder Robinson Cano had a youthful perspective after reporting to spring training with the New York Mets."I feel like I'm 25," the 36-year-old All-Star second baseman said Sunday, a day ahead of the team's first full-squad workout.Cano took a physical and held a news conference. He took over the spot in the clubhouse that used to belong to Mets captain David Wright, who retired because of neck and back injuries."First of all, nobody's going to replace David Wright," Cano said. "David Wright is the organization. We all know what he did through the years. I feel special that I get to have his locker. This is a game that you play as a team. I'm going to go out and do my best and give it everything I've got, yes I will. But I don't like to pressure myself and go out and be that guy."Cano was acquired Dec. 3 from Seattle along with All-Star closer Edwin Diaz, the first big move made by new general manager Brodie Van Wagenen — Cano's former agent."He... [More]

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Left-hander Aaron Loup and the San Diego Padres have agreed to a one-year contract that guarantees $1.4 million, a deal that includes a team option for 2020.Loup gets a $1.2 million salary this year under the agreement announced Sunday. San Diego's option is for $2 million with a $200,000 buyout.He can earn an additional $800,000 annually in performance bonuses based on appearances.A 31-year-old reliever, Loup had a 4.54 ERA in 59 games last year for Toronto and Philadelphia, which acquired him July 31. He struck out 44 and walked 14 in 39 2/3 innings.Loup came up to the major leagues with Toronto in 2012 and is 12-20 with a 3.49 ERA and six saves in 378 relief appearances over seven seasons.To clear a roster spot, San Diego transferred right-hander Garrett Richards to the 60-day injured list.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Major league home run leader Khris Davis would like a long-term deal from the Oakland Athletics that allows him to stay with the franchise for at least three more seasons.Davis says desire for a multiyear contract won't consume as he prepares to open the season in Japan next month against the Seattle Mariners. He hopes to dazzle Japanese fans by hitting at least one home run."Whatever works best for the organization," Davis told The Associated Press on Sunday. "For me personally, I just want to focus on this year. I don't like to get ahead of myself or look back in the past and play in the past. I just try to focus on the now. Whatever comes long-term is going to come. If they want me here long-term they're going to get something done."Oakland general manager David Forst has said signing Davis long-term is a top priority. The team spent the offseason putting pieces around the star outfielder and designated hitter to try to build another consistent contender.Led by Davis'... [More]

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Majors home run leader Khris Davis would like a multiyear deal from the Oakland Athletics to stay with the franchise at least three more years.Oakland general manager David Forst has said signing Davis long-term is a top priority, but the team spent the offseason putting pieces around the star outfielder and designated hitter to try to build another consistent contender. Led by Davis' 48 home runs and career-high 123 RBIs, the A's returned to the playoffs for the first time in four years.The slugger received a $6 million raise this offseason to $16.5 million."I'd like to be here. I hope something gets done," Davis said before Sunday's workout. "It's not a good thing being a free agent right now. For my security, it's going to impact a lot. That's the way the business is. I'm already 31 so I don't know if I'm too old. There's a lot of things that run through my head. Who knows. If it happens, it happens."Manager Bob Melvin had some encouraging things to say in Saturday's team meeting, and Davis said "it made me feel a little more secure.""Shoot, I want to stay here at least three more years, but that's a long time to be an Oakland A. But if anybody can do it I guess it's me, hopefully," Davis said. "I don't think they'll trade me as long as we're doing good. So we better do good so I don't get traded."___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Roberto Perez waited for his turn and vows to make the most of his big chance.Perez figures to get plenty of time behind the plate for the Cleveland Indians after the AL Central champions traded All-Star Yan Gomes to Washington.The 30-year-old Perez is eager to get going."I'm very excited," he said. "It was something I've always wanted. I knew Yan was the guy but now that I have the opportunity, I'm going to take advantage of it."Perez arrived in July 2014 from Triple-A after the Indians moved Carlos Santana to first base. Perez was promoted to take advantage of his defensive skill and the next season led the major leagues by throwing out 16 of the 41 runners attempting to steal — that 39 percent rate was tops among catchers with at least 40 tries.Although he hasn't hit much in his career, with a .205 batting average to go along with 21 home runs and 99 RBIs in 285 games, Perez was known for handling Cleveland's young, talented pitching staff."The biggest thing is... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Roberto Perez waited for his turn and vows to make the most of his big chance.Perez figures to get plenty of time behind the plate for the Cleveland Indians after the AL Central champions traded All-Star Yan Gomes to Washington.ThePerez arrived in JulyAlthough he hasn't hit much in his career, with a .205 batting average to go along with 21 home runs and ?99"?Even if he doesn't hit like Gomes,Francona's statement takes the pressure that Perez felt at the plate in spite of his two-homer performance in the"Playing once a week is tough,To improve his batting eye,There is more of a burden on him to help the team offensively after ?Yonder Alonso was traded to the Chicago White Sox and ?Edwin Encarnacion was sent to the Seattle Mariners.The Indians are trying to rebuild a bullpen that lost closer Cody Allen to the Angels and Andrew Miller to the Cardinals through free agency.Perez will have to prepare reliever

