GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — With a hop off his feet turning a double play and by driving a ball nearly over the fence, Indians three-time All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor moved closer to returning from a right calf strain.Yet his status for opening day on March 28 at Minnesota remains uncertain.Batting every inning in a modified intrasquad minor league game, Lindor made eight plate appearances, going 0-for-6 with two walks.Eager to hit, Lindor swung on a 3-0 count during his sixth plate appearance, extending it to nine pitches and drawing a walk. Out of caution and because of his morning base running, he was replaced by a pinch runner.On a 3-0 count on his next plate appearance, he ripped a ball to the right field fence where prospect Oscar Gonzalez made a leaping catch, preventing a home run.Lindor was asked if he needs to appear in a Cactus League game to be ready for the season opener."I don't think so. I can play in the minor leagues or B games to be ready," he said."Baseball's such a... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — With a hop off his feet turning a double play and by driving a ball nearly over the fence, Indians three-time All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor moved closer to returning from a right calf strain.Yet his status for opening day on March 28 at Minnesota remains uncertain.Batting every inning in a modified intrasquad minor league game, Lindor made eight plate appearances, going 0-for-6 with two walks.Eager to hit, Lindor swung on a 3-0 count during his sixth plate appearance, extending it to nine pitches and drawing a walk. Out of caution and because of his morning base running, he was replaced by a pinch runner.On a 3-0 count on his next plate appearance, he ripped a ball to the right field fence where prospect Oscar Gonzalez made a leaping catch, preventing a home run.Lindor was asked if he needs to appear in a Cactus League game to be ready for the season opener."I don't think so. I can play in the minor leagues or B games to be ready," he said."Baseball's such a... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — With a hop off his feet turning a double play and by driving a ball nearly over the fence, Indians three-time All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor moved closer to returning from a right calf strain.Yet his status for opening day on March 28 at Minnesota remains uncertain.Batting every inning in a modified intrasquad minor league game, Lindor made eight plate appearances, going 0-for-6 with two walks.Eager to hit, Lindor swung on a 3-0 count during his sixth plate appearance, extending it to nine pitches and drawing a walk. Out of caution and because of his morning base running, he was replaced by a pinch runner.On a 3-0 count on his next plate appearance, he ripped a ball to the right field fence where prospect Oscar Gonzalez made a leaping catch, preventing a home run.Lindor was asked if he needs to appear in a Cactus League game to be ready for the season opener."I don't think so. I can play in the minor leagues or B games to be ready," he said."Baseball's such a... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — With a hop off his feet turning a double play and by driving a ball nearly over the fence, Indians three-time All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor moved closer to returning from a right calf strain.Yet his status for opening day on March 28 at Minnesota remains uncertain.Batting every inning in a modified intrasquad minor league game, Lindor made eight plate appearances, going 0-for-6 with two walks.Eager to hit, Lindor swung on a 3-0 count during his sixth plate appearance, extending it to nine pitches and drawing a walk. Out of caution and because of his morning base running, he was replaced by a pinch runner.On a 3-0 count on his next plate appearance, he ripped a ball to the right field fence where prospect Oscar Gonzalez made a leaping catch, preventing a home run.Lindor was asked if he needs to appear in a Cactus League game to be ready for the season opener."I don't think so. I can play in the minor leagues or B games to be ready," he said."Baseball's such a... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — With a hop off his feet turning a double play and by driving a ball nearly over the fence, Indians three-time All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor moved closer to returning from a right calf strain.Yet his status for opening day on March 28 at Minnesota remains uncertain.Batting every inning in a modified intrasquad minor league game, Lindor made eight plate appearances, going 0-for-6 with two walks.Eager to hit, Lindor swung on a 3-0 count during his sixth plate appearance, extending it to nine pitches and drawing a walk. Out of caution and because of his morning base running, he was replaced by a pinch runner.On a 3-0 count on his next plate appearance, he ripped a ball to the right field fence where prospect Oscar Gonzalez made a leaping catch, preventing a home run.Lindor was asked if he needs to appear in a Cactus League game to be ready for the season opener."I don't think so. I can play in the minor leagues or B games to be ready," he said."Baseball's such a... [More]

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — Jung Ho Kang and Erik Gonzalez have won starting jobs in the infield with the Pittsburgh Pirates.General manager Neal Huntington said Monday that Kang has beaten out Colin Moran at third base and Erik Gonzalez has won the shortstop competition over Kevin Newman."It was not an easy decision because all four guys, in their own way, had legitimate claims to be the regular," Huntington said.Kang is just 5 for 28 (.185) with 13 strikeouts this spring but all five hits have been solo home runs. Moran was 6 for 28 (.214) with a double and a homer through the weekend.Moran, however, had committed four errors while Kang had two."The power has been real," manager Clint Hurdle said of Kang. "It's spring training, but it's five homers. We don't have anybody else that's hit five homers."Kang missed the entire 2017 season and the beginning of 2018 because he was unable to secure a work visa to travel from his native South Korea following a third DUI arrest. He then underwent wrist... [More]

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — Jung Ho Kang and Erik Gonzalez have won starting jobs in the infield with the Pittsburgh Pirates.General manager Neal Huntington said Monday that Kang has beaten out Colin Moran at third base and Erik Gonzalez has won the shortstop competition over Kevin Newman."It was not an easy decision because all four guys, in their own way, had legitimate claims to be the regular," Huntington said.Kang is just 5 for 28 (.185) with 13 strikeouts this spring but all five hits have been solo home runs. Moran was 6 for 28 (.214) with a double and a homer through the weekend.Moran, however, had committed four errors while Kang had two."The power has been real," manager Clint Hurdle said of Kang. "It's spring training, but it's five homers. We don't have anybody else that's hit five homers."Kang missed the entire 2017 season and the beginning of 2018 because he was unable to secure a work visa to travel from his native South Korea following a third DUI arrest. He then underwent wrist... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Presumably, they will all be ready to pitch the first week of the season. Right now, Cleveland's loaded starting rotation is in limbo.With the March 28 opener at Minnesota drawing near, manager Terry Francona has yet to say who he will start against the Twins or how he will configure his starters in the early stages of the season.There is a lot to consider.Potential trades involving two-time Cy Young winner Corey Kluber and All-Star Trevor Bauer never materialized this winter, leaving the lndians with an arsenal of right-handers, including Carlos Carrasco, Mike Clevinger and Shane Bieber. The strength of the rotation is one reason the Indians are predicted to win the AL Central for the fourth consecutive year.Francona and pitching coach Carl Willis are evaluating how to seize momentum in April by lining up the pitchers in the most efficient early season order.One factor is recognizing that only Bauer will have pitched enough in spring training to build up the arm... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Presumably, they will all be ready to pitch the first week of the season. Right now, Cleveland's loaded starting rotation is in limbo.With the March 28 opener at Minnesota drawing near, manager Terry Francona has yet to say who he will start against the Twins or how he will configure his starters in the early stages of the season.There is a lot to consider.Potential trades involving two-time Cy Young winner Corey Kluber and All-Star Trevor Bauer never materialized this winter, leaving the lndians with an arsenal of right-handers, including Carlos Carrasco, Mike Clevinger and Shane Bieber. The strength of the rotation is one reason the Indians are predicted to win the AL Central for the fourth consecutive year.Francona and pitching coach Carl Willis are evaluating how to seize momentum in April by lining up the pitchers in the most efficient early season order.One factor is recognizing that only Bauer will have pitched enough in spring training to build up the arm... [More]

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Dustin Pedroia's first game in nearly 10 months couldn't have gone much better — even if it lasted just one inning.Pedroia cleanly fielded a two-out grounder by Minnesota's Jake Cave, then singled off Kohl Stewart leading off the bottom half of Boston's 12-1 loss Thursday."It made me happy to run around the bases," Pedroia said. "It was really fun out there."A four-time All-Star and the 2008 AL MVP, Pedroia's knee problems began with a spikes-up takeout slide at second by Baltimore's Manny Machado on April 21, 2017. Pedroia went on the disabled list three times that season, twice because of knee inflammation, and had left knee surgery that Oct. 25.He played in five injury rehabilitation games at Triple-A Pawtucket last May 14-24, appeared in three games for the Red Sox from May 26-29, then went back on the disabled list for the rest of the season."I just need to keep building on this. I hadn't seen a pitch since May 29. Everything went well," Pedroia said.Cave and... [More]

