NEW YORK (AP) — Baseball’s amateur draft is about to enter the next phase of its ongoing development — same as all those young prospects picked every year.Even before the coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 version was ticketed for a move to Omaha, Nebraska, to coincide with the College World Series. The idea was to stage a bigger television event with more elite players on hand, like Arizona State first baseman Spencer Torkelson and Vanderbilt infielder Austin Martin.Of course, the COVID-19 outbreak scuttled the CWS and sent draft headquarters back to mostly empty MLB Network studios this week in Secaucus, New Jersey. Major League Baseball owners and players agreed to slash 40 rounds to five, beginning Wednesday night with the first 37 picks. The remaining 123 will be made Thursday.MLB Network and ESPN will both produce broadcasts Wednesday, the first time multiple networks will provide live coverage in prime time. Much like the NFL draft in April, remote cameras will show premier prospects... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Baseball’s amateur draft is about to enter the next phase of its ongoing development — same as all those young prospects picked every year. Even before the coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 version was ticketed for a move to Omaha, Nebraska, to coincide with the College World Series there. The idea was to stage a bigger television event with more elite players on hand, like Arizona State first baseman Spencer Torkelson and Vanderbilt infielder Austin Martin.Of course, the COVID-19 outbreak scuttled the CWS and sent draft headquarters back to mostly empty MLB Network studios this week in Secaucus, New Jersey. Major League Baseball owners and players agreed to slash from 40 rounds to five, beginning Wednesday night with the first 37 picks. The remaining 123 will be made Thursday.MLB Network and ESPN will both produce broadcasts Wednesday, the first time multiple networks will provide live coverage in prime time. Much like the NFL draft in April, remote cameras will show premier... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball’s average salary ahead of a postponed opening day remained at around $4.4 million for the fifth straight season, according to a study of contracts by The Associated Press.Following an offseason when Gerrit Cole, Stephen Strasburg, Anthony Rendon and Christian Yelich all agreed to $200 million-plus deals, the flattened salary curve is evidence of a shrinking portion of the pie for baseball’s middle class. The stagnant stretch is unprecedented since the free-agent era dawned in 1976.And that is before taking into account any decrease caused by a shortened season in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.In a throwback, the New York Yankees top payrolls for the first time since 2013 and tower over the Pittsburgh Pirates at $54 million -- the lowest of any big league team in six years.Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred remains confident there will be a season but is unsure when health conditions will allow training to resume.MLB’s average when rosters were... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball’s average salary ahead of a postponed opening day remained at around $4.4 million for the fifth straight season, according to a study of contracts by The Associated Press.Following an offseason when Gerrit Cole, Stephen Strasburg, Anthony Rendon and Christian Yelich all agreed to $200 million-plus deals, the flattened salary curve is evidence of a shrinking portion of the pie for baseball’s middle class. The stagnant stretch is unprecedented since the free-agent era dawned in 1976.And that is before taking into account any decrease caused by a shortened season in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.In a throwback, the New York Yankees top payrolls for the first time since 2013 and tower over the Pittsburgh Pirates at $54 million -- the lowest of any big league team in six years.Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred remains confident there will be a season but is unsure when health conditions will allow training to resume.MLB’s average when rosters were... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Starling Marte has fond memories of his eight seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, especially the stretch from 2013 to 2015 when the franchise made it to the playoffs three straight seasons.A few minutes of research revealed his new team has a great chance to get him back to the postseason.Marte was the final big addition of the offseason for the Arizona Diamondbacks after a late January trade that sent two prospects back to the Pirates. The D-backs hope his presence — likely close to the top of a promising young lineup — can help the franchise make it to the playoffs for the first time since 2017.“When I looked at their roster I was like, ‘Wow, this team has a chance to make the playoffs and win it,’” Marte said Friday after reporting to camp a few days early. “So I’m coming here to do my best and help the guys as much as I can and play hard.”Marte, 31, was a mainstay in Pittsburgh's lineup the past eight years, playing mostly left field in his early years before... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona Diamondbacks right-handed pitcher Mike Leake has a fracture on his non-throwing wrist but still hopes to be ready for the beginning of the regular season.The 32-year-old Leake had an MRI on Wednesday and he said it revealed an old fracture that was aggravated by a fall while he was chasing his dog. He had a small brace on his left wrist Thursday and said that “hopefully two weeks (of inactivity) can make it feel normal, it won't be full strength, but we'll do our best to heal the bone.” The righty can still do his throwing, but will get the ball out of a bucket instead of playing catch.“The plan is still to try and be ready for Game 1,” Leake said. Leake is expected to be a part of the Diamondbacks' deep rotation that includes the newly acquired Madison Bumgarner and holdovers Robbie Ray, Merrill Kelly, Zac Gallen and Luke Weaver. He had a 12-11 record with a 4.29 ERA last season, splitting time between the Seattle Mariners and Diamondbacks after being traded midseason.Leake is in the final year of an $80 million, five-year deal. He's won 105 career games and won a Gold Glove in 2019.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona manager Torey Lovullo had plenty of praise for newly acquired left-hander Madison Bumgarner, calling the four-time All-Star exactly what his team needs at the top of the rotation.Then came the follow-up question: Does that mean Bumgarner would start on opening day?“I kind of walked myself into that one,” Lovullo acknowledged with a grin.Lovullo wasn't ready to name an opening day starter six weeks before the first game, but said he'd be “an idiot” not to consider Bumgarner for the task.The big lefty hasn't always pitched like an ace the past three seasons, but the Diamondbacks are confident he has plenty of stellar performances ahead as they chase the loaded Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West.“He sets a tone for everyone behind him," Lovullo said Wednesday. "It’s very hard to find a true No. 1 and we’ve had that in the past here. When you get someone like Madison Bumgarner everybody follows behind him, sits in very comfortably behind him and... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — The first act of Madison Bumgarner's baseball career consisted of 11 hugely successful seasons that included three World Series titles with the San Francisco Giants.The 30-year-old left-handed pitcher believes his second act in Arizona can be just as memorable.The Diamondbacks finalized their $85 million, five-year contract with the 2014 World Series MVP on Tuesday, announcing the deal and introducing their newest ace at Chase Field. “First and foremost, winning is what the whole decision was based on,” Bumgarner said. “Being with a team, that in my mind, plays my brand of baseball. Plays the way I like to play.”Bumgarner's deal pays $6 million next year, $19 million in 2021, $23 million in both 2022 and 2023, and $14 million in 2024. Arizona will defer $5 million annually from 2021 to 2023, money paid in $5 million installments each Nov. 1 from 2025-27. He gets a hotel suite on the road, the right to block trades to five teams and four premium seats at all games.Bumgarner... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — The first act of Madison Bumgarner's baseball career consisted of 11 hugely successful seasons that included three World Series titles with the San Francisco Giants.The 30-year-old left-handed pitcher believes his second act in Arizona can be just as memorable.The Diamondbacks finalized their $85 million, five-year contract with the 2014 World Series MVP on Tuesday, announcing the deal and introducing their newest ace at Chase Field. “First and foremost, winning is what the whole decision was based on,” Bumgarner said. “Being with a team, that in my mind, plays my brand of baseball. Plays the way I like to play.”Bumgarner's deal pays $6 million next year, $19 million in 2021, $23 million in both 2022 and 2023, and $14 million in 2024. Arizona will defer $5 million annually from 2021 to 2023, money paid in $5 million installments each Nov. 1 from 2025-27. He gets a hotel suite on the road, the right to block trades to five teams and four premium seats at all games.Bumgarner... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks have finalized Madison Bumgarner's $85 million, five-year contract to join their rotation.The move was announced Tuesday, two days after the sides reached an agreement for the 2014 World Series MVP pending a successful physical. A news conference with the longtime San Francisco Giants ace was scheduled for Tuesday at Chase Field.Bumgarner's addition is the marquee move for GM Mike Hazen this offseason. Bumgarner joins a rotation that also could include Robbie Ray, Zac Gallen, Mike Leake, Merrill Kelly or Alex Young.It is an intriguing decision for the D-backs, who don't neatly fit into the category of a small-market or large-market team. They've occasionally made splashes in free agency — like when they signed Zack Greinke to a $206.5 million, six-year deal ahead of the 2016 season — but usually are content to have a payroll in the middle of the MLB pack.Arizona finished 85-77 last season after trading Greinke to Houston in July. Now the D-backs are... [More]

