The minute word leaked that the designated hitter was coming to the National League this season, fans and front offices alike began pinpointing the perfect candidates.Kyle Schwarber ... Ryan Braun ... Jay Bruce. And several others.Whether it be an aging slugger returning from injury or a younger hitter who’s not so good with the glove, nearly every NL team has a player who fits the profile: dangerous stick, suspect defense. A natural choice to bat for the pitcher and not play the field. Suddenly there’s an ideal spot in the starting lineup available to those guys, now that the DH has spread beyond the American League under new rules adopted for a postponed season shortened to 60 games because of the coronavirus.It all starts without fans on hand Thursday night in Washington, where the World Series champion Nationals host the New York Yankees. Probably with Eric Thames or Howie Kendrick becoming the first designated hitter for an NL squad playing a regular-season game in its home ballpark.“I... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Oakland Athletics left-hander A.J. Puk was placed on the 10-day injured list Monday with a strained shoulder and traveled to Los Angeles to be examined by Dr. Neal ElAttrache.Puk, a top prospect expected to be in the A's rotation once healthy, was also bothered by the issue during spring training months ago.He felt it in a recent intrasquad game and had his outing cut short. Right-hander Daniel Mengden will fill that spot at the back end of the A’s rotation, manager Bob Melvin said before an exhibition game against the San Francisco Giants.“The fact that we have to put him on the DL right away obviously there’s a level of concern,” Melvin said. “We want to make sure we get this right before we throw him back out there again.”The Giants, meanwhile, will be missing two key members of their infield for opening day Thursday in Los Angeles at Dodger Stadium. First baseman Brandon Belt is nursing a sore right heel while third baseman Evan Longoria has a moderate oblique... [More]

July 181882 — Ambidextrous pitcher Tony Mullane of Louisville pitched with both hands in a major league game at Baltimore. Normally a right-hander, Mullane switched to the left hand in the fourth inning. He eventually lost 9-8.1912 — The Chicago Cubs had 21 hits in 11 innings but still lost to the Philadelphia Phillies when Gavvy Cravath stole home.1927 — Ty Cobb of the Philadelphia Athletics doubled off the glove of Harry Heilmann for his 4,000th hit.1948 — Pat Seerey of the Chicago White Sox hit four home runs in a 12-11, 11-inning victory over the Philadelphia A’s in the opener of a doubleheader. Seerey hit two mammoth shots off Carl Scheib, one off Bob Savage and the game-winner off Lou Brissie in the top of the 11th.1962 — Bob Allison and Harmon Killebrew of the Minnesota Twins each hit grand slams in the first inning of a 14-3 rout of the Cleveland Indians.1970 — Willie Mays bounced career hit number 3,000 through the left side of the infield off Mike Wegener in the second inning... [More]

July 111914 — Babe Ruth made his major league debut for the Boston Red Sox and received credit for a 4-3 victory over Cleveland. He was removed for a pinch hitter in the seventh, and Duffy Lewis’ single led to the winning run.1944 — Phil Cavaretta set an All-Star game record by reaching base safely five straight times — triple, single, three walks — to lead the NL to a 7-1 victory over the AL at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh.1950 — The All-Star game returned to Comiskey Park, the site of the first game, and was won by the NL 4-3 on Red Schoendienst’s 14th-inning home run off Ted Gray. It was the first extra-inning All-Star game, the first time the NL won at an AL park and the first All-Star game shown on network television.1961 — Despite a record seven errors and pitcher Stu Miller getting blown off the Candlestick Park mound by a gale wind, the NL edged the AL 5-4 in the first of two All-Star games played that year.1967 — Tony Perez’s home run off Catfish Hunter in the 15th inning gave the... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Giants first baseman Brandon Belt has been using a walking boot as he nurses a sore right heel that will keep him out at least a week. San Francisco manager Gabe Kapler said Belt will be re-evaluated in five to seven days but it's too soon to know whether the injury could affect his status for the season opener July 23 at Dodger Stadium. “I think making an assessment for the opening series against the Dodgers is probably a little bit premature as it relates to Brandon's heel,” Kapler said. “I talked to him today, he was feeling pretty good. We walked across the field and then up the stairs to the clubhouse together. He was feeling fairly confident. I think more than anything else it's probably smart to be patient and take a look at where he is in a couple of days.” The 32-year-old Belt has dealt with heel pain previously and aggravated it this time doing agility work in a ladder drill. He played in 156 games last year following two injury-plagued seasons and batted... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Giants first baseman Brandon Belt has been using a walking boot as he nurses a sore right heel that will keep him out at least a week. Manager Gabe Kapler said Belt would be re-evaluated in 5-to-7 days but wasn't ready to put in doubt Belt's availability for the season opener July 23 at Dodger Stadium.“I think making an assessment for the opening series against the Dodgers is probably a little bit premature as it relates to Brandon's heel,” Kapler said. “I talked to him today, he was feeling pretty good. We walked across the field and then up the stairs to the clubhouse together. He was feeling fairly confident. I think more than anything else it's probably smart to be patient and take a look at where he is in a couple of days.” The 32-year-old Belt has dealt with heel pain previously and aggravated it this time doing agility work in a ladder drill. He played in 156 games last season following two injury-plagued years and batted .234 with 17 home runs and 57 RBIs.“He's... [More]

