PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Phillies and shortstop Didi Gregorius finalized their $14 million, one-year contract Friday.Gregorius reunites in Philadelphia with manager Joe Girardi after spending the past five seasons with the New York Yankees, including the first three playing for Girardi.The 29-year-old Gregorius batted .238 with 16 homers and 61 RBIs this year, leaving him with a .264 average, 110 homers and 417 RBIs in eight major league seasons. His 2019 debut was delayed until June 7 after Tommy John surgery on Oct. 17, 2018, to repair an elbow ligament torn during Game 2 of the AL Division Series at Boston. Over the last four seasons, Gregorius ranks fourth among all major league shortstops in home runs (88), trailing only Trevor Story (123), Francisco Lindor (118) and Javier Baez (100). He is also tied for fifth in RBIs (304), eighth in slugging percentage (.467) and 10th in extra-base hits (193) in that same span. His .979 career fielding percentage is the fourth-best among players with at least 800 games played at the position since 2012. Gregorius has spent parts of eight major league seasons with the Cincinnati Reds (2012), Arizona Diamondbacks (2013-14) and Yankees (2015-19), appearing in 851 games. ___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Yoenis Céspedes' salary for 2019 was cut in half and his pay for 2020 reduced as part of a settlement of a grievance between the injured outfielder and the New York Mets.Céspedes agreed to a $110 million, four-year contract in December 2016 but hasn't played since July 20, 2018. The outfielder had surgery to remove bone calcification from his right heel on Aug. 2, 2018, and his left that Oct. 26.Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen, Céspedes' former agent, said in late May the outfielder sustained multiple right ankle fractures in an accident at Céspedes' ranch in Port St. Lucie, Florida, where the club's spring training complex is located.New York withheld part of Céspedes' salary, alleging he was hurt during an activity prohibited by his contract's guarantee language. The players' association filed a grievance, and the sides settled on an amended contract before the case was argued."The club has reached an agreement with Yoenis Céspedes to amend and restructure his... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Rangers completed a $16 million, two-year contract with free agent right-hander Jordan Lyles, finalizing a deal that had been agreed upon before this week's winter meetings.Texas agreed to a $585,000, one-year contract on Friday with left-hander Jeffrey Springs, designated for assignment by the Rangers 11 days earlier.The additions came a day after the end of the meetings in San Diego where the Rangers missed out on free agent third baseman Anthony Rendon. Lyles gets a $2 million signing bonus and salaries of $7 million in each season. He was 7-1 with a 2.45 ERA in 11 starts at the end of last season for Milwaukee after he was acquired from Pittsburgh. Lyles has been a reliever and starter in his career, with a 43-60 record and 5.11 ERA. He has 143 starts and 102 relief appearances with five teams over nine big league seasons. Texas signed right-hander Kyle Gibson to a $28 million, three-year contract last week. Lyles turns 29 in October, joined Texas to be in a rotation with 30-something pitchers All-Star lefty Mike Minor, and right-handers Lance Lynn and Gibson. ———More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays are working to finalize a two-year contract worth about $12 million with Japanese slugger Yoshitomo Tsutsugo, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.The person spoke on condition of anonymity Friday because the agreement had not been announced.Tsutsugo was made available to major league teams through the posting process by Yokohama of Japan's Central League. Major league clubs have until 19 to negotiate with Tsutsugo, who turns 28 on Nov. 26. A contract for $12 million guaranteed would require the Rays to pay a $2.4 million posting fee to Yomiuri. A left-handed-hitting corner outfielder, Tsutsugo batted .272 this year with 29 homers and 79 RBIs. He has a .285 average with 205 homers and 613 RBIs during 10 seasons with Yokohama, including 44 homers and 110 RBIs in 2016.Tampa Bay, which came within one win of reaching the AL Championship Series this year, traded outfielder Tommy Pham to San Diego for outfielder Hunter Renfroe as part of a five-player deal last week. Pham hit .273 with 21 home runs and 68 RBIs last year.Renfroe hit 33 homers last year, his third full season in San Diego, but struggled with injuries during the second half.Tampa Bay catcher-first baseman Travis D'Arnaud, a key mid-season addition, signed as a free agent with Atlanta.———More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Rangers completed a $16 million, two-year contract with free agent right-hander Jordan Lyles, finalizing a deal that had been agreed upon before this week's winter meetings.Texas agreed to a $585,000, one-year contract on Friday with left-hander Jeffrey Springs, designated for assignment by the Rangers 11 days earlier.The additions came a day after the end of the meetings in San Diego where the Rangers missed out on free agent third baseman Anthony Rendon. Lyles gets a $2 million signing bonus and salaries of $7 million in each season. He was 7-1 with a 2.45 ERA in 11 starts at the end of last season for Milwaukee after he was acquired from Pittsburgh. Lyles has been a reliever and starter in his career, with a 43-60 record and 5.11 ERA. He has 143 starts and 102 relief appearances with five teams over nine big league seasons. Texas signed right-hander Kyle Gibson to a $28 million, three-year contract last week. Lyles turns 29 in October, joined Texas to be in a rotation with 30-something pitchers All-Star lefty Mike Minor, and right-handers Lance Lynn and Gibson. ———More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Yoenis Céspedes' salary for 2019 was cut in half and his pay for 2020 reduced as part of a settlement of a grievance between the injured outfielder and the New York Mets.Céspedes agreed to a $110 million, four-year contract in December 2016 but hasn't played since July 20, 2018. The outfielder had surgery to remove bone calcification from his right heel on Aug. 2, 2018, and his left that Oct. 26.Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen, Céspedes' former agent, said in late May the outfielder sustained multiple right ankle fractures in an accident at Céspedes' ranch in Port St. Lucie, Florida, where the club's spring training complex is located.New York withheld part of Céspedes' salary, alleging he was hurt during an activity prohibited by his contract's guarantee language. The players' association filed a grievance, and the sides settled on an amended contract before the case was argued."The club has reached an agreement with Yoenis Céspedes to amend and restructure his... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays are working to finalize a two-year contract worth about $12 million with Japanese slugger Yoshitomo Tsutsugo, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.The person spoke on condition of anonymity Friday because the agreement had not been announced.Tsutsugo was made available to major league teams through the posting process by Yokohama of Japan's Central League. Major league clubs have until 19 to negotiate with Tsutsugo, who turns 28 on Nov. 26. A contract for $12 million guaranteed would require the Rays to pay a $2.4 million posting fee to Yomiuri. A left-handed-hitting corner outfielder, Tsutsugo batted .272 this year with 29 homers and 79 RBIs. He has a .285 average with 205 homers and 613 RBIs during 10 seasons with Yokohama, including 44 homers and 110 RBIs in 2016.Tampa Bay, which came within one win of reaching the AL Championship Series this year, traded outfielder Tommy Pham to San Diego for outfielder Hunter Renfroe as part of a five-player deal last week. Pham hit .273 with 21 home runs and 68 RBIs last year.Renfroe hit 33 homers last year, his third full season in San Diego, but struggled with injuries during the second half.Tampa Bay catcher-first baseman Travis D'Arnaud, a key mid-season addition, signed as a free agent with Atlanta.———More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Right-hander Jesse Hahn returned to the Kansas City Royals just 11 days after he was let go, agreeing Friday to a $600,000, one-year contract.The 30-year-old right-hander can earn an additional $200,000 in bonuses based on days on the active roster: $25,000 each for 1, 35 and each additional 10 through 95.He had become a free agent when the Royals didn't offer him a contract by the Dec. 2 deadline. If he had been offered a contract, he would have been eligible for salary arbitration.Hahn had Tommy John surgery in 2010, injured his ulnar collateral ligament again during spring training in 2018 and had what is called primary repair procedure on the elbow in August 2018.He returned on Sept. 5 in his first big league appearance since June 28, 2017, and made six relief appearances in the final month of the season. Hahn was acquired from Oakland in January 2018 and is 18-21 with a 4.33 ERA in parts of five seasons with San Diego (2014), Oakland (2015-17) and the Royals.———More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves have re-signed utility player Charlie Culberson to a minor league contract.The team announced Friday that Culberson will receive an invitation to the big league camp in spring training as part of the deal.Culberson was not offered a new contract by the Braves at the recent deadline, making him a free agent rather that going through arbitration. The 30-year-old Culberson decided to return to the team where he spent the last two seasons, combining to hit .267 with 17 homers and 65 RBIs. He'll be coming back from a grisly injury sustained with two weeks to go in the 2019 regular season, when he was struck in the face by a pitch while attempting to bunt. He was left with multiple facial fractures but is expected to make a full recovery.Culberson's versatility is his major asset for the two-time NL East champions. He can play every position in the infield and outfield, in addition to pitching three games in a mop-up role for the Braves. ___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Left-hander Brett Anderson is the latest addition to the quickly transforming Milwaukee Brewers, agreeing Friday to a $5 million, one-year contract.The 31-year-old left-hander was 13-9 with a 3.89 ERA in 31 starts with Oakland last season, when he had a $1.5 million base salary and earned $1 million in performance bonuses based on starts.“We looked at Brett as a pitcher who has proven throughout his career that when he's able to stay healthy, he's been effective,” Brewers general manager David Stearns said. “He's someone who throws strikes consistently. He keeps the ball on the ground, and we like the additional left-handed presence he gives us in our rotation.”Milwaukee has just 12 players left from the 25 on its Division Series roster against Washington.Anderson's new deal includes $1 million in performance bonuses based on innings: $200,000 for 100, $400,000 for 125, $600,000 for 150 and $800.000 for 175.Anderson has been hurt throughout his 11-year big league career.... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Left-hander Brett Anderson is the latest addition to the quickly transforming Milwaukee Brewers, agreeing Friday to a $5 million, one-year contract.The 31-year-old left-hander was 13-9 with a 3.89 ERA in 31 starts with Oakland last season, when he had a $1.5 million base salary and earned $1 million in performance bonuses based on starts.“We looked at Brett as a pitcher who has proven throughout his career that when he's able to stay healthy, he's been effective,” Brewers general manager David Stearns said. “He's someone who throws strikes consistently. He keeps the ball on the ground, and we like the additional left-handed presence he gives us in our rotation.”Milwaukee has just 12 players left from the 25 on its Division Series roster against Washington.Anderson's new deal includes $1 million in performance bonuses based on innings: $200,000 for 100, $400,000 for 125, $600,000 for 150 and $800.000 for 175.Anderson has been hurt throughout his 11-year big league career.... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Austin Romine tried to put his tussle with Miguel Cabrera in the past.They're teammates now.Romine and the Tigers finalized a $4.15 million, one-year deal on Friday that gives the 31-year-old catcher a chance for a bigger role. It also puts him in the same clubhouse as Cabrera after the two were involved in a brawl in 2017. During a game between Detroit and the New York Yankees, Cabrera shoved Romine, and the two wrestled each other to the ground.“No hard feelings,” Romine said on a conference call. “You move on.”Romine made his big league debut with the Yankees in 2011, and that has been the only big league team he's played for. He batted a career-best .281 with eight home runs and a .748 OPS in 72 games last season.Romine was a backup to Gary Sánchez with the Yankees. He's never played more than 80 games in a season, and the Tigers are a good fit for a catcher looking for more at-bats. Catcher Grayson Greiner hit just .202 for Detroit this year. Jake Rogers, acquired by... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Former All-Star right-hander Michael Wacha and the New York Mets completed a $3 million, one-year contract Friday that includes $8 million in performance bonuses.Wacha can earn $7 million under a points system and $1 million for relief appearances.New York's starting rotation includes Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Marcus Stroman and Steven Matz, and the Mets have a pending $10 million, one-year deal with Rick Porcello.The 28-year-old Wacha starred as a rookie for the pennant-winning St. Louis Cardinals in 2013, winning NL Championship Series MVP, but he's been hampered by injuries since. He had a 4.76 ERA over 126 2/3 innings last season in 24 starts and five relief appearances. He was diagnosed with a right shoulder strain in September and did not pitch in the postseason.Wacha was an All-Star in 2015, when he went 17-7.He is represented by CAA, where Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen was an agent before the Mets hired him in late 2018.Wacha would earn a point toward... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox have signed shortstop José Peraza, and according to a person familiar with the negotiations, the team also agreed to terms with left-hander Martin Pérez.The person spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity Friday because the Pérez deal had not yet been announced.Pérez is guaranteed $6.5 million, and Peraza has a $2.85 million salary.Pérez, 28, pitched for Minnesota last year after spending the first seven years of his career with the Rangers. In all, he has a 53-56 record with a 4.72 ERA.He helps take the place in the rotation left open when Rick Porcello agreed to a deal with the New York Mets.Pérez's deal includes a $6 million salary for 2020 and gives Boston a $6.25 million team option for 2021 with a $500,000 buyout. He can earn $250,000 each year in performance bonuses for innings.Peraza spent the last four years in Cincinnati. In all, he batted .273 with 28 homers and 154 RBIs. He could fill a spot at utility infielder if the Red Sox don't re-sign Brock Holt. He can earn an additional $150,000 in performance bonuses for plate appearances.———AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report. ———More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

DETROIT (AP) — Austin Romine tried to put his tussle with Miguel Cabrera in the past.They're teammates now.Romine and the Tigers finalized a $4.15 million, one-year deal on Friday that gives the 31-year-old catcher a chance for a bigger role. It also puts him in the same clubhouse as Cabrera after the two were involved in a brawl in 2017. During a game between Detroit and the New York Yankees, Cabrera shoved Romine, and the two wrestled each other to the ground.“No hard feelings,” Romine said on a conference call. “You move on.”Romine made his big league debut with the Yankees in 2011, and that has been the only big league team he's played for. He batted a career-best .281 with eight home runs and a .748 OPS in 72 games last season.Romine was a backup to Gary Sánchez with the Yankees. He's never played more than 80 games in a season, and the Tigers are a good fit for a catcher looking for more at-bats. Catcher Grayson Greiner hit just .202 for Detroit this year. Jake Rogers, acquired by... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Austin Romine tried to put his tussle with Miguel Cabrera in the past.They're teammates now.Romine and the Tigers finalized a $4.15 million, one-year deal on Friday that gives the 31-year-old catcher a chance for a bigger role. It also puts him in the same clubhouse as Cabrera after the two were involved in a brawl in 2017. During a game between Detroit and the New York Yankees, Cabrera shoved Romine, and the two wrestled each other to the ground.“No hard feelings,” Romine said on a conference call. “You move on.”Romine made his big league debut with the Yankees in 2011, and that has been the only big league team he's played for. He batted a career-best .281 with eight home runs and a .748 OPS in 72 games last season.Romine was a backup to Gary Sánchez with the Yankees. He's never played more than 80 games in a season, and the Tigers are a good fit for a catcher looking for more at-bats. Catcher Grayson Greiner hit just .202 for Detroit this year. Jake Rogers, acquired by... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox have agreed to one-year contracts with free agent left-hander Martin Pérez and shortstop José Peraza, people familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.The people spoke on the condition of anonymity Friday because the deals had not yet been announced.Pérez is guaranteed $6.5 million, and Peraza has a $2.85 million salary.Pérez, 28, pitched for Minnesota last year after spending the first seven years of his career with the Rangers. In all, he has a 53-56 record with a 4.72 ERA.He helps take the place in the rotation left open when Rick Porcello agreed to a deal with the New York Mets.Pérez's deal includes a $6 million salary for 2020 and gives Boston a $6.25 million team option for 2021 with a $500,000 buyout. He can earn $250,000 each year in performance bonuses for innings.Peraza spent the last four years in Cincinnati. In all, he batted .273 with 28 homers and 154 RBIs. He could fill a spot at utility infielder if the Red Sox don't re-sign Brock Holt. He can earn an additional $150,000 in performance bonuses for plate appearances.———AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report. ———More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox have agreed to one-year contracts with free agent left-hander Martin Pérez and shortstop José Peraza, people familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.The people spoke on the condition of anonymity Friday because the deals had not yet been announced.Pérez is guaranteed $6.5 million, and Peraza has a $2.85 million salary.Pérez, 28, pitched for Minnesota last year after spending the first seven years of his career with the Rangers. In all, he has a 53-56 record with a 4.72 ERA.He helps take the place in the rotation left open when Rick Porcello agreed to a deal with the New York Mets.Pérez's deal includes a $6 million salary for 2020 and gives Boston a $6.25 million team option for 2021 with a $500,000 buyout. He can earn $250,000 each year in performance bonuses for innings.One year contract that guarantees $6.5 millionPeraza spent the last four years in Cincinnati. In all, he batted .273 with 28 homers and 154 RBIs. He could fill a spot at utility infielder if the Red Sox don't re-sign Brock Holt. He can earn an additional $150,000 in performance bonuses for plate appearances.———AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report. ———More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Outfielder Brett Gardner is staying with the New York Yankees after the best offensive season of his career, agreeing to a one-year contract that guarantees $12.5 million, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.The person spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday became the agreement had not be announced.Gardner gets a $2 million signing bonus and an $8 million salary for next season. The Yankees have a $10 million option for 2021 with a $2.5 million buyout.He earned $7.5 million last season plus a $2 million buyout after New York declined his $12.5 million option for 2019 under his previous contract. Gardner he hit .251 and set career highs with 28 homers and 74 RBIs, a rare left-handed bat in a Yankees lineup dominated by right-handed hitters.“The constant that he is means a lot to the organization as well as the production on the field," assistant general manager Mike Fishman said.Originally slated to be a fourth outfielder, Gardner saw increased... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Major League Baseball will start testing for opioids and cocaine, but only players who do not cooperate with their treatment plans will be subject to discipline.Marijuana will be removed from the list of drugs of abuse and will be treated the same as alcohol as part of changes announced Thursday to the joint drug agreement between MLB and the players' association. In addition, suspensions for marijuana use will be dropped from the minor league drug program.Opioids are classified as a drug of abuse under the joint big league program, which began in late 2002 and until now has limited testing to performance-enhancing substances and banned stimulants. Talks to add testing for opioids began following the death of Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs, who was found dead in his hotel room in the Dallas area July 1 before the start of a series against the Texas. A medical examiner's office said the 27-year-old died after choking on his vomit with a toxic mix of alcohol and... [More]