Free-agent utility player Brandon Dixon announced his retirement from professional baseball on his Twitter/X account on Thursday. It was a brief career as the 32-year-old played in parts of five seasons and appeared in just 235 games. He hit .224 with 22 home runs, six stolen bases, and a .663 OPS across 658 trips to the plate in that time. However, he did pace the Tigers with a career-high 15 home runs in the 2019 season when he played in 118 games. Most recently, he played two seasons for his hometown San Diego Padres, hitting .203 with two homers, one steal, and a .573 OPS across 86 trips to the plate in the 2023 campaign.

San Diego Padres infielder Brandon Dixon is serving as the designated hitter and batting eighth in the lineup on Friday as the team kicks off the second half of the season against the Philadelphia Phillies and left-hander Cristopher Sanchez. Dixon hit well against lefties in the minors at Triple-A El Paso, but so far he's gone just 15-for-71 (.211) with two home runs, four doubles, eight RBI and nine runs scored in 30 games for the Padres, including going 5-for-35 (.143) with one homer and six RBI against southpaws in the big leagues in 2023. The 31-year-old right-handed hitter will be a low-cost deep DFS sleeper for Friday's slate of action to kick off the second half of the MLB season.

A team-by-team look at the American 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: ___ Minnesota Twins Manager: Rocco Baldelli (third season). 2020: 36-24, first place, lost to Houston in first round of playoffs. Training Town: Fort Myers, Florida. Park: Hammond Stadium at CenturyLink Sports Complex. First Workout: Feb. 19/23. He’s Here: SS Andrelton Simmons, RHP Alex Colomé, LHP J.A. Happ, RHP Hansel Robles, RHP Shaun Anderson, RHP Ian Hamilton, OF Keon Broxton, LHP Andrew Albers. He’s Outta Here: LF Eddie Rosario, RHP Sergio Romo, RHP Trevor May, RHP Jake Odorizzi, INF/OF Marwin Gonzalez, LHP Rich Hill, RHP Tyler Clippard, RHP Matt Wisler, INF Ehire Adrianza, C Alex Avila. Going campin’: The Twins return largely the same team that won the last two AL Central titles, aiming to end their major league-record 18-game postseason losing streak. The pitching staff was superb... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Tigers on Thursday requested unconditional release waivers on utilityman Brandon Dixon so he can pursue an opportunity in Japan. Dixon led the Tigers with 15 home runs in 2019, but the 28-year-old had only 13 at-bats in the majors during this year's shortened season. Those came near the end after he was called up from the alternate training site. Dixon played for Cincinnati in 2018 before the Tigers claimed him off waivers. He has hit .228 with 20 home runs and 64 RBIs in 196 big league games. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A team-by-team look at the American 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:___Minnesota TwinsManager: Rocco Baldelli (second season). 2019: 101-61, first place, lost to Yankees in Division Series.Training Town: Fort Myers, Florida.Park: Hammond Stadium at CenturyLink Sports Complex. First Workout: Feb. 12/17.He's Here: 3B Josh Donaldson, RHP Kenta Maeda, RHP Homer Bailey, RHP Tyler Clippard, C Alex Avila, LHP Rich Hill, RHP Matt Wisler, RHP Jhoulys Chacin, LHP Blaine Hardy.He's Outta Here: RHP Brusdar Graterol, RHP Kyle Gibson, 1B C.J. Cron, 2B Jonathan Schoop, C Jason Castro, LHP Mart�n P�rez, RHP Ryne Harper, RHP Trevor Hildenberger, RHP Sam Dyson.Going campin': The high-priced addition of the big-swinging, slick-fielding Donaldson boosted an already deep lineup that produced a major league record 307 home runs last season. Then came the agreement this week... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Tigers needed power, so they're bringing in two players from the Minnesota team that set a major league record for home runs.The Tigers agreed to one-year deals with free agents Jonathan Schoop and C.J. Cron. The deals are each for $6.1 million and should add some power to a Detroit team that finished last in the American League in homers in 2019.Schoop and Cron both played for Minnesota last season, helping the Twins hit a record 307 home runs. Schoop, a second baseman, batted .256 with 23 homers — his fourth straight season with over 20. He turned 28 in October.“Heading into this offseason, Detroit was always on my radar as a team that I'd enjoy signing with,” Schoop said in a statement. “I look forward to playing every day and being a leader on this young team.”The 29-year-old Cron hit .253 with 25 home runs last season. He started 110 games at first base.“I'm really excited to join this organization that I've played against for the last six seasons,” Cron... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Tigers needed power, so they're bringing in two players from the Minnesota team that set a major league record for home runs.The Tigers agreed to one-year deals with free agents Jonathan Schoop and C.J. Cron. The deals are each for $6.1 million and should add some power to a Detroit team that finished last in the American League in homers in 2019.Schoop and Cron both played for Minnesota last season, helping the Twins hit a record 307 home runs. Schoop, a second baseman, batted .256 with 23 homers — his fourth straight season with over 20. He turned 28 in October.The 29-year-old Cron hit .253 with 25 home runs. He started 110 games at first base.The Tigers announced the agreements Saturday and also designated first baseman Brandon Dixon for assignment.The Tigers lost a major league-high 114 games this year, and only Miami had fewer home runs than Detroit’s 149. The rebuilding Tigers have not been major players in the free agent market lately, and when they have... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Tigers agreed to one-year deals with free agents Jonathan Schoop and C.J. Cron, adding some power to a team that finished last in the American League in home runs in 2019.The deals are each for $6.1 million.Schoop and Cron both played for Minnesota last season, helping the Twins hit a record 307 home runs. Schoop, a second baseman, batted .256 with 23 homers — his fourth straight season with over 20. He turned 28 in October.The 29-year-old Cron hit .253 with 25 home runs. He started 110 games at first base.The Tigers announced the agreements Saturday and also designated first baseman Brandon Dixon for assignment.___AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report.___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

