NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets and Noah Syndergaard agreed to a $9.7 million, one-year contract Tuesday for next season, when the injured right-hander hopes to return from Tommy John surgery. The Mets and Syndergaard avoided arbitration by settling on the same salary Syndergaard was set to make in 2020. He ended up earning $3,592,593 when the season was shortened to 60 games by the coronavirus pandemic. Syndergaard had reconstructive right elbow surgery in March, shortly after spring training was suspended by Major League Baseball because of the coronavirus. He missed the entire regular season and should be on track to return in the middle of the 2021 season. The Mets have nine players still eligible to swap arbitration figures Jan. 15 if no deal is reached: hitters Michael Conforto, J.D. Davis, Brandon Nimmo, Amed Rosario and Dominic Smith, along with pitchers Miguel Castro, Edwin Díaz, Robert Gsellman and Seth Lugo. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Far too young to remember Tom Seaver’s glory days, Pete Alonso and the New York Mets found a perfect way to pay tribute to the greatest player in franchise history.Starting pitcher Robert Gsellman, his right knee already dirtied, led the Mets from the dugout onto the diamond at Citi Field on Thursday to face the Yankees. Every teammate who followed him had a smidge of dirt in the same spot along the right knee.What better symbol to honor Seaver, the Mets icon and Hall of Famer whose classic, drop-and-drive power pitcher delivery was imitated by thousands of Little Leaguers in the 1960s and 1970s?Seaver, known for decades simply as “The Franchise,” died Monday at the age of 75 due to complications from Lewy body dementia and the coronavirus. His death was announced Wednesday night, a few hours after New York beat the Baltimore Orioles - the team Tom Terrific and the Miracle Mets toppled in the 1969 World Series.“He turned the organization around from a laughing stock ballclub... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Far too young to remember Tom Seaver’s glory days, Pete Alonso and the New York Mets found a perfect way to pay tribute to the greatest player in franchise history.Starting pitcher Robert Gsellman, his right knee already dirtied, led the Mets from the dugout onto the diamond at Citi Field on Thursday to face the Yankees. Every teammate who followed him had a smidge of dirt in the same spot along the right knee.What better symbol to honor Seaver, the Mets icon and Hall of Famer whose classic, drop-and-drive power pitcher delivery was imitated by thousands of Little Leaguers in the 1960s and 1970s?Seaver, known for decades simply as “The Franchise,” died Monday at the age of 75 due to complications from Lewy body dementia and the coronavirus. His death was announced Wednesday night, a few hours after New York beat the Baltimore Orioles - the team Tom Terrific and the Miracle Mets toppled in the 1969 World Series.“He turned the organization around from a laughing stock ballclub... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors on Thursday:TOM TERRIFICTributes will certainly pour in for Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Seaver, a day after the New York Mets announced his death at 75.The ace who steered a stunning transformation from lovable losers to Miracle Mets in 1969 died Monday from complications of Lewy body dementia and COVID-19. Seaver’s family announced in March 2019 he had been diagnosed with dementia and had retired from public life.Nicknamed Tom Terrific and The Franchise, Seaver was a five-time 20-game winner and three-time NL Cy Young Award winner. He went 311-205 with a 2.86 ERA, 3,640 strikeouts and 61 shutouts.“He was simply the greatest Mets player of all-time and among the best to ever play the game,” Mets owner Fred Wilpon and son Jeff, the team’s chief operating officer, said in a statement.WELCOME, PADREMike Clevinger (1-1, 3.18 ERA) makes his Padres debut after being traded this week from Cleveland. He’ll start at Angel Stadium -- it’s the ballpark of... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Three Major League Baseball games were postponed Wednesday as players across the sports landscape drove the decisions in the wake of the weekend shooting by police of Jacob Blake, a Black man, in Wisconsin.Games between the Cincinnati Reds and Brewers in Milwaukee, Seattle Mariners and Padres in San Diego and the Los Angeles Dodgers and Giants in San Francisco were called off hours before they were set to begin.“There are serious issues in this country,” Seattle's Dee Gordon tweeted. “For me, and for many of my teammates, the injustices, violence, death and systemic racism is deeply personal. This is impacting not only my community, but very directly my family and friends. Our team voted unanimously not to play tonight.”Other MLB games had finished, were in progress or just about to start as the announcements were made. Some players, such as outfielders Jason Heyward of the Cubs and Matt Kemp of the Rockies, sat out while their teams played.All three postponed games will... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Three Major League Baseball games were postponed Wednesday as players across the sports landscape drove the decisions in the wake of the weekend shooting by police of Jacob Blake, a Black man, in Wisconsin.Games between the Cincinnati Reds and Brewers in Milwaukee, Seattle Mariners and Padres in San Diego and the Los Angeles Dodgers and Giants in San Francisco were called off hours before they were set to begin.“There are serious issues in this country,” Seattle's Dee Gordon tweeted. “For me, and for many of my teammates, the injustices, violence, death and systemic racism is deeply personal. This is impacting not only my community, but very directly my family and friends. Our team voted unanimously not to play tonight.”Other MLB games had finished, were in progress or just about to start as the announcements were made. Some players, such as outfielders Jason Heyward of the Cubs and Matt Kemp of the Rockies, sat out while their teams played.All three postponed games will... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Three Major League Baseball games were postponed Wednesday as players across the sports landscape drove the decisions in the wake of the weekend shooting by police of Jacob Blake, a Black man, in Wisconsin.Games between the Cincinnati Reds and Brewers in Milwaukee, Seattle Mariners and Padres in San Diego and the Los Angeles Dodgers and Giants in San Francisco were called off hours before they were set to begin.“There are serious issues in this country,” Seattle's Dee Gordon tweeted. “For me, and for many of my teammates, the injustices, violence, death and systemic racism is deeply personal. This is impacting not only my community, but very directly my family and friends. Our team voted unanimously not to play tonight.”Other MLB games had finished, were in progress or just about to start as the announcements were made. Some players, such as outfielders Jason Heyward of the Cubs and Matt Kemp of the Rockies, sat out while their teams played.All three postponed games will... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Three Major League Baseball games were postponed Wednesday as players across the sports landscape reacted in the wake of the weekend shooting by police of Jacob Blake, a Black man, in Wisconsin.Games between the Cincinnati Reds and Brewers in Milwaukee, Seattle Mariners and Padres in San Diego and the Los Angeles Dodgers and Giants in San Francisco were called off hours before they were set to begin.Dodgers star Mookie Betts, who is Black, told his teammates he was sitting out and they backed him.“For me, I think no matter what, I wasn’t going to play tonight," Betts said.Other MLB games had finished, were in progress or just about to start as the announcements were made.The baseball postponements came after the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks didn’t come out on the floor for Game 5 of their first-round playoff series with the Orlando Magic on Wednesday afternoon at Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NBA officials later announced that all three of the day’s scheduled playoff games had been... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — A pair of Major League Baseball games were postponed Wednesday as players across the sports landscape reacted in the wake of the weekend shooting by police of Jacob Blake, a Black man, in Wisconsin.Games between the Cincinnati Reds and Brewers in Milwaukee and the Seattle Mariners and Padres in San Diego were called off hours before they were set to begin.Other MLB games had finished, were in progress or just about to start when the announcements were made.The baseball postponements came after the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks didn’t come out on the floor for Game 5 of their first-round playoff series with the Orlando Magic on Wednesday afternoon at Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NBA officials later announced that all three of the day’s scheduled playoff games had been postponed.Blake was shot multiple times by police in Kenosha, about 40 miles south of Milwaukee. The Blake family’s attorney said Blake was paralyzed and that it would “take a miracle” for him to walk again.The shooting... [More]

Marlins first. Jonathan Villar singles to shallow right field. Jesus Aguilar strikes out swinging. Matt Joyce doubles to deep right center field. Jonathan Villar scores. Brian Anderson walks. Lewin Diaz lines out to center field to Brandon Nimmo. Francisco Cervelli walks. Brian Anderson to second. Matt Joyce to third. Eddy Alvarez grounds out to first base, Pete Alonso to Robert Gsellman.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Marlins 1, Mets 0.Mets second. Michael Conforto walks. Robinson Cano singles to shallow left field. Michael Conforto to second. Pete Alonso walks. Robinson Cano to second. Michael Conforto to third. Dominic Smith doubles to deep right center field. Pete Alonso to third. Robinson Cano scores. Michael Conforto scores. Wilson Ramos reaches on a fielder's choice to third base. Pete Alonso out at home. Amed Rosario doubles to deep right field. Wilson Ramos to third. Dominic Smith scores. Brandon Nimmo grounds out to shallow infield to Lewin Diaz. Jeff McNeil called out on... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors on Monday:WAIT AND SEEThe Cincinnati Reds will wait for their latest COVID-19 test results to see when they can resume the season.Cincinnati had home games against Pittsburgh postponed Saturday and Sunday after a player tested positive. The Reds expect the new results Monday, when Major League Baseball will decide whether they can travel to Kansas City for a series scheduled to begin Tuesday night.The Pirates worked out at Great American Ball Park on Sunday, then returned to Pittsburgh.Cincinnati is the third team to have games postponed because one of its players tested positive for COVID-19, joining the Marlins and the Cardinals.ALL CLEARThe Yankees plan to activate Aroldis Chapman after the All-Star closer recovered from COVID-19. Chapman tested positive for the coronavirus during preseason workouts and hasn’t pitched yet this season.New York also expects slugger Aaron Judge to resume baseball activities after he was placed on the injured... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Nick Markakis drove in three runs, and five pitchers combined on a two-hitter Sunday to help the Atlanta Braves beat the Miami Marlins 4-0 and tighten the NL East race.Atlanta took two of three games from the first-place Marlins and trail them by only percentage points. The Braves haven’t lost a series to their division rivals since 2017, and are 31-10 against Miami over the past three seasons. “Our mindset is the same with everybody,” Markakis said. “It doesn’t matter who we’re playing. But division games are extremely important.”Markakis, who opted out this year because of the coronavirus and then changed his mind five games into the season, had two hits and improved his average to .323.“Just having him here makes me feel better and more at ease,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “He’ll do anything. He’s just good to have around. He’s kind of like my security blanket.”Markakis’ RBI single in the sixth off Nick Vincent (1-1) gave Atlanta a 1-0 lead. The Braves added three... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Nick Markakis drove in three runs, and five pitchers combined on a two-hitter Sunday to help the Atlanta Braves beat the Miami Marlins 4-0 and tighten the NL East race.Atlanta took two of three games from the first-place Marlins and trail them by only percentage points. The Braves haven’t lost a series to their division rivals since 2017, and are 31-10 against Miami over the past three seasons. “Our mindset is the same with everybody,” Markakis said. “It doesn’t matter who we’re playing. But division games are extremely important.”Markakis, who opted out this year because of the coronavirus and then changed his mind five games into the season, had two hits and improved his average to .323.“Just having him here makes me feel better and more at ease,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “He’ll do anything. He’s just good to have around. He’s kind of like my security blanket.”Markakis’ RBI single in the sixth off Nick Vincent (1-1) gave Atlanta a 1-0 lead. The Braves added three... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Nick Markakis drove in three runs, and five pitchers combined on a two-hitter Sunday to help the Atlanta Braves beat the Miami Marlins 4-0 and tighten the NL East race.Atlanta took two of three games from the first-place Marlins and trail them by only percentage points. The Braves haven't lost a series to their division rivals since 2017, and are 31-10 against Miami over the past three seasons. Markakis' RBI single in the sixth off Nick Vincent (1-1) gave Atlanta a 1-0 lead. The Braves added three runs in the seventh after their first two batters were retired, and Markakis' two-run double made it 4-0.Markakis, who opted out this year because of the coronavirus but changed his mind five games into the season, improved his average to .323. Dansby Swanson had two hits and scored twice.The Braves won despite striking out 16 times.Atlanta’s Robbie Erlin, making his first start of the year, allowed only one baserunner in four scoreless innings. Darren O’Day (2-0) pitched 1 1/3 scoreless... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Nick Markakis drove in three runs, and five pitchers combined on a two-hitter Sunday to help the Atlanta Braves beat the Miami Marlins 4-0 and tighten the NL East race.Atlanta took two of three games from the first-place Marlins and trail them by only percentage points. The Braves haven't lost a series to their division rivals since 2017, and are 31-10 against Miami over the past three seasons. Markakis' RBI single in the sixth off Nick Vincent (1-1) gave Atlanta a 1-0 lead. The Braves added three runs in the seventh after their first two batters were retired, and Markakis' two-run double made it 4-0.Markakis, who opted out this year because of the coronavirus but changed his mind five games into the season, improved his average to .323. Darby Swanson had two hits and scored twice.The Braves won despite striking out 16 times.Atlanta’s Robbie Erlin, making his first start of the year, allowed only one baserunner in four scoreless innings. Darren O’Day (2-0) pitched 1 1/3 scoreless... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Marcus Stroman’s recovery from a torn left calf muscle was almost complete, and he was in line to possibly make his season debut for the New York Mets next week against the Miami Marlins.But the idea of traveling to one of the country’s coronavirus hot spots played a factor in Stroman’s decision Monday to opt out of the 2020 season.“Obviously, you see the Cardinals, the Marlins, you see spikes everywhere in the country, you see protocols not being handled properly from citizens everywhere,” Stroman said during a Zoom call. “You see us going to Florida soon. That was a big discussion I had with my family. Going to see the Marlins soon, that’s something I don’t want to be in that situation.”Stroman, scheduled to become a free agent after the season, is the second Mets player to opt out this month. Designated hitter Yoenis Cespedes left the team Aug. 2.Stroman said he had daily conversations with his family about what to do. His grandmother and uncle have compromised immune... [More]

Marcus Stroman’s recovery from a torn left calf muscle was almost complete, and he was in line to possibly make his season debut for the New York Mets next week against the Miami Marlins.But the idea of traveling to one of the country’s coronavirus hot spots played a factor in Stroman’s decision Monday to opt out of the 2020 season.“Obviously, you see the Cardinals, the Marlins, you see spikes everywhere in the country, you see protocols not being handled properly from citizens everywhere,” Stroman said during a Zoom call. “You see us going to Florida soon. That was a big discussion I had with my family. Going to see the Marlins soon, that’s something I don’t want to be in that situation.”Stroman, scheduled to become a free agent after the season, is the second Mets player to opt out this month. Designated hitter Yoenis Cespedes left the team Aug. 2.Stroman said he had daily conversations with his family about what to do. His grandmother and uncle have compromised immune systems and are... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Now the New York Mets are down a second front-line starter.Marcus Stroman has a torn muscle in his left calf, the team announced Wednesday evening — a major blow to the Mets just two days before their season opener.The All-Star pitcher was expected to follow two-time Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom in a rotation already minus No. 2 starter Noah Syndergaard all year because of Tommy John surgery.Mets manager Luis Rojas said the club doesn't anticipate Stroman needing surgery and he will be evaluated on a week-to-week basis. But with the coronavirus-delayed season shortened to 60 games, it could be difficult for the right-hander to return in time to provide much help. “He’s good to throw, it’s just moving where the challenge is. You know, getting off the mound and different things like that,” Rojas said. "But it’s just really unfortunate. This guy, he’s a fighter, he wants to go, and it’s unfortunate that he’s not going to start in that rotation for us.”New York opens up... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Marcus Stroman has a torn muscle in his left calf, a major blow to the New York Mets two days before their season opener.The All-Star right-hander was expected to follow two-time Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom in a rotation that already will be without No. 2 starter Noah Syndergaard all year because of Tommy John surgery. Mets manager Luis Rojas said the team doesn't anticipate Stroman needing surgery and he will be evaluated on a week-to-week basis. But with the coronavirus-delayed season shortened to 60 games, it could be difficult for Stroman to return in time to provide much help. “It's really unfortunate,” Rojas said.New York opens up Friday at home against the Atlanta Braves.The 5-foot-7 Stroman, an energetic bundle of unwavering confidence, grew up on Long Island about 50 miles from Citi Field. He was acquired from Toronto before the trade deadline last July and is eligible for free agency after this season.Stroman made his first All-Star team with Toronto last year. He was 6-11 with a 2.96 ERA in 21 starts for the Blue Jays before going 4-2 with a 3.77 ERA for the Mets.Stroman was placed on the injured list. So was right-handed reliever Robert Gsellman, who has tightness in his right triceps. ___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A seventh-inning stretch without fans at Yankee Stadium was far from the oddest happening on the second day of summer exhibitions in the majors.The first inning ended at Dodger Stadium without Los Angeles making a single out Sunday night, a game went to the 10th inning in Philadelphia even with the Orioles leading the Phillies 4-1, and the Yankees hit in the bottom of the ninth with a 6-0 lead over the Mets.It’s not quite baseball like you’re used to seeing. Then again, we'd never seen baseball amid the COVID-19 pandemic.The most peculiar situation occurred during the first exhibition between Arizona and the Dodgers, with the game having an intrasquad feel.Diamondbacks starter Taylor Widener got off to rough opening when he walked the first two batters and then gave up a single to Justin Turner that loaded the bases. Cody Bellinger followed with a grand slam to make it 4-0. Corey Seager then walked and was heading to first base when he learned the inning was over. Widener had thrown 25... [More]