GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — All-Star pitcher Trevor Bauer says the final 10 minutes of his salary arbitration hearing with the Cleveland Indians was "character assassination" against him.Bauer beat Cleveland in arbitration for the second straight year and was awarded $13 million by the three-person panel over the Indians' $11 million offer.A day after the decision, Bauer said Thursday he views the process very intellectual and is unemotional about it. He says it didn't sour his feelings about the Indians.The 28-year-old right-hander finished sixth in AL Cy Young Award voting after going 12-6 with a 2.21 ERA. He missed six weeks late in the season after getting hit on the right leg by a line drive.Bauer anticipates going through arbitration next year. He is eligible for free agency after the 2020 season.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Left-handed reliever Xavier Cedeno and the Chicago Cubs have agreed to a $900.000, one-year contract.The deal is not guaranteed, meaning Cedeno could be released for termination pay before opening day.The 32-year-old went 2-0 with a 2.43 ERA in 48 appearances last season. He began the year with the Chicago White Sox and was traded to Milwaukee on Aug. 31.Lefty batters hit .207 against Cedeno last year.Cedeno made his major league debut in 2011 with Houston. He is 10-7 with a 3.69 ERA in 249 career games for the Astros, Washington, Tampa Bay, White Sox and Brewers.The Athletic was the first to report the move.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals and reliever Jake Diekman agreed Wednesday to a one-year contract that guarantees $2.75 million and includes a mutual option for 2020 plus bonuses that could make it worth $10 million over two seasons.Kansas City made room on its 40-man roster by placing right-hander Jesse Hahn on the 60-day injured list. Hahn is recovering from Tommy John surgery and is not expected to be ready before opening day.The 32-year-old Diekman spent last season with the Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks, making 71 appearances with a career-worst 4.73 ERA. But he's shown shutdown ability during a seven-year career that included a stop in Philadelphia, going 14-15 with a 3.75 ERA.Diekman gets a $2.25 million salary this year, and the deal announced includes a $5.75 million mutual option for 2020 with a $500,000 buyout. He can earn $1 million annually in performance bonuses.The Royals' bullpen was a mess all of last season, and there are plenty of jobs up for grabs this spring training. Kevin McCarthy and Wily Peralta are the only safe bets to make the team.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Aaron Boone kept tuning into postseason games, even after his New York Yankees were eliminated by Boston, and he watched the Red Sox win the World Series."I don't know if it was to torture myself or what," the New York manager said Wednesday as pitchers and catchers reported for spring training. "You put this hat on and this uniform on, to get to wear a big league uniform, you shouldn't need much motivation, but to watch a team that you know so well that's certainly one of your rivals celebrate where you want to be, I think that adds a little fuel to the fire, certainly."The Yankees went 100-62 in Boone's first season as manager, their best record since winning the 2009 World Series, and Boone thinks this team could be better following the additions of left-hander James Paxton, reliever Adam Ottavino, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and infielder DJ LeMahieu."I feel like as we sit in here in early February on paper we probably look a little bit strong," he said. "Hopefully... [More]

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals and reliever Jake Diekman agreed to a $2.75 million, one-year contract on Wednesday that includes a mutual option for the 2020 season.The Royals made room on the 40-man roster by placing right-hander Jesse Hahn on the 60-day injured list. Hahn is still recovering from Tommy John surgery and is not expected before opening day.The 32-year-old Diekman spent last season with the Rangers and Diamondbacks, making 71 appearances with a career-worst 4.73 ERA. But he's shown shutdown ability during a seven-year career that included a stop in Philadelphia, going 14-15 with a 3.75 ERA. Diekman is guaranteed $2.25 million in 2019 and has a $500,000 buyout for 2020.The Royals' bullpen was a mess all of last season, and there are plenty of jobs up for grabs this spring training. Kevin McCarthy and Wily Peralta are the only safe bets to make the team.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani tossed his water bottle toward a clubhouse garbage can and missed, instead landing it in a laundry bin. He laughed out loud, smiled big as he so often does, then retrieved the trash and put it in the proper place.That's about as close to throwing as the Japanese two-way star is right now.Ohtani wouldn't change how he handled his elbow injury late last year, continuing to hit for the Angels until season's end even if it meant delaying reconstructive surgery and his ability to pitch again until 2020."I have no regrets about what happened last year. That's what the team thought about me, the plan," Ohtani said through interpreter Ippei Mizuhara. "In the end it didn't work out but I still have no regrets."The reigning AL Rookie of the Year is recovering from an Oct. 1 Tommy John surgery with the hope he will be able to bat in the Los Angeles lineup as early as May if all stays on schedule."There's a lot of variables. That's the goal I'm shooting for but there... [More]

