NEW YORK (AP) — Left-hander James Paxton is returning to the Seattle Mariners after an injury filled second season with the New York Yankees. The 32-year-old left-hander and the Mariners agreed Saturday to an $8.5 million, one-year contract, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement was subject to a successful physical. Paxton can earn an additional $1.5 million in performance bonuses for starts: $150,000 each for six to 10 and $750,000 more over starts 11-22. He earned $4,629,630 in prorated pay from a $12.5 million salary last year with New York. Paxton was 41-26 with a 3.42 ERA for the Mariners from 2013-18, striking out 617 and walking 168 in 582 1/3 innings. He was traded to the Yankees in November 2018 for a top prospect, left-hander Justus Sheffield, along with outfielder Dom Thompson-Williams and right-handed pitcher Erik Swanson. Paxton struggled in the first half of his first season in... [More]

A team-by-team look at the American League West 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: ___ Oakland Athletics Manager: Bob Melvin (11th season). 2020: 36-24, first place, lost to Houston in Division Series. Training Town: Mesa, Arizona. Park: Hohokam Stadium. First Workout: Feb. 17/22. He’s Here: SS Elvis Andrus, C Aramis Garcia, LHP Cole Irvin, LHP Nik Turley, INF Jed Lowrie. He’s Outta Here: SS Marcus Semien, RHP Liam Hendriks, OF Khris Davis, 2B Tommy La Stella, OF Robbie Grossman, RHP Yusmeiro Petit, RHP Joakim Soria, LHP T.J. McFarland, 3B Jake Lamb, LHP Mike Minor. Going campin’: After winning their first division title in seven years, the A’s took some serious hits this offseason with Semien leaving to sign a one-year deal in Toronto after not getting a qualifying offer from Oakland and star closer Hendriks signing with the White Sox. The A’s acquired Andrus to replace... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — The usual dizzying offseason whirl of trades and signings have been replaced with a more pedestrian approach by the Seattle Mariners this year. General manager Jerry Dipoto said Tuesday that’s by design and an indication of where he believes the Mariners are with their roster entering the next stage of their rebuilding plan. “We don’t feel like we’ve been quiet, or slow,” Dipoto said. “If that’s what it seems to you all, I apologize. I know it’s not our normal rate of activity, but that is more where we are in our build, truly. We’ve added quite a bit to our team already.” That's not to say Dipoto won’t be busy over the next month before the Mariners report for spring training in Arizona. While the primary focus going into the 2021 season is going to be the continued development of Seattle’s young stars — highlighted by AL rookie of the year Kyle Lewis — and the eventual arrival of some top prospects, Dipoto still has a needs to fill before the start of the season. Primarily,... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — Right-hander Chris Flexen and the Seattle Mariners agreed to a $4.75 million, two-year contract on Friday. The 26-year-old gets a $600,000 signing bonus, a $1.4 million salary next season and a $2.75 million salary in 2021. The deal includes an $8 million option for 2022 that would become guaranteed if he pitches in 150 innings next season or 300 innings in 2021 and ’22 combined, or has 35 games finished in 2021 or 65 in 2021 and ’22 combined. He was 8-4 with a 4.01 ERA last season with the Doosan Bears in South Korea, striking out 132 and walking 30 in 21 starts. He had a 1.91 ERA over 28 1/3 innings in the postseason as a starter and reliever. Flexen was 3-11 with an 8.07 ERA in 11 starts and 16 relief appearances with the New York Mets from 2017-19. He was 43-31 with a 3.61 in eight minor league seasons with the Mets. “We believe Chris is a terrific addition to our pitching staff,” Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said. “His maturation as a pitcher and impressive on-field performance in 2020 were both significant. At age 26, he’s a natural fit as we continue to grow our young core.” Seattle opened a roster spot by designating infielder/outfielder Tim Lopes for assignment. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A team-by-team look at the National League East 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:___Atlanta Braves Manager: Brian Snitker (fifth season). 2019: 97-65, first place, lost to Cardinals in Division Series.Training Town: North Port, Florida.Park: CoolToday Park. First Workout: Feb. 13/18. He's Here: LF Marcell Ozuna, C Travis d'Arnaud, LHP Cole Hamels, LHP Will Smith, RHP F�lix Hern�ndez.He's Outta Here: 3B Josh Donaldson, LHP Dallas Keuchel, RHP Julio Teheran, C Brian McCann, OF Matt Joyce, RHP Anthony Swarzak, RHP Josh Tomlin, LHP Jerry Blevins, OF Billy Hamilton, C Francisco Cervelli. Going campin': The Braves are coming off their second straight NL East title, led by one of baseball's brightest young stars. In his first full season in the big leagues, 22-year-old OF Ronald Acu�a Jr. hit 41 homers, led the league with 127 runs and tallied 37 stolen bases to become the second-youngest... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets re-signed reliever Brad Brach to a one-year, $850,000 contract on Friday, encouraged by his solid showing after they added him last August.Brach’s deal includes a player option for 2021 at $1.25 million.The 33-year-old right-hander was 1-1 with a 3.68 ERA in 16 games for the Mets, holding righty hitters to a .194 batting average.The Mets signed Brach on Aug. 8 after he was released by the Cubs. Brach was 4-3 with a 6.13 ERA in 42 games for Chicago."Brad is a former All-Star who made an immediate and positive impact to our bullpen last year," Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said in a statement. "We are confident that his presence will make us better in 2020."Brach was an All-Star in 2016 with Baltimore, going 10-4 with a 2.05 ERA in 71 games. He is 36-27 with 33 saves and a 3.33 ERA in 482 games in a nine-season career with the Orioles, Mets, Cubs, Atlanta and San Diego.The option price in Brach’s contract can escalate by up to $2,225,000 based on games pitched in 2020: $125,000 for 20 and $350,000 each for 30, 35, 40, 50, 60 and 65.Brach can earn another $400,000 in performance bonuses in 2020 and in 2021: $100,000 each of 50, 55, 60 and 65 games pitched. He can make another $100,000 in 2021 if he pitches 70 times.The Mets designated righty Chris Flexen for assignment. The 25-year-old was 0-3 with a 6.59 ERA in nine games last season.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets re-signed reliever Brad Brach to a one-year contract on Friday, encouraged by his solid showing after they added him last August.Brach’s deal includes a player option for 2021.The 33-year-old right-hander was 1-1 with a 3.68 ERA in 16 games for the Mets, holding righty hitters to a .194 batting average.The Mets signed Brach on Aug. 8 after he was released by the Cubs. Brach was 4-3 with a 6.13 ERA in 42 games for Chicago."Brad is a former All-Star who made an immediate and positive impact to our bullpen last year," Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said in a statement. "We are confident that his presence will make us better in 2020."Brach was an All-Star in 2016 with Baltimore, going 10-4 with a 2.05 ERA in 71 games. He is 36-27 with 33 saves and a 3.33 ERA in 482 games in a nine-season career with the Orioles, Mets, Cubs, Atlanta and San Diego.The Mets designated righty Chris Flexen for assignment. The 25-year-old was 0-3 with a 6.59 ERA in nine games last season.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at what's happening around the majors today:SWING KINGSMajor League Baseball is set to announce the participants for next week's Home Run Derby. Six of the eight players are already known — Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Christian Yelich, Ronald Acuña Jr., Pete Alonso, Josh Bell and Carlos Santana. The 20-year-old Guerrero will be the youngest participant ever, 116 days younger than Ken Griffey Jr. in 1990. Guerrero practiced hitting homers during one-minute rounds in Toronto on Tuesday. Rangers slugger Joey Gallo says he won't participate, instead being cautious after recently missing time with a left oblique strain.KEY FOR CLEVELANDMike Clevinger hopes a matchup against Kansas City can help him get right. After his masterful start to the season was cut short by a back injury, the Indians right-hander has had a lousy go of it. Over two starts since returning, he's allowed 12 runs in 6 1/3 innings, including a seven-run mishap against the lowly Orioles last time out. Cleveland is on the... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Wednesday:SWING KINGSMajor League Baseball is set to announce the participants for next week's Home Run Derby. Six of the eight players are already known — Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Christian Yelich, Ronald Acuña Jr., Pete Alonso, Josh Bell and Carlos Santana. The 20-year-old Guerrero will be the youngest participant ever, 116 days younger than Ken Griffey Jr. in 1990. Guerrero practiced hitting homers during one-minute rounds in Toronto on Tuesday. Rangers slugger Joey Gallo says he won't participate, instead being cautious after recently missing time with a left oblique strain.KEY FOR CLEVELANDMike Clevinger hopes a matchup against Kansas City can help him get right. After his masterful start to the season was cut short by a back injury, the Indians right-hander has had a lousy go of it. Over two starts since returning, he's allowed 12 runs in 6 1/3 innings, including a seven-run mishap against the lowly Orioles last time out. Cleveland is on... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Steven Matz is moving to the bullpen for now as the New York Mets again overhaul a major problem area with a flurry of roster moves.Veteran relievers Jeurys Familia, Justin Wilson and Luis Avilán were reinstated from the injured list before Tuesday night's Subway Series opener against the New York Yankees at Citi Field. In addition, reserve infielder Luis Guillorme was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse.In corresponding moves, the fourth-place Mets optioned four inexperienced relievers to Syracuse: right-handers Brooks Pounders, Chris Flexen, Stephen Nogosek and Chris Mazza.New York's bullpen began the day leading the majors with 21 blown saves in 40 chances, ranked second with 19 losses and was 28th out of 30 teams in ERA at 5.64. The relievers posted a big league-worst 7.53 ERA in June and were 3-12 with an 8.05 ERA since May 27.Matz has made one relief appearance in his entire professional career — back in 2015 at Triple-A Las Vegas. The 28-year-old lefty is 5-6 with a 4.95... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Steven Matz is moving to the bullpen for now as the New York Mets again overhaul a major problem area with a flurry of roster moves.The team reinstated veteran relievers Jeurys Familia, Justin Wilson and Luis Avilán from the injured list before Tuesday night's Subway Series opener against the New York Yankees at Citi Field. In addition, reserve infielder Luis Guillorme was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse.In corresponding moves, the fourth-place Mets optioned four inexperienced relievers to Syracuse: right-handers Brooks Pounders, Chris Flexen, Stephen Nogosek and Chris Mazza.New York's bullpen began the day leading the majors with 21 blown saves in 40 chances, ranked second with 19 losses and was 28th out of 30 teams in ERA at 5.64. The relievers posted a big league-worst 7.53 ERA in June and were 3-12 with an 8.05 ERA since May 27.Matz has made one relief appearance in his entire professional career — back in 2015 at Triple-A Las Vegas.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

DENVER (AP) — The Padres and Rockies set a modern-era record by combining for 92 runs in a four-game series, with San Diego pitcher Matt Strahm drawing a pinch-hit, bases-loaded walk in the ninth inning to rally past Colorado 14-13 Sunday.It was just another wacky day at Coors Field, especially in this split series where the Rockies outscored the Padres 48-44 while the teams combined for 131 hits. Colorado's Charlie Blackmon became the first player since at least 1900 with 15 hits in a four-game series, according to STATS. Adding to the zaniness: the finale was delayed once to clean up a big puddle in foul territory despite sunny skies, and again later because of weather.Trailing 13-10 in the ninth, Wil Myers had an RBI single and Greg Garcia promptly tied it with a two-out, two-run triple off closer Wade Davis (1-2). The Rockies brought in starter Jon Gray, who intentionally walked two batters to face Strahm. Gray fell behind 3-1 before throwing a strike. Taking all the way, Strahm watched... [More]

DENVER (AP) — The Padres and Rockies set a modern-era record by combining for 92 runs in a four-game series, with San Diego pitcher Matt Strahm drawing a pinch-hit, bases-loaded walk in the ninth inning to rally past Colorado 14-13 Sunday.It was just another wacky day at Coors Field, especially in this split series where the Rockies outscored the Padres 48-44 while the teams combined for 131 hits. Colorado's Charlie Blackmon became the first player since at least 1900 with 15 hits in a four-game series, according to STATS. Adding to the zaniness: the finale was delayed once to clean up a big puddle in foul territory despite sunny skies, and again later because of weather.Trailing 13-10 in the ninth, Wil Myers had an RBI single and Greg Garcia promptly tied it with a two-out, two-run triple off closer Wade Davis (1-2). The Rockies brought in starter Jon Gray, who intentionally walked two batters to face Strahm. Gray fell behind 3-1 before throwing a strike. Taking all the way, Strahm watched... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Desperate for help in a failing bullpen, the New York Mets acquired reliever Brooks Pounders from the Cleveland Indians for cash on Saturday.Pounders, who had been pitching at Triple-A Columbus, was immediately added to the major league roster. The Mets (33-36) also recalled right-hander Chris Flexen from Triple-A Syracuse and put him in the bullpen against St. Louis as well.Right-hander Tim Peterson was optioned to Syracuse, and veteran lefty Hector Santiago was designated for assignment.In other news, the Mets signed first-round draft pick Brett Baty, a 19-year-old third baseman out of Lake Travis High School in Texas. He received a $3.9 million bonus, below the slot value of $4,366,400 for being the 12th overall selection.New York began the night 16 for 32 in save chances, the most blown saves in the majors. The bullpen's 5.23 ERA ranked 25th out of 30 teams, and the struggling relief corps was 1-6 with a 9.28 ERA in 16 games since May 27.Dating to May 21, the Mets had... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Desperate for help in a failing bullpen, the New York Mets have acquired reliever Brooks Pounders from the Cleveland Indians for cash.Pounders, who had been pitching at Triple-A Columbus, was immediately added to the major league roster for Saturday night's game against St. Louis. The Mets also recalled right-hander Chris Flexen from Triple-A Syracuse and put him in the bullpen as well.Right-hander Tim Peterson was optioned to Syracuse, and veteran lefty Hector Santiago was designated for assignment.In other news, the Mets signed first-round draft pick Brett Baty, a 19-year-old third baseman out of Lake Travis High School in Texas.Baty, the 12th overall selection, took batting practice at Citi Field, showing off his impressive left-handed power, and was formally introduced at a news conference. He received a $3.9 million bonus, below the slot value of $4,366,400.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Ryan Braun's career-high sixth hit, a two-run single with one out in the 18th inning, lifted the Milwaukee Brewers to a 4-3 comeback victory over the New York Mets on Saturday night in the longest game in Miller Park history.Braun stood on first base with his hands raised above his head as Yasmani Grandal slid across home plate with the winning run, ending the game that lasted 5 hours and 22 minutes. A jubilant bunch of Brewers ran out to greet Braun, who was the only Milwaukee player to have multiple hits.The Mets took a 3-2 lead in the top of the 18th on Jeff McNeil's run-scoring single off Taylor Williams (1-1), who was Milwaukee's eighth and final pitcher.But the Brewers were far from done. Eric Thames drew a leadoff walk from Chris Flexen (0-2), who then got Mike Moustakas to fly out to center. Flexen, just recalled from Triple-A Syracuse earlier in the day, walked Grandal and Travis Shaw to load the bases for Braun. The Brewers' longest-tenured hit a sharp grounder... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — All-Star slugger Aaron Judge hurt his left oblique while taking a swing and was expected to head to the injured list as the already banged-up New York Yankees beat the Kansas City Royals 9-2 Saturday.Judge homered early, but hurt himself in the sixth inning while hitting a single. He was taken to a hospital for an MRI and further tests.Judge winced after taking a swing in the sixth and gingerly made his way to first base. He left the game after being checked by a trainer.The Yankees, who began the game with 12 players on the injured list, hit four home runs. Judge connected in the first, Clint Frazier had a solo drive in the second and Mike Tauchman and DJ LeMahieu homered on consecutive pitches in the fourth.Judge and Frazier hit their fifth homers of the season in the opening two innings off Heath Fillmyer (0-1).Masahiro Tanaka (2-1) pitched seven innings of one-run ball.Chris Owings homered in the ninth for Kansas City.MARINERS 6, ANGELS 5ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Albert... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Todd Frazier's frustrating first season with the New York Mets just hit another snag.The affable third baseman was placed on the 10-day disabled list Monday with a strained muscle in his left rib cage. It's the second DL stint for Frazier since joining the struggling Mets. The 32-year-old slugger had never been on the disabled list before 2018.Frazier said he felt some discomfort his first time up Sunday against Tampa Bay and it got progressively worse as the game went on. He had an MRI and received a cortisone shot, but it's unclear how long he'll be out."It's not fun at all. It's something I never thought would happen," Frazier said. "Maybe a DL stint, but, you know, the older I get I still feel like I'm in control of my body and then something like this happens. So it's unfortunate, it stinks, but there's nothing else I can do about it. Just keep on trying to get better and hopefully this isn't a long ordeal."New York manager Mickey Callaway called Frazier's injury a... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Todd Frazier's frustrating first season with the New York Mets just hit another snag.The affable third baseman was placed on the 10-day disabled list Monday with a strained muscle in his left rib cage. It's the second DL stint for Frazier since joining the struggling Mets. The 32-year-old slugger had never been on the disabled list before 2018.Frazier said he felt some discomfort his first time up Sunday against Tampa Bay and it got progressively worse as the game went on. He had an MRI and received a cortisone shot, but it's unclear how long he'll be out."It's not fun at all. It's something I never thought would happen," Frazier said. "Maybe a DL stint, but, you know, the older I get I still feel like I'm in control of my body and then something like this happens. So it's unfortunate, it stinks, but there's nothing else I can do about it. Just keep on trying to get better and hopefully this isn't a long ordeal."New York manager Mickey Callaway called Frazier's injury a... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani's pinch-hit home run in the seventh inning sent Andrew Heaney and the Los Angeles Angels to a 4-3 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday.Albert Pujols also went deep for the Angels, tying the score at 3 in the sixth. Justin Upton had a two-run single.Heaney (5-6) allowed only three hits and equaled a career high with 10 strikeouts in seven innings to help the Angels take two of three at home in the Freeway Series. He gave up an early three-run homer to Yasiel Puig, who later left with an oblique injury.Ohtani drove his first career pinch-hit homer a projected 443 feet to center field off reliever JT Chargois (2-2). It also was the Angels' first pinch-hit home run of the season and Ohtani's seventh in the majors.The two-way rookie star from Japan, unavailable to pitch lately because of an elbow injury, fouled a ball off his knee one day earlier and experienced soreness. Before the game, it was unclear if he would be able to come off the bench.Justin... [More]