Free-agent left-hander Adam Conley announced his retirement from baseball on Friday. Conley was the second-round pick of the Miami Marlins in 2011 and pitched for them from 2015-19 and for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2021. The 31-year-old had a nice 2.29 ERA and 1.02 WHIP while striking out 16 and walking six in 19 2/3 relief innings for the Rays last season. In his four years with the Fish, the southpaw had a 4.82 ERA and 1.42 WHIP while striking out 358 and walking 172 in 414 1/3 innings over 174 appearances (56 starts). Conley had a career ERA of 4.71 and a WHIP of 1.40 in six major league seasons spanning 434 innings pitched.

Left-handed relief pitcher Adam Conley is now a free agent after clearing waivers. The Tampa Bay Rays previously designated the reliever for assignment. The 31-year-old made 17 appearances out of the bullpen for the Rays in 2021, pitching to a 2.29 ERA and a 4.08 FIP in 19.2 innings. He also struck out 16 batters while surrendering 14 hits, six walks, five earned runs, and a pair of home runs. Tampa Bay's current bullpen options include Andrew Kittredge, Nick Anderson, JT Chargois, Josh Fleming, Pete Fairbanks, J.P. Feyereisen, Ryan Thompson, Matt Wisler, and ... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — It looks as if Christian Yelich is going to get some help. Same for Aaron Judge and the rest of baseball's corner outfielders.Major League Baseball has adjusted its policy for bat-and-ball kids this summer, clearing the way for ball boys and girls to return to the foul lines during games. It recently informed clubs of the change, along with a set of detailed guidelines covering what they are allowed to do at the ballpark.Baseball had planned to play without bat-and-ball kids this summer because of the coronavirus pandemic. Depending on how teams decided to handle the situation, that might have led to a little more physical activity for corner outfielders running over to get a foul ball off the field.Not so much anymore. Take it easy, Mookie Betts. You, too, Juan Soto.“There’s some ballparks where there’s a lot of foul territory, so I think it has a bigger impact in some places than others," Milwaukee Brewers slugger Ryan Braun said Wednesday. “The biggest thing I take away... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — It looks as if Christian Yelich is going to get some help. Same for Aaron Judge and the rest of baseball's corner outfielders.Major League Baseball has adjusted its policy for bat-and-ball kids this summer, clearing the way for ball boys and girls to return to the foul lines during games. It recently informed clubs of the change, along with a set of detailed guidelines covering what they are allowed to do at the ballpark.Baseball had planned to play without bat-and-ball kids this summer because of the coronavirus pandemic. Depending on how teams decided to handle the situation, that might have led to a little more physical activity for corner outfielders running over to get a foul ball off the field.Not so much anymore. Take it easy, Mookie Betts. You, too, Juan Soto.While ball boys and girls are returning to the foul lines, baseball is staying with its plans to keep them out of the dugout area — covered in Section 5.2 in baseball’s operations manual for the 2020 season.The... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Major League Baseball's COVID-19 testing sweep appears to be having some success even as large swaths of the United States continue to struggle with containing the fast-spreading virus.MLB and the players' union released statistics Friday saying six of 10,548 samples were new positives in the week ending Thursday, a rate of 0.05%. In addition to five players, one staff member tested positive. That's fairly good news for a sport that's trying to begin its abbreviated 60-game schedule next week. But players and coaches are also aware that the optics of baseball's relative testing success — especially in hard-hit states like Arizona, California, Texas and Florida — might not be ideal considering demand for tests has sometimes been higher than the supply for the average person.“If they’ve deemed that players being tested is necessary to provide jobs, opportunity, entertainment, TV, all that’s going on -- if they think that’s really valuable -- then they’ve weighed it’s important... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Major League Baseball's COVID-19 testing sweep appears to be having some success even as large swaths of the United States continue to struggle with containing the fast-spreading virus.MLB and the players' union released statistics Friday saying six of 10,548 samples were new positives in the week ending Thursday, a rate of 0.05%. In addition to five players, one staff member tested positive. That's fairly good news for a sport that's trying to begin its abbreviated 60-game schedule next week. But players and coaches are also aware that the optics of baseball's relative testing success — especially in hard-hit states like Arizona, California, Texas and Florida — might not be ideal considering demand for tests has sometimes been higher than the supply for the average person.“If they’ve deemed that players being tested is necessary to provide jobs, opportunity, entertainment, TV, all that’s going on -- if they think that’s really valuable -- then they’ve weighed it’s important... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Major League Baseball's COVID-19 testing sweep appears to be having some success even as large swaths of the United States continue to struggle with containing the fast-spreading virus.MLB and the players' union released statistics on Friday saying six of 10,548 samples were new positives in the week ending Thursday, a rate of 0.05%. In addition to five players, one staff member tested positive. That's fairly good news for a sport that's trying to begin its abbreviated 60-game schedule next week. But players and coaches are also aware that the optics of baseball's relative testing success — especially in hard-hit states like Arizona, California, Texas and Florida — might not be ideal considering demand for tests has sometimes been higher than the supply for the average person.“If they’ve deemed that players being tested is necessary to provide jobs, opportunity, entertainment, TV, all that’s going on -- if they think that’s really valuable -- then they’ve weighed it’s important... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Major League Baseball's COVID-19 testing sweep appears to be having some success even as large swaths of the United States continue to struggle with containing the fast-spreading virus.MLB and the players' union released statistics on Friday saying six of 10,548 samples were new positives in the week ending Thursday, a rate of 0.05%. In addition to five players, one staff member tested positive. That's fairly good news for a sport that's trying to begin its abbreviated 60-game schedule next week. But players and coaches are also aware that the optics of baseball's relative testing success — especially in hard-hit states like Arizona, California, Texas and Florida — might not be ideal considering demand for tests has sometimes been higher than the supply for the average person.“If they’ve deemed that players being tested is necessary to provide jobs, opportunity, entertainment, TV, all that’s going on -- if they think that’s really valuable -- then they’ve weighed it’s important... [More]

April 291918 — Center fielder Tris Speaker executed the fourth unassisted double play of his career in the Cleveland Indians’ 8-4 loss to the Chicago White Sox.1922 — The New York Giants hit four inside-the-park home runs at Braves Field in Boston. George Kelly hit two and Ross Youngs and Dave Bancroft hit the others.1931 — Wes Ferrell of the Cleveland Indians pitched a 7-0 no-hitter over the St. Louis Browns, including his brother Rick. Wes also knocked in four runs with a homer and a double.1933 — In a strange play at home plate, catcher Luke Sewell of the Washington Senators tagged out two Yankees runners on the same play. Lou Gehrig had held up, thinking a fly ball would be caught. Dixie Walker closed up on him, and both were tagged out trying to score.1981 — Steve Carlton struck out Montreal’s Tim Wallach in the first inning of the Philadelphia Phillies’ 6-2 victory over the visiting Expos to become the sixth major league pitcher — and first left-hander — to strike out 3,000 batters.1986... [More]

April 291918 — Center fielder Tris Speaker executed the fourth unassisted double play of his career in the Cleveland Indians’ 8-4 loss to the Chicago White Sox.1922 — The New York Giants hit four inside-the-park home runs at Braves Field in Boston. George Kelly hit two and Ross Youngs and Dave Bancroft hit the others.1931 — Wes Ferrell of the Cleveland Indians pitched a 7-0 no-hitter over the St. Louis Browns, including his brother Rick. Wes also knocked in four runs with a homer and a double.1933 — In a strange play at home plate, catcher Luke Sewell of the Washington Senators tagged out two Yankees runners on the same play. Lou Gehrig had held up, thinking a fly ball would be caught. Dixie Walker closed up on him, and both were tagged out trying to score.1981 — Steve Carlton struck out Montreal’s Tim Wallach in the first inning of the Philadelphia Phillies’ 6-2 victory over the visiting Expos to become the sixth major league pitcher — and first left-hander — to strike out 3,000 batters.1986... [More]

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Adam Conley has pitched in the Miami Marlins’ organization since 2011, which gives him a unique perspective on the quality of their rotation through a decade of losing.It's on the rise, he says.“The depth is noticeably improved,” Conley says. “Now you can't pitch for the Marlins with a 6.00 ERA. Someone will come to get your job.”Conley had a 6.17 ERA in 20 starts for Miami in 2017, and if he makes the team this spring, it will be as a reliever. There are more than a dozen young arms contending for the rotation this season, and the Marlins expect to be significantly better thanks in part to their emerging starters.“The pitching is ahead of the position player grouping,” president of baseball operations Michael Hill says. “You have talented young pitchers who are continuing to get better. That’s how we get better. And that’s how we make it to October.”The Marlins haven't played in the postseason since 2003 and likely won't get there this year. But more than three years... [More]

