ARLINGTON. Texas (AP) — Left-hander Joely Rodríguez and the Texas Rangers have finalized a $5.5 million, two-year contract, a deal that could be worth $8 million if a team option for 2022 is exercised.A 28-year-old reliever who spent the past two seasons with the Chunichi Dragons of Japan's Central League, Rodríguez will get salaries of $2.5 million in each of the next two seasons. Texas has a $3 million option for 2022 with a $500,000 buyout.Rodríguez can earn $500,000 annually in performance bonuses for games finished: $50,000 each for 20 and each additional five through 45.He was 1-2 with a 5.40 ERA in 38 relief appearances for Philadelphia in 2016 and '17, a season he also went 2-0 with a 6.33 ERA in 22 relief appearances for Texas' Triple-A team at Round Rock.He was 3-7 with a 1.85 ERA in 90 relief appearances for Chunichi, including a 1.64 ERA in 64 relief appearances last season. He averaged 10.6 strikeouts and 2.9 walks per nine innings during the two years.Texas also agreed Monday... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Relief pitcher Greg Holland, a three-time All-Star who led the National League in saves in 2017 with 41, was designated for assignment Wednesday by the Arizona Diamondbacks.Holland, in his ninth season and first with the Diamondbacks, is 1-2 with a 4.54 earned run average in 40 games. He has 17 saves in 22 chances, but saw his ERA climb from 2.33 at the end of June to its current number.He has allowed at least one earned run in seven of his last 13 appearances.Holland, 33, lost his closer's job after a blown save on July 26 and is the second D-backs reliever to be designated for assignment this week after Zack Godley on Aug. 5. Holland had 47 saves in 2013 and 46 in 2014 with the Kansas City Royals.The Diamondbacks reinstated utility player Blake Swihart from the 60-day injured list Wednesday. Godley was claimed off waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays.

PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zack Greinke is on track to make his next scheduled start Tuesday at San Diego after throwing a bullpen session before Saturday's game, Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said.Greinke felt pain in his side and was diagnosed with abdominal tightness during the eighth inning of his start Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He motioned for a trainer and left the game.An MRI on Friday revealed no damage.Greinke, who would start on five days' rest if he takes the mound next week as expected, is 6-1 with a 2.78 ERA in 10 starts this season. Opponents are batting .210 against him.Also for Arizona, outfielder David Peralta, the team's leading hitter among everyday players, was scratched from the original lineup Saturday. He aggravated upper back and shoulder tightness on a dive for a ball during Friday night's game.Peralta, the Diamondbacks' leader in hits and co-leader in runs scored and RBIs, was first injured Wednesday but started Friday's game."We feel like he'll be day to day and he'll be available for (Sunday)," Lovullo said, adding that Peralta might be OK to come off the bench if needed Saturday night. "I'm willing to sacrifice today rather than seven possible days if something were wrong and he were to do more damage in there."Blake Swihart is in the lineup as the Diamondbacks' left fielder in place of Peralta against the San Francisco Giants on Saturday.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder David Peralta has left a game with tightness in the area of his upper shoulder and back.Peralta exited after five innings Wednesday against Pittsburgh. He was replaced in left field by Blake Swihart.The Diamondbacks have a day off Thursday.Peralta leads Arizona regulars with a .318 batting average and 28 RBIs. His seven-game hitting streak came to an end.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Pinch-hitter Hunter Renfroe hit a grand slam with two outs in the ninth inning off Kenley Jansen to give the San Diego Padres a thrilling 8-5 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday.Renfroe drove an 0-1 pitch into a balcony on the Western Metal Supply Co. Building in the left-field corner. He dropped his bat and raised his arms before beginning his trot.The Padres, who avoided a three-game sweep, started the winning rally with three straight singles off Jansen (2-1), who was trying for his third save in three games. Eric Hosmer hit a leadoff single to left and Manuel Margot and Wil Myers followed with bunt singles to load the bases. Jansen struck out Greg Garcia and got rookie Francisco Mejia to pop up before Renfroe's slam.Adam Warren (2-0) pitched a perfect ninth for the win.CUBS 13, CARDINALS 5CHICAGO (AP) — Kris Bryant hit his fourth career grand slam in Chicago's six-run eighth inning and the Cubs pounded St. Louis for their season-high seventh consecutive victory.Willson... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Pinch-hitter Hunter Renfroe hit a grand slam with two outs in the ninth inning off Kenley Jansen to give the San Diego Padres a thrilling 8-5 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday.Renfroe drove an 0-1 pitch into a balcony on the Western Metal Supply Co. Building in the left-field corner. He dropped his bat and raised his arms before beginning his trot.The Padres, who avoided a three-game sweep, started the winning rally with three straight singles off Jansen (2-1), who was trying for his third save in three games. Eric Hosmer hit a leadoff single to left and Manuel Margot and Wil Myers followed with bunt singles to load the bases. Jansen struck out Greg Garcia and got rookie Francisco Mejia to pop up before Renfroe's slam.Adam Warren (2-0) pitched a perfect ninth for the win.CUBS 13, CARDINALS 5CHICAGO (AP) — Kris Bryant hit his fourth career grand slam in Chicago's six-run eighth inning and the Cubs pounded St. Louis for their season-high seventh consecutive victory.Willson... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Pinch-hitter Hunter Renfroe hit a grand slam with two outs in the ninth inning off Kenley Jansen to give the San Diego Padres a thrilling 8-5 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday.Renfroe drove an 0-1 pitch into a balcony on the Western Metal Supply Co. Building in the left-field corner. He dropped his bat and raised his arms before beginning his trot.The Padres, who avoided a three-game sweep, started the winning rally with three straight singles off Jansen (2-1), who was trying for his third save in three games. Eric Hosmer hit a leadoff single to left and Manuel Margot and Wil Myers followed with bunt singles to load the bases. Jansen struck out Greg Garcia and got rookie Francisco Mejia to pop up before Renfroe's slam.Adam Warren (2-0) pitched a perfect ninth for the win.ASTROS 10, ANGELS 4MONTERREY, Mexico (AP) — Alex Bregman hit a grand slam, his third homer during a two-game series in Mexico, and Houston blew out Los Angeles for the second straight day.The... [More]