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Colorado third baseman Nolan Arenado won his seventh straight Gold Glove and pitcher Zack Greinke earned his sixth in a row, getting the National League honor for the fourth months he spent with Arizona before he was traded to Houston.Kansas City left fielder Alex Gordon, who became a free agent this weekend, won his seventh overall and third in a row.Other multiple winners in the AL announced Sunday included Boston right fielder Mookie Betts (four), Tampa Bay center fielder Kevin Kiermaier (three), Oakland first baseman Matt Olson and third baseman Matt Chapman, and Cleveland shortstop Francisco Lindor (two apiece).Seattle pitcher Mike Leake, Cleveland catcher Roberto Pérez and Chicago White Sox second baseman Yolmer Sánchez were first time winners in the AL.Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo won his third Gold Glove and second in a row, and Arizona shortstop Nick Ahmed won his second straight.There were five first-time winners in the NL: Philadelphia catcher J.T.... [More]

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Colorado third baseman Nolan Arenado won his seventh straight Gold Glove and pitcher Zack Greinke earned his sixth in a row, getting the National League honor for the fourth months he spent with Arizona before he was traded to Houston.Kansas City left fielder Alex Gordon, who became a free agent this weekend, won his seventh overall and third in a row.Other multiple winners in the AL announced Sunday included Boston right fielder Mookie Betts (four), Tampa Bay center fielder Kevin Kiermaier (three), Oakland first baseman Matt Olson and third baseman Matt Chapman, and Cleveland shortstop Francisco Lindor (two apiece).Seattle pitcher Mike Leake, Cleveland catcher Roberto Pérez and Chicago White Sox second baseman Yolmer Sánchez were first time winners in the AL.Chicago Cubs first baseman won his third Gold Glove and second in a row, and Arizona shortstop Nick Ahmed won his second straight,There were five first-time winners in the NL: Philadelphia catcher J.T. Realmuto, St.... [More]

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Colorado third baseman Nolan Arenado won his seventh straight Gold Glove and pitcher Zack Greinke earned his sixth in a row, getting the National League honor for the fourth months he spent with Arizona before he was traded to Houston.Kansas City left fielder Alex Gordon, who became a free agent this weekend, won his seventh overall and third in a row.Other multiple winners in the AL announced Sunday included Boston right fielder Mookie Betts (four), Tampa Bay center fielder Kevin Kiermaier (three), Oakland first baseman Matt Olson and third baseman Matt Chapman, and Cleveland shortstop Francisco Lindor (two apiece).Seattle pitcher Mike Leake, Cleveland catcher Roberto Pérez and Chicago White Sox second baseman Yolmer Sánchez were first time winners in the AL.Chicago Cubs first baseman won his third Gold Glove and second in a row, and Arizona shortstop Nick Ahmed won his second straight,There were five first-time winners in the NL: Philadelphia catcher J.T. Realmuto, St.... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks lost some of their best players to trades or free agency over the past 12 months.They went ahead and won 85 games anyway.It was an encouraging season for Arizona, which hung around the NL wild-card race deep into September and finished with an 85-77 record despite being in a semi-rebuilding mode.The good news for the Diamondbacks is they have a relatively young group of talented players in the everyday lineup like Ketel Marte, Eduardo Escobar, Christian Walker, Nick Ahmed and Carson Kelly. There's also depth in the pitching staff after rookies like Zac Gallen and Alex Young performed well in the season's final months.Even better, Arizona appears to have at least a little payroll flexibility to make needed improvements.The bad news is the Diamondbacks are still in a division with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who won 106 games and show no signs of slowing down soon."I don't know how many games we finished out of the division, but it was a lot," Arizona... [More]

Cardinals first. Dexter Fowler homers to right field. Tommy Edman grounds out to first base, Jake Lamb to Mike Leake. Paul Goldschmidt flies out to right field to Abraham Almonte. Marcell Ozuna lines out to center field to Jarrod Dyson.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Cardinals 1, Diamondbacks 0.Diamondbacks ninth. Christian Walker pinch-hitting for Abraham Almonte. Christian Walker called out on strikes. Ildemaro Vargas pinch-hitting for Domingo Leyba. Ildemaro Vargas homers to center field. Eduardo Escobar flies out to deep center field to Harrison Bader. Adam Jones pinch-hitting for Jake Lamb. Adam Jones strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Cardinals 1, Diamondbacks 1.Cardinals thirteenth. Tommy Edman strikes out swinging. Paul Goldschmidt homers to center field. Marcell Ozuna walks. Yadier Molina strikes out swinging. Matt Carpenter pops out to shallow left field to Nick Ahmed.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cardinals 2, Diamondbacks 1.Diamondbacks thirteenth.... [More]

Diamondbacks first. Abraham Almonte homers to center field. Josh Rojas strikes out swinging. Eduardo Escobar grounds out to second base, Isan Diaz to Neil Walker. Christian Walker grounds out to second base, Isan Diaz to Neil Walker.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Diamondbacks 1, Marlins 0.Marlins second. Starlin Castro homers to center field. Jorge Alfaro flies out to deep left field to Josh Rojas. Isan Diaz triples to deep center field. Harold Ramirez singles to right field. Isan Diaz scores. Austin Dean flies out to deep center field to Jarrod Dyson. Harold Ramirez to second. Sandy Alcantara strikes out swinging.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Marlins 2, Diamondbacks 1.Diamondbacks second. Jake Lamb walks. Domingo Leyba triples to deep right field. Jake Lamb scores. Alex Avila strikes out swinging. Jarrod Dyson singles to right center field. Domingo Leyba scores. Mike Leake out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Starlin Castro to Neil Walker. Jarrod Dyson to second. Abraham... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Wednesday:TWO GOOD ONESMax Scherzer faces Adam Wainwright as the Nationals and Cardinals finish their pivotal series in St. Louis. Washington is fighting for position in the wild-card race while St. Louis is looking to hold off Chicago and Milwaukee for the NL Central championship.Since returning from a trip to the injured list for a mid-back strain, Scherzer is 1-1 with a 3.91 ERA in five starts for the Nationals. The three-time Cy Young Award winner pitched five innings of three-run ball in a 5-0 loss to Atlanta on Friday night.The 38-year-old Wainwright is 3-0 with a sparkling 0.45 ERA in three starts this month. The right-hander struck out seven in six innings in a 10-0 victory over Milwaukee on Friday.HOMER VS THE ROYALSRight-hander Homer Bailey will pitch for the Athletics for a second time against his former Royals team in the clubs' series finale, opposite lefty Danny Duffy. Bailey is 6-2 with a 4.72 ERA in 11 starts since the July 14... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Anthony Rizzo hit a grand slam, Willson Contreras had two long solo homers and the Chicago Cubs kept pace in the NL wild-card race with a 17-8 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday.Rookie Nico Hoerner hit a two-run shot for his first major league homer and had four RBIs for the Cubs. Chicago moved a game ahead of Milwaukee for the second NL wild card.Contreras, Hoerner and Nicholas Castellanos homered in the first with the wind blowing out as Chicago scored five times after Pittsburgh jumped on Jon Lester (13-10) for a 4-0 lead.Hoerner elevated a low pitch to the center field batter's eye in his first plate appearance at Wrigley Field. He drove in two more runs with a single in Chicago's seven-run fifth. The 22-year-old infielder made his debut with the Cubs on Monday at San Diego after the team announced All-Star shortstop Javier Báez would be out of the season with a hairline fracture in his left thumb.Alec Mills pitched the final three innings for his first save.... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Anthony Rizzo hit a grand slam, Willson Contreras had two long solo homers and the Chicago Cubs kept pace in the NL wild-card race with a 17-8 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday.Rookie Nico Hoerner hit a two-run shot for his first major league homer and had four RBIs for the Cubs. Chicago moved a game ahead of Milwaukee for the second NL wild card.Contreras, Hoerner and Nicholas Castellanos homered in the first with the wind blowing out as Chicago scored five times after Pittsburgh jumped on Jon Lester (13-10) for a 4-0 lead.Hoerner elevated a low pitch to the center field batter's eye in his first plate appearance at Wrigley Field. He drove in two more runs with a single in Chicago's seven-run fifth. The 22-year-old infielder made his debut with the Cubs on Monday at San Diego after the team announced All-Star shortstop Javier Báez would be out of the season with a hairline fracture in his left thumb.Alec Mills pitched the final three innings for his first save.... [More]

Reds third. Brian O'Grady strikes out swinging. Luis Castillo pops out to shallow infield to Nick Ahmed. Josh VanMeter walks. Joey Votto homers to center field. Josh VanMeter scores. Eugenio Suarez grounds out to third base, Eduardo Escobar to Christian Walker.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Reds 2, Diamondbacks 0.Diamondbacks fourth. Josh Rojas grounds out to first base, Joey Votto to Luis Castillo. Eduardo Escobar pops out to shallow center field to Jose Iglesias. Christian Walker singles to center field. Wilmer Flores singles to left field. Christian Walker to second. Adam Jones singles to center field. Wilmer Flores to third. Christian Walker scores. Nick Ahmed flies out to deep center field to Brian O'Grady.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Reds 2, Diamondbacks 1.Reds fifth. Jose Iglesias grounds out to second base, Wilmer Flores to Christian Walker. Brian O'Grady reaches on error. Throwing error by Wilmer Flores. Luis Castillo strikes out on a foul bunt. Josh VanMeter homers... [More]