PHOENIX (AP) — Corbin Burnes is rebuilding, just like the Milwaukee Brewers were a few years ago,The 25-year-old right-hander spent most of his offseason at the team's spring training facility trying to rebound from an awful 2019 season.Milwaukee's minor league pitcher of the year in 2017, Burnes debut the following July and quickly established himself as a key bullpen contributor. He went 7-0 with a 2.61 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 38 innings over 30 regular-season appearances, then allowed two runs in six postseason innings.While he had a 4.84 ERA in seven spring training games last year, he started the season in the rotation. He struck out 12 in his first big league start but also gave up home runs in the first inning to the Cardinals' Paul DeJong and Matt Carpenter, then another in the fourth to Paul Goldschmidt. He allowed 11 home runs with a 10.70 ERA through four starts, was dropped from the rotation and finished with a 1-5 record and 8.82 ERA in 32 games overall.Except for a weeklong... [More]

A team-by-team look at the National League Central 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:___St. Louis CardinalsManager: Mike Shildt (third season). 2019: 91-71, first place, lost to Nationals in NLCS.Training Town: Jupiter, Florida.Park: Roger Dean Stadium.First Workout: Feb. 12/17. He's Here: LHP Matthew Liberatore, C Matt Wieters, LHP Kwang-Hyun Kim.He's Outta Here: OF Marcell Ozuna, RF Jose Martinez, LF Randy Arozarena, RHP Dominic Leone.Going campin': The Cardinals return largely intact after getting swept in the NLCS by World Series champion Washington. The biggest competition throughout the spring will be in the outfield, where only Dexter Fowler has a position locked up — mostly because of his contract. Center fielder Harrison Bader probably has another spot under control, and that leaves Tyler O'Neill, Lane Thomas and top prospect Dylan Carlson competing for the last... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — After hitting a career-low .134 for Milwaukee in 2018, Eric Sogard is getting a second chance with the Brewers."I'm not afraid to admit that I had some issues going on off the field that kind of took my mind away from the field," Sogard said Friday after Milwaukee finalized his $4.5 million, one-year contract along with a $5 million, one-year deal for first baseman Justin Smoak.Sogard split last season between Toronto and Tampa Bay, which acquired him in late July. He was teammates on the Blue Jays with Smoak, who spent the past five seasons in Toronto.He did not detail his off-field issues from last year but said they had cleared by the time he reported to spring training with Blue Jays. He hit .300 with a career-high 10 homers and 30 RBIs in 323 plate appearances for Toronto, then batted .266 with three homers and 10 RBIs in 119 plate appearances for Tampa Bay.Sogard's deal includes a $4 million salary next season and gives Milwaukee a $4.5 million option for 2021 with... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Josh Lindblom would earn $18,125,000 over the next three seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers if he pitches at least 190 innings per season.The 32-year-old right-hander receives a $875,000 signing bonus and $2.75 million annual salaries as part of the three-year contract announced Monday, a deal that guarantees $9,125,000. He can earn $3 million annually in performance bonuses based on innings: $125,000 each for 90, 100, 110 and 120, $250,000 apiece for 130, 140, 150 and 160, and $500,000 each for 170, 180 and 190.Lindblom has additional award bonuses and can become a free agent when the contract ends.Lindbloom was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the second round of the 2008 amateur draft, and he made six starts and 108 relief appearances from 2011-14 for the Dodgers, Philadelphia, Texas and Oakland. He signed with South Korea's Lotte Giants ahead of the 2015 season, returned to the major leagues with Pittsburgh and had four relief outings in 2017, then signed with South Korea's Doosan Bears. He went 35-7 in two seasons with a 2.68 ERA, including 20-3 with a 2.50 ERA and 0.997 WHIP in 30 starts this year. ——— More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Josh Lindblom's journey to the Milwaukee Brewers included a detour or two through South Korea."I haven't taken the most direct route to sitting here," Lindblom said Monday after the Brewers finalized a three-year contract for $9,125,000.A 32-year-old right-hander, Lindbloom was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the second round of the 2008 amateur draft, he made six starts and 108 relief appearances from 2011-14 for the Dodgers, Philadelphia, Texas and Oakland. He signed with South Korea's Lotte Giants ahead of the 2015 season, returned to the major leagues with Pittsburgh and had four relief outings in 2017, then signed with South Korea's Doosan Bears.He went 35-7 in two seasons with a 2.68 ERA, including 20-3 with a 2.50 ERA and 0.997 WHIP in 30 starts this year. "Over the last couple of years, Josh has been as dominant as any pitcher in the world," Brewers president of baseball operations David Stearns said. "He has performed at an exceptionally high level and we... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Josh Lindblom's journey to the Milwaukee Brewers included a detour or two through South Korea."I haven't taken the most direct route to sitting here," Lindblom said Monday after the Brewers finalized a three-year contract for $9,125,000.A 32-year-old right-hander, Lindbloom was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the second round of the 2008 amateur draft, he made six starts and 108 relief appearances from 2011-14 for the Dodgers, Philadelphia, Texas and Oakland. He signed with South Korea's Lotte Giants ahead of the 2015 season, returned to the major leagues with Pittsburgh and had four relief outings in 2017, then signed with South Korea's Doosan Bears.He went 35-7 in two seasons with a 2.68 ERA, including 20-3 with a 2.50 ERA and 0.997 WHIP in 30 starts this year. "Over the last couple of years, Josh has been as dominant as any pitcher in the world," Brewers president of baseball operations David Stearns said. "He has performed at an exceptionally high level and we... [More]

Lindbloom signed with the Lotte Giants of the Korea Baseball Organization, the Yonhap news service reports.

Lindbloom signed a one-year, $850,000 contract. At age 27, it's possible he could return to MLB after a season overseas.

Lindblom was released by the Pirates on Friday.

The Pirates claimed Lindblom off waivers earlier this month, but his stay on the 40-man lasted just a few days, as the team bumped him when Radhames Liz's signing became official. Lindblom already has a new gig lined up; he will pitch for the Lotte Giants of the Korean Baseball Organization, having signed one-year, $850,000 deal.

Lindblom was designated for assignment by the Pirates Friday, Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

This was to make room for Radhames Liz, whom the Pirates just signed to a one-year deal. The journeyman Lindblom will now serve as depth for the Pirates if one of their starters go down with an injury, likely at Triple-A Indianapolis.

Lindblom was claimed off waivers by the Pirates on Monday.

The 27-year-old righty made 16 starts (17 total appearances) at Triple-A last season, posting a 5.79 ERA with a 16.4 percent K-rate. He also made one spot start for the A's, giving up two runs in 4.2 innings. Lindblom should offer starting pitching depth for the Pirates, but may also be used as a long man out of the bullpen.

The A's designated Lindblom for assignment Friday.

Lindblom made just one start last season for the A's, his fourth different team in as many years. He instead spent most of the 2014 campaign at Triple-A Sacramento, posting a 5.79 ERA and 1.45 WHIP over 84 innings, making him obvious DFA candidate with Brett Lawrie, Sean Nolin and Kendall Graveman all needing 40-man roster spots after coming over from Toronto.

Josh Lindblom and Arnold Leon are the top options for a spot start for the Athletics during the May 7 doubleheader versus the Mariners.

Lindblom allowed two runs over 4 2/3 innings in a start for the A's during a doubleheader earlier this month. Leon (3.75 ERA) has pitched better than Lindblom (7.23 ERA) at Triple-A, so perhaps he'll get a shot this time.

Athletics optioned RHP Josh Lindblom to Triple-A Sacramento.

Lindblom was the A's 26th man for Wednesday's doubleheader versus the Indians, starting the second game and allowing two runs over 4 2/3 innings. He returns to Sacramento's rotation.

Athletics recalled RHP Josh Lindblom from Triple-A Sacramento.

Lindblom will be the team's 26th man for Wednesday's doubleheader, getting the start in the nightcap versus the Indians' Zach McAllister. He held a 5.46 ERA over eight appearances -- five starts -- for the Rangers last season.

Josh Lindblom is expected to start the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Indians.

The A's haven't made an announcement, but Lindblom's jersey was seen hanging in the clubhouse. Oakland has decided to use their allotted 26th man to start rather than have two members of their rotation get the ball the same day. Scott Kazmir will start the first game of the doubleheader.

Athletics optioned RHP Josh Lindblom to Triple-A Sacramento.

The 26-year-old hurler didn't really do anything to pitch his way off the roster, he was simply unable to crack an extremely talented A's bullpen to begin the year. He'll get another opportunity with the big league club soon enough.

Athletics acquired RHP Josh Lindblom and OF Craig Gentry from the Rangers for OF Michael Choice and INF Chris Bostick.

Lindblom made just eight appearances with the Rangers in 2013, five of them as a starter. While he has enjoyed some success as a reliever in the past, Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports hears that the A's plan to keep him as a starter.

Rangers optioned RHP Josh Lindblom to Triple-A Round Rock.

Lindblom allowed six earned runs in just 5 1/3 innings Wednesday in the Rangers' loss to the Orioles. The right-hander has a 5.46 ERA in the majors this season.

Josh Lindblom allowed six runs in 5 1/3 innings in a loss to the Orioles on Wednesday.

Lindblom was making a spot start -- his first start since June 20 -- and struggled, allowing nine hits and four walks before exiting. He's now got a 5.46 ERA on the year, and he'll likely return to a bullpen role going forward.

Josh Lindblom will start on Wednesday against Baltimore.

He gets the nod over Ross Wolf. "[Lindblom's] been doing a good job in Triple-A, and I'd rather keep Wolf in his ... role in the bullpen," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "Lindblom is the one who's been getting a lot of starter's innings, and we just want to keep him with that type of focus. If we had to use Wolf, we wouldn't hesitate." It should just be a spot start for Lindblom, as Alexi Ogando is due back just after the All-Star break.