A look at what's happening all around the majors Thursday:___FIRST DEFENSEThe Houston Astros begin the season as reigning World Series champions for the first time following their victory over the Dodgers last fall. AL Championship Series MVP Justin Verlander will make his first opening-day start with Houston after nine with Detroit. Verlander will face Texas ace Cole Hamels, who is making his fourth season-opening start, including his second with the Rangers.NEW FACESGiancarlo Stanton joins Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez in the Yankees' imposing lineup, while J.D. Martinez suits up for Boston and Eric Hosmer for San Diego after signing nine-figure deals in free agency. Five skippers — Washington's Dave Martinez, Boston's Alex Cora, the Yankees' Aaron Boone, the Mets' Mickey Callaway and Philadelphia's Gabe Kapler — will make their managerial debuts, while Detroit's Ron Gardenhire will manage his first opening day since 2014 with Minnesota.ACES UPClayton Kershaw, Corey Kluber, Chris Sale... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The Houston Astros will take the field as World Series champions for the first time. Giancarlo Stanton, J.D. Martinez and Eric Hosmer will wear new uniforms following an odd offseason when tanking teams helped sink the free agent market. First-time managers will fill out lineup cards, home run and strikeout totals will be watched closely, and out West, a Japanese import will try to do it all.Opening day is here. The 162-game grind of the regular season starts Thursday."It's a full-circle moment," Astros ace Justin Verlander said ahead of Houston's opener at Texas. "Just being out there Game 1 of the season, everybody is so high on expectations and so excited about the upcoming season, the unknown, what's going to happen with their team. It's a unique atmosphere."The March 29 start date is the earliest in Major League Baseball's history excluding international openers, and all teams were scheduled to play on opening day for the first time since 1968 — the last year before... [More]

TORONTO (AP) — After a winter of waiting, the New York Yankees are ready to roll with two of baseball's best sluggers.Aaron Judge and newcomer Giancarlo Stanton will bat second and third when the Yankees open against the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday."We can't wait," said Judge, the 2017 AL Rookie of the Year. "We've been excited for this since the beginning of spring training."Stanton won the 2017 NL MVP award with Miami, then was acquired by the Yankees in a December trade."I'm focused, excited, just ready to get some games that mean something," he said.Judge hit rookie-record 52 homers and led the American League. Stanton topped the National League with a career-high 59."Just really excited that they're both on my side," said Aaron Boone, who replaced Joe Girardi as manager,Boone said he liked what he saw from Stanton during spring training."He is really focused," Boone said. "I think he knows where he's at in his career, knows the opportunity that's in front of him with our team, and... [More]

TORONTO (AP) — After a winter of waiting, the New York Yankees are ready to roll with two of baseball's best sluggers.Aaron Judge and newcomer Giancarlo Stanton will bat second and third when the Yankees open against the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday."We can't wait," said Judge, the 2017 AL Rookie of the Year. "We've been excited for this since the beginning of spring training."Stanton won the 2017 NL MVP award with Miami, then was acquired by the Yankees in a December trade."I'm focused, excited, just ready to get some games that mean something," he said.Judge hit rookie-record 52 homers and led the American League. Stanton topped the National League with a career-high 59."Just really excited that they're both on my side," said Aaron Boone, who replaced Joe Girardi as manager,Boone said he liked what he saw from Stanton during spring training."He is really focused," Boone said. "I think he knows where he's at in his career, knows the opportunity that's in front of him with our team, and... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Oft-injured New York Yankees first baseman Greg Bird had surgery on his ailing right ankle and could be sidelined for nearly two months.The Yankees said Tuesday's operation went as planned."Obviously, we were hoping it was going to be a shorter-term thing," first-year manager Aaron Boone said Monday when the intended operation was announced. "But we feel like we got some answers. We feel like we know what the surgery's going to accomplish."Bird had surgery will remove a small broken spur on the outside of the right ankle. Dr. Martin O'Malley operated at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.The slugger is expected to be out for six-to-eight weeks."Hopefully this is something he will now put behind him for good," Boone said. "We feel pretty good that the surgery is fairly minor and they're going to go in and correct the problem. Then he should be good to go."Tyler Austin, who had been slated to start the season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, will likely get the... [More]

