NEW YORK (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals completed their deal with free-agent closer Greg Holland on Saturday and put left-handed reliever Brett Cecil on the 10-day disabled list with a strained pitching shoulder.The Cardinals made the moves Saturday before playing the Mets in the second game of the season. They called up left-hander Ryan Sherriff from Triple-A Memphis and transferred righty Alex Reyes from the 10-day DL to the 60-day DL.The club also announced a swap of minor league pitchers, acquiring right-hander Casey Meisner from Oakland for reliever Josh Lucas. A two-time minor league All-Star, the 6-foot-7 Meisner is 30-34 with a 3.66 ERA over 85 minor league starts and 104 total appearances.Holland will report to Class A Palm Beach to prepare for his St. Louis debut. The 32-year-old righty signed a one-year deal for $14 million."It's amazing what it does for our bullpen now," manager Mike Matheny said. "We've seen plenty of him to know this guy is a legit, end-of-the-game pitcher."Holland... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Less than two hours before the start of their season, the St. Louis Cardinals found a closer.Greg Holland and the Cardinals agreed to a $14 million, one-year contract Thursday, according to a person familiar with the deal. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement was pending a physical and had not been announced.A three-time All-Star, Holland was a free agent after leading the National League with 41 saves last year for Colorado. His addition would be a major boost to an unsettled Cardinals bullpen lacking a proven closer in the wake of several injuries."It's great," catcher Yadier Molina said following a 9-4 loss to the New York Mets. "I'm excited. Hopefully everything works out and it happens."Holland turned down a $17.4 million, one-year qualifying offer from the Rockies last fall. If the Cardinals complete the deal, they will forfeit their second-highest draft pick in June, currently No. 43, and $500,000 of international signing bonus allocation... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Less than two hours before the start of their season, the St. Louis Cardinals found a closer.Greg Holland and the Cardinals agreed to a $14 million, one-year contract Thursday, according to a person familiar with the deal. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement was pending a physical and had not been announced.A three-time All-Star, Holland was a free agent after leading the National League with 41 saves last year for Colorado. His addition would be a major boost to an unsettled Cardinals bullpen lacking a proven closer in the wake of several injuries.Holland turned down a $17.4 million, one-year qualifying offer from the Rockies last fall. If the Cardinals complete the deal, they will forfeit their second-highest draft pick in June, currently No. 43, and $500,000 of international signing bonus allocation for the 2018-19 signing period.St. Louis had planned to use newcomer Luke Gregerson in the ninth inning, but he strained his left hamstring late... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — No more practice runs for Mickey Callaway.Opening day has arrived for the rookie manager of the New York Mets, and his heart probably will be pounding at a mile a minute by the time Noah Syndergaard fires his first 100 mph fastball Thursday against the St. Louis Cardinals."I usually go out in the dugout about an hour before the game because I like to watch the fans come in and feel the ballpark come alive," Callaway said. "I've never been able to do that here at Citi Field. I can only imagine what it's going to be like, so that's when I'm going to get the goose bumps."Yoenis Cespedes, Jay Bruce and the rest of Callaway's club worked out Wednesday under overcast skies in Queens as they got ready to face Carlos Martinez and the Cardinals in their opener. Traditional bunting was already draped around the stands, while painters and other workers put the finishing touches on some spruced-up clubs and corridors inside.Syndergaard will get the ball for his second consecutive opening-day... [More]

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright will start the season on the disabled list because of a strained left hamstring.The Cardinals made the announcement Sunday. With the longtime ace out, rookie Jack Flaherty will begin the year in the rotation as the fifth starter.Wainwright recently hurt his hamstring in a conditioning drill. Closer Luke Gregerson also injured a hamstring during a drill and will be on the DL.The 36-year-old Wainwright had pitched well this spring and was set to start the second game of the season, on Saturday in New York against the Mets. That slot also would've lined him up to pitch the home opener on April 5 against Arizona.Wainwright was 12-5 with a 5.11 ERA last year.The 22-year-old Flaherty made his major league debut last season and went 0-2 with a 6.33 ERA in six games.

Capsules of National League Central teams, listed in order of finish last year:___Chicago Cubs2017: 92-70, first place, lost to Dodgers in NLCS.Manager: Joe Maddon (fourth season).He's Here: RHP Yu Darvish, RHP Brandon Morrow, RHP Tyler Chatwood, RHP Steve Cishek, LHP Drew Smyly, C Chris Gimenez.He's Outta Here: RHP Wade Davis, C Alex Avila, C Rene Rivera.Projected Lineup: CF Ian Happ (.253, 24 HRs, 68 RBIs, .842 OPS) or Albert Almora Jr. (.298, 8, 46), 3B Kris Bryant (.295, 29, 73, 38 2Bs, 111 runs), 1B Anthony Rizzo (.273, 32, 109, 91 BBs), C Willson Contreras (.276, 21, 74), LF Kyle Schwarber (.211, 30, 59), SS Addison Russell (.239, 12, 43), RF Jason Heyward (.259, 11, 59), 2B Javier Baez (.273, 23, 75, .796 OPS).Rotation: LH Jon Lester (13-8, 4.33 ERA, 180 Ks), RH Kyle Hendricks (7-5, 3.03), RH Yu Darvish (10-12, 3.86, 209 Ks with Rangers and Dodgers), LH Jose Quintana (11-11, 4.15, 207 Ks with White Sox and Cubs), RH Tyler Chatwood (8-15, 4.69 with Rockies).Key Relievers: RH Brandon... [More]

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — St. Louis closer Luke Gregerson will begin the season on the disabled list with a hamstring strain, manager Mike Matheny said on Saturday.Gregerson injured the hamstring during conditioning drills. He hasn't pitched in a Grapefruit League game since Tuesday, when he struck out two in an inning. There is no announced timetable for his return."Hamstrings are so difficult to predict," Matheny said.The Cardinals signed Gregerson during the offseason to be their closer. He saved 31 games for Houston in 2015 and 15 more the following season.Gregerson worked three perfect innings this spring for the Cardinals."He's frustrated, too," Matheny said. "He's had a long career and been a guy that's been durable."Earlier this spring, Gregerson missed time because of oblique tightness. Matheny said he didn't believe the two issues were related."He bounced back pretty quick which is hopefully an indicator of how quickly he's able to bounce back from injury," Matheny said.Without Gregerson,... [More]

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — St. Louis closer Luke Gregerson will begin the season on the disabled list with a hamstring strain, manager Mike Matheny said on Saturday.Gregerson injured the hamstring during conditioning drills. He hasn't pitched in a Grapefruit League game since Tuesday, when he struck out two in an inning. There is no announced timetable for his return.The Cardinals signed Gregerson during the offseason to be their closer. He saved 31 games for Houston in 2015 and 15 more the following season.Earlier this spring, Gregerson missed time because of oblique tightness. Matheny said he didn't believe the two issues were related.Without Gregerson, Matheny intends to select his closer on a game-by-game basis based on matchups. Righties Dominic Leone and Bud Norris, along with lefty Tyler Lyons, figure to be in the mix.___More AP baseball coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

Capsules of National League Central teams, listed in order of finish last year:___Chicago Cubs2017: 92-70, first place, lost to Dodgers in NLCS.Manager: Joe Maddon (fourth season).He's Here: RHP Yu Darvish, RHP Brandon Morrow, RHP Tyler Chatwood, RHP Steve Cishek, LHP Drew Smyly, C Chris Gimenez.He's Outta Here: RHP Wade Davis, C Alex Avila, C Rene Rivera.Projected Lineup: CF Ian Happ (.253, 24 HRs, 68 RBIs, .842 OPS) or Albert Almora Jr. (.298, 8, 46), 3B Kris Bryant (.295, 29, 73, 38 2Bs, 111 runs), 1B Anthony Rizzo (.273, 32, 109, 91 BBs), C Willson Contreras (.276, 21, 74), LF Kyle Schwarber (.211, 30, 59), SS Addison Russell (.239, 12, 43), RF Jason Heyward (.259, 11, 59), 2B Javier Baez (.273, 23, 75, .796 OPS).Rotation: LH Jon Lester (13-8, 4.33 ERA, 180 Ks), RH Kyle Hendricks (7-5, 3.03), RH Yu Darvish (10-12, 3.86, 209 Ks with Rangers and Dodgers), LH Jose Quintana (11-11, 4.15, 207 Ks with White Sox and Cubs), RH Tyler Chatwood (8-15, 4.69 with Rockies).Key Relievers: RH Brandon... [More]

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]

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Adam Wainwright believes he can still be the best pitcher in baseball, even at 36 years old and coming off an injury-riddled season that was the worst of his illustrious career.Whether the right-hander's assessment is anywhere near correct could determine not only his future in baseball, but that of the St. Louis Cardinals.When St. Louis opens its season at the New York Mets on March 29, it will do so in the unfamiliar position as an underdog in the National League Central.The Cardinals have missed the playoffs in each of the last two seasons — the first time that's happened in back-to-back years since 2007 and '08 — and many believe they enter this year chasing both the rival Chicago Cubs and up-and-coming Milwaukee Brewers."There are people all across this country that don't necessarily have us written in to win the National League Central," manager Mike Matheny said. "To me, that's a challenge."To keep pace or overtake the Cubs and Brewers, St. Louis is counting on the... [More]

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Dallas Keuchel's new suit arrived not a moment too soon.Now the ace pitcher has the proper attire to wear when visiting the most famous residence in the country.Keuchel and his World Series champion Houston teammates will leave their spring training home Monday morning to visit the White House."I'm looking forward to it," Keuchel said. "I got a new suit. Also gained some pounds, so my old suits didn't fit."It's customary for the president of the United States to invite champions from many sports to visit the White House. Houston is taking advantage of an off-day in its Grapefruit League schedule to accept the invitation from President Donald Trump.The tentative schedule has the Astros leaving West Palm Beach early in the morning, arriving at the White House around noon and returning to South Florida later that evening."If you're going to spend an off-day doing something, other than relaxing, I think the White House is a pretty good gig," Keuchel said.Keuchel... [More]

Now that Ichiro Suzuki is back with the Seattle Mariners, he hopes to stick around a while."I think everybody hears that I want to play until I'm 50," he said through a translator. "But I want to make sure everybody understands that I always say at least 50."The 44-year-old outfielder rejoined his former team Wednesday with a $750,000, one-year contract."Even in the offseason when I would go back to Japan, I always came back to Seattle. This was my home ... has always been my home," he said. "Somewhere deep inside, I wanted to return and wear this uniform again."Suzuki was the AL MVP and Rookie of the Year with Seattle in 2001. He was traded to the New York Yankees during the 2012 season and spent three years in Miami.Suzuki has a .312 career average and 3,080 hits, not including the 1,278 hits he totaled in Japan. He played 136 games last year for the Marlins and hit .255 with a .318 on-base percentage.Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said discussions about Suzuki's return intensified... [More]

Now that Ichiro Suzuki is back with the Seattle Mariners, he hopes to stick around a while."I think everybody hears that I want to play until I'm 50," he said through a translator. "But I want to make sure everybody understands that I always say at least 50."The 44-year-old outfielder rejoined his former team Wednesday with a $750,000, one-year contract."Even in the offseason when I would go back to Japan, I always came back to Seattle. This was my home ... has always been my home," he said. "Somewhere deep inside, I wanted to return and wear this uniform again."Suzuki was the AL MVP and Rookie of the Year with Seattle in 2001. He was traded to the New York Yankees during the 2012 season and spent three years in Miami.Suzuki has a .312 career average and 3,080 hits, not including the 1,278 hits he totaled in Japan. He played 136 games last year for the Marlins and hit .255 with a .318 on-base percentage.Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said discussions about Suzuki's return intensified... [More]

Now that Ichiro Suzuki is back with the Seattle Mariners, he hopes to stick around a while."I think everybody hears that I want to play until I'm 50," he said through a translator. "But I want to make sure everybody understands that I always say at least 50."The 44-year-old outfielder rejoined his former team Wednesday with a $750,000, one-year contract."Even in the offseason when I would go back to Japan, I always came back to Seattle. This was my home ... has always been my home," he said. "Somewhere deep inside, I wanted to return and wear this uniform again."Suzuki was the AL MVP and Rookie of the Year with Seattle in 2001. He was traded to the New York Yankees during the 2012 season and spent three years in Miami.Suzuki has a .312 career average and 3,080 hits, not including the 1,278 hits he totaled in Japan. He played 136 games last year for the Marlins and hit .255 with a .318 on-base percentage.Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said discussions about Suzuki's return intensified... [More]

