Shohei Ohtani figured he’d be careful in his return to the mound after two injury-spoiled seasons. A few batters in, the Los Angeles Angels’ two-way sensation reached back for a little extra -- and brought back some of the buzz that surrounded his major league debut three years ago. Ohtani reached 100 mph with his fastball and showed off his signature splitter while striking out five over 1 2/3 innings in the Angels’ 7-3 win over the Oakland Athletics on Friday. The right-hander allowed a run, three hits and two walks, struggling to command his slider but showcasing the arm strength and stuff that allowed him to dominate in the majors before Tommy John surgery in 2018. “Since this was my first game, I wasn’t planning on letting it go in the beginning, especially early in counts,” Ohtani said via translator. “As the game went on, I felt better and I started throwing harder, but I think that led to me cutting the ball a couple times, so it’s something I have to work on.” The 26-year-old Japanese... [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: ___ Minnesota Twins Manager: Rocco Baldelli (third season). 2020: 36-24, first place, lost to Houston in first round of playoffs. Training Town: Fort Myers, Florida. Park: Hammond Stadium at CenturyLink Sports Complex. First Workout: Feb. 19/23. He’s Here: SS Andrelton Simmons, RHP Alex Colomé, LHP J.A. Happ, RHP Hansel Robles, RHP Shaun Anderson, RHP Ian Hamilton, OF Keon Broxton, LHP Andrew Albers. He’s Outta Here: LF Eddie Rosario, RHP Sergio Romo, RHP Trevor May, RHP Jake Odorizzi, INF/OF Marwin Gonzalez, LHP Rich Hill, RHP Tyler Clippard, RHP Matt Wisler, INF Ehire Adrianza, C Alex Avila. Going campin’: The Twins return largely the same team that won the last two AL Central titles, aiming to end their major league-record 18-game postseason losing streak. The pitching staff was superb... [More]

The free agent market received a small boost this week, although it remains to be seen whether teams will be eager to take advantage. A record 59 players became free agents when their teams declined to offer them contracts by Wednesday night's tender deadline. That group included a few well-known names like Kyle Schwarber of the Chicago Cubs and Eddie Rosario of the Minnesota Twins — but these additions to the free agent class did little to change the sense the market could be slow this offseason. Teams may be looking to cut costs amid the coronavirus pandemic, and so far there have been only a few short deals, such as Charlie Morton going to Atlanta on a one-year, $15 million contract and Mike Minor signing with Kansas City for two years and $18 million. As we enter the heart of the offseason calendar, here’s a look at the top free agents still available, broken down by position. The biggest names on the market are players who were already free agents well before the new group of non-tenders... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins declined Wednesday to offer a 2021 contract to Eddie Rosario, their regular left fielder for the last six seasons. The Twins also decided to non-tender reliever Matt Wisler prior to MLB's deadline. They reached one-year deals with five of their arbitration-eligible players: José Berríos ($500,000 signing bonus and $5.6 million salary), center fielder Byron Buxton ($5,125,000), reliever Tyler Duffey ($2.2 million), catcher Mitch Garver ($1,875,000) and reliever Caleb Thielbar ($650,000). Rosario cleared waivers this week, another sign of the economic uncertainty around the industry. “We very much appreciate everything Eddie has done up to this point. He’s been a big part of this team over the last number of years. So those are always difficult decisions. But he was a pro about it,” president of baseball operations Derek Falvey said. Though Rosario and Wisler were the only players on the 40-man roster not offered new contracts, Falvey said the team remains... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins declined Wednesday to offer a 2021 contract to Eddie Rosario, their regular left fielder for the last six seasons. The Twins also decided to non-tender reliever Matt Wisler prior to MLB's deadline. They reached one-year deals with five of their arbitration-eligible players: José Berríos ($6.1 million), center fielder Byron Buxton ($5,125,000), reliever Tyler Duffey ($2.2 million), catcher Mitch Garver ($1,875,000) and reliever Caleb Thielbar ($650,000). Rosario cleared waivers this week, another sign of the economic uncertainty around the industry. “We very much appreciate everything Eddie has done up to this point. He’s been a big part of this team over the last number of years. So those are always difficult decisions. But he was a pro about it,” president of baseball operations Derek Falvey said. Though Rosario and Wisler were the only players on the 40-man roster not offered new contracts, Falvey said the team remains open to negotiating with them... [More]

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Harrison Bader tripled and homered to help the St. Louis Cardinals clinch a postseason berth on the final day of the regular season with a 5-2 win over Milwaukee, and the Brewers also earned a playoff spot Sunday via help on the West Coast moments later. St. Louis (30-28) will be the fifth seed in the NL and open a three-game wild-card series at San Diego on Wednesday. By winning, the Cardinals avoided having to travel to Detroit for two makeup games Monday. The Brewers (29-31) locked up the eighth seed and a third consecutive postseason berth after the Padres beat San Francisco 5-4 in a game that ended about 15 minutes later. The Giants finished with an identical record as the Brewers but lost out on a tiebreaker due to an inferior intradivision record. Milwaukee will face the top-seeded Dodgers in Los Angeles in a three-game series that also starts Wednesday. The Brewers haven’t had a winning record at any point this season. Milwaukee and Houston will be the first teams... [More]

Twins second. Eddie Rosario homers to right field. Miguel Sano strikes out swinging. Byron Buxton flies out to deep right field to Nomar Mazara. Marwin Gonzalez walks. Ehire Adrianza grounds out to shallow infield, Lucas Giolito to Yasmani Grandal.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Twins 1, White sox 0.Twins fourth. Eddie Rosario walks. Miguel Sano flies out to right field to Nomar Mazara. Byron Buxton homers to center field. Eddie Rosario scores. Marwin Gonzalez called out on strikes. Ehire Adrianza lines out to shallow right field to Nick Madrigal.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Twins 3, White sox 0.White sox fourth. Jose Abreu homers to left field. Eloy Jimenez pops out to shallow infield to Alex Avila. Yoan Moncada flies out to center field to Byron Buxton. James McCann strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Twins 3, White sox 1.Twins eighth. Josh Donaldson walks. Nelson Cruz grounds out to shallow infield, Yoan Moncada to Yasmani Grandal. Josh Donaldson to second. Eddie Rosario strikes out swinging. Miguel Sano homers to center field. Josh Donaldson scores. Byron Buxton grounds out to third base, Yoan Moncada to Yasmani Grandal.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Twins 5, White sox 1.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Alec Mills cruised through baseball’s second no-hitter this season in just the 15th start of his major league career, leading the Chicago Cubs over the Milwaukee Brewers 12-0 on Sunday.The former college walk-on at Tennessee-Martin retired Jace Peterson on a game-ending groundout. Peterson had replaced 2018 NL MVP Christian Yelich on defense to start the eighth inning.Mills (5-3) threw 114 pitches and hardly had any close calls in Chicago’s 16th no-hitter. He struck out five, walked three and induced five swings and misses, tied with Oakland’s Dallas Braden during his perfect game in 2010 for fewest in a no-hitter since at least 1988, according to Stats.Chicago White Sox ace Lucas Giolito threw baseball’s other no-hitter this season against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Aug. 15.Jason Heyward’s RBI double put the Cubs ahead in a five-run fourth against Adrian Houser (1-5) that included Ian Happ’s two-run single. David Bote added a two-run homer in the fifth.ANGELS 5, ROCKIES... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Alec Mills cruised through baseball’s second no-hitter this season in just the 15th start of his major league career, leading the Chicago Cubs over the Milwaukee Brewers 12-0 on Sunday.The former college walk-on at Tennessee-Martin retired Jace Peterson on a game-ending groundout. Peterson had replaced 2018 NL MVP Christian Yelich on defense to start the eighth inning.Mills (5-3) threw 114 pitches and hardly had any close calls in Chicago’s 16th no-hitter. He struck out five, walked three and induced five swings and misses, tied with Oakland’s Dallas Braden during his perfect game in 2010 for fewest in a no-hitter since at least 1988, according to Stats.Chicago White Sox ace Lucas Giolito threw baseball’s other no-hitter this season against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Aug. 15.Jason Heyward’s RBI double put the Cubs ahead in a five-run fourth against Adrian Houser (1-5) that included Ian Happ’s two-run single. David Bote added a two-run homer in the fifth.ANGELS 5, ROCKIES... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Alec Mills cruised through baseball’s second no-hitter this season in just the 15th start of his major league career, leading the Chicago Cubs over the Milwaukee Brewers 12-0 on Sunday.The former college walk-on at Tennessee-Martin retired Jace Peterson on a game-ending groundout. Peterson had replaced 2018 NL MVP Christian Yelich on defense to start the eighth inning.Mills (5-3) threw 114 pitches and hardly had any close calls in Chicago’s 16th no-hitter. He struck out five, walked three and induced five swings and misses, tied with Oakland’s Dallas Braden during his perfect game in 2010 for fewest in a no-hitter since at least 1988, according to Stats.Chicago White Sox ace Lucas Giolito threw baseball’s other no-hitter this season against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Aug. 15.Jason Heyward’s RBI double put the Cubs ahead in a five-run fourth against Adrian Houser (1-5) that included Ian Happ’s two-run single. David Bote added a two-run homer in the fifth.ANGELS 5, ROCKIES... [More]

