MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Cleveland Indians right fielder Josh Naylor was carted off the field on a stretcher after colliding with rookie second baseman Ernie Clement during Sunday's game in Minnesota. Naylor and Clement converged in shallow right on a popup by Jorge Polanco in the fourth inning. Naylor went sailing in the air after the collision and his right foot got caught underneath him, twisting his foot the wrong way. Naylor immediately called for medical attention and appeared to be in serious pain while writhing on the ground. After being attended to for several minutes, Naylor was put in an air cast and left on a cart. The ball glanced off Clement's glove for a single. Clement was playing his seventh game in the majors. Naylor, 24, has hit .253 with seven home runs and 21 RBIs in his first full season with Cleveland after being acquired in a trade from the San Diego Padres. He was replaced in the outfield by Bradley Zimmer. ___ More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — AL MVP Jose Abreu grounded out with the bases loaded to blunt a ninth-inning rally against Cleveland closer James Karinchak, giving Shane Bieber and the Indians a 6-5 win over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night. Bieber (6-3) allowed two earned runs in seven innings, striking out seven to beat the AL Central-leading White Sox for the fifth straight time. The reigning Cy Young winner is 3-0 with a 2.05 ERA in three starts against Chicago this season. “All in all, I was pretty happy with the way I pitched,” Bieber said. “I had to settle in and not let them get the best of me. So did James at the end, and down the road, these kind of outings can be beneficial for a young pitcher.” Down 6-3 in the ninth, Chicago scored twice as Zack Collins and Nick Madrigal hit RBI singles off Karinchak. A walk to Yoán Moncada loaded the bases for Abreu, who grounded out to shortstop to give Karinchak his seventh save. “Abreu is probably the last guy you want up there in that situation,”... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Indians entered camp in Arizona with questions at positions all over the diamond. On Friday, most of them got answered. And, one of them was pretty puzzling. With opening day less than a week away, manager Terry Francona got some needed clarity on his roster by announcing that Jake Bauers will open the season at first base despite being outperformed at the plate this spring by Bobby Bradley. Francona also said outfielder Ben Gamel, who came to camp on a minor league deal, had also made the club's opening-day roster along with veteran left-hander Oliver Pérez and utility infielder Yu Chang. Bradley was optioned to Triple-A Columbus along outfielder Bradley Zimmer and reliever Kyle Nelson. Relievers Anthony Gose and Blake Parker were informed they would not be with the club when it breaks camp next week. Francona said the Indians had a “lot of conversations” about their choice at first base, which basically came down to the 25-year-old Bauers, who spent last season at... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Indians entered camp in Arizona with questions at positions all over the diamond. On Friday, most of them got answered. And, one of them was pretty puzzling. With opening day less than a week away, manager Terry Francona got some needed clarity on his roster by announcing that Jake Bauers will open the season at first base despite being outperformed at the plate this spring by Bobby Bradley. Francona also said outfielder Ben Gamel, who came to camp on a minor league deal, had also made the club's opening-day roster along with veteran left-hander Oliver Pérez and utility infielder Yu Chang. Bradley was optioned to Triple-A Columbus along outfielder Bradley Zimmer and reliever Kyle Nelson. Relievers Anthony Gose and Blake Parker were informed they would not be with the club when it breaks camp next week. Francona said the Indians had a “lot of conversations” about their choice at first base, which basically came down to the 25-year-old Bauers, who spent last season at... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Óscar Mercado won't start the season in Cleveland's outfield — or even with the Indians. Struggling in exhibition play, Mercado was optioned to the team's depth camp on Sunday, continuing his slide after a promising rookie season. Mercado entered spring training as the favorite to win the starting job in center field, but the 26-year-old has continued to have problems at the plate and the Indians want him to get some extra work with Triple-A Columbus. “He needs some time and, when I say space I mean not major league games hanging over his head, to get him back to where he can help us,” manager Terry Francona said Sunday on a Zoom call from Goodyear Arizona. "We’ve seen it. He’s seen it. He’s felt it. “Nobody’s giving up on him, and we wanted to make sure he understood that.” Mercado’s batting averaged plummeted to .128 in 36 games last season. He hit .269 with 15 homers and 54 RBIs in 115 games as a rookie in 2019. Mercado was hitting .214 with one RBI in 10 spring games... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Daniel Johnson had a better spring training than any of Cleveland's outfielders, and all it did was get him sent to to the minor leagues. Johnson was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Friday as the Indians moved closer to finalizing their opening-day roster with a move that was tough on several fronts. With the Indians looking to fill spots in right and center field, the 25-year-old Johnson performed as well as any of the outfielders competing by batting .368 (7 for 19) with two homers and four RBIs in nine Cactus League games. Unlike some of the other outfielders in camp, however, Johnson still has options and because he didn't have a full minor league season in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Indians want him to get some extra work at all three outfield spots. “He had a really good camp,” manager Terry Francona said. "And he was very disappointed and we knew that was going to be the case. With the way spring training is right now and has been, and the amount of... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Outfielder Billy Hamilton won't make Cleveland's roster, and the Indians are trying to find him another team this spring. Manager Terry Francona said the club told Hamilton on Thursday that he wasn't part of their plans. The Indians will try to trade the 30-year-old, who signed a minor league contract last month and has been at big league training camp. “We just felt, out of respect to Billy, because of being the veteran he is and being the really good veteran that he is, we didn’t think it was right to ask him to get on a bus and back up guys if we knew he wasn’t gonna be on the team.” Francona said during a Zoom call from Arizona. “He was a pro’s pro. He’s such a good kid and we’ll certainly attempt to help him land somewhere. That’s why we did it this quickly.” Hamilton had his best seasons with Cincinnati from 2013-18. He stole at least 56 bases four straight seasons. He spent last season with the New York Mets and Chicago Cubs. Hamilton had been competing for one of... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Ben Gamel is being given a shot to win one of the Indians' open outfield jobs. Cleveland and Gamel agreed to a minor league contract on Thursday, and he was invited to big league spring training camp. The 27-year-old has played 442 major league games for the Yankees, Mariners and Brewers. Gamel's agreement came a week after the Indians gave former Minnesota slugger Eddie Rosario to an $8 million, one-year contract. Rosario will get one of Cleveland's starting outfield spots, but the other two appear up for grabs. Gamel spent the past two seasons with Milwaukee. Last year he batted .237 with three homers and 10 RBIs in 40 games. He had his best season with Seattle in 2017, when he hit .275 with 11 homers and drove in 59 runs. Gamel will compete in Arizona with Jake Bauers, Oscar Mercado, Bradley Zimmer, Daniel Johnson, Jordan Luplow and Josh Naylor for a roster spot as the Indians look to improve an outfield that has been woefully unproductive in recent years. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — Ben Gamel is being given a shot to win one of the Indians' open outfield jobs. Cleveland and Gamel agreed to a minor league contract on Thursday, and he was invited to big league spring training camp. The 27-year-old has played 442 major league games for the Yankees, Mariners and Brewers. Gamel's agreement came a week after the Indians gave former Minnesota slugger Eddie Rosario to an $8 million, one-year contract. Rosario will get one of Cleveland's starting outfield spots, but the other two appear up for grabs. Gamel spent the past two seasons with Milwaukee. Last year he batted .237 with three homers and 10 RBIs in 40 games. He had his best season with Seattle in 2017, when he hit .275 with 11 homers and drove in 59 runs. Gamel will compete in Arizona with Jake Bauers, Oscar Mercado, Bradley Zimmer, Daniel Johnson, Jordan Luplow and Josh Naylor for a roster spot as the Indians look to improve an outfield that has been woefully unproductive in recent years. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Indians second. Carlos Santana grounds out to shallow infield, Trevor Williams to Josh Bell. Franmil Reyes singles to shallow infield. Tyler Naquin singles to left center field. Franmil Reyes to second. Domingo Santana lines out to deep right field to Cole Tucker. Beau Taylor singles to deep right center field. Tyler Naquin to third. Franmil Reyes scores. Bradley Zimmer grounds out to shallow infield to Josh Bell.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Indians 1, Pirates 0.Indians eighth. Franmil Reyes walks. Tyler Naquin singles to left center field. Franmil Reyes to second. Domingo Santana walks. Tyler Naquin to second. Franmil Reyes to third. Beau Taylor reaches on a fielder's choice to first base. Greg Allen to second. Tyler Naquin to third. Franmil Reyes scores. Throwing error by Josh Bell. Bradley Zimmer reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Beau Taylor to second. Greg Allen to third. Tyler Naquin out at home. Cesar Hernandez strikes out swinging. Jose Ramirez grounds out to shallow infield, Erik Gonzalez to Josh Bell.1 run, 1 hit, 1 error, 3 left on. Indians 2, Pirates 0.