White sox second. Eloy Jimenez singles to left field. James McCann singles to left field. Eloy Jimenez to second. Yolmer Sanchez flies out to left field to Ronny Rodriguez. Danny Mendick called out on strikes. Zack Collins singles to left center field. James McCann scores. Eloy Jimenez scores. Adam Engel doubles to deep right field. Zack Collins to third. Leury Garcia grounds out to first base to Jeimer Candelario.2 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. White sox 2, Tigers 0.Tigers sixth. Gordon Beckham singles to shallow left field. Victor Reyes singles to center field. Gordon Beckham to third. Jordy Mercer walks. Victor Reyes to second. Jeimer Candelario singles to center field. Jordy Mercer to second. Victor Reyes to third. Gordon Beckham scores. Christin Stewart reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Jeimer Candelario to second. Jordy Mercer to third. Victor Reyes out at home. Ronny Rodriguez strikes out swinging. Dawel Lugo grounds out to second base to Jose Abreu.1 run, 3... [More]

Tigers first. Victor Reyes lines out to deep center field to Adam Engel. Harold Castro strikes out swinging. Miguel Cabrera homers to center field. Christin Stewart strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Tigers 1, White sox 0.White sox third. Yolmer Sanchez reaches on error. Fielding error by Harold Castro. Adam Engel singles to left field. Yolmer Sanchez to second. Ryan Cordell singles to left field. Adam Engel to second. Yolmer Sanchez scores. Leury Garcia out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Matthew Boyd to Harold Castro. Ryan Cordell to second. Adam Engel to third. Danny Mendick flies out to right field to Brandon Dixon. Jose Abreu walks. Ryan Cordell to third. Adam Engel scores. Eloy Jimenez strikes out swinging.2 runs, 2 hits, 1 error, 2 left on. White sox 2, Tigers 1.White sox fourth. Yoan Moncada singles to right field. Welington Castillo flies out to right field to Brandon Dixon. Yolmer Sanchez doubles to deep left center field. Yoan Moncada scores. Adam... [More]

Twins third. Ryan LaMarre flies out to right field to Travis Demeritte. LaMonte Wade Jr grounds out to first base to John Hicks. Ronald Torreyes singles to shortstop. Ian Miller singles to center field. Ronald Torreyes scores. Luis Arraez flies out to deep right field to Travis Demeritte.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Twins 1, Tigers 0.Tigers third. Brandon Dixon triples to deep center field. Miguel Cabrera grounds out to shortstop, Luis Arraez to LaMonte Wade Jr. Brandon Dixon scores. Ronny Rodriguez lines out to shortstop to Ronald Torreyes. Dawel Lugo grounds out to shortstop, Luis Arraez to LaMonte Wade Jr.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Twins 1, Tigers 1.Twins fourth. Willians Astudillo singles to center field. Jake Cave grounds out to second base, Ronny Rodriguez to John Hicks. Willians Astudillo to third. Jonathan Schoop singles to left field. Willians Astudillo scores. Jason Castro walks. Jonathan Schoop to second. Ryan LaMarre reaches on a fielder's choice to third base.... [More]

White sox first. Leury Garcia flies out to right center field to Victor Reyes. Tim Anderson pops out to shortstop to Willi Castro. Jose Abreu singles to left field. Eloy Jimenez homers to center field. Jose Abreu scores. Yoan Moncada singles to center field. Welington Castillo strikes out swinging.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. White sox 2, Tigers 0.Tigers first. Victor Reyes singles to left field. Brandon Dixon pops out to shallow infield to Jose Abreu. Harold Castro lines out to left field to Eloy Jimenez. Jeimer Candelario homers to right field. Victor Reyes scores. Christin Stewart strikes out swinging.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. White sox 2, Tigers 2.Tigers second. Dawel Lugo singles to center field. Grayson Greiner grounds out to shortstop. Dawel Lugo out at second. Gordon Beckham homers to left field. Willi Castro strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Tigers 3, White sox 2.Tigers third. Victor Reyes grounds out to second base, Danny Mendick to Jose... [More]

White sox fifth. Leury Garcia grounds out to shortstop, Willi Castro to Jeimer Candelario. Tim Anderson homers to center field. Jose Abreu singles to left field. Eloy Jimenez singles to center field. Jose Abreu to second. Yoan Moncada triples to deep left center field. Eloy Jimenez scores. Jose Abreu scores. James McCann strikes out swinging. Welington Castillo called out on strikes.3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. White sox 3, Tigers 0.Tigers fifth. Jake Rogers singles to left center field. Willi Castro doubles to right center field. Jake Rogers to third. Victor Reyes grounds out to second base, Tim Anderson to Jose Abreu. Willi Castro to third. Jake Rogers scores. Brandon Dixon out on a sacrifice fly to Jose Abreu. Willi Castro scores. Harold Castro flies out to left field to Eloy Jimenez.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. White sox 3, Tigers 2.White sox eighth. Welington Castillo flies out to right field to Travis Demeritte. Yolmer Sanchez singles to second base. Adam Engel strikes... [More]

Tigers first. Victor Reyes triples to deep left center field. Jordy Mercer homers to center field. Victor Reyes scores. Miguel Cabrera grounds out to third base, Hanser Alberto to Trey Mancini. Jeimer Candelario lines out to left field to Stevie Wilkerson. Brandon Dixon pops out to Pedro Severino.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Tigers 2, Orioles 0.Tigers fifth. Dawel Lugo singles to left field. Travis Demeritte singles to shallow infield. Dawel Lugo to second. Jake Rogers pops out to Pedro Severino. Willi Castro strikes out swinging. Victor Reyes doubles to left center field, tagged out at third, Stevie Wilkerson to Richie Martin to Trey Mancini to Hanser Alberto to Anthony Santander to Jonathan Villar. Travis Demeritte scores. Dawel Lugo scores.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Tigers 4, Orioles 0.Orioles sixth. Richie Martin strikes out on a foul tip. Hanser Alberto flies out to right field to Travis Demeritte. Trey Mancini homers to center field. Anthony Santander singles to... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Yu Darvish struck out a season-high 14 and allowed only two hits in six innings and the Chicago Cubs beat the San Diego Padres 4-1 on Thursday to remain tied with Milwaukee for the NL's second wild card.The Padres scored in the ninth when Manny Machado was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and two outs, but Rowan Wick struck out Luis Urias to end it.Chicago split the four-game series and won for just the second time in seven games.Darvish (6-6) retired his first eight batters before allowing his first hit, an infield single by starter Dinelson Lamet (2-5). Darvish kicked the ball with his right foot and it caromed to third baseman Kris Bryant. Darvish struck out Greg Garcia to end the inning.The big right-hander had at least one strikeout in every inning. After Greg Garcia tripled leading off the sixth, Darvish finished strong by striking out the side, including Eric Hosmer for the third straight time.Darvish was one shy of his career high, set Aug. 12, 2013, at Houston... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Yu Darvish struck out a season-high 14 and allowed only two hits in six innings and the Chicago Cubs beat the San Diego Padres 4-1 on Thursday to remain tied with Milwaukee for the NL's second wild card.The Padres scored in the ninth when Manny Machado was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and two outs, but Rowan Wick struck out Luis Urias to end it.Chicago split the four-game series and won for just the second time in seven games.Darvish (6-6) retired his first eight batters before allowing his first hit, an infield single by starter Dinelson Lamet (2-5). Darvish kicked the ball with his right foot and it caromed to third baseman Kris Bryant. Darvish struck out Greg Garcia to end the inning.The big right-hander had at least one strikeout in every inning. After Greg Garcia tripled leading off the sixth, Darvish finished strong by striking out the side, including Eric Hosmer for the third straight time.Darvish was one shy of his career high, set Aug. 12, 2013, at Houston... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Yu Darvish struck out a season-high 14 and allowed only two hits in six innings and the Chicago Cubs beat the San Diego Padres 4-1 on Thursday to remain tied with Milwaukee for the NL's second wild card.The Padres scored in the ninth when Manny Machado was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and two outs, but Rowan Wick struck out Luis Urias to end it.Chicago split the four-game series and won for just the second time in seven games.Darvish (6-6) retired his first eight batters before allowing his first hit, an infield single by starter Dinelson Lamet (2-5). Darvish kicked the ball with his right foot and it caromed to third baseman Kris Bryant. Darvish struck out Greg Garcia to end the inning.The big right-hander had at least one strikeout in every inning. After Greg Garcia tripled leading off the sixth, Darvish finished strong by striking out the side, including Eric Hosmer for the third straight time.Darvish was one shy of his career high, set Aug. 12, 2013, at Houston... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Yu Darvish struck out a season-high 14 and allowed only two hits in six innings and the Chicago Cubs beat the San Diego Padres 4-1 on Thursday to remain tied with Milwaukee for the NL's second wild card.The Padres scored in the ninth when Manny Machado was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and two outs, but Rowan Wick struck out Luis Urias to end it.Chicago split the four-game series and won for just the second time in seven games.Darvish (6-6) retired his first eight batters before allowing his first hit, an infield single by starter Dinelson Lamet (2-5). Darvish kicked the ball with his right foot and it caromed to third baseman Kris Bryant. Darvish struck out Greg Garcia to end the inning.The big right-hander had at least one strikeout in every inning. After Greg Garcia tripled leading off the sixth, Darvish finished strong by striking out the side, including Eric Hosmer for the third straight time.Darvish was one shy of his career high, set Aug. 12, 2013, at Houston... [More]

Yankees first. DJ LeMahieu singles to right field. Aaron Judge homers to center field. DJ LeMahieu scores. Didi Gregorius grounds out to shallow right field, Gordon Beckham to John Hicks. Gleyber Torres singles to left center field. Gary Sanchez reaches on a fielder's choice to third base. Gleyber Torres out at second. Brett Gardner strikes out swinging.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Yankees 2, Tigers 0.Yankees second. Luke Voit lines out to center field to Harold Castro. Mike Ford singles to right center field. Tyler Wade called out on strikes. DJ LeMahieu doubles to deep right center field, advances to 3rd. Mike Ford scores. Aaron Judge flies out to deep center field to Harold Castro.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Yankees 3, Tigers 0.Tigers fourth. Jeimer Candelario walks. Ronny Rodriguez strikes out swinging. Jordy Mercer singles to left center field. Jeimer Candelario to second. Brandon Dixon doubles to deep left field. Jordy Mercer scores. Jeimer Candelario scores. Grayson... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Yu Darvish struck out a season-high 14 and allowed only two hits in six innings and the Chicago Cubs beat the San Diego Padres 4-1 on Thursday to remain tied with Milwaukee for the NL's second wild card.The Padres scored in the ninth when Manny Machado was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and two outs, but Rowan Wick struck out Luis Urias to end it.Chicago split the four-game series and won for just the second time in seven games.Darvish (6-6) retired his first eight batters before allowing his first hit, an infield single by starter Dinelson Lamet (2-5). Darvish kicked the ball with his right foot and it caromed to third baseman Kris Bryant. Darvish struck out Greg Garcia to end the inning.The big right-hander had at least one strikeout in every inning. After Greg Garcia tripled leading off the sixth, Darvish finished strong by striking out the side, including Eric Hosmer for the third straight time.Darvish was one shy of his career high, set Aug. 12, 2013, at Houston... [More]