MIAMI (AP) — The Miami Marlins' home opener Monday night against Baltimore has been postponed as the Marlins deal with a coronavirus outbreak that stranded them in Philadelphia.The Marlins postponed their flight home Sunday night after their series finale against the Phillies.A person familiar with the decision to postpone Monday's game told The Associated Press that the move was made due to health precautions. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the postponement hadn't been announced.Marlins pitcher Jose Urena was scratched from his scheduled start in Sunday's game, and catcher Jorge Alfaro went on the injured list Friday. No reasons were given for the moves, but manager Don Mattingly said those who tested positive would be quarantined in Philadelphia.The Marlins' precarious health raised anew doubts about MLB’s ability to finish the season during a pandemic. In Cincinnati, Reds second baseman Mike Moustakas and center fielder Nick Senzel felt sick Sunday, a day... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The World Series champion Washington Nationals stood six feet apart along the first base line and watched as a banner commemorating their title was raised, then took a knee alongside the New York Yankees in a call for social justice.Star slugger Juan Soto wasn’t there — he was flagged hours before the first pitch for COVID-19. Neither, of course, were any fans.Hardly ideal, but there was hardball nonetheless. “I’d rather be playing baseball than not,” Nationals ace Max Scherzer said. Major League Baseball returned to action this weekend with a flourish of highs and lows as the sport attempts to play a 60-game regular season amid a coronavirus pandemic still plaguing much of the United States.The baseball itself was a breath of fresh air — even through all those face coverings. Opening day gems from Jacob deGrom, Shane Bieber and Kyle Hendricks. A mesmerizing home run from Giancarlo Stanton. Deft baserunning by Lorenzo Cain that baffled the entire Cubs infield.But COVID-era... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — The Miami Marlins scratched right-hander Jose Urena from his scheduled start Sunday in Philadelphia and delayed their postgame trip home amid concerns about a possible coronavirus outbreak within the team. No reason was given for Urena being scratched in the series finale, which Miami won 11-6.Manager Don Mattingly said the Marlins decided to wait until Monday to leave Philadelphia, and they planned to arrive in Miami hours before their home opener against Baltimore. The trip might be made while multiple players remain in Philadelphia.“The guys that tested positive are quarantined here in Philly,” Mattingly said. The team made no roster moves after the game.Miami catcher Jorge Alfaro went on the injured list hours before the season opener Friday at Philadelphia. The Marlins didn’t give a reason but said they expected Alfaro to return this season. The team's precarious health raised anew doubts about MLB's ability to finish the season during a pandemic. In Cincinnati, Reds second... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — The Miami Marlins scratched right-hander Jose Urena from his scheduled start Sunday in Philadelphia and delayed their postgame trip home amid concerns about a possible coronavirus outbreak within the team. No reason was given for Urena being scratched in the series finale, which Miami won 11-6.Manager Don Mattingly said the Marlins decided to wait until Monday to leave Philadelphia, and they plan to arrive in Miami hours before their home opener against Baltimore. The trip might be made while multiple players remain in Philadelphia.“The guys that tested positive are quarantined here in Philly,” Mattingly said.Miami catcher Jorge Alfaro went on the injured list hours before the season opener Friday at Philadelphia. The Marlins didn’t give a reason but said they expected Alfaro to return this season. The Atlanta Braves have been without their top two catchers, Tyler Flowers and Travis d’Arnaud, after both players showed symptoms of the coronavirus. The Marlins played exhibition games at Atlanta on Tuesday and Wednesday.___ Follow Steven Wine on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Steve_Wine___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Miami Marlins catcher Jorge Alfaro went on the injured list Friday before their season opener at Philadelphia.The Marlins didn't give a reason but said they expected Alfaro to return this season. The Atlanta Braves were without their top two catchers, Tyler Flowers and Travis d’Arnaud, for their opening game Friday at the New York Mets after both players showed symptoms of the coronavirus. There has been concern that catchers are especially vulnerable to the virus because they're in close proximity to batters and the plate umpire.The Marlins learned Friday morning Alfaro would be unavailable, manager Don Mattingly said.“We knew we were going to have to be ready for anything,” Mattingly said. “We still plan on having him back, and still plan on big things for him.”Alfaro batted .262 with 18 homers and 57 RBIs last year in his first season with the Marlins.Miami newcomer Francisco Cervilli was in the lineup in place of Alfaro. The Marlins selected the contract of infielder Sean Rodríguez from their alternate training site.___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

