The Chicago Cubs signed free-agent catcher John Hicks to a minor league deal. He spent most of last season in Triple-A and had a brief 10-game stint in the majors. The 32-year-old slashed .258/.258/.677 with four home runs, seven RBI and six runs scored across 31 plate appearances for the Texas Rangers in 2021. Hicks will provide catching depth for Cubs but isn't on the fantasy radar, even if he is promoted at some point during the 2022 campaign.

CHICAGO (AP) — Bryce Harper homered and tied a career high with five hits, Andrew McCutchen smacked a grand slam and the Philadelphia Phillies handed Chicago its 11th straight loss, beating the Cubs 15-10 on Tuesday night. Rhys Hoskins also went deep. The Phillies jumped on Jake Arrieta (5-9) and finished two shy of a season high with 16 hits. The Cubs extended their worst skid since they dropped 12 in a row in May 2012. Harper had a three-run homer and a season-high four RBIs. McCutchen smacked his third career grand slam and second this season. Jean Segura chipped in with four hits and four runs. Aaron Nola (6-5) went six innings, allowing four runs and six hits. He struck out eight and walked one. Arrieta matched the second-shortest start of his career, lasting just 1 2/3 innings in his second straight outing. He gave up seven runs, tying a season high, and six hits. Javier Báez hit two homers and Robinson Chirinos added a solo shot for the Cubs. ANGELS 5, RED SOX 3 ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP)... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Bryce Harper homered and tied a career high with five hits, Andrew McCutchen smacked a grand slam and the Philadelphia Phillies handed Chicago its 11th straight loss, beating the Cubs 15-10 on Tuesday night. Rhys Hoskins also went deep. The Phillies jumped on Jake Arrieta (5-9) and finished two shy of a season high with 16 hits. The Cubs extended their worst skid since they dropped 12 in a row in May 2012. Harper had a three-run homer and a season-high four RBIs. McCutchen smacked his third career grand slam and second this season. Jean Segura chipped in with four hits and four runs. Aaron Nola (6-5) went six innings, allowing four runs and six hits. He struck out eight and walked one. Arrieta matched the second-shortest start of his career, lasting just 1 2/3 innings in his second straight outing. He gave up seven runs, tying a season high, and six hits. Javier Báez hit two homers and Robinson Chirinos added a solo shot for the Cubs. ANGELS 5, RED SOX 3 ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP)... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Bryce Harper homered and tied a career high with five hits, Andrew McCutchen smacked a grand slam and the Philadelphia Phillies handed Chicago its 11th straight loss, beating the Cubs 15-10 on Tuesday night. Rhys Hoskins also went deep. The Phillies jumped on Jake Arrieta (5-9) and finished two shy of a season high with 16 hits. The Cubs extended their worst skid since they dropped 12 in a row in May 2012. Harper had a three-run homer and a season-high four RBIs. McCutchen smacked his third career grand slam and second this season. Jean Segura chipped in with four hits and four runs. Aaron Nola (6-5) went six innings, allowing four runs and six hits. He struck out eight and walked one. Arrieta matched the second-shortest start of his career, lasting just 1 2/3 innings in his second straight outing. He gave up seven runs, tying a season high, and six hits. Javier Báez hit two homers and Robinson Chirinos added a solo shot for the Cubs. ANGELS 5, RED SOX 3 ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP)... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Bryce Harper homered and tied a career high with five hits, Andrew McCutchen smacked a grand slam and the Philadelphia Phillies handed Chicago its 11th straight loss, beating the Cubs 15-10 on Tuesday night. Rhys Hoskins also went deep. The Phillies jumped on Jake Arrieta (5-9) and finished two shy of a season high with 16 hits. The Cubs extended their worst skid since they dropped 12 in a row in May 2012. Harper had a three-run homer and a season-high four RBIs. McCutchen smacked his third career grand slam and second this season. Jean Segura chipped in with four hits and four runs. Aaron Nola (6-5) went six innings, allowing four runs and six hits. He struck out eight and walked one. Arrieta matched the second-shortest start of his career, lasting just 1 2/3 innings in his second straight outing. He gave up seven runs, tying a season high, and six hits. Javier Báez hit two homers and Robinson Chirinos added a solo shot for the Cubs. PIRATES 2, BRAVES 1 PITTSBURGH (AP) —... [More]

