NEW YORK (AP) — Pitcher Jacob deGrom's first preference is to remain with the New York Mets.His agent, Brodie van Wagenen, said this week that if the Mets are not interested in a long-term deal for the 30-year-old All-Star right-hander, they should consider trade options."Our way of saying, hey, we know what's going on," deGrom said before Friday's Subway Series opener at the New York Yankees. "All this trade talk, it was going to come up either way, so it was our way of kind of getting ahead of it."DeGrom is 5-4 with a big league-best 1.68 ERA for the last-place Mets, who entered the second half with the fewest wins in the National League."I want to win here," deGrom said. "Wanting to be part of the future. I hope the feeling is mutual."He has a $7.4 million salary this year is eligible for salary arbitration for two more winters, then can become a free agent after the 2020 season."We've talked with Brodie a little bit," Mets assistant general manager John Ricco said. "We certainly respect Jacob's position clearly, but we also have an obligation to do what's best for the organization, whether that's trading him, extending him or letting the contract play out."Ricco said the Mets are willing to cover salaries of veterans in trades in exchange for minor league prospects.Closer Jeurys Familia and infielder Asdrubal Cabrera, both eligible for free agency, appear likely to be dealt.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

TORONTO (AP) — The Baltimore Orioles have designated former All-Star Chris Tillman for assignment, offering the veteran right-hander a chance to remain in the organization and pitch at Triple-A.Tillman, who started the 2016 AL Wild Card game for Baltimore, is 1-5 with a 10.46 ERA in seven starts and hasn't pitched since May 10 because of a back injury. He has not indicated whether he will accept Baltimore's offer or choose free agency.The Orioles cut Tillman at the conclusion of his 30-day minor league rehab assignment, opening a 40-man roster spot that allowed Baltimore to select infielder Renato Nunez from Triple-A. Nunez was in the lineup at third base for Friday's game at Toronto, Baltimore's first since trading Manny Machado to the Los Angeles Dodgers.Tillman was an All-Star in 2013 and started on opening day for Baltimore the next three seasons. Over that four-year span, he was 56-30 with a 3.91 ERA in 128 starts. Tillman began 2017 on the disabled list because of a shoulder injury and struggled in his return, going 1-7 with a 7.84 ERA in 24 games (19 starts). He signed a one-year contract to return to the Orioles in February, and ended an 11-month drought between wins by pitching seven shutout innings against Detroit on April 27. He didn't make it past the second inning in his next two starts.

A look at what's happening around the majors today:HADER RETURNSMilwaukee reliever Josh Hader rejoins the team, three days after years-old racist and homophobic tweets of his resurfaced during the All-Star Game. The Brewers open the second half at Miller Park against the Dodgers.The 24-year-old Hader has apologized for the tweets, saying they did not reflect his values or the person he is now. The commissioner's office will require Hader to participate in diversity and inclusion initiatives and sensitivity training.Hader spoke with Brewers teammate Lorenzo Cain after the All-Star Game in Washington. Cain, who is African-American, said he expects the club to accept Hader's present-day statements and move on.MACHADO DEBUTManny Machado plays his first game for the Dodgers, filling a big gap at shortstop when the NL West leaders visit Milwaukee. Los Angeles traded five minor leaguers to Baltimore during the break for the four-time All-Star. The 26-year-old Machado was hitting .315 with 24 homers... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — With an eye on October and beyond, the AL Central-leading Cleveland Indians scooped up All-Star closer Brad Hand and fellow reliever Adam Cimber from the rebuilding San Diego Padres in exchange for switch-hitting catching prospect Francisco Mejia.The Indians need Hand, a lefty, and Cimber, a rookie right-handed sidearmer, to shore up a bullpen that has been without left-hander Andrew Miller since late May and has a 5.28 ERA, second-worst in the majors. The trade was announced Thursday, well ahead of the non-waiver trade deadline."Not just for this year, that's kind of obvious, but having two controllable relievers, I just think it makes our organization healthier," manager Terry Francona said Thursday night before a workout in Arlington, Texas, where the Indians start after the All-Star break. "We've got eight years' worth of relief. That's pretty exciting."Hand and Cimber were both expected to join the Indians before Friday night's game against the Rangers.Cleveland leads... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — With an eye on October and beyond, the AL Central-leading Cleveland Indians scooped up All-Star closer Brad Hand and fellow reliever Adam Cimber from the rebuilding San Diego Padres in exchange for switch-hitting catching prospect Francisco Mejia.The Indians need Hand, a lefty, and Cimber, a rookie right-handed sidearmer, to shore up a bullpen that has been without left-hander Andrew Miller since late May and has a 5.28 ERA, second-worst in the majors. The trade was announced Thursday, well ahead of the non-waiver trade deadline."We tried to have a really honest assessment, what are our strengths and what are the areas we can improve to help better position us to secure a postseason berth and advance once we get there," Indians President Chris Antonetti said in a conference call. "This not only impacts 2018, but it also reinforces our bullpen options for future years. Both of these guys, Brad and Adam, can do that for us."The Indians lead the AL Central by 7 ½ games over... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels publicly praised Mike Trout "for prioritizing his personal values over commercial self-promotion" a day after baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said the All-Star outfielder would be an even bigger star if he would spend more time marketing himself.The team released a statement Wednesday congratulating Trout on his performance in the All-Star Game in Washington, then extolled the time he spends visiting hospitals, schools and charities and the quality time he spends with family."We applaud him for prioritizing his personal values over commercial self-promotion," the statement said. "That is rare in today's society and stands out as much as his extraordinary talent."A day earlier, Manfred said MLB was interested in having players more engaged and in helping players develop their individual brands.Manfred said Trout chooses not to spend his down time marketing."Mike's a great, great player and a really nice person, but he's made certain decisions... [More]