The Atlanta Braves will be without their top two catchers, Tyler Flowers and Travis d'Arnaud, for Friday's opening game at the New York Mets after both players showed symptoms of the coronavirus.Manager Brian Snitker said Friday that Flowers and d'Arnaud have tested negative for the coronavirus but did not travel with the team because they had symptoms. Snitker said he did not know what the symptoms were, and he hoped the two just had “a bad cold." Snitker said the team is being careful because “we’ve had guys test negative and the next day they test positive." First baseman Freddie Freeman and right-hander Touki Toussaint are back with the team and on the opening-day roster after testing positive at the start of summer camp. Left-handed reliever Will Smith and infielder Pete Kozma have not returned following positive tests.Freeman said he was grateful Flowers and Contreras reported the symptoms even though it meant they would miss the opener and possibly more games.“I applaud them for... [More]

The Atlanta Braves will be without their top two catchers, Tyler Flowers and Travis d'Arnaud, for Friday's opening game at the New York Mets after both players showed symptoms of the coronavirus.Manager Brian Snitker said Friday that Flowers and d'Arnaud have tested negative for the coronavirus but did not travel with the team because they had symptoms. Snitker said he did not know what the symptoms were, and he hoped the two just had “a bad cold." Snitker said the team is being careful because “we’ve had guys test negative and the next day they test positive." First baseman Freddie Freeman and right-hander Touki Toussaint are back with the team and on the opening-day roster after testing positive at the start of summer camp. Left-handed reliever Will Smith and infielder Pete Kozma have not returned following positive tests.Freeman said he was grateful Flowers and Contreras reported the symptoms even though it meant they would miss the opener and possibly more games.“I applaud them for... [More]

The Atlanta Braves will be without their top two catchers, Tyler Flowers and Travis d'Arnaud, for Friday's opening game at the New York Mets after both players showed symptoms of the coronavirus.Manager Brian Snitker said Friday that Flowers and d'Arnaud have tested negative for the coronavirus but did not travel with the team because they had symptoms. Snitker said he did not know what the symptoms were, and he hoped the two just had “a bad cold." Snitker said the team is being careful because “we’ve had guys test negative and the next day they test positive." First baseman Freddie Freeman and right-hander Touki Toussaint are back with the team and on the opening-day roster after testing positive at the start of summer camp. Left-handed reliever Will Smith and infielder Pete Kozma have not returned following positive tests.Snitker said the team was trying to avoid contact between the catchers and other players in case they do have positive tests.Alex Jackson and William Contreras are next... [More]

NORTH PORT, Fla. (AP) — When Sal Fasano managed the Double-A New Hampshire Blue Jays in 2011, he quickly saw how well one of his catchers talked with the pitchers. Travis d’Arnaud. Just 22, he sounded much older.As a former catcher who played in 427 major-league games, Fasano noted how well d’Arnaud did one-on-one with each pitcher. He not only listened to what the pitchers said but he watched their body language. He also tried to get a working idea of what they wanted to accomplish before using trial-and-error to keep progressing, keep getting better.“First thing I noticed,” Fasano said. “It’s always been his gift to me – his personal communication.”Fast forward to 2020 and d’Arnaud and Fasano have reunited.The Braves signed d'Arnaud, who played 92 games last season with the Tampa Bay Rays, to a two-year, $16 million contract. After an 11-year career in the majors and nine more in the minors, many of those as a manger, Fasano came to the Braves in 2019 as a catching instructor.In the first... [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]

NORTH PORT, Fla. (AP) — Max Fried throws a firm fastball and features a sharp curve, keys to a breakout season last year with the Atlanta Braves.Moving ahead, he's focusing on a few other factors that aren't so easily apparent.Fried has been working on meditation. He believes in visualization. He incorporates breathing into his movements while working out, also using it as a way to calm down and relax."I think a big step I can take is taking the mental game to the next level," Fried said. "There's only so much your body can do before you break down. Meditation helps because there's a of stress on the field, high pressure. You have to find ways to calm yourself down and take a relaxed approach."At 26, the left-hander has already made huge strides.Fried went 17-6 with a 4.02 ERA last season as Atlanta won its second straight NL East title. In 30 starts and 165 2/3 innings, he walked just 47 while striking out 173.From being open to new ideas, plus working with a good support system and a... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves found their new cleanup hitter when then reached an agreement with free agent outfielder Marcell Ozuna on an $18 million, one-year deal Tuesday.Ozuna joins the team he helped beat in the playoffs last October. He hit .429 with two home runs for the St. Louis Cardinals in their five-game win over the Braves in the NL Division Series.“We just focused on the player we thought was the best fit here,” Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos said. “We were looking for a middle of the order bat.”The 29-year-old Ozuna hit .241 with 29 home runs and 89 RBIs last season. His low batting average was something on an oddity because he ranked among the major league leaders in the highest percentage of hard-hit balls, according to Statcast.Ozuna will be the probable choice to fill the fourth spot in the Braves lineup that was left vacant when third baseman Josh Donaldson signed a $92 million, four-year deal with Minnesota.“The projection is he will bat cleanup for us,... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Alex Anthopoulos believes Cole Hamels can help the Atlanta Braves win big in next season— and help the team's young starters have more success for years to come.Hamels, who turns 36 this month. agreed Wednesday to an $18 million, one-year contract with the busy Braves, one of the more active teams this offseason.Anthopoulos said young Braves starters Max Fried and Mike Soroka will benefit from Hamels' 14 seasons in the majors.“How you quantify that is hard, but I think there is real value," Anthopoulos said. “We're signing Cole first and foremost because we think he's going to help us win a lot of games ... and hopefully get to the World Series. No doubt in my mind ... I think Max Fried will get better just be seeing him and being around him. I think Soroka will get better."The Braves have won two straight NL East division titles but failed to win a playoff series.Hamels said the Braves “were one of six teams I was really following and really rooting for" in free agency.... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Left-hander Cole Hamels agreed to an $18 million, one-year contract with the Atlanta Braves, one of the more active teams of the offseason.The 35-year-old gives the Braves a veteran to replace Julio Teheran, who became a free agent after his $12 million team option was declined.Hamels joins Mike Soroka, 22, Max Fried, 25 and Mike Foltynewicz, 28, as the Braves'probable top four starters. Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos said recently that left-hander Sean Newcomb, who spent most of the 2019 season in the bullpen, will be given a chance to win a starting job in spring training.Among other contenders for the final spot in the rotation will be Kyle Wright, Bryse Wilson and Ian Anderson, one of the team's top prospects.Hamels spent the last two seasons with the Chicago Cubs, going 7-7 with a 3.81 ERA in 27 starts last season. Hamels has 163 wins and a 3.42 ERA in 14 seasons. He began his career with Philadelphia, where he was a three-time All-Star in 10 seasons.He finished... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Left-hander Cole Hamels agreed to an $18 million, one-year contract with the Atlanta Braves, one of the more active teams of the offseason.The 35-year-old gives the Braves a veteran to replace Julio Teheran, who became a free agent after his team option was decline.Hamels spent the last two seasons with the Chicago Cubs, going 7-7 with a 3.81 ERA in 27 starts last season. Hamels has 163 wins and a 3.42 ERA in 14 seasons. He began his career with Philadelphia, where he was a three-time All-Star in 10 seasons.He finished fifth in the NL Cy Young Award voting for the Phillies in 2011, when he was 14-9 with a 2.79 ERA. He was 17-6 with a 3.05 ERA in 2012.Atlanta has given left-handed reliever Will Smith, a possible closer, a $40 million,m three-year contract and added catcher Travis dÁrnaud for a $16 million, two-year deal. Atlanta also has re-signed four players: outfielder Nick Markakis, catcher Tyler Flowers and relievers Darren O'Day and Chris Martin.

