CHICAGO (AP) — Javier Báez lined a two-run homer, Anthony Rizzo had two doubles among three hits and the surging Chicago Cubs beat the San Diego Padres 6-1 on Wednesday for their third straight win and ninth in 10 games. Baez’s shot to the left-field bleachers was his 14th homer and third in three games, and it capped a three-run seventh that allowed Chicago to put it away. Rizzo drove in two runs in the fifth with his first double to snap 1-1 tie. The Cubs homered eight times as they swept the Padres in a three-game set at Wrigley Field for the first time since May 2012. San Diego lost its fourth straight, its longest skid since last August. Pierce Johnson (1-2) was charged with the loss. Adbert Alzolay (4-4) allowed one run on three hits and struck out seven in five innings for the win. Four Cubs relievers followed with four scoreless innings. METS 7, DIAMONDBACKS 6 PHOENIX (AP) — Pete Alonso scored Francisco Lindor with a go-ahead single in the ninth inning, James McCann homered and... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks continued to deal with a surge of early-season injuries, putting starting pitcher Zac Gallen and first baseman Christian Walker on the 10-day injured list Wednesday. Gallen has a sprained right ulnar collateral ligament, which is the ligament replaced in Tommy John surgery. Walker has a sore right oblique; a similar injury put him on the IL earlier this season. Gallen has emerged as one of baseball’s top young pitchers. He finished ninth in the NL Cy Young Award voting last season and had a 3.04 ERA through five starts this year. Manager Torey Lovullo was confident the D-backs’ medical team caught Gallen’s injury early, saying the elbow sprain was “minor” and that he was hopeful the 25-year-old would be able to avoid having the Tommy John procedure. “We have multiple opinions that are coming in and as of right now, it looks like we’re going to reassess in a couple weeks,” Lovullo said. Gallen missed his first start of the season with a hairline fracture... [More]

BALTIMORE (AP) — Trey Mancini hit a go-ahead solo homer and later knocked in an insurance run, Jorge López and four relievers combined on a four-hitter and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Boston Red Sox 4-1 on Monday night. The Orioles had dropped their first six games at Camden Yards this season against the Red Sox and avoided a four-game sweep. It was the first time the home team won in 10 games between the teams this season. Boston still has the best record (22-14) and the best road record (12-5) in baseball. Baltimore’s bullpen combined for 3 1/3 scoreless innings, retiring all 10 batters it faced. Tanner Scott (2-2) struck out his only hitter to complete the sixth, Travis Lakins Sr. and Paul Fry both completed perfect innings, and César Valdez worked the ninth for his eighth save. Mancini put the Orioles ahead 2-1 with a blast to center off reliever Matt Andriese (1-2) to lead off the sixth. ANGELS 5, ASTROS 4 HOUSTON (AP) — Jared Walsh homered and matched a career high with four hits,... [More]

Arizona's ace pitcher, star center fielder, slugging right fielder and two-time Gold Glove shortstop already are injured. The team's high-priced veteran starting pitcher has been ineffective. The reconstructed bullpen is down three arms at the moment. Other than that, things are going just fine for the Diamondbacks seven games into the season. In the long slog that is Major League Baseball's 162-game schedule, panicking after a 2-5 start could be viewed as alarmist. But it's hard to imagine things going much worse for a team that has the unenviable task of chasing the defending world champion Los Angeles Dodgers and loaded San Diego Padres in the NL West. D-backs manager Torey Lovullo acknowledged the challenge. He also expressed optimism Arizona could overcome the substantial early adversity. “The hits keep coming," Lovullo said after an 8-0 loss to the Rockies on Wednesday. “We budgeted for this. We’ve talked about these things. Good baseball teams have the depth to have the group that... [More]

Arizona's ace pitcher, star center fielder, slugging right fielder and two-time Gold Glove shortstop already are injured. The team's high-priced veteran starting pitcher has been ineffective. The reconstructed bullpen is down three arms at the moment. Other than that, things are going just fine for the Diamondbacks six games into the season. In the long slog that is Major League Baseball's 162-game schedule, panicking after a 2-5 start could be viewed as alarmist. But it's hard to imagine things going much worse for a team that has the unenviable task of chasing the defending world champion Los Angeles Dodgers and loaded San Diego Padres in the NL West. D-backs manager Torey Lovullo acknowledged the challenge. He also expressed optimism Arizona could overcome the substantial early adversity. “The hits keep coming," Lovullo said after an 8-0 loss to the Rockies on Wednesday. “We budgeted for this. We’ve talked about these things. Good baseball teams have the depth to have the group that... [More]

Arizona's ace pitcher, star center fielder, slugging right fielder and two-time Gold Glove shortstop already are injured. The team's high-priced veteran starting pitcher has been ineffective. The reconstructed bullpen is down three arms at the moment. Other than that, things are going just fine for the Diamondbacks six games into the season. In the long slog that is Major League Baseball's 162-game schedule, panicking after a 2-4 start could be viewed as alarmist. But it's hard to imagine things going much worse for a team that has the unenviable task of chasing the defending world champion Los Angeles Dodgers and loaded San Diego Padres in the NL West. D-backs manager Torey Lovullo acknowledged the challenge. He also expressed optimism Arizona could overcome the substantial early adversity. “The hits keep coming," Lovullo said after an 8-0 loss to the Rockies on Wednesday. “We budgeted for this. We’ve talked about these things. Good baseball teams have the depth to have the group that... [More]

The Arizona Diamondbacks are ready to open the season in familiar fashion: with Mad Bum on the mound. Madison Bumgarner was tabbed by manager Torey Lovullo to make his second straight opening day start for the Diamondbacks on Thursday at San Diego. The 31-year-old four-time All-Star struggled last season — his first in Arizona — going 1-4 with a 6.48 ERA. He was 2-1 with a 6.35 ERA in three spring starts, including allowing six earned runs against Cincinnati on Friday. But Bumgarner, who signed a five-year, $85 million contract before last season, will still lead off a Diamondbacks rotation that includes Merrill Kelly, Caleb Smith, Taylor Widener and Luke Weaver. This will be the seventh opening day start in Bumgarner's career after doing so five times with San Francisco. The Yankees also are setting their rotation, announcing Sunday that Corey Kluber will follow ace Gerrit Cole against Toronto. Kluber, who signed a one-year, $11 million contract with New York, has thrown one inning in... [More]

The Arizona Diamondbacks are ready to open the season in familiar fashion: with Mad Bum on the mound. Madison Bumgarner was tabbed by manager Torey Lovullo to make his second straight opening day start for the Diamondbacks on Thursday at San Diego. The 31-year-old four-time All-Star struggled last season — his first in Arizona — going 1-4 with a 6.48 ERA. He was 2-1 with a 6.35 ERA in three spring starts, including allowing six earned runs against Cincinnati on Friday. But Bumgarner, who signed a five-year, $85 million contract before last season, will still lead off a Diamondbacks rotation that includes Merrill Kelly, Caleb Smith, Taylor Widener and Luke Weaver. This will be the seventh opening day start in Bumgarner's career after doing so five times with San Francisco. The Yankees also are setting their rotation, announcing Sunday that Corey Kluber will follow ace Gerrit Cole against Toronto. Kluber, who signed a one-year, $11 million contract with New York, has thrown one inning in... [More]

The Arizona Diamondbacks have uncertainty in their bullpen this spring and essentially every role is up for grabs. Veteran right-hander Tyler Clippard is completely fine with that situation. After 14 years in the bullpen, he's done just about everything. Clippard was announced as a member of the Diamondbacks on Friday, four days after he agreed to terms on a $2.25 million, one-year contract. The deal includes a $1.75 million salary this year and a $3.5 million mutual option for 2022 with a $500,000 buyout. He had a career-high 32 saves with the Nationals in 2012 and also had 17 saves with the Athletics in 2015 but most of his best seasons have come as a setup man who can pitch longer stints if needed. “I understand the value in being a bridge guy, maybe covering multiple innings or coming in with guys on base in the sixth," Clippard said. "I can do a lot of different things so I understand the value in that. So there’s no urgency to say I want to do this or that.” The 36-year-old is a two-time... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a $2.25 million, one-year contract with reliever Tyler Clippard, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press. The agreement was reached on Monday and confirmed to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal is pending a physical. The deal includes a $1.75 million salary this year and a $3.5 million mutual option for 2022 with a $500,000 buyout. The 36-year-old right-hander is a two-time All-Star and has 777 appearances over 14 seasons with a career 3.13 ERA. He had a 2.77 ERA in 26 appearances with the Minnesota Twins last season, when he made $1,018,519 in prorated pay from a $2.75 million base salary plus $190,021 in earned bonuses for total income of $1,208,540. This will be Clippard's second stint with the Diamondbacks. He appeared in 40 games with the team in 2016 before being sent to the New York Yankees in a trade. Clippard is the second veteran bullpen arm the D-backs have signed in... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a $2.25 million, one-year contract with reliever Tyler Clippard, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press. The agreement was reached on Monday and confirmed to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal is pending a physical. The deal includes a $1.75 million salary this year and a $3.5 million mutual option for 2022 with a $500,000 buyout. The 36-year-old right-hander is a two-time All-Star and has 777 appearances over 14 seasons with a career 3.13 ERA. He had a 2.77 ERA in 26 appearances with the Minnesota Twins last season, when he made $1,018,519 in prorated pay from a $2.75 million base salary plus $190,021 in earned bonuses for total income of $1,208,540. This will be Clippard's second stint with the Diamondbacks. He appeared in 40 games with the team in 2016 before being sent to the New York Yankees in a trade. Clippard is the second veteran bullpen arm the D-backs have signed in... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a $2.25 million, one-year contract with reliever Tyler Clippard, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press. The agreement was reached on Monday and confirmed to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal is pending a physical. The deal includes a $1.75 million salary this year and a $3.5 million mutual option for 2022 with a $500,000 buyout. The 36-year-old right-hander is a two-time All-Star and has 777 appearances over 14 seasons with a career 3.13 ERA. He had a 2.77 ERA in 26 appearances with the Minnesota Twins last season, when he made $1,018,519 in prorated pay from a $2.75 million base salary plus $190,021 in earned bonuses for total income of $1,208,540. This will be Clippard's second stint with the Diamondbacks. He appeared in 40 games with the team in 2016 before being sent to the New York Yankees in a trade. Clippard is the second veteran bullpen arm the D-backs have signed in... [More]

Manager Torey Lovullo is eager for a do-over after a 2020 season that the Arizona Diamondbacks won't remember fondly. Getting it right might decide his future with the franchise. The 55-year-old Lovullo enters his fifth year with the Diamondbacks — and the final year of his current contract — under a substantial amount of scrutiny. Arizona spent a lot of money on free agents before the 2020 season but fell well short of expectations, finishing in last place in the NL West with a 25-35 record. Lovullo shrugged off any notion that he's feeling added pressure on Wednesday, when the team's pitchers and catchers went through their first workouts in Scottsdale, Arizona. The manager said he's approaching the upcoming season just like he's got a “10-year contract under my belt.” “Look, it's a game of results,” Lovullo said. “I need to be held accountable to that. I would expect that. I ask the players to be accountable. So for me, it's a nonissue.” Lovullo has had a generally successful tenure... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a $1.75 million, one-year deal with veteran infielder Asdrúbal Cabrera, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press. The agreement was reached on Friday and confirmed to the AP on condition of anonymity Saturday because the deal is pending a physical. Cabrera can earn up to $1.05 million in performance bonuses. The 35-year-old is a two-time All-Star who was with the Washington Nationals in 2020, batting .242 with eight homers and 31 RBIs in the pandemic-shortened season. Cabrera seems like an ideal fit for the Diamondbacks at second base, which would move the versatile Ketel Marte back to center field. Marte had a breakout year in 2019 while playing mostly center field but was moved back to primarily second base in 2020. Cabrera was an All-Star with the Cleveland Indians in 2011 and 2012. He has played all four infield positions during his career and has nearly 1,700 career hits, along with 188 homers. The Diamondbacks have made a couple of moves over the past few weeks after a quiet offseason. They signed veteran relief pitcher Joakim Soria to a $3.5 million, one-year deal. Arizona is coming off a disappointing 25-35 record in 2020, which put them last in the NL West. ___ Follow David Brandt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/davidbrandtAP ___ More AP MLB coverage: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a $1.75 million, one-year deal with veteran infielder Asdrúbal Cabrera, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press. The agreement was reached on Friday and confirmed to the AP on condition of anonymity Saturday because the deal is pending a physical. Cabrera can earn up to $1.05 million in performance bonuses. The 35-year-old is a two-time All-Star who was with the Washington Nationals in 2020, batting .242 with eight homers and 31 RBIs in the pandemic-shortened season. Cabrera seems like an ideal fit for the Diamondbacks at second base, which would move the versatile Ketel Marte back to center field. Marte had a breakout year in 2019 while playing mostly center field but was moved back to primarily second base in 2020. Cabrera was an All-Star with the Cleveland Indians in 2011 and 2012. He has played all four infield positions during his career and has nearly 1,700 career hits, along with 188 homers. The Diamondbacks have made a couple of moves over the past few weeks after a quiet offseason. They signed veteran relief pitcher Joakim Soria to a $3.5 million, one-year deal. Arizona is coming off a disappointing 25-35 record in 2020, which put them last in the NL West. ___ Follow David Brandt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/davidbrandtAP ___ More AP MLB coverage: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A team-by-team look at the American League West 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: ___ Oakland Athletics Manager: Bob Melvin (11th season). 2020: 36-24, first place, lost to Houston in Division Series. Training Town: Mesa, Arizona. Park: Hohokam Stadium. First Workout: Feb. 17/22. He’s Here: SS Elvis Andrus, C Aramis Garcia, LHP Cole Irvin, LHP Nik Turley, INF Jed Lowrie. He’s Outta Here: SS Marcus Semien, RHP Liam Hendriks, OF Khris Davis, 2B Tommy La Stella, OF Robbie Grossman, RHP Yusmeiro Petit, RHP Joakim Soria, LHP T.J. McFarland, 3B Jake Lamb, LHP Mike Minor. Going campin’: After winning their first division title in seven years, the A’s took some serious hits this offseason with Semien leaving to sign a one-year deal in Toronto after not getting a qualifying offer from Oakland and star closer Hendriks signing with the White Sox. The A’s acquired Andrus to replace... [More]