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Bryan Reynolds drew a four-pitch walk from Tyler Matzek, forcing in the winning run in the ninth inning and giving the Pittsburgh Pirates a 2-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night and a three-game winning streak. Matzek (0-3) threw just eight of 20 pitches for strikes. Pittsburgh has won three in a row following a six-game losing streak. The Braves had won four of five before losing twice to the Pirates. Ke’Bryan Hayes hit a pair of doubles for the Pirates. Adam Frazier and Wilmer Difo also had two hits each. Orlando Arcia had two of the Braves’ five hits, including a home run. Richard Rodríguez (4-1) pitched a perfect ninth for the Pirates. ORIOLES 7, BLUE JAYS 5 BALTIMORE (AP) — Pedro Severino and Cedric Mullins homered off Steven Matz, Anthony Santander also went deep and Baltimore beat Toronto. Toronto hit three home runs, too, including No. 28 by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. All the homers came after Baltimore had taken a 7-1 lead. Matz (7-4) allowed six hits... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Taijuan Walker took a no-hitter into the sixth inning, Brandon Nimmo provided a spark in his return from the injured list and the New York Mets beat the crosstown Yankees 8-3 Saturday to open a three-game Subway Series. The Mets already led 8-0 when Aaron Judge homered with one out in the sixth to end Walker’s bid for the record-tying eighth no-hitter in the majors this season. Walker (7-3) was lifted after 5 2/3 innings and got a standing ovation from Mets fans among the season-high crowd of 40,047 at Yankee Stadium. Jordan Montgomery (3-3) stranded five Mets baserunners over the first three innings to keep it scoreless, but the visitors broke through in the fifth. Nimmo led off with a single, one of his three hits, and scored the first run. TIGERS 11, WHITE SOX 5 DETROIT (AP) — Eric Haase hit a three-run, inside-the-park homer and later cleared the fence for another three-run drive, and Detroit snapped Chicago's five-game winning streak. The Tigers trailed 2-0 in the fourth... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Taijuan Walker took a no-hitter into the sixth inning, Brandon Nimmo provided a spark in his return from the injured list and the New York Mets beat the crosstown Yankees 8-3 Saturday to open a three-game Subway Series. The Mets already led 8-0 when Aaron Judge homered with one out in the sixth to end Walker’s bid for the record-tying eighth no-hitter in the majors this season. Walker (7-3) was lifted after 5 2/3 innings and got a standing ovation from Mets fans among the season-high crowd of 40,047 at Yankee Stadium. Jordan Montgomery (3-3) stranded five Mets baserunners over the first three innings to keep it scoreless, but the visitors broke through in the fifth. Nimmo led off with a single, one of his three hits, and scored the first run. TIGERS 11, WHITE SOX 5 DETROIT (AP) — Eric Haase hit a three-run, inside-the-park homer and later cleared the fence for another three-run drive, and Detroit snapped Chicago's five-game winning streak. The Tigers trailed 2-0 in the fourth... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Free agent infielder Brock Holt has agreed to a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers that includes an invitation to major league spring training. Holt would get a $1.75 million, one-year contract if added to the 40-man roster. The 32-year-old Texas native would have the opportunity to earn another $750,000 in performance bonuses. Holt was one of three players Texas added Friday on minor league deals with big league spring training invites, joining catcher/first baseman John Hicks and left-handed pitcher Hyeon-jong Yang. Yang would get a $1.3 million, one-year contract if he is on the big league roster and the opportunity to earn $550,000 in performance bonuses. Holt split last season with Milwaukee and Washington after the previous seven years in Boston, where he was an All-Star with the Red Sox in 2015, and was part of their Word Series championship team in 2018. He made his big league debut with Pittsburgh in 2012. In 675 career games, Holt has hit .268... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Free agent infielder Brock Holt has agreed to a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers that includes an invitation to major league spring training. Holt would get a $1.75 million, one-year contract if added to the 40-man roster. The 32-year-old Texas native would have the opportunity to earn another $750,000 in performance bonuses. Holt was one of three players Texas added Friday on minor league deals with big league spring training invites, joining catcher/first baseman John Hicks and left-handed pitcher Hyeon-jong Yang. Holt split last season with Milwaukee and Washington after the previous seven years in Boston, where he was an All-Star with the Red Sox in 2015, and was part of their Word Series championship team in 2018. He made his big league debut with Pittsburgh in 2012. In 675 career games, Holt has hit .268 with 23 home runs and 211 RBIs while playing every position except catcher — he even made two pitching appearances for the Nationals last season.... [More]

June 171915 — George “Zip” Zabel of the Chicago Cubs was called into the game against the Brooklyn Dodgers with two outs in the first inning. He won 4-3 in the 19th inning in the longest relief effort in the majors.1943 — Player-manager Joe Cronin of the Boston Red Sox hit a three-run pinch homer in both games of a doubleheader against the Philadelphia A’s. The Red Sox won the opener 5-4 and lost the second game 8-7.1960 — Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox connected for his 500th career home run off the Cleveland Indians. Williams, the fourth to accomplish the feat, hit a two-run homer off Wynn Hawkins in a 3-1 win.1971 — Don Kessinger of the Chicago Cubs went 6-for-6, with five singles and a double, in a 7-6, 10-inning decision over the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field.1978 — Ron Guidry of the New York Yankees struck out 18 California Angels to set an American League record for left-handers. Guidry, who struck out 15 in the first six innings, ended with a 4-0 four-hitter.1993 — Baseball... [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:___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]

PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks signed four players to minor league contracts Monday, including outfielder Jon Jay and pitcher Edwin Jackson.The other two were catcher John Hicks and outfielder Trayce Thompson. All four have experience in the majors and were invited to big league camp this month.The 34-year-old Jay spent part of the 2018 season with the Diamondbacks and played last year for the Chicago White Sox. He has a .285 batting average over 10 seasons and will compete for a spot on the Arizona roster as a versatile player who can handle all three outfield spots.Jay would get a $1.5 million, one-year contract if added to the 40-man roster and up to $1.75 million in performance and roster bonuses. He could get $1.45 million for plate appearances: $50,000 each for 150, 200 and 250, $150,000 apiece for 300 and 350, $250,000 each for 400, 450, 500 and 550. He also could earn $300,000 for days on the active roster: $50,000 each for 85, 105, 125, 145, 165 and 185If he's not added to the 40-man roster by March 19, he can ask for his release within 24 hours.The 36-year-old Jackson has played for a record 14 major league teams, including the Diamondbacks in 2010. He pitched for the Toronto Blue Jays and Detroit Tigers last season.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks signed four players to minor league contracts Monday, including outfielder Jon Jay and pitcher Edwin Jackson.The other two were catcher John Hicks and outfielder Trayce Thompson. All four have experience in the majors and were invited to big league camp this month.The 34-year-old Jay spent part of the 2018 season with the Diamondbacks and played last year for the Chicago White Sox. He has a .285 batting average over 10 seasons and will compete for a spot on the Arizona roster as a versatile player who can handle all three outfield spots.Jay could earn a base salary of $1.5 million if he's added to the 40-man roster and up to $1.75 million in performance bonuses. If he's not added to the 40-man roster by March 19, he can ask for his release within 24 hours.The 36-year-old Jackson has played for a record 14 major league teams, including the Diamondbacks in 2010. He pitched for the Toronto Blue Jays and Detroit Tigers last season.___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]

Tigers first. Victor Reyes flies out to left field to Dwight Smith Jr.. Harold Castro singles to right field. Jordy Mercer doubles to deep left center field. Harold Castro scores. Christin Stewart singles to center field. Dawel Lugo pops out to second base to Hanser Alberto. John Hicks pops out to shallow right field to Hanser Alberto.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Tigers 1, Orioles 0.Orioles second. Dwight Smith Jr. singles to left field. Hanser Alberto reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Dwight Smith Jr. out at second. Rio Ruiz singles to right center field. Hanser Alberto to third. DJ Stewart singles to center field. Rio Ruiz to third. Hanser Alberto scores. Chance Sisco hit by pitch. DJ Stewart to second. Jonathan Villar pops out to Dawel Lugo. Trey Mancini strikes out swinging.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Orioles 1, Tigers 1.Tigers second. Travis Demeritte doubles to deep left field. Grayson Greiner singles to right center field. Travis Demeritte scores. Willi... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ronald Acuña Jr. ignited a four-run rally with the go-ahead, two-run double, and the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves clinched a playoff berth with a 10-1 victory over the Washington Nationals on Saturday.Acuña's double down the left-field line off reliever Fernando Rodney added fuel to a dramatic seventh inning for the Braves (93-57), who reduced their magic number to four to clinch their 19th division title.Earlier in the seventh, Charlie Culberson was struck directly on the right cheekbone by a 91-mph fastball on Rodney's first pitch of the game.Culberson remained on his back for several minutes as trainers pressed a towel to his face. He was eventually helped to his feet and onto the back of a cart.The Braves have won the last 11 games started by Mike Foltynewicz (7-5), who pitched six solid innings.Wander Suero (5-8) was charged with the loss as the Washington bullpen gave up nine runs over the final four innings. The Nationals saw their lead in the NL wild card race... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ronald Acuña Jr. ignited a four-run rally with the go-ahead, two-run double, and the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves clinched a playoff berth with a 10-1 victory over the Washington Nationals on Saturday.Acuña's double down the left-field line off reliever Fernando Rodney added fuel to a dramatic seventh inning for the Braves (93-57), who reduced their magic number to four to clinch their 19th division title.Earlier in the seventh, Charlie Culberson was struck directly on the right cheekbone by a 91-mph fastball on Rodney's first pitch of the game.Culberson remained on his back for several minutes as trainers pressed a towel to his face. He was eventually helped to his feet and onto the back of a cart.The Braves have won the last 11 games started by Mike Foltynewicz (7-5), who pitched six solid innings.Wander Suero (5-8) was charged with the loss as the Washington bullpen gave up nine runs over the final four innings. The Nationals saw their lead in the NL wild card race... [More]