PHOENIX (AP) — Eduardo Escobar arrived in Arizona via a midseason trade from Minnesota.He saw enough in two months with the Diamondbacks to know the desert was where he wanted to stay.The Diamondbacks signed Escobar to a three-year, $21 million contract on Monday, locking up a versatile player who gives them roster flexibility."I think the most important thing for me coming here was the people here," Escobar said. "There are great people here. Everybody took care of my family and that's the most important thing for me. I signed it because I like it here. I'm happy to be here and ready for next season."Arizona acquired the switch-hitting Escobar from Minnesota on July 27 for three minor league prospects. Between the two teams, the 29-year-old infielder set career highs in home runs (23), doubles (48), walks (52), runs (75), games (151), hits (154) and total bases (277). His 74 extra-base hits were 14th-most in the majors.He started 144 games, including 124 at third base, leaving open the... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta Braves right-hander Brandon McCarthy, who missed the second half of the season with a knee injury, is eligible to become a free agent if he chooses to continue his career.Major League Baseball and the players' union have determined McCarthy's conditional team option was not triggered.McCarthy agreed to a $48 million, four-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers before the 2015 season, and the deal included a $5 conditional team option for 2019 if he spent more than 179 days on the disabled list from 2015-18 due to a specific injury. If he spent 119-179 days on the DL during that span because of the specific injury, there would have been an $8 million team option.The 35-year-old told MLB.com in August he plans to retire, but he remains on the Braves' 40-man roster.McCarthy was 6-3 with a 4.92 ERA in 15 games this season. He was placed on the disabled list on June 28 with right knee tendinitis and never returned.McCarthy was acquired by Atlanta from Los Angeles following the 2017 season in the deal that sent outfielder Matt Kemp to the Dodgers. McCarthy had surgery in April 2015 to repair a torn ligament in his right elbow, had Tommy John surgery and returned to the Dodgers in July 2016. He missed time in 2017 with a dislocated left shoulder.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Agent Brodie Van Wagenen interviewed Monday to switch sides and become general manager of the New York Mets and is among three finalists along with former Milwaukee GM Doug Melvin and Tampa Bay senior vice president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom.The 44-year-old Van Wagenen has been co-head of CAA Baseball since 2010 and is familiar to the Mets as the representative for Yoenis Cespedes and others."In my role as an agent, my solution is to create opportunities for players to be successful both on and off the field," Van Wagenen said. "My conversations with the Mets continue to be organic. I believe baseball is better when the Mets are competitive and successful."Sandy Alderson has been general manager since October 2010 but took a leave of absence in July when cancer recurred and said the team's poor record did not justify returning. The team's baseball decisions have been made by the trio of assistant general manager John Ricco and special assistants Omar Minaya and J.P. Ricciardi, all reporting to chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon and his father, owner Fred Wilpon."As Jeff and Fred continue their search for a new head of baseball operations, the players, fans and entire organization will be motivated to have a leader with the skills and commitment to win," Van Wagenen said. "If the Wilpons believe I am that person, we will have that conversation."