ATLANTA (AP) — Travis d’Arnaud’s career appeared to be winding down. He missed nearly an entire season after blowing out his elbow. He was cut by the New York Mets and dumped by the Los Angeles Dodgers.Now, he’s back on track.At age 30, d’Arnaud has a prosperous new lease on his baseball life after agreeing to a $16 million, two-year contract with the NL East champion Atlanta Braves, his reward for an unexpected comeback season with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2019.“I feel like I’ve got a lot of years left,” the catcher said Monday during a conference call. “I want to keep getting better and become the player I’m supposed to be.”D’Arnaud, a first-round pick by the Philadelphia Phillies who made it to the majors with the New York Mets, played only four games in 2018 before Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.He returned last season but struggled mightily, hitting .083 in 10 games before he was let go by the Mets. He signed with the Dodgers, getting only a single at-bat before they shipped him... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves have filled another hole by agreeing to a $16 million, two-year contract with catcher Travis d’Arnaud.The 30-year-old d’Arnaud spent most of last season in Tampa Bay, where he rekindled his career by hitting .263 with 16 homers in 92 games. His deal with the Braves was announced Sunday.D’Arnaud was cut by the New York Mets after appearing in just four games, and he got only one at-bat with the Los Angeles Dodgers before he was sent to the Rays. He took over the catching job in Tampa Bay and helped the Rays capture an AL wild-card berth.He gets $8 million in each of the next two seasons and agreed to donate $80,000 annually to charity.D’Arnaud gives the Braves a second catcher to pair with Tyler Flowers, who returned to the team on a $4 million, one-year deal. Atlanta’s other catcher, Brian McCann, announced his retirement shortly after the team’s loss in the NL Division Series.The Braves have been one of the busiest teams of the offseason, re-signing four players in addition to landing d’Arnaud and reliever Will Smith.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves have filled another hole by agreeing to a $16 million, two-year contract with catcher Travis d’Arnaud.The 30-year-old d’Arnaud spent most of last season in Tampa Bay, where he rekindled his career by hitting .263 with 16 homers in 92 games. His deal with the Braves was announced Sunday.D’Arnaud was cut by the New York Mets after appearing in just four games, and he got only one at-bat with the Los Angeles Dodgers before he was sent to the Rays. He took over the catching job in Tampa Bay and helped the Rays capture an AL wild-card berth.D’Arnaud gives the Braves a second catcher to pair with Tyler Flowers, who returned to the team on a $4 million, one-year deal. Atlanta’s other catcher, Brian McCann, announced his retirement shortly after the team’s loss in the NL Division Series.The Braves have been one of the busiest teams of the offseason, re-signing four players in addition to landing d’Arnaud and reliever Will Smith.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves have bolstered their shaky bullpen by signing left-hander reliever Will Smith to a three-year, $40 million contract on Thursday.The free-agent deal announced Thursday includes a $13 million option for the 2023 season, with a $1 million buyout.The 30-year-old Smith went 6-0 with a 2.76 ERA and a career-best 34 saves for the San Francisco Giants this past season. He made the All-Star team for the first time.The NL East champion Braves were looking to upgrade the bullpen after going through several closers last season, including Luke Jackson, Shane Greene and Mark Melancon.Smith is Atlanta’s fourth free-agent signing of the offseason but the first to change teams. The Braves re-signed outfielder Nick Markakis, catcher Tyler Flowers and reliever Darren O’Day.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves have bolstered their shaky bullpen by signing left-hander reliever Will Smith to a three-year, $40 million contract.The free agent deal announced Thursday includes a $13 million option for the 2023 season, with a $1 million buyout.The 30-year-old Smith went 6-0 with a 2.76 ERA and a career-best 34 saves for the San Francisco Giants this past season. He made the All-Star team for the first time.The NL East champion Braves were looking to upgrade the bullpen after going through several closers last season, including Luke Jackson, Shane Greene and Mark Melancon.All four free-agent signings of the offseason have landed with Atlanta, but Smith is the first to change teams. The team re-signed outfielder Nick Markakis, catcher Tyler Flowers and reliever Darren O’Day.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports