HOUSTON (AP) — Zack Greinke has admired the Houston Astros from afar. Now he gets to see them close up, and the newly acquired ace is looking forward to that opportunity."Probably just being able to watch them play every day ... and just being able to be around some really good players and some talented athletes with a lot of baseball knowledge," he said Friday at an introductory news conference."And I think anytime you're on a new team, but especially a team like this there's a lot of learning you can do. I think they'll be more fun to watch than your average team, so that will be nice, too, watching good baseball," he said.The AL West leaders got Greinke from the Arizona Diamondbacks for four prospects in a startling trade Wednesday minutes before the deadline to complete deals. The 35-year-old righty joins All-Stars Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole in an imposing rotation.Since the trade, many have declared that Houston has the best rotation in baseball."It's up there," Greinke said.... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Seconds after Houston general manager Jeff Luhnow pulled off perhaps the most shocking deal of this trade deadline to bring Zack Greinke to an already stacked Astros rotation he surveyed the stunned room in a bit of a daze."I can't believe we just added Zack Greinke to this rotation and this team," Luhnow said, sharing the thought he had as he completed the trade.Luhnow orchestrated the swap to bring the six-time All-Star who won the 2009 AL Cy Young Award to Houston from Arizona in exchange for four minor leaguers as the headliner of a flurry of trades he made on Wednesday to beef up the talented squad.Houston also acquired two other pitchers, getting starter Aaron Sanchez and reliever Joe Biagini from Toronto and bringing back catcher Martin Maldonado, who spent the last 41 games with the team in 2018, from the Cubs.Luhnow said getting Greinke only became a possibility in the last two days and talks for the veteran right-hander didn't really heat up until the final 24 hours."I... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The most stunning deal done at this year's trade deadline didn't come together until the final 20 minutes, and the result is a starting rotation that's sure to be long remembered.The Houston Astros acquired ace Zack Greinke on Wednesday, adding another All-Star and Cy Young Award winner to a formidable rotation that already included Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole.The AL West leaders got Greinke in a startling trade with Arizona for four minor leaguers, a deal in which the Diamondbacks agreed to pay the Astros $26 million to cover much of the roughly $76 million the pitcher is due."We have two pitchers on our team, maybe more that are Hall of Fame-caliber," Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow said. "And I think we have a rotation that's set up to compete in any series against any team for the rest of this year."Arizona general manager Mike Hazen said the trade was rushed into place in the final 20 minutes before the 4 p.m. deadline to complete deals to have players eligible... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The most stunning deal done at this year's trade deadline didn't come together until the final 20 minutes, and the result is a starting rotation that's sure to be long remembered.The Houston Astros acquired ace Zack Greinke on Wednesday, adding another All-Star and Cy Young Award winner to a formidable rotation that already included Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole.The AL West leaders got Greinke in a startling trade with Arizona for four minor leaguers, a deal in which the Diamondbacks agreed to pay the Astros $26 million to cover much of the roughly $76 million the pitcher is due."We have two pitchers on our team, maybe more that are Hall of Fame-caliber," Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow said. "And I think we have a rotation that's set up to compete in any series against any team for the rest of this year."Arizona general manager Mike Hazen said the trade was rushed into place in the final 20 minutes before the 4 p.m. deadline for trades. Astros players learned about... [More]

The Latest on Major League Baseball's trade deadline (all times Eastern):6:40 p.m.The Los Angeles Angels have acquired catcher Max Stassi from the Houston Astros in exchange for minor-league outfielders Rainier Rivas and Raider Uceta.Stassi, who has played in parts of seven seasons with the Astros, is batting .167 with a home run and three RBIs in 31 games this season. General manager Billy Eppler said the move was more about adding catching depth and Stassi's strength behind the plate. According to MLB Statcast, Stassi is the second-best pitch framer in the AL with a 54.1% strike rate.Catcher Dustin Garneau was designated for assignment before Wednesday's game against the Detroit Tigers..___5:55 p.m.Mike Minor will make his scheduled start for the Rangers after the trade deadline passed with the All-Star lefty still in Texas.Hunter Pence, the All-Star designated hitter, is also still with his hometown team and in the lineup Wednesday night when Minor and the Rangers play the Seattle Mariners,... [More]

