GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Jose Peraza is moving to his accustomed position at shortstop, a significant change in the Cincinnati Reds' lineup that will affect not only their up-the-middle defense but the top of the batting order. The 23-year-old infielder knows he'll be in the spotlight all season."I like it," Peraza said of the move.The Reds' main focus in spring training is keeping their veteran starters healthy and getting Peraza settled in at one of the most important everyday positions. The rest of the everyday lineup returns intact.Zack Cozart was one of their best defensive players and one of their most reliable hitters the last two years. He didn't fit into Cincinnati's long-term plans and was allowed to leave as a free agent after his best season — 24 homers, 63 RBIs, a .297 batting average. He signed with the Angels, leaving the job open for Peraza.It's taken Peraza a couple of years to get his chance. He was stuck behind Cozart and second baseman Brandon Phillips in 2016. After the... [More]

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels are trying to fill a hole at second base that's dragged down their offense the past couple of years.Enter Ian Kinsler.Kinsler is part of a revamped Angels' infield that will include Zack Cozart, an All-Star last year in Cincinnati, at third base while usual designated hitter Albert Pujols is expected to get more time in the field at first base.The Angels' second base position has been one of the least productive in baseball the past two years.In 2016, the Angels went with Johnny Giavotella and Cliff Pennington; the pair combined for a minus-1.6 WAR, among the worst in baseball.In 2017, the Angels went with slick-fielding Danny Espinosa at second. But he hit just .162 in 77 games and had 91 strikeouts in 228 at-bats. They also tried Pennington and Kaleb Cowart.The position produced such miniscule combined numbers as a .206 average, 14 homers and a .274 OBP. They acquired veteran Brandon Phillips late to try to push them to a wild-card spot but fell... [More]

A team-by-team look at the American League West 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:___Houston AstrosManager: A.J. Hinch (fourth season).2017: 101-61, first place, won World Series.Training Town: West Palm Beach, Florida.Park: The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches.First Workout: Feb. 14/19.He's Here: RHP Gerrit Cole, RHP Joe Smith, RHP Hector Rondon.He's Outta Here: DH Carlos Beltran, RHP Luke Gregerson, RHP Joe Musgrove, RHP Mike Fiers, RHP Michael Feliz, INF Colin Moran.Going campin': This team is basically set after retaining almost every key player from last season's championship squad. The two strongest areas are the middle infield, where shortstop Carlos Correa and second baseman Jose Altuve, last year's AL MVP, return to anchor the middle of the order. Correa hit .315 with 24 homers — both career highs — and Altuve had his finest season, hitting a career-best and major... [More]

2B-SS Cliff Pennington drove in the first run of the game with a sacrifice fly in a 6-2 win against the Seattle Mariners on Sunday. Pennington finished with 21 RBIs in 87 games this season after totaling 10 RBIs in 74 games last season.

2B Cliff Pennington started Sunday's series finale in Seattle with Kaleb Cowart in a 1-for-18 slump. Manager Mike Scioscia said he still expects Cowart to get the "lion's share" of starts at the position.

CHICAGO -- Pinch-hitter Brandon Guyer was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to bring in the go-ahead run in the ninth inning in the Cleveland Indians' 5-4 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Saturday night for their ninth straight victory.Cleveland loaded the bases with two outs after Aaron Bummer (0-1) allowed a walk and a single. Gregory Infante took over and hit Yan Gomes with his first pitch before he also hit Guyer. The Indians' Corey Kluber gave up four runs and a season-high nine hits while striking out 12 in 6 1/3 innings. Andrew Miller (4-3) threw 1 2/3 shutout innings for the win while Cody Allen pitched a scoreless inning for his 19th save.Melky Cabrera had four hits and Jose Abreu homered for Chicago, which has lost five in a row and 14 of its last 15.Red Sox 9, Royals 8 (10 innings)BOSTON -- Sandy Leon scored the winning run ahead of Eric Hosmer's throw in the 10th inning as Boston ended Kansas City's nine-game winning streak in wild fashion.With runners at second and... [More]

