BOSTON (AP) — Tyler Austin rushed the mound after being hit by a pitch from Red Sox reliever Joe Kelly, triggering a bench-clearing brawl in a ramped-up rivalry as the New York Yankees ended Boston's nine-game winning streak with a 10-7 victory Wednesday night.Benches cleared briefly in the third after Austin's spikes clipped Brock Holt's leg on a slide into second base. Holt took issue with the contact and they exchanged words before being separated.Then with the Yankees leading 10-6 in the seventh, Kelly caught Austin on the side with a 98 mph fastball. Austin slammed his bat on the plate, threw it down and took four steps toward the mound while hollering. Kelly waved Austin at him, and things quickly escalated.Austin, Kelly, New York reliever Tommy Kahnle and Yankees third base coach Phil Nevin were ejected.The Yankees scored four runs off David Price (1-1) in the first inning before the lefty ace exited the game with a tingling sensation in his pitching hand.Gary Sanchez hit two home... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Tyler Austin rushed the mound after being hit by a pitch from Red Sox reliever Joe Kelly, triggering a bench-clearing brawl in a ramped-up rivalry as the New York Yankees ended Boston's nine-game winning streak with a 10-7 victory Wednesday night.Benches cleared briefly in the third after Austin's spikes clipped Brock Holt's leg on a slide into second base. Holt took issue with the contact and they exchanged words before being separated.Then with the Yankees leading 10-6 in the seventh, Kelly caught Austin on the side with a 98 mph fastball. Austin slammed his bat on the plate, threw it down and took four steps toward the mound while hollering. Kelly waved Austin at him, and things quickly escalated.Austin, Kelly, New York reliever Tommy Kahnle and Yankees third base coach Phil Nevin were ejected.The Yankees scored four runs off David Price (1-1) in the first inning before the lefty ace exited the game with a tingling sensation in his pitching hand.Gary Sanchez hit two home... [More]

Capsules of American League Central teams, listed in order of finish last year:___Cleveland Indians2017: 102-60, first place, lost to Yankees in ALDS.Manager: Terry Francona (sixth season).He's Here: 1B-DH Yonder Alonso, LF Rajai Davis, RHP Alexi Ogando.He's Outta Here: 1B Carlos Santana, OF Jay Bruce, RHP Bryan Shaw, RHP Joe Smith, OF Austin Jackson, LHP Boone Logan.Projected Lineup: SS Francisco Lindor (.273, 33 HRs, 89 RBIs, 44 2Bs, 15 SBs, 10 errors), 2B Jason Kipnis (.232, 12 HRs, 35 RBIs in 90 games), 3B Jose Ramirez (.318, 29, 83, AL-leading 56 2Bs), DH Edwin Encarnacion (.258, 38, 107), 1B Yonder Alonso (.266, career-high 28 HRs, 67 RBIs with Athletics and Mariners), RF Lonnie Chisenhall (.288, 12, 53 in 82 games), C Roberto Perez (.207, 8, 38, club went 44-22 in his starts) or Yan Gomes (.232, 14, 56), CF Bradley Zimmer (.241, 8, 39, 18 SBs, 0 errors), LF Michael Brantley (.299, 9, 52 in 90 games) or Rajai Davis (.235, 5, 20, 29 SBs with Oakland and Boston).Rotation: RH Corey Kluber... [More]

A team-by-team look at the American League Central entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad:___Cleveland IndiansManager: Terry Francona (sixth season).2017: 102-60, first place, lost to New York Yankees in ALDS.Training Town: Goodyear, Arizona.Park: Goodyear Ballpark.First Workout: Feb. 15/19.He's Here: 1B-DH Yonder Alonso, OF Melvin Upton Jr., RHP Alexi Ogando.He's Outta Here: 1B Carlos Santana, OF Jay Bruce, RHP Bryan Shaw, RHP Joe Smith, OF Austin Jackson, LHP Boone Logan.Going campin': Poised to possibly end their 70-year-old World Series title drought, the Indians, who reeled off 22 straight victories in 2017, didn't even make it back to the AL Championship Series after squandering a 2-0 playoff lead against the Yankees. Unlike last winter, when the club signed DH Edwin Encarnacion in free agency, the Indians were relatively quiet, counting on their core to carry them in... [More]

RHP Bruce Rondon was optioned to Triple-A Toledo immediately after Sunday's 6-4 loss to Minnesota. Rondon was the losing pitcher, walking the only two batters he faced and needing just nine pitches to do it. Both runners scored to break a 4-4 tie. "We were just trying to keep the score where it was at that point, and he couldn't do it," manager Brad Ausmus said. "That was going to be his inning, but when none of the first four pitches were even close, I knew I had to get (RHP Warwick) Saupold throwing." The leash is short on Rondon and his time with the Tigers may be drawing to a close.

RHP Bruce Rondon pitched a scoreless eighth inning despite falling behind two of the four hitters he faced Wednesday. He also hit 100 mph three times against SS Didi Gregorius. Rondon turned in his second straight scoreless outing after allowing eight earned runs in his previous three appearances. Manager Brad Ausmus also said Rondon was pitching with two broken cleats on his spikes.

