PITTSBURGH (AP) — Catcher Elias Diaz will not return to the Pittsburgh Pirates after the club declined to offer him a contract for the 2020 season Monday.The 29-year-old Diaz inherited the starting job last season while Francisco Cervelli dealt with a concussion before being released in August. Diaz hit .241 with two home runs and 28 RBIs in 101 games while splitting time with Jacob Stallings. Diaz struggled defensively. His 12 errors led all National League catchers and his eight passed balls ranked fifth.The Pirates did sign shortstop Erik Gonzalez to a 2020 contract. Gonzalez hit .254 with one home run and six RBIs in his first season in Pittsburgh in 2019. He missed more than three months after fracturing his collarbone during a collision with center fielder Starling Marte in April.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Braves first. Ronald Acuna Jr. walks. Ozzie Albies walks. Freddie Freeman singles to left field. Ozzie Albies to third. Josh Donaldson reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Freddie Freeman to second. Ozzie Albies scores. Throwing error by Kolten Wong. Nick Markakis flies out to left field to Marcell Ozuna. Matt Joyce flies out to left field to Marcell Ozuna.1 run, 1 hit, 1 error, 2 left on. Braves 1, Cardinals 0.Cardinals fifth. Harrison Bader singles to shallow infield. Miles Mikolas out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Dallas Keuchel to Ozzie Albies. Harrison Bader to second. Dexter Fowler grounds out to second base, Ozzie Albies to Freddie Freeman. Harrison Bader scores. Tommy Edman doubles to left center field. Paul Goldschmidt lines out to shortstop to Dansby Swanson.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cardinals 1, Braves 1.Braves sixth. Freddie Freeman grounds out to third base, Tommy Edman to Paul Goldschmidt. Josh Donaldson hit by pitch. Nick Markakis doubles to right... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves will have three players picked up cheaply during the season on the NL Division Series roster, while the St. Louis Cardinals left right-hander John Gant off their 25-man squad.Outfielder Billy Hamilton, shortstop Adeiny Hechavarría and catcher Francisco Cervelli made the roster announced by the Braves ahead of Game 1 Thursday in the best-of-five series. Atlanta had previously announced it would carry 11 pitchers and 14 position players, leaving 10-game winner Julio Teheran and rookie slugger Austin Riley off the squad.Gant, a former Braves pitcher, was omitted from the Cardinals roster despite going 11-1 with a 3.66 ERA in 64 games. He got off to a brilliant start but looked worn out by the end of the season, posting a 13.50 ERA over his last nine appearances.“The biggest person off the roster is John Gant,” Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said. “That was the hardest decision, quite candidly, by far. You're talking about a guy that won 11 games, more than... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves will have three players picked up cheaply during the season on the NL Division Series roster, while the St. Louis Cardinals left right-hander John Gant off their 25-man squad.Outfielder Billy Hamilton, shortstop Adeiny Hechavarría and catcher Francisco Cervelli made the roster announced by the Braves ahead of Game 1 Thursday in the best-of-five series. Atlanta had previously announced it would carry 11 pitchers and 14 position players, leaving 10-game winner Julio Teheran and rookie slugger Austin Riley off the squad.Gant, a former Braves pitcher, was omitted from the Cardinals roster despite going 11-1 with a 3.66 ERA in 64 games. He got off to a brilliant start but looked worn out by the end of the season, posting a 13.50 ERA over his last nine appearances.Infielder Kolten Wong, who has not played since Sept. 19 because of a hamstring injury, was included on the Cardinals roster. He batted .285 with 11 homers, 59 RBIs and 24 stolen bases.When the Braves... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves will have three players picked up cheaply during the season on the NL Division Series roster, while the St. Louis Cardinals are going with five rookies on their 25-man squad.Outfielder Billy Hamilton, shortstop Adeiny Hechavarría and catcher Francisco Cervelli made the roster announced by the Braves ahead of Game 1 Thursday in the best-of-five series. Atlanta had previously announced it would carry 11 pitchers and 14 position players, leaving 10-game winner Julio Teheran and rookie slugger Austin Riley off the squad.When the Braves were struck by a rash of injuries, Hamilton was claimed off waivers from the Kansas City Royals, while Hechavarría and Cervelli were signed after being released by the New York Mets and Pittsburgh Pirates, respectively.They contributed in Atlanta’s push for a second straight NL East title.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Jameson Taillon didn't throw a pitch after May 1. Felipe Vázquez headed to his second All-Star Game in July. By September, he was in jail . Clint Hurdle, who spearheaded a renaissance earlier in the decade, went into the last day of a lost season talking enthusiastically about the future. Two hours later, he was out of a job .Maybe it was a fitting way for the Pittsburgh Pirates to end a 69-93 campaign, one final bout of turbulence in a year when the sailing was rarely smooth. While general manager Neal Huntington talked about the need for a "new voice" heading into 2020, the club the new manager will inherit believes the worst is over."If we can get through all the stuff that's happened this year, all the losses, all the troubles, all the crazy stuff that happened, this is what we call the storm," pitcher Steven Brault said. "So if we can weather the storm and still be as together as we are, I think we're all looking forward to next year."Hard to blame them. Trevor Williams... [More]

Braves first. Dansby Swanson doubles to left center field. Ozzie Albies flies out to left field to J.D. Davis. Freddie Freeman strikes out swinging. Nick Markakis walks. Adeiny Hechavarria singles to center field. Nick Markakis to second. Dansby Swanson scores. Brian McCann grounds out to shallow center field, Robinson Cano to Pete Alonso.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Braves 1, Mets 0.Mets first. Brandon Nimmo lines out to right field to Matt Joyce. Pete Alonso singles to right field. Michael Conforto singles to right field. Pete Alonso to third. Robinson Cano out on a sacrifice fly to left field to Nick Markakis. Pete Alonso scores. J.D. Davis homers to center field. Michael Conforto scores. Amed Rosario singles to shallow infield.3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Mets 3, Braves 1.Braves fourth. Adeiny Hechavarria flies out to center field to Brandon Nimmo. Brian McCann lines out to shallow right field to Robinson Cano. Matt Joyce singles to left field. Rafael Ortega homers to... [More]

Royals second. Ryan O'Hearn flies out to center field to Billy Hamilton. Bubba Starling strikes out swinging. Nicky Lopez triples to deep right center field. Meibrys Viloria doubles to deep right field. Nicky Lopez scores. Whit Merrifield pops out to Francisco Cervelli.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Royals 1, Braves 0.Royals fourth. Ryan McBroom singles to second base. Ryan O'Hearn singles to right field. Ryan McBroom to third. Bubba Starling reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Ryan O'Hearn out at second. Nicky Lopez singles to shallow infield. Bubba Starling to second. Ryan McBroom scores. Meibrys Viloria strikes out swinging. Whit Merrifield called out on strikes.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Royals 2, Braves 0.Braves fifth. Billy Hamilton pops out to shallow right field to Whit Merrifield. Dansby Swanson lines out to deep center field to Bubba Starling. Ozzie Albies walks. Josh Donaldson doubles to deep center field. Ozzie Albies scores. Nick Markakis singles... [More]

Royals first. Whit Merrifield doubles to deep left field. Jorge Soler singles to center field. Whit Merrifield to third. Hunter Dozier out on a sacrifice fly to deep left field to Adam Duvall. Whit Merrifield scores. Alex Gordon hit by pitch. Jorge Soler to second. Ryan McBroom strikes out swinging. Ryan O'Hearn lines out to left field to Adam Duvall.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Royals 1, Braves 0.Royals third. Jorge Soler walks. Hunter Dozier singles to center field. Jorge Soler to second. Alex Gordon singles to right field. Hunter Dozier to third. Jorge Soler scores. Ryan McBroom hit by pitch. Alex Gordon to second. Ryan O'Hearn out on a sacrifice fly to left field to Adam Duvall. Hunter Dozier scores. Bubba Starling doubles to deep left center field, advances to home. Ryan McBroom scores. Alex Gordon scores. Throwing error by Brian McCann. Meibrys Viloria flies out to deep right center field to Nick Markakis. Nicky Lopez grounds out to shortstop, Dansby Swanson to Austin Riley.5... [More]

Braves second. Francisco Cervelli walks. Austin Riley grounds out to third base, Evan Longoria to Austin Slater. Francisco Cervelli to second. Dansby Swanson walks. Billy Hamilton doubles to right field. Dansby Swanson to third. Francisco Cervelli scores. Max Fried grounds out to first base, Austin Slater to Buster Posey to Austin Slater. Billy Hamilton to third. Dansby Swanson scores. Ronald Acuna Jr. walks. Adeiny Hechavarria doubles to deep left field. Ronald Acuna Jr. scores. Billy Hamilton scores. Josh Donaldson grounds out to shallow infield, Evan Longoria to Austin Slater.4 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Braves 4, Giants 0.Braves fifth. Adeiny Hechavarria singles to left field. Josh Donaldson flies out to deep right field to Jaylin Davis. Adam Duvall flies out to deep left field to Joey Rickard. Francisco Cervelli homers to left field. Adeiny Hechavarria scores. Austin Riley strikes out swinging.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Braves 6, Giants 0.Giants seventh. Kevin Pillar... [More]

Braves third. Tyler Flowers singles to third base. Mike Soroka out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Scott Kingery to Cesar Hernandez. Tyler Flowers to second. Ronald Acuna Jr. homers to left field. Tyler Flowers scores. Ozzie Albies singles to right field. Freddie Freeman flies out to left field to Brad Miller. Adam Duvall singles to third base. Ozzie Albies to second. Adeiny Hechavarria strikes out swinging.2 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Braves 2, Phillies 0.Phillies fifth. Jean Segura grounds out to first base to Freddie Freeman. Scott Kingery triples to deep center field. Adam Haseley doubles to deep right field. Scott Kingery scores. Aaron Nola singles to left center field. Adam Haseley to third. Cesar Hernandez reaches on a fielder's choice to first base. Aaron Nola out at second. Adam Haseley scores. J.T. Realmuto grounds out to shortstop, Adeiny Hechavarria to Freddie Freeman.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Phillies 2, Braves 2.Braves fifth. Matt Joyce pinch-hitting... [More]

Phillies first. Jean Segura pops out to first base to Freddie Freeman. J.T. Realmuto homers to left field. Bryce Harper homers to center field. Rhys Hoskins doubles to deep center field. Scott Kingery pops out to second base to Freddie Freeman. Corey Dickerson homers to right field. Rhys Hoskins scores. Cesar Hernandez walks. Sean Rodriguez reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Cesar Hernandez out at second.4 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Phillies 4, Braves 0.Braves third. Ronald Acuna Jr. singles to left field. Ozzie Albies singles to right center field. Ronald Acuna Jr. to third. Freddie Freeman singles to right field. Ozzie Albies out at third. Ronald Acuna Jr. scores. Josh Donaldson walks. Freddie Freeman to second. Johan Camargo walks. Josh Donaldson to second. Freddie Freeman to third. Dansby Swanson singles to right center field. Johan Camargo to second. Josh Donaldson to third. Freddie Freeman scores. Francisco Cervelli reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield.... [More]

Nationals first. Trea Turner singles to left field. Adam Eaton homers to center field. Trea Turner scores. Anthony Rendon doubles to deep right field. Juan Soto strikes out swinging. Asdrubal Cabrera flies out to left field to Rafael Ortega. Matt Adams flies out to left field to Rafael Ortega.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 2, Braves 0.Nationals second. Victor Robles strikes out swinging. Yan Gomes homers to center field. Max Scherzer grounds out to second base, Ozzie Albies to Freddie Freeman. Trea Turner called out on strikes.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Nationals 3, Braves 0.Braves second. Josh Donaldson called out on strikes. Matt Joyce homers to right field. Dansby Swanson lines out to left center field to Juan Soto. Tyler Flowers strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Nationals 3, Braves 1.Nationals third. Adam Eaton called out on strikes. Anthony Rendon grounds out to shallow infield to Freddie Freeman. Juan Soto homers to left field. Asdrubal... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:WHO ARE THOSE GUYS?A marquee matchup is set at Dodger Stadium when major league wins leader Domingo Germán (16-3, 4.15 ERA) starts for the Yankees against Los Angeles ace Clayton Kershaw (13-2, 2.71).It's the last game of the day, meaning the final time we'll see those, um, unusual uniforms big leaguers have been wearing during Players' Weekend. The all-white and all-black, monochromatic outfits have been widely panned by fashionistas — not to mention that it's hard to read the numbers and nicknames on the jerseys."What's the slogan, 'Let the kids play'?" Cleveland manager Terry Francona said. "Let the grown-ups look like morons."Said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts: "It's not our proudest moment rockin' these all-white milkmen jerseys."Added Yankees manager Aaron Boone: "When I put the uniform on I felt a little silly."BRAVES NEW WORLDFrancisco Cervelli and the NL East-leading Braves try for a three-game sweep at Citi Field and their eighth... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Sunday:WHO ARE THOSE GUYS?A marquee matchup is set at Dodger Stadium when major league wins leader Domingo Germán (16-3, 4.15 ERA) starts for the Yankees against Los Angeles ace Clayton Kershaw (13-2, 2.71).It's the last game of the day, meaning the final time we'll see those, um, unusual uniforms big leaguers have been wearing during Players' Weekend. The all-white and all-black, monochromatic outfits have been widely panned by fashionistas — not to mention that it's hard to read the numbers and nicknames on the jerseys."What's the slogan, 'Let the kids play'?" Cleveland manager Terry Francona said. "Let the grown-ups look like morons."Said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts: "It's not our proudest moment rockin' these all-white milkmen jerseys."Added Yankees manager Aaron Boone: "When I put the uniform on I felt a little silly."BRAVES NEW WORLDFrancisco Cervelli and the NL East-leading Braves try for a three-game sweep at Citi Field and their eighth... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Francisco Cervelli caught on with a playoff contender, just as he hoped.The first-place Atlanta Braves signed Cervelli to a one-year contract Saturday and immediately plugged the veteran catcher into the starting lineup against the New York Mets. After recovering from his latest concussion, it was his first game in the majors since May 25."The only way he's going to get to know these guys is to catch 'em," Braves manager Brian Snitker said.About two hours before the game, Cervelli said he was still waiting for his catching equipment to arrive at Citi Field. But on the second pitch he saw in his first at-bat, he laced a two-run double into the left field corner for a 2-0 lead. He added a sharp single his next time up.Cervelli, who has a long history of concussions, was granted his release Thursday by the last-place Pittsburgh Pirates after telling them he wanted to hook on with a big league team that had playing time to offer and a chance to reach the postseason. He gives... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The first-place Atlanta Braves have signed catcher Francisco Cervelli and immediately plugged him into the starting lineup against the New York Mets.Cervelli, who has a history of concussions, was recently granted his release by the Pittsburgh Pirates. He gives the NL East leaders a veteran replacement for injured catcher Brian McCann, who is sidelined with a sprained left knee.The 33-year-old Cervelli joined the Braves on Saturday at Citi Field and was set to bat seventh against Mets right-hander Zack Wheeler. Atlanta manager Brian Snitker says Cervelli will split playing time with Tyler Flowers behind the plate and likely remain with the club when McCann returns because by then rosters will have expanded in September.Cervelli batted .193 in 34 games for the Pirates this season before getting hurt. He is a .269 career hitter with 36 home runs in 700 major league games.To make roster room for Cervelli, the Braves optioned catcher Alex Jackson to Triple-A Gwinnett and transferred left-hander Grant Dayton to the 60-day injured list.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at what's happening around the majors today:NAME THAT NICKNAMEJerseys will take on a different look during Players' Weekend, when big leaguers are encouraged to be creative with what goes on the back of their uniforms.Cleveland outfielder Yasiel Puig will have Wild Horse, for the way he charges around the bases. Rays pitcher Charlie Morton will use Ground Chuck, for how he induces grounders. Reds first baseman Joey Votto will go with Who — for the "Abbott and Costello" comedy routine of "Who's on First?"Rockies pitcher Chad Bettis is skipping letters and going with an emoji — of lettuce, to rhyme with his last name.OCTOBER PREVIEW?Yankees lefty James Paxton is having one of the best stretches of his career. Paxton (9-6, 4.53 ERA) takes the mound at Dodger Stadium looking to win his fifth straight start — he won seven in a row in 2017 with Seattle.Los Angeles counters with lefty Hyun-Jin Ryu, who is 12-3 and leads the majors with a 1.64 ERA.New York manager Aaron Boone knows this... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Friday:NAME THAT NICKNAMEJerseys will take on a different look during Players' Weekend, when big leaguers are encouraged to be creative with what goes on the back of their uniforms.Cleveland outfielder Yasiel Puig will have Wild Horse, for the way he charges around the bases. Rays pitcher Charlie Morton will use Ground Chuck, for how he induces grounders. Reds first baseman Joey Votto will go with Who — for the "Abbott and Costello" comedy routine of "Who's on First?"Rockies pitcher Chad Bettis is skipping letters and going with an emoji — of lettuce, to rhyme with his last name.OCTOBER PREVIEW?Yankees lefty James Paxton is having one of the best stretches of his career. Paxton (9-6, 4.53 ERA) takes the mound at Dodger Stadium looking to win his fifth straight start — he won seven in a row in 2017 with Seattle.Los Angeles counters with lefty Hyun-Jin Ryu, who is 12-3 and leads the majors with a 1.64 ERA.New York manager Aaron Boone knows this... [More]

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates are parting ways with veteran catcher Francisco Cervelli, who's worked his way back from another concussion and is hoping to catch on with a contender.The Pirates announced Thursday they had requested unconditional release waivers on the 33-year-old Cervelli. He's played 34 games this season, hitting .193 with one home run and five RBIs.Cervelli has suffered several concussions in his career, and hasn't played in the majors since his most recent one on May 25.Pittsburgh general manager Neal Huntington says the club wants give Cervelli — who recently completed a rehabilitation assignment — an opportunity to sign with another team rather than sit the bench.The last-place Pirates have split the catching duties between Elias Diaz and Jacob Stallings. Cervelli is in the final season of a three-year, $31 million contract.Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said there was a plan in place to have Cervelli return this season."We started talking about different opportunities,"... [More]