A look at what's happening in the majors today:LET’S PLAY 7!Shortened doubleheaders are about to make their Major League Baseball debut. At least that’s the plan. In this most unpredictable and unusual of seasons, perhaps we shouldn’t take anything for granted.The Detroit Tigers are set to host the Cincinnati Reds in a pair of seven-inning games -- a day after the teams were rained out at Comerica Park, more showers are in the forecast.This will be the first doubleheader since MLB approved condensing twinbills to seven innings each this season. Baseball could see an unusually high number of doubleheaders due to positive coronavirus tests causing postponements, plus rainouts.“I think that’s a good rule change especially with the pitchers going down every day,” Houston manager Dusty Baker said. “With the shortage of pitchers, that is a good rule, especially with teams losing multiple guys.”WHO’S NEXT?Brewers star outfielder Lorenzo Cain and Marlins rookie second baseman Isan Diaz have become... [More]

A look at what's happening in the majors today:LET’S PLAY 7!Shortened doubleheaders are about to make their Major League Baseball debut. At least that’s the plan. In this most unpredictable and unusual of seasons, perhaps we shouldn’t take anything for granted.The Detroit Tigers are set to host the Cincinnati Reds in a pair of seven-inning games -- a day after the teams were rained out at Comerica Park, more showers are in the forecast.This will be the first doubleheader since MLB approved condensing twinbills to seven innings each this season. Baseball could see an unusually high number of doubleheaders due to positive coronavirus tests causing postponements, plus rainouts.“I think that’s a good rule change especially with the pitchers going down every day,” Houston manager Dusty Baker said. “With the shortage of pitchers, that is a good rule, especially with teams losing multiple guys.”WHO’S NEXT?Brewers star outfielder Lorenzo Cain and Marlins rookie second baseman Isan Diaz have become... [More]

A look at what's happening in the majors on Sunday:LET’S PLAY 7!Shortened doubleheaders are about to make their Major League Baseball debut. At least that’s the plan. In this most unpredictable and unusual of seasons, perhaps we shouldn’t take anything for granted.The Detroit Tigers are set to host the Cincinnati Reds in a pair of seven-inning games -- a day after the teams were rained out at Comerica Park, more showers are in the forecast.This will be the first doubleheader since MLB approved condensing twinbills to seven innings each this season. Baseball could see an unusually high number of doubleheaders due to positive coronavirus tests causing postponements, plus rainouts.“I think that’s a good rule change especially with the pitchers going down every day,” Houston manager Dusty Baker said. “With the shortage of pitchers, that is a good rule, especially with teams losing multiple guys.”WHO’S NEXT?Brewers star outfielder Lorenzo Cain and Marlins rookie second baseman Isan Diaz have... [More]

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Lorenzo Cain has decided not to play the remainder of the 2020 season.The Brewers announced the two-time All-Star’s decision Saturday hours after news broke that their scheduled home opener would be postponed for a second straight day because multiple members of the St. Louis Cardinals have tested positive for the coronavirus.“Lorenzo Cain has informed us that he will not participate for the remainder of the 2020 season,” Brewers general manager David Stearns said in a statement. “We fully support Lorenzo’s decision and will miss his talents on the field and leadership in the clubhouse.”Cain’s announcement comes on the same day that Miami Marlins second baseman Isan Diaz announced he was opting out. At least 21 members of the Marlins’ traveling party have tested positive for COVID-19.The Brewers haven’t dealt with that type of outbreak, but their schedule has been complicated by the St. Louis Cardinals’ issues. The Brewers’ scheduled home opener Friday was postponed after two Cardinals tested positive.Saturday’s Brewers-Cardinals game also was called off, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press, after one more player and three staff members with St. Louis tested positive for the disease.___AP Sports Writer Jake Seiner in New York contributed to this report.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

The Cardinals-Brewers game in Milwaukee on Saturday was postponed after one more player and three staff members with St. Louis tested positive for the coronavirus, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press.The Miami Marlins received no new positive results in their latest round of coronavirus testing, a different person familiar with that situation said, but second baseman Isan Diaz opted out of the season.The Philadelphia Phillies, meanwhile, said they had no new positives from tests a day before. Players were permitted to access Citizens Bank Park for staggered workouts beginning in the afternoon. The people with knowledge of the Cardinals’ and Marlins’ situations spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the tests had not been released publicly.Two Cardinals players were flagged for positive tests on Friday, forcing the series opener in Milwaukee to be called off. The teams had hoped to resume play Saturday and make up Friday’s game as part of a doubleheader... [More]

The Miami Marlins received no new positive results in their latest round of coronavirus testing, a person familiar with the situation said Saturday, but second baseman Isan Diaz opted out of the season.The Philadelphia Phillies, meanwhile, said Saturday they had no new positives from tests a day before. Players were permitted to access Citizens Bank Park for staggered workouts beginning in the afternoon. The person discussing the Marlins spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the tests had not been released publicly. At least 21 members of the Marlins’ traveling party have been infected by an outbreak at the start of a season-opening trip.The team hasn’t played since Sunday in Philadelphia but hopes to resume games next week.Diaz consistently tested negative while the season was on hold, but he decided to become the first Miami player to opt out. He played in two of the Marlins' three games before their season was halted.Diaz batted .173 as a rookie last year, but... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — The Miami Marlins received no new positive results in their latest round of coronavirus testing, a person familiar with the situation said Saturday, but second baseman Isan Diaz decided to opt out of the season.The person confirmed the test results to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they had not been released publicly. At least 21 members of the Marlins’ traveling party have been infected by an outbreak at the start of a season-opening trip.The team hasn’t played since Sunday in Philadelphia but hopes to resume games next week.Diaz consistently tested negative while the season was on hold, but he decided to become the first Miami player to opt out. He played in two of the Marlins' three games before their season was halted.Diaz batted .173 as a rookie last year, but the organization has big hopes regarding his potential.The infected Marlins players and staff left Philadelphia in sleeper buses Friday for Miami, where they will stay together in quarantine. The rest of the team remained in isolation at a hotel in Philadelphia.___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MIAMI (AP) — Miami Marlins second baseman Isan Diaz is opting out of the 2020 season as his team copes with a coronavirus outbreak that developed during a season-opening trip.At least 21 members of the Marlins' traveling party have been infected, and the team hasn't played since Sunday in Philadelphia.Diaz consistently tested negative while the Marlins' season was on hold, but he decided to become the first Miami player to opt out. He played in two of the Marlins' three games before their season was halted.Diaz batted .173 as a rookie last year, but the organization has big hopes regarding his potential.___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Phillies first. Adam Haseley singles to left field. Rhys Hoskins doubles. Adam Haseley to third. Bryce Harper homers to right field. Rhys Hoskins scores. Adam Haseley scores. J.T. Realmuto grounds out to shallow infield, Brian Anderson to Jesus Aguilar. Didi Gregorius flies out to deep left field to Corey Dickerson. Jean Segura singles to left field. Jay Bruce triples to deep center field. Jean Segura scores. Scott Kingery flies out to deep center field to Magneuris Sierra.4 runs, 5 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Phillies 4, Marlins 0.Marlins second. Jesus Aguilar homers to center field. Brian Anderson hit by pitch. Francisco Cervelli lines out to deep center field to Adam Haseley. Isan Diaz singles to right field. Brian Anderson to third. Miguel Rojas homers to left field. Isan Diaz scores. Brian Anderson scores. Magneuris Sierra walks. Jonathan Villar grounds out to shallow infield, Didi Gregorius to Rhys Hoskins.4 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Marlins 4, Phillies 4.Phillies second.... [More]

Marlins third. Isan Diaz strikes out swinging. Francisco Cervelli singles to shallow center field. Miguel Rojas singles to right field. Francisco Cervelli to third. Jonathan Villar out on a sacrifice fly to center field to Roman Quinn. Francisco Cervelli scores. Jesus Aguilar called out on strikes.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Marlins 1, Phillies 0.Phillies fifth. Didi Gregorius homers to right field. Jean Segura strikes out swinging. Jay Bruce lines out to Corey Dickerson. Scott Kingery grounds out to shallow infield, Miguel Rojas to Jesus Aguilar.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Marlins 1, Phillies 1.Marlins sixth. Miguel Rojas walks. Jonathan Villar strikes out on a foul bunt. Jesus Aguilar homers to center field. Miguel Rojas scores. Corey Dickerson doubles. Harold Ramirez walks. Brian Anderson strikes out swinging. Garrett Cooper doubles to deep left center field. Harold Ramirez scores. Isan Diaz grounds out to shallow infield, Reggie McClain to Rhys Hoskins.4 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Marlins 5, Phillies 1.Phillies seventh. J.T. Realmuto grounds out to shallow left field, Brian Anderson to Jesus Aguilar. Didi Gregorius walks. Jean Segura lines out to deep center field to Jonathan Villar. Jay Bruce reaches on error to deep center field, advances to 2nd. Didi Gregorius scores. Fielding error by Jonathan Villar. Scott Kingery grounds out to second base, Isan Diaz to Jesus Aguilar.1 run, 0 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Marlins 5, Phillies 2.

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Miami manager Don Mattingly believes Jonathan Villar's move to center field is progressing nicely.Villar isn't so sure.“Hopefully I will be more comfortable when we start that first day,” Villar said.An offseason trade brought Villar, a second baseman last season, from Baltimore to Miami. A perceived glut of middle infielders prompted the Marlins to try to convert the athletic Villar into an outfielder.“We feel good about it,” Mattingly said. Villar has only played center field eight times during his seven-year career, most recently in 2017 with Milwaukee. He's primarily been a middle infielder, but also has major league experience at third base and left field.Miguel Rojas is entrenched at shortstop and the Marlins expect prospect Isan Diaz to make the full-time transition to the majors this season.Villar arrived at Marlins camp four days early to begin working on outfield drills with first base/outfielders coach Billy Hatcher. Mattingly sees improvement on Villar's... [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]

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Nervous or not, South Korean star Kwang Hyun Kim is proving problematic for major league hitters.The 31-year-old left-hander retired all six Miami batters he faced in his first Grapefruit League start for the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday. It came after he threw one shutout inning of relief against the New York Mets on Saturday.“I was nervous today compared to my first appearance, against the Mets,” Kim said through an interpreter. "I had a long time to prepare, so that made me kind of nervous.”Kim struggled with control of his off-speed pitches in the first inning, but he found his rhythm in the second. He kept batters off balance mixing a fastball that touched 95 mph with his curve, eliciting some ugly swings and soft contact. The Marlins didn't get a ball out of the infield against Kim.“Last time against the Mets, because it was my first appearance, they tried to be patient,” Kim said. “Because I was aggressive today, pounding the strike zone, they were aggressive... [More]

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — New York Mets pitcher Rick Porcello made his first pitch to be part of the club’s starting rotation Saturday, but the Miami Marlins stole a bit of his thunder.Porcello pitched one inning and allowed two hits in the Mets’ spring training opener, allowing one run when Miami’s Monte Harrison swiped a pair of bases and scored on a bloop single. The Mets lost 5-3, dropping their first game in newly-renovated Clover Park, which has undergone a $57 million facelift that began last year. Porcello pitched 11 seasons in the American League for the Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox before inking a $10 million, one-year deal with the Mets. He's never pitched in the National League and expects a learning curve — something the Marlins gave him with aggressive baserunning during his 17-pitch outing.“Get out there first pitch with a runner on first (base), and he’s gone," Porcello said. "I’ll start paying attention to that more and be prepared more for a change in style of play.”After... [More]

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Versatile newcomer Jonathan Villar is expected to be an ironman in the Miami Marlins' lineup, even if they don’t know where.Villar played in all 162 games last year for the Baltimore Orioles, mostly at second base and shortstop. But the Marlins will give him a spring training tryout in center field because they have little experience there.“I’m coming here to help the team,” Villar said. “They want me to play center field, so I’ll try. If I can play another position I’ll do it.”Villar's seven-year career has included eight games in center field, most recently in 2017 with the Milwaukee Brewers. He has been mostly a middle infielder but has also played third base and left field.“We’re going to mess around with center field and see if that’s a position he can handle,” manager Don Mattingly said. “You look at Jonathan and really feel he’s the best athlete on the field. So we’re going to give it a shot. We think he fits there with our club and our pieces, and it would be... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Brewers cut $15 million in payroll for next season, trading right-hander Chase Anderson to the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday for prospect Chad Spanberger and declining a $7.5 million option on first baseman Eric Thames.Anderson was 8-4 with a 4.21 ERA in 27 starts and five relief appearances. Milwaukee had planned to decline his $8.5 million option, which would have made him eligible for salary arbitration.Thames, who turns 33 on Sunday, hit .247 with 25 homers and 61 RBIs in 149 games last season. He will receive a $1 million buyout.Signed to $16 million, three-year contract after establishing himself in the South Korean League, Thames hit 59 homers in three seasons with Milwaukee.While Thames does not have six years of major league service, his contract included a provision stating he would become a free agent when the deal ended."We'll continue to be in touch with Eric and his agent and we'll see if there's a fit at some point later in the offseason but at this point,... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Brewers cut $15 million in payroll for next season, trading right-hander Chase Anderson to the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday for prospect Chad Spanberger and declining a $7.5 million option on first baseman Eric Thames.Anderson was 8-4 with a 4.21 ERA in 27 starts and five relief appearances. Milwaukee had planned to decline his $8.5 million option, which would have made him eligible for salary arbitration.Thames, who turns 33 on Sunday, hit .247 with 25 homers and 61 RBIs in 149 games last season. He will receive a $1 million buyout.Signed to $16 million, three-year contract after establishing himself in the South Korean League, Thames hit 59 homers in three seasons with Milwaukee.While Thames does not have six years of major league service, his contract included a provision stating he would become a free agent when the deal ended."We'll continue to be in touch with Eric and his agent and we'll see if there's a fit at some point later in the offseason but at this point,... [More]

Marlins second. Starlin Castro homers to center field. Harold Ramirez singles to left field. Isan Diaz homers to right field. Harold Ramirez scores. Austin Dean lines out to shortstop to Sean Rodriguez. Bryan Holaday flies out to right field to Bryce Harper. Sandy Alcantara called out on strikes.3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Marlins 3, Phillies 0.Marlins third. Jon Berti singles to center field. Martin Prado homers to left field. Curtis Granderson flies out to left field to Brad Miller. Starlin Castro flies out to center field to Adam Haseley.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Marlins 4, Phillies 0.Phillies third. Nick Williams pinch-hitting for Edgar Garcia. Nick Williams lines out to center field to Harold Ramirez. Cesar Hernandez grounds out to second base, Isan Diaz to Martin Prado. Brad Miller homers to center field. Bryce Harper singles to center field. Rhys Hoskins strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Marlins 4, Phillies 1.Phillies seventh. Cesar Hernandez singles to shallow infield. Brad Miller homers to center field. Cesar Hernandez scores. Bryce Harper strikes out swinging. Rhys Hoskins singles to right center field. Adam Haseley singles to right center field. Rhys Hoskins to second. Maikel Franco pops out to shallow center field to Jon Berti. Andrew Knapp strikes out swinging.2 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Marlins 4, Phillies 3.

Marlins first. Jon Berti flies out to deep left center field to Brad Miller. Miguel Rojas hit by pitch. Starlin Castro doubles to deep left field. Miguel Rojas scores. Austin Dean strikes out swinging. Isan Diaz flies out to left field to Brad Miller.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Marlins 1, Phillies 0.Phillies first. Cesar Hernandez doubles to deep left field. Scott Kingery lines out to right field to Lewis Brinson. Bryce Harper triples to deep center field. Cesar Hernandez scores. Rhys Hoskins out on a sacrifice fly to deep right center field to Lewis Brinson. Bryce Harper scores. Brad Miller singles to shortstop. Andrew Knapp grounds out to first base to Austin Dean.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Phillies 2, Marlins 1.Marlins second. Harold Ramirez homers to center field. Lewis Brinson grounds out to third base, Maikel Franco to Rhys Hoskins. Tyler Heineman singles to right field. Pablo Lopez strikes out on a foul bunt. Jon Berti grounds out to shortstop, Scott Kingery to Rhys... [More]

Mets seventh. Robinson Cano grounds out to shortstop, Miguel Rojas to Austin Dean. Todd Frazier singles to center field. Luis Guillorme singles to center field. Todd Frazier to third. Rene Rivera walks. Luis Guillorme to second. Zack Wheeler singles to right center field. Rene Rivera to second. Luis Guillorme to third. Todd Frazier scores. Brandon Nimmo out on a sacrifice fly to center field to Jon Berti. Luis Guillorme scores. Pete Alonso strikes out swinging.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Mets 2, Marlins 0.Marlins eighth. Harold Ramirez doubles to deep left center field. Lewis Brinson grounds out to shortstop, Luis Guillorme to Pete Alonso. Harold Ramirez to third. Tyler Heineman homers to right field. Harold Ramirez scores. Curtis Granderson pinch-hitting for Jeff Brigham. Curtis Granderson homers to center field. Jon Berti flies out to center field to Brandon Nimmo. Miguel Rojas pops out to shallow center field to Luis Guillorme.3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Marlins 3, Mets 2.Marlins ninth. Isan Diaz strikes out swinging. Starlin Castro grounds out to shallow infield to Pete Alonso. Austin Dean homers to left field. Harold Ramirez grounds out to shortstop, Luis Guillorme to Pete Alonso.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Marlins 4, Mets 2.