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals signed veteran reliever Jake Diekman to a $2.75 million, one-year contract on Wednesday that includes a mutual option for the 2020 season.The Royals made room on the 40-man roster by placing right-hander Jesse Hahn on the 60-day injured list. Hahn is still recovering from Tommy John surgery and is not expected before opening day.The 32-year-old Diekman spent last season with the Rangers and Diamondbacks, making 71 appearances with a career-worst 4.73 ERA. But he's shown shutdown ability during a seven-year career that included a stop in Philadelphia, going 14-15 with a 3.75 ERA. Diekman is guaranteed $2.25 million in 2019 and has a $500,000 buyout for 2020.The Royals' bullpen was a mess all of last season, and there are plenty of jobs up for grabs this spring training. Kevin McCarthy and Wily Peralta are the only safe bets to make the team.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Brad Boxberger made it to Royals, 13 years later than Kansas City first envisioned.Kansas City selected the right-hander in the 20th round of the 2006 amateur draft from Foothill High School in North Tustin, California. He opted to go to Southern Cal, and Cincinnati took him three years later with the 43rd overall pick.After seven seasons in the major leagues with San Diego, Tampa Bay and Arizona, the 30-year-old agreed this month to a $2.2 million, one-year contract with the Royals."Just the great opportunity I'd have here," Boxberger explained.Kansas City's bullpen was a strength when the Royals won the 2015 World Series, a group that included Wade Davis, Greg Holland and Kelvin Herrera. Boxberger was an All-Star that year with the Rays, leading the AL with 41 saves.He joins a bullpen that was among the worst in the major leagues last year, compiling a 5.04 ERA and blowing 24 of 57 save chances.Boxberger will compete for the closer's job in spring training with... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — How's this for a mile-high milestone: The Colorado Rockies have one of baseball's best young starting rotations.According to ace Kyle Freeland, at least."I think our rotation can stack up against anybody," Freeland said Wednesday when pitchers and catchers had their first workout.He has a strong case. The Rockies have made the postseason as a wild card each of the past two seasons — a first for the franchise — and the evolutions of young starters like Freeman, German Marquez and Tyler Anderson are a big reason why.The rotation had a 4.17 ERA last season, the second-lowest mark ever for the franchise. Of course, because of the hitter-friendly conditions at Coors Field, the Rockies are unlikely to ever challenge for a team ERA title.Other indicators show them right there with the National League's best. The group made 87 quality starts — only the Dodgers (95) and Milwaukee Brewers (91) had more — while working a league-high 932 innings. Ranked by Fangraphs' wins above... [More]

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — Mickey Callaway's first season as a manager with the New York Mets was ... well ... messy.His team batted out of order due to a lineup-card snafu. Several puzzling decisions drew heavy scrutiny. And the banged-up Mets faded fast following an 11-1 start, finishing eight games under .500."I experienced a ton. I think that's probably the most valuable thing, is just going through it. Going through the ups and downs," Callaway said Wednesday. "I'm looking forward to Year 2."But as he prepares to begin his second spring training in charge, the 43-year-old Callaway is already under plenty of pressure in a potentially dicey situation.The club's new general manager, former player agent Brodie Van Wagenen, didn't hire him. Not to mention, Van Wagenen and chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon want a playoff contender after spending about $80 million on free agents plus more big bucks to obtain second baseman Robinson Cano in a blockbuster trade with Seattle.On paper, the... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — When catching prospect Joey Bart arrived in the San Francisco Giants' camp, he wanted to get over any nervousness about being around veterans such as Madison Bumgarner, so he made a point of introducing himself to the pitcher.The second overall pick in last year's amateur draft had no idea he'd be catching Bumgarner's first bullpen session Wednesday."I was walking in to catch and he was like, 'Let's go on No. 1,'" Bart said. "I was like, 'All right, here we go.'"Bumgarner hopes to bounce back from a disappointing 2018. The left-hander didn't make his season debut until June 5 after breaking the pinkie of his pitching hand when hit by a line drive off the bat of Kansas City's Whit Merrifield late in spring training. Bumgarner went 6-7 with a 3.26 ERA in 21 starts."You can tell he came in ready," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "It was a really good bullpen for him. It's good for the kid to catch him, too. First bullpen and he's catching your No. 1 guy. That's probably... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — When catching prospect Joey Bart arrived in the San Francisco Giants' camp, he wanted to get over any nervousness about being around veterans such as Madison Bumgarner so he made a point of introducing himself to the pitcher.The second overall pick in last year's amateur draft had no idea he'd be catching Bumgarner's first bullpen session on Wednesday."I was walking in to catch and he was like, 'Let's go on No. 1,'" Bart said. "I was like, 'All right, here we go.'"Bumgarner's hopes to bounce back from a disappointing 2018. The left-hander didn't make his season debut until June 5 after breaking the pinkie of his pitching hand when hit by a line drive off the bat of Kansas City's Whit Merrifield late in spring training. Bumgarner went 6-7 with a 3.26 ERA in 21 starts."You can tell he came in ready," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "It was a really good bullpen for him. It's good for the kid to catch him, too. First bullpen and he's catching your No. 1 guy. That's... [More]

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Yu Darvish felt pressure after signing a $126 million, six-year contract with the Chicago Cubs."At the time I didn't say anything about that, but I was thinking I should do something for the Cubs. I should win 20 games," he said Wednesday. "This year I want to be myself. I am feeling less pressure."Darvish went 1-3 with 4.95 ERA in eight starts during 2018, the last coming on May 20. He was sidelined by triceps and elbow injuries, and his season ended in August when an MRI showed a stress reaction in his arm after one inning of a rehab start.The 32-year-old right-hander spoke in English, a sign he is feeling more comfortable, after his first bullpen session of spring training."I am feeling I am family," he said. "I feel good right now."Darvish came to the major leagues from Japan before the 2012 season and became a four-time All-Star with the Texas Rangers. He was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in July 2017 and struggled in the World Series, losing Games 3 and 7 against... [More]

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Left-hander Brett Anderson is back with the Oakland Athletics for a third stint 10 years after breaking into the big leagues with the club.He received a $1.5 million, one-year contract, announced Wednesday at spring training. He can earn an additional $1 million in performance bonuses for starts: $200,000 each for 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24.Anderson went 4-5 with a 4.48 ERA in 17 starts and 80 1/3 innings last season for the A's.The 31-year-old spent the 2009-13 seasons with Oakland before being traded to the Rockies in December 2013.Also Wednesday, the A's placed left-hander Sean Manaea on the 60-day injured list to clear roster room for Anderson.Manaea pitched a no-hitter against Boston on April 21 in a bright start to a season that ended with the ace undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery in September. He is expected to be out until around the All-Star break.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Before the Los Angeles Dodgers pulled the trigger on their January trade to bring back catcher Russell Martin, they watched enough video to convince themselves he would bounce back from career lows in batting average and slugging percentage.On the first official day of pitcher and catcher workouts Wednesday, they couldn't be more pleased with the four-time All-Star."Bringing Martin back, just him getting up to speed with our guys, the early returns have been unbelievable," said Andrew Friedman, Dodgers president of baseball operations. "Not surprising just how much he's already invested into our guys, the questions he's asking. All he wants to do is win and you can see it in everything he does."As a replacement for Yasmani Grandal, who signed as a free agent with Milwaukee, Martin is connecting with returning catcher Austin Barnes and eliminating concerns about the possibility of splitting time."As far as Barnes, he looks like he's a tremendous athlete, a good catcher,... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — A week after outfielder Matt Kemp was traded from the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Cincinnati Reds, he got a sideline pass for Oklahoma basketball game and had a chance meeting with another Oklahoma native: Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench."It was pretty cool," Kemp said. "It just so happened that I just got traded to Cincinnati. It was only right to sit there and chat with him for a while."Kemp learned firsthand about some of the Reds' history after he was included in their biggest offseason trade. Cincinnati acquired Kemp, left-hander Alex Wood, Yasiel Puig and Kyle Farmer for Homer Bailey and minor leaguers Jeter Downs and Josiah Gray on Dec. 21. It was the fourth time the 34-year old outfielder was traded, but this one was unique given that he wasn't alone going to a new team."Transitioning every time is different," he said, as the Reds opened camp with their first workout by catchers and pitchers. "I think this time it is easier. I've got a couple guys here who... [More]

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The Chicago White Sox opened spring training still waiting for Manny Machado."We'll just see when it happens," first baseman Yonder Alonso, Machado's brother-in-law, said Wednesday.Machado, among the offseason's top free agents, still hasn't agreed to a deal. Alonso spoke with the All-Star infielder on Tuesday."We didn't talk about baseball," Alonso said.Chicago hasn't had a winning season since 2012 and is coming off a 100-loss season. The White Sox have added Alonso, right-handers Ivan Nova, Kelvin Herrera and Alex Colome, and outfielder Jon Jay.Dozens of free agents remain on the market."It seems that moves drifting into spring training is becoming a bit of the new normal," general manager Rick Hahn said. "We try to be disciplined in terms of our focus. Certainly we don't want to spend any time negotiating through the media or talking about where things sit publicly until there's some finality."For now at least, Hahn said, "The focus is going to be on the guys in the room, and putting them in the best position to win."Manager Rick Renteria said young players such as outfielder Eloy Jimenez and pitcher Dylan Cease get closer to their major league debuts."We're all excited about all the possibilities as we're moving forward, because now the time has been put in," Renteria said.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Besides figuring out how to fill the glaring hole at third base, San Diego Padres manager Andy Green will have a lot of decisions to make this spring to round out the young, largely inexperienced rotation.With veterans Clayton Richard, Tyson Ross, Phil Hughes and Jordan Lyles gone, the rotation will be headed by left-handers Joey Lucchesi and Eric Lauer, both of whom made their big league debut last year. There will be plenty competition for the other spots, and long-suffering fans should see some of the team's highly touted prospects reach the big leagues this season."You can feel it in the rotation and the guys competing for spots," Green said Wednesday. "It's real competing and talent with some high-ceiling guys that are coming in. There's real excitement about those guys coming in. It's a young group that's very talented."Lucchesi started 26 games last season and led the team in strikeouts by a wide margin with 145 in 130 innings. Lauer started 23 games and pitched... [More]

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — Optimism always runs high on the first day of spring training, even for the Pittsburgh Pirates."This club has a feel that we can be a postseason team, that we can be a team that can advance deep in the postseason," general manager Neal Huntington said Wednesday as workouts started. "Championship teams are based typically around starting pitching and you win the games you're supposed to win because of your back end. Then you score."Pittsburgh hasn't reached the World Series since winning the 1979 title. The Pirates were 82-79 last season, a bit of a surprise after Andrew McCutchen and Gerrit Cole were traded.The Pirates haven't been to the postseason since winning the first NL wild card for three straight seasons from 2013-15. They have not won a division title since 1992.However, the Pirates believe they can contend this year because of a rotation that includes Jameson Taillon, Chris Archer, Trevor Williams and Joe Musgrove. All-Star closer Felipe Vazquez anchors... [More]

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — There have been years in his managerial career where Don Mattingly has arrived for the first day of spring training without any mystery regarding who would be on the 25-man roster coming out of camp.This is not one of those years.And that's just fine with the manager of the Miami Marlins, who is entering his fourth season — and the last under his current contract — with the club that is entering 2019 in a rebuilding mode that has no end in sight. Most pitchers and catchers took part in their first official workout of the spring on Wednesday, an unseasonably cool and drizzly day in South Florida."I like the thought of our competition and the way we're going," Mattingly said. "It's a competitive camp. I think guys react better when they have to compete, fight for things. We find out more about them and hopefully as time continues we just keep stacking up talent where everybody's always fighting to have to show what they can do or there's another guy wanting that spot."The... [More]