LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Latest on Major League Baseball's winter meetings (all times local):6:10p.m.A person with direct knowledge of the negotiations tells The Associated Press that free agent first baseman Justin Bour has reached agreement with the Los Angeles Angels.The deal is pending a physical said the person, speaking on condition of anonymity because nothing had been finalized.The 30-year-old Bour hit 20 homers and drove in 59 runs with the Marlins and Phillies last season. He batted .227 combined over 141 games, missing time with an oblique strain.— AP Baseball Writer Janie McCauley reporting.___4:27 p.m.The Nationals and Reds have swapped right-handed pitchers named Tanner. Washington sent Tanner Roark to Cincinnati for Tanner Rainey.Roark has pitched six seasons in the majors, all for the Nationals. He went 9-15 last season with a 4.34 ERA.Rainey spent most of the season with Triple-A Louisville, going 7-2 with a 2.65 ERA and three saves in 44 appearances. He didn't have a decision... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Latest on Major League Baseball's winter meetings (all times local):4:27 p.m.The Nationals and Reds have swapped right-handed pitchers named Tanner. Washington sent Tanner Roark to Cincinnati for Tanner Rainey.Roark has pitched six seasons in the majors, all for the Nationals. He went 9-15 last season with a 4.34 ERA.Rainey spent most of the season with Triple-A Louisville, going 7-2 with a 2.65 ERA and three saves in 44 appearances. He didn't have a decision and posted a 24.43 ERA in eight outings for the Reds.Roark made $6,475,000 last year and is eligible for arbitration. He can be a free agent after next season. The Nationals signed free All-Star Patrick Corbin to a $140 million, six-year deal last week.___3:25 p.m.Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera might play only a game or two each week at the start of spring training as he returns from season-ending biceps surgery.Manager Ron Gardenhire says he'll go day by day with Cabrera when the exhibition season begins.... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Latest on Major League Baseball's winter meetings (all times local):3:25 p.m.Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera might play only a game or two each week at the start of spring training as he returns from season-ending biceps surgery.Manager Ron Gardenhire says he'll go day by day with Cabrera when the exhibition season begins. There's no plan yet as to how much action the two-time AL MVP might see at first base."We'll figure it out as we go along," Gardenhire said.Cabrera turns 36 in April. He hit three home runs in 38 games and didn't play after June 12 because of the problem in his left biceps.___2:02 p.m.All-Star pitcher Charlie Morton has reached a deal with the Tampa Bay Rays.A person familiar with the agreement tells The Associated Press the contract is for two years and $30 million. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal hasn't been officially announced.The 35-year-old Morton was a first-time All-Star last season when he went 15-3 for Houston.... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Latest on Major League Baseball's winter meetings (all times local):2:02 p.m.All-Star pitcher Charlie Morton has reached a deal with the Tampa Bay Rays.A person familiar with the agreement tells The Associated Press the contract is for two years and $30 million. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal hasn't been officially announced.The 35-year-old Morton was a first-time All-Star last season when he went 15-3 for Houston. He had a 3.13 ERA in a career-high 30 starts.Morton helped the Astros win their first championship in 2017. He started and won Game 7 of the AL Championship Series against the Yankees, then was the winning pitcher in Game 7 of the World Series against the Dodgers with four innings of relief.The right-hander joins a Rays staff led by AL Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell. The Tampa Bay rotation was beset by injuries this year, and the team often used relief pitchers as starters in their "opener" strategy on their way to 90 wins.___1:34... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Latest on Major League Baseball's winter meetings (all times local):1:34 p.m.Agent Scott Boras says there are teams ready to move right now on Bryce Harper.But still no word on where the free agent slugger might end up — or when.Boras was at the winter meetings before noon, holding court for the media in what's become an annual tradition at this gathering.Harper was the prime topic. Boras represents the star, who lives here in Las Vegas."Bryce is open to a lot of different venues, so it's really about what a lot of owners have said to him about their commitments and what they want to do long term," Boras said.And it could be a swift process, although not all Boras clients wind up signing quickly."So, we're really at a point where you could be meetings away from a deal," Boras said. "And then again, you could be in the situation where it's just further meetings and conversation."The 26-year-old Harper had a career-high 100 RBIs while hitting 34 home runs and batting... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Free agent outfielder Gorkys Hernandez and the Boston Red Sox have reached agreement on a minor league contract.The deal Wednesday includes a spring training invite to big league camp with the World Series champions.The 31-year-old Hernandez hit 15 home runs last season while batting .234 with 40 RBIs in 142 games for San Francisco. In 2017, he didn't hit a homer in 310 at-bats.The Giants recently opted not to offer Hernandez a contract for 2019. New Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi said earlier this week at the winter meetings that his club was looking for an improved combination of on-base percentage and power in the outfield positions.Hernandez has previously played for Pittsburgh and Miami.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Latest on Major League Baseball's winter meetings (all times local):12:51 p.m.The Boston Red Sox have reached agreement with free agent outfielder Gorkys Hernandez on a minor league deal.The 31-year-old Hernandez hit 15 home runs while batting .234 with 40 RBIs in 142 games for San Francisco last season. In 2017, he didn't hit a home run in 310 at-bats.The Giants recently opted not to offer Hernandez a contract for next year. He got a spring training invite to big league camp with the World Series champion Red Sox.___12:20 p.m.A person familiar with the negotiations says shortstop Jordy Mercer and the Detroit Tigers have agreed to a $5.25 million, one-year contract.The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the agreement was subject to a successful physical.Mercer had spent his entire seven-season big league career with Pittsburgh. The 32-year-old hit .251 with six homers and 39 RBIs, down from 14 homers and 58 RBIs in 2017.His agreement was first reported by Fancred.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Second baseman Joe Panik reached agreement on a $3.85 million, one-year contract with the San Francisco Giants on Friday to avoid salary arbitration, while reliever Sam Dyson received a $5 million, one-year deal.The Giants, with new baseball operations chief Farhan Zaidi now in charge, did not tender contracts to outfielder Gorkys Hernandez or reliever Hunter Strickland, allowing the pair to become free agents.Panik batted .254 with four home runs and 24 RBIs in 102 games while again dealing with injuries. Dyson went 4-3 with a 2.69 ERA in a team-best 74 outings.After a stint as closer last season, Strickland punched a door in June after blowing a save and taking a loss to Miami, and he required surgery. In late May 2017, the excitable right-hander ignited a brawl when he beaned Washington's Bryce Harper with a 98 mph fastball on his first pitch in the eighth inning with two outs, none on and the Nationals ahead 2-0. Harper charged the mound and both men threw punches as benches and bullpens emptied.Hernandez had career highs of 15 home runs and 40 RBIs while playing in 142 games.Left-hander Will Smith, who received the 2018 Willie Mac Award named for the late Hall of Famer, is San Francisco's final arbitration-eligible player and was tendered a contract Friday.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

TORONTO (AP) — The Houston Astros clinched another AL West title and reached 100 wins for the second straight season, beating the Toronto Blue Jays 4-1 Tuesday night behind Alex Bregman's two-run homer.Houston improved to 100-57 and was assured of first place hours later when second-place Oakland (95-63) lost at Seattle. The Astros will open the Division Series at home against Cleveland on Oct. 5.The Astros need three wins in their final five games to break the franchise record for victories in a season, set in 1998.Houston is 18-4 in September and 54-22 on the road, both best in the major leagues.Roberto Osuna needed just six pitches in the ninth for his 20th save in 21 chances. Earlier Tuesday, assault charges against Osuna were dropped because the complainant, who lives in Mexico, made clear she would not travel to Toronto to testify.Josh James (2-0) allowed one run and four hits in five innings in his third big league start.Bregman went 2 for 5 and extended his club-record streak of... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Steve Pearce had three hits and three RBIs, Rick Porcello allowed two hits in five innings and the Boston Red Sox beat the Atlanta Braves 5-1 on Tuesday night for their second straight win in a matchup of division leaders.Porcello (16-7) gave up one run and struck out five, improving to 10-3 on the road this year. He had been 0-2 in his previous three starts overall since an Aug. 14 win at Philadelphia.Atlanta pitchers walked nine, including five by starter Sean Newcomb (11-8), who matched his season high. He allowed three runs and four hits in 4 1/3 innings.The Braves' lead over second-place Philadelphia in the NL East was cut to three games.Kurt Suzuki homered for the Braves.BREWERS 11, CUBS 1MILWAUKEE (AP) — Lorenzo Cain reached base five times, Wade Miley pitched six stingy innings and Milwaukee romped past Chicago to climb within three games of the NL Central leaders.Miley (3-2) allowed one run and three hits, struck out five and walked none as Milwaukee won for the... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Steve Pearce had three hits and three RBIs, Rick Porcello allowed two hits in five innings and the Boston Red Sox beat the Atlanta Braves 5-1 on Tuesday night for their second straight win in a matchup of division leaders.Porcello (16-7) gave up one run and struck out five, improving to 10-3 on the road this year. He had been 0-2 in his previous three starts overall since an Aug. 14 win at Philadelphia.Atlanta pitchers walked nine, including five by starter Sean Newcomb (11-8), who matched his season high. He allowed three runs and four hits in 4 1/3 innings.The Braves' lead over second-place Philadelphia in the NL East was cut to three games.Kurt Suzuki homered for the Braves.BREWERS 11, CUBS 1MILWAUKEE (AP) — Lorenzo Cain reached base five times, Wade Miley pitched six stingy innings and Milwaukee romped past Chicago to climb within three games of the NL Central leaders.Miley (3-2) allowed one run and three hits, struck out five and walked none as Milwaukee won for the... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Steve Pearce had three hits and three RBIs, Rick Porcello allowed two hits in five innings and the Boston Red Sox beat the Atlanta Braves 5-1 on Tuesday night for their second straight win in a matchup of division leaders.Porcello (16-7) gave up one run and struck out five, improving to 10-3 on the road this year. He had been 0-2 in his previous three starts overall since an Aug. 14 win at Philadelphia.Atlanta pitchers walked nine, including five by starter Sean Newcomb (11-8), who matched his season high. He allowed three runs and four hits in 4 1/3 innings.The Braves' lead over second-place Philadelphia in the NL East was cut to three games.Kurt Suzuki homered for the Braves.BREWERS 11, CUBS 1MILWAUKEE (AP) — Lorenzo Cain reached base five times, Wade Miley pitched six stingy innings and Milwaukee romped past Chicago to climb within three games of the NL Central leaders.Miley (3-2) allowed one run and three hits, struck out five and walked none as Milwaukee won for the... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Giants rookie center fielder Steven Duggar was placed on the disabled list Wednesday with a potential season-ending left shoulder injury a day after a hard, headfirst slide back into second base.San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy said after a 3-1 loss to Arizona that MRI results showed Duggar dislocated the shoulder and tore his labrum. Surgery was recommended, but no decision had been made. The club won't take any chances with the prized 24-year-old outfielder.Duggar arrived at the ballpark Wednesday still very sore from the night before, when he wound up staying in the game and scoring the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning for a 1-0 victory against the Diamondbacks."I'd like to be a bit hopeful here that it doesn't (end his year), but he showed up really sore today so obviously there's concern about that with the time left in the season," Bochy said. "I told Duggy that, I really liked where he was with his game. The defense you guys saw — he's exciting,... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Giants rookie center fielder Steven Duggar was placed on the disabled list Wednesday with a potential season-ending left shoulder injury a day after a hard, headfirst slide back into second base.While San Francisco's medical staff was still awaiting MRI results, manager Bruce Bochy said the club won't take any chances with the prized 24-year-old outfielder. Duggar arrived at AT&T Park on Wednesday still very sore from the night before, when he wound up staying in the game and scoring the winning run in the bottom of the ninth of a 1-0 victory against the Arizona Diamondbacks."I'd like to be a bit hopeful here that it doesn't (end his year), but he showed up really sore today so obviously there's concern about that with the time left in the season," Bochy said. "I told Duggy that, I really liked where he was with his game. The defense you guys saw, he's exciting, the range he covers, the arm. Then with the bat, he really tightened up his swing, was throwing out good... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Giants center fielder Steven Duggar has gone on the disabled list with a potential season-ending left shoulder injury a day after a hard, headfirst slide back into second base.While San Francisco's medical staff was still awaiting MRI results, manager Bruce Bochy said the club won't take any chances with the prized 24-year-old outfielder. Duggar arrived at AT&T Park on Wednesday very sore from the night before, when he wound up staying in the game and scoring the winning run in the bottom of the ninth of a 1-0 victory against the Arizona Diamondbacks.Outfielder Gregor Blanco was on his way from Triple-A Sacramento and available for the series finale with the D-backs. Gorkys Hernandez is expected to taket he bulk of the playing time in center.Also Wednesday, right-hander Jeff Samardzija received a second opinion on his inflamed pitching shoulder from Dr. Tim McAdams at Stanford and it was advised the pitcher continue to rest the injury. There was no structural damage found but Samardzija's availability for the remainder of the season is in doubt based on the time he would need to build back up in his throwing program after the rest period, Bochy said.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Pinch-running pitcher Vince Velasquez was called out for leaving second base early while tagging up, resulting in a game-ending double play that gave the Washington Nationals a 5-4 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday.After Aaron Nola outpitched Max Scherzer for the second time in six days in a matchup of NL Cy Young Award contenders, the Phillies watched Washington rally for three runs in the ninth to take a 5-3 lead.Ramos got Philadelphia within a run with a pinch-hit double in the ninth, and Velasquez pinch-ran for the catcher. Greg Holland relieved and retired Jorge Alfaro on a flyball to center, with Velasquez moving to third as the potential tying run.But the Nationals appealed that Velasquez left too soon, and he was called out. A replay upheld the ruling.Anthony Rendon hit a go-ahead, two-run homer off Pat Neshek (1-1) in the Nationals ninth. The Nationals trailed 3-2 when Bryce Harper drew a leadoff walk from Tommy Hunter. Neshek surrendered Rendon's... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Ronald Acuna Jr. pulled off one of the rarest feats in baseball history, hitting leadoff homers in both games of a doubleheader to send the first-place Atlanta Braves to a sweep of the Miami Marlins on Monday.The 20-year-old rookie hit an opposite-field drive into the Braves' bullpen in Game 1, powering Atlanta to a 9-1 victory. Haitian-American Touki Toussaint (1-0) pitched six strong innings to win his major league debut.It was more of the same from Acuna in the nightcap. He sent a towering shot into the seats in left-center, sparking the Braves to a 6-1 victory behind another strong outing on the mound from Mike Foltynewicz (10-7).Acuna appeared to be only the fourth player in big league history to hit a pair of leadoff homers in a doubleheader.Merandy Gonzalez (2-1) took the loss in the second game after being called up from Double-A Jacksonville for his first career start.Acuna hit his first leadoff homer off Pablo Lopez (2-3) and added a two-run double in the sixth,... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Pinch-hitter David Bote smashed a grand slam against Ryan Madson with two outs in the ninth inning to lift the Chicago Cubs to a 4-3 victory over the Washington Nationals on Sunday night.Bote's long drive to center field came after Washington's Max Scherzer and Chicago's Cole Hamels delivered simply dominant starts.Madson (2-5) came in with a 3-0 lead to start the ninth and quickly ran into trouble. He gave up an infield single to Jason Heyward with one out and hit Albert Almora with a pitch. Madson then retired Kyle Schwarber on a foul pop before hitting Contreras to load the bases, but Bote drove a 2-2 pitch well beyond the center-field wall.Bote's drive made a winner of Justin Wilson (4-3), who got the final two outs in the ninth.RED SOX 4, ORIOLES 1BALTIMORE (AP) — Chris Sale celebrated his return from the disabled list by striking out 12 over five dominant innings, and the Boston Red Sox moved 50 games over .500 by completing a sweep of the lowly Orioles.Sale (12-4)... [More]

BALTIMORE (AP) — Chris Sale celebrated his return from the disabled list by striking out 12 over five dominant innings, and the Boston Red Sox moved 50 games over .500 by completing a sweep of the lowly Baltimore Orioles with a 4-1 victory on Sunday.Sale (12-4) was placed on the DL on July 28 with left shoulder inflammation. Judging by his performance, the injury is no longer an issue.The left-hander allowed just one hit, a clean third-inning single to left field by Renato Nunez, and walked none. Craig Kimbrel, the last of five Boston relievers, worked the ninth for his 35th save.Steve Pearce homered for the Red Sox, who have won 10 of 11 to improve to 85-35.Alex Cobb (3-15) took the loss despite allowing only two runs, one earned, over seven innings.MARINERS 4, ASTROS 3, 10 INNINGSHOUSTON (AP) — Ryon Healy hit a tying homer with two out in the ninth inning, Mitch Haniger delivered an RBI double in the 10th and the Mariners swept a four-game series from the AL West-leading Astros.It's the... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Blake Swihart doubled into the Red Sox bullpen to score Eduardo Nunez in the 13th inning and Boston beat the Philadelphia Phillies 2-1 on Monday night to move a season-high six games ahead of the New York Yankees in the AL East.Boston announced after the game it had acquired Ian Kinsler from the Angels to fill in for injured second baseman Dustin Pedroia.Hector Velazquez (7-0) pitched a scoreless inning for the win and Austin Davis (1-1) took the loss after pitching a perfect 12th before allowing Nunez's leadoff single in the next inning. Luis Garcia, the 12th pitcher of the night, struck out Brock Holt but allowed Nunez to steal second.Swihart lined the first pitch he saw toward the gap and into the bullpen on one hop for his first career walk-off RBI.The Red Sox have won 19 of their last 23 games and matched their biggest lead in the division of the season. At 75-33, they have the best record in baseball and are 42 games above .500 for the first time since the end of the... [More]