MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Yes, the narrative of Joe Mauer's career was missing a championship chapter. That plotline stalled for a few years while the star was set back by injuries.Still, this story of the Minnesota native with the smooth left-handed swing who played for the Twins the entire time sure was made for a movie.Six weeks after Mauer symbolically donned his catcher's gear for one last crouch behind the plate in the final inning of the season , Mauer formalized his goodbye to the game at a tear-filled-yet-cheerful news conference to wrap up a 15-year major league career at age 35."I've been fortunate enough to have the personal accolades, and I really do believe that's a byproduct of how the team does, and those things just come along with it," Mauer said. "But I'd want to be known as a great teammate, a great person, and a guy who gave it everything he had."Even the closing credits were memorable.Mauer carefully flipped through a stack of note cards over a 15-minute thank-you on Monday... [More]

Capsules of American League Central teams, listed in order of finish last year:___Cleveland Indians2017: 102-60, first place, lost to Yankees in ALDS.Manager: Terry Francona (sixth season).He's Here: 1B-DH Yonder Alonso, LF Rajai Davis, RHP Alexi Ogando.He's Outta Here: 1B Carlos Santana, OF Jay Bruce, RHP Bryan Shaw, RHP Joe Smith, OF Austin Jackson, LHP Boone Logan.Projected Lineup: SS Francisco Lindor (.273, 33 HRs, 89 RBIs, 44 2Bs, 15 SBs, 10 errors), 2B Jason Kipnis (.232, 12 HRs, 35 RBIs in 90 games), 3B Jose Ramirez (.318, 29, 83, AL-leading 56 2Bs), DH Edwin Encarnacion (.258, 38, 107), 1B Yonder Alonso (.266, career-high 28 HRs, 67 RBIs with Athletics and Mariners), RF Lonnie Chisenhall (.288, 12, 53 in 82 games), C Roberto Perez (.207, 8, 38, club went 44-22 in his starts) or Yan Gomes (.232, 14, 56), CF Bradley Zimmer (.241, 8, 39, 18 SBs, 0 errors), LF Michael Brantley (.299, 9, 52 in 90 games) or Rajai Davis (.235, 5, 20, 29 SBs with Oakland and Boston).Rotation: RH Corey Kluber... [More]

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:___Cleveland IndiansManager: Terry Francona (sixth season).2017: 102-60, first place, lost to New York Yankees in ALDS.Training Town: Goodyear, Arizona.Park: Goodyear Ballpark.First Workout: Feb. 15/19.He's Here: 1B-DH Yonder Alonso, OF Melvin Upton Jr., RHP Alexi Ogando.He's Outta Here: 1B Carlos Santana, OF Jay Bruce, RHP Bryan Shaw, RHP Joe Smith, OF Austin Jackson, LHP Boone Logan.Going campin': Poised to possibly end their 70-year-old World Series title drought, the Indians, who reeled off 22 straight victories in 2017, didn't even make it back to the AL Championship Series after squandering a 2-0 playoff lead against the Yankees. Unlike last winter, when the club signed DH Edwin Encarnacion in free agency, the Indians were relatively quiet, counting on their core to carry them in... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Glen Perkins has confirmed his expected retirement, ending a 12-year major league career with 120 saves.Perkins announced Wednesday on Twitter that he's done playing. He says he'll turn his focus to spending time with his family and will continue cultivating his hobbies including brewing beer, smoking meat and woodworking. "Or the same things I have been doing," Perkins writes, "just without the baseball part."Drafted in the first round in 2004 out of the University of Minnesota, Perkins became a three-time All-Star closer (2013-15) for his home-state team before injuries hit him hard. He had surgery for a torn labrum in his left shoulder in 2016 and appeared in only 10 games over the last two seasons. The 34-year-old finished with a 3.88 ERA in 624 1/3 career innings.___For more AP baseball coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

LHP Glen Perkins got Andrew Romine to pop out to end the ninth inning Saturday and asked for the ball after the out was recorded. Perkins, Minnesota's former All-Star closer, worked his way back to the majors this season after missing more than a year following shoulder surgery. An emotional Perkins said he kept the ball "just in case" but acknowledged Saturday might have been his last time on a major league mound. He finished with a 9.53 ERA in 5 2/3 innings this season.

RHP Glen Perkins made his seventh appearance when he allowed a hit in a scoreless seventh inning Wednesday. Perkins, who was activated last month after recovering from a torn labrum, had not pitched since Sept. 12. None of his appearances has occurred without at least three days in between outings so far.

LHP Glen Perkins was activated from the 60-day disabled list Thursday. Perkins, who had surgery to repair a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder last year, pitched in the ninth inning of the first game of Thursday's doubleheader for his first appearance in the majors since April 10, 2016, a span of 273 games. He allowed two runs while getting one out. He gave up two hits and hit two batters. Perkins was hitting 92 MPH with his fastball.

LHP Glen Perkins was activated from the 60-day disabled list prior to the opener of Thursday's doubleheader against the Cleveland Indians. Perkins has yet to pitch this season as he recovers from surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder. The 34-year-old has posted an 0-1 mark with a 6.14 ERA in eight rehab appearances in Minnesota's minor league system.

Minnesota Twins right fielder Robbie Grossman fractured his left thumb in an outfield collision Thursday during the second game of the doubleheader against the Cleveland Indians.Grossman collided with center fielder Byron Buxton on a flyout in the second inning and was on the ground for a few moments. He stayed in the game and singled in the bottom of the inning.However, Grossman was replaced by pinch hitter Max Kepler before his at-bat in the third inning. Grossman is hitting .241 this season with seven homers and 35 RBIs.--Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez left the opening game of the doubleheader after being hit in the right forearm by a second-inning fastball from Twins pitcher Kyle Gibson.Ramirez hopped down the first base line before dropping to a knee to be examined by a trainer. Ramirez was in obvious pain as manager Terry Francona looked on. He walked off holding his arm and was replaced by Giovanny Urshela.Ramirez leads the American League with 61 extra-base hits this season.... [More]

LHP Glen Perkins rejoined the Twins on Tuesday after pitching on a rehab assignment with Double-A Chattanooga. Perkins has not yet pitched in the majors this season after having offseason shoulder surgery. The 34-year-old veteran appeared in just two games in 2016 before sustaining an injury. Twins manager Paul Molitor said Perkins' fastball hit 88-91 mph during his rehab assignment. Perkins could join Minnesota's bullpen by the end of the month.

LHP Glen Perkins, out since last June with labrum surgery, made the first of three scheduled rehab appearances Thursday with Double-A Chattanooga. He threw a scoreless inning, allowing one hit. He will work Sunday and Monday and Minnesota could activate him after that. Manager Paul Molitor was told Perkins was working inside with a fastball at 89-91 mph range.

LHP Glen Perkins allowed just one hit and needed just 11 pitches to get through an inning Thursday night in a minor league rehab appearance with Double-A Chattanooga. Perkins allowed three earned runs over 4 2/3 innings in five rehab appearances between the Gulf Coast League and High-A Fort Myers and could return to the Twins' bullpen sometime this month, barring any setbacks.

LHP Glen Perkins will throw a bullpen session in Minnesota on Monday and then head to Double-A Chattanooga to continue his rehab. Perkins was in town for a charity event after rehabbing in Florida. Perkins could be nearing a return to the majors and is hopeful he might return after three more appearances. Perkins hasn't pitched in a major league game since April 11, 2016, before undergoing shoulder surgery.

LHP Glen Perkins will move his rehab to Double-A Chattanooga as he tries to come back after missing more than a year following shoulder surgery. Perkins was in Minnesota for a charity event following work with Class-A Fort Myers. Perkins made five rehab appearances.

LHP Glen Perkins pitched an inning for Class A Fort Myers as he recovers from shoulder surgery last season. He struck out one and didn't allow a hit Thursday. Manager Paul Molitor said Perkins would likely move his rehab to Double-A Chattanooga if all went well on Thursday. Perkins hasn't pitched in the majors since April of 2016.

LHP Glen Perkins was sent on a rehab assignment to Class A Fort Myers Miracle. Perkins has n ot pitched in a major league game since April 10, 2016. He has been sidelined since undergoing shoulder surgery..

LHP Glen Perkins, recovering from shoulder surgery last season, pitched in a game for the first time since April 10, 2016. Perkins threw a scoreless inning on eight pitches in the Gulf Coast League as he tries to make his return. He struck out two batters and reached 90 mph on the radar gun.

LHP Glen Perkins (left posterior shoulder strain) tweeted that he is scheduled to pitch in a minor league game on Saturday. Perkins has missed more than a year due to shoulder problems. He has been trying to work through his rehab while in Florida and had to back off his work recently.

LHP Glen Perkins (left posterior shoulder strain) will return to the mound to throw a bullpen session on Thursday. Perkins is in Florida rehabbing from his shoulder injury, and he experienced some biceps issues two weeks ago. It will be Perkins' first time back on the mound since the latest injury. He has missed more than a year since undergoing shoulder surgery.

LHP Glen Perkins (left posterior shoulder strain) is still limited to playing catch in his rehab work, according to manager Paul Molitor. Perkins hasn't returned to the mound since suffering a setback with biceps tendinitis two weeks ago. It's been over a year since Perkins has appeared in a major league game.