RHP Bruce Rondon has had a rough week. He was thrown out of Wednesday night's game after hitting Mike Moustakas with a pitch and his team trailing Kansas City, 16-2. Friday night he gave up two singles plus a home run to the first three batters he faced in the eighth as Houston came from behind to beat Detroit, 6-5. "Since he's been up (with the Tigers), he's been pitching the eighth," manager Brad Ausmus said, "and he's done a pretty good job overall. I talked to him earlier in the day, and his head seemed in the right place, so I told him to be ready for the eighth as usual. When Bruce is into the outing, he's a lot more effective. On Wednesday, he was just mopping up, but this was a close game, so I thought he would be focused and get a chance to redeem himself. His slider was just up a couple times and I didn't think he had a good fastball. Right now, he's on the team so I have to use him."

RHP Bruce Rondon, 26, was recalled from Triple-A Toledo on Friday. Rondon was 0-1 and had a 40.50 ERA (six runs allowed on four hits and three walks over 1 1/3 innings) in three appearances earlier this season with the Tigers. He was 0-1 with Triple-A Toledo with a 3.04 ERA in 28 appearances (26 1/3 innings).

Francisco Rodriguez lost his job as closer last month. On Friday, the veteran right-hander simply lost his job.The Detroit Tigers released Rodriguez one day after the 35-year-old served up a grand slam to Robinson Cano during Thursday's 9-6 loss to the Seattle Mariners.Rodriguez was just 2-5 with a 7.82 ERA in 28 appearances this season. He served up nine homers in 25 1/3 innings and blew six save opportunities and converted seven.The six-time All-Star ranks fourth in baseball history with 437 career saves but was hit hard this season. He was unhappy to be removed as closer and publicly criticized manager Brad Ausmus' communication style last week."To be honest, no one talked to me," Rodriguez told the Detroit News. "No one tells me anything. They never ask my opinion. They never ask me if I am ready to do that or not. It was their decision. Nobody asks me anything."The Tigers have dropped a season-worst six straight games to fall into last place in the American League Central.Detroit recalled right-hander Bruce Rondon from Triple-A Toledo to fill the bullpen opening.The Tigers also placed outfielder Alex Presley on the seven-day concussion list and recalled outfielder Matt den Dekker from Toledo.

RHP Bruce Rondon, overweight and underperforming, was optioned Monday to Triple-A Toledo to get back into game shape. Rondon, who sported a 40.50 ERA through three appearances, was replaced on the roster when Detroit purchased the contract of RHP Joe Jimenez from Toledo. "We decided to go that way based on we just felt Bruce needed more time to get ready for the season," GM Al Avila said. "He's 100 percent healthy, it's more conditioning. The command is not there. We're not really worried about his velocity. It's 94-96 and he's popped 98."

RHP Bruce Rondon was optioned to Triple-A Toledo and replaced on the 25-man roster by RHP Joe Jimenez before the series finale Monday against Boston.Rondon took the loss Sunday, allowing three earned runs and two walks without getting an out in the eighth inning. He entered the game with the Tigers ahead 4-3.The outing came on the heels of rough outings the previous two games. Rondon's ERA is 40.50.

RHP Bruce Rondon has a horrendous 40.50 ERA and has earned every bit of it. Rondon's fastball hasn't been in the high 90s like it has been in the past and nearly every pitch he throws is getting hit hard. The burly right-hander faced three batters in the eighth Sunday and didn't get a single out. A walk, single, error and an intentional walk ended his afternoon. "It's both," manager Brad Ausmus said. "His velocity's been down, and his location has not been good." Ausmus said he would meet with pitching coach Rich Dubee to discuss Rondon's future. He brushed off a question about optioning Rondon to the minors. It could be some low-leverage situations and working on the side are in order.

RHP Bruce Rondon, who reportedly came to spring training overweight, has been less than impressive in his limited time with the Tigers. Rondon, who played for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic, has been throwing his fastball in the mid-to-low 90s instead of consistently clocking 98-100 mph. Through his first six games for the Tigers he posted an 8.33 ERA with five walks and seven strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings. He was sent home the last month of the 2015 season due to poor work habits but bounced back nicely last year after beginning the season in the minors. He is out of options now but his position with the Tigers could be precarious.

RHP Bruce Rondon pitched an inning of scoreless relief in the final game and struck out two batters. Over his last five outings he had seen strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings. Rondon finished the season 5-2 with a 2.97 ERA in 37 games.

RHP Bruce Rondon is slowly learning what life at the back of the bullpen is like. He's had some bad outings but overall seems to be gaining his manager's trust at the back end of games. Rondon got the last out of the sixth inning after the Angels had scored three runs and pitched a scoreless seventh despite giving up two hits. He has allowed three runs in his last 13 appearances.

RHP Bruce Rondon is consistently only in that he's inconsistent. Rondon came in with two on and two out in the sixth inning Friday night and got the third out on a ground ball. He stayed in to pitch the seventh and gave up three straight hits at the beginning of the inning, the last a two-run double, before finally getting three outs in a row. He gets swings and misses on his slider and changeup but his fastball sometimes flattens out and gets pounded.

RHP Bruce Rondon was activated from the paternity list Thursday. He was out for three days.

RHP Bruce Rondon was placed on the three-day paternity list. His wife was expected to give birth on Monday.

RHP Bruce Rondon will be placed on the three-day paternity list. His wife is due to give birth on Monday.

RHP Bruce Rondon (3-2) suffered his second loss of the season and his first since July 4 as the Tigers fell short 5-4 against the Chicago White Sox on Sunday afternoon. Rondon had not allowed a run against the White Sox since July 24, 2013. His ERA for the season increased to 5.68.