Indians first. Francisco Lindor singles to center field. Cesar Hernandez singles to shallow infield. Francisco Lindor to second. Jose Ramirez strikes out swinging. Carlos Santana singles to left field, advances to 2nd. Cesar Hernandez to third. Francisco Lindor scores. Throwing error by Eddie Rosario. Franmil Reyes called out on strikes. Tyler Naquin strikes out swinging.1 run, 3 hits, 1 error, 2 left on. Indians 1, Twins 0.Indians third. Francisco Lindor singles to shallow left field. Cesar Hernandez singles to right field. Francisco Lindor to second. Jose Ramirez strikes out on a foul tip. Carlos Santana singles to shallow right field. Cesar Hernandez to third. Francisco Lindor scores. Franmil Reyes out on a sacrifice fly to deep right field to Max Kepler. Cesar Hernandez scores. Tyler Naquin grounds out to shallow infield, Jorge Polanco to Miguel Sano.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Indians 3, Twins 0.Twins third. LaMonte Wade Jr. walks. Marwin Gonzalez homers to right field. LaMonte... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Alex Bregman singled in the go-ahead run during a five-run ninth inning, and the Astros rallied past the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-5 under smoky skies Saturday night in Houston’s first visit since the infamous 2017 World Series.The Dodgers blew a three-run lead in the ninth when Kenley Jansen (3-1) got knocked around, giving up four consecutive hits without an out.Josh James (1-0) got the victory with 1 1/3 innings of relief. Ryan Pressly earned his ninth save.The game lacked the fiery emotion of the teams’ matchup on July 29. But there were multiple reminders that Dodger fans haven’t forgotten the Astros’ cheating scandal from their championship three years ago.A plane towed a banner reading “Houston Cheats Bang Bang” over the stadium.WHITE SOX 14, TIGERS 0CHICAGO (AP) — José Abreu hit two three-run homers and matched a career high with seven RBIs, and the White Sox earned their eighth straight win against the Tigers.Abreu went 4 for 4 a day after his career-best 22-game... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Alex Bregman singled in the go-ahead run during a five-run ninth inning, and the Astros rallied past the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-5 under smoky skies Saturday night in Houston’s first visit since the infamous 2017 World Series.The Dodgers blew a three-run lead in the ninth when Kenley Jansen (3-1) got knocked around, giving up four consecutive hits without an out.Josh James (1-0) got the victory with 1 1/3 innings of relief. Ryan Pressly earned his ninth save.The game lacked the fiery emotion of the teams’ matchup on July 29. But there were multiple reminders that Dodger fans haven’t forgotten the Astros’ cheating scandal from their championship three years ago.A plane towed a banner reading “Houston Cheats Bang Bang” over the stadium.WHITE SOX 14, TIGERS 0CHICAGO (AP) — José Abreu hit two three-run homers and matched a career high with seven RBIs, and the White Sox earned their eighth straight win against the Tigers.Abreu went 4 for 4 a day after his career-best 22-game... [More]

