WASHINGTON (AP) — Stephen Strasburg pitched into the sixth inning in his return from the injured list, allowing just one hit as the Washington Nationals defeated the Baltimore Orioles 4-2 on Friday night. Strasburg (1-1) started for the first time since April 13. He had been sidelined with right shoulder inflammation. He picked up his first win in a regular-season game since Sept. 26, 2019. Strasburg allowed only Anthony Santander’s leadoff single in the second. He walked four and struck out four in 5 1/3 scoreless innings. Washington scored two runs against Jorge López (1-5) in the fifth. López allowed four straight hits, including back-to-back doubles by Josh Bell (3 hits) and Kyle Schwarber and a run-scoring single by Josh Harrison. Freddy Galvis hit a two-run home run with two outs in the ninth against Brad Hand. Trey Mancini had two hits for the Orioles, who have lost 11 of 13 since John Means threw a no-hitter on May 5. DODGERS 2, GIANTS 1 SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Trevor Bauer struck... [More]

Red Sox manager Alex Cora isn’t your usual Florida tourist. “It’s an off-day here tomorrow. Hopefully it rains and it’s cold,” he said on Sunday as he prepared for the team to take its first full break of spring training. It’s not that Cora doesn’t like sunshine. He would just prefer that his players stay home with their families and not risk any potential COVID-19 exposure. With bad weather, he said, “There’s no temptation of going to the beach or going to an outdoor restaurant or whatever. So I’ll be praying for that.” The actual forecast for Fort Myers, where Boston trains: mostly sunny, high in the low 70s, almost zero chance of rain. What started in the early days of the pandemic as a health concern has also become a competitive issue for baseball teams, who have been reminded over the past year that a player on the COVID-19 list can't help them win games. “You protect yourself for the right reason, to protect your family. That’s No. 1,” Cora said. “But now we’re getting to the baseball... [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: ___ 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]

The free agent market received a small boost this week, although it remains to be seen whether teams will be eager to take advantage. A record 59 players became free agents when their teams declined to offer them contracts by Wednesday night's tender deadline. That group included a few well-known names like Kyle Schwarber of the Chicago Cubs and Eddie Rosario of the Minnesota Twins — but these additions to the free agent class did little to change the sense the market could be slow this offseason. Teams may be looking to cut costs amid the coronavirus pandemic, and so far there have been only a few short deals, such as Charlie Morton going to Atlanta on a one-year, $15 million contract and Mike Minor signing with Kansas City for two years and $18 million. As we enter the heart of the offseason calendar, here’s a look at the top free agents still available, broken down by position. The biggest names on the market are players who were already free agents well before the new group of non-tenders... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Switch-hitting outfielder Danny Santana will continue his rehab from elbow surgery as a free agent after the Texas Rangers didn't offer him a contract before Wednesday's deadline. The Rangers also didn't offer contracts to right-hander Jimmy Herget and outfielder Scott Heineman, making them free agents. Santana was the Rangers player of the year during the 2019 season in a utility role, and went into 2020 as the team's starting center fielder. But he played only 15 games this year and was on the injured list twice before surgery on his right elbow in September 9. He isn't expected to be ready for the start of next season. General manager Jon Daniel said the team wanted more time to evaluate Santana as he continues his rehab. “He’s been a pro for the two years he’s been with us and the door remains open depending on a variety of factors,” Daniels said. Santana went to spring training in 2019 as a non-roster player before hitting .283 with 28 homers and 81 RBIs, with at least five starts at every infield and outfield position. He hit .145 with a homer and seven RBIs this year. Herget (1-0, 3.20 ERA) pitched in relief in 19 of his 20 games. Heineman hit .154 with a homer and seven RBIs in 24 games. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers were away from home for a later-than-usual Jackie Robinson Day. On the road for the first time in six years to mark Major League Baseball’s annual observation of Robinson breaking the sport's color barrier, the Dodgers tied the game right before Derek Dietrich's tiebreaking leadoff homer that started a four-run seventh inning. The struggling Texas Rangers then finished off a 6-2 victory Friday night over the team with the best record in the majors. “We’re a second-half team. I don’t know what to tell you," Rangers manager Chris Woodward said. “Overall it was a really good team effort right there, something that we needed.” Texas had lost 10 of its previous 11 games to wrap up the first half of its 60-game schedule. That included losing two of three games to AL-best Oakland before the Athletics decided not to play the scheduled series finale Thursday to show support for calls for racial justice.The Dodgers and San Francisco Giants didn't play... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Derek Dietrich led off the Texas seventh inning with a tiebreaking home run and the Rangers beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-2 in a later-than-usual Jackie Robinson Day game on Friday night.It was the first time in six years the Dodgers were away from home for Major League Baseball’s annual observation of Robinson breaking sports color barrier. It is traditionally held April 15, the date in 1947 that he made his debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers, but had to be altered because the coronavirus pandemic pushed back the start of this season nearly four months.After Los Angeles tied the game with two runs in the top of the seventh, Dietrich's opposite-field shot to left off reliever Jake McGee (2-1) put Texas up 3-2. Shin-Soo Choo and Nick Solak added RBI hits, and Jose Trevino a sacrifice fly, in the four-run outburst as the Rangers won for only the second time in 12 games. The Dodgers (24-10), coming off a doubleheader sweep at San Francisco and without a series loss this... [More]

Rangers third. Leody Taveras grounds out to shallow infield, Mike Fiers to Matt Olson. Shin-Soo Choo singles to deep center field. Danny Santana walks. Shin-Soo Choo to second. Jose Trevino flies out to center field to Ramon Laureano. Joey Gallo pops out to shallow center field to Franklin Barreto.1 run, 1 hit, 1 error, 1 left on. Rangers 1, Athletics 0.Athletics sixth. Vimael Machin grounds out to shortstop, Isiah Kiner-Falefa to Danny Santana. Marcus Semien walks. Ramon Laureano walks. Marcus Semien to second. Stephen Piscotty singles to left field. Ramon Laureano to second. Marcus Semien scores. Mark Canha walks. Stephen Piscotty to second. Ramon Laureano to third. Matt Olson strikes out swinging. Robbie Grossman pinch-hitting for Khris Davis. Robbie Grossman is intentionally walked. Sean Murphy lines out to deep center field to Leody Taveras.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 3 left on. Athletics 2, Rangers 1.Athletics eighth. Stephen Piscotty singles to deep left field. Mark Canha singles to shallow infield. Stephen Piscotty to second. Matt Olson singles to right field. Mark Canha to second. Stephen Piscotty to third. Robbie Grossman hit by pitch. Matt Olson to second. Mark Canha to third. Stephen Piscotty scores. Sean Murphy strikes out swinging. Tony Kemp pinch-hitting for Franklin Barreto. Tony Kemp called out on strikes. Vimael Machin strikes out swinging.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Athletics 3, Rangers 1.

Rangers second. Danny Santana called out on strikes. Jose Trevino doubles to deep left center field. Robinson Chirinos grounds out to shortstop, Tony Kemp to Matt Olson. Jose Trevino to third. Isiah Kiner-Falefa singles to center field. Jose Trevino scores.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Rangers 1, Athletics 0.Athletics third. Tony Kemp walks. Jonah Heim walks. Tony Kemp to second. Marcus Semien grounds out to shallow infield. Jonah Heim out at second. Tony Kemp to third. Robbie Grossman grounds out to shortstop, Todd Frazier to Danny Santana.1 run, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Athletics 1, Rangers 1.Athletics fourth. Matt Chapman hit by pitch. Mark Canha reaches on a fielder's choice to third base. Matt Chapman out at second. Stephen Piscotty strikes out swinging. Matt Olson homers to center field. Mark Canha scores. Ramon Laureano grounds out to shallow infield, Isiah Kiner-Falefa to Danny Santana.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Athletics 3, Rangers 1.Athletics fifth. Tony Kemp... [More]

Athletics first. Marcus Semien singles to center field. Ramon Laureano reaches on a fielder's choice to third base. Marcus Semien out at second. Matt Olson walks. Ramon Laureano to second. Matt Chapman strikes out swinging. Mark Canha singles to shallow center field. Matt Olson to second. Ramon Laureano scores. Robbie Grossman lines out to deep right field to Scott Heineman.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Athletics 1, Rangers 0.Rangers first. Leody Taveras strikes out swinging. Nick Solak singles to center field. Danny Santana doubles to deep left field. Nick Solak to third. Todd Frazier singles to center field. Danny Santana scores. Nick Solak scores. Jose Trevino flies out to deep center field to Ramon Laureano. Robinson Chirinos flies out to deep center field to Ramon Laureano.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Rangers 2, Athletics 1.Athletics second. Stephen Piscotty homers to center field. Tony Kemp grounds out to right field to Danny Santana. Sean Murphy strikes out swinging. Marcus Semien walks. Ramon Laureano hit by pitch. Marcus Semien to second. Matt Olson strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on. Athletics 2, Rangers 2.Rangers second. Rougned Odor strikes out swinging. Isiah Kiner-Falefa homers to right field. Scott Heineman strikes out swinging. Leody Taveras singles to left field. Nick Solak reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Leody Taveras out at second.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Rangers 3, Athletics 2.

Mariners first. J.P. Crawford lines out to left field to Nick Solak. Sam Haggerty grounds out to shortstop, Yadiel Rivera to Danny Santana. Kyle Lewis homers to left field. Kyle Seager strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Mariners 1, Rangers 0.Mariners second. Austin Nola homers to left field. Evan White strikes out swinging. Tim Lopes doubles to deep left field. Shed Long Jr. grounds out to shallow infield, Rougned Odor to Danny Santana. Tim Lopes to third. Braden Bishop lines out to center field to Scott Heineman.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Mariners 2, Rangers 0.Mariners fifth. Shed Long Jr. grounds out to shallow infield, Rougned Odor to Danny Santana. Braden Bishop singles to second base. J.P. Crawford grounds out to shallow infield to Danny Santana. Braden Bishop to third. Sam Haggerty homers to left field. Braden Bishop scores. Kyle Lewis lines out to deep left field to Nick Solak.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Mariners 4, Rangers 0.Rangers eighth. Scott Heineman grounds out to shallow left field, Tim Lopes to Evan White. Jeff Mathis homers to center field. Yadiel Rivera lines out to deep right field to Braden Bishop. Nick Solak strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Mariners 4, Rangers 1.

Mariners first. J.P. Crawford strikes out swinging. Sam Haggerty singles to center field. Kyle Lewis singles to center field. Sam Haggerty to third. Kyle Seager out on a sacrifice fly to deep center field to Scott Heineman. Sam Haggerty scores. Austin Nola singles to shallow center field. Kyle Lewis to third. Evan White doubles. Austin Nola scores. Kyle Lewis scores. Jake Fraley grounds out to second base, Rougned Odor to Danny Santana.3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Mariners 3, Rangers 0.Rangers third. Rob Refsnyder hit by pitch. Scott Heineman lines out to deep right field to Jake Fraley. Nick Solak singles to right field. Rob Refsnyder to third. Danny Santana out on a sacrifice fly to deep left field to Sam Haggerty. Rob Refsnyder scores. Todd Frazier flies out to left field to Sam Haggerty.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Mariners 3, Rangers 1.Mariners third. Kyle Lewis singles to right field. Kyle Seager singles to center field. Kyle Lewis to second. Austin Nola singles to shallow... [More]

Mariners first. J.P. Crawford singles to left field. Sam Haggerty doubles to left field, advances to 3rd. J.P. Crawford scores. Fielding error by Nick Solak. Kyle Lewis walks. Kyle Seager grounds out to shallow infield, Kolby Allard to Danny Santana. Kyle Lewis to second. Austin Nola singles to center field, advances to 2nd. Kyle Lewis scores. Tim Lopes singles to center field. Austin Nola to third. Dee Gordon strikes out swinging. Braden Bishop doubles to right field. Tim Lopes to third. Austin Nola scores. Joe Odom walks. J.P. Crawford called out on strikes.4 runs, 5 hits, 1 error, 3 left on. Mariners 4, Rangers 0.Mariners second. Sam Haggerty flies out to center field to Scott Heineman. Kyle Lewis homers to center field. Kyle Seager flies out to shallow left field to Nick Solak. Austin Nola grounds out to second base, Rougned Odor to Danny Santana.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Mariners 5, Rangers 0.Mariners third. Tim Lopes singles to left field. Dee Gordon singles to shallow infield.... [More]

Padres first. Trent Grisham strikes out swinging. Fernando Tatis Jr. strikes out swinging. Manny Machado walks. Eric Hosmer walks. Manny Machado to second. Wil Myers singles to shortstop. Eric Hosmer to third. Manny Machado scores. Jake Cronenworth grounds out to shallow infield, Kyle Gibson to Danny Santana.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on. Padres 1, Rangers 0.Rangers fifth. Isiah Kiner-Falefa singles to deep left field. Jose Trevino homers to left field. Isiah Kiner-Falefa scores. Scott Heineman called out on strikes. Nick Solak grounds out to shallow infield, Eric Hosmer to Dinelson Lamet. Danny Santana called out on strikes.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Rangers 2, Padres 1.Padres fifth. Austin Hedges singles to center field. Trent Grisham flies out to center field to Scott Heineman. Fernando Tatis Jr. singles to left field. Austin Hedges to second. Manny Machado walks. Fernando Tatis Jr. to second. Austin Hedges to third. Eric Hosmer homers to right field. Manny Machado scores.... [More]

Rangers second. Todd Frazier strikes out swinging. Rougned Odor homers to right field. Nick Solak grounds out to third base, Manny Machado to Eric Hosmer. Isiah Kiner-Falefa grounds out to shallow infield, Fernando Tatis Jr. to Eric Hosmer.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Rangers 1, Padres 0.Padres third. Jurickson Profar homers to center field. Austin Hedges strikes out swinging. Trent Grisham grounds out to shortstop, Isiah Kiner-Falefa to Danny Santana. Fernando Tatis Jr. homers to center field. Manny Machado doubles to deep left field. Eric Hosmer grounds out to shallow right field, Rougned Odor to Danny Santana.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Padres 2, Rangers 1.Rangers ninth. Joey Gallo homers to center field. Todd Frazier hit by pitch. Rougned Odor grounds out to second base. Elvis Andrus out at second. Nick Solak lines out to shallow center field to Jake Cronenworth.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Rangers 2, Padres 2.Rangers tenth. Derek Dietrich pinch-hitting for Isiah... [More]

