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

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]

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — When they started spring training, the Atlanta Braves had one opening in their pitching rotation. With a week to go before opening day, they may have three.The Braves are holding out some hope that Kevin Gausman will work through his shoulder soreness in time to pitch a game in the first turn through their rotation.However, that appears unlikely. Gausman, who has pitched only two innings in games this spring, threw a 58-pitch bullpen session on Tuesday."You'd like to get him up to 90 before you'd pitch him in a major league game," said manager Brian Snitker.Mike Foltynewicz, who last pitched Feb. 24 before elbow soreness set in, is throwing again but will need a month buildup before starting a regular-season game.That leaves Julio Teheran and Sean Newcomb as the only named members of the rotation, with Teheran expected to start the Braves' opener at Philadelphia on March 28.Snitker doesn't expect to announce any additions in the next few days."We've got a week left... [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 pending $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... [More]

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Bryce Harper finally got his first spring training hit with the Philadelphia Phillies after a 0-for-9 start.The slugger lined a 97-mph fastball to center on a 2-1 pitch from Detroit Tigers right-hander Spencer Turnbull in the fourth inning of Wednesday's game. He jokingly gestured toward the dugout that he wanted to keep the ball.It was Harper's 16th plate appearance over six exhibition games. He has struck out six times and drawn four walks. Turnbull struck him out swinging in the first.Harper agreed to a $330 million, 13-year contract in late February, almost two weeks after spring training began. He missed one game after getting hit by a pitch in the ankle on Friday.Phillies infielder Rhys Hoskins didn't play against the Tigers because of mild left shoulder soreness.Philadelphia opens the season on March 28 at home against Atlanta.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.comMLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — When they started spring training, the Atlanta Braves had one opening in their pitching rotation. With a week to go before opening day, they may have three.The Braves are holding out some hope that Kevin Gausman will work through his shoulder soreness in time to pitch a game in the first turn through their rotation.However, that appears unlikely. Gausman, who has pitched only two innings in games this spring, threw a 58-pitch bullpen session on Tuesday."You'd like to get him up to 90 before you'd pitch him in a major league game," said manager Brian Snitker.Mike Foltynewicz, who last pitched Feb. 24 before elbow soreness set in, is throwing again but will need a month buildup before starting a regular-season game.That leaves Julio Teheran and Sean Newcomb as the only named members of the rotation, with Teheran expected to start the Braves opener at Philadelphia on March 28.Snitker doesn't expect to announce any additions in the next few days."We've got a week left... [More]

WEST 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 help these veterans heal through animals."The first four veterans will receive their dogs, all mixed breeds, this week. The Astros honored the men and their dogs before Wednesday's spring training game against the New York Yankees.For Coy Webb, who served two naval tour on the USS John F. Kennedy in the Persian Gulf, the occasion marked his public debut with new companion Emily."I'm taken aback," Webb said. "It amazes me that there are still people out... [More]

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Right-hander Ryan Pressly remembered joining the Houston Astros and meeting Jose Altuve."The second I walked through the front door, Altuve gave me a big hug and said, 'Thank God I don't have to face you anymore.' I said I can say the same thing about you," Pressly said Wednesday.They aren't likely to face each other anytime soon. Pressly and the Astros agreed to a $20.4 million, three-year contract, a deal that adds $17.5 million over an additional two seasons.The 30-year-old agreed in January to a $2.9 million, one-year contract that avoided salary arbitration. The new deal keeps that salary and adds $8.75 million in each of the following two seasons.Houston has a $10 million option for 2022 that would become guaranteed if he pitches in 60 or more games in each of the previous two seasons.Pressly would have been eligible for free agency after this season. Except for stars, the market has been slow the past two offseasons."I wasn't really paying attention to... [More]

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Right-hander Ryan Pressly and the Houston Astros have agreed to a $20.4 million, three-year contract, a deal that adds $17.5 million over an additional two seasons.The 30-year-old agreed in January to a $2.9 million, one-year contract that avoided salary arbitration. The deal announced Wednesday keeps that salary and adds $8.75 million in each of the following two seasons.Houston has a $10 million option for 2022 that would become guaranteed if he pitches in 60 or more games in each of the previous two seasons.Pressley was 2-1 with a 2.54 ERA in 77 games last year for Minnesota and Houston, which acquired him on July 27. He 1-0 with a 0.77 ERA and two saves for the Astros.He would have been eligible for free agency after this season.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

TOKYO (AP) — Talk about a serious home-field advantage.Ichiro Suzuki had it on a night to celebrate all things Ichiro — "Ichiromania" in other words — as he started for the Seattle Mariners against the Oakland Athletics in MLB's opening game of the season.About 45,000 voices in a sellout crowd on Wednesday at the Tokyo Dome chanted his name as he took his place in right field. The scene is likely to be repeated on Thursday when the teams finish their Tokyo series. That game may also mark and end for the 45-year-old Ichiro, though no one is saying."I thought it was amazing to see the crowd come out here for him," Mariners second baseman Dee Gordon said after a 9-7 win. "This whole situation is pretty much for him and he deserves it."Ichiro provided his usual flair early, catching a ball behind his back during batting practice.Cameras flashed and chants echoed all around the park when Ichiro came to bat in the third inning. But with fans eager to see him deliver, he popped up with a runner... [More]

TOKYO (AP) — Talk about a serious home-field advantage.Ichiro Suzuki had it on a night to celebrate all things Ichiro — "Ichiromania" in other words — as he started for the Seattle Mariners against the Oakland Athletics in MLB's opening game of the season.About 45,000 voices in a sellout crowd on Wednesday at the Tokyo Dome chanted his name as he took his place in right field. The scene is likely to be repeated on Thursday when the teams finish their Tokyo series. That game may also mark and end for the 45-year-old Ichiro, though no one is saying."I thought it was amazing to see the crowd come out here for him," Mariners second baseman Dee Gordon said after a 9-7 win. "This whole situation is pretty much for him and he deserves it."Ichiro provided his usual flair early, catching a ball behind his back during batting practice.Cameras flashed and chants echoed all around the park when Ichiro came to bat in the third inning. But with fans eager to see him deliver, he popped up with a runner... [More]

TOKYO (AP) — Jay Bruce of the Seattle Mariners has gotten the first hit of the 2019 Major League Baseball season and Oakland's Stephen Piscotty has connected for the first home run.Bruce lined a single off the glove of shifted Athletics shortstop Marcus Semien with two outs in the top of the first inning Wednesday at the Tokyo Dome. Piscotty homered to center field in the bottom of the first off Marco Gonzales.Oakland's Mike Fiers threw the first pitch of the season, a ball to Dee Gordon at 6:36 p.m. (5:36 a.m. EDT).Mariners newcomer Edwin Encarnacion was the first player to strike out this year and Seattle third baseman Ryon Healy made the first error.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

TOKYO (AP) — Talk about a serious home-field advantage.Ichiro Suzuki had it on a night to celebrate all things Ichiro — "Ichiromania" in other words — as he started for the Seattle Mariners against the Oakland Athletics in MLB's opening game of the season.About 45,000 voices in a sellout crowd on Wednesday at the Tokyo Dome chanted his name as he took his place in right field. The scene is likely to be repeated on Thursday when the teams finish their Tokyo series. That game may also mark and end for the 45-year-old Ichiro, though no one is saying.The season began at 6:36 p.m. (5:36 a.m. EDT) when Mike Fiers threw ball one to Mariners leadoff man Dee Gordon.But there was no doubt which player most fans came to see.Hundreds wore Ichiro jerseys — of different eras and colors — emblazoned with No. 51, and a military band played a Sousa march in the pregame ceremonies.A half-dozen fans lined up just behind the third-base dugout and held up cards spelling out his name in Japanese. Another wore... [More]

TOKYO (AP) — Jay Bruce of the Seattle Mariners has gotten the first hit of the 2019 Major League Baseball season and Oakland's Stephen Piscotty has connected for the first home run.Bruce lined a single off the glove of shifted Athletics shortstop Marcus Semien with two outs in the top of the first inning Wednesday at the Tokyo Dome. Piscotty homered to center field in the bottom of the first off Marco Gonzales.Oakland's Mike Fiers threw the first pitch of the season, a ball to Dee Gordon at 6:36 p.m. (5:36 a.m. EDT).

Mike Trout is about to cash in.Big time.Trout and the Los Angeles Angels are close to finalizing a $432 million, 12-year contract that would shatter the record for the largest deal in North American sports history, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.The deal was disclosed Tuesday by a person familiar with the negotiations who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been finalized. The contract was likely to be announced by the end of this week, the person said.Hours later, news broke that Alex Bregman and the Houston Astros have agreed on a $100 million, six-year deal that keeps the All-Star third baseman under contract with the team through 2024, according to a person with direct knowledge of the situation.Trout would set a baseball record for career earnings at about $513 million, surpassing the roughly $448 million Alex Rodriguez took in with Seattle, Texas and the New York Yankees from 1994-2017.Trout's latest deal would... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Alex Bregman and the Houston Astros have agreed on a $100 million, six-year deal that keeps the All-Star third baseman under contract with the team through 2024, according to a person with direct knowledge of the situation.The agreement includes this season, buys out three years of arbitration eligibility (2020-22) and pushes back Bregman's opportunity to become a free agent by two years. The person spoke Tuesday night on condition of anonymity because details had not been released by the team. The agreement was first reported by KRIV-FOX 26.The 24-year-old Bregman made his first All-Star team last season and was selected MVP of the game after hitting a home run to help the American League win. He set career highs with a .286 batting average, 31 homers, 103 RBIs and a major league-leading 51 doubles, finishing fifth in AL MVP balloting.The second overall pick in the 2015 amateur draft out of LSU, Bregman has hit .282 with 58 homers and 208 RBIs in 2½ seasons with the Astros,... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Yankees reliever Dellin Betances has inflammation in his right shoulder and will start the regular season on the injured list.New York general manager Brian Cashman said Betances has an MRI on Tuesday after the 6-8, 265-pound right-hander lacked velocity in his fastball."He's had a history in the past of slow starting, but this was a little bit more longer and more significant than we recalled," Cashman said.Betances, who normally reached the upper 90s, has topped at 92 or 93 mph throughout spring training.He curtailed his offseason throwing program awaiting the birth of his child and was given permission to report a few days late for spring training."I feel like I was trying to rush it," Betances said. "I just felt like I was behind the whole time. I'm not too concerned because I think it was just more for caution."Betances said he will not throw for three to five days."We need to give him a timeout, hit him with an anti-inflammatory so we can restart that clock," Cashman... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Yankees reliever Dellin Betances has inflammation in his right shoulder and will start the regular season on the injured list.New York general manager Brian Cashman said Betances has an MRI on Tuesday after the 6-8, 265-pound right-hander lacked velocity in his fastball."He's had a history in the past of slow starting, but this was a little bit more longer and more significant than we recalled," Cashman said.Betances, who normally reached the upper 90s, has topped at 92 or 93 mph throughout spring training.He curtailed his offseason throwing program awaiting the birth of his child and was given permission to report a few days late for spring training."I feel like I was trying to rush it," Betances said. "I just felt like I was behind the whole time. I'm not too concerned because I think it was just more for caution."Betances said he will not throw for three to five days."We need to give him a timeout, hit him with an anti-inflammatory so we can restart that clock," Cashman... [More]