Twins second. Miguel Sano flies out to center field to Delino DeShields. Brent Rooker doubles. Byron Buxton pops out to Carlos Santana. Marwin Gonzalez homers to right field. Brent Rooker scores. Willians Astudillo homers to left field. Jorge Polanco lines out to deep center field to Delino DeShields.3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Twins 3, Indians 0.Indians fourth. Jose Ramirez homers to left field. Carlos Santana doubles to deep right center field. Franmil Reyes flies out to deep center field to Byron Buxton. Carlos Santana to third. Jordan Luplow walks. Oscar Mercado out on a sacrifice fly to deep right field to Brent Rooker. Carlos Santana scores. Roberto Perez called out on strikes.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Twins 3, Indians 2.Twins fourth. Miguel Sano strikes out swinging. Brent Rooker hit by pitch. Byron Buxton homers to center field. Jake Cave scores. Marwin Gonzalez singles to deep right field, tagged out at second, Jordan Luplow to Francisco Lindor. Willians Astudillo... [More]

Twins second. Miguel Sano flies out to deep center field to Delino DeShields. Jake Cave doubles to deep left field. Byron Buxton homers to left field. Jake Cave scores. Marwin Gonzalez called out on strikes. Ryan Jeffers grounds out to shallow center field, Cesar Hernandez to Carlos Santana.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Twins 2, Indians 0.Twins seventh. Byron Buxton strikes out swinging. Marwin Gonzalez pops out to shallow infield to Francisco Lindor. Ryan Jeffers homers to left field. Jorge Polanco grounds out to shallow infield, Francisco Lindor to Carlos Santana.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Twins 3, Indians 0.Indians ninth. Cesar Hernandez flies out to deep right center field to Jake Cave. Jose Ramirez homers to left field. Carlos Santana grounds out to shallow infield, Josh Donaldson to Miguel Sano. Franmil Reyes doubles. Oscar Mercado pinch-hitting for Tyler Naquin. Oscar Mercado grounds out to shallow infield to Taylor Rogers.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Twins 3, Indians 1.

Twins second. Miguel Sano singles to center field. Brent Rooker homers to left field. Miguel Sano scores. Ehire Adrianza strikes out swinging. Marwin Gonzalez grounds out to second base, Brad Miller to Rangel Ravelo. Ryan Jeffers singles to left field. LaMonte Wade Jr. flies out to center field to Harrison Bader.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Twins 2, Cardinals 0.Cardinals third. Matt Carpenter singles to shallow center field. Matt Wieters hit by pitch. Matt Carpenter to second. Harrison Bader walks. Matt Wieters to second. Matt Carpenter to third. Tommy Edman hit by pitch. Harrison Bader to second. Matt Wieters to third. Matt Carpenter scores. Paul DeJong walks. Tommy Edman to second. Harrison Bader to third. Matt Wieters scores. Paul Goldschmidt strikes out swinging. Brad Miller reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Paul DeJong to second. Tommy Edman to third. Harrison Bader scores. Rangel Ravelo singles to left field. Brad Miller to second. Paul DeJong to third. Tommy... [More]

