SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona Diamondbacks left-hander Madison Bumgarner has been competing in rodeo events under the alias Mason Saunders and even won $26,560 in a team-roping competition in December, according to a story published Sunday by The Athletic.Bumgarner told the website he has discretely competed in rodeos for a while, including in March of last year two days before pitching for the San Francisco Giants in a Cactus League spring training game. He has been roping since he was 15 or 16 years old and said he's been at it so long that “it's just part of who you are.”The 2014 World Series MVP agreed to an $85 million, five-year contract with the Diamondbacks in December, about two weeks after winning the rodeo competition in Wickenburg, Arizona. Bumgarner infamously injured his shoulder in 2017 in a dirt bike accident and missed three months of San Francisco's season. He apologized at the time and called it a “stupid” decision that likely violated his contract, although the Giants... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Shogo Akiyama gave Cincinnati Reds fans a small taste of what he can provide at the top of the batting order and in the outfield Sunday in his first spring training game with the team.Akiyama, hitting leadoff and playing center field, lined the second pitch he saw from Chicago White Sox starter Dylan Cease into right field for a single. In the top of the third inning, he made a running catch going to his left on a sinking line drive from Nicky Delmonico.The five-time Pacific League All-Star is the first player from Japan to sign a major league contract with the Reds. At least a dozen Japanese media members tracked his every move before and after his day at Goodyear Ballpark in the Reds’ spring training opener.The perception of Akiyama in Japan is that he isn’t on the same level as Los Angeles Angels two-way player Shohei Ohtani or former Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, both of whom took the majors by storm when they arrived in the U.S. But Akiyama holds... [More]

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Free agent second baseman Brian Dozier and the San Diego Padres have reached agreement on a minor league contract with an invitation to big league spring training.Dozier has played in the World Series the past two years. He hit 20 home runs with 50 RBIs for the champion Washington Nationals last season, and was with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2018.The 32-year-old Dozier was an All-Star with Minnesota in 2015 and hit 42 home runs for the Twins the next year.The Padres have several players vying for time at second base, including newcomer Jurickson Profar and Ty France.—-More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Away from their friendly cocoon, Alex Bregman and some of the bigger names on the Houston Astros are about to see — and hear — how fans really feel about what happened.No hooting or hollering at Houston's most prominent sign stealers Sunday. Once again, the primary offenders were out of the Astros' lineup.For the second straight day, Astros manager Dusty Baker didn't start any of his stars against Washington Nationals at the spring training park the teams share.“It seems like a bit of a cop out to me,” Nationals fan Josh Kohn said. “This is the first two games of spring training. This is what the guys in MLB live for. They want to be out there. I have to imagine even the players are a little upset that they can't play today, but I understand why they are not out there.”Kohn also attended Saturday night's rained-out Grapefruit League opener between these same clubs, wearing a shirt that read “bang foul poles, not trash cans” — an homage to Howie Kendrick's home... [More]

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Oakland Athletics fan K.C. Sandstrom was sitting down the right field line watching his team warm up while armed with a small dry-erase board, a marker and a statement written in all caps.“MIKE FIERS FOR PRESIDENT”It's been a tumultuous few months for Fiers, the current A's pitcher and former Houston player who helped expose the Astros' sign-stealing scandal that's rocked Major League Baseball. But on a cool Sunday in Arizona, the 34-year-old received a largely warm reception during his first spring training appearance in Mesa.“Oakland's going to support us no matter what," Fiers said after throwing two perfect innings against San Francisco. “They've always been there. It's fun, it's fun playing in front of these fans and with these guys. Just a great day of baseball.”While Fiers is now widely known for his connection to the Astros' sign-stealing, he's also an accomplished pitcher. He's thrown two no-hitters over nine seasons and is coming off his best year in the big... [More]

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Oakland Athletics fan K.C. Sandstrom was sitting down the right field line watching his team warm up while armed with a small dry-erase board, a marker and a statement written in all caps.“MIKE FIERS FOR PRESIDENT”It's been a tumultuous few months for Fiers, the current A's pitcher and former Houston player who helped expose the Astros' sign-stealing scandal that's rocked Major League Baseball. But on a cool Sunday in Arizona, the 34-year-old received a largely warm reception during his first spring training appearance in Mesa.“Oakland's going to support us no matter what," Fiers said after throwing two perfect innings against San Francisco. “They've always been there. It's fun, it's fun playing in front of these fans and with these guys. Just a great day of baseball.”While Fiers is now widely known for his connection to the Astros' sign-stealing, he's also an accomplished pitcher. He's thrown two no-hitters over nine seasons and is coming off his best year in the big... [More]