A team-by-team look at the National League West 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: ___ Los Angeles Dodgers Manager: Dave Roberts (sixth season). 2019: 43-17, first place, World Series champions. Training Town: Glendale, Arizona. Park: Camelback Ranch. First Workout: Feb. 18/23. He’s Here: RHP Trevor Bauer, RHP Tommy Kahnle, LHP Garrett Cleavinger. He’s Outta Here: 3B Justin Turner, RHP Pedro Báez, INF/OF Enrique Hernández, LF Joc Pederson, LHP Alex Wood, RHP Jimmy Nelson, OF Terrance Gore. Going campin’: After winning their first World Series title since 1988 during the pandemic-shortened season, the Dodgers are looking to repeat. They made a major splash just before spring training, signing Bauer a year after trading for Mookie Betts and David Price in February. The roster boasts an enviable three MVPs and three Cy Young Award winners, making the Dodgers the favorites... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks have finalized their $3.5 million, one-year contract with relief pitcher Joakim Soria. The 36-year-old right-hander can earn $500,000 in performance bonuses for games pitched: $125,000 each for 40, 50, 60 and 65. He would get a one-time $500,000 assignment bonus if traded. He also receives a hotel suite on road trips. The two-time All-Star will be pitching for his eighth MLB team. He spent the past two years with Oakland and finished with a 2.82 ERA in 22 appearances during the abbreviated 2020 season. He earned $3,148,148 in prorated pay from an $8.5 million salary during the final season of a $15 million, two-year contract. Soria’s deal was the first notable move by the Diamondbacks during a quiet offseason. Arizona is coming off a disappointing last-place finish in the NL West. The D-backs don’t have a clear-cut closer for the upcoming season and Soria could be in the mix for the job along with holdovers like Stefan Crichton and Kevin Ginkel. Soria... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to terms on a $3.5 million, one-year deal with veteran relief pitcher Joakim Soria, according to a person with knowledge of the negotiations. The agreement was reached on Wednesday and confirmed by The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal is pending the completion of a successful physical exam. Soria can earn $500,000 in performance incentives. The two-time All-Star will be pitching for his eighth MLB team. The 36-year-old right-hander spent the past two years with Oakland and finished with a 2.82 ERA in 22 appearances during the abbreviated 2020 season. Soria's deal was the first notable move by the Diamondbacks during a quiet offseason. Arizona is coming off a disappointing last-place finish in the NL West. The D-backs don't have a clear-cut closer for the upcoming season and Soria could be in the mix for the job along with holdovers like Stefan Crichton and Kevin Ginkel. Soria had his best years as the closer in Kansas City with 42 saves in 2008 and 43 in 2010, which were both his All-Star seasons. While he hasn't matched those numbers since, he's been a dependable reliever over the past decade and has 732 career appearances, which is third among active pitchers. The Athletic first reported Soria's deal with the Diamondbacks. ___ More AP MLB coverage: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to terms on a one-year, $3.5 million deal with veteran relief pitcher Joakim Soria, according to a person with knowledge of the negotiations. The agreement was reached on Wednesday and confirmed by The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal is pending the completion of a successful physical exam. Soria can earn $500,000 in performance incentives. The two-time All-Star has pitched will be pitching for his eighth MLB team. The 36-year-old right-hander spent the past two years with Oakland and finished with a 2.82 ERA in 22 appearances during the abbreviated 2020 season. Soria's deal was the first notable move by the Diamondbacks during a quiet offseason. Arizona is coming off a disappointing last-place finish in the NL West. The D-backs don't have a clear-cut closer for the upcoming season and Soria could be in the mix for the job along with holdovers like Stefan Crichton and Kevin Ginkel. The Athletic first reported Soria's deal with the Diamondbacks. ___ More AP MLB coverage: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports