CLEVELAND (AP) — The Indians have invited Mike Napoli to another party.It could be over earlier than the last one.Cleveland agreed to a minor league contract on Tuesday with the popular free agent slugger, whose powerful swing and clubhouse leadership were instrumental to the Indians reaching the World Series in 2016.Also that year, "Party At Napolis" became a rallying cry for Indians fans who embraced the bearded and brawny Napoli.Napoli's deal is contingent upon him passing a physical with the club at training camp in Goodyear, Arizona. The Indians don't have a roster spot for the 36-year-old Napoli, but manager Terry Francona wanted to give him an opportunity to showcase himself during spring games.Napoli had been working out with unsigned free agents in Bradenton, Florida, before the Indians called."It's a situation where a player that is universally respected in our organization, he shouldn't be in that camp," Francona said."There is a decent chance we're going to get him ready to... [More]

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — Tyler Clippard pitched hitless ball for two innings for a players' association team against Japanese amateurs, trying to impress scouts and regain a major league job.Thirty-eight players have attended a free agent camp that opened Feb. 14, and the union put together an exhibition game Tuesday against the East Japan Railway Company.The starting lineup included center fielder Alejandro De Aza, catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, designated hitter Juan Francisco, first baseman Tyler Moore, right fielder Luke Scott, third baseman Chris Johnson, shortstop Omar Infante, left fielder Nolan Reimold and second baseman Tyler Ladendorf. The free agents won 2-0 in five innings, allowing just one hit. Several scouts looked on.Two players agreed to minor league deals after attending camp: right-hander Carlos Torres with Cleveland and left-hander Tommy Layne with Boston. First baseman Mike Napoli had been on the roster for the exhibition, but left to finalize a minor league contract with the Indians.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

Mike Napoli is getting another swing with the Cleveland Indians.The free agent slugger has agreed to a minor league contract with the team, pending the completion of a physical. Napoli spent 2016 with the Indians and had a major role in getting the club to the World Series.Napoli became one of the Indians most popular players as "Party At Napolis" became a theme and rallying cry among fans that season. Napoli posted career highs with 34 homers and 101 RBIs in Cleveland, but was not re-signed and spent last season with Texas.Napoli had been working out with other unsigned free agents at a camp in Bradenton, Florida, before the Indians called.The Indians are set at designated hitter (Edwin Encarnacion) and first base (Yonder Alonso), so there isn't an immediate roster spot for Napoli.However, manager Terry Francona may want to keep the 36-year-old Napoli around because of his leadership skills.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

Mike Napoli is getting another swing with the Cleveland Indians.The free agent slugger has agreed to a minor league contract with the team, pending the completion of a physical. Napoli spent 2016 with the Indians and had a major role in getting the club to the World Series.Napoli became one of the Indians most popular players as "Party At Napolis" became a theme and rallying cry among fans that season. Napoli posted career-highs with 34 homers and 101 RBIs in Cleveland, but was not re-signed and spent last season with Texas.Napoli had been working out with other unsigned free agents at a camp in Bradenton, Florida, before the Indians called.The Indians are set at designated hitter (Edwin Encarnacion) and first base (Yonder Alonso), so there isn't an immediate roster spot for Napoli. However, manager Terry Francona may want to keep the 36-year-old Napoli around because of his leadership skills.

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — The Texas Rangers are famished for success after a down 2017.After winning back-to-back AL West championships, the Rangers went from winning 97 games in 2016 to a 78-84 record last season and finishing 23 games behind the Houston Astros."Hungry dogs run faster," Rangers manager Jeff Banister said Tuesday, the first day of the club's full-squad workout. "That may be a T-shirt."Pitchers, by design, did not throw batting practice for the initial day with position players on the field.Shortstop Elvis Andrus was unable to make it through the first day, leaving early with back spasms. Left-hander Matt Moore, who had been slowed by a tender right knee, was cleared to participate in pitcher's fielding practice. Left-hander Martin Perez, who suffered a broken right arm in a December incident with a bull on his Venezuelan ranch, is improving."He's throwing only," assistant general manager Jayce Tingler said. "He's progressing, just more precautionary. He's right on pace."The... [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]

1B/DH Mike Napoli will be limited to pinch hitting and possibly an occasional start at DH because of stress reaction in his lower right leg. The injury flared up in the past couple of weeks, but has reached a point where playing in the field is not an option. And with Adrian Beltre (hamstring) limited to the DH spot, Napoli's only role will be off the bench. Napoli has 29 homers but is hitting just .193 with a .285 on-base percentage and .428 slugging percentage.

1B Mike Napoli started in the field Thursday one day after revealing that he had a stress reaction in his lower right leg. The Rangers acknowledged there was some risk in Napoli playing. "What I do know about Nap is that he's a grinder," manager Jeff Banister said. "He knows what it's like to play long seasons and into the playoffs. He knows what it takes through the month of September and what you have to put yourself through. I feel confident that he'll be ready in any capacity we ask him to be in."

1B Mike Napoli has a stress reaction in his lower right leg and didn't play Wednesday against Seattle. Napoli started feeling discomfort last week and underwent two MRI exams earlier this week. Napoli could come off the bench if needed and may get some starts down the stretch. "There is some risk in playing on it," general manager Jon Daniels said. "He can play to tolerance."

1B Mike Napoli is only 5-for-45 in his last 14 games, but three of those hits have left the ballpark. Napoli hit his 29th homer on Wednesday in the first game of a doubleheader. Napoli has homered in five of his last 17 games.

1B Mike Napoli snapped out of an 0-for-18 slump with a three-run home run to break open a 3-1 game in the fourth inning against Houston. His 28 home runs are second on the Rangers behind Joey Gallo's 36, and with his. 195 batting average, he trails only Mark McGwire (29 in 2001) and Mark Reynolds (32 in 2010) for most home runs by a player hitting under .200.

1B Mike Napoli hit a solo home run against the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday, his 13th at Angel Stadium since he was traded by Los Angeles following the 2010 season. Napoli came in with a 1.069 on-base-plus-slugging percentage at Angel Stadium, the highest by an opponent with at least 100 plate appearances.

1B Mike Napoli went 2-for-4 to raise his average to .203. It's the highest Napoli's average has been since Aug. 1.

1B Mike Napoli hit a three-run homer and added a two-run double as part of his 2-for-5 night. The five RBIs are one shy of his career high. It's his first five-RBI game since April 22, 2013, when he was playing for the Boston Red Sox.

1B Mike Napoli ended a 3-for-24 slump in a big way with his two-run homer into the Texas bullpen in the fourth inning on Friday. The homer gave Napoli 25 on the season, marking the fourth time in his career he has hit at least 25 homers. The other three seasons were 2010, 2011 and 2016.

DH Mike Napoli was hitting .326 against left-handed pitching since May 11, entering Sunday's game. He struck out twice against Orioles starter Wade Miley and went 0-for-4 with three strikouts Sunday.

1B Mike Napoli tripled to begin the Texas second. It was Napoli's first triple since May 24, 2016 while with the Indians. It was his 11th career triple. He has never had more than two triples in a season. He broke into the majors in 2006.

1B Mike Napoli's seventh-inning pinch-homer was the Rangers' first since Leonys Martin on May 19, 2015, at Boston. It was the Rangers' first pinch go-ahead home run in the seventh inning or later since Jurickson Profar on Sept. 26, 2013, a walk-off against the Angels. "Mike Napoli is always a threat," Rangers manager Jeff Banister said.

1B Mike Napoli hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning. The homer gave him home runs in each of the last four games. That's the most since he homered in a career high five-straight games last year for Cleveland.

1B Mike Napoli hit a solo home run leading off the fourth inning. He has homered in consecutive games for the first time since July 30 to Aug. 2, 2016.