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — The Boston Red Sox placed second baseman Dustin Pedroia on the 60-day injured list Sunday, further putting in doubt whether the former AL MVP will play again.The Red Sox made the move while claiming right-hander Phillips Valdez off waivers from the Seattle Mariners.The 36-year-old Pedroia has played just nine games over the last two seasons. The four-time All-Star has spent the time trying to recover from an injury he sustained when Baltimore's Manny Machado slid spikes-high into his left knee in May 2017.Pedroia has two years and $25 million remaining on his contract.Earlier this month, new Boston manager Ron Roenicke said Pedroia wouldn't report to spring training with the rest of the position players."When a guy just ages and then he's not as good, that part's easy to see. But not a guy who has an injury and because of it has not been able to perform," Roenicke said at the time. "That part is really difficult."This was the third straight spring the Red Sox were... [More]

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — The Boston Red Sox placed second baseman Dustin Pedroia on the 60-day injured list Sunday, further putting in doubt whether the former AL MVP will play again.The Red Sox made the move while claiming right-hander Phillips Valdez off waivers from the Seattle Mariners.The 36-year-old Pedroia has played just nine games over the last two seasons. The four-time All-Star has spent the time trying to recover from an injury he sustained when Baltimore's Manny Machado slid spikes-high into his left knee in May 2017.Pedroia has two years and $25 million remaining on his contract.Earlier this month, new Boston manager Ron Roenicke said Pedroia wouldn't report to spring training with the rest of the position players."When a guy just ages and then he's not as good, that part's easy to see. But not a guy who has an injury and because of it has not been able to perform," Roenicke said at the time. "That part is really difficult."This was the third straight spring the Red Sox were... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Utilityman Brock Holt is guaranteed $3.25 million under his one-year contract with the Milwaukee Brewers, which includes a club option for 2021 and performance bonuses that could make the deal worth $8.25 million over two seasons.Holt has a $2.5 million salary this year as part as the agreement announced Wednesday, and the Brewers have a $5 million option for 2021 with a $750,000 buyout. He can earn $750,000 in performance bonuses this year based on plate appearances: $250,000 each for 400, 425 and 450.He would earn $100,000 if he is voted MVP, $75,000 for finishing second and $50,000 for third. He also would get $50,000 each for All-Star selection, Comeback Player of the Year, Silver Slugger, Hank Aaron Award and World Series MVP. He would receive $25,000 apiece for Gold Glove and League Championship Series MVP.A 31-year-old left-handed batter, Holt spent his first eight major league seasons with the Boston Red Sox and was an All-Star in 2015.Holt hit a career-high .297 last year with three homers and 31 RBIs in 295 plate appearances while playing every position except pitcher, catcher and center field.He has a .271 career batting average and .714 OPS___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — This wasn't what Cody Bellinger had in mind for getting his feet wet to start 2020.The Los Angeles Dodgers MVP was in the lineup for his team's spring training opener Saturday, facing the San Francisco Giants in a game delayed 2 1/2 hours due to rain in the Phoenix area. Manager Dave Roberts admitted he was nervous to start Bellinger in conditions that caused all but one other Cactus League game to get canceled, but Bellinger came out just fine. He singled and scored on Enrique Hernandez's homer, batted three times and played center field in the Dodgers' 10-4 win.Bellinger said there were minor issues only in left field, where the water from the tarp was emptied."The warning track was really wet (before the game), but they did a good job of fixing it up," Bellinger said of the Giants' grounds crew. "It turned out fine."Bellinger was certainly relieved to get back on the field after a bizarre offseason. The Dodgers first dealt with a stunning, season-ending, extra-inning... [More]

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — New York Mets pitcher Rick Porcello made his first pitch to be part of the club’s starting rotation Saturday, but the Miami Marlins stole a bit of his thunder.Porcello pitched one inning and allowed two hits in the Mets’ spring training opener, allowing one run when Miami’s Monte Harrison swiped a pair of bases and scored on a bloop single. The Mets lost 5-3, dropping their first game in newly-renovated Clover Park, which has undergone a $57 million facelift that began last year. Porcello pitched 11 seasons in the American League for the Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox before inking a $10 million, one-year deal with the Mets. He's never pitched in the National League and expects a learning curve — something the Marlins gave him with aggressive baserunning during his 17-pitch outing.“Get out there first pitch with a runner on first (base), and he’s gone," Porcello said. "I’ll start paying attention to that more and be prepared more for a change in style of play.”After... [More]