The Latest on Major League Baseball's trade deadline (all times Eastern):5:55 p.m.Mike Minor will make his scheduled start for the Rangers after the trade deadline passed with the All-Star lefty still in Texas.Hunter Pence, the All-Star designated hitter, is also still with his hometown team and in the lineup Wednesday night when Minor and the Rangers play the Seattle Mariners, an AL West rival that traded three pitchers Wednesday.Rangers general manager Jon Daniels says his team, which has dropped a game under .500, explored a lot of different options."There were a couple of things that got close later today that I thought might come to fruition, but ultimately it didn't line up for one side or the other," Daniels said, without getting into specifics.Minor, who is signed with the Rangers through next season, drew interest from teams looking to boost their rotations.Daniels said the Rangers weren't going to force a deal, and that the future options could include Minor pitching in Texas... [More]

The Latest on Major League Baseball's trade deadline (all times Eastern):5:25 p.m.The Chicago Cubs acquired outfielder Nicholas Castellanos from the Detroit Tigers for two minor league pitchers.The 27-year-old Castellanos hit .273 with 11 home runs and 37 RBIs for Detroit this season. He's played third base and in the outfield during his career and has been considered a liability defensively, but Castellanos gives Chicago a productive bat against left-handed pitching.Detroit received right-handers Paul Richan and Alex Lange.Castellanos is tied for the major league lead with 37 doubles. He has a .347 average and a 1.026 OPS this year in 72 at-bats against lefties.___5:20 p.m.Milwaukee has acquired left-hander Drew Pomeranz and righty Ray Black from the San Francisco Giants for infield prospect Mauricio Dubon.Also Wednesday, San Francisco obtained second baseman Scooter Gennett from the Reds for a player to be named. Cincinnati will send cash to the Giants to cover part of Gennett's $9,775,000... [More]

The Latest on Major League Baseball's trade deadline (all times Eastern):4:35 p.m.The Los Angeles Dodgers added infielder Jedd Gyorko, acquiring him from the St. Louis Cardinals for left-hander Tony Cingrani and minor league righty Jeffry Abreu. The Dodgers also receive international cap space and cash considerations.The 30-year-old Gyorko has been on the injured list since June 8 with back and right wrist issues. He's hitting .196 on the season.Cingrani is also out following left shoulder surgery and hasn't pitched this season.The Dodgers entered the day with a 70-39 record, easily the best mark in the National League.___4:15 p.m.The Washington Nationals tried to upgrade their bullpen, acquiring relievers Roenis Elias and Hunter Strickland from Seattle and Daniel Hudson in a trade with Toronto.The Mariners received a trio of minor league pitchers from the Nationals — left-handers Taylor Guilbeau and Aaron Fletcher and right-hander Elvis Alvarado. Washington sent minor league right-hander... [More]

The Latest on Major League Baseball's trade deadline (all times Eastern):4:15 p.m.The Washington Nationals tried to upgrade their bullpen, acquiring relievers Roenis Elias and Hunter Strickland from Seattle and Daniel Hudson in a trade with Toronto.The Mariners received a trio of minor league pitchers from the Nationals — left-handers Taylor Guilbeau and Aaron Fletcher and right-hander Elvis Alvarado. Washington sent minor league right-hander Kyle Johnston to Toronto for Hudson, who can become a free agent at the end of the season.Elias has been Seattle's primary closer for the majority of the season after Strickland suffered a lat strain in the opening week and missed several months. Strickland has appeared in just four major league games this season.Elias has appeared in 44 games and was 4-2 with a 4.40 ERA and 14 saves for Seattle.The 32-year-old Hudson went 6-3 with a 3.00 ERA and two saves in 45 games for the Blue Jays.___4:10 p.m.The Yankees got a pitcher at the deadline — for one... [More]

The Latest on Major League Baseball's trade deadline (all times Eastern):3:50 p.m.The Philadelphia Phillies bolstered their outfield by acquiring veteran Corey Dickerson from the Pittsburgh Pirates for cash and a player to be named.Dickerson, who could become a free agent at the end of the season, hit .317 with four home runs and 25 RBIs for the Pirates. The 30-year-old missed most of the first half of the season with a strained throwing shoulder.The Pirates acquired Dickerson from Tampa Bay on the eve of the 2018 regular season. Dickerson responded by hitting .300 with 13 home runs and 55 RBIs. He also won his first career Gold Glove for his play in left field.Pittsburgh's fade from contention after the All-Star break and the rise of young outfielder Bryan Reynolds in Dickerson's absence made him expendable for a team now looking toward 2020 and beyond.___3:25 p.m.The playoff-contending Oakland Athletics have acquired starter Tanner Roark from the Cincinnati Reds, filling out a rotation... [More]

