LOS ANGELES (AP) — Cody Bellinger is healthy, his mind is right, and he's ready for whatever baseball's shortened 60-game season brings.Bellinger is looking to pick up where he left off after a stellar performance for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2019. The reigning NL MVP batted .305 with 47 homers and 115 RBIs for the NL West champions last year.“Everything is going to be so weird this year. It’s going to be fun,” he said Thursday on a video conference call. “It could be a once-in-a-lifetime thing, so I’m just taking advantage of what we got.”What the Dodgers have in addition to Bellinger's offensive power is Mookie Betts, the 2018 AL MVP with Boston. He joins a team that led the NL with 279 homers last year, but lost to Washington in the Division Series.Bellinger, who turns 25 on Monday, isn't putting pressure on himself to repeat last season's statistics.“I just want to focus on what I’ve got to do in order to be good. I’m understanding that a little more," he said. "Just go out and be... [More]

Cody Bellinger was well on his way to becoming the National League MVP only 60 games into last season for the Los Angeles Dodgers, already with 20 homers in that stretch before his 24th birthday.Over that same span for the Houston Astros last summer, Justin Verlander won nine games and struck out 103 batters on the way to his second AL Cy Young Award. The veteran right-hander had more wins and strikeouts through the first 60 games for the American League champions than he did just over one-third of the way into the 2011 season for the Detroit Tigers, when he finished 24-5 and was also the AL MVP.After 60 games this year, it will already be time to determine who wins those awards. There will be no more games to be played in a regular season that's set to begin July 23 and is 102 games shorter than usual because of the coronavirus pandemic.Bellinger was only the fifth MVP from either league over the past 20 seasons to have 20 homers in his team's first 60 games — Barry Bonds did it twice,... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich acknowledges he benefited from fortunate timing in his contract negotiations.The Brewers held a March 6 news conference to announce that the 2018 NL MVP had agreed to a nine-year, $215 million contract. Spring training was halted less than a week later because of the coronavirus pandemic.Yelich's deal was finalized before the loss of revenue from Major League Baseball's shortened season and labor unrest created at least some uncertainty about the game’s financial future.“At the end of the day, this is where I wanted to be,” Yelich said Sunday. “I said it a lot at the time when we had a press conference, which feels like it was years ago.“But it’s one of those things where one of the reasons I did it was because I’ve really loved and enjoyed playing here, and the other is you never know what’s going to happen in the future. I’d be lying if I told you I knew a pandemic was going to hit, but it’s kind of just how it played out."Yelich... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — So, where were we?Mid-March, a spring training exhibition between the St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Florida. Even before the final out, both sides had gotten the official word: Major League Baseball was shutting down immediately because of the coronavirus pandemic.“It felt like the most meaningless baseball game in the history of the sport,” Cardinals infielder Matt Carpenter said.So now, they’ll try again.A skewed, 60-game schedule, rather than the full plate of 162, with opening day on July 23 or 24. A shortened, contorted season ordered by Commissioner Rob Manfred on Tuesday night after billionaire owners and multimillion-dollar players couldn’t come to a new economic agreement against the backdrop of the virus outbreak.“What happens when we all get it?” Milwaukee pitcher Brett Anderson tweeted this week.From the start, a sprint to the finish. Got to come out strong. Remember last year: The Washington Nationals began 27-33 and... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — So, where were we?Mid-March, a spring training exhibition between the St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Florida. Even before the final out, both sides had gotten the official word: Major League Baseball was shutting down immediately because of the coronavirus pandemic.“It felt like the most meaningless baseball game in the history of the sport,” Cardinals infielder Matt Carpenter said.So now, they’ll try again.A skewed, 60-game schedule, rather than the full plate of 162, with opening day on July 23 or 24. A shortened, contorted season ordered by Commissioner Rob Manfred on Tuesday night after billionaire owners and multimillion-dollar players couldn’t come to a new economic agreement against the backdrop of the virus outbreak.“What happens when we all get it?” Milwaukee pitcher Brett Anderson tweeted this week.From the start, a sprint to the finish. Got to come out strong. Remember last year: The Washington Nationals began 27-33 and... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — So, where were we?Mid-March, a spring training exhibition between the St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Florida. Even before the final out, both sides had gotten the official word: Major League Baseball was shutting down immediately because of the coronavirus pandemic.“It felt like the most meaningless baseball game in the history of the sport,” Cardinals infielder Matt Carpenter said.So now, they’ll try again.A skewed, 60-game schedule, rather than the full plate of 162, with opening day on July 23 or 24. A shortened, contorted season ordered by Commissioner Rob Manfred on Tuesday night after billionaire owners and multimillion-dollar players couldn’t come to a new economic agreement against the backdrop of the virus outbreak.“What happens when we all get it?” Milwaukee pitcher Brett Anderson tweeted this week.From the start, a sprint to the finish. Got to come out strong. Remember last year: The Washington Nationals began 27-33 and... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — So, where were we?Mid-March, a spring training exhibition between the St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Florida. Even before the final out, both sides had gotten the official word: Major League Baseball was shutting down immediately because of the coronavirus pandemic.“It felt like the most meaningless baseball game in the history of the sport,” Cardinals infielder Matt Carpenter said.So now, they’ll try again.A skewed, 60-game schedule, rather than the full plate of 162, with opening day on July 23 or 24. A shortened, contorted season ordered by Commissioner Rob Manfred on Tuesday night after billionaire owners and multimillion-dollar players couldn’t come to a new economic agreement against the backdrop of the virus outbreak.“What happens when we all get it?” Milwaukee pitcher Brett Anderson tweeted this week.From the start, a sprint to the finish. Got to come out strong. Remember last year: The Washington Nationals began 27-33 and... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball's amateur draft begins Wednesday night with the first of a pandemic-shortened five rounds. Detroit has the No. 1 overall pick for the second time in three years after taking pitcher Casey Mize in 2018. Here's a look at the top college and high school players who'll likely hear their names announced as early selections:PATRICK BAILEY, C, NORTH CAROLINA STATE (6-foot-2, 207 pounds, 21 years old)Athletic catcher with solid defensive skills was on his way to a terrific junior season with a team-leading six home runs and 20 RBIs while batting .296. Switch-hitter was the ACC freshman of the year and followed that up last year by hitting .288 with 10 HRs and 40 RBIs and committing just five errors in 476 chances. Also threw out 33% of would-be basestealers. Likely the first catcher drafted this year.REID DETMERS, LHP, LOUISVILLE (6-2, 210, 20)Last year's ACC pitcher of the year went 13-4 with a 2.78 ERA in 113 1/3 innings while setting the school's season... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers have reached a deal Christian Yelich that will keep the former National League Most Valuable Player in their lineup for several more years.Brewers general manager David Stearns announced Friday the team has signed Yelich to a nine-year contract running through the 2028 season with a mutual option for 2029. Terms weren't disclosed.The Athletic first reported that the Brewers and Yelich were closing in on a deal.“I could not be happier that I am a Milwaukee Brewer for the next decade,” Yelich said in a statement. “I want to thank the Brewers organization, my teammates, and the best fans in baseball for their support. I am excited to be staying in Milwaukee and playing the game that I love for this amazing city.”The 28-year-old outfielder had two years plus a club option remaining on the seven-year, $49.5 million contract he signed in March 2015, when he was still with the Miami Marlins. He was due to make $12.5 million this season and $14 million next... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Christian Yelich is staying quiet when it comes to his contract situation with the Milwaukee Brewers.While Yelich is brushing off questions about his new deal, his teammates are all-too-happy to sing his praises.The 28-year-old is reportedly on the brink of a multiyear contract that could keep him in Milwaukee for the rest of his career. The team said the 2018 NL MVP wouldn't answer questions about the negotiations on Wednesday, and the organization also declined comment.Yelich is guaranteed $27.75 million in the remainder of his current deal: $12.5 million this year, $14 million in 2021 and a $1.25 million buyout of a 2022 team option for $16 million. The Athletic reported his new deal would add seven years and increase the total value to approximately $215 million.“He definitely deserves it,” Brewers center fielder Lorenzo Cain said. “The guy's definitely the best player on our team. He rakes. Like I said, he got a deserving contract for sure.”Milwaukee obtained Yelich... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — NL MVP Cody Bellinger was scratched from the Los Angeles Dodgers' starting lineup on Monday for a spring training game against the Cincinnati Reds.The outfielder took part in a charity event on Sunday night at a Topgolf facility in Scottsdale, and a video showed him hitting a long drive off a tee.Golf swings aren’t believed to be the reason for his injury, according to manager Dave Roberts.With the Dodgers off Tuesday and playing a night game Wednesday, Roberts isn't rushing to get Bellinger back to action. “We'll see how he responds. But it's not imperative that he plays in that night game, either,” Roberts said after the Dodgers lost 6-2 to the Reds.Bellinger is 4 for 13 with two doubles.He had been scheduled to play center field and bat fourth. Instead the Dodgers moved A.J. Pollock from left to center field and inserted Matt Beaty in left field for the spring training debut of left-hander David Price, who was acquired from Boston along with outfielder Mookie Betts.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — NL MVP Cody Bellinger was scratched from the Los Angeles Dodgers' starting lineup on Monday for a spring training game against the Cincinnati Reds.The outfielder took part in a charity event on Sunday night at a Topgolf facility in Scottsdale, and a video showed him hitting a long drive off a tee.Golf swings aren’t believed to be the reason for his injury, according to manager Dave Roberts.With the Dodgers on an off-day Tuesday and playing a night game Wednesday, Roberts isn't rushing to get Bellinger back to action. “We'll see how he responds. But it's not imperative that he plays in that night game, either,” Roberts said after the Dodgers played the Reds 6-2Bellinger is 4 for 13 with two doubles.He had been scheduled to play center field and bat fourth. Instead the Dodgers moved A.J. Pollock from left to center field and inserted Matt Beaty in left field for the spring training debut of left-hander David Price, who was acquired from Boston along with outfielder Mookie Betts.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — David Price felt a rush of nervous energy leading up to Monday. Acquired by the Dodgers last month from from Boston, he made his first spring training appearance for Los Angeles.Price allowed two runs and three hits in 1 1/3 innings during a 6-2 loss to Cincinnati with three strikeouts and two walks. “It’s been a while since I faced hitters wearing a different jersey,” the 34-year-old left-hander said. “It’s the first time I’ve been in a game in six, almost seven months. My legs were shaking out there. It’s just, if you love what you do you’re definitely going to have nerves. It was fun. I definitely enjoyed it, getting back out there.”A left wrist problem that required surgery to remove a cyst limited Price to 4 2/3 innings last August and September. He finished 7-5 with a 4.28 ERA in 22 starts, then was traded by the retooling Red Sox with outfielder Mookie Betts for prospects.Price gave up a two-run single in the first to Jesse Winker. He reached 91 mph with his... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — NL MVP Cody Bellinger was scratched from the Los Angeles Dodgers' starting lineup on Monday for a spring training game against the Cincinnati Reds.The outfielder took part in a charity event on Sunday night at a Topgolf facility in Scottsdale, and a video showed him hitting a long drive off a tee.Golf swings aren’t believed to be the reason for his injury, according to manager Dave Roberts.Bellinger is 4 for 13 with two doubles.He had been scheduled to play center field and bat fourth. Instead the Dodgers moved A.J. Pollock from left to center field and inserted Matt Beaty in left field for the spring training debut of left-hander David Price, who was acquired from Boston along with outfielder Mookie Betts.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — This wasn't what Cody Bellinger had in mind for getting his feet wet to start 2020.The Los Angeles Dodgers MVP was in the lineup for his team's spring training opener Saturday, facing the San Francisco Giants in a game delayed 2 1/2 hours due to rain in the Phoenix area. Manager Dave Roberts admitted he was nervous to start Bellinger in conditions that caused all but one other Cactus League game to get canceled, but Bellinger came out just fine. He singled and scored on Enrique Hernandez's homer, batted three times and played center field in the Dodgers' 10-4 win.Bellinger said there were minor issues only in left field, where the water from the tarp was emptied."The warning track was really wet (before the game), but they did a good job of fixing it up," Bellinger said of the Giants' grounds crew. "It turned out fine."Bellinger was certainly relieved to get back on the field after a bizarre offseason. The Dodgers first dealt with a stunning, season-ending, extra-inning... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Christian Yelich was driven last year by a desire to improve on the performance that earned him the NL MVP award in 2018.He won his second straight NL batting title and finished second to the Los Angeles Dodgers' Cody Bellinger in the MVP vote, his season cut short when he fouled a pitch from Miami's Elieser Hernández off his right kneecap on Sept. 10, breaking it."There will be no lack of motivation," Yelich said.He is likely to have less protection in the batting order following the departures of Jesús Aguilar, Yasmani Grandal, Mike Moustakas, Travis Shaw and Eric Thames."It's hard to stay disciplined every day," Yelich said. "You really have to bear down and focus, but I feel like if you do that, you make good decisions, and walks help the team, too. That's just how I've done it, it's what I did last season, especially toward the end there, and it's what I'm gong to work on again this year."The 28-year-old hit .329 with 44 homers, 97 RBIs and an 1.100 OPS in 130 games... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred apologized Tuesday for what he called a disrespectful reference to the World Series trophy as a “piece of metal.”Even before being asked about it, Manfred said he made a mistake with those comments while trying to deliver a rhetorical point in an interview two days earlier.“I referred to the World Series trophy in a disrespectful way, and I want to apologize for it,” Manfred said. "There's no excuse for it. ... It was a mistake to say what I said."MLB players, already upset with Manfred's handling of the Houston Astros' sign-stealing scandal and some of his comments in trying to explain it, became further infuriated by his “piece of metal” comment during a lengthy interview with ESPN on Sunday, the same day he spoke in Florida.Even NBA superstar LeBron James joined the anti-Astros chorus, voicing his anger on social media Tuesday.While speaking at the Cactus League media day in the Arizona desert, Manfred also pledged Tuesday to protect... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred apologized Tuesday for what he called a disrespectful reference to the World Series trophy as a “piece of metal.”Even before being asked about it, Manfred said he made a mistake with those comments while trying to deliver a rhetorical point in an interview two days earlier.“I referred to the World Series trophy in a disrespectful way, and I want to apologize for it,” Manfred said. "There's no excuse for it. ... It was a mistake to say what I said."MLB players, already upset with Manfred's handling of the Houston Astros' sign-stealing scandal and some of his comments in trying to explain it, became further infuriated by his “piece of metal” comment during a lengthy interview with ESPN on Sunday, the same day he spoke in Florida.Even NBA superstar LeBron James joined the anti-Astros chorus, voicing his anger on social media Tuesday.While speaking at the Cactus League media day in the Arizona desert, Manfred also pledged Tuesday to protect... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred apologized Tuesday for what he called a disrespectful reference to the World Series trophy as a “piece of metal.”Even before being asked about it, Manfred said he made a mistake with those comments while trying to deliver a rhetorical point in an interview two days earlier.“I referred to the World Series trophy in a disrespectful way, and I want to apologize for it,” Manfred said. "There's no excuse for it. ... It was a mistake to say what I said."MLB players, already upset with Manfred's handling of the Houston Astros' sign-stealing scandal and some of his comments in trying to explain it, became further infuriated by his “piece of metal” comment during a lengthy interview with ESPN on Sunday, the same day he spoke in Florida.Even NBA superstar LeBron James joined the anti-Astros chorus, voicing his anger on social media Tuesday.While speaking at the Cactus League media day in the Arizona desert, Manfred also pledged Tuesday to protect... [More]

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Clayton Kershaw is pleased practically everybody in the sport seized the opportunity to tee off on the cheating Houston Astros and Commissioner Rob Manfred's handling of the scandal over the past several days.The Los Angeles Dodgers' veteran ace also believes it's time for baseball to go back to work.“This type of thing has never happened before, and people are upset by it,” Kershaw said Tuesday after the Dodgers' first full squad workout of the spring. “People feel cheated, and rightfully so. The only thing I will say now is we’ve got a great season coming up. Everybody is really excited about baseball. Baseball is in a great spot. We’ve got a lot of incredible players.”Kershaw echoed the vibe around the clubhouse with the team that was among the most damaged by — and the angriest about — the Astros' use of illegal methods during their 2017 World Series championship run. The Dodgers haven't cooled down about the revelations, but Kershaw thinks that energy can be... [More]