CINCINNATI (AP) — David Peralta hit a three-run triple in a six-run 10th inning to finish with five hits and a career-best seven RBIs, and the Arizona Diamondbacks overcame six Cincinnati home runs to beat the Reds 14-11 on Thursday. Carson Kelly followed Peralta with a two-run homer as the Diamondbacks opened a 14-8 lead. Arizona hung on in the bottom half to complete a three-game sweep that extended its winning streak to four. The Reds lost their fourth straight, finishing a 2-4 homestand. Cincinnati’s Jesse Winker had his third career two-homer game, Nick Castellanos hit his sixth home run of the season as he returned from a two-game suspension and Eugenio Suárez, Joey Votto and Jonathan India also went deep. All of the Reds’ home run came from among the top four spots in the batting order. Peralta tied his career high with his third five-hit game. He hit a two-run homer in the fifth inning, had three singles and finished a double short of the cycle. Caleb Smith (1-1) was the winner.... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors on Sunday: ___ WAITING GAME The Minnesota Twins will see when they can next play after their COVID-19 problems wiped the rest of a series in Anaheim against the Angels. Games on Saturday night and Sunday were called off. Outfielder Kyle Garlick, another undisclosed Twins player and a team staff member tested positive in the two days before the postponements, manager Rocco Baldelli said. Shortstop Andrelton Simmons already hadn’t made the trip after testing positive early in the week, and he hadn’t been around the team since Tuesday. “There’s not one person in our group who’s not frustrated,” Baldelli said. “Does everyone have that general frustration just having to deal with this in a grander sense? Absolutely. And then there are probably people who are frustrated about particular aspects of that.” The Twins are scheduled to play Monday night at Oakland. There have now been five games postponed this season because of the virus, including three... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees catcher Gary Sánchez doesn't anticipate missing significant time after being hit in his right hand by a foul ball Saturday. Sánchez was pulled from the game an inning later and sent for X-rays, which were negative. The club said he has a contusion on his right index and middle fingers and said he's day to day. “I definitely feel better right now than when it happened," Sánchez said through a translator. “More movement in my fingers. I definitely feel much better right now. If I keep improving the way I am right now, I maybe can play tomorrow.” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Kyle Higashioka would start at catcher Sunday to catch Gerrit Cole, but he expected Sánchez to be available for the team's next game Tuesday against Atlanta. Sánchez's throwing hand was unprotected when Tampa Bay's Randy Arozarena tipped a pitch that appeared to hit Sánchez on the knuckles in the fourth inning. Sánchez fell to the ground and writhed in pain before a trainer came out to inspect... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees catcher Gary Sánchez left a game Saturday an inning after taking a foul ball off his right hand. New York said X-rays of Sánchez's hand were negative and that he has a contusion on his right index and middle fingers. The club said he's day to day. Sánchez's throwing hand was unprotected when Tampa Bay's Randy Arozarena tipped a pitch that appeared to hit Sánchez on the knuckles in the fourth inning. Sánchez fell to the ground and writhed in pain before a trainer came out to inspect him. He remained in the game and finished the inning, then flew out to center field in the bottom of the fourth. He was replaced by Kyle Higashioka to begin the fifth. The two-time All-Star was 0 for 1 with a walk Saturday and is hitting .237 with two homers and four RBIs this season. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees catcher Gary Sánchez left a game Saturday an inning after taking a foul ball off his right hand. Sánchez's throwing hand was unprotected when Tampa Bay's Randy Arozarena tipped a pitch that appeared to hit Sánchez in the knuckles in the fourth inning. Sánchez fell to the ground and writhed in pain before a trainer came out to inspect him. He remained in the game and finished the inning, then flew out to center field in the bottom of the fourth. He was replaced by Kyle Higashioka to begin the fifth. The two-time All-Star was 0 for 1 with a walk Saturday and is hitting .237 with two homers and four RBIs this season. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Kyle Schwarber doubled in a run in his delayed Washington debut, Andrew Stevenson had a pinch-hit homer and the Nationals beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-2 on Monday night. Schwarber, Josh Bell and Josh Harrison were in the starting lineup after being sidelined for Washington’s first six games by a coronavirus outbreak that prompted the postponement of the team’s season-opening series and left the club short-handed. The Nats ended a five-game skid, while the Cardinals have lost three straight. Stevenson hit his first homer of the season into St. Louis’ bullpen in right field to lead off the seventh, putting Washington ahead 4-2. Kyle Finnegan (1-0) pitched 1 1/3 innings for the win. Brad Hand got three outs for his first save. Yadier Molina homered for St. Louis. John Gant (0-1) allowed three runs in five-plus innings. BREWERS 6, CUBS 3 MILWAUKEE (AP) — Pinch-hitter Luis Urías drove in three runs with a go-ahead double, part of a six-run sixth inning for the Brewers. Freddy... [More]

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Kyle Schwarber doubled in a run in his delayed Washington debut, Andrew Stevenson had a pinch-hit homer and the Nationals beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-2 on Monday night. Schwarber, Josh Bell and Josh Harrison were in the starting lineup after being sidelined for Washington’s first six games by a coronavirus outbreak that prompted the postponement of the team’s season-opening series and left the club short-handed. The Nats ended a five-game skid, while the Cardinals have lost three straight. Stevenson hit his first homer of the season into St. Louis’ bullpen in right field to lead off the seventh, putting Washington ahead 4-2. Kyle Finnegan (1-0) pitched 1 1/3 innings for the win. Brad Hand got three outs for his first save. Yadier Molina homered for St. Louis. John Gant (0-1) allowed three runs in five-plus innings. BREWERS 6, CUBS 3 MILWAUKEE (AP) — Pinch-hitter Luis Urías drove in three runs with a go-ahead double, part of a six-run sixth inning for the Brewers. Freddy... [More]

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Kyle Schwarber doubled in a run in his delayed Washington debut, Andrew Stevenson had a pinch-hit homer and the Nationals beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-2 on Monday night. Schwarber, Josh Bell and Josh Harrison were in the starting lineup after being sidelined for Washington’s first six games by a coronavirus outbreak that prompted the postponement of the team’s season-opening series and left the club short-handed. The Nats ended a five-game skid, while the Cardinals have lost three straight. Stevenson hit his first homer of the season into St. Louis’ bullpen in right field to lead off the seventh, putting Washington ahead 4-2. Kyle Finnegan (1-0) pitched 1 1/3 innings for the win. Brad Hand got three outs for his first save. Yadier Molina homered for St. Louis. John Gant (0-1) allowed three runs in five-plus innings. BREWERS 6, CUBS 3 MILWAUKEE (AP) — Pinch-hitter Luis Urías drove in three runs with a go-ahead double, part of a six-run sixth inning for the Brewers. Freddy... [More]

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Kyle Schwarber doubled in a run in his delayed Washington debut, Andrew Stevenson had a pinch-hit homer and the Nationals beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-2 on Monday night. Schwarber, Josh Bell and Josh Harrison were in the starting lineup after being sidelined for Washington’s first six games by a coronavirus outbreak that prompted the postponement of the team’s season-opening series and left the club short-handed. The Nats ended a five-game skid, while the Cardinals have lost three straight. Stevenson hit his first homer of the season into St. Louis’ bullpen in right field to lead off the seventh, putting Washington ahead 4-2. Kyle Finnegan (1-0) pitched 1 1/3 innings for the win. Brad Hand got three outs for his first save. Yadier Molina homered for St. Louis. John Gant (0-1) allowed three runs in five-plus innings. BREWERS 6, CUBS 3 MILWAUKEE (AP) — Pinch-hitter Luis Urías drove in three runs with a go-ahead double, part of a six-run sixth inning for the Brewers. Freddy... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The New York Yankees entered spring training with serious questions about who would follow ace Gerrit Cole in the rotation. A week before the team breaks camp, the picture has become a lot clearer. Corey Kluber, Jameson Taillon and Jordan Montgomery look ready to fill three of the spots, with Domingo Germa?n and Deivi García making cases to round out the rotation. “Starters are tremendously important when we’re talking six months,” Cole said. “Health being first and foremost, everybody’s taking the ball when they’re asked and the performance right now is kind of the cheery on top. Of course the regular season is what counts, but very encouraged. I like the position that we’re in and I’m excited that everybody has been looking really good.” Cole is scheduled to start the regular season opener against Toronto at Yankee Stadium on April 1. He struck out eight, and allowed one run and four hits over five innings in his next-to-last spring training outing on Sunday against... [More]

LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) — The Yankees failed to make it out of spring training without a significant injury. Left-hander Zack Britton needs arthroscopic surgery to remove a bone chip from his pitching elbow, and New York's No. 2 reliever behind closer Aroldis Chapman seems certain to miss the start of the season. Yankees manager Aaron Boone announced the need for an operation following New York's 6-5 loss to Detroit on Tuesday. “I appreciate the support from everyone,” Britton wrote on Twitter. “We all have daily challenges we have to overcome in order to reach our goals. Just have to keep pushing ahead! I will get this taken care of during the upcoming week and be back as asoon as I can.” Britton will return to New York on Wednesday. Head team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad will perform the surgery at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. “As far as timetables and stuff like that, we'll have more in the coming day or two days,” Boone said. Boone said Britton's ulnar collateral ligament was not... [More]

LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) — The Yankees failed to make it out of spring training without a significant injury. Left-hander Zack Britton needs arthroscopic surgery to remove a bone chip from his pitching elbow, and New York's No. 2 reliever behind closer Aroldis Chapman seems certain to miss the start of the season. Yankees manager Aaron Boone announced the need for an operation following New York's 6-5 loss to Detroit on Tuesday. Britton will return to New York on Wednesday. Head team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad will perform the surgery at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. “As far as timetables and stuff like that, we'll have more in the coming day or two days,” Boone said. Boone said Britton's ulnar collateral ligament was not suspected of being hurt, an injury that if diagnosed could lead to Tommy John surgery. Boone said Britton felt soreness Sunday night following a bullpen session and had an MRI of his elbow on Monday. “I would say it’s always concerning any time any of your players are... [More]

LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees left-hander Zack Britton needs surgery to remove a bone chip from his pitching elbow and seems certain to miss the start of the season. Yankees manager Aaron Boone announced the need for an operation following New York's 6-5 loss to Detroit on Tuesday. Britton will return to New York on Wednesday. Head team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad will perform the surgery at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. “As far as timetables and stuff like that, we'll have more in the coming day or two days,” Boone said. Boone said Britton's ulnar collateral ligament was not suspected of being hurt, an injury that if diagnosed could lead to Tommy John surgery. Boone said Britton felt soreness Sunday night following a bullpen session and had an MRI of his elbow on Monday. “I would say it’s always concerning any time any of your players are going through tests because they’re not quite where we want them to be," Boone said. "But that said, let’s find out where we're at and... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees left-hander Zack Britton is not throwing because of a sore pitching elbow, was to be examined by a doctor on Tuesday and could miss the start of the season. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Britton's ulnar collateral ligament was not suspected of being hurt, an injury that could require Tommy John surgery. Boone said Britton felt soreness Sunday night following a bullpen session and had an MRI of his elbow on Monday. “I would say it’s always concerning any time any of your players are going through tests because they’re not quite where we want them to be," Boone said. "But that said, let’s find out where we're at and what it says and what the days ahead mean now. So Zack overall feels pretty good. He’s in good spirits about it. But let’s get the answers first.” Britton, 33, disclosed last weekend that he was recovering from COVID-19, which he contracted in January. He has not pitched in any exhibitions. “I think set him back a little bit in his buildup,”... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Gary Sánchez has impressed the New York Yankees early on at spring training as the catcher strives to rebound from a disastrous 2020 season. Sánchez poked an opposite-field single to right in the second inning against Zack Wheeler and scored on Brett Gardner’s grand slam as the Yankees beat the Philadelphia Phillies 4-0 on Sunday. “I think overall just a much more confident version of the Gary Sánchez that we saw in 2020,” Yankees catching coach Tanner Swanson said. “He has really attacked the offseason. Been really accountable for his performance in 2020. I think he’s in a really good place and his process is really sound. I’ve been really pleased.” The slugger also walked and has three hits in nine at-bats overall this spring after hitting just .147 and striking out 64 times in 156 at-bats during the pandemic shortened 2020 season. “He has really invested himself in what we’re doing,” said Swanson, who has been working with Sánchez since January. “Has refined his process.... [More]

