TORONTO (AP) — The Toronto Blue Jays have optioned slumping infielder Devon Travis to Triple-A Buffalo and recalled right-hander Carlos Ramirez.Travis started on opening day and was expected to be Toronto's regular second baseman but has struggled at the plate, batting .148 with one homer and three RBIs in 18 games. He struck out 18 times in 61 at-bats.Ramirez, a converted outfielder, made his big league debut with the Blue Jays last September, going 0-0 with a 2.70 ERA in 12 games. He was 0-0 with a 6.00 ERA in six games at Buffalo this season.The Blue Jays added Ramirez on Sunday to bolster their overworked bullpen. Toronto's starters have pitched seven innings or more only three times in 26 games.Manager John Gibbons said the defensive versatility of rookie Lourdes Gurriel Jr., who can play both middle infield positions, contributed to the decision to keep Gurriel and demote Travis.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Indians have dealt with record-low temperatures, snow flurries and bone-chilling winds during their first homestand.The Indians managed to play the first eight games despite the obstacles. That run ended when Saturday's game against Toronto was postponed by rain.Heavy rain began falling about two hours before the scheduled 4:10 p.m. first pitch, and the game was called at 5:28 p.m. It was rescheduled for 1:10 p.m. on May 3, previously an off day for both teams.Sunday's series finale could also be in jeopardy because the rain is predicted to last through the weekend. The Blue Jays are making their only scheduled trip to Cleveland.Both teams will go with Saturday's scheduled starters in the series finale. Corey Kluber (1-1), the reigning AL Cy Young winner, will pitch for Indians. The right-hander struck out 13 and allowed two hits in eight innings against Detroit on Monday.Jaime Garcia (1-0) will make his third start for Toronto. He pitched into the sixth inning... [More]

Capsules of American League East teams, listed in order of finish last year:___Boston Red Sox2017: 93-69, first place, lost to Houston in ALDS.Manager: Alex Cora (first season).He's Here: DH J.D. Martinez.He's Outta Here: Manager John Farrell, RHP Doug Fister, OF Chris Young, RHP Addison Reed, OF Rajai Davis, LHP Henry Owens, LHP Fernando Abad.Projected Lineup: RF Mookie Betts (.264, 24 HRs, 102 RBIs), LF Andrew Benintendi (.271, 20, 90), 1B Hanley Ramirez (.242, 23, 62) or Mitch Moreland (.246, 22, 79), DH J.D. Martinez (.303, 45, 104 with Tigers and Diamondbacks), 3B Rafael Devers (.284, 10, 30 in 58 games), SS Xander Bogaerts (.273, 10, 62), CF Jackie Bradley Jr. (.245, 17, 63), C Christian Vazquez (.290, 5, 32) or Sandy Leon (.225, 7, 39), 2B Eduardo Nunez (.313, 12, 58, 24 SBs with Giants and Red Sox) or Dustin Pedroia (.293, 7, 62, .369 OBP in 105 games, expected to be out until late May following knee surgery).Rotation: LH Chris Sale (17-8, 2.90 ERA, MLB-best 308 Ks, MLB-high 214... [More]

TORONTO (AP) — The Blue Jays figure a healthy Aaron Sanchez can lead them back into the playoffs.Sanchez was an All-Star in 2016, when the right-hander went 15-2 with an American League-leading 3.00 ERA. But blisters on the middle finger of his pitching hand caused four stints on the disabled list. He went 1-3 with a 4.25 ERA and didn't pitch after July 19.Sanchez resumed throwing in early December and is confident his finger has healed"I'll have to maintain it like I have in years past, but no more of the disaster that it had last year," he said.Toronto used a club-record 14 starters last season en route to a 76-86 record and fourth-place finish in the AL East. Only Marcus Stroman and Marco Estrada made 30 starts, and the fill-ins weren't enough to make a playoff run.Some things to watch ahead of Blue Jays spring training in Florida:NEW LOOK: Outfielders Randal Grichuk and Curtis Granderson and infielders Aledmys Diaz and Yangervis Solarte are Toronto's primary offseason additions. Grichuk... [More]

A team-by-team look at the American League East entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad:___Boston Red SoxManager: Alex Cora (first season).2017: 93-69, first place, lost to Houston in ALDS.Training Town: Fort Myers, Florida.Park: JetBlue Park.First Workout: Feb. 14/19.He's Here: Manager Alex Cora.He's Outta Here: Manager John Farrell, RHP Doug Fister, INF Eduardo Nunez, OF Chris Young, RHP Addison Reed, OF Rajai Davis, LHP Henry Owens, LHP Fernando Abad, RHP Blaine Boyer.Going campin': The Red Sox won 93 games for the second straight season and claimed the franchise's first back-to-back AL East titles. But Farrell was fired after they failed to advance in the playoffs for the fourth year in a row. They are virtually the same team as last year; boss Dave Dombrowski said he was looking for a bat with power and still might add one of the free agents remaining on the market, including... [More]

TORONTO (AP) — Third baseman Josh Donaldson and the Toronto Blue Jays agreed to a $23 million contract Friday, the largest one-year deal for an arbitration-eligible player.The 32-year-old, a three-time All-Star, topped the $21,625,000, one-year deal covering 2018 agreed to last May by outfielder Bryce Harper and Washington.Donaldson, the 2015 AL MVP, got a $6 million raise after rebounding from an injury-slowed 2016 to hit .270 last season with 33 homers and 78 RBIs in 113 games. The sure-handed infielder missed time from April 14 through May 25 with a calf injury, which also hampered him during spring training.Donaldson was coming off a $28.65 million, two-year deal. He is eligible for free agency after this season.Toronto also agreed to one-year deals with outfielder Ezequiel Carrera for $1.9 million, left-hander Aaron Loup for $1,812,500, outfielder Kevin Pillar for $3.25 million, right-hander Aaron Sanchez for $2.7 million, second baseman Devon Travis for $1.45 million and right-hander... [More]

2B Devon Travis (right knee) might not be able to get back to the club this season after suffering a setback in his rehab. He has not played since June 4. Travis batted .259 with five home runs and 24 RBIs in 50 games for Toronto this season.

2B Devon Travis (knee) is likely out for the season. He had been working toward a September return but suffered a setback when the knee was aggravated as he worked out in Florida. "He was moving along good, taking ground balls, hitting, a little bit of running, and then it flared up on him again," manager John Gibbons said. "This was just last week when we were in (St. Petersburg, Fla.). He's backed off. I think the plan was he was going to get a few minor league games in and then this happened. There's not a lot of minor league games left." He has been on the disabled list since June 6.

2B Devon Travis, on the disabled list following knee surgery, took infield before Saturday's game at Comerica Park. He was able to field some ground balls and play catch with teammates. Though he is ahead of schedule following the mid-June surgery, Travis is still weeks away from being ready to return to game action. "I was surprised to see him out there," Gibbons said.

2B Devon Travis (right knee) had arthroscopic surgery to clean up cartilage in his right knee on Tuesday. He has been on the disabled list since June 6 with a bone bruise and a cartilage injury. There was no indication of how long he will be out. "It's going to be a while," manager John Gibbons said before the game Tuesday game against the Tampa Bay Rays. The 26-year-old had surgery on the same knee last November to remove a small flap of cartilage and spent of spring training in rehabilitation. Travis is hitting .259/.291/438 in 50 games this season. He has five home runs and 24 RBIs. INF Darwin Barney and INF Ryan Goins are filling in for Travis at second base. Travis started the season slowly but had a strong May, batting .364/.373/.646 with four homers and 19 RBIs.

2B Devon Travis had arthroscopic surgery to clean up cartilage in his right knee on Tuesday. He has been on the disabled list since June 6 with a bone bruise and a cartilage injury. There was no indication of how long he will be out. "It's going to be a while," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said before Tuesday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays.

2B Devon Travis was placed on the 10-day disabled list Tuesday with a bone bruise and cartilage damage in his right knee. He'll undergo further testing. He's also dealing with a left hand contusion after being hit by a pitch Sunday. Travis underwent offseason surgery on his right knee, but he was hitting .259 with 18 doubles, five home runs and 24 RBIs this season in 50 games. Travis missed the first 47 games last season after offseason left shoulder surgery. He had two lengthy stays on the DL for shoulder injuries in 2015. Neither Travis nor Blue Jays manager John Gibbons can pinpoint when Travis was injured this time. His knee locked up on him during the Blue Jays' flight Sunday night to Oakland. Gibbons said he doesn't know how long Travis will be sidelined. "I've never seen anything like it," Gibbons said of Travis' injuries. "You know, one guy, ever since he arrived. He's such a good player. He had a big part in the month of May keeping us afloat. He's proved he can hit. He's a pretty good little defender too. I know he's frustrated. If we can keep him on the field, he has a chance to be an All-Star." INFs Ryan Goins and Darwin Barney will platoon at second base, and INF Chris Coghlan will get some playing time there, too.

2B Devon Travis (left hand contusion) was out of the lineup Monday vs. Oakland after being hit on his left hand by a pitch Sunday against the Yankees. "He's still sore," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said before a 5-3 loss to the A's. "We knew he wasn't going to play today. We just got to see how he's doing." Gibbons said he's still hopeful Travis will be able to play later in the three-game series.

2B Devon Travis was hit on the left hand by a pitch from RHP Luis Severino in the seventh inning of the 3-2 win over the New York Yankees Sunday. He ran the bases but was replaced in the field by INF Ryan Goins in the eighth. Travis said feared that his hand was broken but X-rays were negative. He is being listed as day to day.

2B Devon Travis was given the game off Thursday, planned a day off to rest him. He had offseason knee surgery and he spent most of spring training on rehabilitation from that. Travis had 16 doubles in May to take the major league lead with 18 for the season. Only 1B Carlos Delgado (19) in 2000 and 1B John Olerud (17) in 199e have hit more doubles in one month for the Blue Jays.

2B Devon Travis batted in the leadoff spot for the eighth time this season Wednesday afternoon as CF Kevin Pillar, who has regularly been batting first, was given part of the day off. Pillar entered the game in the seventh as a pinch hitter and remained in the game in center field. Travis provided the winning margin with a two-run homer in the seventh inning and the Blue Jays held on to defeat the Cincinnati Reds 5-4. Travis hit a 3-2 pitch from Wandy Peralta in a nine-pitch at-bat. "Honestly, I was just doing my best to battle him," Travis said. "I was just trying to put the ball in play and he was making pitch after pitch. Thankfully, I was able to capitalize."

2B Devon Travis was 0-for-3 Tuesday in the 6-4 win over the Cincinnati Reds to end a 13-game hitting streak. After matching his career high with a four-hit game Monday, Travis batted .473 (26-for-55) with 10 doubles and three home runs during his streak.

2B Devon Travis extended his hit streak to 13 games Monday in the 17-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds when he was 4-for-6 with two RBIs. He is batting .473 (26-for-55) on the streak with 10 doubles, three homers and 15 RBIs. It is the longest hit streak by the Blue Jays this season. OF Ezequiel Carrera had a 12-game streak.

2B Devon Travis extended his hit streak to 12 games Sunday when he singled in the fifth inning. He was 1-for-3 in the 3-1 loss to the Texas Rangers and is batting .458 (22-for-48) during the streak. He has nine doubles, three homers and 13 RBIs in that span. One adjustment that has helped him in May is that he has moved slightly farther from the plate in the batter's box.

2B Devon Travis singled in the fifth inning Saturday in the 3-1 win over the Texas Rangers to extend his hit streak to 11 games. He was 1-for-5 Saturday and is hitting .457 (21-for-46) during the 11 games. He also has scored a run in five straight games.