For one week at least, the angst in New York was on the American League side.While the Mets swept a pair of division rivals, the Yankees wrapped up their first homestand by losing three of four to Baltimore, with a couple extra-inning games going against them. The slugging tandem of Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge has five home runs on the young season, but Stanton already has 20 strikeouts in 10 games and has heard boos from his new home crowd in the Bronx.After reaching the AL Championship Series last year and adding Stanton, the Yankees came into this season with high expectations, and it will take more than a few whiffs early in the season to change that. The Mets, on the other hand, finished 27 games out of first place in 2017, and the impressive rotation they'd assembled was struggling to stay healthy.Now the Mets are 7-1 after sweeping a two-game series with Philadelphia and taking three in a row at Washington . Only Boston (8-1) has a better record. Noah Syndergaard is back after... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani hit his second homer in two games at Angel Stadium in the fifth inning, and Zack Cozart had walk-off homer in the 13th inning of the Los Angeles Angels' 3-2 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday.One day after Ohtani hit an electrifying three-run homer in his first home plate appearance, the Japanese two-way rookie connected for a tying two-run homer off AL Cy Young winner Corey Kluber in his second game at the Big A.Neither team scored again after Ohtani's blast until Cozart, the Angels' new infielder, connected for his first career walk-off homer against Zach McAllister (0-1).Ohtani also singled leading off the 10th to go 2 for 5, giving him six hits this season and five in his only two home games. The Angels' rookie sensation will make his first home pitching start Sunday against Oakland, one week after beating the Athletics on the road in his big-league pitching debut.The Angels hadn't had a walk-off homer in extra innings since Aug. 9,... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani hit his first major league home run in his first Angel Stadium at-bat, helping the Los Angeles Angels beat the Cleveland Indians 13-2 on Tuesday night.Ohtani capped a six-run first inning with a three-run drive to center off Josh Tomlin (0-1). The Japanese two-way player got the silent treatment from teammates when he returned to the dugout, but not from the crowd. After players broke character and jumped around Ohtani to celebrate, Mike Trout pointed to the field and instructed Ohtani to take a curtain call.Trout, Justin Upton, Luis Valbuena and Rene Rivera also homered for the Angels, who broke a 12-game losing streak to the Indians. Garrett Richards (1-0) got the win.Jose Ramirez hit a two-run home run in the first for the Indians.BREWERS 5, CARDINALS 4MILWAUKEE (AP) — Christian Yelich and Ryan Braun hit consecutive homers off Dominic Leone with two out in the ninth, sending Milwaukee to the win.Leone (0-1) retired the first two batters, but then... [More]

Capsules of National League West teams, listed in order of finish last year:___Los Angeles Dodgers2017: 104-58, first place, lost to Houston in World Series.Manager: Dave Roberts (third season).He's Here: OF Matt Kemp, RHP Tom Koehler, LHP Scott Alexander, LHP Henry Owens.He's Outta Here: 1B Adrian Gonzalez, RHP Yu Darvish, RHP Brandon Morrow, RHP Brandon McCarthy, LHP Tony Watson, LHP Luis Avilan, LHP Scott Kazmir, LHP Adam Liberatore, OF Andre Ethier, INF Charlie Culberson, OF Curtis Granderson, LHP Grant Dayton, OF Franklin Gutierrez, RHP Josh Ravin.Projected Lineup: CF Chris Taylor (.288, 21 HRs, 72 RBIs, 17 SBs), SS Corey Seager (.295, 22, 77), 3B Justin Turner (.322, 21, 71, will start season on DL with broken left wrist), 1B Cody Bellinger (.267, 39, 97, 10 SBs), RF Yasiel Puig (.263, 28, 74), LF Matt Kemp (.276, 19, 64 in 115 games with Braves) or Joc Pederson (.212, 11, 35 in 102 games), C Austin Barnes (.289, 8, 38) or Yasmani Grandal (.247, 22, 58), 2B Logan Forsythe (.224, 6,... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The San Diego Padres' deep rebuild is starting to come into focus, even if contending for a playoff berth is still a few seasons away.With their farm system fully stocked via the draft, international signings and various deals, the Padres made a bold move by signing 28-year-old first baseman Eric Hosmer to a $144 million, eight-year contract early in spring training.The Padres, who haven't had a winning record since 2010 or been to the playoffs since 2006, figured it was time to start building a culture and an identity, and give their young players someone to look up to.Hosmer was the perfect fit because of his work ethic and what he accomplished in helping the Kansas City Royals win the World Series three seasons ago.Padres owners Ron Fowler and Peter Seidler considered the signing a "significant moment" for a franchise that has had woefully few big moments."Speaking for Ron and myself, when you have to sign a check like that you better have a smile on your face, and we... [More]

Capsules of National League West teams, listed in order of finish last year:___Los Angeles Dodgers2017: 104-58, first place, lost to Houston in World Series.Manager: Dave Roberts (third season).He's Here: OF Matt Kemp, RHP Tom Koehler, LHP Scott Alexander, LHP Henry Owens.He's Outta Here: 1B Adrian Gonzalez, RHP Yu Darvish, RHP Brandon Morrow, RHP Brandon McCarthy, LHP Tony Watson, LHP Luis Avilan, LHP Scott Kazmir, LHP Adam Liberatore, OF Andre Ethier, INF Charlie Culberson, OF Curtis Granderson, LHP Grant Dayton, OF Franklin Gutierrez, RHP Josh Ravin.Projected Lineup: CF Chris Taylor (.288, 21 HRs, 72 RBIs, 17 SBs), SS Corey Seager (.295, 22, 77), 3B Justin Turner (.322, 21, 71, will start season on DL with broken left wrist), 1B Cody Bellinger (.267, 39, 97, 10 SBs), RF Yasiel Puig (.263, 28, 74), LF Matt Kemp (.276, 19, 64 in 115 games with Braves) or Joc Pederson (.212, 11, 35 in 102 games), C Austin Barnes (.289, 8, 38) or Yasmani Grandal (.247, 22, 58), 2B Logan Forsythe (.224, 6,... [More]

