The Chicago Cubs signed manager David Ross to a contract extension through the 2024 season on Friday. The deal includes a team option for the 2025 campaign. Ross' previous contract was set to expire after this season. The 44-year-old has gone 105-117 in his two seasons as the skipper in Chicago, including a National League Central title in the shortened 2020 season. "Our hope certainly is David's here for a long time," president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said in October. The Cubs traded off their best offensive pieces at last year's trade deadline - Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez -- and they aren't expected to be contender's in 2022.

CHICAGO (AP) — The Cubs placed struggling right-hander Jake Arrieta on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with right hamstring tightness and recalled righty Cory Abbott from Triple-A Iowa. In a 15-10 loss to Philadelphia on Tuesday, Arrieta matched the second-shortest start of his big league career, lasting just 1 2/3 innings for his second straight outing. He gave up seven runs, tying a season high, and six hits after getting hit hard in Chicago’s 15-7 loss at Milwaukee last week. The 2015 NL Cy Young Award winner is 0-5 with a 9.67 ERA in eight starts since winning at Pittsburgh on May 25. For the season, Arrieta is 5-9 with a 6.30 ERA in 17 starts. Chicago manager David Ross said Wednesday that a stint on the IL will give the 35-year-old Arrieta a chance to address the hamstring issue that has been bothering him since late May. “I think he thinks he’s fine, but something’s going on with the way he’s pitching,” Ross said. “I think it’s best if we just take care of that and make sure that... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Cubs manager David Ross was ejected from Chicago's game against Philadelphia on Monday. He was tossed by plate umpire Nic Lentz after Bryce Harper walked leading off the sixth inning against reliever Rex Brothers. Ross came out of the dugout and argued vehemently. First-base umpire Joe West got between him and Lentz before Ross left the field. The ejection was Ross' third this season and fourth in two years managing the Cubs. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

BOSTON (AP) — Dustin Pedroia returned to Fenway Park on Friday, this time to be showered with appreciation from fans and a collection of Red Sox royalty for the 17-year career that cemented his place as one of the Boston's most-beloved players. The Red Sox’s undersized big man was honored by the team prior to its latest matchup with the rival New York Yankees, a fitting tribute to a player who at the time he announced his retirement in February was the longest-tenured player on Boston’s roster and the only holdover from its 2007 championship team. With his family looking on, a pregame ceremony began with a jersey-clad Pedroia walking out of the outfield tunnel through smoke and a flash of pyrotechnics as video boards displayed “DUSTIN” and “15” in the outfield. Pedroia wiped away tears while recorded messages from several coaches and teammates were played. The list included his former coach at Arizona State Pat Murphy, Kevin Cash, David Ross, former Red Sox manager Terry Francona and David... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Jacob deGrom pitched one-hit ball over five scoreless innings as the Mets beat the Atlanta Braves 4-2 Monday in a doubleheader opener. Ian Anderson (5-3) allowed three hits in 5 1/3 innings as the Braves won the nightcap 1-0 and he to became the first native New Yorker to beat the Mets and Yankees in New York in the same season. DeGrom (7-2) didn’t allow a hit in the seven-inning opener until Mets outfielders misplayed a fifth-inning fly ball into a ground-rule double. Jeff McNeil came off the injured list and singled as a pinch-hitter for deGrom during the fifth, then scored on Dominic Smith’s three-run double. Seth Lugo and Edwin Díaz finished the two-hitter, with Díaz getting his 15th save. Kyle Muller (0-1) pitched one-hit ball over four innings in his first big league start. In the second game, Ronald Acuña Jr. hit his 20th homer. Braves closer Will Smith loaded the bases in the seventh but escaped for his 14th save. PADRES 6, DODGERS 2 SAN DIEGO (AP) — Yu Darvish struck... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Jacob deGrom pitched one-hit ball over five scoreless innings as the Mets beat the Atlanta Braves 4-2 Monday in a doubleheader opener. Ian Anderson (5-3) allowed three hits in 5 1/3 innings as the Braves won the nightcap 1-0 and he to became the first native New Yorker to beat the Mets and Yankees in New York in the same season. DeGrom (7-2) didn’t allow a hit in the seven-inning opener until Mets outfielders misplayed a fifth-inning fly ball into a ground-rule double. Jeff McNeil came off the injured list and singled as a pinch-hitter for deGrom during the fifth, then scored on Dominic Smith’s three-run double. Seth Lugo and Edwin Díaz finished the two-hitter, with Díaz getting his 15th save. Kyle Muller (0-1) pitched one-hit ball over four innings in his first big league start. In the second game, Ronald Acuña Jr. hit his 20th homer. Braves closer Will Smith loaded the bases in the seventh but escaped for his 14th save. RANGERS 8, ATHLETICS 3 ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Andy... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Jacob deGrom pitched one-hit ball over five scoreless innings as the Mets beat the Atlanta Braves 4-2 Monday in a doubleheader opener. Ian Anderson (5-3) allowed three hits in 5 1/3 innings as the Braves won the nightcap 1-0 and he to became the first native New Yorker to beat the Mets and Yankees in New York in the same season. DeGrom (7-2) didn’t allow a hit in the seven-inning opener until Mets outfielders misplayed a fifth-inning fly ball into a ground-rule double. Jeff McNeil came off the injured list and singled as a pinch-hitter for deGrom during the fifth, then scored on Dominic Smith’s three-run double. Seth Lugo and Edwin Díaz finished the two-hitter, with Díaz getting his 15th save. Kyle Muller (0-1) pitched one-hit ball over four innings in his first big league start. In the second game, Ronald Acuña Jr. hit his 20th homer. Braves closer Will Smith loaded the bases in the seventh but escaped for his 14th save. RANGERS 8, ATHLETICS 3 ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Andy... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today: STUCK UP Major League Baseball begins its crackdown against pitchers using sticky substances when umpires start making regular, random mound checks. Yankees ace Gerrit Cole isn’t sure what to expect. “I think I’m in the same boat as everyone else, just waiting for this to play out,” he said. Pitchers will be ejected and suspended for 10 games if caught using foreign substances to doctor baseballs. Such grip aids — ranging from a tacky mix of rosin and sunscreen to heavy duty concoctions designed for use in strongman competitions — have long been illegal, but the ban has rarely been enforced. Umps will check all starters multiple times and all relievers either at the end of his first inning or when removed, whichever occurs first. Caps, gloves and fingertips will be checked. “It definitely will be probably a little awkward,” Cubs manager David Ross said. “But we’ll get through it, adjust.” ALL EYES ON JAKE Jacob deGrom is still listed as... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors on Monday: STUCK UP Major League Baseball begins its crackdown against pitchers using sticky substances when umpires start making regular, random mound checks. Yankees ace Gerrit Cole isn’t sure what to expect. “I think I’m in the same boat as everyone else, just waiting for this to play out,” he said. Pitchers will be ejected and suspended for 10 games if caught using foreign substances to doctor baseballs. Such grip aids — ranging from a tacky mix of rosin and sunscreen to heavy duty concoctions designed for use in strongman competitions — have long been illegal, but the ban has rarely been enforced. Umps will check all starters multiple times and all relievers either at the end of his first inning or when removed, whichever occurs first. Caps, gloves and fingertips will be checked. “It definitely will be probably a little awkward,” Cubs manager David Ross said. “But we’ll get through it, adjust.” ALL EYES ON JAKE Jacob deGrom is still listed... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Gerrit Cole hardly expects a smooth transition when Major League Baseball ups its efforts against sticky substances. Then again, the Yankees ace — like many around the game — isn't entirely sure what's going to happen. “I don’t have a lot of expectations, to be honest,” Cole said. “I think I’m in the same boat as everyone else, just waiting for this to play out.” Beginning Monday, pitchers will be ejected and suspended for 10 games if caught using foreign substances to doctor baseballs. Such grip aids — ranging from a tacky mix of rosin and sunscreen to heavy duty concoctions designed for use in strongman competitions — have long been illegal, but the ban has rarely been enforced. That changes this week. Major and minor league umpires will make regular checks of all pitchers, even if opposing managers don't request inspections — a shift ordered by the commissioner's office and shared with teams via memo on Tuesday. Umpires will check all starters multiple times and all relievers... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The Kris Bryant watch is on. The sweet-swinging slugger is playing like an MVP again, and he could be the biggest name on the trade market this summer. While baseball is watching Bryant, waiting to see what the Chicago Cubs do, the 29-year-old Bryant is watching Kyler Bryant, waiting to see what his precocious son does next. “Anytime there's baseball on TV, he points and says ‘Daddy,' even if it's a different team,” a grinning Bryant said. “Like no, I'm right here. Listen, look." Hard to blame Kyler, who turned 1 in April. Dad is everywhere these days. Bryant's versatility — while producing offensive numbers that belong alongside his NL MVP season in 2016 — is a big reason why Chicago is on top of the NL Central once again, helping the Cubs go on a 22-9 run while dealing with a rash of injuries. Bryant has made at least five starts at five different positions: third base, first base and each of the three outfield spots. He is batting .317 with 12 homers heading into a seven-game... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The Kris Bryant watch is on. The sweet-swinging slugger is playing like an MVP again, and he could be the biggest name on the trade market this summer. While baseball is watching Bryant, waiting to see what the Chicago Cubs do, the 29-year-old Bryant is watching Kyler Bryant, waiting to see what his precocious son does next. “Anytime there's baseball on TV, he points and says ‘Daddy,' even if it's a different team,” a grinning Bryant said. “Like no, I'm right here. Listen, look." Hard to blame Kyler, who turned 1 in April. Dad is everywhere these days. Bryant's versatility — while producing offensive numbers that belong alongside his NL MVP season in 2016 — is a big reason why Chicago is on top of the NL Central once again, helping the Cubs go on a 21-9 run while dealing with a rash of injuries. Bryant has made at least five starts at five different positions: third base, first base and each of the three outfield spots. He carried a .317 batting average and 12 homers into... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs placed right-hander Trevor Williams on the 10-day injured list Monday, adding another name to their long list of injured players. Williams was scheduled to start Monday against San Diego, but he had an appendectomy Sunday. Kohl Stewart was recalled from Triple-A Iowa to take Williams' turn against the Padres. Despite a rash of injuries, the Cubs won 12 of 16 heading into the series with San Diego. Williams, Jason Heyward, Jake Marisnick, Nico Hoerner, Matt Duffy, Alec Mills and Justin Steele have gone on the IL since May 10. “You want to cry uncle sometimes,” manager David Ross said with a chuckle. “But it is what we're dealing with and guys have done a nice job of coming up and helping us win ballgames.” There is no timetable for Williams' return. Ross said the pitcher has a follow-up appointment on Thursday. While Williams went on the IL, it looked as if a couple of key players for Chicago were moving closer to playing again. First baseman Anthony Rizzo was out of the starting lineup for the sixth consecutive game because of back tightness. But Rizzo took some swings and fielded grounders before the matchup with the Padres. Heyward (left hamstring strain) and Marisnick (right hamstring strain) also worked out on the field. “We're on the verge of getting some guys healthy, which is the good news on the back end of some bad news,” Ross said. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — The Cubs placed outfielder Jason Heyward on the 10-day injured list Thursday with a left hamstring strain. Heyward, 31, left Wednesday night's 4-3 loss to Washington in the fourth inning. He is batting .183 with four homers and 13 RBIs in 39 games. “Hamstrings are always iffy, but seems to be on the milder side,” manager David Ross said. Chicago also recalled outfielder Nick Martini from Triple-A Iowa before its 5-2 victory over Washington. The 30-year-old Martini is beginning his second stint with the team this season. Martini started in right field against the Nationals. He hit a sacrifice fly in the second inning for his big league RBI since Sept. 14, 2019, for San Diego at Colorado. First baseman Anthony Rizzo had two hits in his return to the lineup after he left Tuesday's 6-3 victory over the Nationals because of tightness in his lower back. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — The Cubs placed outfielder Jason Heyward on the 10-day injured list Thursday with a left hamstring strain. Heyward, 31, left Wednesday night's 4-3 loss to Washington in the fourth inning. He is batting .183 with four homers and 13 RBIs in 39 games. “Hamstrings are always iffy, but seems to be on the milder side,” manager David Ross said. Chicago also recalled outfielder Nick Martini from Triple-A Iowa before its series finale against the Nationals. The 30-year-old Martini is beginning his second stint with the team this season. Martini started in right field against Washington. First baseman Anthony Rizzo returned to the lineup after he left Tuesday's 6-3 victory over the Nationals because of tightness in his lower back. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — Cubs slugger Anthony Rizzo exited Chicago's game against the Washington Nationals on Tuesday night because of tightness in his lower back. Rizzo grounded out to end a two-run third against Patrick Corbin and did some stretches at first base prior to the fourth inning. Manager David Ross and a trainer went out to check on him. Rizzo remained in the game. But he couldn't handle Kyle Schwarber's grounder leading off the inning, resulting in a error. He was replaced as a precaution in the fifth, with Kris Bryant moving from right field to first base. Jason Heyward went in to play right and took Rizzo's spot in the order. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — Jon Lester and David Ross were together again at Wrigley Field on Monday. The old friends ran into each other on a concourse and shared a big hug. “I think I told him I would tell him good luck but I wouldn’t mean it. He laughed,” Ross said. “He looks great. ... I love the guy, so it’s just good to see him.” It was a day full of warmth and cheers as Lester and Kyle Schwarber returned to Chicago with the Washington Nationals, losing 7-3 to their former team in the opener of a four-game series. The Cubs honored Schwarber with a pregame highlight video that included the slugger's massive homer against St. Louis during the 2015 playoffs, a drive that landed on top of the scoreboard in right field. Schwarber took his hat off and waved as the crowd of 11,144 stood and cheered. Schwarber heard another loud ovation when he walked to the plate in the first. He exchanged a few words with Cubs catcher Willson Contreras, and then waved his batting helmet toward the crowd. “It was really... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Jon Lester and David Ross were together again at Wrigley Field on Monday. The old friends ran into each other on a concourse and shared a big hug. “I think I told him I would tell him good luck but I wouldn’t mean it. He laughed,” Ross said. “He looks great. ... I love the guy, so it’s just good to see him.” It was a day full of warmth and awkwardness as Lester and Kyle Schwarber returned to Chicago with the Washington Nationals for the opener of a four-game series against their former team. The Cubs honored Schwarber with a pregame highlight video that included the slugger's massive homer against St. Louis during the 2015 playoffs, a drive that landed on top of the scoreboard in right field. Schwarber took his hat off and waved as the crowd stood and cheered. Schwarber heard another loud ovation when he walked to the plate in the first. He exchanged a few words with Cubs catcher Willson Contreras, and then waved his batting helmet to acknowledge the crowd. “There was a lot... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Jon Lester and David Ross were together again at Wrigley Field on Monday. The old friends ran into each other on a concourse and shared a big hug. “I think I told him I would tell him good luck but I wouldn’t mean it. He laughed,” Ross said. “He looks great. ... I love the guy, so it’s just good to see him.” It was a day full of warmth and awkwardness as Lester and Kyle Schwarber returned to Chicago with the Washington Nationals for the opener of a four-game series against their former team. Lester's December 2014 deal with the Cubs in free agency was a touch point in the franchise's rise from the bottom of the standings to World Series champion. Schwarber, a first-round pick by Chicago in 2014, also played a big role when the Cubs won it all five years ago for the first time since 1908. Asked what Lester brought to Chicago that remains with the team today, Ross joked about Lester's fondness for Miller Lite. Then Ross, the current manager of the Cubs and former catcher for... [More]

A look at what’s happening around the majors today: ___ WELCOME BACK Jon Lester is set to start for the Washington Nationals at Wrigley Field after spending the past six seasons with the Chicago Cubs. The 37-year-old lefty is 0-1 with a 2.25 ERA in three starts for his new team. Lester was a two-time All-Star for the Cubs and went 3-1 in the 2016 postseason as they won a most elusive championship. Lester pitched in relief in Game 7 of the World Series and his catcher was David Ross, now the Cubs manager. “Our guys are excited and I’m sure Jon is excited,” Ross said. “You are always excited to see a guy you made history with, plus there will be some bragging rights on the line.” TIMEOUT A day off might give the Phillies a break to cool off following a dugout confrontation between manager Joe Girardi and second baseman Jean Segura. Segura made two errors in Sunday’s 10-8 loss to Toronto. At one point, Segura had to be restrained by coach Dusty Wathan. “I didn’t actually see it,” Philadelphia... [More]