Willie Calhoun knew he was comfortable facing left-handed pitchers again after fouling off a curveball in the spring training opener. The Texas Rangers outfielder didn't flinch or bail out of the batter's box. There were no flashbacks to last March, when he remembers waking up in the hospital, but not the exact moment during a spring training game when a fastball hit the left-handed hitter in the face and broke his jaw. “I was like, OK, I actually feel good now,” Calhoun said Thursday. “I think that curveball kind of got me back in there because it looked like it was going to hit me, but I was able to stay through it. ... I hit it on the barrel, it was just foul." After drawing a walk in the first inning Thursday against San Diego's MacKenzie Gore, Calhoun has faced left-handers in all three of his games this spring. He has a single and two walks in four such plate appearances. It was a year ago next Monday that Dodgers left-hander Julio Urías, his former minor league teammate, threw the... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — First baseman and designated hitter Mitch Moreland finalized a $2.5 million, one-year contract with the Oakland Athletics on Thursday. Following the departure of slugger Khris Davis to Texas in a trade this month, Moreland projects to get at-bats on an Oakland team that has made the playoffs each of the past three years. The 35-year-old hit .265 with 10 home runs and 29 RBIs in 42 games between Boston and San Diego last season. He could be a strong candidate to give first baseman Matt Olson a break. Moreland earned $925,926 in prorated pay last year from a $2.5 million salary. Oakland designated right-handed pitcher Paul Blackburn for assignment to open a roster spot. Blackburn had two stints with the A’s last year but pitched just once, starting the second game of a doubleheader against Seattle on Sept. 26. He allowed seven runs, five hits and two walks in 2 1/3 innings and was the loser in a 12-3 defeat. The 27-year-old right-hander made his big league debut with Oakland in 2017 and is 5-7 with a 5.69 ERA in 18 starts and three relief appearances in four seasons. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Experienced closer Trevor Rosenthal reached agreement on an $11 million, one-year contract with the Oakland Athletics, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday because the deal was subject to a successful physical. “What's up Oakland?!” the right-hander posted on his Twitter account. Oakland also reached a $2.25 million, one-year contract with first baseman and designated hitter Mitch Moreland pending a physical, a person with direct knowledge of those negotiations said Thursday. That person also spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract hadn’t been finalized. The 30-year-old Rosenthal is another new addition to a rebuilt A's bullpen that general manager David Forst made a priority after Oakland closer Liam Hendriks left as a free agent to sign a $54 million, four-year contract with the Chicago White Sox. Rosenthal went 1-0 with a 1.90 ERA with 11 saves over 23 2/3 innings for... [More]

A team-by-team look at the American League West 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: ___ Oakland Athletics Manager: Bob Melvin (11th season). 2020: 36-24, first place, lost to Houston in Division Series. Training Town: Mesa, Arizona. Park: Hohokam Stadium. First Workout: Feb. 17/22. He’s Here: SS Elvis Andrus, C Aramis Garcia, LHP Cole Irvin, LHP Nik Turley, INF Jed Lowrie. He’s Outta Here: SS Marcus Semien, RHP Liam Hendriks, OF Khris Davis, 2B Tommy La Stella, OF Robbie Grossman, RHP Yusmeiro Petit, RHP Joakim Soria, LHP T.J. McFarland, 3B Jake Lamb, LHP Mike Minor. Going campin’: After winning their first division title in seven years, the A’s took some serious hits this offseason with Semien leaving to sign a one-year deal in Toronto after not getting a qualifying offer from Oakland and star closer Hendriks signing with the White Sox. The A’s acquired Andrus to replace... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Texas Rangers will pay Oakland $6.25 million this year and $7.25 million in 2022 as part of the trade that sent shortstop Elvis Andrus to the Athletics. Texas will make 12 payments of $520,833.33 from April through September as part of Saturday's deal. The Rangers will make 12 payments of $604,166.67 from April through September in 2022. Payments are due roughly in the middle of each month and on or close to the final day of each month. Andrus is owed $14 million in each of the next two seasons. The $120 million, eight-year contract he signed in 2015 includes a $15 million option for 2023 that now, because of the trade, becomes a player option if he has 550 plate appearances in 2022, or 1,100 combined in 2021-22. Texas sent the 32-year-old Andrus and catcher Aramis Garcia to the A’s for designated hitter Khris Davis, catcher Jonah Heim and right-hander Dane Acker. The AL West champion A’s lost shortstop Marcus Semien to Toronto in free agency. Andrus has a .274... [More]

Elvis is leaving Texas. Veteran infielder Elvis Andrus was traded to the Oakland Athletics on Saturday, just over two months after the Texas Rangers said the only player remaining from their only two World Series appearances would no longer be the starting shortstop after 12 seasons in that role. Texas sent the 32-year-old Andrus, catcher Aramis Garcia and $13.5 million to the A's for designated hitter Khris Davis, catcher Jonah Heim and right-hander Dane Acker. “At the beginning it was a little shock but at the same time I understood what was going on in our (Texas) organization, they’re rebuilding and that process," Andrus said. "When I found out, the opportunity playing for Oakland opened up, it makes sense for me for my career, for where I’m at right now.” Andrus is owed $14 million in each of the next two seasons. The $120 million, eight-season deal he signed in 2015 also includes a $15 million option for 2023 that now, because of the trade, becomes a player option if he has 550 plate... [More]

Elvis is leaving Texas. Veteran infielder Elvis Andrus was traded to the Oakland Athletics on Saturday, just over two months after the Texas Rangers said the only player remaining from their only two World Series appearances would no longer be the starting shortstop after 12 seasons in that role. Texas is sending the 32-year-old Andrus, catcher Aramis Garcia and $13.5 million to the A's for designated hitter Khris Davis, along with catcher Jonah Heim and right-hander Dane Acker. Andrus, who made his MLB debut with the Rangers at age 20 in 2009, is owed $14 million in each of the next two seasons. The $120 million, eight-season deal he signed in 2015 also includes a $15 million option for 2023 that now, because of the trade, becomes a player option if he has 550 plate appearances in 2022, or 1,100 combined in 2021-22. The AL West champion A's, who have made the playoffs in each of the last three seasons, recently lost shortstop Marcus Semien to Toronto in free agency. Rangers president Jon... [More]

Elvis is leaving Texas. Veteran infielder Elvis Andrus was traded to the Oakland Athletics on Saturday, just over two months after the Texas Rangers said the only player remaining from their only two World Series appearances would no longer be the starting shortstop after 12 seasons in that role. Texas is sending the 32-year-old Andrus, catcher Aramis Garcia and $13.5 million to the A's for designated hitter Khris Davis, along with catcher Jonah Heim and right-hander Dane Acker. Andrus, who made his MLB debut with the Rangers at age 20 in 2009, is owed $14 million in each of the next two seasons. The $120 million, eight-season deal he signed in 2015 also includes a $15 million option for 2023 that because of the trade becomes a player option if he has 550 plate appearances in 2022, or 1,100 combined in 2021-22. Oakland recently lost shortstop Marcus Semien to Toronto in free agency. The Rangers said in December that Gold Glove-winning third baseman Isiah Kiner-Falefa would be given the... [More]

The Texas Rangers traded veteran infielder Elvis Andrus to the Oakland on Saturday, just over two months after the team said the only player remaining from its only two World Series appearances would no longer be the starting shortstop after 12 seasons in that role. Texas is sending the 32-year-old Andrus, catcher Aramis Garcia and $13.5 million to the A's for designated hitter Khris Davis, along with catcher Jonah Heim and right-hander Dane Acker. Andrus, who made his MLB debut with the Rangers at age 20 in 2009, is owed $28.5 million over the next two seasons. The A's recently lost shortstop Marcus Semien to Toronto in free agency. The Rangers said in December that Gold Glove-winning third baseman Isiah Kiner-Falefa would be given the opportunity to be their starting shortstop next season. They told Andrus then to prepare to play all infield positions. The 33-year-old Davis led the majors with 48 home runs in 2018. He has hit .243 with 218 homers and 580 RBIs in 938 big league games for the A’s (2016-20) and the Milwaukee Brewers (2013-15). In 79 career games against the Rangers, he hit .271 with 15 doubles, 32 homers and 80 RBIs. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A capsule look at the best-of-five playoff series between the Houston Astros and Oakland Athletics in Los Angeles beginning Monday: ___ Season Series: Athletics won 7-3. ___ HOUSTON ASTROS Record: 29-31. Playoff Entry: second place, AL West. Playoff Seed: No. 6. Manager: Dusty Baker (first season). Projected Rotation: RHP Zack Greinke (3-3, 4.03 ERA, 67 Ks), RHP Lance McCullers Jr. (3-3, 3.93, 56 Ks), RHP Jose Urquidy (1-1, 2.73, 17 Ks), LHP Framber Valdez (5-3, 3.57, 76 Ks), RHP Cristian Javier (5-2, 3.48, 54 Ks.). Top Hitters: DH Michael Brantley (.300, 5 HRs, 22 RBIs, 15 doubles), CF George Springer (.265, 14, 32), LF Kyle Tucker (.268, 9, 42). Top Relievers: RHP Ryan Pressly (1-3, 3.43 ERA, 12 saves), LHP Brooks Raley (0-1, 3.94, 1 save). Series Summary: Last year’s American League champions limped into the playoffs as the only AL team to make it with a losing record after dropping three straight and four of their last five. But then they swept two games at AL Central champion Minnesota... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Freddie Freeman singled home the winning run in the 13th inning, finally ending the longest scoreless duel in postseason history as the Atlanta Braves defeated the Cincinnati Reds 1-0 in the opener of their NL wild-card series on Wednesday. The East champion Braves won the first game of a postseason series for the first time since the 2001 NL Division Series and can wrap up the best-of-three series on Thursday. If they do, it will snap a record-tying streak of 10 straight playoff round losses. What began as a pitching showdown between between Cy Young contenders Trevor Bauer of the Reds and Atlanta’s Max Fried devolved into a strikeout contest. The teams combined for a postseason record 37 Ks — 21 by the Braves. After a couple of hits in the 13th against Archie Bradley, Freeman drove one into center field off Amir Garrett against a five-man infield with one out to end a game that dragged on for more than 4 1/2 hours. A four-time All-Star, Freeman produced another big year... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — DJ LeMahieu moved into position to become the first player to earn undisputed batting titles in both leagues, Luke Voit hit his major league-leading 22nd homer and the New York Yankees rediscovered their power in a 11-4 win over the Miami Marlins on Saturday. LeMahieu posted his fourth four-hit game and three RBIs while raising his average to .359, passing Washington’s Juan Soto (.351) for the major league lead and opening a large margin over defending AL batting champion Tim Anderson of the Chicago White Sox, who began the day in second in the AL at .337. LeMahieu won the 2016 NL batting title with a .348 average for Colorado. The only player to win batting titles in both leagues was Ed Delahanty. Voit hit a three-run drive against Nick Vincent in a seven-run sixth inning that staked New York to a 10-3 lead. He moved three ahead of José Abreu of the White Sox for the big league lead in homers. Yankees rookie Deivi García (3-2) allowed four runs and seven hits in 6 2/3 innings... [More]

Athletics second. Matt Olson singles to center field. Khris Davis walks. Matt Olson to second. Ramon Laureano singles to right field, advances to 2nd. Khris Davis to third. Matt Olson scores. Sean Murphy singles to center field. Ramon Laureano scores. Khris Davis scores. Vimael Machin walks. Sean Murphy to second. Marcus Semien singles to left field. Vimael Machin to third. Sean Murphy scores. Tommy La Stella singles to second base. Marcus Semien to second. Vimael Machin scores. Stephen Piscotty reaches on a fielder's choice to third base. Tommy La Stella to second. Marcus Semien to third. Fielding error by Sherten Apostel. Mark Canha strikes out swinging. Matt Olson walks. Stephen Piscotty to second. Tommy La Stella to third. Marcus Semien scores. Khris Davis walks. Matt Olson to second. Stephen Piscotty to third. Tommy La Stella scores. Ramon Laureano strikes out swinging. Sean Murphy called out on strikes.7 runs, 5 hits, 1 error, 3 left on. Athletics 7, Rangers 0.Athletics fifth. Ramon... [More]

Athletics first. Tommy La Stella walks. Marcus Semien walks. Tommy La Stella to second. Ramon Laureano walks. Marcus Semien to second. Tommy La Stella to third. Matt Olson homers. Ramon Laureano scores. Marcus Semien scores. Tommy La Stella scores. Mark Canha walks. Robbie Grossman pops out to first base to Ronald Guzman. Khris Davis strikes out swinging. Vimael Machin flies out to deep left field to Nick Solak.4 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Athletics 4, Rangers 0.Rangers first. Leody Taveras singles to center field. Isiah Kiner-Falefa grounds out to shortstop, Marcus Semien to Tommy La Stella to Matt Olson. Leody Taveras to second. Nick Solak grounds out to shallow infield, Tommy La Stella to Matt Olson. Leody Taveras scores. Joey Gallo doubles to deep left field. Elvis Andrus grounds out to shortstop, Vimael Machin to Matt Olson.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Athletics 4, Rangers 1.Athletics second. Sean Murphy homers to center field. Tommy La Stella singles to right field.... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Lance Lynn pitched seven strong innings, Elvis Andrus homered and the Texas Rangers snapped a six-game losing streak with a 7-1 win Tuesday night over the Los Angeles Angels, who had won five in a row.Lynn (5-2), the first major league pitcher to make 10 starts this season, struck out six, walked two and limited the Angels to one run on four hits. The right-hander had lost his previous two starts, allowing 10 runs (nine earned) — more than he had allowed combined his first seven starts. Andrus put the Rangers ahead to stay with a solo shot in the second. They went ahead 3-0 with two unearned runs in the fourth on second baseman Matt Thaiss’ two-out error. Andrew Heaney (3-3) allowed five runs (three earned) in five innings. He struck out four and walked one. Heaney had won his last two starts and had pitched 10 consecutive scoreless innings before Andrus went deep. The lefty also gave up five runs (over 3 2-3 innings) in his first start at the Rangers’ new ballpark... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Lance Lynn pitched seven strong innings, Elvis Andrus homered and the Texas Rangers snapped a six-game losing streak with a 7-1 win Tuesday night over the Los Angeles Angels, who had won five in a row.Lynn (5-2), the first major league pitcher to make 10 starts this season, struck out six, walked two and limited the Angels to one run on four hits. The right-hander had lost his previous two starts, allowing 10 runs (nine earned) — more than he had allowed combined his first seven starts. Andrus put the Rangers ahead to stay with a solo shot in the second. They went ahead 3-0 with two unearned runs in the fourth on second baseman Matt Thaiss’ two-out error. Andrew Heaney (3-3) allowed five runs (three earned) in five innings. He struck out four and walked one. Heaney had won his last two starts and had pitched 10 consecutive scoreless innings before Andrus went deep. The lefty also gave up five runs (over 3 2-3 innings) in his first start at the Rangers’ new ballpark... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Lance Lynn pitched seven strong innings, Elvis Andrus homered and the Texas Rangers snapped a six-game losing streak with a 7-1 win Tuesday night over the Los Angeles Angels, who had won five in a row.Lynn (5-2), the first major league pitcher to make 10 starts this season, struck out six, walked two and limited the Angels to one run on four hits. The right-hander had lost his previous two starts, allowing 10 runs (nine earned) — more than he had allowed combined his first seven starts. Andrus put the Rangers ahead to stay with a solo shot in the second. They went ahead 3-0 with two unearned runs in the fourth on second baseman Matt Thaiss’ two-out error. Andrew Heaney (3-3) allowed five runs (three earned) in five innings. He struck out four and walked one. Heaney had won his last two starts and had pitched 10 consecutive scoreless innings before Andrus went deep. The lefty also gave up five runs (over 3 2-3 innings) in his first start at the Rangers’ new ballpark... [More]

Athletics third. Vimael Machin singles to left center field. Jonah Heim pops out to shallow left field to Carlos Correa. Tommy La Stella singles to deep right center field. Vimael Machin to third. Tony Kemp out on a sacrifice fly to deep right field to Kyle Tucker. Vimael Machin scores. Ramon Laureano singles to center field. Tommy La Stella to third. Matt Olson homers to center field. Ramon Laureano scores. Tommy La Stella scores. Robbie Grossman walks. Khris Davis pops out to first base to Yuli Gurriel.4 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Athletics 4, Astros 0.Astros fourth. Myles Straw singles to shortstop. Michael Brantley singles to left field. Myles Straw to second. Yuli Gurriel flies out to deep center field to Ramon Laureano. Myles Straw to third. Kyle Tucker walks. Michael Brantley to second. Carlos Correa hit by pitch. Kyle Tucker to second. Michael Brantley to third. Myles Straw scores. Aledmys Diaz lines out to center field to Ramon Laureano. Abraham Toro walks. Carlos Correa... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Lance Lynn pitched seven strong innings, Elvis Andrus homered and the Texas Rangers snapped a six-game losing streak with a 7-1 win Tuesday night over the Los Angeles Angels, who had won five in a row.Lynn (5-2), the first major league pitcher to make 10 starts this season, struck out six, walked two and limited the Angels to one run on four hits. The right-hander had lost his previous two starts, allowing 10 runs (nine earned) — more than he had allowed combined his first seven starts. Andrus put the Rangers ahead to stay with a solo shot in the second. They went ahead 3-0 with two unearned runs in the fourth on second baseman Matt Thaiss’ two-out error. Andrew Heaney (3-3) allowed five runs (three earned) in five innings. He struck out four and walked one. Heaney had won his last two starts and had pitched 10 consecutive scoreless innings before Andrus went deep. The lefty also gave up five runs (over 3 2-3 innings) in his first start at the Rangers’ new ballpark... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Khris Davis homered and hit an RBI double against previously unbeaten Zack Greinke, and the Oakland Athletics sent the Houston Astros to their sixth straight loss, 4-2 Tuesday in the first game of a doubleheader.Ash from nearby wildfires fell inside the Coliseum as the A’s stretched their AL West lead over second-place Houston to 5 1/2 games.Robbie Grossman hit a go-ahead double in the sixth and Ramón Laureano added an RBI single for Oakland.The A’s played as the visiting team in a makeup of a postponement from Aug. 30 after pitcher Daniel Mengden’s positive coronavirus test result.Davis snapped an 0-for-8 stretch playing for the first time since Aug. 26 at Texas. He began the day 3 for 8 lifetime against Greinke with a home run and a double.Greinke (3-1) allowed four runs and seven hits over six innings. He struck out six.A’s starter Frankie Montas (3-3), 0-2 over his previous three outings, gave up two runs on six hits in five innings. Liam Hendriks finished for... [More]