Clayton Kershaw's second spring training outing went according to plan, save for one poor throw to first.The ace left-hander breezed through two scoreless innings for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday, allowing one hit and walking one during a 7-6 victory over the Chicago White Sox at Glendale, Arizona. He worked a perfect inning in his spring training debut against Seattle on Sunday."Another step. Another inning," Kershaw said. "Definitely things I can do better, but for the most part I'll take it. It was all right. I made some good pitches when I needed to. I made some bad ones, too. Enough to work on for the next one."Leury Garcia dropped a single into left in the first for Chicago's only hit off Kershaw. Garcia raced all the way to third when Kershaw made a wild throw on a pickoff attempt, but Jose Abreu and Avisail Garcia grounded out to end the inning."I just tried to be a little too quick," Kershaw said, looking back on his fielding miscue. "I think I might have, it would have been... [More]

Clayton Kershaw's second spring training outing went according to plan, save for one poor throw to first.The ace left-hander breezed through two scoreless innings for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday, allowing one hit and walking one during a 7-6 victory over the Chicago White Sox at Glendale, Arizona. He worked a perfect inning in his spring training debut against Seattle on Sunday."Another step. Another inning," Kershaw said. "Definitely things I can do better, but for the most part I'll take it. It was all right. I made some good pitches when I needed to. I made some bad ones, too. Enough to work on for the next one."Leury Garcia dropped a single into left in the first for Chicago's only hit off Kershaw. Garcia raced all the way to third when Kershaw made a wild throw on a pickoff attempt, but Jose Abreu and Avisail Garcia grounded out to end the inning."I just tried to be a little too quick," Kershaw said, looking back on his fielding miscue. "I think I might have, it would have been... [More]

INF Christian Villanueva doubled as a pinch hitter in Friday's loss to the San Francisco Giants. The hit gave him 10 in his last nine games, during which he's gone 10-for-24 (.417). Villanueva now has five extra-base hits (four home runs and a double) in his first 11 games.

3B Christian Villaneuva has hit four home runs in his first ten major league games. He had 20 home runs at Triple-AAA El Paso and is playing his way into consideration for a roster spot in 2018.

3B Christian Villanueva homered Sunday. He is 6-for-18 with three homers and six RBIs since being promoted from Triple-A El Paso.

INF Christian Villanueva made his debut in the majors on Monday and was hitless in three at-bats. The Padres purchased his contract from Triple-A El Paso before the game. He hit .296 with El Paso, and his 86 RBIs led the team.

3B Christian Villanueva (broken right ankle) was transferred to the 60-day disabled list from the 15-day DL to open a 40-man roster spot for OF Ryan Kalish. Villaneuva was injured in spring training.

3B Christian Villanueva (fractured right fibula) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 25. The timetable for his return is unknown.

Villanueva was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Monday, MLB.com's Carrie Muskat reports.

Kris Bryant zoomed past him on the organizational depth chart at third base, so it looks like Villanueva is going to need a trade or a position change if he ever wants to see significant time in the majors.

Cubs prospect third baseman Christian Villanueva went 2-for-3 with two doubles and a walk for Double-A Tennessee.

The 23-year old Villanueva was demoted to Double-A in order to clear third base for Kris Bryant, and he has done well in Double-A, hitting .292/.373/.477 with six doubles and two home runs in 17 games. It has to be hard to be demoted, but Villanueva is taking it well, and could carve out a role as a defense-first third baseman.

Cubs third base prospect Christian Villanueva went 2-for-4 with a home run and two walks for Triple-A Iowa on Monday.

Villanueva's big night raised his season line to .228/.290/.401, which, coupled with the recent hot streak of Javier Baez, the solid play of Arismendy Alcantara, and the hot hitting of Kris Bryant, could push Villanueva into a backup role. Villanueva is the strongest defender of the Cubs infield prospects, but he will need to hit to have a chance to start.

Cubs third base prospect Christian Villanueva went 2-for-4 on Saturday for Triple-A Iowa.

Villanueva was hitting a meek .188/.258/.325 through his first 23 games, but has hit .370/.393/.481 over his past seven games. Kris Bryant has been destroying the ball in Double-A, so Villanueva will need to keep hitting if he is to have a chance of being the Cubs third baseman of the future.

Cubs third-base prospect Christian Villanueva is hitting .308/.400/.615 with a home run and a double through four games in Triple-A.

Villanueva is the forgotten third base prospect in the Cubs system, as he is blocked at the major league level by Mike Olt and Luis Valbuena, with Kris Bryant lurking in Double-A. However, Olt is hitting .077/.077/.308 and Valbuena is hitting .250/.471/.250, which could open the door for Villanueva. Originally signed by the Rangers out of Mexico in 2008, he was acquired as part of the Ryan Depster trade in 2012. Villanueva is considered a substantially above-average defensive third baseman, which could hasten his ascent.

Cubs purchased the contract of 3B Christian Villanueva from High-A Daytona.

Acquired from the Rangers in the Ryan Dempster deal, Villanueva batted .279/.353/.427 with 14 homers and 14 steals at the High-A level this season. He's not close to the majors, but the Cubs didn't want to risk losing him in the Rule 5 Draft.