The Texas Rangers signed free-agent first baseman Jared Walsh, infielder Matt Duffy and left-hander Blake Taylor to minor-league deals with invitations to major-league spring training on Thursday. Walsh was a first-time All-Star with the Los Angeles Angels in 2021, when he hit .277 (147-for-530) with a career-high 29 home runs in 144 games. However, he fell on hard times the last two seasons, hitting a combined 19 home runs, and injuries limited him to 39 games in 2023 before he was cut. If Walsh can get healthy, he could find his way back to the big leagues as a bench bat for the World Series champions. Duffy, 33, hit .251/.306/.325 with two home runs and 16 RBI in 78 games for the Kansas City Royals in 2023. He'll give the Rangers defensive versatility as not much more than infield depth in 2024.

The Kansas City Royals signed free-agent infielder Matt Duffy to a minor-league deal on Friday that includes an invite to major-league spring training. Duffy will give the Royals some more infield depth after they just traded infielder Adalberto Mondesi to the Boston Red Sox this week. The 32-year-old veteran hit .250/.308/.311 with a .619 OPS, two home runs, 16 RBI and 14 runs scored in 247 plate appearances over 77 games for the Los Angeles Angels in 2022. He was much better for the Chicago Cubs the year prior, and there could be some decent playing time available for Duffy with the rebuilding Royals. Duffy has a .279 career batting average in seven big-league seasons, but the power is lacking (29 homers in 626 games).

Los Angeles Angels infielder Matt Duffy (back) began his minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Salt Lake on Monday and is expected to play there for a little more than a week. He left the game on June 26 and was dealing with tightness in his lower back, later being diagnosed with lower back spasms. Duffy was moved to the 60-day injured list on July 28, so he won't be eligible to return to the team until Aug. 26. The 31-year-old was hitting .261/.308/.291 with no home runs, five RBI and seven runs scored in 143 plate appearances over 45 games in his first year with the Angels before his back injury sidelined him.

The Los Angeles Angels placed infielder Matt Duffy (back) on the 10-day injured list on Monday. He has been dealing with lower back spasms. The issue caused him to be removed from Sunday's game against the Seattle Mariners. The Angels called up catcher Matt Thaiss from Triple-A to fill Duffy's roster spot. Duffy has played in 45 games this year and he's slashed .261/.308/.291 with just four extra-base hits (all doubles).

Los Angeles Angels infielder Matt Duffy (back) was removed early during Sunday's game against the Seattle Mariners. The 31-year-old was pulled out of the game due to lower back tightness. It's not exactly clear what happened to Duffy, but the injury is believed to be minor. Andrew Velazquez replaced him in the lineup with Luis Rengifo sliding over to cover second base. Those two would likely split up the playing time, assuming Duffy is forced to miss time.

Los Angeles Angels infielder Matt Duffy (eye) was removed in the eighth inning of Tuesday night's game against the Texas Rangers. He was covering first base as a throw came to the bag from second base. As Duffy reached to grab the ball, the ball hit him in the eye right as Rangers outfielder Adolis Garcia collided with him. Duffy was on the ground in pain for awhile before exiting. After the game, Duffy stated that the injury was solely due to the ball hitting his eye, causing a cut to form under his eye. While the collision with Garcia looked bad in real time, it wasn't the cause of the injury. Duffy said that other than the cut under his eye, he was okay. It sounds as if he's day-to-day with a chance to be back in action Wednesday.

The Los Angeles Angels have signed infielder Matt Duffy to a one-year contract worth $1.5 million, according to Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register. The 31-year-old had a surprisingly impressive 2021 campaign with the Cubs, slashing .287/.357/.381 through 97 games and hitting quite well against southpaws. Along the way, he also posted a 7.8 percent walk rate and 19.6 percent strikeout rate. Defensively, Duffy didn't have the greatest season, but he made up for it with his versatility, spending time at all four infield positions as well as his left field. He should have no trouble competing for a starting infield job with the Halos during Spring Training.

Chicago Cubs infielder Matt Duffy went 3-for-5 with two runs and five RBI in Sunday's victory versus the Pittsburgh Pirates. The veteran hit two homers in the contest, including a grand slam in the bottom of the third inning. Duffy has been swinging a hot bat for the Cubs lately and is hitting .333 with two home runs and six RBI over the past week. Despite the nice numbers, he doesn't offer much to be intrigued by and there should be better options on the waiver wire. For the season, Duffy is now hitting .269 with three home runs, 20 RBI and five stolen bases.

Chicago Cubs infielder Matt Duffy (neck) has been scratched from Wednesday's game against the Minnesota Twins. He is dealing with neck stiffness, so hopefully it's just a day-to-day type of issue. In the meantime, Andrew Romine will cover second base and bat ninth against righty Joe Ryan. Romine isn't in a favorable part of the order nor does he offer much upside with the bat. DFS players can go ahead and find a better option for Wednesday's slate. Duffy will hopefully be back in the lineup within the next day or two.

June 25 1934 — Pitcher John Broaca tied a major league record by striking out five consecutive times but pitched the Yankees to an 11-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox. Lou Gehrig had better luck at the plate, hitting for the cycle. 1937 — Augie Galan of Chicago became the first National League switch-hitter to homer from both sides of the plate in the Cubs’ 11-2 victory over the Brooklyn Dodgers. 1950 — Chicago’s Hank Sauer hit two home runs and two doubles to send the Cubs past the Philadelphia Phillies 11-8. 1961 — Baltimore and California used a major league record 16 pitchers, eight by each side, as the Orioles edged the Angels 9-8 on Ron Hansen’s 14th-inning homer. 1968 — Bobby Bonds, in his first major league game, hit a grand slam off John Purdin to help San Francisco to a 9-0 win over Los Angeles. 1998 — Sammy Sosa broke the major league record for homers in a month, hitting his 19th of June leading off the seventh inning of the Cubs’ 6-4 loss to Detroit. Sosa passed the mark... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs placed right-hander Trevor Williams on the 10-day injured list Monday, adding another name to their long list of injured players. Williams was scheduled to start Monday against San Diego, but he had an appendectomy Sunday. Kohl Stewart was recalled from Triple-A Iowa to take Williams' turn against the Padres. Despite a rash of injuries, the Cubs won 12 of 16 heading into the series with San Diego. Williams, Jason Heyward, Jake Marisnick, Nico Hoerner, Matt Duffy, Alec Mills and Justin Steele have gone on the IL since May 10. “You want to cry uncle sometimes,” manager David Ross said with a chuckle. “But it is what we're dealing with and guys have done a nice job of coming up and helping us win ballgames.” There is no timetable for Williams' return. Ross said the pitcher has a follow-up appointment on Thursday. While Williams went on the IL, it looked as if a couple of key players for Chicago were moving closer to playing again. First baseman Anthony Rizzo was out of the starting lineup for the sixth consecutive game because of back tightness. But Rizzo took some swings and fielded grounders before the matchup with the Padres. Heyward (left hamstring strain) and Marisnick (right hamstring strain) also worked out on the field. “We're on the verge of getting some guys healthy, which is the good news on the back end of some bad news,” Ross said. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — Cubs infielder David Bote left the game against Cincinnati on Saturday after hurting his left shoulder on a slide. Bote grabbed his shoulder after the play at second base in the fourth inning. He was helped off and replaced by Patrick Wisdom at third before the Reds batted in the top of the fifth. The team said Bote is undergoing further evaluation. The Cubs have been hit hard by injuries this month, especially among their position players. Infielders Matt Duffy and Nico Hoerner and outfielders Jake Marisnick and Jason Heyward have been placed on the 10-day injured list since May 10. First baseman Anthony Rizzo also has been sidelined by back trouble. The 28-year-old Bote was batting .196 with five homers and 23 RBIs in 48 games going into the day. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

BALTIMORE (AP) — Aaron Judge homered for the third time in two games, Domingo Germán had another stellar outing at Camden Yards and the New York Yankees beat the Baltimore Orioles 8-2 on Saturday night. After hitting two home runs Friday, Judge provided New York a 5-0 lead with a two-run shot in the second. Six of Judge’s 11 homers this season have come against Baltimore. Germán (3-2) allowed one run and four hits with six strikeouts and two walks over six innings. He has won all four of his career starts in Baltimore. Tyler Wade had three hits while batting ninth for New York, which improved to 4-1 on its 10-game road trip and has won 11 of its last 14 games overall. The Yankees took a 3-0 lead in the first on a passed ball by catcher Chance Sisco and a two-run single by Gary Sánchez off Jorge López (1-4). Judge increased the margin with the two-run homer in the second. He has hit 23 home runs in 59 career games against Baltimore. BLUE JAYS 4, PHILLIES 0 DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP) — Vladimir Guerrero... [More]

BALTIMORE (AP) — Aaron Judge homered for the third time in two games, Domingo Germán had another stellar outing at Camden Yards and the New York Yankees beat the Baltimore Orioles 8-2 on Saturday night. After hitting two home runs Friday, Judge provided New York a 5-0 lead with a two-run shot in the second. Six of Judge’s 11 homers this season have come against Baltimore. Germán (3-2) allowed one run and four hits with six strikeouts and two walks over six innings. He has won all four of his career starts in Baltimore. Tyler Wade had three hits while batting ninth for New York, which improved to 4-1 on its 10-game road trip and has won 11 of its last 14 games overall. The Yankees took a 3-0 lead in the first on a passed ball by catcher Chance Sisco and a two-run single by Gary Sánchez off Jorge López (1-4). Judge increased the margin with the two-run homer in the second. He has hit 23 home runs in 59 career games against Baltimore. BLUE JAYS 4, PHILLIES 0 DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP) — Vladimir Guerrero... [More]

BALTIMORE (AP) — Aaron Judge homered for the third time in two games, Domingo Germán had another stellar outing at Camden Yards and the New York Yankees beat the Baltimore Orioles 8-2 on Saturday night. After hitting two home runs Friday, Judge provided New York a 5-0 lead with a two-run shot in the second. Six of Judge’s 11 homers this season have come against Baltimore. Germán (3-2) allowed one run and four hits with six strikeouts and two walks over six innings. He has won all four of his career starts in Baltimore. Tyler Wade had three hits while batting ninth for New York, which improved to 4-1 on its 10-game road trip and has won 11 of its last 14 games overall. The Yankees took a 3-0 lead in the first on a passed ball by catcher Chance Sisco and a two-run single by Gary Sánchez off Jorge López (1-4). Judge increased the margin with the two-run homer in the second. He has hit 23 home runs in 59 career games against Baltimore. BLUE JAYS 4, PHILLIES 0 DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP) — Vladimir Guerrero... [More]

BALTIMORE (AP) — Aaron Judge homered for the third time in two games, Domingo Germán had another stellar outing at Camden Yards and the New York Yankees beat the Baltimore Orioles 8-2 on Saturday night. After hitting two home runs Friday, Judge provided New York a 5-0 lead with a two-run shot in the second. Six of Judge’s 11 homers this season have come against Baltimore. Germán (3-2) allowed one run and four hits with six strikeouts and two walks over six innings. He has won all four of his career starts in Baltimore. Tyler Wade had three hits while batting ninth for New York, which improved to 4-1 on its 10-game road trip and has won 11 of its last 14 games overall. The Yankees took a 3-0 lead in the first on a passed ball by catcher Chance Sisco and a two-run single by Gary Sánchez off Jorge López (1-4). Judge increased the margin with the two-run homer in the second. He has hit 23 home runs in 59 career games against Baltimore. BLUE JAYS 4, PHILLIES 0 DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP) — Vladimir Guerrero... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Shane Bieber pitched out of some early trouble before extending his strikeout record and César Hernández hit a two-run homer, sending the Cleveland Indians to a 3-2 win over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night. Bieber (4-2) struck out eight and has now fanned at least that many in 20 consecutive starts, a major league mark he builds on every time out. The right-hander’s streak was in jeopardy, but he got Nick Martini for strikeout No. 8 in the seventh. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner wasn’t as sharp as usual and needed a career-high 121 pitches to go 6 2/3 innings. James Karinchak finished the seventh for Bieber and worked the eighth. Emmanuel Clase gave up two singles in the ninth, but got Matt Duffy to bounce into a game-ending double play for his seventh save. Hernández homered in the fifth off Adbert Alzolay (1-3), who matched Bieber for six innings. ASTROS 5, ANGELS 1 HOUSTON (AP) — Shohei Ohtani struck out 10 in an impressive duel with Lance McCullers Jr., and... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Shane Bieber pitched out of some early trouble before extending his strikeout record and César Hernández hit a two-run homer, sending the Cleveland Indians to a 3-2 win over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night. Bieber (4-2) struck out eight and has now fanned at least that many in 20 consecutive starts, a major league mark he builds on every time out. The right-hander’s streak was in jeopardy, but he got Nick Martini for strikeout No. 8 in the seventh. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner wasn’t as sharp as usual and needed a career-high 121 pitches to go 6 2/3 innings. James Karinchak finished the seventh for Bieber and worked the eighth. Emmanuel Clase gave up two singles in the ninth, but got Matt Duffy to bounce into a game-ending double play for his seventh save. Hernández homered in the fifth off Adbert Alzolay (1-3), who matched Bieber for six innings. ASTROS 5, ANGELS 1 HOUSTON (AP) — Shohei Ohtani struck out 10 in an impressive duel with Lance McCullers Jr., and... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Shane Bieber pitched out of some early trouble before extending his strikeout record and César Hernández hit a two-run homer, sending the Cleveland Indians to a 3-2 win over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night. Bieber (4-2) struck out eight and has now fanned at least that many in 20 consecutive starts, a major league mark he builds on every time out. The right-hander’s streak was in jeopardy, but he got Nick Martini for strikeout No. 8 in the seventh. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner wasn’t as sharp as usual and needed a career-high 121 pitches to go 6 2/3 innings. James Karinchak finished the seventh for Bieber and worked the eighth. Emmanuel Clase gave up two singles in the ninth, but got Matt Duffy to bounce into a game-ending double play for his seventh save. Hernández homered in the fifth off Adbert Alzolay (1-3), who matched Bieber for six innings. ASTROS 5, ANGELS 1 HOUSTON (AP) — Shohei Ohtani struck out 10 in an impressive duel with Lance McCullers Jr., and... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Shane Bieber pitched out of some early trouble before extending his strikeout record and César Hernández hit a two-run homer, sending the Cleveland Indians to a 3-2 win over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night. Bieber (4-2) struck out eight and has now fanned at least that many in 20 consecutive starts, a major league mark he builds on every time out. The right-hander’s streak was in jeopardy, but he got Nick Martini for strikeout No. 8 in the seventh. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner wasn’t as sharp as usual and needed a career-high 121 pitches to go 6 2/3 innings. James Karinchak finished the seventh for Bieber and worked the eighth. Emmanuel Clase gave up two singles in the ninth, but got Matt Duffy to bounce into a game-ending double play for his seventh save. Hernández homered in the fifth off Adbert Alzolay (1-3), who matched Bieber for six innings. ASTROS 5, ANGELS 1 HOUSTON (AP) — Shohei Ohtani struck out 10 in an impressive duel with Lance McCullers Jr., and... [More]