The Latest on Major League Baseball's trade deadline (all times Eastern):3:25 p.m.The playoff-contending Oakland Athletics have acquired starter Tanner Roark from the Cincinnati Reds, filling out a rotation that also could have left-hander Sean Manaea back soon.Oakland dealt outfield prospect Jameson Hannah to Cincinnati. The Reds are sending Oakland $2.1 million to offset much of the $3,225,806 remaining in Roark's $10 million salary.The A's began the day a half-game out of the second AL wild-card spot.Roark lasted a season-low 3 1/3 innings during Cincinnati's 11-4 loss to the Pirates on Tuesday. He is 6-7 in 21 starts with a 4.24 ERA and can become a free agent after the season.Manaea struck out eight in six innings of a rehab start at Triple-A this week. He's likely to get one more rehab start before being activated. He had shoulder surgery last September.___3:10 p.m.The Arizona Diamondbacks have acquired rookie right-hander Zac Gallen from the Miami Marlins for minor league shortstop... [More]

The Latest on Major League Baseball's trade deadline (all times Eastern):2:55 p.m.Martin Maldonado is on the move for the second time this month.The Houston Astros acquired the veteran catcher from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for Tony Kemp. The Cubs got Maldonado from the Kansas City Royals earlier in July.The 32-year-old Maldonado has started 74 games behind the plate this year. He also spent time in Houston last year, playing 41 games for the Astros.The 27-year-old Kemp was designated for assignment Friday. He hit .227 in 66 games for the Astros this year.___12:55 p.m.The Milwaukee Brewers have traded slumping slugger Jesús Aguilar to the Tampa Bay Rays, a person familiar with the deal tells The Associated Press.The Brewers are getting right-handed reliever Jake Faria, according to multiple reports.Aguilar was an All-Star last year, hitting 35 home runs with 108 RBIs for the NL Central champion Brewers. But the 29-year-old first baseman got off to a slow start this season and eventually... [More]