Before all the self-proclaimed purists forecasting the destruction of baseball strategy and the very sanctity of the sport as we know it go berserk bemoaning the inclusion of a designated hitter in the National League this season, remember this:In a most remarkable October full of huge momentum swings, the pivotal blow that decided last year’s World Series was delivered by, yep, the NL DH.OK, that clang resonating off the right field foul screen at Minute Maid Park — courtesy of Howie Kendrick’s home run in Game 7 for the visiting Washington Nationals — probably won’t drown out the wailing of longtime National League fans over the plan to play this virus-delayed season with a (gasp!) DH in both circuits.And it certainly won’t quell the debate that’s raged since April 6, 1973, when Ron Blomberg of the New York Yankees stepped to the plate at Fenway Park as Major League Baseball’s first DH (and drew a bases-loaded walk from Luis Tiant).To many NL fans, the simple scribble of “DH” on the lineup... [More]

Before all the self-proclaimed purists forecasting the destruction of baseball strategy and the very sanctity of the sport as we know it go berserk bemoaning the inclusion of a designated hitter in the National League this season, remember this:In a most remarkable October full of huge momentum swings, the pivotal blow that decided last year’s World Series was delivered by, yep, the NL DH.OK, that clang resonating off the right field foul screen at Minute Maid Park — courtesy of Howie Kendrick’s home run in Game 7 for the visiting Washington Nationals — probably won’t drown out the wailing of longtime National League fans over the plan to play this virus-delayed season with a (gasp!) DH in both circuits.And it certainly won’t quell the debate that’s raged since April 6, 1973, when Ron Blomberg of the New York Yankees stepped to the plate at Fenway Park as Major League Baseball’s first DH (and drew a bases-loaded walk from Luis Tiant).To many NL fans, the scribble of “DH” on the lineup card... [More]

Before all the self-proclaimed purists forecasting the destruction of baseball strategy and the very sanctity of the sport as we know it go berserk bemoaning the inclusion of a designated hitter in the National League this season, remember this:In a most remarkable October full of huge momentum swings, the pivotal blow that decided last year’s World Series was delivered by, yep, the NL DH.OK, that clang resonating off the right field foul screen at Minute Maid Park — courtesy of Howie Kendrick’s home run in Game 7 for the visiting Washington Nationals — probably won’t drown out the wailing of longtime National League fans over the plan to play this virus-delayed season with a (gasp!) DH in both circuits.And it certainly won’t quell the debate that’s raged since April 6, 1973, when Ron Blomberg of the New York Yankees stepped to the plate at Fenway Park as Major League Baseball’s first DH (and drew a bases-loaded walk from Luis Tiant).To many NL fans, the scribble of “DH” on the lineup card... [More]

Before all the self-proclaimed purists forecasting the destruction of baseball strategy and the very sanctity of the sport as we know it go berserk bemoaning the inclusion of a designated hitter in the National League this season, remember this:In a most remarkable October full of huge momentum swings, the pivotal blow that decided last year’s World Series was delivered by, yep, the NL DH.OK, that clang resonating off the right field foul screen at Minute Maid Park — courtesy of Howie Kendrick’s home run in Game 7 for the visiting Washington Nationals — probably won’t drown out the wailing of longtime National League fans over the plan to play this virus-delayed season (gasp!) with a DH in both circuits.And it certainly won’t quell the debate that’s raged since April 6, 1973, when Ron Blomberg of the New York Yankees stepped to the plate at Fenway Park as Major League Baseball’s first DH (and drew a bases-loaded walk from Luis Tiant).To many NL fans, the scribble of “DH” on the lineup card... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Blake Snell, Juan Soto and Bo Bichette are among the baseball stars switching over to PlayStation with America's pastime on hold. Thirty big leaguers — one from each team — have signed on to play a round-robin regular season on the MLB The Show video game with the real season on hold due to the novel coronavirus. Snell, a Cy Young Award winner with Tampa Bay, will face Cincinnati reliever Amir Garrett in the opener Friday night. That matchup will air on Snell's Twitch feed, and other games will be streamed via Twitch and YouTube with MLB Network host Robert Flores providing commentary.The venture was launched Friday by Major League Baseball, the players’ association and Sony Interactive Entertainment. Participants range in age from 36-year-old San Francisco outfielder Hunter Pence to 21-year-old San Diego infielder Fernando Tatis Jr. There are 11 All-Stars, including Milwaukee reliever Josh Hader, Texas slugger Joey Gallo and the New York Mets' Jeff McNeil. “We’ll see how... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Blake Snell, Juan Soto and Bo Bichette are among the baseball stars switching over to PlayStation with America's pastime on hold. Thirty big leaguers — one from each team — have signed on to play a round-robin regular season on the MLB The Show video game with the real season on hold due to the novel coronavirus. Snell, a Cy Young Award winner with Tampa Bay, will face Cincinnati reliever Amir Garrett in the opener Friday night. That matchup will air on Snell's Twitch feed, and other games will be streamed via Twitch and YouTube with MLB Network host Robert Flores providing commentary.The venture was launched Friday by Major League Baseball, the players’ association and Sony Interactive Entertainment. Participants range in age from 36-year-old San Francisco outfielder Hunter Pence to 21-year-old San Diego infielder Fernando Tatis Jr. There are 11 All-Stars, including Milwaukee reliever Josh Hader, Texas slugger Joey Gallo and the New York Mets' Jeff McNeil. Players will... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Blake Snell, Juan Soto and Bo Bichette are among the baseball stars switching over to PlayStation with America's pastime on hold. Thirty big leaguers — one from each team — have signed on to play a round-robin regular season on the MLB The Show video game with the real season on hold due to the novel coronavirus. Snell, a Cy Young Award winner with Tampa Bay, will face Cincinnati reliever Amir Garrett in the opener Friday night. That matchup will air on Snell's Twitch feed, and other games will be streamed via Twitch and YouTube with MLB Network host Robert Flores providing commentary.The venture was launched Friday by Major League Baseball, the players’ association and Sony Interactive Entertainment. Participants range in age from 36-year-old San Francisco outfielder Hunter Pence to 21-year-old San Diego infielder Fernando Tatis Jr. There are 11 All-Stars, including Milwaukee reliever Josh Hader, Texas slugger Joey Gallo and the New York Mets' Jeff McNeil. Players will... [More]

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — Jarrod Dyson kept waiting for the phone to ring. As December faded and the hot stove cooled, one thought kept running through the free agent outfielder's mind.“You mean to tell me I can't help nobody win?" said Dyson, who stole 30 bases for Arizona in 2019 before hitting the open market last fall.Dyson's won plenty. He offers the World Series ring he earned while playing for the Kansas City Royals in 2015 as proof. He appeared in 130 games at age 34 last season for a Diamondbacks team that hung around the playoff picture until the final week of the season. He's been part of a rebuilding projects and raucous October celebrations. Now in the final innings of a decade-long career, he wouldn't mind another shot at a playoff run.Yet the only palatable job offer Dyson received came from Pittsburgh. The Pirates are in need of a stopgap in center field after dealing Gold Glover Starling Marte to Arizona last month. So Dyson signed for one year and $2 million. Sure he considered... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Hunter Pence hustled in to take batting practice, exhibiting that familiar energy as fans cheered. He smiled and raised his cap high in the air.This is just the start of spring training, and it's clear Pence is a crowd favorite for San Francisco once more. And the outfielder is in his element again as he approaches his 37th birthday. The Giants opened their gates to fans for the first full-squad workout and Pence was as popular as ever after a year away. "We all noticed that,” new manager Gabe Kapler said of the rousing ovations.“It's great,” Pence said. “It's extremely exciting for me to be back. It's definitely fun with a lot of new faces and a lot of new staff. I'm just thrilled to be back, thrilled to see the fans, every day getting to do something I love to do so much, obviously. Especially with how things went — it's part of the game, the nature of the game — I really appreciate every bit of it, every little thing. It's a joy to be a part of. It's definitely... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Hunter Pence could hardly hide his enthusiasm about returning to San Francisco.“I have GIANT news... I’m back!” he posted on Twitter along with a photo of him walking across the street to the ballpark.A fan favorite while playing parts of seven seasons for the Giants, Pence is returning on a $3 million, one-year contract that will give the young club a veteran presence in both the outfield and clubhouse in a season of big change ahead.The Giants announced Friday night they had signed Pence, who can also earn up to an additional $2.5 million in various roster and performance bonuses.On its Twitter handle, San Francisco posted: “Reunited and it feels so good ... Welcome Back, (at)hunterpence.”To which Pence responded, “Feels SO good!”Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi said Thursday he expected to make roster additions before early next week when the team begins spring training.Pence will provide some stability as the Giants move into 2020 with new manager... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Hunter Pence could hardly hide his enthusiasm about returning to San Francisco.“I have GIANT news... I’m back!” he posted on Twitter along with a photo of him walking across the street to the ballpark.A fan favorite while playing parts of seven seasons for the Giants, Pence is returning on a $3 million, one-year contract that will give the young club a veteran presence in both the outfield and clubhouse in a season of big change ahead.The Giants announced Friday night they had signed Pence, who can also earn up to an additional $2.5 million in various roster and performance bonuses.On its Twitter handle, San Francisco posted: “Reunited and it feels so good ... Welcome Back, (at)hunterpence.”To which Pence responded, “Feels SO good!”Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi said Thursday he expected to make roster additions before early next week when the team begins spring training.Pence will provide some stability as the Giants move into 2020 with new manager... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Former fan favorite Hunter Pence is returning to the San Francisco Giants, agreeing to a contract that will give the young club a veteran presence in both the outfield and clubhouse in a season of big change ahead.The Giants announced Friday night they signed Pence to a one-year, $3 million deal. He can also earn up to an additional $2.5 million in various roster and performance bonuses.Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi said Thursday he expected to make roster additions before early next week when the team begins spring training.Pence will provide some stability as the Giants move into 2020 with new manager Gabe Kapler and a coaching staff that is entirely new aside from longtime coach Ron Wotus working at third base.“We’re excited to welcome Hunter back to the organization”, Zaidi said in a statement announcing the signing. “He provides our club with a great veteran presence and his leadership will be a big asset for our younger players. Hunter’s... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Former fan favorite Hunter Pence is returning to the San Francisco Giants, agreeing to a contract that will give the young club a veteran presence in both the outfield and clubhouse in a season of big change ahead.A person with direct knowledge of the deal said Friday that Pence had reached agreement pending a physical. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because no announcement had been made. Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi said Thursday he expected to make roster additions before early next week when the team begins spring training.Pence will provide some stability as the Giants move into 2020 with new manager Gabe Kapler and a coaching staff that is entirely new aside from longtime coach Ron Wotus working at third base.The 36-year-old Pence was part of the Giants' 2012 and '14 World Series champion teams. After a more limited role in 2018 with San Francisco as he worked to retool his hitting mechanics and rediscover... [More]

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:___Houston Astros Manager: Dusty Baker (first season). 2019: 107-55, first place, lost to Nationals in World Series. Training Town: West Palm Beach, Florida. Park: Ballpark of Palm Beaches. First Workout: Feb. 13/17. He's Here: Manager Dusty Baker, RHP Austin Pruitt, C Dustin Garneau.He's Outta Here: Manager AJ Hinch, RHP Gerrit Cole, RHP Will Harris, C Robinson Chirinos, OF Tony Kemp. Going campin': The Astros enter the spring reeling from a sign-stealing scandal that cost manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow their jobs. They brought in Baker to steady the team, and it gives the 70-year-old another chance to chase his first World Series title as a manager. He’ll get a crash course learning his new team this spring after being hired less than three weeks before pitchers and catchers... [More]