Brett Gardner's return to the Yankees won't displace Clint Frazier from taking over as New York's starting left fielder. Gardner agreed Friday to a $4 million, one-year contract to return to the Yankees for a 14th season, a deal subject to a successful physical for the 37-year-old. Manager Aaron Boone cautioned developments during a season could alter intentions but for now Frazier was projected over Gardner in an outfield that has Aaron Hicks in center and Aaron Judge in right. “I expect Clint to be our left fielder and to be in that starting lineup," Boone said Saturday at spring training. “A guy like Gardy is a guy who would play a lot, certainly, as a lot of our guys that will quote unquote be bench players or whatever, but Clint is going to be a regular player for us going into the season.” Gardner hit .223 with five homers and 15 RBIs in 130 at-bats last year, rebounding after a slump that sunk his average at .169 at the start of September. He batted .369 (7 for 19) in the playoffs.... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The Yankees start spring training this week without Brett Gardner for the first time since 2006, and manager Aaron Boone isn’t certain whether New York will try to re-sign the last remaining player from the team’s last World Series title. The 37-year-old outfielder became a free agent after the Yankees declined a $10 million option, triggering a $2.5 million buyout. “Obviously, he’s been a great Yankee, but we’ll just see how things unfold here,” Boone said Wednesday at camp in Tampa, Florida, a day ahead of the first workout. Boone said Clint Frazier is projected as his starting left fielder after making great strides last year in his fourth season with the Yankees. The 26-year-old hit .267 with eight homers and 26 RBIs in 131 at-bats during the pandemic-shortened season, after batting .267 with 12 homers and 38 RBIs over 225 at-bats in 2019. “Last year I think really proved that he was ready to grab an everyday role on this team, and especially the improvements really... [More]

A team-by-team look at the American League East 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: ___ Tampa Bay Rays Manager: Kevin Cash (seventh season). 2020: 40-20, first place, AL champions, lost to Dodgers in World Series. Training Town: Port Charlotte, Florida. Park: Charlotte Sports Park. First Workout: Feb. 18/23. He’s Here: RHP Michael Wacha, RHP Chris Archer, C Francisco Mejia, RHP Luis Patiño. He’s Outta Here: LHP Blake Snell, RHP Charlie Morton, OF Hunter Renfroe, RHP Aaron Slegers, 1B Nate Lowe, LHP Aaron Loup, LHP Jose Alvarado, 1B Brian O’Grady, RHP Chaz Roe, RHP Oliver Drake, LHP Sean Gilmartin. Going campin’: The AL champions are coming off their first division title in a decade and first World Series appearance in 12 years, but they have to replace their top two starting pitchers after declining a $15 million option on Morton and trading Snell to San Diego. The Rays... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Brian Cashman knows the New York Yankees are taking big risks by adding pitchers Corey Kluber and Jameson Tallion, who have combined to pitch one inning during the past two seasons, and letting go of Masahiro Tanaka. “Ultimately, gaining two for — current theory — the price of one is maybe a better strategy,” the New York general manager said Friday. After losing to the eventual AL champion Tampa Bay Rays in a five-game Division Series, the Yankees allowed Tanaka, James Paxton and J.A. Happ to become free agents, signed Kluber to an $11 million, one-year contract and acquired Taillon from Pittsburgh for four prospects. To drop payroll below the $210 million luxury tax threshold, Cashman traded right-hander Adam Ottavino to rival Boston, saving $7.15 million. “The last thing I wanted to do was put him in the hands of our competitors, but ultimately I’m not afraid to do business with anybody if it serves whatever our purposes have to be, and so yeah, that was a payroll flexibility... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Slugging outfielder Aaron Judge was among the New York Yankees who avoided arbitration Friday, agreeing to a one-year contract worth $10,175,000. New York also reached deals with catcher Gary Sánchez ($6.35 million), first baseman Luke Voit ($4.7 million), third baseman Gio Urshela ($4.65 million), shortstop Gleyber Torres ($4 million), right-hander reliever Chad Green ($2.15 million), left-hander Jordan Montgomery ($2.13 million) and outfielder Clint Frazier ($2.1 million). No Yankees remain eligible for arbitration. Judge had his third straight injury-interrupted season since winning the 2017 AL Rookie of the Year award, hitting .257 with nine homers and 22 RBIs in 101 at-bats and 28 games. After homering in his first five games, he strained his right calf and played just once between Aug. 11 and Sept. 16. The two-time All-Star was limited to 112 games in 2018 by a broken bone in his right wrist when hit by a pitch from Kansas City’s Jakob Junis and to 102 games in 2019... [More]