Padres second. Eric Hosmer walks. Ty France singles to left field. Eric Hosmer to second. Jake Cronenworth doubles to deep left field. Ty France to third. Eric Hosmer scores. Jurickson Profar doubles to deep left center field. Jake Cronenworth scores. Ty France scores. Josh Naylor singles to center field. Jurickson Profar scores. Austin Hedges out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Todd Frazier to Derek Dietrich. Josh Naylor to second. Trent Grisham singles to deep center field. Josh Naylor scores. Fernando Tatis Jr. reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow left field. Trent Grisham out at second.5 runs, 5 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Padres 5, Rangers 0.Padres third. Manny Machado flies out to left field to Shin-Soo Choo. Eric Hosmer singles to right field. Ty France lines out to deep right field to Joey Gallo. Jake Cronenworth reaches on error. Eric Hosmer scores. Fielding error by Derek Dietrich. Jurickson Profar grounds out to second base, Rougned Odor to Derek Dietrich.1 run, 1... [More]

Rangers second. Joey Gallo strikes out swinging. Todd Frazier doubles to deep center field. Rougned Odor homers. Todd Frazier scores. Derek Dietrich lines out to left center field to Raimel Tapia. Elvis Andrus lines out to deep center field to Garrett Hampson.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Rangers 2, Rockies 0.Rockies second. Nolan Arenado singles to left field. Daniel Murphy pops out to shallow left field to Todd Frazier. Matt Kemp reaches on a fielder's choice to third base. Nolan Arenado out at second. Raimel Tapia singles to left center field. Matt Kemp to second. Ryan McMahon homers to center field. Raimel Tapia scores. Matt Kemp scores. Drew Butera walks. Garrett Hampson singles to deep center field. Drew Butera to third. Trevor Story singles to second base. Garrett Hampson to third. Drew Butera scores. Charlie Blackmon singles to second base, tagged out at second, Rougned Odor to Todd Frazier to Elvis Andrus. Garrett Hampson scores.5 runs, 6 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Rockies... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — They like to joke that Scott Heineman hits the home runs and his big brother brings him a little good luck then gets a front-row seat to watch him round the bases.Scott homered in the ninth inning for the Texas Rangers in a 7-3 loss to San Francisco as brother Tyler played catcher for the Giants.“I saw him after the game. We did a jersey swap, which was pretty cool," 27-year-old Scott said. "First thing he said to me was like, ‘Dude, unbelievable, 3 for 12 with three home runs.’ Maybe I got good fortune when he’s behind the plate.”Their father will be gifted the jerseys after making the request earlier in the day. “We just figured we would do something kind of special,” Tyler said.Before first pitch, the brothers walked out to home plate from opposite dugouts and represented the Rangers and Giants to confirm the lineup cards, then posed for a photo with the umpires.Hands on hips, they could only grin. Who would have thought this might happen? Not this year in interleague,... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Brothers Scott and Tyler Heineman walked out to home plate from opposite dugouts and represented the Rangers and Giants to confirm the lineup cards, then posed for a photo with the umpires.Hands on hips, they could only grin. Who would have thought this might happen? Not this year in interleague, at least, when the NL West had been scheduled to face the AL Central before the coronavirus pandemic changed everything. Their two managers chatted ahead of time about sending the Heinemans to meet before first pitch Saturday night. San Francisco beat Texas 7-3 but Tyler had to watch as Scott rounded the bases on a home run in the ninth. What made the moment even sweeter for the close-knit siblings is Scott and Tyler each earned a start — something that might not necessarily have happened in other circumstances but worked out beautifully in this condensed 60-game season.Scott filled in at center field for Texas in place of the ailing Danny Santana, while Giants catcher Tyler... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Brothers Scott and Tyler Heineman walked out to home plate from opposite dugouts and represented the Rangers and Giants to confirm the lineup cards, then posed for a photo with the umpires.Hands on hips, they could only grin. Who would have thought this might happen? Not this year in interleague, at least, when the NL West had been scheduled to face the AL Central before the coronavirus pandemic changed everything. Their two managers chatted ahead of time about sending the Heinemans to meet before first pitch Saturday night. What made the moment even sweeter for the close-knit siblings is Scott and Tyler each earned a start — something that might not necessarily have happened in other circumstances but worked out beautifully in this condensed 60-game season.Scott filled in at center field for Texas in place of the ailing Danny Santana, while Giants catcher Heineman has a greater opportunity to play after Buster Posey opted out of the season to care for premature twin... [More]