PHOENIX (AP) — Cincinnati Reds All-Star second baseman Scooter Gennett injured his right leg while fielding a grounder against Milwaukee and was helped off the field.Gennett ranged to his left for a ball off the bat of Yasmani Grandal leading off the second inning Friday. Gennett slid to make the stop and threw to pitcher Robert Stephenson covering first for the out. Gennett went to his knees and was helped off by Reds head athletic trainer Steve Baumann and manager David Bell."I don't know exactly if it was when he fell or when he made the throw," Bell said. "He felt something in his groin.Cincinnati says Gennett was to have an MRI.The 28-year-old Gennett reached the majors with the Brewers in 2013 and was claimed off waivers by his hometown Reds near the end of spring training two years ago. He made his first All-Star team last season, hitting .310 with 23 homers and 92 RBIs.Top prospect Nick Senzel could be a candidate to replace Gennett. Senzel was reassigned to minor league camp earlier... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees first baseman Greg Bird is scheduled to play Saturday, three days after getting hit on the right elbow by a pitch from Houston's Wade Miley."I'm just glad it's good," Bird said Friday.Bird and Luke Voit will likely share time at first base and designated hitter to start the regular season. The pair has been competing for the first base job but both are expected to make the 25-man roster because of injuries to others.Bird hit 11 homers and drove in 31 runs in 46 games in late 2015. He missed all of 2016 following right shoulder surgery, was limited to 48 games in 2017 because of ankle and knee issues and slumped to a .199 average with 11 homers and 38 RBIs in 82 games last year, when he started the season on the disabled list following right ankle surgery.The 26-year-old has had a strong spring training, hitting .333 (13 for 39) with three homers and eight RBIs in 17 games."Ready to get going," Bird said.TRAINER'S ROOMAce Luis Severino (right shoulder... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Star shortstop Francisco Lindor and double-play partner Jason Kipnis have been ruled out for opening day by the Cleveland Indians.The team said Friday night that neither player will be ready for Thursday's opener at Minnesota. Lindor will start the year on the 10-day injured list. He has been recovering from a right calf strain that's limited him during spring training. He has yet to appear in a Cactus League game but has participated in intrasquad minor league games. Potentially frigid weather in Minneapolis is an extra concern for Cleveland.Kipnis had an MRI on Thursday which confirmed a mild right calf strain. He won't do any baseball activities for 7 to 10 days before being re-evaluated.Eric Stamets is likely to replace Lindor at short, and either Jose Ramirez or Max Moroff will likely slot in at second.Outfielder Bradley Zimmer will also open the season on the 10-day IL. Zimmer had surgery on his right shoulder last July and is still recovering.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees first baseman Greg Bird is scheduled to play Saturday, three days after getting on the right elbow by a pitch from Houston's Wade Miley."I'm just glad it's good," Bird said Friday.Bird and Luke Voit will likely share time at first base and designated hitter to start the regular season. The pair have been competing for the first base job but both are expected to make the 25-man roster because of injuries to others.Bird hit 11 homers and drove in 31 runs in 46 games in late 2015. He missed all of 2016 following right shoulder surgery, was limited to 48 games in 2017 because of ankle and knee issues and slumped to a .199 average with 11 homers and 38 RBIs in 82 games last year, when he started the season on the disabled list following right ankle surgery.The 26-year-old has had a strong spring training, hitting .333 (13 for 39) with three homers and eight RBIs in 17 games."Ready to get going," Bird said.TRAINER'S ROOMAce Luis Severino (right shoulder inflammation)... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Cincinnati Reds All-Star second baseman Scooter Gennett injured his right leg while fielding a grounder against Milwaukee and was helped off the field.Gennett ranged to his left for a ball off the bat of Yasmani Grandal leading off the second inning Friday. Gennett slid to make the stop and threw to pitcher Robert Stephenson covering first for the out. Gennett went to his knees and was helped off by Reds head athletic trainer Steve Baumann and manager David Bell."I don't know exactly if it was when he fell or when he made the throw," Bell said. "He felt something in his groin.Cincinnati says Gennett was to have an MRI.The 28-year-old Gennett reached the majors with the Brewers in 2013 and was claimed off waivers by his hometown Reds near the end of spring training two years ago. He made his first All-Star team last season, hitting .310 with 23 homers and 92 RBIs.Top prospect Nick Senzel could be a candidate to replace Gennett. Senzel was reassigned to minor league camp earlier... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Cincinnati Reds All-Star second baseman Scooter Gennett injured his right leg while fielding a grounder against Milwaukee and was helped off the field.Gennett ranged to his left for a ball off the bat of Yasmani Grandal leading off the second inning Friday. Gennett slid to make the stop and threw to pitcher Robert Stephenson covering first for the out. Gennett went to his knees and was helped off by Reds head athletic trainer Steve Baumann and manager David Bell."I don't know exactly if it was when he fell or when he made the throw," Bell said. "He felt something in his groin.Cincinnati says Gennett was to have an MRI.The 28-year-old Gennett reached the majors with the Brewers in 2013 and was claimed off waivers by his hometown Reds near the end of spring training two years ago. He made his first All-Star team last season, hitting .310 with 23 homers and 92 RBIs.Top prospect Nick Senzel could be a candidate to replace Gennett. Senzel was reassigned to minor league camp earlier Friday.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PHOENIX (AP) — Cincinnati Reds All-Star second baseman Scooter Gennett injured a leg while fielding a grounder against Milwaukee and was helped off the field.Gennett ranged to his left for a ball off the bat of Yasmani Grandal leading off the second inning Friday. Gennett slid to make the stop and threw to pitcher Robert Stephenson covering first for the out. Gennett went to his knees and was helped off by Reds head athletic trainer Steve Baumann and manager David Bell.Cincinnati says Gennett was to have an MRI.The 28-year-old Gennett reached the majors with the Brewers in 2013 and was claimed off waivers by his hometown Reds near the end of spring training two years ago. He made his first All-Star team last season, hitting .310 with 23 homers and 92 RBIs.Top prospect Nick Senzel could be a candidate to replace Gennett. Senzel was reassigned to minor league camp earlier Friday.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees first baseman Greg Bird is scheduled to play Saturday, three days after getting on the right elbow by a pitch from Houston's Wade Miley."I'm just glad it's good," Bird said on Friday.Bird and Luke Voit will likely share time at first base and designated hitter to start the regular season. The pair have been competing for the first base job but both are expected to make the 25-man roster because of injuries to others.Bird hit 11 homers and drove in 31 runs in 46 games in late 2015. He missed all of 2016 following right shoulder surgery, was limited to 48 games in 2017 because of ankle and knee issues and slumped to a .199 average with 11 homers and 38 RBIs in 82 games last year, when he started the season on the disabled list following right ankle surgery.The 26-year old has had a strong spring training, hitting .333 (13 for 39) with three homers and eight RBIs in 17 games."Ready to get going," Bird said.TRAINER'S ROOMAce Luis Severino (right shoulder... [More]

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Matt Wieters has been added to the St. Louis Cardinals' roster after earning the back-up job behind catcher Yadier Molina.Wieters' contract was selected Friday from Triple-A Memphis. He gets a $1.5 million salary while in the major leagues and $200,000 while in the minors. He can earn $500,000 in performance bonuses based on games: $100,000 each for 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80.To clear a roster spot, the Cardinals designated left-hander Chasen Shreve for assignment.A four-time All-Star with Baltimore from 2009-16, Wieters was competing with Francisco Pena for the back-up job.Wieters spent the past two seasons with Washington. He hit .238 with eight homers and 30 RBIs last year, when he was sidelined between March 31 and April 12 with a strained left oblique muscle and between May 10 and July 9 with a strained left hamstring.His contract with the Nationals paid $21 million over the two years.Shreve, a 28-year-old left-hander, had a 5.00 ERA in eight spring training appearances... [More]

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Matt Wieters has been added to the St. Louis Cardinals' roster after earning the back-up job behind catcher Yadier Molina.Wieters' contract was selected Friday from Triple-A Memphis. He gets a $1.5 million salary while in the major leagues and $200,000 while in the minors. He can earn $500,000 in performance bonuses based on games: $100,000 each for 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80.To clear a roster spot, the Cardinals designated left-hander Chasen Shreve for assignment.A four-time All-Star with Baltimore from 2009-16, Wieters was competing with Francisco Pena for the back-up job.Wieters spent the past two seasons with Washington. He hit .238 with eight homers and 30 RBIs last year, when he was sidelined between March 31 and April 12 with a strained left oblique muscle and between May 10 and July 9 with a strained left hamstring.His contract with the Nationals paid $21 million over the two years.Shreve, a 28-year-old left-hander, had a 5.00 ERA in eight spring training appearances with nine walks and five strikeouts in nine innings.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees first baseman Greg Bird is scheduled to play Saturday, three days after getting on the right elbow by a pitch from Houston's Wade Miley."I'm just glad it's good," Bird said on Friday.Bird and Luke Voit will likely share time at first base and designated hitter to start the regular season. The pair have been competing for the first base job but both are expected to make the 25-man roster because of injuries to others.Bird hit 11 homers and drove in 31 runs in 46 games in late 2015. He missed all of 2016 following right shoulder surgery, was limited to 48 games in 2017 because of ankle and knee issues and slumped to a .199 average with 11 homers and 38 RBIs in 82 games last year, when he started the season on the disabled list following right ankle surgery.The 26-year old has had a strong spring training, hitting .333 (13 for 39) with three homers and eight RBIs in 17 games."Ready to get going," Bird said.TRAINER'S ROOMAce Luis Severino (right shoulder inflammation) is to increase his throwing program to 90 feet Saturday. He had Friday off after two days of playing catch at 60 feet. ... Reliever Dellin Betances (right shoulder inflammation) will resume throwing in the next couple days. ... CF Aaron Hicks (lower back) has not resumed baseball activities.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

The St. Louis Cardinals knew that Paul Goldschmidt had one year left on his contract when they acquired the slugging first baseman in an offseason trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks.They also made no secret of their desire to sign him to a long-term deal.Now, the Cardinals and the 31-year-old Goldschmidt are nearing completion of a $130 million, five-year agreement through the 2024 season that would make him the highest paid player in club history, a person familiar with the terms told The Associated Press on Friday.The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because Goldschmidt still must pass a physical, which is mostly a formality. It is expected to take place later Friday, with an announcement likely Saturday.The Athletic was first to report that a deal was imminent."Goldschmidt has that residual value that is measurable and maybe not measurable," Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said. "His impact on other guys in the clubhouse. Obviously, he's a good player on the field. He's... [More]

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — In a story March 20 about (topic), The Associated Press reported erroneously that Verlander and Upton got their dogs from the Houston ASPCA. It should be the Houston SPCA.A corrected version of the story is below:Verlander, Upton unite service dogs with ailing veteransJustin Verlander and Kate Upton combined their two passions, creating the perfect marriage to help veterans suffering from PTSDBy CHUCK KINGAssociated PressWEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Justin Verlander and Kate Upton combined two passions, creating the perfect marriage to help veterans suffering from PTSD.Their program is named Adopt. Rescue. Heal. It trains rescue dogs to become service dogs, then places them with veterans, aiding with the transition to civilian life."We're so excited to finally pair these dogs with their veterans," said the Houston Astros pitcher. "I think we all can agree that animals are so healing — at least in our family they are. I think it's such a great opportunity to... [More]

The St. Louis Cardinals knew that Paul Goldschmidt had one year left on his contract when they acquired the slugging first baseman in an offseason trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks.They also made no secret of their desire to sign him to a long-term deal.Now, the Cardinals and the 31-year-old Goldschmidt are nearing completion of a $130 million, five-year agreement through the 2024 season that would make him the highest paid player in club history, a person familiar with the terms told The Associated Press on Friday.The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because Goldschmidt still must pass a physical, which is mostly a formality. It is expected to take place later Friday, with an announcement likely Saturday.The Athletic was first to report that a deal was imminent."Goldschmidt has that residual value that is measurable and maybe not measurable," Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said. "His impact on other guys in the clubhouse. Obviously, he's a good player on the field. He's... [More]

A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press the St. Louis Cardinals and slugging first baseman Paul Goldschmidt are nearing completion of a $130 million, five-year deal that would make him the highest-paid player in club history.The person spoke on condition of anonymity because Goldschmidt must still pass a physical, which was expected to take place Friday. An announcement could come Saturday.The Athletic was first to report that a deal was close.The Cardinals acquired the 31-year-old Goldschmidt in a trade with Arizona, a move that club president John Mozeliak hoped would put the club over the top. Goldschmidt had just one year left on his contract, though, and his new deal would keep him with St. Louis through 2024.Mozeliak acknowledged to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that "we are working toward something," but club officials otherwise declined to comment on Goldschmidt's contract.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Jessica Mendoza has heard the ribbing.An ESPN "Sunday Night Baseball" analyst since 2015, she added a part-time role last month as a New York Mets baseball operations adviser."OK, you work for the Mets, we can't talk to you anymore," she recalled hearing from teams during her spring training rounds, quickly adding "in a joking way."She's not worried that wearing two hats will lead to less inside info for her two ears. In an era when players and clubs treat the tiniest tidbit as a state secret, Mendoza already felt teams were hesitant to provide her intelligence in her pundit role because they knew "information they would give me as a member from ESPN was about to go on air." She doesn't expect that to change with the new job title.Mendoza spoke Thursday during a conference call with booth-mate Alex Rodriguez to promote the 30th anniversary of ESPN's Sunday night broadcasts, which also include play-by-play man Matt Vasgersian.Mark Gross, ESPN senior vice president of production... [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]

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Bryce Harper showed off his mighty power a week before opening day.The slugger hit his first two Grapefruit League homers for the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday, driving one completely out of the ballpark."I feel good right now," Harper said. "The swing feels good. The timing is coming along. I'll take the next couple days and really try to solidify my timing, have good at-bats, keep seeing pitches, walking. When I'm walking, that's when I'm at my best. See as many pitches as I can, jump on some early and have good at-bats."Harper is hitting .231 (3 for 13) with two homers, three RBIs, six walks and seven strikeouts this spring. He got a late start after signing a $330 million, 13-year contract on March 2. The six-time All-Star with the Washington Nationals had the richest contract in baseball history for less than three weeks. The Los Angeles Angels gave Mike Trout a 12-year, $426.5 million contract Wednesday.Harper ripped a two-run shot off right-hander Sam... [More]

Reaction from the baseball world to the retirement of Japanese star Ichiro Suzuki, who played his final game Thursday with the Seattle Mariners against the Oakland Athletics in Tokyo.___"He was a superstar when I was in elementary school. I never thought I would be playing with him in my wildest dreams. I had the opportunity to be teammates with him in the (World Baseball Classic) in 2009 and obviously I had the chance to play with him (with the Yankees) in 2014. Just taking myself back to those moments, like I said earlier, I never thought that I would be able to be teammates and play on the same field with him in my wildest dreams. ... It's too grand of an impact. I can't even put them into words. He made a huge, huge impact." — Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka___"I'm not going to see him play anymore but I'll still have the memories. ... I was very thankful that he reached out and gave me some advice last year. It's really hard for someone that big and such a superstar to give me advice... [More]

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Bryce Harper has been playing catch-up since his free agency carried over into spring training.With a week left until opening day, the Philadelphia Phillies' big-money addition looks ready to pay off.Harper hit his first two Grapefruit League homers, combining with fellow new additions Andrew McCutchen and J.T. Realmuto to help Philadelphia pound the Toronto Blue Jays 13-6 Thursday.Harper smashed a two-run homer to right off Sam Gaviglio in the fourth inning and had a solo shot against lefty Thomas Pannone in the sixth. McCutchen also took Gaviglio deep in the second, and Realmuto had a three-run shot in the fourth. That trio has been sharp this spring, with Harper posting a 1.192 OPS, Realmuto at 1.285 and McCutchen .830.Gift Ngoepe and Andrew Knapp also went deep, and Vince Velasquez struck out nine but allowed three runs and two homers in 3 1/3 innings. Velasquez has a 12.79 ERA this spring.Lourdes Gurriel Jr. homered to continue a hot spring with Toronto, and... [More]