MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Oakland Athletics catcher Bruce Maxwell says he no longer will kneel for the national anthem as he did last season as a rookie, when he became the first major leaguer to do so following the lead of many NFL players.He spoke Tuesday as the A's pitchers and catchers reported to spring training in the desert and opted to also put out a statement to keep his thoughts concise and clear.He says "the purpose of the gesture was to raise awareness about social issues affecting our country, and while I'm looking forward to a society that is inclusive, empathetic and a welcoming place, I will not continue the symbolic gesture of taking a knee during our national anthem this season."Maxwell was arrested in Arizona in late October after a food delivery person alleged he pointed a gun at her. The A's plan to start him at catcher despite the off-field issues.Maxwell says "taking a knee during the national anthem last season was not a decision I made lightly. As a member of a military family, I respect the sacrifices of the men and women who served and continue to serve our country."The 27-year-old hit .237 with three home runs and 22 RBIs in 76 games last season.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Oakland Athletics catcher Bruce Maxwell says he no longer will kneel for the national anthem as he did last season as a rookie, when he became the first major leaguer to do so following the lead of many NFL players.He spoke Tuesday as the A's pitchers and catchers reported to spring training in the desert and opted to also put out a statement to keep his thoughts concise and clear.He says "the purpose of the gesture was to raise awareness about social issues affecting our country, and while I'm looking forward to a society that is inclusive, empathetic and a welcoming place, I will not continue the symbolic gesture of taking a knee during our national anthem this season."Maxwell was arrested in Arizona in late October after a food delivery person alleged he pointed a gun at her. The A's plan to start him at catcher despite the off-field issues.Maxwell says "taking a knee during the national anthem last season was not a decision I made lightly. As a member of a military family, I respect the sacrifices of the men and women who served and continue to serve our country."The 27-year-old hit .237 with three home runs and 22 RBIs in 76 games last season.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

Oakland Athletics catcher Bruce Maxwell, the only Major League Baseball player to kneel during the national anthem this season to protest racial injustice, was arrested after he allegedly pointed a gun at a female food delivery worker in Scottsdale, Ariz.According to Scottsdale police, officers went to Maxwell's home Saturday night after getting a call about a person with a gun. The woman told police that Maxwell pointed the gun at her.Maxwell, 26, was booked on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and disorderly conduct. He was being held in custody awaiting an initial court appearance, Scottsdale police said."We were disappointed to learn of the allegations," the A's said in a statement Sunday. "We take this situation and ongoing investigation seriously. We are gathering information from the proper authorities and do not have further comment at this time."Maxwell hit .237 with three home runs and 22 RBIs in 76 games this season. He made his major league debut with the A's in 2016.

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Marcus Stroman and catcher Russell Martin were ejected during the fifth inning of Thursday's game against the Oakland Athletics for arguing balls and strikes.Blue Jays manager John Gibbons also was ejected by home plate umpire Will Little.Gibbons was in the dugout when he was ejected after Little called a pitch a ball against Athletics batter Bruce Maxwell. Gibbons came out of the dugout to argue before departing with his fourth ejection.After Maxwell walked -- the sixth of the day allowed by Stroman -- an argument erupted. Stroman stormed from the mound and Martin restrained him as he attempted to get at the umpire. Stroman was ushered from the field by a coach and Martin eventually left after talking to the umpires.Miguel Montero replaced Martin behind the plate and Chris Smith took Stroman's spot on the mound.Stroman allowed three runs, six hits and six walks in 4 2/3 innings. The right-hander struck out four.

It became clear that the Oakland Athletics were turning the page on this season quite a while ago.It began unfolding last month when Trevor Plouffe was dealt to the Tampa Bay Rays and highly regarded Matt Chapman was called up to become the starter at third base. Then, catcher Stephen Vogt was released to make way for Bruce Maxwell's call-up. And a little over a week ago, bullpen mainstays Ryan Madson and Sean Doolittle were traded to the Washington Nationals, primarily for prospects.Yet the A's soldier on, with a fire sale happening around them and the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline approaching."Everyone on this team is coming here to win a game, so in that way nothing has changed," said rookie center fielder Jaycob Brugman, who now splits time with veteran Rajai Davis. "Are there some players who are young and still working on their craft? Absolutely. But are there players who come in after the game and check in what's happening with trades? We have that, too."That is no simple dynamic... [More]

The Oakland Athletics designated catcher Stephen Vogt for assignment on Thursday.Vogt was named to the All-Star Game in both 2015 and 2016, but has struggled mightily this season. The 32-year-old is batting .217 with four homers and 20 RBIs in 2017.Vogt was shuffled into left field in Wednesday's 5-1 loss to the Houston Astros, marking the first time he's played that position since July 2, 2014.Oakland also placed rookie third baseman Matt Chapman on the 10-day disabled list and recalled catcher Bruce Maxwell and first baseman Matt Olson from Triple-A Nashville.Chapman, who is nursing a left knee infection, was recalled from Nashville last Thursday and went 3-for-14 with three RBIs in four games.Maxwell is batting .211 in nine games over his first two stints with the Athletics. He is hitting .286 with two homers and 14 RBIs in 25 games with the Sounds.Olson is 0-for-9 in six games with Oakland. He has fared significantly better with Nashville, batting .271 with 17 homers and 43 RBIs in 58 games.

The Oakland Athletics placed Josh Phegley on the seven-day concussion disabled list and recalled fellow catcher Bruce Maxwell from Triple-A Nashville on Thursday.Phegley was removed from Wednesday's game against the Minnesota Twins after taking a foul ball off his mask. The 29-year-old has started nine games with Oakland."He feels better today," Oakland manager Bob Melvin said of Phegley, who is no stranger to concussions. "We don't feel like this is as severe as last time. Whether that shortens the timetable, I'm not 100 percent sure yet. But I know he does feel better the day after way more so than he did his previous concussion injury."Phegley is batting .206 with one homer and three RBIs this season. Five of his seven hits have gone for extra bases.Maxwell made two starts at catcher after initially being recalled on April 17. He was optioned three days later to Nashville, with which he is batting .275 with six RBIs.

The Oakland Athletics placed Josh Phegley on the seven-day concussion disabled list and recalled fellow catcher Bruce Maxwell from Triple-A Nashville on Thursday.Phegley was removed from Wednesday's game against the Minnesota Twins after taking a foul ball off his mask. The 29-year-old has started nine games with Oakland. Phegley is batting .206 with one homer and three RBIs this season. Five of his seven hits have gone for extra bases.Maxwell made two starts at catcher after initially being recalled on April 17. He was optioned three days later to Nashville, with which he is batting .275 with six RBIs.