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — New York Yankees star Aaron Judge is switching his equipment supplier to Adidas from Under Armour.Adidas said Tuesday it had agreed to a multiyear partnership with the AL Rookie of the Year, who set a rookie record with 52 home runs last season.Judge came up to the major leagues with the Yankees in August 2016 and homered in his first plate appearance. He had been with Under Armour since 2014 but has been wearing Adidas equipment since the start of spring training last month.___More MLB baseball: https://apnews.com/tags/MLBbaseball

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — New York Yankees star Aaron Judge is switching his equipment supplier to Adidas from Under Armour.Adidas said Tuesday it had agreed to a multiyear partnership with the AL Rookie of the Year, who set a rookie record with 52 home runs last season.Judge came up to the major leagues with the Yankees in August 2016 and homered in his first plate appearance. He has been wearing Adidas equipment since the start of spring training last month.___More MLB baseball: https://apnews.com/tags/MLBbaseball

ATLANTA (AP) — Oft-injured New York Yankees first baseman Greg Bird will need surgery on his ailing right ankle and could be sidelined for nearly two months.The Yankees learned of the setback Monday while in Atlanta for their final exhibition of spring training, three days before the season opener at Toronto."Obviously, we were hoping it was going to be a shorter-term thing," said first-year manager Aaron Boone, who took over a team that reached Game 7 of the AL Championship Series. "But we feel like we got some answers. We feel like we know what the surgery's going to accomplish."Bird will have surgery will remove a small broken spur on the outside of the right ankle. Dr. Martin O'Malley is scheduled to operate Tuesday at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.The slugger is expected to be out for six-to-eight weeks."Hopefully this is something he will now put behind him for good," Boone said. "We feel pretty good that the surgery is fairly minor and they're going to go in and correct... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Aaron Judge. Cody Bellinger. Andrew Benintendi. Paul DeJong. The list goes on and on.Last year's rookie class was one of the best in baseball history. Topping that group of sluggers will be quite a chore, but here is a closer look at some touted prospects hoping to make a name for themselves this year:—RHP/DH Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Angels: The 23-year-old Ohtani is trying to become the first player in nearly 100 years to play regularly as a pitcher and hitter, but he had mixed results during spring training. Ohtani spent the previous five seasons with the Nippon Ham Fighters, showing off a big fastball and a powerful bat.—OF Ronald Acuna, Atlanta Braves: The future is now for the crown jewel of Atlanta's loaded farm system after Matt Kemp was traded to the Dodgers in December. The 20-year-old Acuna will begin the season at Triple-A Gwinnett, pushing back his eligibility for arbitration, but it's only a matter of time before he is up with the Braves after he hit .325 with... [More]

Baseball begins again with every team opening on the same day for the first time since 1968. Here are a handful of dates to mark on the calendar:THURSDAY, MARCH 29San Francisco Giants at Los Angeles Dodgers: The earliest domestic start in baseball history features one of the game's best rivalries. Clayton Kershaw makes his record eighth opening-day start for the NL champion Dodgers after going 18-4 with a 2.31 ERA in 27 starts last year. He takes on a much more challenging lineup after the Giants acquired Evan Longoria and Andrew McCutchen in a pair of offseason trades. It's the first opener between the clubs since 2013.MONDAY, APRIL 2Baltimore Orioles at Houston Astros: Reigning AL MVP Jose Altuve and the Astros celebrate the franchise's first championship before their home opener against Adam Jones and the Orioles. The Astros outlasted the Dodgers in a seven-game World Series last fall, and they might be even better this year after acquiring right-hander Gerrit Cole in a January trade... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Yankees outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury will start the regular season on the disabled list because of an oblique injury that sidelined him three weeks.Ellsbury, who resumed playing Thursday, will remain at the Yankees' spring training complex when the team leaves Florida on Sunday for its final spring training game Monday at Atlanta."Get him 40, 50 at-bats," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Saturday.The Yankees open the regular season Thursday at Toronto.Ellsbury is projected as a backup outfielder after losing the starting center field job to Aaron Hicks last season.Ellsbury, 34, is guaranteed $21,142,857 in each of the next three seasons as part of a $153 million, seven-year contract that includes a $21 million team option for 2021 with a $5 million buyout.Brett Gardner is the starting left fielder, and Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge will rotate between right field and designated hitter. Stanton also could get time in left when Gardner is rested, especially... [More]

