NEW YORK (AP) — A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that Gold Glove-winning free-agent second baseman D.J. LeMahieu and the Yankees are nearing agreement on a two-year contract, a deal that would appear to eliminate New York as a destination for Manny Machado.The person spoke on condition of anonymity Friday because no agreement had been announced.The 30-year-old LeMahieu spent the previous eight seasons with Colorado at hitter-friendly Coors Field and won the NL batting title in 2016 with a .348 average. He hit .276 last year with 15 homers and 62 RBIs, and he won his second straight Gold Glove and third overall.New York was seeking infielders in the absence of shortstop Didi Gregorius, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery and is not expected back until summer. The Yankees signed former Colorado shortstop Troy Tulowitzki last week and said he will be their starting shortstop. LeMahieu likely will see time at second, third and possibly even first.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks and Andrew Chafin have avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract for $1,945,000, a raise of $800,000.Chafin was the primarily left-hander out of the bullpen for Arizona, compiling a 3.10 ERA last year.Chafin was 1-6 last season, appearing in 77 games. In four full seasons with the Diamondbacks, Chafin is 7-9 with a 3.52 ERA. He has 210 strikeouts in 249 appearances.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

HOUSTON (AP) — Astros third baseman Alex Bregman will be limited at the start of spring training after arthroscopic surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow.The team says Dr. Thomas Mehlhoff operated Friday in Houston and that it expects the 24-year-old will be ready to play before the season opener on March 28 at Tampa Bay.Bregman was a first-time All-Star last year, homered in the game and was selected MVP of the American League's win.He set career highs with a .286 average, a major league-leading 51 doubles, 31 homers and 103 RBIs.The second overall pick in the 2015 amateur draft, he has hit .282 with 58 homers and 208 RBIs in 2½ seasons with the Astros.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Zach Britton and the New York Yankees have finalized a contract that guarantees the reliever $39 million over three seasons and could be worth $53 million for four years.Britton gets $13 million in each of the next two seasons under the deal announced Friday.New York has a $13 million option for 2021 and a $14 million option for 2022 and must decide within three days of the 2020 World series whether to exercise both. If the team option is declined, Britton has until the fifth day after the 2020 World Series to exercise a $13 million player option for 2021.A 31-year-old left-hander, Britton was acquired by the Yankees from Baltimore on July 24 and had a 2.88 ERA and three saves in 25 appearances for New York,He serves as setup man for closer Aroldis Chapman along with Dellin Betances, Chasen Shreve, Chad Green and Jonathan Holder. New York's bullpen was weakened by the departure of right-hander David Robertson, who agreed to a $23 million, two-year contract with Philadelphia.Britton... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Houston third baseman Alex Bregman will be limited to start spring training after having minor surgery on his right elbow on Friday.The Astros say Bregman is expected to be healthy for the start of the regular season after having arthroscopic surgery.The 24-year-old was named to his first All-Star game in 2018 and was selected MVP after his home run lifted the American League to a win.He set career highs in almost every category last season by hitting .286 with an AL-leading 51 doubles, 31 homers and 103 RBIs in 157 games.The second overall pick in the 2015 draft has hit .282 with 58 homers and 208 RBIs in 2 ½ seasons with the Astros.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Right-hander David Phelps and the Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to a $2.5 million, one-year contract, a deal that could be worth $13.75 million over two seasons, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.The person spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday night because the deal had not yet been announced. The contractPhelps, a 32-year-old free agent who is coming back from Tommy John surgery, can earn an additional $3.25 million in performance bonuses this year as part of the agreement, and the Blue Jays have a $1 million team option for 2020 that could escalate to $8 million depending on appearances and games finished this year.He tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching arm on March 17 during his final pitch in a spring training outing against the Los Angeles Angels, and he had surgery March 26.Phelps was 2-1 with a 3.12 ERA in 10 relief appearances in 2017 for Seattle, which acquired him from Miami that July 20. He had a $5.55 million... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Right-hander David Phelps and the Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to a $2.5 million, one-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.The person spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday night because the deal had not yet been announced.Phelps, a 32-year-old free agent who is coming back from Tommy John surgery, can earn an additional $3.25 million in performance bonuses this year as part of the agreement, and the Blue Jays have a $1 million team option for 2020 that could escalate to $8 million depending on appearances and games finished this year.He tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching arm on March 17 during his final pitch in a spring training outing against the Los Angeles Angels, and he had surgery March 26.Phelps was 2-1 with a 3.12 ERA in 10 relief appearances in 2017 for Seattle, which acquired him from Miami that July 20. He had a $5.55 million salary last season.During six major league seasons with the New York Yankees... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Right-hander David Phelps and the Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to a $2.5 million, one-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.The person spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday night because the deal had not yet been announced.Phelps, a 32-year-old free agent who is coming back from Tommy John surgery, has performance bonuses in the agreement, and the Blue Jays have a 2020 team option that includes an escalator.He tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching arm on March 17 during his final pitch in a spring training outing against the Los Angeles Angels, and he had surgery March 26.Phelps was 2-1 with a 3.12 ERA in 10 relief appearances in 2017 for Seattle, which acquired him from Miami that July 20. He had a $5.55 million salary last season.During six major league seasons with the New York Yankees (2012-14), Miami (2015-17) and the Mariners, Phelps is 30-33 with a 3.89 ERA and five saves in 64 starts and 164 relief appearances.His agreement was first reported by ESPN.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that right-hander David Phelps and the Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to a $2.5 million, one-year contract.The person spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday night because the deal had not yet been announced.Phelps, a 32-year-old free agent who is coming back from Tommy John surgery, has performance bonuses in the agreement, and the Blue Jays have a 2020 team option that includes an escalator.He tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching arm on March 17 during his final pitch in a spring training outing against the Los Angeles Angels, and he had surgery March 26.Phelps was 2-1 with a 3.12 ERA in 10 relief appearances in 2017 for Seattle, which acquired him from Miami that July 20.His agreement was first reported by ESPN.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Outfielder Travis Jankowski and the San Diego Padres agreed to a one-year contract worth $1,165,000, a raise from his $555,000 salary last year.The 27-year-old hit .259 with four homers and 17 RBIs last year.Three Padres remain eligible for arbitration and absent an agreement: right-hander Kirby Yates, left-hander Robbie Erlin and catcher Austin Hedges.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PHOENIX (AP) — Catcher John Ryan Murphy and the Arizona Diamondbacks agreed to a $900,000, one-year contract, a raise from his $558,000 salary last year.The 27-year-old set career bests with nine homers and 24 RBIs in 223 plate appearances, hitting .202. He split time behind the plate with Alex Avila and Jeff Mathis, who left for Texas.Ten Diamondbacks remain eligible for Friday's exchange of proposed arbitration salaries: outfielders David Peralta and Steven Souza; shortstop Nick Amed; third baseman Jake Lamb; right-handers Matt Andriese and Archie Bradley; and left-handers Andrew Chafin, T.J. McFarland and Robbie Ray.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

BOSTON (AP) — Knuckleballer Steven Wright and the Boston Red Sox agreed to a one-year contract for $1,375,000, a raise of $275,000, in a deal that avoided arbitration.An All-Star in 2016, the 34-year-old right-hander started the 2018 season late following left knee surgery and a 15-game domestic violence suspension. He made four starts and six relief appearances, went back on the disabled list in late June because of the knee, then returned in September.Wright went 3-1 with a 2.68 ERA in four starts and 16 relief appearances. He was removed from the Division Series roster following the opener against the New York Yankees, a day after re-injuring his left knee during a workout, and had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on Nov. 13.Nine Boston players remained set to swap proposed arbitration salaries on Friday, including AL MVP Mookie Betts. The outfielder had a $10.5 million salary last year after winning a hearing against the Red Sox.Also eligible for arbitration are outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr., shortstop Xander Bogarts, right-handers Matt Barnes and Brandon Workman, left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez, utiliyman Brock Holt, catcher Sandy Leon and catcher/first baseman Blake Swihart.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CINCINNATI (AP) — Catcher Curt Casali and the Cincinnati Reds agreed to a $950,000, one-year contract that avoided salary arbitration.Casali, 30, was acquired from Tampa Bay on May 31. He batted .293 in 52 games for the Reds — 35 starts — with four homers and 16 RBIs. Casali threw out 5 of 24 runners trying to steal. He also made his first career appearances at first base — six games — and moved to second base in one game.He had a $600,000 salary in the major leagues last year.Seven Reds remain eligible for arbitration going into Friday's scheduled exchange of proposed salaries: outfielder Yasiel Puig; second baseman Scooter Gennett; right-handers Anthony DeSclafani, Michael Lorenzen and Tanner Roark; left-hander Alex Wood and shortstop Jose Peraza.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Angels agreed to one-year contracts with right-handers JC Ramirez and Nicholas Tropeano that avoided salary arbitration.Ramirez agreed at $1,901,000 on Thursday, a raise of $1,000. Tropeano's deal is for $1,075,000, up from $552,500 in his first year of arbitration eligibility.After breaking through as a big-league starter in 2017, Ramirez made two starts last season and had Tommy John surgery. He could be ready to return late this season.Tropeano was 5-6 with a 4.74 ERA in 14 starts. The 28-year-old right-hander returned from Tommy John surgery but had shoulder problems. He has 12 big-league wins in four major league seasons that began with Houston in 2014.Six Los Angeles players remain eligible to exchange proposed arbitration salaries Friday: right-handers Cam Bedrosian, Luis Garcia and Hansel Robles; left-handers Andrew Heaney and Tyler Skaggs; and second baseman Tommy La Stella.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SEATTLE (AP) — Right-hander Cory Gearrin agreed to a $1.4 million, one-year contract with the Seattle Mariners and infielder Tim Beckham struck a $1.75 million, one-year deal.The 32-year-old Gearrin was 2-1 with one save and a 3.77 ERA last year in 62 games for San Francisco, Texas and Oakland. He struck out 53 and walked 21 in 57 1/3 innings, holding batters to a .255 average.Gearrin also has pitched for Atlanta in a seven-year big league career. He is 12-9 with a 3.54 ERA in 270 relief appearances."Cory Gearrin brings much needed veteran experience and stability to the back of our bullpen," Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said. "He has been a solid under-the-radar performer, particularly over the past two seasons."Gearrin can earn an additional $450,000 for games pitched: $75,000 for 30, $100,000 for 40, $125,000 for 50 and $150,000 for 60. He also can make $775,000 for games finished: $50,000 for 20, $175,000 for 30, $250,000 for 40 and $400,000 for 50.Beckham, who turns 29 this... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Brian Dozier found his latest team — and the Washington Nationals found a temporary solution at second base.The free agent infielder and the Nationals agreed to a $9 million, one-year contract, subject to the successful completion of a physical exam, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Thursday.The person confirmed the deal on condition of anonymity because neither the club nor player had made an announcement.Dozier, who played for the Minnesota Twins and Los Angeles Dodgers last season, would fill Washington's need for a new starting second baseman and could help add some power to the lineup, particularly important if slugging outfielder Bryce Harper ends up leaving the Nationals as a free agent.By only committing to Dozier for one season, the Nationals leave open the possibility of turning to leading infield prospect Carter Kieboom at second base in 2020.The 31-year-old Dozier's agreement with Washington was first reported by ESPN.Dozier... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies avoided arbitration with a pair of right-handed pitchers, agreeing to one-year deals with former closer Hector Neris and starter Jerad Eickhoff.Neris will earn $1.8 million while Eickhoff gets $975,000.Neris was 1-3 with 11 saves and a 5.10 ERA last year. He began the season as the closer after converting 26 of 29 save opportunities in 2017 but lost his job and was demoted to the minors. Neris returned to the majors in August and pitched well, posting a 2.04 ERA in his final 20 appearances. He had 35 strikeouts in 17 2/3 innings in that span. The 29-year-old made $582,500 in 2018.Eickhoff, who was acquired in a deal that sent Cole Hamels to Texas in July 2015, appeared in only three games last year because of injuries. He was Philadelphia's most consistent starter in 2016 when he was 11-14 with a 3.65 ERA in 33 starts. In 2017, Eickhoff was 4-8 with a 4.71 ERA in 24 starts. The 28-year-old earned $568,000 in 2018.The Phillies have seven remaining players eligible to swap proposed salaries Friday: ace right-hander Aaron Nola, third baseman Maikel Franco, second baseman Cesar Hernandez, outfielder Aaron Altherr, left-hander Adam Morgan, right-hander Vince Velasquez and left-hander Jose Alvarez.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Oft-injured first baseman Greg Bird and the New York Yankees have agreed to a $1.2 million, one-year contract to avoid arbitration.The 26-year-old hit .214 with 11 homers and 31 RBIs in 311 plate appearances during an injury wrecked 2018 season in which he lost the first base job to July acquisition Luke Voit.Bird started the season on the disabled list following surgery March 27 to remove a broken spur on the outside of his right ankle, and he did not play for the Yankees until May 26. Bird made $572,000 last year.New York has eight remaining players eligible to swap proposed salaries Friday: shortstop Didi Gregorius; outfielder Aaron Hicks; starting pitchers Luis Severino, James Paxton and Sonny Gray; relievers Dellin Betances and Tommy Kahnle, and backup catcher Austin Romine.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

DENVER (AP) — Right-handed reliever Scott Oberg and the Colorado Rockies have agreed to a $1.3 million, one-year contract to avoid salary arbitration.The 28-year-old Oberg made $555,000 in 2018 as he emerged as one of Colorado's more reliable relievers. He was 8-1 with a 2.45 ERA and 57 strikeouts over 58 2/3 innings.Oberg appeared in all four of Colorado's postseason games last season, posting a 1-0 record with a 4.91 ERA.He spent some time on the disabled list last June with a strained back. He also was on the paternity list from Aug. 14-17.Oberg was taken by Colorado in the 15th round of the 2012 amateur draft.Six Rockies remain eligible to swap proposed salaries with the team Friday, including third baseman Nolan Arenado and shortstop Trevor Story.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

DETROIT (AP) — The Tigers have avoided arbitration with reliever Shane Greene, agreeing to a $4 million, one-year contract with the right-hander.Greene went 4-6 with a 5.12 ERA and 32 saves last season and earned $1.95 million. He appeared in 66 games and struck out 65 in 63 1/3 innings.Greene was mostly a starter in his debut season with the New York Yankees in 2014, and again with Detroit in 2015, but he was exclusively a reliever in 2017 and 2018. He blew six saves last season and allowed 12 home runs.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports