TOKYO (AP) — Talk about a serious home-field advantage.Ichiro Suzuki had it on a night to celebrate all things Ichiro — "Ichiromania" in other words — as he started for the Seattle Mariners against the Oakland Athletics in MLB's opening game of the season.About 45,000 voices in a sellout crowd on Wednesday at the Tokyo Dome chanted his name as he took his place in right field. The scene is likely to be repeated on Thursday when the teams finish their Tokyo series. That game may also mark and end for the 45-year-old Ichiro, though no one is saying."I thought it was amazing to see the crowd come out here for him," Mariners second baseman Dee Gordon said after a 9-7 win. "This whole situation is pretty much for him and he deserves it."Ichiro provided his usual flair early, catching a ball behind his back during batting practice.Cameras flashed and chants echoed all around the park when Ichiro came to bat in the third inning. But with fans eager to see him deliver, he popped up with a runner... [More]

TOKYO (AP) — Jay Bruce of the Seattle Mariners has gotten the first hit of the 2019 Major League Baseball season and Oakland's Stephen Piscotty has connected for the first home run.Bruce lined a single off the glove of shifted Athletics shortstop Marcus Semien with two outs in the top of the first inning Wednesday at the Tokyo Dome. Piscotty homered to center field in the bottom of the first off Marco Gonzales.Oakland's Mike Fiers threw the first pitch of the season, a ball to Dee Gordon at 6:36 p.m. (5:36 a.m. EDT).Mariners newcomer Edwin Encarnacion was the first player to strike out this year and Seattle third baseman Ryon Healy made the first error.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

TOKYO (AP) — Talk about a serious home-field advantage.Ichiro Suzuki had it on a night to celebrate all things Ichiro — "Ichiromania" in other words — as he started for the Seattle Mariners against the Oakland Athletics in MLB's opening game of the season.About 45,000 voices in a sellout crowd on Wednesday at the Tokyo Dome chanted his name as he took his place in right field. The scene is likely to be repeated on Thursday when the teams finish their Tokyo series. That game may also mark and end for the 45-year-old Ichiro, though no one is saying.The season began at 6:36 p.m. (5:36 a.m. EDT) when Mike Fiers threw ball one to Mariners leadoff man Dee Gordon.But there was no doubt which player most fans came to see.Hundreds wore Ichiro jerseys — of different eras and colors — emblazoned with No. 51, and a military band played a Sousa march in the pregame ceremonies.A half-dozen fans lined up just behind the third-base dugout and held up cards spelling out his name in Japanese. Another wore... [More]

TOKYO (AP) — Jay Bruce of the Seattle Mariners has gotten the first hit of the 2019 Major League Baseball season and Oakland's Stephen Piscotty has connected for the first home run.Bruce lined a single off the glove of shifted Athletics shortstop Marcus Semien with two outs in the top of the first inning Wednesday at the Tokyo Dome. Piscotty homered to center field in the bottom of the first off Marco Gonzales.Oakland's Mike Fiers threw the first pitch of the season, a ball to Dee Gordon at 6:36 p.m. (5:36 a.m. EDT).

HOUSTON (AP) — Alex Bregman and the Houston Astros have agreed on a $100 million, six-year deal that keeps the All-Star third baseman under contract with the team through 2024, according to a person with direct knowledge of the situation.The agreement includes this season, buys out three years of arbitration eligibility (2020-22) and pushes back Bregman's opportunity to become a free agent by two years. The person spoke Tuesday night on condition of anonymity because details had not been released by the team. The agreement was first reported by KRIV-FOX 26.The 24-year-old Bregman made his first All-Star team last season and was selected MVP of the game after hitting a home run to help the American League win. He set career highs with a .286 batting average, 31 homers, 103 RBIs and a major league-leading 51 doubles, finishing fifth in AL MVP balloting.The second overall pick in the 2015 amateur draft out of LSU, Bregman has hit .282 with 58 homers and 208 RBIs in 2½ seasons with the Astros,... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Carlos Gonzalez's career is laden with personal achievements — a batting title, three All-Star appearances, three Gold Gloves.He has earned the respect of teammates and opponents and the unwavering devotion of Colorado fans, who have spent the past decade cheering the outfielder known simply as "CarGo."But something is missing and Gonzalez thinks he might find it in Cleveland. The free agent signed a minor league contract on Tuesday with the Indians, who might have a starting outfield spot for him."Looking at the roster and the past of this organization, this was an easy decision," Gonzalez said. "This is a team that not too long ago was playing in a World Series. As a baseball player, I think it is everybody's dream to be at that stage, to play for a championship. I want to be in the position to be in that category. This lineup, the rotation, this bullpen is built for winning."Gonzalez could help the Indians settle their outfield situation, which became muddled following... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Carlos Gonzalez's career is laden with personal achievements — a batting title, three All-Star appearances, three Gold Gloves.He has earned the respect of teammates and opponents and the unwavering devotion of Colorado fans, who have spent the past decade cheering the outfielder known simply as "CarGo."But something is missing and Gonzalez thinks he might find it in Cleveland. The free agent signed a minor league contract on Tuesday with the Indians, who might have a starting outfield spot for him."Looking at the roster and the past of this organization, this was an easy decision," Gonzalez said. "This is a team that not too long ago was playing in a World Series. As a baseball player, I think it is everybody's dream to be at that stage, to play for a championship. I want to be in the position to be in that category. This lineup, the rotation, this bullpen is built for winning."Gonzalez could help the Indians settle their outfield situation, which became muddled following... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Carlos Gonzalez's career is laden with personal achievements — a batting title, three All-Star appearances, three Gold Gloves.He has earned the respect of teammates and opponents and the unwavering devotion of Colorado fans, who have spent the past decade cheering the outfielder known simply as "CarGo."But something is missing and Gonzalez thinks he might find it in Cleveland. The free agent signed a minor league contract on Tuesday with the Indians, who might have a starting outfield spot for him."Looking at the roster and the past of this organization, this was an easy decision," Gonzalez said. "This is a team that not too long ago was playing in a World Series. As a baseball player, I think it is everybody's dream to be at that stage, to play for a championship. I want to be in the position to be in that category. This lineup, the rotation, this bullpen is built for winning."Gonzalez could help the Indians settle their outfield situation, which became muddled following... [More]

DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP) — Charlie Montoyo thought he would be taking a hard line against video games in his first year as Toronto Blue Jays manager.Before he could put his foot down on Fortnite, the players took it upon themselves to govern their gaming."We're going to play less, I know that," Montoyo said. "It's actually not my rule. It's our clubhouse rule."The role of video games at the ballpark was put in the crosshairs Monday when ESPN reported that veteran first baseman Carlos Santana smashed a television in the Philadelphia Phillies' clubhouse last September to stop teammates from playing Fortnite. Santana, now with the Cleveland Indians, told ESPN that Phillies players were sneaking into the locker room to play during games.Manager Gabe Kapler acknowledged the Fortnite playing, but he and pitcher Jake Arrieta deny it was happening during games."Our players say that that wasn't the case, and I trust our players," Kapler said.Video games have long been a pastime for big leaguers, but Fortnite... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Free agent Carlos Gonzalez has signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians, who just might have an outfield spot for the three-time All-Star.Gonzalez could help the Indians settle their outfield situation, which became muddled following the club's decision not to re-sign All-Star Michael Brantley and other moves.The 33-year-old Gonzalez spent 10 seasons with Colorado and was one of the team's best players and emotional leader. He left the Rockies after 2017 before re-signing with Colorado last March to a one-year, $5 million contract.If he makes Cleveland's 40-man roster, Gonzalez will get a $2 million contract in the majors. He can earn $1 million more in bonuses.A .287 career hitter with 231 home runs, Gonzalez was streaky last season when he batted .276 with 16 homers and 64 RBIs. Gonzalez hit 40 homers in 2015, and he might be able to help Cleveland offset the loss of slugger Edwin Encarnacion.___More AP baseball coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP) — Charlie Montoyo thought he would be taking a hard line against video games in his first year as Toronto Blue Jays manager.Before he could put his foot down on Fortnite, the players took it upon themselves to govern their gaming."We're going to play less, I know that," Montoyo said. "It's actually not my rule. It's our clubhouse rule."The role of video games at the ballpark was put in the crosshairs Monday when ESPN reported that veteran first baseman Carlos Santana smashed a television in the Philadelphia Phillies' clubhouse last September to stop teammates from playing Fortnite. Santana, now with the Cleveland Indians, told ESPN that Phillies players were sneaking into the locker room to play during games.Manager Gabe Kapler acknowledged the Fortnite playing, but he and pitcher Jake Arrieta deny it was happening during games."Our players say that that wasn't the case, and I trust our players," Kapler said.Video games have long been a pastime for big leaguers, but Fortnite... [More]

A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that Mike Trout and the Los Angeles Angels are close to finalizing a $432 million, 12-year contract that would shatter the record for the largest deal in North American sports history.The deal was disclosed Tuesday by a person familiar with the negotiations who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been finalized and had not been announced.Trout would top the new $330 million, 12-year contract between Bryce Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies, and his $36 million average annual value would surpass Zack Greinke's $34.4 million in a six-year deal with Arizona that started in 2016.Progress toward an agreement was first reported by ESPN.Trout's deal includes a signing bonus and would supersede the $144.5 million, six-year contract that had been set to pay him $66.5 million over the next two seasons.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — Former captain David Wright showed up at Mets spring training camp Monday and spoke to reporters before New York's game against the Washington Nationals, repeatedly referring fondly to "Al and Johnny."It's that kind of attitude and personal touch, a sort of chumminess that develops within a clubhouse and organization, that Wright thinks can be essential to a winning team."Al and Johnny" are Al Leiter and John Franco, former Mets pitchers who were added to the front office two weeks ago in advisory positions.Wright said the topic of close bonds and friendships that are forged during successful seasons was brought up in a morning meeting with them and new general manager Brodie Van Wagenen, who has communicated regularly with Wright about player development in his own new advisory role."The biggest thing in listening to Al and Johnny, specifically, is it seemed like the years when we put it all together, it was more than just (games)," Wright said, referring to... [More]

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — Jung Ho Kang and Erik Gonzalez have won starting jobs in the infield with the Pittsburgh Pirates.General manager Neal Huntington said Monday that Kang has beaten out Colin Moran at third base and Erik Gonzalez has won the shortstop competition over Kevin Newman."It was not an easy decision because all four guys, in their own way, had legitimate claims to be the regular," Huntington said.Kang is just 5 for 28 (.185) with 13 strikeouts this spring but all five hits have been solo home runs. Moran was 6 for 28 (.214) with a double and a homer through the weekend.Moran, however, had committed four errors while Kang had two."The power has been real," manager Clint Hurdle said of Kang. "It's spring training, but it's five homers. We don't have anybody else that's hit five homers."Kang missed the entire 2017 season and the beginning of 2018 because he was unable to secure a work visa to travel from his native South Korea following a third DUI arrest. He then underwent wrist... [More]

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — Jung Ho Kang and Erik Gonzalez have won starting jobs in the infield with the Pittsburgh Pirates.General manager Neal Huntington said Monday that Kang has beaten out Colin Moran at third base and Erik Gonzalez has won the shortstop competition over Kevin Newman."It was not an easy decision because all four guys, in their own way, had legitimate claims to be the regular," Huntington said.Kang is just 5 for 28 (.185) with 13 strikeouts this spring but all five hits have been solo home runs. Moran was 6 for 28 (.214) with a double and a homer through the weekend.Moran, however, had committed four errors while Kang had two."The power has been real," manager Clint Hurdle said of Kang. "It's spring training, but it's five homers. We don't have anybody else that's hit five homers."Kang missed the entire 2017 season and the beginning of 2018 because he was unable to secure a work visa to travel from his native South Korea following a third DUI arrest. He then underwent wrist... [More]

TOKYO (AP) — Amid all the hoopla surrounding Ichiro Suzuki's return to Japan with the Seattle Mariners, it's been easy to overlook something else: the Oakland Athletics are here, too.The A's are used to being seen as the also-rans, and even relish it. They were a playoff team last season — not the Mariners. And when "Ichiromania" subsides after the season-opening games in the Tokyo Dome on Wednesday and Thursday, the A's will again be under-the-radar favorites."The A's have always been an underdog organization no matter how you put it," A's pitcher Liam Hendriks said. "We enjoy proving people wrong."Teammate Stephen Piscotty, who is playing for his childhood team, put it a different way."I don't think we care too much about how that's viewed," he said. "Last year's expectations weren't all that high, and we showed why that was wrong. We're out this year to take down the division and just play our brand of baseball."Hendriks might be the quintessential Oakland A's player.He grew up in Perth,... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Jacoby Ellsbury expects to play again following a hip injury, but when that will be is not clear."It's hard to say," the 35-year-old New York Yankees center fielder said Monday. "We're putting a plan together right now. But definitely headed in the right direction."Ellsbury reported more than a month late to spring training due to a rehab program in Arizona for left hip surgery performed last August. He also had issues with plantar fasciitis in the right foot during the offseason."The hip's good," Ellsbury said. "After surgery, just building up right now. Just in the beginning stages of baseball activities."He is running, playing short-range catch and hitting off a tee.Ellsbury hurt his right oblique early in spring training last year and eventually spent the entire season on the disabled list."You want to be out there, for sure," Ellsbury said. "That's why I put in the time, put in the work. You want to contribute, you want to be part of the team. Stay optimistic and just put the work in."Ellsbury is guaranteed $21,142,857 annually through 2020 as part of a $153 million, seven-year contract that includes a $21 million team option for 2021 with a $5 million buyout.Ellsbury hit .264 with seven homers and 39 RBIs in 112 games in 2017.___More AP baseball coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Jack Flaherty has done the math, and it all adds up. The young St. Louis pitcher is in line to start the Cardinals' home opener."Freakin' cool," the 23-year-old Flaherty said, sporting a huge grin. "To put it as forward as I can, it would be freakin' sweet."Other than announcing Miles Mikolas as the opening day starter March 28 at Milwaukee, manager Mike Shildt has yet to make public his starting rotation, nor has he discussed it with Flaherty.But with one Grapefruit League start remaining, Flaherty is in position to make the Cardinals' second start of the season. And if that schedule plays out as expected, his second turn figures to be the home opener on April 4 against San Diego."We know Jack's commitment, that's really evident," Shildt said. "We know Jack is athletic, that's on display. We know Jack's got all the pitches. We know Jack competes really well."The right-handed Flaherty throws a mid-90s mph fastball, a curve and a changeup, but it's a hard-biting slider... [More]

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Among various sheets of paper thumbtacked to the corkboard in Dave Martinez's spring training office — Florida Kitchen Staff, Important Dates, Pitchers Work Groups — there's one in the upper-left corner entitled Face Fear Like Bison.The Washington Nationals' manager came across its three-sentence message this offseason: "When a storm brews on the horizon, most animals run away from it. But bison instinctively run directly toward storms to minimize the amount of time they're exposed to the elements. So face adversity head-on and power through whatever comes your way."That, Martinez explained in an interview, captures the way he plans to approach his second season as a major league skipper, which begins when the Nationals host the New York Mets on March 28."When I first saw it, I read it. I read it again. And I read it again. And I was like, 'I get that.' Sometimes you need to have a tough conversation or face a tough situation," he said, punching his left palm... [More]

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — The Washington Nationals are counting on Tony Sipp to give them something their bullpen lacked: a lefty reliever to go after lefty hitters in late-game situations.A person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Sipp and the Nationals agreed in principle on a one-year contract for 2019 that guarantees $1.25 million and includes a mutual option for 2020.The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal was pending the successful completion of a physical exam.Sipp would get a $1 million salary this year, and the contract includes a $2.5 million mutual option for next year, with a $250,000 buyout. There are not any performance bonuses.This move gives Washington's rebuilt bullpen someone to use in a key spot against left-handed batters — such as Bryce Harper, the former Nationals slugger who joined the NL East rival Philadelphia Phillies as a free agent for $330 million over 13 seasons. Solis and Harper have never faced each... [More]