Just the thought of Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge in the same lineup sent fans into a frenzy. Come opening day, all of baseball will see which teams really have the muscle.A season of haves and have-nots begins March 29 with Derek Jeter's pared-down Marlins playing the pumped-up Cubs. Later that day, the New York Yankees unleash their most potent pair of sluggers since Mantle & Maris.MVP Jose Altuve and the World Series champion Houston Astros added ace Gerrit Cole to a rotation with Dallas Keuchel and Justin Verlander. The Dodgers and Indians are still poised after coming within one win of that elusive crown. The Nationals hired a new manager to help free agent-to-be Bryce Harper, Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg reach the top. And the Red Sox got the bopper they needed.Where does that leave the Reds, Pirates, Tigers, Rays and A's? Well, better luck next year. Or the year after that.Major League Baseball is in a hurry these days, with record home runs and strikeouts the new norm.... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Yankees slugger Aaron Judge could be used at times as a leadoff hitter this season.The 2017 AL Rookie of the Year was at the top of the lineup and went 1 for 4 in a 5-0 loss to the Boston Red Sox on Friday."It's a potential. That's why we're deploying it and assessing it," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "We're going to take a peak here. We'll see how it feels.(backslash), Simple as that."Judge struck out on a 2-2 pitch from Brian Johnson in the first and smashed a one-hopper up the middle off the left-hander that the Red Sox turned into a double play to end the third. He had a leadoff single in the sixth and struck out during the eighth against Justin Haley.Cashman said manager Aaron Boone and Judge discussed the possibility Thursday.This could give Boone an additional option, especially when opponents start a left-hander that caused the Yankees to rest regular leadoff man Brett Gardner, who hit .209 against lefties last year and .283 against righties."We... [More]

Just the thought of Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge in the same lineup sent fans into a frenzy. Come opening day, all of baseball will see which teams really have the muscle.A season of haves and have-nots begins March 29 with Derek Jeter's pared-down Marlins playing the pumped-up Cubs. Later that day, the New York Yankees unleash their most potent pair of sluggers since Mantle & Maris.MVP Jose Altuve and the World Series champion Houston Astros added ace Gerrit Cole to a rotation with Dallas Keuchel and Justin Verlander. The Dodgers and Indians are still poised after coming within one win of that elusive crown. The Nationals hired a new manager to help free agent-to-be Bryce Harper, Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg reach the top. And the Red Sox got the bopper they needed.Where does that leave the Reds, Pirates, Tigers, Rays and A's? Well, better luck next year. Or the year after that.Major League Baseball is in a hurry these days, with record home runs and strikeouts the new norm.... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Yankees slugger Aaron Judge could be used at times as a leadoff hitter this season.The 2017 AL Rookie of the Year was at the top of the lineup for Friday's spring training game against Boston."It's a potential, that's why we're deploying it and assessing it," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "We're going to take a peak here. We'll see how it feels, simple as that."Cashman said manager Aaron Boone and Judge discussed the possibility Thursday.This could give Boone an additional option, especially when opponents start a left-hander that caused the Yankees to rest regular leadoff man Brett Gardner, who hit .209 against lefties last year and .283 against righties."We have a left-handed pitcher against us, starting, then you re-shuffle the deck," Cashman said. "Who's the best hitters against a left-handed opponent and how it should look?"The idea developed after Boone questioned staff about lineup configurations. Boone is managing for the first time at any level."This... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Aaron Judge's spring training average is up to .278 after he homered twice in a 9-4 win over the Baltimore Orioles.Judge was brought along slowly at the start of spring training following left shoulder surgery Nov. 20 for loose-body removal and cartilage clean up. He didn't play in his first exhibition game until Feb. 28 and started 1 for 10."Just want to make sure I'm peaking opening day," Judge said.Judge did not play in Wednesday's game against Minnesota. When he reported for spring training last year, he was not sure he would be on the opening-day roster."It seems like just yesterday, really," Judge said. "I can't forget that — reminded every day. You never forget that."He was the unanimous AL Rookie of the Year after hitting a league-high 52 homers with 114 RBIs."It doesn't carry over," Judge said. "I wish they carried over. I wouldn't mind starting out with 52 homers. But that's the thing, nobody cares about last year now. Once it's opening day, everybody starts... [More]