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The Colorado Rockies will be without the reliever who boasted he could strike out Babe Ruth, but they believe the bridge between their solid starting rotation and premier closer Wade Davis remains sturdy.Colorado is counting on a veteran bullpen group that includes Scott Oberg, Seunghwan Oh, Chris Rusin and Bryan Shaw to step up the way Adam Ottavino did in 2018, when his career year with the Rockies led to a three-year, $27 million free agent deal with the New York Yankees."I think we have a lot of good arms and a lot of talented guys back there," catcher Chris Iannetta said."I think we can piece it together and be really good. Guys have good years. Guys have bad years. I don't think anyone expected Adam to have the year that he had last year after the previous year. It happens all the time."Oberg had a strong second half last season, Oh pitched well after being acquired at the trade deadline and the Rockies are counting on a return to normalcy by Shaw, Rusin,... [More]

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Ichiro Suzuki fluidly went through a variety of stretches on the floor in the Seattle Mariners clubhouse even before going onto the field. Once outside, he smoothly went through fielding, hitting and baserunning drills.At 45 and in spring training again, Suzuki is working toward the chance to play for his original major league team in his home country."Being able to put on the Seattle Mariners uniform as a player, being here the first day, it is just amazing, it is great," Suzuki said through a translator. "Very satisfied with today and how it went, and I'm just going to take it day by day."The former MVP and 10-time All-Star outfielder is in camp on a minor league deal after serving in a special assistant's role most of last year when he still worked out with the team. If he's healthy, Suzuki will be part of the Mariners' expanded 28-player roster next month for their season-opening two games in Tokyo against Oakland."My body really hasn't changed," he said.Suzuki,... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — A person with direct knowledge of the negotiations says free agent Cameron Maybin is closing in on a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants, who were still in the market for outfielders to add depth.Maybin must pass a physical, the person said Saturday, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal wasn't complete. The agreement would include an invitation to big league spring training.Maybin would join his ninth team in parts of 13 major league seasons, including from 2011-14 in the NL West for the San Diego Padres. He played in the 2017 World Series for the champion Houston Astros.The 31-year-old Maybin spent 2018 between Miami and Seattle. He batted a combined .249 with four home runs, 14 doubles and 28 RBIs. He was safe on 10 of 15 steal attempts.Giants position players report to spring training Sunday ahead of Monday's first full-squad workout at Scottsdale Stadium.The Athletic first reported Maybin was close to a deal Saturday.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Kansas City Royals pitcher Eric Skoglund broke down in tears Saturday, talking publicly for the first time since Major League Baseball gave him an 80-game suspension for using performance-enhancing drugs.Skoglund said he is bewildered about what triggered the positive results. The penalty was imposed last month and will begin at the start of the season."We have no idea," Skoglund said in a media room at the Royals' spring training complex. "That's the hardest part. Something got into my body without me knowing, it was scary. It just makes you think what could have been.""That's the hardest part to deal with, not knowing because I'm not a guy that's going to cheat the game. I didn't do anything maliciously. It's not the type of person I am. It's not in my character. It's not how I was raised. So it stinks. We couldn't find anything and that's what is going to eat me for the rest of my career. It's not a good feeling at all," the left-hander said.Asked how it felt to... [More]

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — At 45 and in spring training again, Ichiro Suzuki insists his focus is on each day and not the season-opening series back home in Japan.Suzuki says was he very satisfied with how things went during the first full-squad workout Saturday with the Seattle Mariners. The former MVP and 10-time All-Star outfielder is in camp with his original major league team on a minor league deal.He served in a special assistant's role most of last season, and still worked out with the team. The Mariners expect him being part of their expanded 28-player roster for the two games in Tokyo against Oakland if he's healthy.Suzuki checked in at camp with only 7 percent body fat. He went through fielding, hitting and baserunning drills with the team, and was followed by large groups of fans and Japanese media every time he changed locations.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — Atlanta Braves pitchers and catchers had their first organized workout Saturday, officially ending a relatively quiet winter for the team that won the NL East.It may have been a little too quiet for some critics, considering the aggressive roster moves made by their division rivals. But All-Star first baseman Freddie Freeman begs to differ."Pretty much everyone came back, and we added Josh Donaldson and B-Mac (Brian McCann)," Freeman said. "I feel we have a 90-win team that got better, so I think we're going to be very good this year."Darren O'Day was the other major winter acquisition, adding veteran depth to a bullpen that was tested last season as the Braves won the division by eight games and qualified for the postseason for the first time in five years."We've kind of gotten to the point where there's not a lot of holes, maybe one starter, and we'll take the best eight (relievers) with us north," said Brian Snitker, who won the NL Manager of the Year award.... [More]