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Starling Marte hit a game-ending three-run homer in the 13th inning, rallying the Pittsburgh Pirates past Oakland 5-3 on Sunday after the Athletics scored twice in the top of the inning.Cole Tucker started Pittsburgh's comeback with a one-out single off Fernando Rodney (0-2). Jung Ho Kang walked and Adam Frazier drove in Tucker with a single before Marte drilled a ball out to center.Tyler Lyons (1-0) got the win despite struggling in his Pirates debut. After pitching a 1-2-3 12th, he walked the first two batters in the 13th and allowed an RBI single to Kendrys Morales and a run-scoring double to Stephen Piscotty before getting pitcher Yusmeiro Petit to hit into an inning-ending double play.A's slugger Khris Davis, last year's major league home run leader, left in the second inning with a left hip bruise after crashing into the left field wall chasing a popup.The Pirates are above .500 at 16-15 for the first time since April 25.BREWERS 3, METS 2MILWAUKEE (AP) — Christian... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:BOUR BLUNDERAngels slugger Justin Bour looks to improve his baserunning after yet another blunder on the bags. He failed to run out a popup in a tie game in the eighth, and the Mariners alertly let the ball and turned it into an easy, inning-ending double play. Seattle wound up winning 5-3."There's no excuse for it. It's terrible," Bour said.Last Saturday at Wrigley Field, Bour singled in the first inning and tried to advance on an overthrow. Bour lumbered toward second, slid in and was called safe. But convinced he was out, he simply left the base and began walking back to the dugout, and was tagged by the Cubs' Javier Baez halfway between second and first.CHECK HIMMets ace Jacob deGrom will have an MRI on his right elbow after the NL Cy Young Award said his arm has felt sore. DeGrom is leaving the team in St. Louis to get examined back in New York, and the team is putting him on the injured list."We're not sure what it is," manager Mickey... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Saturday:CHECK HIMMets ace Jacob deGrom will have an MRI on his right elbow after the NL Cy Young Award said his arm has felt sore. DeGrom is leaving the team in St. Louis to get examined back in New York, and the team is putting him on the injured list."We're not sure what it is," manager Mickey Callaway said.The 30-year-old deGrom, who had Tommy John surgery in 2010, began this season with two dominant outings. But he lost his last two starts while allowing a total of nine runs on 13 hits — including five homers — and five walks in nine innings.DeGrom signed a $137.5 million, five-year contract right before opening day.NEW HOMEBlake Swihart gets a chance to jump-start his career after Boston traded the catcher to Arizona. The 27-year-old was cut by the Red Sox this week after going 6 for 26 in 12 games.Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen worked in player development and amateur scouting with Boston when Swihart was selected in the first... [More]

ST. PETERBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Boston Red Sox have traded catcher Blake Swihart to the Arizona Diamondbacks along international bonus pool space for minor league outfielder Marcus Wilson.The teams announced the deal Friday.Swihart was designated for assignment Tuesday. He is 6 for 26 (.231) with one home run and four RBIs in 12 games this season, making all six of his starts at catcher. He has also played at first base and left field.Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen worked in player development and amateur scouting with Boston when Swihart was selected in the first round of the 2011 draft. The 27-year-old became one of the club's top prospects, but his offensive production hasn't matched the hype.Wilson was a second-round pick in 2014. The 22-year old has a .255 average with a .727 OPS in 391 minor league games, including 12 this year at Double-A.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — The Boston Red Sox hope to recharge their pitching staff by changing the battery.Catcher Blake Swihart, once a top prospect and promising piece for Boston's future, was designated for assignment Tuesday, and veteran Sandy León was called up from Triple-A.The World Series champions are just 6-12 after dropping the opener of a two-game series at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, and pitching is mostly to blame. The club's starters entered that game with a 7.18 ERA, worst in the majors. The entire staff has a 5.93 ERA, ranking 28th out of 30 major league teams.And so in comes León, a backstop beloved by Boston's pitchers for his pitch calling and defense. He'll split time with Christian Vázquez, while Swihart's time with the organization is likely done.León got his first start Tuesday, handling an improved — but still struggling — Chris Sale during an 8-0 defeat.Red Sox president Dave Dombrowski said the catchers aren't at fault for the early pitching woes, but that León's game management... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The Boston Red Sox are hoping to recharge their pitching staff by changing the battery.Catcher Blake Swihart, once a top prospect and promising piece for Boston's future, was designated for assignment Tuesday, and veteran Sandy León was called up from Triple-A.The World Series champions are just 6-11 coming into a two-game series at Yankee Stadium, mostly because of pitching. The club's starters entered Tuesday with a 7.18 ERA, worst in the majors. The entire staff has a 5.93 ERA, ranking 28th out of 30 major league teams.And so in comes León, a backstop beloved by Boston's pitchers for his pitch calling and defense. He'll split time with Christian Vázquez, while Swihart's time with the organization is likely done.Speaking ahead of the opener of a two-game series at Yankee Stadium, Red Sox president Dave Dombrowski said the catchers aren't at fault for the early pitching woes, but that León's game management could be part of the solution."There's a comfort level," manager... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The Boston Red Sox have designated former top prospect Blake Swihart for assignment, shaking up their situation at catcher.The team announced the move before the opener of a two-game series against the New York Yankees. Catcher Sandy León has been promoted from Triple-A Pawtucket to back up Christian Vázquez, and right-hander Erasmo Ramirez also was brought up Tuesday.The 27-year-old Swihart was a first-round pick by Boston in 2011 and quickly became one of the club's most promising young players. The switch hitter hasn't delivered at the plate, batting .255 with nine homers and a .679 OPS in 203 games, and he's a less reliable defender than León and Vázquez.The Red Sox would have to place Swihart on waivers before re-assigning him to the minor leagues.León caught 87 games for the World Series champions last year. He's a favorite among the team's pitchers for his defense and game calling, but still was sent to Triple-A to open the season.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

BOSTON (AP) — Andrew Benintendi of the Boston Red Sox has left the game against Baltimore after fouling a ball off his right foot.Benintendi went to the ground in pain after the foul in the third inning Sunday. He had trouble putting weight on his foot when he got up and lightly jogged down the first baseline.The outfielder then got back in the batter's box and doubled into the left-fielder corner. He had a noticeable limp heading into second and again when he ran the bases on Mookie Betts' inning-ending flyout.Blake Swihart came into the game in left to replace Benintendi in the top of the fourth.Benintendi originally had the day off, but was inserted into the lineup when center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. was scratched with the flu.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

BOSTON (AP) — Andrew Benintendi of the Boston Red Sox has left the game against Baltimore after fouling a ball off his right foot.Benintendi went to the ground in pain after the foul in the third inning Sunday. He had trouble putting weight on his foot when he got up and lightly jogged down the first baseline.The outfielder then got back in the batter's box and doubled into the left-fielder corner. He had a noticeable limp heading into second and again when he ran the bases on Mookie Betts' inning-ending flyout.Blake Swihart came into the game in left to replace Benintendi in the top of the fourth.Benintendi originally had the day off, but was inserted into the lineup when center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. was scratched with the flu.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

WASHINGTON (AP) — David Robertson forced home the game-ending run with a ninth-inning walk to Jake Noll, a rookie without a hit in his two previous major league at-bats, and the Nationals beat the previously unbeaten Phillies 9-8 Wednesday as Washington's fans again booed Bryce Harper.Noll was sent to the minors after the game to make room for utilityman Howie Kendrick to come off the injured list Thursday.Robertson (0-1) gave up a leadoff single to Anthony Rendon, then walked three batters in a row.Nationals closer Sean Doolittle (2-0) worked the ninth.Philadelphia fell to 4-1 — it had been the last team in the majors without a loss. Making his second appearance against his former team since signing a $330 million, 13-year deal with the Phillies, Harper hit a pair of singles and was walked three times, twice intentionally.RED SOX 6, ATHLETICS 3OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Mookie Betts' two-out grounder hit the third base bag and popped into the outfield for a tiebreaking, two-run double in the... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Paul Goldschmidt hit three home runs and then was intentionally walked in the ninth inning with a chance to tie the major league record, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Milwaukee Brewers 9-5 Friday night.Brewers manager Craig Counsell signaled for the free pass with one out and a runner on second. Cardinals fans behind the visiting dugout cheered as Goldschmidt approached the plate and booed loudly when Counsell made the move.Just 18 players have hit four homers in a game, including J.D. Martinez and Scooter Gennett in 2017.Goldschmidt had four hits and drove in five in his second game with St. Louis. The six-time All-Star was 0 for 3 with three strikeouts in his first game Thursday after an offseason trade from Arizona. Set to test free agency after this season, Goldschmidt instead signed a $130 million deal to stay with St. Louis through 2024 last weekend.John Gant (1-0) pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings.Christian Yelich and Ryan Braun homered for Milwaukee. Trevor... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Paul Goldschmidt hit three home runs and then was intentionally walked in the ninth inning with a chance to tie the major league record, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Milwaukee Brewers 9-5 Friday night.Brewers manager Craig Counsell signaled for the free pass with one out and a runner on second. Cardinals fans behind the visiting dugout cheered as Goldschmidt approached the plate and booed loudly when Counsell made the move.Just 18 players have hit four homers in a game, including J.D. Martinez and Scooter Gennett in 2017.Goldschmidt had four hits and drove in five in his second game with St. Louis. The six-time All-Star was 0 for 3 with three strikeouts in his first game Thursday after an offseason trade from Arizona. Set to test free agency after this season, Goldschmidt instead signed a $130 million deal to stay with St. Louis through 2024 last weekend.John Gant (1-0) pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings.Christian Yelich and Ryan Braun homered for Milwaukee. Trevor... [More]

March 311961 — The Pacific Coast League's proposal to use a designated hitter for the pitcher was rejected by the Professional Baseball Rules Committee by a vote of 8-1.1968 — Seattle, the American League's second new team, announced its nickname — the Pilots.1995 — Major league baseball players end their strike when Federal judge Sonia Sotomayor of U.S. District Court in Manhattan rules against the owners in the labor dispute.1996 — The Seattle Mariners beat the Chicago White Sox 3-2 in 12 innings in major league baseball's season opener, the first major league game played in March.1998 — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Arizona Diamondbacks looked like expansion teams in their first games. The Devil Rays fell behind 11-0 in an 11-6 loss to Detroit at Tropicana Field, and the Diamondbacks dropped a 9-2 decision to the Colorado Rockies at Bank One Ballpark. Milwaukee dropped a 2-1 decision at Atlanta in the Brewers' first game since becoming the only team to switch leagues this century.2003... [More]