The outfield used to be a prime destination for the fantasy needs of every baseball shopper. Times have changed.Other positions are more fruitful and stolen bases are more valuable than ever because they're not as readily available.In 2017, outfielders accounted for 38 percent of all plate appearance in Major League Baseball, and accordingly represented 38.9 percent of home runs and 37.9 percent of all RBIs. Looking at other standard categories, outfielders accounted for 41 percent of runs scored and 54.9 percent of stolen bases. They hit an average of .260 versus the typical .255 batting average. They were even better with on-base percentage, earning a .332 mark compared to baseball's average OBP of .324.Combine those numbers with the reality that HRs overall are up 45.8 percent since 2014, and RBIs increased by just 15 percent - but stolen bases are down 29.8 percent from their peak this decade.The takeaway: You can get power anywhere, but steals are at a premium and the outfield is a... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The swagger is back.The New York Yankees reached Game 7 of last year's AL Championship Series behind Baby Bombers Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez, Greg Bird and young ace Luis Severino. Then they added the mightiest slugger in the major leagues, Giancarlo Stanton, and brought in a new manager they think will lead them to World Series title No. 28."We already had a great team," Judge said, "but adding Stanton and a couple other pieces, we're going to be great. It's going to be a fun thing we have here."New York was second in the AL East to Boston last year at 91-71, up seven wins from 2016 and the Yankees' best record since 2012. They scored 858 runs, an increase of 178, and led the major leagues with 241 homers — including a rookie-record 52 by Judge.The major changes were signing Neil Walker to replace Starlin Castro at second and acquiring Brandon Drury from Arizona to take over from Todd Frazier at third."It's just a question of it being a long season and can everybody stay... [More]

Capsules of American League East teams, listed in order of finish last year:___Boston Red Sox2017: 93-69, first place, lost to Houston in ALDS.Manager: Alex Cora (first season).He's Here: DH J.D. Martinez.He's Outta Here: Manager John Farrell, RHP Doug Fister, OF Chris Young, RHP Addison Reed, OF Rajai Davis, LHP Henry Owens, LHP Fernando Abad.Projected Lineup: RF Mookie Betts (.264, 24 HRs, 102 RBIs), LF Andrew Benintendi (.271, 20, 90), 1B Hanley Ramirez (.242, 23, 62) or Mitch Moreland (.246, 22, 79), DH J.D. Martinez (.303, 45, 104 with Tigers and Diamondbacks), 3B Rafael Devers (.284, 10, 30 in 58 games), SS Xander Bogaerts (.273, 10, 62), CF Jackie Bradley Jr. (.245, 17, 63), C Christian Vazquez (.290, 5, 32) or Sandy Leon (.225, 7, 39), 2B Eduardo Nunez (.313, 12, 58, 24 SBs with Giants and Red Sox) or Dustin Pedroia (.293, 7, 62, .369 OBP in 105 games, expected to be out until late May following knee surgery).Rotation: LH Chris Sale (17-8, 2.90 ERA, MLB-best 308 Ks, MLB-high 214... [More]

The Baltimore Orioles figured Alex Cobb would be a fine fit.Cobb stayed in the division he knew best, finalizing a $57 million, four-year contract on Wednesday."They used the AL East and the success I've had in it to their advantage," the 30-year-old right-hander said. "They kept challenging me with it and I love the challenge of pitching in this division and they know that over the times we talked. They did a really good job of making me feel like this is where I need to be."Cobb had spent his entire six-season big league career with Tampa Bay and was the last top starting pitcher available in a slow-moving free agent market.Cobb joined Andrew Cashner and Chris Tillman, who were signed last month, in a revamped rotation that includes holdovers Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman.The Orioles are coming off a last-place finish and 75-87 record.Cobb was 12-10 with a 3.66 ERA in 29 starts last season. He pitched 179 1/3 innings in his first full year back after missing nearly two seasons because... [More]