Manny Machado will be wearing a new uniform when he plays his next game, and other hitters will be on the move in the next couple weeks.Even after Machado was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers, teams seeking to boost their offense will have several options to land a big bat. The four-time All-Star with the Baltimore Orioles was the most coveted player available on the trade market.There's only one Machado, but several guys can bolster a team's starting lineup and make an impact down the stretch.Here are eight hitters who may have new teams before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline:MIKE MOUSTAKAS: After smacking a career-best 38 homers for the Kansas City Royals last year, the two-time All-Star third baseman didn't get a lucrative deal in free agency and returned on a one-year deal for $6.5 million plus a mutual option for 2019. He has 19 homers and 58 RBIs but is only batting .249 for the worst team in the majors.SCOOTER GENNETT: The Cincinnati Reds aren't going anywhere and they'd be... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels publicly praised Mike Trout "for prioritizing his personal values over commercial self-promotion" a day after baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said the All-Star outfielder would be an even bigger star if he would spend more time marketing himself.The team released a statement Wednesday congratulating Trout on his performance in the All-Star Game in Washington then extolled the time he spends visiting hospitals, schools and charities and the quality time he spends with family."We applaud him for prioritizing his personal values over commercial self-promotion," the statement said. "That is rare in today's society and stands out as much as his extraordinary talent."A day earlier, Manfred said MLB was interested in having players more engaged and in helping players develop their individual brands.Manfred said Trout chooses not to spend his down time marketing."Mike's a great, great player and a really nice person, but he's made certain decisions... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Major League Baseball said Wednesday that Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Josh Hader will be required to go through sensitivity training after years-old racist and homophobic tweets of his resurfaced during the All-Star Game.MLB announced the commissioner's office would require Hader to participate in diversity and inclusion initiatives in addition to the sensitivity training. In a statement, Brewers general manager David Stearns said the team will continue to work through the issue with Hader.Several of Hader's tweets from 2011 and 2012 came to light Tuesday night while Hader was pitching in the All-Star Game. Hader learned of the situation when he left the game. He apologized and took responsibility for the tweets, saying they did not reflect his values or the person he is now."During last night's game we became aware of Mr. Hader's unacceptable social media comments in years past and have since been in communication with the Brewers regarding our shared concerns," MLB said... [More]

The Los Angeles Dodgers have won the Manny Machado sweepstakes, garnering the prized All-Star shortstop from the Baltimore Orioles in a trade Wednesday night.A person with knowledge of the deal confirmed the trade to The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal has not yet been announced.Machado, a power-hitter with extraordinary fielding skills, greatly improves the Dodgers' chances of reaching the World Series for a second consecutive year. He led Baltimore in batting average (.315), home runs (24) and RBIs (65).Machado's contract expires at the end of the season, and the last-place Orioles decided against negotiating an expensive, multi-year extension because they have too many holes as the team moves into a rebuilding mode.Though only a summer rental, Machado was coveted by a variety of contenders, including Philadelphia, Milwaukee, the Chicago Cubs and Arizona, currently a half-game behind the first-place Dodgers in the NL West.Los Angeles gets... [More]

A person with knowledge of the deal says the Baltimore Orioles have traded All-Star shortstop Manny Machado to the Los Angeles Dodgers.The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the deal has not yet been announced.Machado, a power-hitter with extraordinary fielding skills, greatly improves the Dodgers' chances of reaching the World Series for a second consecutive year. He led Baltimore in batting average (.315), home runs (24) and RBIs (65).

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels publicly praised Mike Trout "for prioritizing his personal values over commercial self-promotion" a day after baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said the All-Star outfielder would be an even bigger star if he would spend more time marketing himself.The team released a statement Wednesday congratulating Trout on his performance in the All-Star Game in Washington then extolled the time he spends visiting hospitals, schools and charities and the quality time he spends with family."We applaud him for prioritizing his personal values over commercial self-promotion," the statement said. "That is rare in today's society and stands out as much as his extraordinary talent."A day earlier, Manfred said MLB was interested in having players more engaged and in helping players develop their individual brands.Manfred said Trout chooses not to spend his down time marketing."Mike's a great, great player and a really nice person, but he's made certain decisions... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Josh Hader will be required to go through sensitivity training after years-old racist and homophobic tweets of his resurfaced during the All-Star Game, Major League Baseball said Wednesday.MLB announced that the commissioner's office would require Hader to participate in diversity and inclusion initiatives in addition to the sensitivity training. In a statement, Brewers general manager David Stearns said the team would continue to work through the issue with Hader.Several of Hader's tweets from 2011 and 2012 came to light Tuesday night while Hader was pitching in the All-Star Game. Hader learned of the situation when he left the game, apologized and took responsibility for the tweets, saying they did not reflect his values or the person he is now."During last night's game we became aware of Mr. Hader's unacceptable social media comments in years past and have since been in communication with the Brewers regarding our shared concerns," MLB said... [More]

Manny Machado could be wearing a new uniform before he plays another game and other hitters will be on the move in the next couple weeks.Teams seeking to boost their offense will have several options to land a big bat, even if they miss out on Machado. The four-time All-Star is the most coveted player available on the trade market, but the Baltimore Orioles are close to dealing him to the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to multiple reports.The Phillies and Brewers were in the mix and the Yankees had strong interest, too.There's only one Machado, but several guys can bolster a team's starting lineup and make an impact down the stretch.Here are eight hitters who may have new teams before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline:MIKE MOUSTAKAS: After smacking a career-best 38 homers for the Kansas City Royals last year, the two-time All-Star third baseman didn't get a lucrative deal in free agency and returned on a one-year deal for $6.5 million plus a mutual option for 2019. He has 19 homers... [More]

Manny Machado could be wearing a new uniform before he plays another game and other hitters will be on the move in the next couple weeks.Teams seeking to boost their offense will have several options to land a big bat, even if they miss out on Machado. The four-time All-Star is the most coveted player available on the trade market, but the Baltimore Orioles are close to dealing him to the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to multiple reports.The Phillies and Brewers were in the mix and the Yankees had strong interest, too.There's only one Machado, but several guys can bolster a team's starting lineup and make an impact down the stretch.Here are eight hitters who may have new teams before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline:MIKE MOUSTAKAS: After smacking a career-best 38 homers for the Kansas City Royals last year, the two-time All-Star third baseman didn't get a lucrative deal in free agency and returned on a one-year deal for $6.5 million plus a mutual option for 2019. He has 19 homers... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a story July 17 about All-Star reliever Josh Hader, The Associated Press reported erroneously that Hader had referenced the shooting of Trayvon Martin among offensive tweets. It's not clear the Martin tweet can be attributed to Hader.A corrected version of the story is below:Brewers All-Star Hader takes responsibility for tweetsMilwaukee Brewers reliever Josh Hader took responsibility for racist and homophobic tweets that resurfaced while he was pitching in the All-Star GameBy STEPHEN WHYNOAP Sports WriterWASHINGTON (AP) — Milwaukee Brewers reliever Josh Hader took responsibility for racist and homophobic tweets that resurfaced while he was pitching in the All-Star Game on Tuesday night.Hader was alerted to an online firestorm regarding the tweets when he came out of the game. He locked his account and after the game he said the posts were from seven years ago and stemmed from immaturity when he was 17."There's no excuse for what was said," Hader said. "I'm deeply sorry... [More]

