Capsules of American League West teams, listed in order of finish last year:___Houston Astros2017: 101-61, first place, won World Series.Manager: A.J. Hinch (fourth season).He's Here: RHP Gerrit Cole, RHP Joe Smith, RHP Hector Rondon.He's Outta Here: DH Carlos Beltran, RHP Luke Gregerson, RHP Joe Musgrove, RHP Mike Fiers, RHP Michael Feliz, INF Colin Moran.Projected Lineup: CF George Springer (.283, 34 HRs, 85 RBIs), 3B Alex Bregman (.284, 19, 71, 39 2Bs), 2B Jose Altuve (MLB-best .346, 24, 81, 39 2Bs, 32 SBs, AL MVP), SS Carlos Correa (.315, 24, 84), 1B Yuli Gurriel (.299, 18, 75, 43 2Bs), LF Marwin Gonzalez (.303, 23, 90, 34 2Bs), DH Evan Gattis (.263, 12, 55), RF Josh Reddick (.314, 13, 82, 34 2Bs), C Brian McCann (.241, 18, 62).Rotation: LH Dallas Keuchel (14-5, 2.90 ERA, 251 Ks), RH Justin Verlander (15-8, 3.36, 219 Ks with Tigers and Astros), RH Gerrit Cole (12-12, 4.26, 196 Ks with Pirates), RH Lance McCullers Jr. (7-4, 4.25), RH Charlie Morton (14-7, 3.62).Key Relievers: RH Ken... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Free agent reliever Matt Belisle has agreed to a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians and would get a $1.5 million, one-year deal if added to the 40-man big league roster.The 37-year-old right-hander would be able to earn an additional $1.75 million in performance bonuses based on games as part of the agreement announced Sunday: $100,000 for 20, $150,000 for 25 and each additional five through 55, and $200,000 apiece for 60, 65 and 70.Belisle was 2-2 with a 4.03 ERA and in 62 appearances for Minnesota last year, converting nine of 11 save chances after Brandon Kintzler was traded. The Indians have at least one open spot in their bullpen after Bryan Shaw and Joe Smith became free agents and left.Belisle is 51-57 with 14 saves and a 4.19 ERA in 660 appearances over 14 major league seasons. Belisle began his career with Atlanta and also has pitched for Cincinnati and Colorado. He led the NL with 80 appearances for the Rockies in 2012.The Indians also claimed righty reliever Ben Taylor off waivers from Boston. Right-hander Cody Anderson was put on the 60-day disabled list to make room.The 25-year-old Taylor made his major league debut last season, going 0-1 with one save and a 5.19 ERA in 14 games for Boston. He missed almost all of June with elbow inflammation and missed most of August with a side strain.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Free agent reliever Matt Belisle has agreed to a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians and would get a $1.5 million, one-year deal if added to the 40-man big league roster.The 37-year-old right-hander would be able to earn an additional $1.75 million in performance bonuses based on games as part of the agreement announced Sunday: $100,000 for 20, $150,000 for 25 and each additional five through 55, and $200,000 apiece for 60, 65 and 70.Belisle was 2-2 with a 4.03 ERA and in 62 appearances for Minnesota last year, converting nine of 11 save chances after Brandon Kintzler was traded. The Indians have at least one open spot in their bullpen after Bryan Shaw and Joe Smith became free agents and left.Belisle is 51-57 with 14 saves and a 4.19 ERA in 660 appearances over 14 major league seasons. Belisle began his career with Atlanta and also has pitched for Cincinnati and Colorado. He led the NL with 80 appearances for the Rockies in 2012.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

HOUSTON (AP) — The celebration is over for the Houston Astros after winning their first World Series last season.They don't want to think or talk about 2017. And they certainly aren't dwelling on their big win.The Astros believe the only way to build on their success is by winning again in 2018."These guys are not satisfied with what happened and they want to ... take a great team and make it legendary," general manager Jeff Luhnow said. "We're a great team, with great accomplishments. We're not legendary yet. And I think they all desire to be legendary."That sentiment was on display on Wednesday when the team's marketing department unveiled the theme for the season of: "Never Settle," words that will adorn their website, Twitter account and ballpark."The plan that Jim Crane had in 2011 when he hired me and bought this team was to get the Astros relevant as soon as possible and then win multiple championships," Luhnow said of the Astros' owner. "So we're on our way to our goal. We certainly... [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:___Houston AstrosManager: A.J. Hinch (fourth season).2017: 101-61, first place, won World Series.Training Town: West Palm Beach, Florida.Park: The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches.First Workout: Feb. 14/19.He's Here: RHP Gerrit Cole, RHP Joe Smith, RHP Hector Rondon.He's Outta Here: DH Carlos Beltran, RHP Luke Gregerson, RHP Joe Musgrove, RHP Mike Fiers, RHP Michael Feliz, INF Colin Moran.Going campin': This team is basically set after retaining almost every key player from last season's championship squad. The two strongest areas are the middle infield, where shortstop Carlos Correa and second baseman Jose Altuve, last year's AL MVP, return to anchor the middle of the order. Correa hit .315 with 24 homers — both career highs — and Altuve had his finest season, hitting a career-best and major... [More]

RHP Joe Smith signed with the Astros to a a two-year deal. Financial terms weren't announced.Smith, 33, was a combined 3-0 with one save and a 3.33 ERA in 59 appearances with the Toronto Blue Jays and Cleveland Indians last season. He signed with Toronto as a free agent in February and was dealt to Cleveland on July 31. In 2017, he allowed a .229 batting average and made four scoreless appearances in Cleveland's five-game loss to the Yankees in the American League Division Series.

RHP Joe Smith was activated before Tuesday's game against the Red Sox after being acquired in a deadline-day trade from the Blue Jays on Monday. Smith (3-0, 3.11 ERA) made his Indians debut in the seventh and tossed two scoreless, one-hit innings with a strikeout. He provides a much-needed arm to help lessen the load on fellow reliever RHP Bryan Shaw."We didn't get Smitty just because of Shaw," manager Terry Francona said Tuesday. "We just thought that, of the guys that maybe we could get, we thought he could help us."

RHP Joe Smith (3-0, 3.28 ERA) was reacquired from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for LHP Tom Pannone and SS Samad Taylor. Smith was with the Indians from 2009 through 2013 and had been with the Angels, Cubs, and Blue Jays since. He signed a one-year, $3 million deal with the Blue Jays in February and is eligible for free agency this winter. Smith had a 2.76 ERA in those five seasons with Cleveland.

RHP Joe Smith was acquired in a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays before Monday's non-waiver trade deadline. Smith was traded for minor league left-hander Thomas Pannone and shortstop Samad Taylor. The 33-year-old and 11-year MLB veteran went 3-0 with a 3.28 ERA in 38 relief appearances with the Blue Jays this season.

RHP Joe Smith was activated off the disabled list. Smith was placed on the disabled list on June 21 with right shoulder inflammation. In 34 relief appearances with the Jays, he is 3-0 with a 3.41 ERA.

RHP Joe Smith is expected to be activated off the disabled list Saturday. Smith was placed on the disabled list June 21 with right shoulder inflammation. In 34 relief appearances with the Jays, he is 3-0 with a 3.41 ERA.

RHP Joe Smith is expected to join the team for its series in Cleveland on Friday. He has been sidelined since June 14 with shoulder inflammation.

RHP Joe Smith threw in a rehab game Friday night and might be returning to the Blue Jays' bullpen soon. "If we get Joe Smith back," manager John Gibbons said, "that's a pretty good bullpen. I would expect (a decision) in the next couple days."

RHP Joe Smith (right shoulder inflammation) is nearing a return but manager John Gibbons said Tuesday it won't occur until after the All-Star break. Smith was placed on the disabled list June 19 and is 3-0 with a 3.41 ERA in 34 appearances this season.

RHP Joe Smith was sent to the 10-day DL with shoulder inflammation before Toronto's 7-6 victory over Texas on Monday. He has worked hard in 2017, having appeared in 34 games. "I think rest will do it some good," said manager John Gibbons, who added that RHPs Ryan Tepera and Danny Barnes were both capable of filling Smith's eight-inning setup role

RHPJoe Smith was placed on the 10-day disabled list with right shoulder inflammation Monday. Smith has posted a 3-0 mark and 3.41 ERA with 47 strikeouts against just eight walks in 31 2/3 innings this season. The 33-year-old is in his first season with Toronto after signing as a free agent in February. Smith received treatment for his shoulder during a three-game series with the Chicago White Sox. He began experiencing pain during his most recent outing on Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Rays. The move is retroactive to June 16 and Smith is eligible to return on June 27 for the opener of a three-game series with the Baltimore Orioles.

RHP Joe Smith struck out the side in the top of the ninth inning Thursday in the 2-1 loss to the Baltimore Orioles. He has eight strikeouts and one walk in five innings this season.

RHP Joe Smith (left hamstring strain) was activated from the 15-day disabled list on Thursday and came up with the victory after working the seventh and eighth innings of the Cubs 5-4 victory over the Giants. Acquired by the Cubs from the Angels on Aug. 1, he's now 2-4 with six holds plus six saves in 44 relief appearances between the two clubs. Smith had two scoreless innings in a pair of rehab outings at Triple-A Iowa.

RHP Joe Smith (left hamstring strain) was sent on a rehab assignment at Triple-A Iowa on Saturday. Smith has been on the disabled list since Aug. 17. He pitched one inning and had two strikeouts.

RHP Joe Smith (left hamstring strain) is scheduled to pitch a rehab assignment at Triple-A Iowa on Saturday. Smith has been on the disabled list since Aug. 17.