NEW YORK (AP) — If the final pitch of the 2020 baseball season comes closer to Christmas than Halloween, that's fine with the players.Major League Baseball owners ratified a 17-page agreement with the union on Friday in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, with players willing to extend the season as long as needed to cover as close to a full schedule as possible.Even if it involves neutral sites in warm-weather cities and domes. Even if it involves playing in empty ballparks. Even if it involves lots of day-night doubleheaders.And if it means expanding the playoffs from 10 teams, fine.“Players want to play. That's what we do,” said union head Tony Clark, a former All-Star first baseman. “Being able to get back on the field and being able to play, even if that means their fans are watching at home, but being able to play for their fans is something they've all expressed a desire and an interest to do, and to do so as soon as possible."The deal provides for $170 million in advances from... [More]

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Bryan Price observes, listens, suggests and tries to lead pitchers to their own conclusions.The new pitching coach could end up being the most valuable addition the Philadelphia Phillies made in the offseason if he can get some talented members of the staff to reach their potential. Price already has made a positive impression in camp. "He's all about pitchers being confident in what they're doing and having the ability to pitch and not just throw," All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto said. "That's where finding their strengths comes in. If a guy is pitching to his strengths, he's going to be able to maneuver the baseball and have confidence in what he's doing. If you are asking someone to pitch to a scouting report and not something he's confident in doing, it's not going to work out very well. That's something Price has honed in on is pitching to your strengths." Pitching is Philadelphia's biggest question mark. An offense that features Realmuto, Bryce Harper, Didi... [More]

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — It's clear when Joe Girardi walks into a room that he's the man in charge.There's a different vibe surrounding the Philadelphia Phillies in spring training thanks to their new manager with the impressive resume. Girardi commands respect without having to demand it. He has a confident swagger that resonates with players because he's won four World Series as a player and manager. "He has a really calm, confident demeanor," All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto said. "When he speaks, everybody listens because he's so intelligent and what he says makes sense all the time."Girardi managed the New York Yankees for 10 years, succeeding Joe Torre after the 2007 season. He led New York to three AL East titles, six postseason appearances and its 27th World Series title, beating the Phillies in six games in 2009.He also managed the Marlins for one season and was NL Manager of the Year after going 78-84 in 2006, the only manager to win the award with a losing record. Girardi's record... [More]

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Adam Conley has pitched in the Miami Marlins’ organization since 2011, which gives him a unique perspective on the quality of their rotation through a decade of losing.It's on the rise, he says.“The depth is noticeably improved,” Conley says. “Now you can't pitch for the Marlins with a 6.00 ERA. Someone will come to get your job.”Conley had a 6.17 ERA in 20 starts for Miami in 2017, and if he makes the team this spring, it will be as a reliever. There are more than a dozen young arms contending for the rotation this season, and the Marlins expect to be significantly better thanks in part to their emerging starters.“The pitching is ahead of the position player grouping,” president of baseball operations Michael Hill says. “You have talented young pitchers who are continuing to get better. That’s how we get better. And that’s how we make it to October.”The Marlins haven't played in the postseason since 2003 and likely won't get there this year. But more than three years... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona reliever Archie Bradley won the final salary arbitration case of the year, leaving teams with a 7-5 advantage over players.Bradley, a 27-year right-hander, was given a raise from $1.83 million to $4.1 million on Friday by arbitrators Andrew Strongin, Steven Wolf and Jules Bloch. The Diamondbacks had argued for $3,625,000.Bradley was 4-5 with a 3.52 ERA in 65 relief appearances and one start last year. He struck out 87 and walked 36 in 71 2/3 innings.Teams won six of the first seven decisions, and players won four of the last five. Teams have had a winning record in four of the last six years; the exceptions were a 12-10 margin for players in 2018 and a 6-4 advantage last year, the first consecutive winning years for the players since 1989-90.A relatively small percentage of players went to hearings among the 162 who were eligible after teams offered contracts on Dec. 2. Just 20 players exchanged proposed salaries with their clubs on Jan. 10 and nearly half of them... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies won their arbitration case against All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto on Thursday, putting teams ahead of players 7-4 this year and ensuring clubs will finish with a winning record.Realmuto will get a raise from $6.05 million to $10 million instead of his $12.4 million request.Arbitrators Gary Kendellen, Jeanne Charles and Richard Bloch made the decision a day after hearing arguments.Obtained from Miami just before spring training last year, Realmuto hit .275 with 25 homers and 83 RBIs, earning his second straight All-Star selection.He lost at a hearing two years ago, when he was given Miami's $2.9 million offer instead of his $3.5 million request.A decision is pending for Arizona pitcher Archie Bradley, whose case was argued Tuesday. Phillies reliever Héctor Neris agreed Thursday night to a $4.6 million, one-year deal, avoiding a hearing.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PHOENIX (AP) — Reliever Héctor Neris avoided a salary arbitration hearing with the Philadelphia Phillies by agreeing to a $4.6 million, one-year contract.The deal reached Thursday night includes a $7 million team option for 2021 with no buyout.Neris can earn an additional $1.2 million this year in performance bonuses for games finished: $50,000 each for 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35; $100,000 apiece for 40, 45 and 50; and $200,000 each for 55, 60 and 63.Neris was Philadelphia's most reliable reliever last year, leading the team with a career-high 28 saves in 34 chances. He had a 2.93 ERA with 89 strikeouts in 67 2/3 innings, earning $1.8 million.He is 67 for 83 in save opportunities in his career.Neris had asked for $5.2 million in arbitration and had been offered $4.25 million. He is eligible for free agency after the 2021 season.Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto lost his hearing Thursday and will receive $10 million rather than his $12.4 million request.___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PHOENIX (AP) — Reliever Héctor Neris avoided a salary arbitration hearing with the Philadelphia Phillies by agreeing to a $4.6 million, one-year contract.The deal reached Thursday night includes a $7 million team option for 2021 with no buyout.Neris can earn an additional $1.2 million this year in performance bonuses for games finished: $50,000 each for 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35; $100,000 apiece for 40, 45 and 50; and $200,000 each for 55, 60 and 63.Neris was Philadelphia's most reliable reliever last year, leading the team with a career-high 28 saves in 34 chances. He had a 2.93 ERA with 89 strikeouts in 67 2/3 innings, earning $1.8 million.He is 67 for 83 in save opportunities in his career.Neris is eligible for free agency after the 2021 season.Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto lost his hearing Thursday and will receive $10 million rather than his $12.4 million request.___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PHOENIX (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies won their arbitration case against All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto on Thursday, putting teams ahead of players 7-4 this year and ensuring clubs will finish with a winning record.Realmuto will get a raise from $6.05 million to $10 million instead of his $12.4 million request.Arbitrators Gary Kendellen, Jeanne Charles and Richard Bloch made the decision a day after hearing arguments.Obtained from Miami just before spring training last year, Realmuto hit .275 with 25 homers and 83 RBIs, earning his second straight All-Star selection.A decision is pending for Arizona pitcher Archie Bradley, whose case was argued Tuesday. Phillies reliever Héctor Neris agreed Thursday night to a $4.6 million, one-year deal, avoiding a hearing.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PHOENIX (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies won their arbitration case against All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto on Thursday, putting teams ahead of players 7-4 this year and ensuring clubs will finish with a winning record.Realmuto will get a raise from $6.05 million to $10 million instead of his $12.4 million request.Arbitrators Gary Kendellen, Jeanne Charles and Richard Bloch made the decision a day after hearing arguments.Obtained from Miami just before spring training last year, Realmuto hit .275 with 25 homers and 83 RBIs, earning his second straight All-Star selection. His hearing was the first for the Phillies since Ryan Howard beat Philadelphia in 2008 and was awarded $10 million — then arbitration record —- over the team's $7 million.A decision is pending for Arizona pitcher Archie Bradley, whose case was argued Tuesday. Phillies reliever Héctor Neris is the lone player still scheduled for a hearing.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PHOENIX (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies won their arbitration case against All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto on Thursday, putting teams ahead of players 7-4 this year and ensuring clubs will finish with a winning record.Realmuto will get a raise from $6.05 million to $10 million instead of his $12.4 million request.Arbitrators Gary Kendellen, Jeanne Charles and Richard Bloch made the decision a day after hearing arguments.Obtained from Miami just before spring training last year, Realmuto hit .275 with 25 homers and 83 RBIs, earning his second straight All-Star selection.A decision is pending for Arizona pitcher Archie Bradley, whose case was argued Tuesday. Phillies reliever Héctor Neris is the lone player still scheduled for a hearing.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Philadelphia Phillies manager Joe Girardi expects catcher J.T. Realmuto to be back in spring training Thursday and does not believe there will be any fallout from his arbitration hearing in Arizona. Realmuto, eligible for free agency after this season, asked for a raise from $6.05 million to $12.4 million and was offered $10 million.“I think he has the right attitude. And I think he understands that it’s a business," Girardi said. "I always worry about players when they go to the hearing because one side is arguing everything great about the player and the other side is trying to keep it down. If it gets to that, I’ll sit down and talk to him." Realmuto and the Phillies may try to negotiate a long-term contract. “I think he’s a smart enough man and he understands that this is one year and then I’m a free agent," Girardi added. "I’m not going to let this get in the way of my playing and I need to have a really good year.”PROSPECT BACK ON MOUNDSpencer Howard, the top-rated... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Houston infielder Aledmys Díaz, Miami first baseman Jesús Aguilar and Los Angeles Angels outfielder Brian Goodwin all won their salary arbitration cases Wednesday, cutting the teams' advantage to 6-4 in decisions this year with three cases remaining.Díaz was awarded $2.6 million by arbitrators Mark Burstein, Stephen Raymond, Gary Kendellen rather than the $2 million offered by the Astros, which matched Díaz's salary last year.Aguilar was given a raise from $637,500 to $2,575,000 instead of the Marlins' figure of $2,325,000 in a decision by Jeanne Charles, Steven Wolf and Edna Francis.Goodwin received a raise from $585,500 to $2.2 million rather than the team's $1.85 million offer. That case was decided by Dan Brent, Melinda Gordon and Elizabeth Neumeier.Acquired by Houston from Toronto in November 2018, Díaz hit .271 for the AL champions with nine homers and 40 RBIs in 247 plate appearances over 69 games. He was 0 for 9 with a walk in the postseason.Goodwin hit .262 last... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Houston infielder Aledmys Díaz, Miami first baseman Jesús Aguilar and Los Angeles Angels outfielder Brian Goodwin all won their salary arbitration cases Wednesday, cutting the teams' advantage to 6-4 in decisions this year with three cases remaining.Díaz was awarded $2.6 million by arbitrators Mark Burstein, Stephen Raymond, Gary Kendellen rather than the $2 million offered by the Astros, which matched Díaz's salary last year.Aguilar was given a raise from $637,500 to $2,575,000 instead of the Marlins' figure of $2,325,000 in a decision by Jeanne Charles, Steven Wolf and Edna Francis.Goodwin received a raise from $585,500 to $2.2 million rather than the team's $1.85 million offer. That case was decided by Dan Brent, Melinda Gordon and Elizabeth Neumeier.Acquired by Houston from Toronto in November 2018, Díaz hit .271 for the AL champions with nine homers and 40 RBIs in 247 plate appearances over 69 games. He was 0 for 9 with a walk in the postseason.Goodwin hit .262 last... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Los Angeles Angels outfielder Brian Goodwin and Arizona reliever Archie Bradley went to salary arbitration hearings Tuesday.Goodwin asked a panel for a raise to $2.2 million and the team argued for $1.85 million. He hit .262 last year and set career bests with 17 homers and 47 RBIs in 458 plate appearances for the Angels, who claimed him off waivers from Kansas City last year. The 29-year-old was eligible for the first time after earning $585,500 last year.A decision by arbitrators Dan Brent, Melinda Gordon and Elizabeth Neumeier is expected Thursday, when decisions also are due for Miami first baseman Jesús Aguilar and Houston backup infielder Aledmys Díaz. Bradley's decision is expected Saturday.A 27-year right-hander, Bradley asked arbitrators Andrew Strongin, Steven Wolf and Jules Bloch for a raise from $1.83 million to $4.1 million, and the team argued for $3,625,000. Bradley was 4-5 with a 3.52 ERA in 65 relief appearances and one start last year. He struck out 87 and... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Los Angeles Angels outfielder Brian Goodwin asked an arbitration panel for a raise to $2.2 million and the team argued for $1.85 million during a hearing Tuesday.Goodwin hit .262 last year and set career bests with 17 homers and 47 RBIs in 458 plate appearances for the Angels, who claimed him off waivers from Kansas City last March. The 29-year-old was eligible for arbitration for the first time after earning $585,500 last year.A decision by arbitrators Dan Brent, Melinda Gordon, Elizabeth Neumeier is expected Thursday, when decisions also are due for Miami first baseman Jesús Aguilar and Houston backup infielder Aledmys Díaz.Teams are 6-1 against players this year, beating Boston pitcher Eduardo Rodríguez, Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson, Minnesota pitcher José Berríos, Milwaukee closer Josh Hader, Atlanta reliever Shane Greene and Colorado catcher Tony Wolters.Dodgers reliever Pedro Báez is the lone winning player so far.Three players remain scheduled for hearings this week: Philadelphia catcher J.T. Realmuto and reliever Héctor Neris, and Arizona reliever Archie Bradley.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PHOENIX (AP) — Backup infielder Aledmys Díaz went to arbitration Monday with the Houston Astros, who offered the same $2 million salary he earned last year.Díaz asked arbitrators Mark Burstein, Stephen Raymond, Gary Kendellen for a raise to $2.6 million.Acquired from Toronto in November 2018, Díaz hit .271 for the AL champions with nine homers and 40 RBIs in 247 plate appearances over 69 games. He was 0 for 9 with a walk in the postseason.A decision is expected Wednesday.Teams are 6-1 against players this year, beating Boston pitcher Eduardo Rodríguez, Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson, Minnesota pitcher José Berríos, Milwaukee closer Josh Hader, Atlanta reliever Shane Greene and Colorado catcher Tony Wolters.Dodgers reliever Pedro Báez is the lone winning player so far.A decision is expected Wednesday for Miami first baseman Jesús Aguilar, whose hearing was Friday. Aguilar asked for a raise from $637,500 to $2,575,000 and the Marlins argued for $2,325,000.Four players remain scheduled for hearings this week: Philadelphia catcher J.T. Realmuto and reliever Héctor Neris, Arizona reliever Archie Bradley and Los Angeles Angels outfielder Brian Goodwin.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Andrew McCutchen can speak firsthand about modern medical advancements.He tore his ACL last year — and it wasn't the first time."I had an ACL injury when I was in high school, so to kind of compare the two, as far as the process goes and the rehab, it's a lot quicker," the Philadelphia outfielder said Monday. "You're doing things a lot faster maybe than you did 16, 17 years ago. At the same time, I'm not 16 and rehabbing. I'm 33 now.”McCutchen played only 59 games last year before going down with a torn ACL in early June. The Phillies finished 81-81, a disappointment in their first season after signing Bryce Harper. Philadelphia replaced manager Gabe Kapler with Joe Girardi and added Zack Wheeler to its rotation. If he can stay healthy, McCutchen could give the team a lift as well.The Phillies held their first workout with the full squad Monday. McCutchen said he plans to be ready for opening day.“I'm doing everything. I don't have any limitations. It's just about... [More]

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Francisco Cervelli says he’s fully recovered from his latest concussion, and Jorge Alfaro says he’s feeling fitter after a winter spent working on the farm and running sprints.At catcher, at least, the Miami Marlins appear in good shape.Alfaro, who returns as the starter, reported for spring training this week 15 pounds lighter thanks to an active offseason regimen that included time on his dad's small farm in Colombia.Cervelli signed a $2 million, one-year contract last month after missing much of 2019 with a concussion that limited him to 48 games for the Pirates and Braves. The 12-year veteran has a long history of concussions, but said he's now fully healthy and anticipates a bounce-back season as more than just a backup.“That word,” he said, “is not in my bag.”Alfaro also wants to play a lot — even more than the 130 games he logged last year. That's why he spent the offseason improving his fitness.He helped his dad by herding cattle and harvesting yuca roots. He... [More]

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Midway through Ryne Stanek's first throwing session of spring training with the Miami Marlins, he was interrupted by pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre Jr.Stanek's fastball kept sailing inside.“If you find yourself missing consistently in the same area ...” Stottlemyre said, embarking on a discourse about arm angles, eye focus and release points —that is, how to throw strikes.Strikes were a problem for the Marlins last year. They led the majors with 615 walks and led the National League with 105 losses, which is not a coincidence.Pitchers and catchers reported Wednesday for spring training, and a big goal will be to reduce bases on balls, although the Marlins prefer not to say it that way.“As a hitter you don’t talk about walking; you talk about getting a good pitch to hit,” manager Don Mattingly said. “It’s the same with the pitching side. I don’t think we’re going to be doing a whole lot of talking about not walking guys; we’re going to talk about attacking the strike... [More]