Manny Machado could be wearing a new uniform before he plays another game and other hitters will be on the move in the next couple weeks.Teams seeking to boost their offense will have several options to land a big bat, even if they miss out on Machado. The four-time All-Star is the most coveted player available on the trade market but the Baltimore Orioles are close to dealing him to the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to multiple reports.The Phillies and Brewers were in the mix and the Yankees had strong interest, too.There's only one Machado but several guys can bolster a team's starting lineup and make an impact down the stretch.Here are eight hitters who may have new teams before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline:MIKE MOUSTAKAS: After smacking a career-best 38 homers for the Kansas City Royals last year, the two-time All-Star third baseman didn't get a lucrative deal in free agency and returned on a one-year deal for $6.5 million plus a mutual option for 2019. He has 19 homers and... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Milwaukee Brewers reliever Josh Hader took responsibility for racist and homophobic tweets that resurfaced while he was pitching in the All-Star Game on Tuesday night.Hader was alerted to an online firestorm regarding the tweets when he came out of the game. He locked his account and after the game he said the posts were from seven years ago and stemmed from immaturity when he was 17."There's no excuse for what was said," Hader said. "I'm deeply sorry for what I've said and what's been going on. It doesn't reflect any of my beliefs going on now."Asked if he was worried about facing discipline, the 24-year-old said he would live with it."I'm ready for any consequences that happen for what happened seven years ago," Hader said.Deputy Commissioner Dan Halem, speaking outside the NL clubhouse, said he had spoken to Hader. He said Major League Baseball would not have any comment before Wednesday.Some of the tweets that surfaced were from 2011 and 2012. Hader said he did not... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Mike Trout would be an even bigger star if he would spend some more time marketing himself, baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred maintains.At 26, the Los Angeles Angels outfielder is a two-time AL MVP and a seven-time All-Star. In 2015, he became the first player in 38 years to homer leading off an All-Star Game, then became the first player to take home the Midsummer Classic's MVP award two years in row. He homered off the Mets' Jacob deGrom in the third inning of this year's game on Tuesday night."Player marketing requires one thing for sure — the player," Manfred said earlier in the day. "You cannot market a player passively. You can't market anything passively. You need people to engage with those to whom you are trying to market in order to have effective marketing. We are very interested in having our players more engaged and having higher profile players and helping our players develop their individual brand. But that involves the player being actively engaged."Manfred... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on baseball's All-Star Game (all times local):8:45 p.m.Aaron Judge has given the American League a 1-0 lead in the All-Star Game with a homer off Max Scherzer.Leading off the second inning, the Yankees slugger got ahold of a belt-high 0-1 fastball from Scherzer and sent it into the bullpen beyond the left field fence.It was Judge's first All-Star Game hit in his second appearance. He went 0-for-3 last year.National League manager Dave Roberts tapped Scherzer to start the game in part because it's being played at his home ballpark. The Nationals right-hander made his third All-Star start.___8:10 p.m.A combat medic who received the Medal of Honor for his service in Vietnam has thrown out the ceremonial first pitch for the All-Star Game at Nationals Park.James McCloughan was one of 30 Medal of Honor recipients to be honored before the game. After serving in Vietnam, McCloughan spent 38 years as a high school baseball coach in Michigan.In choosing McCloughan, Major... [More]