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — St. Louis closer Luke Gregerson is expected to be sidelined for at least several days with tightness in his oblique."No sense in trying to pitch him at this point," manager Mike Matheny said Wednesday.Gregerson signed an $11 million, two-year contract. The 33-year-old right-hander has appeared in one exhibition game, striking out two in a hitless inning Saturday.Not a traditional high-velocity closer, Gregerson relies on motion and sink."Some of the ugliest swings we've seen all spring," Matheny said after that outing. "Gregerson walked out there and just had a different look to it. The break was different. His movement, his location. They were different at-bats. You see guys taking pitches, they are jumping out of the way and it's called a strike. That's just telling you it's not like everybody else."Gregerson first began feeling the tightness in the days that followed that appearance. He was originally scheduled to throw again on Monday but instead met with the trainers."I think he's going to be held back a little bit," Matheny said. "From what I heard it wasn't one of those ones that were like, Woah!" Matheny said.Gregerson is 35-36 with a 3.02 ERA in nine big league seasons. He saved 31 games for Houston in 2015 and 15 more the following season before Ken Giles took over as closer last year for a team that won its first World Series title.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Beard and all, a most familiar face is back in the St. Louis Cardinals clubhouse."Once I walked in, seeing the guys, seeing the coaches, it's like being back at home," reliever Jason Motte said Monday. "This is where I started my career. This is where everything began."After signing a minor league deal over the weekend, Motte returned to the Cardinals for the first time since 2014.The 35-year-old Motte began his professional career as catcher in the Cardinals' organization before making the switch to the mound. He took over the closer's role late in 2011 and was on the mound that fall, inducing a flyball from Texas' David Murphy for the final out in Game 7 of the World Series."He's been there, got some big outs for the Cardinals," St. Louis pitching coach Mike Maddux said.Motte led the National League with 42 saves for the Cardinals in 2012. An elbow injury that required ligament replacement surgery caused him to miss all of 2013.Upon his return, Motte posted a 4.68... [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]

A team-by-team look at the National League Central 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:___Chicago CubsManager: Joe Maddon (fourth season).2017: 92-70, first place, lost to Dodgers in NLCS.Training Town: Mesa, Arizona.Park: Sloan Park.First Workout: Feb. 14/19.He's Here: RHP Brandon Morrow, RHP Tyler Chatwood, RHP Steve Cishek, LHP Drew Smyly.He's Outta Here: RHP Wade Davis, C Alex Avila, C Rene Rivera.Going campin': Chicago is coming off three consecutive NLCS appearances, and it looked a little tired when its title defense came to an end with a lopsided playoff loss to Los Angeles last year. The bullpen was hit hard by the Dodgers in the NLCS, and the Cubs batted just .168 in 10 postseason games. The roster returns mostly intact, but the bullpen and coaching staff each has a new look. Morrow replaces Davis at closer after agreeing to a $21 million, two-year contract. Jim... [More]

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Mike Matheny is well aware that he has yet to earn a World Series championship ring during his six seasons as the manager of the Cardinals. It's not like St. Louis, an 11-time World Series champion, would let him forget.When the Cardinals begin spring training next week in Jupiter, Florida, they'll do so as an underdog behind NL rivals Chicago and Milwaukee. Both the Cubs and Brewers finished ahead of St. Louis last year. The Cardinals have missed the playoffs in consecutive years for the first time since 2007 and '08."The World Series is what we're paid to chase and what our fans expect, and that's exactly what we want to chase and what we expect of ourselves," said Matheny, who replaced Tony La Russa.The Cardinals were 83-79 last season after injuries to top pitching prospect Alex Reyes and free agent signing Dexter Fowler.Reyes is expected to return this season, Fowler is healthy and St. Louis acquired left fielder Marcell Ozuna from Miami in one of the offseason's bigger... [More]