LOS ANGELES -- Corey Seager had three hits, Cody Bellinger two RBIs and Rich Hill won his fourth straight decision as the Los Angeles Dodgers continued their winning ways with a 2-1 decision over the San Francisco Giants on Saturday.The Dodgers' seventh straight victory improved them to 38-6 since June 7 and 25-3 in their last 28 home games.Hill (8-4) allowed one run on two hits in 5 2/3 innings, retiring the first 11 Giants he faced. In his last 43 innings, Hill has a 1.67 ERA with 52 strikeouts. He has won four of his last five starts after opening the season 1-3.Hunter Pence hit a fourth-inning home run, his seventh, for the only run against Hill.Yankees 5, Rays 4NEW YORK -- Brett Gardner hit a bases-loaded single with nobody out in the bottom of the ninth inning and New York matched a season high with its sixth straight victory.Gardner lined a 1-0 pitch up the middle from Dan Jennings, giving the Yankees their ninth win in 11 games after loading the bases on a walk, a hit batsman and... [More]

INF Cliff Pennington got his fourth start of the season Thursday against Oakland, taking Danny Espinosa's spot at second base. Pennington has started three games at second and one at shortstop, with the Angels losing the game in Pennington's first three starts before winning Thursday's game against the A's, 2-1. Pennington is hitting .176 (3 for 17) overall in 10 games, including .182 (2 for 11) in his four starts.

DETROIT -- Danny Duffy won his ninth straight decision with the aid of four solo home runs, including the first of Raul Mondesi's career, as the Kansas City Royals defeated the Detroit Tigers 6-1 on Tuesday at Comerica Park.Duffy (10-1) limited the Tigers to one run on three hits while striking out five in 7 2/3 innings. He has the longest winning streak by a Royals pitcher since Jeremy Guthrie won 10 straight decisions in 2012-13.The breakthrough homer for the 21-year-old Mondesi came in his 19th game and 60th official at-bat.Alex Gordon, Eric Hosmer and Kendrys Morales also homered for Kansas City, which has won eight of 10. Gordon, who scored twice, stretched his hitting streak to seven gamesTigers starter Justin Verlander (12-7) allowed five runs -- three earned -- on four hits while striking out six in seven-plus innings.Blue Jays 12, Yankees 6NEW YORK -- Edwin Encarnacion and Russell Martin hit two-run homers in the eighth inning as Toronto rallied from a six-run deficit for a victory... [More]

INF Cliff Pennington was activated from the disabled list Tuesday. Pennington has played on just 27 games this season, as he has landed on the disabled list twice for the same injury -- a strained left hamstring. Pennington will battle for playing time in the middle infield with Gregorio Petit, who has hit well as a bench player/spot starter.

INF Cliff Pennington began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday, going 0-for-3. Pennington has been on the disabled list twice this season because of a strained left hamstring.

INF Cliff Pennington was transferred to the 60-day disabled list Monday, clearing a spot on the Angels' 40-man roster for newly acquired INF Sean Coyle. Pennington has been on the disabled list twice this season because of a strained left hamstring. The seven-year veteran has played just 27 games this year and is batting .276.

INF Cliff Pennington (left hamstring strain) was transferred to the 60-day disabled list Monday.

INF Cliff Pennington returned to the disabled list Wednesday, five days after being activated from it. Pennington re-injured his left hamstring while trying to beat out a base hit in the seventh inning of Tuesday night's 11-9 win over the Detroit Tigers. In his three games between stints on the disabled list, Pennington is batting .500 (6-for-12) with two runs scored, one walk and one strikeout.

INF Cliff Pennington was placed on the disabled list Wednesday.

INF Cliff Pennington had to leave the game in the seventh inning Tuesday against the Tigers after beating out a bunt single. Pennington appeared to re-injure his left hamstring, which forced him to the disabled list from May 13-28. He'll be re-evaluated Wednesday.

SS Cliff Pennington made his first start since being activated from the disabled list Saturday. Pennington went 2-for-5, walked and struck out in an 8-6 loss to the Houston Astros in 13 innings. A strained left hamstring caused Pennington to miss 14 games.

INF Cliff Pennington was reactivated from the disabled list on Saturday. A strained left hamstring caused Pennington to miss 14 games. The switch-hitting veteran was batting .217 (10-for-46) in 24 games before going on the disabled list.

INF Cliff Pennington was reactivated from the disabled list Saturday. A strained left hamstring caused Pennington to miss 14 games. The switch-hitting veteran was batting .217 (10-for-46) in 24 games before going on the disabled list.

INF Cliff Pennington is expected to be activated from the disabled list Saturday before the club's game against the Astros. Pennington, hitting .217 in 24 games, has been out since May 13 with a strained left hamstring.