It took 108 years for the Cubs to end their championship drought, so the final play of that 2016 World Series won't be forgotten any time soon.Mike Montgomery, who at that point had no saves in his big league career, got Michael Martinez to hit a weak grounder for the last out of Game 7 in Cleveland. Chicago won 8-7 in 10 innings.Montgomery was traded to Kansas City this past week in a deal that sent Martin Maldonado to the Cubs, closing the book on the left-hander's stint in Chicago. Although he hasn't had a very effective 2019 season, Montgomery's place in Cubs lore is secure because of his contribution to the title team.He's also part of an interesting bit of trivia. No, it's not about who threw the last pitch of the 2016 World Series. This goes back much further.The Society for American Baseball Research defines a "Golden Pitch" as any time the pitching team and the hitting team both have a chance to win the World Series on a given pitch. It's obviously rare. It requires a winner-take-all... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:THAT'S SAVAGEThe Yankees open a three-game home series against Colorado with a new rallying cry inspired by manager Aaron Boone's profane rant during a doubleheader sweep of the Rays on Thursday. Boone repeatedly called his hitters "savages" in the batter's box while chewing out rookie plate umpire Brennan Miller during the second inning of the opener. Television microphones picked up the audio, which went viral and was being printed on t-shirts before the first game ended. Asked about the unusual expression, Boone said "Sometimes in the heat of the battle, you just kind of utter some things."STARTER SHOWCASEEvaluators figure to be tuned into starts by Toronto's Marcus Stroman and Texas' Mike Minor with the July 31 trade deadline approaching. The 28-year-old Stroman (5-10, 3.25) is set to face Detroit knowing he's likely auditioning for a number of contenders. Minor's Rangers opened the second half as wild-card hopefuls, but they have lost... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Friday:THAT'S SAVAGEThe Yankees open a three-game home series against Colorado with a new rallying cry inspired by manager Aaron Boone's profane rant during a doubleheader sweep of the Rays on Thursday. Boone repeatedly called his hitters "savages" in the batter's box while chewing out rookie plate umpire Brennan Miller during the second inning of the opener. Television microphones picked up the audio, which went viral and was being printed on t-shirts before the first game ended. Asked about the unusual expression, Boone said "Sometimes in the heat of the battle, you just kind of utter some things."STARTER SHOWCASEEvaluators figure to be tuned into starts by Toronto's Marcus Stroman and Texas' Mike Minor with the July 31 trade deadline approaching. The 28-year-old Stroman (5-10, 3.25) is set to face Detroit knowing he's likely auditioning for a number of contenders. Minor's Rangers opened the second half as wild-card hopefuls, but they have... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals placed shortstop Adalberto Mondesi on the 10-day injured list with a left shoulder injury.In a series of moves announced prior to Wednesday's game, the Royals also recalled infielder Humberto Arteaga, activated left-handed pitcher Mike Montgomery, optioned right-hander Jake Newberry and traded outfielder Terrence Gore to the New York Yankees.Mondesi injured his shoulder in the fifth inning of Tuesday's game against the White Sox when he attempted to make a diving catch on the warning track in shallow left field.Royals manager Ned Yost said Mondesi will be evaluated in a week."He's sore today," Yost said. "I don't expect any decision right now. We'll just wait until we can give it some time to see how it feels."Mondesi leads the major leagues in stolen bases (31) and triples (nine). The injury comes 15 days after Mondesi returned to the Royals following his first stint on the injured list this season for a right groin strain.In Mondesi's absence,... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals placed shortstop Adalberto Mondesi on the 10-day injured list with a left shoulder injury.In a series of moves announced prior to Wednesday's game, the Royals also recalled infielder Humberto Arteaga, activated left-handed pitcher Mike Montgomery, optioned right-hander Jake Newberry and traded outfielder Terrence Gore to the New York Yankees.Mondesi injured his shoulder in the fifth inning of Tuesday's game against the White Sox when he attempted to make a diving catch on the warning track in shallow left field.Royals manager Ned Yost said Mondesi will be evaluated in a week."He's sore today," Yost said. "I don't expect any decision right now. We'll just wait until we can give it some time to see how it feels."Mondesi leads the major leagues in stolen bases (31) and triples (nine). The injury comes 15 days after Mondesi returned to the Royals following his first stint on the injured list this season for a right groin strain.In Mondesi's absence,... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — With their All-Star catcher sidelined, the Chicago Cubs quickly found some experienced help behind the plate.The NL Central leaders acquired Martín Maldonado in a trade with Kansas City on Monday night that sent left-hander Mike Montgomery to the Royals.Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein announced the deal following Chicago's 6-3 loss to Cincinnati — adding that top catcher Willson Contreras was going on the 10-day injured list with a strain to the arch area of his right foot.The 32-year-old Maldonado, a Gold Glove winner in 2017 with the Angels, was batting .227 with six homers and 17 RBIs in 74 games for the struggling Royals this season. The Cubs will be his fifth team in nine major league seasons, and Epstein expects him to provide a strong defensive presence."He can really receive," Epstein said. "He can really throw. He's caught playoff games. He's handled some of the best pitchers in the game. He's a favorite of pitchers to throw to. He calls a great... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs acquired catcher Martín Maldonado in a trade with Kansas City on Monday night that sent left-hander Mike Montgomery to the Royals.Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein announced the deal following Chicago's 6-3 loss to Cincinnati — adding that All-Star catcher Willson Contreras was going on the 10-day injured list with a strain to the arch area of his right foot.The 32-year-old Maldonado, a Gold Glove winner in 2017 with the Angels, was batting .227 with six homers and 17 RBIs in 74 games for the struggling Royals this season. The Cubs will be the fifth major league team for the nine-year veteran, and Epstein expects him to provide a strong defensive presence behind the plate.Maldonado is a .220 career hitter with 57 homers and 210 RBIs in 686 games.Contreras' injury initially was not deemed serious and he was expected to start Tuesday, but an MRI showed enough damage to warrant shutting down the 27-year-old. Epstein said Contreras should improve... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs have acquired catcher Martin Maldonado in a trade with Kansas City that sent left-hander Mike Montgomery to the Royals.Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein announced the deal Monday night following Chicago's 6-3 loss to Cincinnati — adding that All-Star catcher Willson Contreras was going on the 10-day injured list with a strain to the arch area of his right foot.The 32-year-old Maldonado, a Gold Glove winner in 2017 with the Angels, was batting .227 with six homers and 17 RBIs in 74 games for the struggling Royals this season. The Cubs will be the fifth major league team for the nine-year veteran, and Epstein expects him to provide a strong defensive presence behind the plate.Montgomery, 30, is 1-2 with a 5.67 ERA in 20 relief appearances for the Cubs this year, and was 14-17 with three saves in 119 games for Chicago over four seasons. He is expected to get a chance to start with the Royals, who drafted him in 2008.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports