ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Mike Trout and the Los Angeles Angels announced their $426.5 million, 12-year contract on Wednesday night, a record deal that ties baseball's top player to the Orange County club for what likely will be the rest of his career.Trout gets a $20 million signing bonus payable this March 31 and salaries of $16 million this year, $36 million in 2020 and $35.45 million in each of the final 10 years.He cannot be traded without his consent and gets a hotel suite on road trips. He also receives four Diamond Club tickets plus a luxury suite for 20 games this year, and for the remainder of the contract by each Jan. 2 he can pick either the Diamond Clubs tickets or the suite dates for that season.His deal tops the previous high set when Bryce Harper and Philadelphia struck a $330 million, 13-year agreement earlier in spring training.The Angels will celebrate with a public appearance by Trout outside Angel Stadium on Sunday when the team returns from spring training for the first... [More]

TOKYO (AP) — Ichiro Suzuki seems to have said "sayonara."The 45-year-old Seattle Mariners star left the Tokyo Dome field in the eighth inning on Thursday night, waving goodbye to the packed crowd amid hugs from teammates in a three-minute walk that signaled to all his great career has ended.The Japanese agency Kyodo News reported during the game against Oakland that Ichiro would announce his retirement after it was over.Ichiro went 0 for 4. He took his spot in right field in the eighth, but then was pulled by manager Scott Servais and the walk into history began in front of a sellout of 45,000.He strolled from right field, turned and waved to the crowd with all of the usually reserved Japanese fans on their feet.To chants of "Ichiro, Ichiro, Ichiro" he was greeted at the dugout — and later in the dugout — by emotional embraces from teammates. Yusei Kikuchi, the Japanese rookie pitcher who started the game, openly broke down crying when he embraced Ichiro.Oakland players stood solemnly and... [More]

TOKYO (AP) — Ichiro Suzuki seems to have said "sayonara."The 45-year-old Seattle Mariner star left the Tokyo Dome field in the eighth inning on Thursday night, waving goodbye to the crowd and being hugged by teammates in a three-minute walk that signaled to all his great career has ended.The Japanese agency Kyodo News reported during the game against Oakland that Ichiro would announce his retirement after it was over.Ichiro went 0 for 4. He took his spot in right field in the eighth, but then was pulled by manager Scott Servais and the walk into history began in front of a sellout of 45,000.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

TOKYO (AP) — Ichiro Suzuki started for the Seattle Mariners on Thursday in what the Japanese news agency Kyodo is reporting will be his final major league game.The 45-year-old Ichiro fouled out his first time up and grounded out in his next at-bat against Oakland. Each time the crowd chanted "Ichiro, Ichiro" as camera flashes and iPhone flashes lit up the 45,000 sellout at the Tokyo Dome.Kyodo didn't cite the source of its report.Seattle manager Scott Servais had hinted that, after Ichiro started in a season-opening victory against the Athletics on Wednesday, he might not start the final game of the brief series that opened the Major League Baseball season."I wasn't quite sure," Servais said. "I thought we'd give him the opportunity to go out there. And I'd love to see him get a couple of hits and finish on a high note here. I want to do the right thing."Ichiro has been swarmed over in games in Japan. On Thursday he signed caps, jerseys, photos and balls down the left field line with security... [More]

Bryce Harper got his first hit with Philadelphia, and Manny Machado homered for San Diego.Both of baseball's big offseason free agents are finally getting into the swing of things at spring training.Harper lined a 97 mph fastball to center field for a single in the fourth inning Wednesday against Detroit, snapping his 0-for-9 start to Grapefruit League play with the Phillies. The slugger jokingly gestured toward the dugout that he wanted to keep the ball as a souvenir.It was Harper's 16th plate appearance over six exhibition games. Spencer Turnbull struck him out swinging in the first inning.His final time up, Harper walked against Reed Garrett leading off the seventh. The 2015 NL MVP has struck out six times and drawn five walks."Took great swings on pitches that he just missed and fouled back," Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said after his team's 3-1 loss to the Tigers."And one swing, a foul ball (down the third base side) that was a real near-miss. You could see with just a little bit... [More]

TOKYO (AP) — Ichiro Suzuki is in the starting lineup for the Mariners against the Oakland Athletics in what might be his last game in the majors.Seattle manager Scott Servais had earlier hinted that, after Ichiro started in a season-opening victory against the A's on Wednesday, he might not start on Thursday in the final game of the brief series.Servais says: I wasn't quite sure. I thought we'd give him the opportunity to go out there. And I'd love to see him get a couple of hits and finish on a high note here."The future of 45-year-old Ichiro is unclear. Many expect him to retire after the Japan series, or when the Mariners return home for two spring training games with the San Diego Padres before the regular season resumes against the Boston Red Sox.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Corey Seager returned with a bang to the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup Wednesday night.The star shortstop, playing against major league competition for the first time in nearly a year, homered to center field in his second at-bat against Chicago Cubs left-hander Cole Hamels at Sloan Park."It was just fun. The adrenaline, the excitement, it was really good," Seager said after playing six innings in his Cactus League debut. "It's been a really long time since I've been out there. That was the excitement part of it."Seager added a sacrifice fly in the fifth."I was happy for him. He looked really good in the batter's box," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "A positive night."A two-time All-Star and the 2016 NL Rookie of the Year, Seager played just 26 games a year ago before an elbow injury ended his season on April 29.He had Tommy John surgery in early May and arthroscopic surgery on his left hip in August. The Dodgers made their second straight trip to the World Series despite... [More]

Bryce Harper is on the board at spring training.The slugger lined a 97 mph fastball to center field in the fourth inning of Wednesday's game against Detroit for his first hit with the Philadelphia Phillies after an 0-for-9 start.Harper jokingly gestured toward the dugout that he wanted to keep the ball.It was Harper's 16th plate appearance over six exhibition games. Spencer Turnbull struck him out swinging in the first.His final time up, Harper walked against Reed Garrett to lead off the seventh. Harper has struck out six times and drawn five walks."Took great swings on pitches that he just missed and fouled back," Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said after the 3-1 loss to the Tigers."And one swing, a foul ball (down the third base side) that was a real near-miss. You could see with just a little bit better timing that ball is in the seats in left field. So, a lot to get excited about there with Bryce."Harper played seven innings in right field.Kapler plans to hit Harper third regularly during... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — With a hop off his feet turning a double play and by driving a ball nearly over the fence, Indians three-time All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor moved closer to returning from a right calf strain.Yet his status for opening day on March 28 at Minnesota remains uncertain.Batting every inning in a modified intrasquad minor league game, Lindor made eight plate appearances, going 0-for-6 with two walks.Eager to hit, Lindor swung on a 3-0 count during his sixth plate appearance, extending it to nine pitches and drawing a walk. Out of caution and because of his morning base running, he was replaced by a pinch runner.On a 3-0 count on his next plate appearance, he ripped a ball to the right field fence where prospect Oscar Gonzalez made a leaping catch, preventing a home run.Lindor was asked if he needs to appear in a Cactus League game to be ready for the season opener."I don't think so. I can play in the minor leagues or B games to be ready," he said."Baseball's such a... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — With a hop off his feet turning a double play and by driving a ball nearly over the fence, Indians three-time All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor moved closer to returning from a right calf strain.Yet his status for opening day on March 28 at Minnesota remains uncertain.Batting every inning in a modified intrasquad minor league game, Lindor made eight plate appearances, going 0-for-6 with two walks.Eager to hit, Lindor swung on a 3-0 count during his sixth plate appearance, extending it to nine pitches and drawing a walk. Out of caution and because of his morning base running, he was replaced by a pinch runner.On a 3-0 count on his next plate appearance, he ripped a ball to the right field fence where prospect Oscar Gonzalez made a leaping catch, preventing a home run.Lindor was asked if he needs to appear in a Cactus League game to be ready for the season opener."I don't think so. I can play in the minor leagues or B games to be ready," he said."Baseball's such a... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Mike Trout and the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday night announced their 12-year contract, a record deal that ties baseball's top player to the Orange County club for what likely will be the rest of his career.A person with knowledge of the contract told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the deal is worth $432 million, shattering baseball's previous high set when Bryce Harper and Philadelphia struck a $330 million, 13-year agreement earlier in spring training. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal had not yet been finalized.The Angels will celebrate with a public appearance by Trout outside Angel Stadium on Sunday when the team returns from spring training for the first of three exhibitions against the Dodgers. Fans are invited to welcome home the two-time AL MVP, who already ranks among the most accomplished players of his generation."This is where I wanted to be all along," Trout said in a statement. "I have enjoyed my time as an Angel and... [More]

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Don't expect AL MVP Mookie Betts to agree to a long-term contract with the Boston Red Sox before he can become a free agent in late 2020.Despite Mike Trout's $432 million, 12-year agreement with the Los Angeles Angels, Nolan Arenado's $260 million, eight-year deal with the Colorado Rockies and Alex Bregman's pending $100 million, six-year contract with the Houston Astros, Betts is content to remain on track for testing the market."That's exactly what I expect," he said Wednesday, the day after Trout's deal became widely known. "Didn't expect anything to happen until I'm a free agent. So, it's just one of those things where you just got to go out and play. Can't worry about the economics of the game right now. They have to take care of what they have to take care of. I'm going to take care of what I have to take care of. But the common thing is to win a World Series, and I think that's definitely what we both want to do."Manny Machado joined the San Diego Padres as... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — With a hop off his feet turning a double play and by driving a ball nearly over the fence, Indians three-time All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor moved closer to returning from a right calf strain.Yet his status for opening day on March 28 at Minnesota remains uncertain.Batting every inning in a modified intrasquad minor league game, Lindor made eight plate appearances, going 0-for-6 with two walks.Eager to hit, Lindor swung on a 3-0 count during his sixth plate appearance, extending it to nine pitches and drawing a walk. Out of caution and because of his morning base running, he was replaced by a pinch runner.On a 3-0 count on his next plate appearance, he ripped a ball to the right field fence where prospect Oscar Gonzalez made a leaping catch, preventing a home run.Lindor was asked if he needs to appear in a Cactus League game to be ready for the season opener."I don't think so. I can play in the minor leagues or B games to be ready," he said."Baseball's such a... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — With a hop off his feet turning a double play and by driving a ball nearly over the fence, Indians three-time All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor moved closer to returning from a right calf strain.Yet his status for opening day on March 28 at Minnesota remains uncertain.Batting every inning in a modified intrasquad minor league game, Lindor made eight plate appearances, going 0-for-6 with two walks.Eager to hit, Lindor swung on a 3-0 count during his sixth plate appearance, extending it to nine pitches and drawing a walk. Out of caution and because of his morning base running, he was replaced by a pinch runner.On a 3-0 count on his next plate appearance, he ripped a ball to the right field fence where prospect Oscar Gonzalez made a leaping catch, preventing a home run.Lindor was asked if he needs to appear in a Cactus League game to be ready for the season opener."I don't think so. I can play in the minor leagues or B games to be ready," he said."Baseball's such a... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Mike Trout and the Angels announced their 12-year contract, a record deal that ties baseball's top player to Los Angeles for what likely will be the rest of his career.A person with knowledge of the contract told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the deal is worth $432 million, shattering baseball's previous high set when Bryce Harper and Philadelphia struck a $330 million, 13-year agreement earlier in spring training. The person spoke on condition of anonymity the deal had not yet been finalized.Angels owner Arte Moreno says in a statement Wednesday he is thrilled Trout "has agreed to wear an Angels uniform for his entire career."Trout had been due $66.5 million over the next two seasons under his previous deal, a $144.5 million, six-year agreement.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox are nearing a $43 million, six-year contract with highly regarded outfield prospect Eloy Jimenez, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.The person spoke on the condition of anonymity Wednesday because the deal had not been agreed to. The contract would include team options for 2025 and 2026 that if exercised would make the agreement worth $77.5 million over eight years.Jimenez's deal would nearly double the previous high for a player with no major league service: Scott Kingery's $24 million, six-year contract with Philadelphia before 2018 season.Jimenez was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte on March 13. Ifthe 22-year-old is kept in the minor leagues for the first 20 days of the season, it would push back his free agent eligibility by one year until after the 2025 season.Jimenez was a key part of the trade that sent pitcher Jose Quintana to the crosstown Cubs during the 2017 season. Jimenez hit .337 with 22 homers and 75 RBIs at Double-A and Triple-A last season.___AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Bryce Harper got his first hit of spring training.Harper lined a 97-mph fastball to center in the fourth inning of Wednesday's game against Detroit his first spring training hit with the Philadelphia Phillies after a 0-for-9 start.Harper jokingly gestured toward the dugout that he wanted to keep the ball.It was Harper's 16th plate appearance over six exhibition games. Spencer Turnbull struck him out swinging in the first.In his final at-bat, Harper walked against Reed Garrett to lead off the seventh. Harper has struck out six times and drawn five walks."Took great swings on pitches that he just missed and fouled back," Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said after the 3-1 loss to the Tigers."And one swing, a foul ball (down the third-base side) that was a real near-miss. You could see with just a little bit better timing that ball is in the seats in left field. So, a lot to get excited about there with Bryce."Harper played seven innings in right field.Kapler plans to hit Harper third regularly... [More]

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (AP) — Rookie Brandon Lowe, who made his big league debut last August, has agreed to a $24 million, six-year contract with the Tampa Bay Rays.Lowe's deal, announced Wednesday, includes club options for 2025 and 2026 with escalators based on MVP voting that could make the agreement worth $49 million over eight seasons.The 24-year-old infielder and outfielder has just 58 days of major league service.Lowe joins Evan Longoria, Matt Moore and Chris Archer as players with less than one year of major league service when they long-term deals with Tampa Bay.Lowe joined the Rays on Aug. 4 and appeared in 43 games. From Aug. 15 on, he hit .273 with six homers and 25 RBIs in 37 games.He gets $1 million this year, $1.5 million in 2020, $2.5 million in 2021, $4 million in 2022, $5.25 million in 2023 and $8.75 million in 2024. Tampa Bay has a $10.5 million option for 2025 with a $1 million buyout, and if that is exercised the Rays have an $11.5 million option for 2026 with a $500,000 buyout.His option salaries would escalate by $1 million for each top five finish in MVP voting in any earlier season, up to a $2 million maximum for each option.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.comMLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Mike Trout was back on the baseball field Wednesday, getting at-bats during an intrasquad minor league game against other Los Angeles Angels players. He finished his six plate appearances at Field 4 with a home run, signed some autographs, and chatted with former Angels outfielder Torii Hunter.Trout didn't speak to the media but Angels teammate Shohei Ohtani did, touting the two-time Most Valuable Player as being worthy of a new contract extension."I'm really happy and excited to play with such a great player for a long time," Ohtani said through an interpreter. "If anyone deserved such a big contract, it's Mike, and I think he surely deserves it."Trout, 27, and the Angels are close to finalizing a $432 million, 12-year contract. The deal was disclosed Tuesday by a person familiar with the negotiations who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. The contract was likely to be announced by the end of the week, the person said.Ohtani first met Trout during... [More]

Bryce Harper got his first hit of spring training.Harper lined a 97-mph fastball to center in the fourth inning of Wednesday's game against Detroit his first spring training hit with the Philadelphia Phillies after a 0-for-9 start.Harper jokingly gestured toward the dugout that he wanted to keep the ball.It was Harper's 16th plate appearance over six exhibition games. Spencer Turnbull struck him out swinging in the first.In his final at-bat, Harper walked against Reed Garrett to lead off the seventh. Harper has struck out six times and drawn five walks."Took great swings on pitches that he just missed and fouled back," Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said after the 3-1 loss to the Tigers."And one swing, a foul ball (down the third-base side) that was a real near-miss. You could see with just a little bit better timing that ball is in the seats in left field. So, a lot to get excited about there with Bryce."Harper played seven innings in right field.Kapler plans to hit Harper third regularly... [More]