PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Mariners reliever David Phelps will miss this season after tearing the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching arm.Seattle general manager Jerry Dipoto announced the diagnosis Wednesday night.Phelps was injured on the final pitch of his previous outing March 17 against the Angels. The right-hander will have Tommy John surgery to repair his elbow, though a surgery date has not been set. The typical recovery time for that operation is 12 to 15 months.The 31-year-old Phelps was 2-1 with a 3.12 ERA in 10 relief appearances with Seattle after a trade from Miami last July. He did two stints on the disabled list with elbow issues last season. Phelps figured to be a key piece in Seattle's bullpen this season.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — An even quieter than usual Zack Greinke declared his return to the mound Wednesday as simply "all right."The Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander threw 60 pitches in an intrasquad game on a back field at the team's spring training facility.It was the first time Greinke had thrown in a game situation since he left a spring training game a week earlier after feeling tightness in his right groin. He recorded eight outs, allowing one run and three hits with three walks and three strikeouts. Greinke threw 34 strikes. The only major league batter he faced was Chris Herrmann, who walked twice.Generally a man of few words, Greinke was especially short when he met with reporters after."My groin's pretty good at the moment," he said of his health issue.Manager Torey Lovullo said the team got what it needed from Greinke in his return."He threw all his pitches. They weren't perfect. We know that," Lovullo said. "And Zack is exceptional with all pitches. So was it a typical Zack... [More]

The Baltimore Orioles figured Alex Cobb would be a fine fit.Cobb stayed in the division he knew best, finalizing a $57 million, four-year contract on Wednesday."They used the AL East and the success I've had in it to their advantage," the 30-year-old right-hander said. "They kept challenging me with it and I love the challenge of pitching in this division and they know that over the times we talked. They did a really good job of making me feel like this is where I need to be."Cobb had spent his entire six-season big league career with Tampa Bay and was the last top starting pitcher available in a slow-moving free agent market.Cobb joined Andrew Cashner and Chris Tillman, who were signed last month, in a revamped rotation that includes holdovers Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman.The Orioles are coming off a last-place finish and 75-87 record.Cobb was 12-10 with a 3.66 ERA in 29 starts last season. He pitched 179 1/3 innings in his first full year back after missing nearly two seasons because... [More]

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Yu Darvish looked as if he would stumble on the mound, yet still managed to unleash a pitch that struck out Drew Robinson of the Rangers."I got off-balance," Darvish said through a translator. "I thought of not throwing it, but I ended up getting a strikeout. I think that was my best pitch of the day."The whole day was rather awkward for Darvish, who faced Texas for the first time since signing a six-year, $126 million contract with the Chicago Cubs last month. The four-time AL All-Star spent his entire major league career with the Rangers until getting traded to the Dodgers last summer. He became a free agent after losing Game 7 of the World Series."I drove myself here today and as I got closer to the stadium, it's nice seeing the scenery I'm used to watching," Darvish said. "There were a lot of familiar hitters. I heard some heckles from the opponent's side and that got me relaxed and I had fun out there."Darvish limited the Rangers to three hits, including Juan... [More]

The Baltimore Orioles figured Alex Cobb would be a fine fit.Cobb stayed in the division he knew best, finalizing a $57 million, four-year contract on Wednesday."They used the AL East and the success I've had in it to their advantage," the 30-year-old right-hander said. "They kept challenging me with it and I love the challenge of pitching in this division and they know that over the times we talked. They did a really good job of making me feel like this is where I need to be."Cobb had spent his entire six-season big league career with Tampa Bay and was the last top starting pitcher available in a slow-moving free agent market.Cobb joined Andrew Cashner and Chris Tillman, who were signed last month, in a revamped rotation that includes holdovers Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman.The Orioles are coming off a last-place finish and 75-87 record.Cobb was 12-10 with a 3.66 ERA in 29 starts last season. He pitched 179 1/3 innings in his first full year back after missing nearly two seasons because... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Giancarlo Stanton says he is prepared for the scrutiny he will attract during his first season with the New York Yankees."The good times will be magnified and so will the bad," the slugger said Wednesday. "The fans expect a lot. I expect a lot, too."Stanton won the NL MVP last year after leading the major leaguers with 59 homers and 132 RBIs for the Miami Marlins. He was traded to the Yankees in December by Miami's new ownership group and joined a team that lost to Houston in Game 7 of the AL Championship Series.New York opens at Toronto on March 29, then hosts Tampa Bay starting April 2."''It's going to be an exciting new year for me," Stanton said. "It's going to be exciting opening up both places, New York and Toronto."Stanton enjoyed playing in New York while with the Marlins."Baseball is No. 1," Stanton said. "New York is some thing special when you go there. Being in that city is a different feeling — greatest city in the world."Stanton said he understands the Yankees'... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Another top pitching prospect for the Detroit Tigers is dealing with an injury.The team announced Wednesday that right-hander Matt Manning, a first-round draft pick in 2016, has an oblique strain. The Tigers say Manning will rest until he is pain free and then resume his throwing program. He is expected to be in extended spring training for a couple weeks before joining Class A West Michigan.On Monday, the team announced that right-hander Franklin Perez, who was acquired last year in the trade that sent Justin Verlander to Houston, is expected to miss at least three months because of a lat strain .___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — Alex Cobb's comfort and familiarity with the AL East was the deciding factor in his decision to sign with the Baltimore Orioles."They used the AL East and the success I've had in it to their advantage," the 30-year-old right-hander said Wednesday after finalizing a $57 million, four-year contract. "They kept challenging me with it and I love the challenge of pitching in this division and they know that over the times we talked. They did a really good job of making me feel like this is where I need to be."Cobb gets $14 million in each of the first three seasons and $15 million in 2021, and he would earn a $500,000 bonus in each year he pitches 180 innings. Baltimore will defer $6.5 million from this year's salary and $4.5 million in each of the next three seasons.He gets $2 million of the deferred money on Nov. 30, 2022, and $1.8 million annually on Nov. 30 from 2023-32. If he doesn't pitch at least 130 innings in 2020, an additional $5.25 million of the final's year... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Left-hander Brett Anderson is back pitching with the club for which he broke into the big leagues, reaching agreement on a minor league contract with the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday.If added to the 40-man roster, he would get a $1.5 million salary while in the major leagues.The 30-year-old spent the 2009-13 seasons with the A's before being traded to the Rockies in December 2013. In nine years, he is 42-47 with a 4.04 ERA. He pitched for the Cubs and Toronto last year, going 4-4 with a 6.34 ERA in 13 starts and 55 1/3 innings.Oakland also just brought back Trevor Cahill, who came up with Anderson and hopes to earn a spot in the vacated by right-hander Jharel Cotton, who needs Tommy John surgery.The San Francisco Chronicle first reported Anderson's deal Tuesday.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (AP) — Major League Baseball made game-calling more difficult for catchers this winter when it changed the rules governing mound visits. For backstops with the Tampa Bay Rays, things got even trickier when the club announced plans for a four-man rotation to open the season.Pitching coach Kyle Snyder had an idea to help, and catchers Wilson Ramos and Jesus Sucre were eager to hop on board — quarterback-style wristbands loaded with information designed to help with pitch calling.The Rays are joining the Indians, Mets and some others as teams arming their catchers with data-filled forearm sleeves. Tampa Bay hasn't decided precisely what will be on the wristbands, though it will mostly include information on signs and strategies for attacking opposing hitters. The cards will have a flap to make sure opponents and cameras can't catch what's been written down."If you have all that on the wristband, it's going to be a lot easier for you," Sucre said.Catchers like David Ross,... [More]

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Miami Marlins pitcher Dan Straily is taking some time to rest his pitching arm now in hopes of avoiding extended time off during the season.No longer scheduled to start the second game of the season, Straily had an MRI on Tuesday that showed some inflammation in his right forearm but no structural issues."We're just taking a few days and making sure that everything is completely fine," Straily said.Straily said he no longer feels discomfort, but will not throw for a few days as a precaution.He liked the injury to a minor hamstring strain."You can go walking around just fine," he said. "You can jog around just fine. Then you go sprint and your body's kind of telling you, hey, hold off a second."Straily first noticed the forearm tightness while pitching in a minor league game on Monday.He completed four innings, throwing 60 pitches, but had been scheduled to throw a few more."I was coming off from the inning and just felt a little bit of tightness," Straily said. "It... [More]

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Tyler Kinley started spring training knowing he had a tough task to make Minnesota's roster.The 27-year-old right-handed reliever has been throwing hard to try to fulfill his goal of making the major leagues, and that happens to be his greatest asset.Because Kinley was selected from Miami in the winter meeting draft, he must be offered back to the Marlins if the Twins don't keep him in the majors."I really try not to think about it. I try to just think about preparing myself the best I can and trying to go out and execute that plan," Kinley said. "Just to establish myself as a reliable bullpen arm, not only to the coaching staff and front office's eyes, but to the players as well. Gain everyone's trust and gain everyone's respect."The radar gun can accomplish some of that. He consistently touches the upper 90s mph, presenting the type of power arm the Twins have long been in short supply of in their bullpen.Selected by the Marlins in the 16th round of the 2013 amateur... [More]

SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — Free agent pitcher Alex Cobb and the Baltimore Orioles have finalized a four-year contract.Cobb was the last big-name starting pitcher still available in a slow-moving free agent market. He joins Andrew Cashner and Chris Tillman, who were signed last month, in a revamped rotation that includes holdovers Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman.The 30-year-old righty was 12-10 with a 3.66 ERA in 29 starts for Tampa Bay last season. He pitched 179 1/3 innings in his first full year back after missing nearly two seasons because of Tommy John surgery.Cobb is 48-35 with a 3.50 in six big league seasons, all with the Rays. He turned down Tampa Bay's $17.4 million qualifying offer in November.Baltimore will lose its third-highest draft pick, currently No. 51, and the Rays get an extra selection after the first round as compensation.Jose Mesa Jr. was designated for assignment Wednesday to clear a roster spot.Baltimore opens on March 29 at home against Minnesota.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

PORT CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Major League Baseball made game-calling more difficult for catchers this winter when it changed the rules governing mound visits. For backstops with the Tampa Bay Rays, things got even trickier when the club announced plans for a four-man rotation to open the season.Pitching coach Kyle Snyder had an idea to help, and catchers Wilson Ramos and Jesus Sucre were eager to hop on board — quarterback-style wristbands loaded with information designed to help with pitch calling.The Rays are joining the Indians, Mets and some others as teams arming their catchers with data-filled forearm sleeves. Tampa Bay hasn't decided precisely what will be on the wristbands, though it will mostly include information on signs and strategies for attacking opposing hitters. The cards will have a flap to make sure opponents and cameras can't catch what's been written down."If you have all that on the wristband, it's going to be a lot easier for you," Sucre said.Catchers like David Ross,... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Left-hander Brett Anderson is back pitching with the club for which he broke into the big leagues, reaching agreement on a minor league contract with the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday.The 30-year-old Anderson spent the 2009-13 seasons with the A's before being traded to the Rockies in December 2013. In nine years, he is 42-47 with a 4.04 ERA. He pitched for the Cubs and Toronto last year, going 4-4 with a 6.34 ERA in 13 starts and 55 1/3 innings.Oakland also just brought back Trevor Cahill, who came up with Anderson and hopes to earn a spot in the vacated by right-hander Jharel Cotton, who needs Tommy John surgery.The San Francisco Chronicle first reported Anderson's deal Tuesday.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

PHOENIX (AP) — Even before the start of the season, the Milwaukee Brewers have their first hit.Milwaukee released a 2-minute, 35-second video celebrating the 25th anniversary of the movie "The Sandlot" last weekend, featuring Brewers players dressed as characters from the film reciting the movie's lines.Hank, the dog who is Milwaukee's mascot, played The Beast — a ferocious dog in the movie that the kids were frightened of when they went to retrieve home run balls. Hank is a cuddly white mixed-breed whom the Brewers adopted as a pup during spring training in 2014."It's probably my all-time favorite baseball movie," said infielder Eric Sogard, who with the spectacles he often wears was asked to play the role of Michael "Squints" Palledorous. "Anytime that movie's on, I love watching it. Squints, man, I play wearing glasses, so I feel like that nickname has been thrown around at me every once in a while.""The Sandlot" is about an adult reminiscing on his younger days playing ball with his... [More]

The Los Angeles Dodgers might've caught a break with Justin Turner's broken wrist.The All-Star third baseman is expected to heal without surgery, manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday. No definitive word yet on how long Turner will be out.Turner was injured Monday night when he was hit by a pitch from Oakland's Kendall Graveman. The NL champion Dodgers open the regular season a week from Thursday."It's just essentially time," Roberts said. "That's the initial thought. That could change, but that's what I've heard."Turner had cast over his wrist when he arrived at camp in the morning. He was scheduled to see a hand specialist.Turner hit .322 with 21 homers and 71 RBIs last year. He had 14 RBIs in the postseason, including seven against the Chicago Cubs in the NL Championship Series, when he and teammate Chris Taylor shared the MVP award.The Dodgers appear ready to move Logan Forsythe from second base to third in Turner's absence and have Enrique Hernandez and Chase Utley share time at second.ELSEWHERE... [More]

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Right-hander Clay Buchholz is the Kansas City Royals' latest reclamation pitching project.The two-time All-Star and the Royals have finalized a minor league contract on Tuesday, and he would get a $1.5 million, one-year deal if added to the 40-man roster. The 32-year-old could earn $250,000 in performance bonuses: $25,000 per start from 10-19.Ryan Madson and Joe Blanton are among the pitchers who revived their careers with the Royals."It's just depth," manager Ned Yost said. "He pitched seven innings last year. He could bounce back like like Madson and Blanton did, two big bounce-back guys. We don't know. We'll just see how it plays out."Drafted by Boston with the 42nd overall pick in 2006, Buchholz made his debut in August 2007 and pitched a no-hitter against Baltimore in his second big league appearance. He was 81-61 in 10 seasons with the Red Sox and made four starts without a decision in the 2013 postseason as Boston won its third World Series title in a decade.Buchholz... [More]

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Right-hander Clay Buchholz is the Kansas City Royals' latest reclamation pitching project.The two-time All-Star and the Royals have finalized a minor league contract on Tuesday, and he would get a $1.5 million, one-year deal if added to the 40-man roster. The 32-year-old could earn $250,000 in performance bonuses: $25,000 per start from 10-19.Ryan Madson and Joe Blanton are among the pitchers who revived their careers with the Royals."It's just depth," manager Ned Yost said. "He pitched seven innings last year. He could bounce back like like Madson and Blanton did, two big bounce-back guys. We don't know. We'll just see how it plays out."Drafted by Boston with the 42nd overall pick in 2006, Buchholz made his debut in August 2007 and pitched a no-hitter against Baltimore in his second big league appearance. He was 81-61 in 10 seasons with the Red Sox and made four starts without a decision in the 2013 postseason as Boston won its third World Series title in a decade.Buchholz... [More]

The Los Angeles Dodgers might've caught a break with Justin Turner's broken wrist.The All-Star third baseman is expected to heal without surgery, manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday. No definitive word yet on how long Turner will be out.Turner was injured Monday night when he was hit by a pitch from Oakland's Kendall Graveman. The NL champion Dodgers open the regular season a week from Thursday."It's just essentially time," Roberts said. "That's the initial thought. That could change, but that's what I've heard."Turner had cast over his wrist when he arrived at camp in the morning. He was scheduled to see a hand specialist.Turner hit .322 with 21 homers and 71 RBIs last year. He had 14 RBIs in the postseason, including seven against the Chicago Cubs in the NL Championship Series, when he and teammate Chris Taylor shared the MVP award.The Dodgers appear ready to move Logan Forsythe from second base to third in Turner's absence and have Enrique Hernandez and Chase Utley share time at second.ELSEWHERE... [More]