___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — During 18 major league seasons as a catcher and four more as a manager, Brad Ausmus developed a strong gut instinct about nearly everything that happens on a baseball field.While spending the past year out of a dugout, Ausmus developed a deeper understanding of how traditional beliefs aren't always correct.With a sturdy baseball foundation and a willingness to adopt new analytical knowledge, Ausmus was the Los Angeles Angels' ideal choice to take charge as their first new manager of the 21st century.General manager Billy Eppler and owner Arte Moreno introduced Ausmus on a sunny Monday at Angel Stadium, formally opening the Orange County club's next chapter after Mike Scioscia's 19-year dugout tenure ended three weeks ago."I'm very excited to have an opportunity to lead a club like this with so many great players," Ausmus said after trying on his new No. 12 Halos jersey.Ausmus was dropped by the Detroit Tigers last fall after four intermittently successful seasons... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Agent Brodie Van Wagenen interviewed Monday to switch sides and become general manager of the New York Mets and is among three finalists along with former Milwaukee GM Doug Melvin and Tampa Bay senior vice president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom.The 44-year-old Van Wagenen has been co-head of CAA Baseball since 2010 and is familiar to the Mets as the representative for Yoenis Cespedes and others."In my role as an agent, my solution is to create opportunities for players to be successful both on and off the field," Van Wagenen said. "My conversations with the Mets continue to be organic. I believe baseball is better when the Mets are competitive and successful."Sandy Alderson has been general manager since October 2010 but took a leave of absence in July when cancer recurred and said the team's poor record did not justify returning. The team's baseball decisions have been made by the trio of assistant general manager John Ricco and special assistants Omar Minaya and J.P. Ricciardi, all reporting to chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon and his father, owner Fred Wilpon."As Jeff and Fred continue their search for a new head of baseball operations, the players, fans and entire organization will be motivated to have a leader with the skills and commitment to win," Van Wagenen said. "If the Wilpons believe I am that person, we will have that conversation."___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

BOSTON (AP) — Most players are questioned ahead of their World Series debuts. Manny Machado was cross-examined.October's villain is especially despised at Fenway Park for planting his spikes into Dustin Pedroia in April 2017 . The Boston second baseman hasn't been the same."That's old history," Machado said Monday, deflector shields raised.He's Manny the Masher, Manny the Miscreant and Macho Manny all in one, whacking baseballs, opponents and questions.Wearing a blue Los Angeles Dodgers World Series hoodie and gray pants, arms crossed, he sat between teammates Yasiel Puig and Ross Stripling, surrounded by a scrum of inquirers in the Pavilion Room on the 106-year-old ballpark's fourth level. Even with stubble on his chin and lips, Machado's face looked boyish. His hair was styled into cornrows at the top and a crew cut on the side.With hard slides at second base against Milwaukee and a foot planted on the heel of Brewers first baseman Jesus Aguilar , Machado acquired notoriety far exceeding... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):7:10 p.m.This World Series is making history even before it starts.Boston's Alex Cora and Los Angeles' Dave Roberts are the first minority managers to face each other in the Series. Cora, who is from Puerto Rico, is already the first minority manager in Red Sox history.Roberts was asked about it on the workout day Monday, and he said he doesn't spend a lot of time thinking about it but he is glad to see progress has been made."It's special," he said. "It's not about myself or Alex, and just to see the minorities get opportunities and perform and do well, I think that that gives opportunities for others."It also creates a responsibility, he said."Do things the right way and to be good leaders," Roberts said. "Up to this point, I think we've done a pretty good job."___6:15 p.m.Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts says lefty Hyun-Jin Ryu will start Game 2 of the World Series, followed by righty Walker Buehler in Game 3.Ace... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Hooting and hollering, Chris Taylor and a couple of Dodgers took aim at the Green Monster. With their arms, not bats.Standing in left field, they kept throwing balls at a small, square space in the scoreboard, shouting every time a miss clanged off the metal letters."I've got good aim!" Taylor shouted after he finally tossed one through, ending the contest Monday.A lot of fun for Los Angeles, frolicking at Fenway Park during a World Series workout.Might not look, sound and feel so friendly come Game 1 on Tuesday night."It's a completely different atmosphere," Boston reliever Heath Hembree cautioned. "Are they going to feel the Monster breathing down on them?"Goes beyond the ballpark, too."I think the biggest challenge for a team coming in here is you're playing the Boston Red Sox," pitcher Nathan Eovaldi said.That's the part Clayton Kershaw will focus on, trying to contain Mookie Betts, J.D. Martinez and a team that blitzed to a team-record 108 wins, then breezed through the... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks have signed infielder Eduardo Escobar to a three-year, $21 million contract.Arizona acquired the switch-hitting Escobar from Minnesota on July 27 for three minor league prospects. Between the two teams, the 29-year-old infielder set career highs in home runs (23), doubles (48), walks (52), runs (75), games (151), hits (154) and total bases (277).He started 144 games, 124 of them at third base, leaving open the question of what will happen when left-handed third baseman Jake Lamb returns from injury.Escobar got a $500,000 signing bonus. He will earn $6 million next season, $7 million in 2020 and $7.5 million in 2021.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

BOSTON (AP) — Hooting and hollering, Chris Taylor and a couple of Dodgers took aim at the Green Monster. With their arms, not bats.Standing in left field, they kept throwing balls at a small, square space in the scoreboard, shouting every time a miss clanged off the metal letters."I've got good aim!" Taylor shouted after he finally tossed one through, ending the contest Monday.A lot of fun for Los Angeles, frolicking at Fenway Park during a World Series workout.Might not look, sound and feel so friendly come Game 1 on Tuesday night."It's a completely different atmosphere," Boston reliever Heath Hembree cautioned. "Are they going to feel the Monster breathing down on them?"Goes beyond the ballpark, too."I think the biggest challenge for a team coming in here is you're playing the Boston Red Sox," pitcher Nathan Eovaldi said.That's the part Clayton Kershaw will focus on, trying to contain Mookie Betts, J.D. Martinez and a team that blitzed to a team-record 108 wins, then breezed through the... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Chris Sale would rather talk about the ring he can win as a World Series champion instead of the almost certainly nonexistent navel ring that — he maintains with a straight face — scratched him from a start in the last round.The Red Sox left-hander will belly up to the mound to start Game 1 against Los Angeles on Tuesday night, 10 days after his last outing and nine after he was hospitalized with what the team called a "stomach illness."Sale joked — we think — that it was from a piercing gone bad, and he kept up the ruse back in Boston."I'm not going to spill all of my secrets," he said.Clayton Kershaw is scheduled to start for the Dodgers, giving baseball a matchup of marquee lefties from a pair of iconic franchises at two of the oldest ballparks in the majors.The Red Sox, who won a franchise-record 108 games and their third straight AL East crown, are going for their fourth title in 14 years; the Dodgers, who lost to the Astros in the Series last year, will try for their... [More]

A position-by-position look at the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox going into the World Series, starting Tuesday night at Fenway Park:___First Base:Dodgers: David Freese or Max Muncy. One of several spots where Los Angeles platoons based on matchups. Freese, a proven postseason performer, figures to face left-handers Chris Sale and David Price early in the Series. Freese was MVP of the 2011 World Series and NLCS with St. Louis. He had a homer and five RBIs in 10 playoff at-bats this year. Muncy, who was released by Oakland and spent 2017 in the minors, became one of baseball's biggest surprises this season with 35 home runs and a .973 OPS. He batted .182 with two homers, 10 walks and 18 strikeouts in 11 playoff games.Red Sox: Steve Pearce or Mitch Moreland. The underappreciated Pearce has played for seven big league teams, including all five in the AL East. He hammers left-handed pitching, which could really come in handy against a Dodgers team with three southpaw starters. Moreland,... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):6:15 p.m.Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts says lefty Hyun-Jin Ryu will start Game 2 of the World Series, followed by righty Walker Buehler in Game 3.Ace Clayton Kershaw had already been announced for the opener on Tuesday night, facing Boston's Chris Sale.Ryu was 7-3 with a 1.97 ERA in the regular season. He pitched seven scoreless innings in the NL Division Series and made two starts in the NLCS against Milwaukee — one a Dodgers win and also taking the loss in Game 6. He will face Boston lefty David Price.Buehler was 8-5 with a 2.62 ERA in the regular season, and he also went 4 2/3 innings, allowing just one run, in the NLCS clincher against the Brewers.___3:40 p.m.Red Sox manager Alex Cora understands the enduring popularity in Boston of Los Angeles counterpart Dave Roberts.Roberts pinch ran and stole second base against the New York Yankees in the ninth inning of the 2004 AL Championship Series, then scored the tying... [More]

A look at the best-of-seven World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox:___Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Tuesday, at Boston, 8:09 p.m.; Game 2, Wednesday, at Boston, 8:09 p.m.; Game 3, Friday, at Los Angeles, 8:09 p.m.; Game 4, Saturday, at Los Angeles, 8:09 p.m.; x-Game 5, Sunday, Oct. 28, at Los Angeles, 8:15 p.m.; x-Game 6, Tuesday, Oct. 30, at Boston, 8:09 p.m.; x-Game 7, Wednesday, Oct. 31, at Boston, 8:09 p.m. (All games on FOX).x-if necessary.___Season Series: Did not play.___Projected Lineups:Dodgers: 1B-DH David Freese (.282, 9 HRs, 42 RBIs with Pirates; .385, 2, 9 with Dodgers) or 1B-2B-DH Max Muncy (.263, 35, 79, .973 OPS), 3B Justin Turner (.312, 14, 52), SS Manny Machado (.315, 24, 65, .963 OPS with Orioles; .273, 13, 42, .825 OPS with Dodgers), CF-1B Cody Bellinger (.260, 25, 76, 151 Ks in 162 games), LF Chris Taylor (.254, 17, 63, team-high 178 Ks in 155 games) or Joc Pederson (.248, 25, 56) or Matt Kemp (.290, 21, 85, 115 Ks in 146 games), RF Yasiel... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):3:40 p.m.Red Sox manager Alex Cora understands the enduring popularity in Boston of Los Angeles counterpart Dave Roberts.Roberts pinch ran and stole second base against the New York Yankees in the ninth inning of the 2004 AL Championship Series, then scored the tying run on Bill Mueller's single. The Red Sox won in 12 innings, became the first major league team to overcome a 3-0 deficit in a best-of-seven postseason series and swept St. Louis for their first title since 1918."Now he comes here and he makes a lot of money signing autographs," Cora said Monday, a day ahead of Boston's World Series opener against the Dodgers. "I know he puts 'The greatest stolen base in the history of the game." He makes a lot of money in an hour. Probably he's making money right now."___3:10 p.m.Manager Alex Cora says David Price will start Game 2 of the World Series for the Boston Red Sox, following Chris Sale to the mound against the Los Angeles... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):3:10 p.m.Manager Alex Cora says David Price will start Game 2 of the World Series for the Boston Red Sox, following Chris Sale to the mound against the Los Angeles Dodgers.Price was the winner in the AL Championship Series clincher against Houston. It was his first postseason victory in 12 career starts. Cora is sticking with the left-hander for Wednesday night's game.Clayton Kershaw is in line to start Game 1 for the Dodgers.___1:10 p.m.It's looking to be cold for Game 1 of the World Series, but at least the Red Sox and Dodgers will probably avoid the rain.Forecasts for Tuesday night call for the temperature to be around 50 for the 8:09 p.m. first pitch. It will cool off during the game to the high 40s. There is a 50-50 chance of rain during the afternoon, but it is expected to pass by game time.Wednesday night's second game is expected to be about five degrees colder. The series then moves to Los Angeles where the teams can expect it to be hot and sunny.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