Indians third. Sandy Leon walks. Oscar Mercado walks. Sandy Leon to second. Cesar Hernandez singles to shallow infield. Oscar Mercado to second. Sandy Leon to third. Jose Ramirez doubles to deep right field. Cesar Hernandez to third. Oscar Mercado scores. Sandy Leon scores. Francisco Lindor strikes out swinging. Carlos Santana walks. Franmil Reyes grounds out to shallow infield. Carlos Santana out at second.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Indians 2, Tigers 0.Indians fifth. Cesar Hernandez lines out to deep left field to Christin Stewart. Jose Ramirez walks. Francisco Lindor strikes out swinging. Carlos Santana doubles to deep left center field. Jose Ramirez scores. Franmil Reyes flies out to deep right field to Cameron Maybin.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Indians 3, Tigers 0.Tigers ninth. Willi Castro walks. Miguel Cabrera lines out to left center field to Bradley Zimmer. Jonathan Schoop reaches on catcher interference. Willi Castro to second. Interference error by Sandy Leon. Jeimer Candelario flies out to deep left field to Bradley Zimmer. JaCoby Jones pinch-hitting for Christin Stewart. JaCoby Jones doubles. Jonathan Schoop to third. Willi Castro scores. Cameron Maybin grounds out to shallow infield, Brad Hand to Carlos Santana.1 run, 1 hit, 1 error, 2 left on. Indians 3, Tigers 1.

Indians second. Carlos Santana walks. Franmil Reyes homers to center field. Carlos Santana scores. Tyler Naquin flies out to deep left center field to JaCoby Jones. Domingo Santana strikes out swinging. Sandy Leon grounds out to shallow infield, Ivan Nova to Jeimer Candelario.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Indians 2, Tigers 0.Tigers second. Jeimer Candelario triples to deep center field. Willi Castro out on a sacrifice fly to deep center field to Delino DeShields. Jeimer Candelario scores. Cameron Maybin grounds out to shortstop, Francisco Lindor to Carlos Santana. Austin Romine lines out to deep left field to Domingo Santana.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Indians 2, Tigers 1.Tigers third. JaCoby Jones doubles to right field. Niko Goodrum homers to right field. JaCoby Jones scores. Victor Reyes triples to deep right center field. Miguel Cabrera grounds out to third base, Jose Ramirez to Carlos Santana. Jonathan Schoop pops out to shallow infield to Sandy Leon. Jeimer Candelario... [More]

Cubs third. Anthony Rizzo homers to right field. Javier Baez flies out to deep right field to Tyler Naquin. Willson Contreras called out on strikes. Ian Happ strikes out on a foul tip.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Cubs 1, Indians 0.Cubs fifth. Anthony Rizzo singles to right field. Javier Baez singles to shallow right field. Anthony Rizzo to third. Willson Contreras strikes out swinging. Ian Happ is intentionally walked. Jason Heyward out on a sacrifice fly to deep right field to Tyler Naquin. Ian Happ to second. Javier Baez to third. Anthony Rizzo scores. David Bote singles to right field, tagged out at second, Tyler Naquin to Carlos Santana to Francisco Lindor to Cesar Hernandez. Ian Happ scores. Javier Baez scores.3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cubs 4, Indians 0.Indians fifth. Tyler Naquin singles to center field. Sandy Leon singles to right field. Tyler Naquin to second. Bradley Zimmer called out on strikes. Cesar Hernandez singles to shallow left field. Sandy Leon to second.... [More]

White sox second. Jose Abreu homers to left field. Eloy Jimenez lines out to second base to Carlos Santana. Nomar Mazara walks. Luis Robert grounds out to shortstop. Nomar Mazara out at second.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. White sox 1, Indians 0.Indians third. Mike Freeman doubles to deep right field. Sandy Leon walks. Bradley Zimmer strikes out on a foul tip. Cesar Hernandez doubles to deep center field. Sandy Leon to third. Mike Freeman scores. Jose Ramirez singles to right field. Cesar Hernandez to third. Sandy Leon scores. Francisco Lindor grounds out to second base. Jose Ramirez out at second.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Indians 2, White sox 1.White sox sixth. James McCann homers to left field. Danny Mendick called out on strikes. Leury Garcia strikes out swinging. Yoan Moncada walks. Yasmani Grandal doubles to center field. Yoan Moncada scores. Jose Abreu strikes out swinging.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. White sox 3, Indians 2.Indians eighth. Jose Ramirez strikes... [More]

Reds first. Shogo Akiyama strikes out on a foul tip. Joey Votto grounds out to shallow right field, Cesar Hernandez to Carlos Santana. Nick Castellanos homers to center field. Mike Moustakas called out on strikes.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Reds 1, Indians 0.Reds fourth. Mike Moustakas strikes out swinging. Eugenio Suarez homers to center field. Jesse Winker lines out to center field to Oscar Mercado. Nick Senzel walks.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Reds 2, Indians 0.Indians seventh. Franmil Reyes reaches on error. Fielding error by Freddy Galvis. Bradley Zimmer walks. Franmil Reyes to second. Jordan Luplow strikes out swinging. Sandy Leon flies out to right field to Nick Castellanos. Oscar Mercado walks. Bradley Zimmer to second. Franmil Reyes to third. Cesar Hernandez singles to second base. Oscar Mercado to second. Bradley Zimmer to third. Franmil Reyes scores. Jose Ramirez walks. Cesar Hernandez to second. Oscar Mercado to third. Bradley Zimmer scores. Francisco Lindor grounds out to shallow right field, Joey Votto to Lucas Sims.2 runs, 1 hit, 1 error, 3 left on. Indians 2, Reds 2.Indians eighth. Carlos Santana walks. Franmil Reyes homers to center field. Carlos Santana scores. Bradley Zimmer strikes out swinging. Jordan Luplow grounds out to shortstop, Freddy Galvis to Joey Votto. Sandy Leon called out on strikes.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Indians 4, Reds 2.

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Matt Thaiss scored on Michael Hermosillo’s bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the 10th inning, and the Los Angeles Angels snapped their three-game skid with a 5-4 victory over the Houston Astros on Saturday night.Jason Castro delivered a tying RBI double in the ninth for the Angels, who improved the majors’ worst record to 3-6 despite blowing a two-run lead in the ninth.David Fletcher hit a leadoff single in the 10th off Nivaldo Rodriguez (0-1), sending Thaiss to third. After the Astros walked Anthony Rendon to load the bases, Thaiss scored on Josh Reddick’s inaccurate throw from medium right field.Angels reliever Noé Ramirez got two outs in the 10th, and Ryan Buchter (2-0) struck out Abraham Toro with the bases loaded in a rare bright moment for the Halos’ struggling relievers.ORIOLES 5, RAYS 4, 11 inningsBALTIMORE (AP) — Pinch-hitter Pat Valaika singled in the winning run in the 11th inning, and Baltimore handed Tampa Bay its fourth straight loss.Newcomer Brian Holaday... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Matt Thaiss scored on Michael Hermosillo’s bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the 10th inning, and the Los Angeles Angels snapped their three-game skid with a 5-4 victory over the Houston Astros on Saturday night.Jason Castro delivered a tying RBI double in the ninth for the Angels, who improved the majors’ worst record to 3-6 despite blowing a two-run lead in the ninth.David Fletcher hit a leadoff single in the 10th off Nivaldo Rodriguez (0-1), sending Thaiss to third. After the Astros walked Anthony Rendon to load the bases, Thaiss scored on Josh Reddick’s inaccurate throw from medium right field.Angels reliever Noé Ramirez got two outs in the 10th, and Ryan Buchter (2-0) struck out Abraham Toro with the bases loaded in a rare bright moment for the Halos’ struggling relievers.ORIOLES 5, RAYS 4, 11 inningsBALTIMORE (AP) — Pinch-hitter Pat Valaika singled in the winning run in the 11th inning, and Baltimore handed Tampa Bay its fourth straight loss.Newcomer Brian Holaday... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Matt Thaiss scored on Michael Hermosillo’s bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the 10th inning, and the Los Angeles Angels snapped their three-game skid with a 5-4 victory over the Houston Astros on Saturday night.Jason Castro delivered a tying RBI double in the ninth for the Angels, who improved the majors’ worst record to 3-6 despite blowing a two-run lead in the ninth.David Fletcher hit a leadoff single in the 10th off Nivaldo Rodriguez (0-1), sending Thaiss to third. After the Astros walked Anthony Rendon to load the bases, Thaiss scored on Josh Reddick’s inaccurate throw from medium right field.Angels reliever Noé Ramirez got two outs in the 10th, and Ryan Buchter (2-0) struck out Abraham Toro with the bases loaded in a rare bright moment for the Halos’ struggling relievers.YANKEES 5, RED SOX 2NEW YORK (AP) — Gio Urshela hit his first big league grand slam, Aaron Judge homered for a career-high fourth straight game and New York won its fifth straight.Nick Nelson (1-0)... [More]

Twins third. Miguel Sano homers to center field. Marwin Gonzalez singles to left field. Byron Buxton lines out to center field to Bradley Zimmer. Max Kepler grounds out to first base. Marwin Gonzalez out at second.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Twins 1, Indians 0.Twins fourth. Jorge Polanco grounds out to second base, Cesar Hernandez to Carlos Santana. Nelson Cruz strikes out swinging. Eddie Rosario homers to left field. Mitch Garver hit by pitch. Luis Arraez lines out to deep left center field to Bradley Zimmer.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Twins 2, Indians 0.Twins fifth. Miguel Sano homers to left field. Marwin Gonzalez singles to shallow left field. Byron Buxton reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Marwin Gonzalez out at second. Max Kepler strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Twins 3, Indians 0.

HOUSTON (AP) — Benches cleared Tuesday night during the Dodgers’ 5-2 victory over the Astros in the first game between the teams since it was revealed that Houston illegally stole signs en route to a 2017 championship that came at Los Angeles’ expense in the World Series.The fracas occurred after Dodgers reliever Joe Kelly threw high-and-tight pitches to Astros stars Alex Bregman and Carlos Correa in the sixth inning. Kelly threw an errant breaking ball over Correa’s head. Correa, who homered and finished with three hits, took off his batting helmet and stared Kelly down before continuing the at-bat. Kelly struck out Correa, then stuck out his tongue and made a face in his direction. Correa started walking toward him and the players exchanged words, prompting the benches to clear in the first such incident of this pandemic-delayed season. There was plenty of yelling and crowding — outlawed as MLB tries to play a 60-game season amid the pandemic — but no pushing or punches thrown.Order was... [More]