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Jack Flaherty is getting the ball on opening day for the St. Louis Cardinals.St. Louis manager Mike Shildt said Saturday the 24-year-old Flaherty will start the season opener March 26 at Cincinnati. It will be the right-hander's first opening day start and comes after he finished fourth in NL Cy Young Award voting with a closing surge last season.“It's one of of those things you work for and you want it,” Flaherty said.The nod comes one season after Flaherty pitched the home opener for the Cardinals.“It's cool,” Flaherty said. “Just happy I get the ball first, get the first chance to go out and kind of set the tone for the season.”Shildt gave Flaherty the news on Friday, not a surprise after Flaherty went 11-8 with a 2.75 ERA last season. Seven of those wins came after the All-Star break, when he posted a 0.91 ERA. He also started three games in the postseason, allowing four earned runs in 13 innings.Flaherty started three games against the Reds last season, allowing... [More]

NORTH PORT, Fla. (AP) — Cole Hamels rejoined the Atlanta Braves just in time for their spring training opener. The injured left-hander is still a ways off from using the mound at the club's new spring home, though.Hamels signed an $18 million, one-year deal with Atlanta this offseason but informed the team just before camp started that he was experiencing shoulder discomfort during training. The 36-year-old was sent to Dallas to get treatment from surgeon Keith Meister.Now he's back but says he's waiting for inflammation in the shoulder “to calm down.” He expects to remain in North Port after Atlanta breaks camp for opening day.“I know I’m behind the 8-ball,” he said. “But once I knock (the inflammation) out right away, I know I’ll be able to be the best pitcher I can and put up good numbers.“I need to come back at 100%. This is an extremely talented team so I when I come in to take over a spot, I want to be ready.”The 14-year-veteran went 7-7 with a 3.81 ERA last season with the Chicago... [More]

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

NEW YORK (AP) — Free agent pitcher Victor Alcántara was suspended for 80 games Friday under the major league drug program following a positive test for the performance-enhancing substance Stanozolol.The 26-year-old right-hander was 3-2 with a 4.85 ERA last season in 46 relief appearances for the Detroit Tigers. He became a free agent last fall after he was assigned outright to Triple-A Toledo on Oct. 24.Alcántara made his major league debut in September 2017 and was 4-3 with a 4.28 ERA in 79 games over three seasons with the Tigers.He is the fourth player suspended this year under the big league program after Houston pitcher Francis Martes, Pittsburgh outfielder/infielder Pablo Reyes and Colorado pitcher Justin Lawrence.Three players were banned 50 games each under the minor league drug program following positive tests for banned stimulants: Cincinnati catcher Edward Guzman, Seattle pitcher Kyle Hill and New York Mets outfielder Ryan Shinn. Guzman and Hill tested positive for Amphetamine... [More]

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — On the day Houston outfielder Josh Reddick said he and other players have received death threats in the wake of the team's sign-stealing scandal, union head Tony Clark said safety had become an issue for some of his members.“There are undoubtedly concerns out there based on some of the commentary that .. there's a heightened sense of concern to make sure that themselves and their families are protected," Clark said Friday after speaking with the Astros. “There's no doubt making sure that our players and their families are able to go to and from the ballpark and perform safely ... is a huge piece of the puzzle." Clark spoke before Reddick told reporters that he received death threats on social media and that people have commented on pictures of his infant twins, saying they hope they get cancer. He said teammates have also received threatening messages and he thinks it will be “pretty scary" for his wife and children to join him on the road this season since... [More]

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Paul Goldschmidt never found consistency with his swing last season. Poor swings that yield ugly results early in this year's spring training games may actually prevent that from happening again this season."That can allow you to make adjustments where sometimes (positive) results can cover up some things.” Goldschmidt said.Traded to St. Louis from Arizona prior to the 2019 season, Goldschmidt struggled to find the feel of his swing throughout the season. He never did pinpoint one specific problem.“I didn't feel like I was consistently last year in my best hitting position, whether that's from timing, the way you see the ball, or just putting a good swing on the ball,” Goldschmidt said.Goldschmidt battled through tough stretches in the first half of the season – a second consecutive slow start for a player usually locked in come opening day.Proud of what he considers a relatively simple swing, Goldschmidt surprisingly spent much of the season tinkering. “I just was... [More]

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]

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Kyle Lewis showed late last season that he’s ready for a regular role in the Seattle Mariners outfield, and he hopes his short time in the major leagues following a September callup is a preview of the kind of offensive production he can provide.Lewis homered in his major league debut off the Cincinnati Reds’ Trevor Bauer. He went on to become the first player in major league history to hit a home run in six of his first 10 career games, and the second player in big league history to homer in each of his first three career games.“I feel like I was in a good spot going into that, you know, swinging the bat well,” Lewis recalled when asked about his torrid start, which came after he was called up from Double-A Arkansas. “Just trying to stay in the moment. Locked in with what I had been working on and trying to be free.”Lewis, a first-round pick in the 2016 first-year player draft, offered a glimmer of hope for the future last year for fans who suffered through a 68-94... [More]