BOSTON (AP) — Fresh from his World Series workout, Rick Porcello was far from dog tired.So the Red Sox pitcher took his new puppy for a romp at a popular park — Fenway Park .Porcello watched in amusement as 4-month-old Bronco the German shepherd explored the yard Sunday. The pup sniffed outside the Boston dugout, zig-zagged across the outfield grass and ran next to the Green Monster."I got him a couple days before the playoffs," Porcello said. "As soon as I saw him, I knew I wanted him to be in my life."The 2016 AL Cy Young Award winner didn't have to look far to find him. Bronco's dad is Drago, a 7-year-old service dog owned by Fenway Park head groundskeeper Dave Mellor.Drago was on the field, as usual, with Mellor after the Red Sox held a short practice two days before Game 1 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Bronco was named because of his active nature, his tail wagging a mile a minute, and roamed from corner to corner with Drago."Who's a good dog?" Porcello called as they ran past.To... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Fresh from his World Series workout, Rick Porcello was far from dog tired.So the Red Sox pitcher took his new puppy for a romp at a popular park — Fenway Park .Porcello watched in amusement as 4-month-old Bronco the German shepherd explored the yard Sunday. The pup sniffed outside the Boston dugout, zig-zagged across the outfield grass and ran next to the Green Monster."I got him a couple days before the playoffs," Porcello said. "As soon as I saw him, I knew I wanted him to be in my life."The 2016 AL Cy Young Award winner didn't have to look far to find him. Bronco's dad is Drago, a 7-year-old service dog owned by Fenway Park head groundskeeper Dave Mellor.Drago was on the field, as usual, with Mellor after the Red Sox held a short practice two days before Game 1 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Bronco was named because of his active nature, his tail wagging a mile a minute, and roamed from corner to corner with Drago."Who's a good dog?" Porcello called as they ran past.To... [More]

A look at the best-of-seven World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox:___Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Tuesday, at Boston, 8:09 p.m.; Game 2, Wednesday, at Boston, 8:09 p.m.; Game 3, Friday, at Los Angeles, 8:09 p.m.; Game 4, Saturday, at Los Angeles, 8:09 p.m.; x-Game 5, Sunday, Oct. 28, at Los Angeles, 8:15 p.m.; x-Game 6, Tuesday, Oct. 30, at Boston, 8:09 p.m.; x-Game 7, Wednesday, Oct. 31, at Boston, 8:09 p.m. (All games on FOX).x-if necessary.___Season Series: Did not play.___Projected Lineups:Dodgers: 1B-DH David Freese (.282, 9 HRs, 42 RBIs with Pirates; .385, 2, 9 with Dodgers) or 1B-2B-DH Max Muncy (.263, 35, 79, .973 OPS), 3B Justin Turner (.312, 14, 52), SS Manny Machado (.315, 24, 65, .963 OPS with Orioles; .273, 13, 42, .825 OPS with Dodgers), CF-1B Cody Bellinger (.260, 25, 76, 151 Ks in 162 games), LF Chris Taylor (.254, 17, 63, team-high 178 Ks in 155 games) or Joc Pederson (.248, 25, 56) or Matt Kemp (.290, 21, 85, 115 Ks in 146 games), RF Yasiel... [More]

A look at the best-of-seven World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox:___Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Tuesday, at Boston, 8:09 p.m.; Game 2, Wednesday, at Boston, 8:09 p.m.; Game 3, Friday, at Los Angeles, 8:09 p.m.; Game 4, Saturday, at Los Angeles, 8:09 p.m.; x-Game 5, Sunday, Oct. 28, at Los Angeles, 8:15 p.m.; x-Game 6, Tuesday, Oct. 30, at Boston, 8:09 p.m.; x-Game 7, Wednesday, Oct. 31, at Boston, 8:09 p.m. (All games on FOX).x-if necessary.___Season Series: Did not play.___Projected Lineups:Dodgers: 1B-DH David Freese (.282, 9 HRs, 42 RBIs with Pirates; .385, 2, 9 with Dodgers) or 1B-2B-DH Max Muncy (.263, 35, 79, .973 OPS), 3B Justin Turner (.312, 14, 52), SS Manny Machado (.315, 24, 65, .963 OPS with Orioles; .273, 13, 42, .825 OPS with Dodgers), CF-1B Cody Bellinger (.260, 25, 76, 151 Ks in 162 games), LF Chris Taylor (.254, 17, 63, team-high 178 Ks in 155 games) or Joc Pederson (.248, 25, 56) or Matt Kemp (.290, 21, 85, 115 Ks in 146 games), RF Yasiel... [More]