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Midway through Ryne Stanek's first throwing session of spring training with the Miami Marlins, he was interrupted by pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre Jr.Stanek's fastball kept sailing inside.“If you find yourself missing consistently in the same area ...” Stottlemyre said, embarking on a discourse about arm angles, eye focus and release points —that is, how to throw strikes.Strikes were a problem for the Marlins last year. They led the majors with 615 walks and led the National League with 105 losses, which is not a coincidence.Pitchers and catchers reported Wednesday for spring training, and a big goal will be to reduce bases on balls, although the Marlins prefer not to say it that way.“As a hitter you don’t talk about walking; you talk about getting a good pitch to hit,” manager Don Mattingly said. “It’s the same with the pitching side. I don’t think we’re going to be doing a whole lot of talking about not walking guys; we’re going to talk about attacking the strike... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Miami Marlins newcomer Jonathan Villar reached an agreement Friday on an $8.2 million, one-year contract.Right-hander Jose Ureña agreed to $3.75 million and left-hander Adam Conley to $1,525,000.First baseman Jesús Aguilar swapped proposed salaries with the Marlins. He asked for a raise from $637,500 to $2,575,000 and was offered $2,325,000.The Marlins acquired Villar from the Baltimore Orioles last month for minor league left-hander Easton Lucas. Villar batted .274 with 33 doubles, 24 home runs and 73 RBIs in 162 games for Baltimore last year, when he made $4,825,000. The switch-hitting infielder-outfielder 40 stolen bases, 111 runs scored and 176 hits.Ureña was a 14-game winner in 2017 and was Miami’s opening day starter the past two years, but he endured an injury-plagued 2019 season and went 4-10 with a 5.21 ERA last year while splitting his time between the rotation and bullpen. He made $3.25 million.Conley became a full-time reliever in 2018, and last year he went 2-11 with a 6.53 ERA in 60 games, earning $1,125,000.___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Giants third. Mauricio Dubon homers to left field. Johnny Cueto strikes out swinging. Mike Yastrzemski called out on strikes. Brandon Belt strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Giants 1, Marlins 0.Marlins seventh. Jorge Alfaro grounds out to shortstop, Brandon Crawford to Brandon Belt. Lewis Brinson strikes out swinging. Magneuris Sierra singles to shallow infield, advances to 3rd. Throwing error by Evan Longoria. Jon Berti singles to left field. Magneuris Sierra scores. Martin Prado pinch-hitting for Adam Conley. Martin Prado flies out to left field to Joey Rickard.1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Marlins 1, Giants 1.Giants eighth. Donovan Solano pinch-hitting for Chris Shaw. Donovan Solano flies out to center field to Magneuris Sierra. Mike Yastrzemski singles to left field. Brandon Belt singles to center field. Mike Yastrzemski to second. Evan Longoria walks. Stephen Vogt strikes out swinging. Brandon Crawford is intentionally walked. Mike Gerber strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Giants 2, Marlins 1.

Brewers second. Eric Thames grounds out to second base, Starlin Castro to Garrett Cooper. Ryan Braun pops out to Jorge Alfaro. Cory Spangenberg singles to left field. Hernan Perez homers to left field. Cory Spangenberg scores. Travis Shaw flies out to right field to Magneuris Sierra.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Brewers 2, Marlins 0.Marlins second. Starlin Castro flies out to center field to Lorenzo Cain. Jorge Alfaro doubles to deep right field. Isan Diaz doubles to deep right center field. Jorge Alfaro scores. Austin Dean strikes out on a foul tip. Magneuris Sierra grounds out to first base to Eric Thames.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Brewers 2, Marlins 1.Brewers third. Chase Anderson doubles to deep left field. Lorenzo Cain called out on strikes. Yasmani Grandal doubles to deep right field. Chase Anderson scores. Trent Grisham grounds out to shallow infield, Elieser Hernandez to Garrett Cooper. Yasmani Grandal to third. Eric Thames lines out to deep left field to Austin... [More]

If a pitcher takes a no-hitter into the sixth or seventh inning, that's usually around when it starts to feel possible.It's also apparently a decent time to pull him.In the past week, three pitchers were taken out with no-hitters in progress in the sixth inning or later, part of a growing trend in which managers are willing to go to the bullpen even when the starter has a chance to make history. In an era when complete games are rare, this isn't a surprise, but it's noteworthy all the same.Of the three no-hitters thrown this season, two were combined efforts. Only Mike Fiers of Oakland pulled one off by himself, May 7 against Cincinnati.When Houston's Aaron Sanchez, Will Harris, Joe Biagini and Chris Devenski blanked Seattle on Aug. 3, it was the 14th combined no-hitter in major league history. Five of them have come in the last eight years.That number did not increase this past week. Dakota Hudson of St. Louis was lifted after 6 2/3 no-hit innings, and the Cardinals ended up throwing a... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Gary Sánchez hit a three-run homer to help chase Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell in the first inning, CC Sabathia got his 250th career win and the New York Yankees thumped the Tampa Bay Rays 12-1 Wednesday to complete a three-game sweep.Gleyber Torres added a grand slam during a six-run seventh inning, and New York three-hit Tampa Bay to win its fifth in a row and extend its lead the AL East over the second-place Rays to 3½ games. Tampa Bay was swept for the second time this season — the other came against Boston in April.Snell (4-6) walked four, gave up two hits and was charged with six runs while getting one out on 39 pitches in the shortest start of his career.Sabathia (4-4) pitched one-run ball over six innings. He struck out seven and allowed three hits and three walks.ANGELS 11, BLUE JAYS 6TORONTO (AP) — Mike Trout hit two home runs, including his sixth career grand slam, and had a career-best seven RBIs as Los Angeles beat Toronto.Justin Upton also homered for the... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Sandy León hit a three-run homer off Oliver Pérez after the Indians reliever caused an odd stoppage asking for new footwear, J.D. Martinez homered twice and the Boston Red Sox beat Cleveland 12-5 Monday.Jackie Bradley Jr. added two RBI doubles, and Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts each had two hits and scored twice for the Red Sox, who have won 18 of 26.Boston held a moment of silence and showed highlights of former player Bill Buckner, who died Monday. He was 69.Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia revealed before the game that he will take an indefinite leave in his long struggle to recover from knee trouble, putting in doubt whether he'll play again in the majors.The Indians have lost seven of eight, and even the team's equipment is having a rough go of it.Pérez put Fenway Park into a strange delay when he relieved during Boston's six-run fifth inning. The 37-year-old left-hander noticed something amiss with his spikes while warming up and signaled for a replacement pair,... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Sandy León hit a three-run homer off Oliver Pérez after the Indians reliever caused an odd stoppage asking for new footwear, J.D. Martinez homered twice and the Boston Red Sox beat Cleveland 12-5 Monday.Jackie Bradley Jr. added two RBI doubles, and Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts each had two hits and scored twice for the Red Sox, who have won 18 of 26.Boston held a moment of silence and showed highlights of former player Bill Buckner, who died Monday. He was 69.Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia revealed before the game that he will take an indefinite leave in his long struggle to recover from knee trouble, putting in doubt whether he'll play again in the majors.The Indians have lost seven of eight, and even the team's equipment is having a rough go of it.Pérez put Fenway Park into a strange delay when he relieved during Boston's six-run fifth inning. The 37-year-old left-hander noticed something amiss with his spikes while warming up and signaled for a replacement pair,... [More]

May 191910 — Cy Young won the 500th game of his career as the Cleveland Indians beat the Washington Senators, 5-4, in 11 innings.1910 — Boston beat the Pirates 6-3 for the first time in 26 tries.1942 — Paul Waner of the Boston Braves got his 3,000th career hit off Pittsburgh's Rip Sewell in a 7-6, 11-inning loss to the Pirates.1956 — Pittsburgh's Dale Long hit a ninth-inning homer against the Chicago Cubs. It was Long's first of eight straight games with a homer.1962 — Stan Musial of St. Louis became the NL career hits leader. The 41-year-old got a ninth-inning single for his 3,431st hit and moved past Honus Wagner. The Cardinals beat the Los Angeles Dodgers, 8-1.1968 — After hitting 10 home runs in six games, Frank Howard of the Washington Senators was stopped by pitcher Earl Wilson of Detroit, which won the game 5-4.1981 — Pittsburgh's Jim Bibby gave up a leadoff single to Terry Harper of the Atlanta Braves, then retired the next 27 batters for a 5-0 one-hitter. Bibby also hit two doubles.2000... [More]