ATLANTA (AP) — Brian McCann slipped on the No. 16 jersey he wore for so many years."It feels right," he said, over and over again.Looking to improve on their first division title in five years, the Atlanta Braves agreed Monday to one-year contracts with McCann and former AL MVP Josh Donaldson — a pair of low-risk moves that give the team a chance to make another postseason run while not hindering the long-term development of all those talented young players.Donaldson agreed to a $23 million deal, the Braves confirmed Monday night. The salary matches what the third baseman made during a forgettable 2018 season.McCann's $2 million contract reunites the team with a catcher who was a seven-time All-Star from 2005-13. A native of suburban Atlanta, he was eager for a chance to return home with his wife and two children."This is as special a day for me as any I've had in my career," McCann said during a hastily called news conference at SunTrust Park. "To put this uniform back on, with the love... [More]

NAGOYA, Japan (AP) — Coming off a strong showing against a team of Major League Baseball All-Stars, Japan manager Atsunori Inaba has every reason to be confident about his team's chances of winning a gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.Japan won the six-game exhibition series 5-1 against an MLB squad featuring National League Rookie of the Year Ronald Acuna Jr., fellow nominee Juan Soto and veteran catcher and nine-time gold glove winner Yadier Molina.The tour was a chance for Inaba to gauge the progress of his young players ahead of the Olympics their capital will be hosting in less than two years. Players like 23-year-old Seiji Uebayashi and Sosuke Genda stepped up against the major leaguers and performed well."I told my players to play this series with Tokyo 2020 in mind," Inaba said. "We used a lot of young players and it was a valuable experience for them. I hope they continue making progress."The host country has set an ambitious target of 30 gold medals at the 2020 Games and few... [More]

HIROSHIMA, Japan (AP) — Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. woke up in Japan to news he had been named National League Rookie of the Year.Acuna was a runaway choice for the award over Washington outfielder Juan Soto in a contest between 20-year-olds."I'm just flattered, I'm so honored," Acuna said through a translator. "My career is just starting. There are so many things I need to do to be a better player. I'll take advice from anyone who will help me improve."Acuna received 27 first-place votes and three seconds for 144 points. Soto got two firsts and 89 points, and Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler was next with one first and 28 points.Both Acuna and Soto are in Japan with a major league All-Star team.Acuna started the season at Triple-A and made his debut on April 25, the youngest player in the majors then at 20 years, 128 days at the time. The Venezuelan hit .293 with 26 homers, 64 RBIs and 16 steals with a .917 OPS. He set a Braves record with eight leadoff homers... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Shohei Ohtani was rewarded for a Ruthian season at the plate — and on the mound.Baseball's best two-way player since the Babe at the dawn of the live-ball era a century ago, Ohtani was an overwhelming pick for American League Rookie of the Year on Monday despite an elbow injury that stymied his switch from Japan to the major leagues and likely will prevent him from pitching next year."I was just kind of disappointed I wasn't able to play a full season," he said through a translator. "I feel like every player should be able to play a full year and help out the team. So that's something I need to work on, and that's going to be one of my goals, to stay healthy for a long full season and be able to the team win from day one."Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. was a runaway choice for the NL honor over Washington outfielder Juan Soto in a contest between 20-year-olds.A singular sensation who earned a chorus of praise for his dual success, Ohtani became the first player... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Shohei Ohtani was rewarded for a Ruthian season at the plate — and on the mound.Baseball's best two-way player since the Babe at the dawn of the live-ball era a century ago, Ohtani was an overwhelming pick for American League Rookie of the Year on Monday despite an elbow injury that stymied his switch from Japan to the major leagues and likely will prevent him from pitching next year."I was just kind of disappointed I wasn't able to play a full season," he said through a translator. "I feel like every player should be able to play a full year and help out the team. So that's something I need to work on, and that's going to be one of my goals, to stay healthy for a long full season and be able to the team win from day one."Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. was a runaway choice for the NL honor over Washington outfielder Juan Soto in a contest between 20-year-olds.A singular sensation who earned a chorus of praise for his dual success, Ohtani became the first player... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Two-way star Shohei Ohtani was a singular sensation in voting for AL Rookie of the Year.A standout on the mound and at the plate for the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani was an overwhelming pick for American League Rookie of the Year after becoming the first player since Babe Ruth a century ago with 10 homers and four pitching wins in the same season.Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. was a runaway pick for the NL honor over Washington outfielder Juan Soto in a contest between 20-year-olds.A 24-year-old right-hander who joined the Angels last winter after five seasons with Japan's Nippon Ham Fighters, Ohtani received 25 first-place votes and four seconds for 137 points from the Baseball Writers' Association of America in balloting announced Monday.A pair of New York Yankees infielders followed. Miguel Andujar was second with five firsts and 89 points, and Gleyber Torres was next with 25 points.Ohtani was 4-2 with a 3.31 ERA and 63 strikeouts over 51 2/3 innings in 10 starts,... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Two-way star Shohei Ohtani was a singular sensation in voting for AL Rookie of the Year.A standout on the mound and at the plate for the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani was an overwhelming pick for American League Rookie of the Year after becoming the first player since Babe Ruth a century ago with 10 homers and four pitching wins in the same season.Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. was a runaway pick for the NL honor over Washington outfielder Juan Soto in a contest between 20-year-olds.A 24-year-old right-hander who joined the Angels last winter after five seasons with Japan's Nippon Ham Fighters, Ohtani received 25 first-place votes and four seconds for 137 points from the Baseball Writers' Association of America in balloting announced Monday.A pair of New York Yankees infielders followed. Miguel Andujar was second with five firsts and 89 points, and Gleyber Torres was next with 25 points.Ohtani was 4-2 with a 3.31 ERA and 63 strikeouts over 51 2/3 innings in 10 starts,... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani has been voted American League Rookie of the Year after becoming the first player since Babe Ruth with 10 homers and four pitching wins in the same season.Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. was an overwhelming pick for the National League honor, easily beating Washington outfielder Juan Soto.Ohtani, a 24-year-old right-hander who joined the Angels last winter after five seasons with Japan's Nippon Ham Fighters, received 25 first-place votes and four seconds for 137 points from the Baseball Writers' Association of America in balloting announced Monday.A pair of New York Yankees infielders followed. Miguel Andujar was second with five firsts and 89 points, and Gleyber Torres was next with 25 points.Ohtani was 4-2 with a 3.31 ERA and 63 strikeouts over 51 2/3 innings in 10 starts, limited by a torn elbow ligament that required surgery on Oct. 1 and likely will prevent him from pitching next year. As a designated hitter,... [More]

TOKYO (AP) — All-Star catcher Yadier Molina hopes to throw out some speedy runners. Don Mattingly looks forward to seeing Japan's national team.Mattingly and Molina are in Japan as part of a Major League Baseball All-Star tour that features six games against Japan.The series begins on Friday with three games on consecutive nights at Tokyo Dome followed by one game in Hiroshima on Nov. 13 and two games in Nagoya on Nov. 14 and 15.Mattingly was a coach with the New York Yankees when Hideki Matsui played there, and got to know Ichiro Suzuki with the Miami Marlins.But this will be his first experience managing against a Japanese team."I've been able to work with Hideki in New York and had Ichiro in Miami," Mattingly said Wednesday. "The culture and the love for baseball is something that is fun to watch, the work ethic of the Japanese players and the fundamentals seem so solid."In addition to St. Louis Cardinals' catcher Molina, the MLB squad includes three other 2018 All-Stars; Seattle Mariners... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Shohei Ohtani is a finalist for the AL Rookie of the Year award along with two New York Yankees infielders.The Baseball Writers' Association of America revealed the finalists for its major awards Monday night. The winners will be announced next week.Ohtani figures to be in a tight race with Yankees infielders Miguel Andujar and Gleyber Torres after a historic first season with the Los Angeles Angels. The two-way Japanese sensation was 4-2 with a 3.31 ERA as a starting pitcher before an elbow injury forced him off the mound. He finished out the season exclusively as a designated hitter, hitting .285 with 22 home runs and 61 RBIs.Ohtani is the first player ever to hit 15 home runs and strike out 50 batters in a season, and he joined Babe Ruth as the only players ever to hit 15 homers and pitch 50 innings. He had Tommy John surgery after the season and is not expected to pitch in 2019.Andujar hit 47 doubles, tied for the second-most by a rookie in major league history, while... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Shohei Ohtani is a finalist for the AL Rookie of the Year award along with two New York Yankees infielders.The Baseball Writers' Association of America revealed the finalists for its major awards Monday night. The winners will be announced next week.Ohtani figures to be in a tight race with Yankees infielders Miguel Andujar and Gleyber Torres after a historic first season with the Los Angeles Angels. The two-way Japanese sensation was 4-2 with a 3.31 ERA as a starting pitcher before an elbow injury forced him off the mound. He finished out the season exclusively as a designated hitter, hitting .285 with 22 home runs and 61 RBIs.Ohtani is the first player ever to hit 15 home runs and strike out 50 batters in a season, and he joined Babe Ruth as the only players ever to hit 15 homers and pitch 50 innings. He had Tommy John surgery after the season and is not expected to pitch in 2019.Andujar hit 47 doubles, tied for the second-most by a rookie in major league history, while... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Dodgers have seen the future and it's ace-in-the-making Walker Buehler.Except they need him to deliver now.Buehler will try to yank Los Angeles out of a 2-0 deficit against the Boston Red Sox when the World Series shifts to Dodger Stadium for Game 3 on Friday.Clearly, the Dodgers trust their 24-year-old rookie.He led them to a victory over Colorado in Game 163 that clinched Los Angeles' sixth straight NL West title.The right-hander also pitched well in Game 7 of the NL Championship Series against Milwaukee.Now, the pressure is on the calm and confident kid from Kentucky horse country to keep them out of a potential 3-0 hole."It's a little bit different than a Game 7 tomorrow," Buehler said Thursday, "but at the same time there's a little bit of backs-against-the-wall-type of scenario."Since starting the season at Triple-A Oklahoma City, Buehler has impressed as the heir apparent to three-time NL Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw, who could opt out of the final... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Dodgers have seen the future and it's ace-in-the-making Walker Buehler.Except they need him to deliver now.Buehler will try to yank Los Angeles out of a 2-0 deficit against the Boston Red Sox when the World Series shifts to Dodger Stadium for Game 3 on Friday.Clearly, the Dodgers trust their 24-year-old rookie.He led them to a victory over Colorado in Game 163 that clinched Los Angeles' sixth straight NL West title.The right-hander also pitched well in Game 7 of the NL Championship Series against Milwaukee.Now, the pressure is on the calm and confident kid from Kentucky horse country to keep them out of a potential 3-0 hole."It's a little bit different than a Game 7 tomorrow," Buehler said Thursday, "but at the same time there's a little bit of backs-against-the-wall-type of scenario."Since starting the season at Triple-A Oklahoma City, Buehler has impressed as the heir apparent to three-time NL Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw, who could opt out of the final... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Dodgers have seen the future and it's ace-in-the-making Walker Buehler.Except they need him to deliver now.Buehler will try to yank Los Angeles out of a 2-0 deficit against the Boston Red Sox when the World Series shifts to Dodger Stadium for Game 3 on Friday.Clearly, the Dodgers trust their 24-year-old rookie.He led them to a victory over Colorado in Game 163 that clinched Los Angeles' sixth straight NL West title.The right-hander also pitched well in Game 7 of the NL Championship Series against Milwaukee.Now, the pressure is on the calm and confident kid from Kentucky horse country to keep them out of a potential 3-0 hole."It's a little bit different than a Game 7 tomorrow," Buehler said Thursday, "but at the same time there's a little bit of backs-against-the-wall-type of scenario."Since starting the season at Triple-A Oklahoma City, Buehler has impressed as the heir apparent to three-time NL Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw, who could opt out of the final... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Brian Snitker has a two-year contract for only the second time in his 43 years with the Braves.It's little wonder that Snitker, who turns 63 on Wednesday, said Monday he never assumed he'd be asked to return as manager even after leading Atlanta to a surprise NL East division title and its first playoff berth since 2013."I've been around long enough to know you're never guaranteed tomorrow in this business," Snitker said after his two-year deal was announced by general manager Alex Anthopoulos. The deal includes a club option for 2021.Snitker began his long run with the Braves as a minor league player in 1977 and spent 20 years as a minor league manager in addition to stints as Atlanta's bullpen coach and third base coach. He said his only previous two-year contract came when Bobby Cox became general manager in 1985.Now, as a leading candidate to be NL manager of the year, he again has more than a one-year contract."It does give you a sense of accomplishment, I guess," Snitker... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Braves manager Brian Snitker agreed to a two-year contract extension after guiding Atlanta to the NL East title and its first playoff berth since 2013. The deal announced Monday includes a club option for 2021.The extension is sure to be met with approval in a young clubhouse. The players constantly praised Snitker and how he always had their back."He did a remarkable job," star first baseman Freddie Freeman said. "It's really hard to handle 25 to 35 personalities, and he's one of the best at it."Snitker was appointed interim managed in May 2016 after the firing of Freddie Gonzalez. He will be heading into his third full season as the club's manager and 43rd as a member of the organization.After a third straight 90-loss season in 2017, the Braves improved to 90-72 with some of baseball's best young talent, including Ronald Acuna Jr., Ozzie Albies and Mike Foltynewicz. They lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Division Series.A day after the season ended, Snitker said... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves have agreed to a two-year contract extension with manager Brian Snitker, who guided the team to its first playoff berth since 2013.The deal includes a club option for 2021.Snitker was appointed interim managed in May 2016 after the firing of Freddie Gonzalez. He will be heading into his third full season as the club's manager and 43rd as a member of the organization.After a third straight 90-loss season in 2017, the Braves improved to 90-72 this year and won the NL East with some of baseball's best young talent, including Ronald Acuna Jr., Ozzie Albies and Mike Foltynewicz. They lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Division Series.A day after the season ended, Snitker said he felt good about the team's future and looked forward to returning as manager. He turns 63 on Wednesday.___For more AP baseball coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

ATLANTA (AP) — Brian Snitker endured a restless night after the final game of the season.He was poring over what went wrong for the Atlanta Braves in the playoffs.He might've been thinking about his own future, as well."I laid awake all night staring at the ceiling," the Braves manager said. "I couldn't sleep."After assembling some of baseball's finest young talent and making a surprising return to the playoffs for the first time since 2013, Atlanta went down quietly in the postseason. The Baby Braves were shut out twice in Los Angeles before the high-powered Dodgers finished off the best-of-five series with a 6-2 victory in Game 4 on Monday.The brief playoff appearance exposed a team that still has some glaring weaknesses . The pitching lacks a dominant starter, the lineup needs more power, and the bench wasn't much help at all.When Snitker looked over at the Dodgers, a star-filled team that earned its third straight trip to the NL Championship Series, he saw what the Braves must strive... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:THE ONLY SHOW IN TOWNBaseball's biggest rivalry gets the spotlight to itself as the Red Sox try to eliminate the Yankees in Game 4 of their AL Division Series. New York will be trying to rebound from the most lopsided postseason loss in the franchise's distinguished history — a 16-1 drumming Monday night capped by Brock Holt completing the first-ever postseason cycle. The blowout was so bad, backup catcher Austin Romine became the second position player ever to appear on the mound in the playoffs. He gave up Holt's ninth-inning homer.Game 4 may be the final appearance with New York for veteran CC Sabathia, who is expected to make his 23rd career postseason start. He's made 17 of those as a Yankee, going 8-3 with a 3.29 ERA during a span that included a 2009 ALCS MVP. The 38-year-old said Monday he plans to play again next season, though it's uncertain if the upcoming free agent will be back in pinstripes.Rick Porcello will throw for Boston... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Tuesday:THE ONLY SHOW IN TOWNBaseball's biggest rivalry gets the spotlight to itself as the Red Sox try to eliminate the Yankees in Game 4 of their AL Division Series. New York will be trying to rebound from the most lopsided postseason loss in the franchise's distinguished history — a 16-1 drumming Monday night capped by Brock Holt completing the first-ever postseason cycle. The blowout was so bad, backup catcher Austin Romine became the second position player ever to appear on the mound in the playoffs. He gave up Holt's ninth-inning homer.Game 4 may be the final appearance with New York for veteran CC Sabathia, who is expected to make his 23rd career postseason start. He's made 17 of those as a Yankee, going 8-3 with a 3.29 ERA during a span that included a 2009 ALCS MVP. The 38-year-old told ESPN on Monday he plans to play again next season, though it's uncertain if the upcoming free agent will be back in pinstripes.Rick Porcello will throw... [More]