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Dustin Pedroia's first game in nearly 10 months couldn't have gone much better — even if it lasted just one inning.Pedroia cleanly fielded a two-out grounder by Minnesota's Jake Cave, then singled off Kohl Stewart leading off the bottom half of Boston's 12-1 loss Thursday."It made me happy to run around the bases," Pedroia said. "It was really fun out there."A four-time All-Star and the 2008 AL MVP, Pedroia's knee problems began with a spikes-up takeout slide at second by Baltimore's Manny Machado on April 21, 2017. Pedroia went on the disabled list three times that season, twice because of knee inflammation, and had left knee surgery that Oct. 25.He played in five injury rehabilitation games at Triple-A Pawtucket last May 14-24, appeared in three games for the Red Sox from May 26-29, then went back on the disabled list for the rest of the season."I just need to keep building on this. I hadn't seen a pitch since May 29. Everything went well," Pedroia said.Cave and... [More]

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — Danny Farquhar took the mound in a game again. That was more than enough on Saturday.Farquhar's spring training appearance for the New York Yankees was his first game since the 32-year-old reliever collapsed in the Chicago White Sox dugout on April 20 because of a ruptured aneurysm and brain hemorrhage. The right-hander got one out and was charged with five runs in an 8-7 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates."I felt great out there," Farquhar said. "I was happy to be back on the mound. Obviously, the results weren't great but I call it a good day. I felt like a baseball player, again."Farquhar allowed three hits and walked two while throwing 19 pitches in the fourth inning. He is in camp with the Yankees on a minor league deal."The fact that he's on the mound and gotten to this point is pretty awesome," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. "I found myself a little more emotional than I even thought. Even though it didn't go great, I think he really appreciated how special... [More]

Bryce Harper meets with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the very next day, a Brinks truck is parked right outside the team's spring training complex.Coincidence or correlation?With the first full week of exhibition games on deck, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed he joined club executives in meeting with Harper in Las Vegas on Sunday night.Roberts said it was a good session and gave the sides a chance to "get to know each other." Roberts says the Dodgers were "vetting a certain process."Harper has been connected to the Philadelphia Phillies and the San Francisco Giants during a second consecutive slow free-agent market for the sport. Manny Machado, the other top free agent this winter, signed a $300 million, 10-year deal with the San Diego Padres on Thursday.The 26-year-old Harper was the 2015 NL MVP and made six All-Star teams in seven big league seasons with the Washington Nationals. He batted .249 with 34 home runs, 100 RBIs and an .889 OPS last season.FROM AROUND THE GRAPEFRUIT AND... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — After their best player discussed his injury and an uncertain future, the Indians got to work on the present.Cleveland held its first full-squad workout of spring training on Monday, the first step for a talented team that looks very different than the one which captured its third straight AL Central title in 2018.Following an eventful offseason culminated with All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor's calf injury, the Indians took the field after manager Terry Francona delivered his annual address. His message this year focused on moving forward."The way we feel about the game doesn't change," Francona said. "I told them that you can break spring training into three groups: You have the young guys trying to create a good first impression. You have the guys competing for a job. You have the veterans trying to get ready for a long season."Earlier, Lindor said now is not the time for him to worry about a long-term contract.The 25-year-old shortstop spoke for the first time... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Indians All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor says now is not the time to worry about a long-term contract.The 25-year-old shortstop spoke Monday for the first time since straining his right calf during an offseason workout in Florida. Lindor, who could miss and opening day, said he's only focused on getting healthy and not his financial future.The Indians have control of Lindor through 2021. He avoided arbitration last month by agreeing to a $10.55 million, one-year contract.When asked whether he would consider signing a multiyear deal with Cleveland, Lindor said, "That's not where we are right now. We'll see what happens. At the end of the day I'm playing the game to win and this is a good place for me to win. If the Indians come up with the right numbers and some point it happens — and I'm not even thinking about it — we'll see."Lindor, who dyed his hair blue during the offseason, was asked why he chose not to go to arbitration like teammate Trevor Bauer."Did you... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Roberto Perez waited for his turn and vows to make the most of his big chance.Perez figures to get plenty of time behind the plate for the Cleveland Indians after the AL Central champions traded All-Star Yan Gomes to Washington.The 30-year-old Perez is eager to get going."I'm very excited," he said. "It was something I've always wanted. I knew Yan was the guy but now that I have the opportunity, I'm going to take advantage of it."Perez arrived in July 2014 from Triple-A after the Indians moved Carlos Santana to first base. Perez was promoted to take advantage of his defensive skill and the next season led the major leagues by throwing out 16 of the 41 runners attempting to steal — that 39 percent rate was tops among catchers with at least 40 tries.Although he hasn't hit much in his career, with a .205 batting average to go along with 21 home runs and 99 RBIs in 285 games, Perez was known for handling Cleveland's young, talented pitching staff."The biggest thing is... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The Colorado Rockies will be without the reliever who boasted he could strike out Babe Ruth, but they believe the bridge between their solid starting rotation and premier closer Wade Davis remains sturdy.Colorado is counting on a veteran bullpen group that includes Scott Oberg, Seunghwan Oh, Chris Rusin and Bryan Shaw to step up the way Adam Ottavino did in 2018, when his career year with the Rockies led to a three-year, $27 million free agent deal with the New York Yankees."I think we have a lot of good arms and a lot of talented guys back there," catcher Chris Iannetta said."I think we can piece it together and be really good. Guys have good years. Guys have bad years. I don't think anyone expected Adam to have the year that he had last year after the previous year. It happens all the time."Oberg had a strong second half last season, Oh pitched well after being acquired at the trade deadline and the Rockies are counting on a return to normalcy by Shaw, Rusin,... [More]

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Forget about this bullpen obsession for a moment. Believe it or not, plenty of big league teams are still anchored by well-armed rotations.In this age of openers and closers, with relievers starting games and starters rarely finishing them, it might seem starting pitchers have been devalued by executives all over baseball.Dallas Keuchel, the 2015 AL Cy Young Award winner, is a 31-year-old free agent still looking for a job. Same for fellow lefty Gio Gonzalez, a two-time All-Star one season removed from going 15-9 with a 2.96 ERA in 201 innings.Meanwhile, short relievers like Zack Britton ($39 million), Jeurys Familia ($30 million), Kelvin Herrera ($18 million) and Joakim Soria ($15 million) had no trouble getting multiyear deals this winter.Doesn't anyone remember what Koufax and Drysdale did for the Dodgers?Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz with the Braves?"At the end of the day, your starting staff is the backbone of your team," Washington ace Max Scherzer said.... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Detroit beat pitcher Michael Fulmer in the last salary arbitration case this year, leaving players with a 6-4 final record in decisions.Fulmer was awarded a raise from $575,200 to $2.8 million by Matt Goldberg, Robert Herzog and Elizabeth Neumeier, who heard the case Wednesday. Fulmer had asked for $3.4 million.The decision was withheld until Friday, when right-hander Luis Severino and the Yankees had been scheduled for a hearing.Fulmer was the 2016 AL Rookie of the Year and an All-Star in 2017. A right-hander who turns 26 on March 15, Fulmer was 3-12 with a 4.69 ERA in 132 1/3 innings last year. He didn't pitch for the Tigers between July 14 and Aug. 24 because of a left oblique strain, then didn't pitch after Sept. 15 because of a torn right lateral meniscus.Players had a winning record for the third time in four years but just the fifth time since 1996 and 11th time since arbitration started in 1974.Three starting pitchers won — Cleveland's Trevor Bauer, Houston's... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Detroit beat pitcher Michael Fulmer in the final salary arbitration case this year, leaving players with a 6-4 final record in decisions.Fulmer was awarded a raise from $575,200 to $2.8 million by Matt Goldberg, Robert Herzog and Elizabeth Neumeier, who heard the case Wednesday. Fulmer had asked for $3.4 million.The decision was withheld until Friday, when right-hander Luis Severino and the Yankees had been scheduled for a hearing.Fulmer was the 2016 AL Rookie of the Year and an All-Star in 2017. A right-hander who turns 26 on March 15, Fulmer was 3-12 with a 4.69 ERA in 132 1/3 innings last year. He didn't pitch for the Tigers between July 14 and Aug. 24 because of a left oblique strain, then didn't pitch after Sept. 15 because of a torn right lateral meniscus.Players had a winning record for the third time in four years but just the fifth time since 1996 and 11th time since arbitration started in 1974.Three starting pitchers won — Cleveland's Trevor Bauer,... [More]