The Chicago Cubs signed free-agent infielder Sergio Alcantara to a minor-league deal on Tuesday. Alcantara spent his third major-league season in 2022 with the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres, slashing a combined .220/.261/.356 with a .617 OPS, six home runs, 29 RBI, 26 runs scored and one stolen base in just 224 plate appearances and 93 total games. In 192 games over three big-league seasons, he has hit .209/.281/.343 with 12 homers, 47 RBI, 58 runs scored and four stolen bases. The 26-year-old switch-hitter has hit .258/.344/.323 with a .667 OPS in eight minor-league seasons. Alcantara will serve as infield depth for the Cubs entering the 2023 season and has a pretty good shot at seeing more time in the big leagues at some point next year.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have acquired infielder Sergio Alcantara from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for cash considerations. He was designated for assignment last week and could get more chances in Arizona. Nick Ahmed (shoulder) is currently sidelined, so Alcantara could begin the season as the starting shortstop. The 25-year-old hit .205/.303/.327 with five homers last season in 255 plate appearances. In a corresponding move, outfielder Josh VanMeter has been designated for assignment. He hit .212/.300/.364 with 16 homers and 13 steals with Arizona last season. VanMeter should draw some interest on the waiver wire, but isn't much of a fantasy option right now. Alcantara should get some at-bats in Arizona, but is tough to trust.

CLEVELAND (AP) — José Ramírez picked up a pair of RBIs — made possible by Baltimore blunders in the field — and the Cleveland Indians extended the Orioles’ road losing streak to 16 games with a 4-3 victory on Monday night. Ramírez drove in a run off Dean Kremer (0-6) in the first inning when Baltimore left fielder DJ Stewart slipped in the wet grass going after a routine fly. Ramirez added an RBI double in the sixth after Orioles second baseman Stevie Wilkerson dropped his foul pop, giving him another try. Indians rookie reliever Nick Sandlin (1-0) picked up his first career win by striking out three of the five batters he faced. Emmanuel Clase worked a 1-2-3 ninth for his 10th save. RAYS 5, WHITE SOX 2 CHICAGO (AP) — Austin Meadows, Brandon Lowe and Randy Arozarena homered and Tampa Bay beat Chicago for its fourth straight win. Tampa Bay improved to 43-24, 1 1/2 games ahead of the White Sox for the best record in the majors. The Rays have won seven of eight. Tampa Bay starter Tyler Glasnow... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — José Ramírez picked up a pair of RBIs — made possible by Baltimore blunders in the field — and the Cleveland Indians extended the Orioles’ road losing streak to 16 games with a 4-3 victory on Monday night. Ramírez drove in a run off Dean Kremer (0-6) in the first inning when Baltimore left fielder DJ Stewart slipped in the wet grass going after a routine fly. Ramirez added an RBI double in the sixth after Orioles second baseman Stevie Wilkerson dropped his foul pop, giving him another try. Indians rookie reliever Nick Sandlin (1-0) picked up his first career win by striking out three of the five batters he faced. Emmanuel Clase worked a 1-2-3 ninth for his 10th save. RAYS 5, WHITE SOX 2 CHICAGO (AP) — Austin Meadows, Brandon Lowe and Randy Arozarena homered and Tampa Bay beat Chicago for its fourth straight win. Tampa Bay improved to 43-24, 1 1/2 games ahead of the White Sox for the best record in the majors. The Rays have won seven of eight. Tampa Bay starter Tyler Glasnow... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Joc Pederson and Sergio Alcantara homered, and Jake Arrieta threw five strong innings for the Chicago Cubs, who beat former teammate Yu Darvish and the San Diego Padres 3-1 Wednesday to take two of three. The Cubs beat the Padres five times in six games in a 10-day stretch, including a three-game sweep at Wrigley Field last week. Darvish (6-2) retired the first nine Cubs batters before Pederson hit a towering home run to right-center field leading off the fourth to tie it at 1. Darvish pitched well but took the hard-luck loss when the Cubs scored the go-ahead run in the seventh on Anthony Rizzo’s double-play ball. Arrieta allowed one run and four hits in five innings, struck out six and walked one. He allowed Manny Machado’s RBI single in the third. Rex Brothers (2-0) pitched a perfect sixth for the win. Craig Kimbrel pitched a perfect ninth for his 15th save in 17 chances. ATHLETICS 4, DIAMONDBACKS 0 OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Sean Manaea pitched six innings of two-hit ball,... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Joc Pederson and Sergio Alcantara homered, and Jake Arrieta threw five strong innings for the Chicago Cubs, who beat former teammate Yu Darvish and the San Diego Padres 3-1 Wednesday to take two of three. The Cubs beat the Padres five times in six games in a 10-day stretch, including a three-game sweep at Wrigley Field last week. Darvish (6-2) retired the first nine Cubs batters before Pederson hit a towering home run to right-center field leading off the fourth to tie it at 1. Darvish pitched well but took the hard-luck loss when the Cubs scored the go-ahead run in the seventh on Anthony Rizzo’s double-play ball. Arrieta allowed one run and four hits in five innings, struck out six and walked one. He allowed Manny Machado’s RBI single in the third. Rex Brothers (2-0) pitched a perfect sixth for the win. Craig Kimbrel pitched a perfect ninth for his 15th save in 17 chances. ATHLETICS 4, DIAMONDBACKS 0 OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Sean Manaea pitched six innings of two-hit ball,... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Joc Pederson and Sergio Alcantara homered, and Jake Arrieta threw five strong innings for the Chicago Cubs, who beat former teammate Yu Darvish and the San Diego Padres 3-1 Wednesday to take two of three. The Cubs beat the Padres five times in six games in a 10-day stretch, including a three-game sweep at Wrigley Field last week. Darvish (6-2) retired the first nine Cubs batters before Pederson hit a towering home run to right-center field leading off the fourth to tie it at 1. Darvish pitched well but took the hard-luck loss when the Cubs scored the go-ahead run in the seventh on Anthony Rizzo’s double-play ball. Arrieta allowed one run and four hits in five innings, struck out six and walked one. He allowed Manny Machado’s RBI single in the third. Rex Brothers (2-0) pitched a perfect sixth for the win. Craig Kimbrel pitched a perfect ninth for his 15th save in 17 chances. ATHLETICS 4, DIAMONDBACKS 0 OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Sean Manaea pitched six innings of two-hit ball,... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Tigers finalized a $2 million, one-year contract with catcher Wilson Ramos on Friday. Ramos played 45 games last season with the New York Mets, hitting .239 with five home runs and 15 RBIs. Ramos was an All-Star in 2016 for the Washington Nationals and in 2018 with the Tampa Bay Rays. The 33-year-old Ramos could give Detroit a boost after its catchers struggled last year. Jake Rogers hit .125 in 35 games, and Grayson Greiner batted .118 in 18 games. Austin Romine hit .238 but agreed to a deal with the Chicago Cubs recently. “Adding a reliable veteran catcher was one of our priorities this offseason, and we know that Wilson will be a great fit for that role,” general manager Al Avila said. "He’s still producing on the field at a high level after 11 years in the big leagues, and we feel his presence in the clubhouse will be a major positive both for our young catchers and pitching staff.” The Tigers are trying to rebuild around pitching prospects like Casey Mize... [More]

Royals first. Whit Merrifield flies out to deep left center field to Travis Demeritte. Adalberto Mondesi reaches on error. Fielding error by Sergio Alcantara. Salvador Perez homers to left field. Adalberto Mondesi scores. Maikel Franco strikes out swinging. Hunter Dozier strikes out on a foul tip.2 runs, 1 hit, 1 error, 0 left on. Royals 2, Tigers 0.Royals sixth. Whit Merrifield singles to shallow left field. Adalberto Mondesi flies out to shallow center field to Jorge Bonifacio. Salvador Perez doubles to deep right field. Whit Merrifield scores. Maikel Franco grounds out to first base to Jeimer Candelario. Salvador Perez to third. Hunter Dozier strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Royals 3, Tigers 0.Royals eighth. Nicky Lopez grounds out to shallow left field, Sergio Alcantara to Jeimer Candelario. Whit Merrifield singles to shortstop. Adalberto Mondesi singles to shallow center field. Whit Merrifield to second. Salvador Perez walks. Maikel Franco strikes out swinging. Hunter Dozier grounds out to shallow center field, Willi Castro to Jeimer Candelario.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Royals 4, Tigers 0.

White sox first. Tim Anderson singles to right field. Yoan Moncada flies out to Jorge Bonifacio. Yasmani Grandal walks. Tim Anderson to second. Jose Abreu singles to center field. Yasmani Grandal to third. Tim Anderson scores. Eloy Jimenez doubles to right field. Jose Abreu to third. Yasmani Grandal scores. Edwin Encarnacion singles to center field. Eloy Jimenez to third. Jose Abreu scores. Luis Robert pops out to Jeimer Candelario. Nomar Mazara strikes out swinging.3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. White sox 3, Tigers 0.White sox third. Jose Abreu singles to shallow center field. Eloy Jimenez singles to shallow left field. Jose Abreu to second. Edwin Encarnacion flies out to center field to Victor Reyes. Luis Robert pops out to shallow infield to Grayson Greiner. Nomar Mazara doubles to left center field. Eloy Jimenez scores. Jose Abreu scores. Nick Madrigal lines out to center field to Victor Reyes.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. White sox 5, Tigers 0.White sox fourth. Tim Anderson... [More]

Cardinals second. Paul DeJong singles to deep left field. Tyler O'Neill reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow left field, advances to 2nd. Paul DeJong to third. Fielding error by Sergio Alcantara. Matt Carpenter singles to center field. Tyler O'Neill to third. Paul DeJong scores. Matt Wieters lines out to first base to Jeimer Candelario. Matt Carpenter doubled off first. Harrison Bader strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Cardinals 1, Tigers 0.Cardinals fourth. Brad Miller pops out to shallow left field to Sergio Alcantara. Paul DeJong walks. Tyler O'Neill called out on strikes. Matt Carpenter doubles to deep right center field. Paul DeJong scores. Matt Wieters pops out to shallow right field to Jonathan Schoop.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cardinals 2, Tigers 0.Cardinals fifth. Harrison Bader strikes out swinging. Kolten Wong grounds out to shallow right field, Jonathan Schoop to Jeimer Candelario. Tommy Edman homers to left field. Paul Goldschmidt walks. Brad... [More]

Tigers second. Willi Castro grounds out to shallow center field, Luis Arraez to Miguel Sano. Jorge Bonifacio doubles. Travis Demeritte singles to left field. Jorge Bonifacio scores. Grayson Greiner grounds out to shortstop. Travis Demeritte out at second.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Tigers 1, Twins 0.Tigers third. Sergio Alcantara homers to left field. Victor Reyes pops out to shallow right field to Miguel Sano. Jonathan Schoop lines out to shallow infield to Luis Arraez. Miguel Cabrera grounds out to shortstop, Jorge Polanco to Miguel Sano.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Tigers 2, Twins 0.Twins third. Jake Cave walks. Ehire Adrianza doubles to deep right field. Jake Cave to third. Willians Astudillo singles to shallow center field. Ehire Adrianza scores. Jake Cave scores. Jorge Polanco reaches on a fielder's choice to first base. Willians Astudillo out at second. Luis Arraez singles to shallow infield. Jorge Polanco to second. Miguel Sano strikes out swinging. Eddie Rosario pops... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Casey Mize is not starting the season with the Detroit Tigers, who reassigned him and several other top prospects to their alternate training location Monday.Mize, a right-hander who was the top pick in the 2018 draft, has been in camp with the Tigers and certainly could still contribute this year.“From the day we drafted him, that's why we made him 1-1, we thought he was a very special pitcher," general manager Al Avila said. "He's handled himself great, he's a pro, he works very hard, we have high expectations of him, he has high expectations of himself, and he's on the right track.”The Tigers can bring up Mize next Wednesday and still delay his eventual free agency eligibility for a year, but Avila said service time isn’t part of his thought process. Detroit also reassigned right-hander Matt Manning, outfielder Riley Greene and infielder Spencer Torkelson to the alternate training location. Torkelson was the top pick in this year's draft.“The guys that are going to be... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Casey Mize is not starting the season with the Detroit Tigers, who reassigned him and several other top prospects to their alternate training location Monday.Mize, a right-hander who was the top pick in the 2018 draft, has been in camp with the Tigers and certainly could still contribute this year. “From the day we drafted him, that's why we made him 1-1, we thought he was a very special pitcher," general manager Al Avila said. "He's handled himself great, he's a pro, he works very hard, we have high expectations of him, he has high expectations of himself, and he's on the right track.”Avila said service time isn’t part of his thought process. Detroit also reassigned right-hander Matt Manning, outfielder Riley Greene and infielder Spencer Torkelson to the alternate training location. Torkelson was the top pick in this year's draft.“The guys that are going to be going to Toledo, to let's say practice and do the intrasquad games and things of that nature, it's going to be more... [More]

LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) — When Michael Fulmer arrived in the major leagues in 2016, his impact was impressive and immediate.Now, the Detroit right-hander will settle for steady progress.Three years after that sparkling debut season, Fulmer is at a bit of a crossroads. He won AL Rookie of the Year honors in 2016 but has struggled to return to that form, especially last year, when he went 3-12 with a 4.69 ERA. His 2018 season ended a bit early because of knee problems, and Fulmer — who turns 26 this month — has been working on some mechanical adjustments in response to his injuries."I think last year, performance-wise, I wasn't a hundred percent all the way through the season, and I think it showed," he said Monday. "This year, we're trying to kind of redo everything and get to be pain free, which I am. I'm blessed for that, and I think everything else will kind of build up."Fulmer pitched three innings in Monday's 9-5 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. Kolten Wong led off with a home run... [More]