Twins third. Byron Buxton grounds out to shortstop, Paul DeJong to Paul Goldschmidt. Willians Astudillo singles to left field. Luis Arraez singles to shallow center field. Willians Astudillo to third. Josh Donaldson homers to left field. Luis Arraez scores. Willians Astudillo scores. Jorge Polanco grounds out to shallow infield, Kolten Wong to Paul Goldschmidt. Nelson Cruz walks. Eddie Rosario doubles to deep right center field. Nelson Cruz to third. Miguel Sano grounds out to second base, Kolten Wong to Paul Goldschmidt.3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Twins 3, Cardinals 0.Twins fourth. Jake Cave strikes out swinging. Byron Buxton pops out to Paul Goldschmidt. Willians Astudillo doubles to deep center field. Luis Arraez singles to deep right field. Willians Astudillo scores. Josh Donaldson walks. Marwin Gonzalez to second. Jorge Polanco flies out to deep center field to Harrison Bader.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Twins 4, Cardinals 0.Twins fifth. Nelson Cruz homers to center... [More]

Twins third. Ehire Adrianza flies out to center field to Victor Reyes. Ryan Jeffers homers to center field. LaMonte Wade Jr. doubles to shallow left field. Josh Donaldson walks. Brent Rooker singles to right field. Josh Donaldson to second. LaMonte Wade Jr. to third. Eddie Rosario doubles to shallow right field, tagged out at third, Jorge Bonifacio to Jonathan Schoop to Isaac Paredes to Willi Castro. Brent Rooker scores. Josh Donaldson scores. LaMonte Wade Jr. scores. Marwin Gonzalez grounds out to third base, Isaac Paredes to Jeimer Candelario.4 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Twins 4, Tigers 0.Tigers fourth. Jonathan Schoop flies out to center field to Byron Buxton. Miguel Cabrera grounds out to shortstop, Ehire Adrianza to LaMonte Wade Jr.. Jeimer Candelario doubles. Willi Castro singles to shallow left field. Jeimer Candelario scores. Christin Stewart flies out to deep left center field to Eddie Rosario.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Twins 4, Tigers 1.Twins fourth. Byron Buxton... [More]

BALTIMORE (AP) — The Baltimore Orioles ended their 19-game losing streak against the New York Yankees, using a strong offensive performance by rookie Ryan Mountcastle in a 6-3 victory Friday night for a doubleheader split. In the opener, Miguel Andújar singled in the tiebreaking run in the ninth inning and Clint Frazier added an RBI single to give New York a 6-5 win. Gary Sanchez homered and Brett Gardner drove in two runs for the Yankees.Mountcastle hit a two-run homer off 21-year-old Deivi García in second inning of the nightcap and sparked a four-run fifth inning with an RBI single off Clarke Schmidt, who was making his major league debut. Rio Ruiz followed with a run-scoring single and Pat Valaika capped the uprising with a two-run double.That helped Baltimore secure its first win over New York since March 31, 2019. It also snapped the Yankees’ 18-game winning streak at Camden Yards.García (0-1) allowed four runs and five hits with six strikeouts in his second big league appearance.... [More]

BALTIMORE (AP) — The Baltimore Orioles ended their 19-game losing streak against the New York Yankees, using a strong offensive performance by rookie Ryan Mountcastle in a 6-3 victory Friday night for a doubleheader split. In the opener, Miguel Andújar singled in the tiebreaking run in the ninth inning and Clint Frazier added an RBI single to give New York a 6-5 win. Gary Sanchez homered and Brett Gardner drove in two runs for the Yankees.Mountcastle hit a two-run homer off 21-year-old Deivi García in second inning of the nightcap and sparked a four-run fifth inning with an RBI single off Clarke Schmidt, who was making his major league debut. Rio Ruiz followed with a run-scoring single and Pat Valaika capped the uprising with a two-run double.That helped Baltimore secure its first win over New York since March 31, 2019. It also snapped the Yankees’ 18-game winning streak at Camden Yards.García (0-1) allowed four runs and five hits with six strikeouts in his second big league appearance.... [More]