A team-by-team look at the American League Central 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: ___ Minnesota Twins Manager: Rocco Baldelli (third season). 2020: 36-24, first place, lost to Houston in first round of playoffs. Training Town: Fort Myers, Florida. Park: Hammond Stadium at CenturyLink Sports Complex. First Workout: Feb. 19/23. He’s Here: SS Andrelton Simmons, RHP Alex Colomé, LHP J.A. Happ, RHP Hansel Robles, RHP Shaun Anderson, RHP Ian Hamilton, OF Keon Broxton, LHP Andrew Albers. He’s Outta Here: LF Eddie Rosario, RHP Sergio Romo, RHP Trevor May, RHP Jake Odorizzi, INF/OF Marwin Gonzalez, LHP Rich Hill, RHP Tyler Clippard, RHP Matt Wisler, INF Ehire Adrianza, C Alex Avila. Going campin’: The Twins return largely the same team that won the last two AL Central titles, aiming to end their major league-record 18-game postseason losing streak. The pitching staff was superb... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The positive COVID-19 test that forced the Cincinnati Reds to postpone their two games against Pittsburgh over the weekend has also forced the Royals' Matt Harvey to delay his year-long wait to return to a big league mound.The Reds and Royals were supposed to begin a two-game series in Kansas City on Tuesday night, but Major League Baseball decided to postpone the game to give Cincinnati more time for testing. Now, the clubs will play a doubleheader Wednesday with the first seven-inning game taking place at 4:05 p.m. CDT and the second about 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first game..“It's not strange. It's more exciting than anything,” said Harvey, who pitched against the Royals for the New York Mets in the 2015 World Series, and will be starting Game 2 against Trevor Bauer (2-0) after looking good at the club's alternate training site.Harvey hasn't pitched since the Los Angeles Angels released him last July.“A couple years ago there was probably going to... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The positive COVID-19 test that forced the Cincinnati Reds to postpone their two games against Pittsburgh over the weekend has also forced the Royals' Matt Harvey to delay his year-long wait to return to a big league mound.The Reds and Royals were supposed to begin a two-game series in Kansas City on Tuesday night, but Major League Baseball decided to postpone the game to give Cincinnati more time for testing. Now, the clubs will play a doubleheader Wednesday with the first seven-inning game taking place at 4:05 p.m. CDT and the second about 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first game..“It's not strange. It's more exciting than anything,” said Harvey, who pitched against the Royals for the New York Mets in the 2015 World Series, and will be starting Game 2 against Trevor Bauer (2-0) after looking good at the club's alternate training site.Harvey hasn't pitched since the Los Angeles Angels released him last July.“A couple years ago there was probably going to... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The positive COVID-19 test that forced the Cincinnati Reds to postpone their two games against Pittsburgh over the weekend has also forced the Royals' Matt Harvey to delay his year-long wait to return to a big league mound.The Reds and Royals were supposed to begin a two-game series in Kansas City on Tuesday night, but Major League Baseball decided to postpone the game to give Cincinnati more time for testing. Now, the clubs will play a doubleheader Wednesday with the first seven-inning game taking place at 4:05 p.m. CT and the second about 30 minutes later.“It's not strange. It's more exciting than anything,” said Harvey, who pitched against the Royals for the New York Mets in the 2015 World Series, and will be starting Game 2 after looking good at the club's alternate training site.Harvey hasn't pitched since the Los Angeles Angels released him last July.“A couple years ago there was probably going to be a few more fans that game than there will be,” Harvey said.... [More]

Royals second. Franchy Cordero grounds out to second base, Nick Madrigal to Jose Abreu. Maikel Franco called out on strikes. Alex Gordon homers to center field. Adalberto Mondesi grounds out to first base to Jose Abreu.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Royals 1, White sox 0.White sox fourth. Jose Abreu doubles to deep left center field. Yasmani Grandal singles to right center field. Jose Abreu scores. Edwin Encarnacion singles to shallow center field. Yasmani Grandal to second. Eloy Jimenez reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Edwin Encarnacion out at second. Yasmani Grandal to third. Nicky Delmonico grounds out to second base. Eloy Jimenez out at second.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. White sox 1, Royals 1.White sox fifth. Danny Mendick grounds out to shallow left field, Maikel Franco to Salvador Perez. Nick Madrigal singles to shallow center field. Luis Robert walks. Nick Madrigal to second. Yoan Moncada walks. Luis Robert to second. Nick Madrigal to third. Jose Abreu... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The moment the final out was made on another 100-loss season for the Kansas City Royals, fans immediately began gazing toward the future rather than lamenting the way things have been lately.There is a new owner on the way. New manager, too.And the Royals, who have been in the midst of a massive rebuilding effort after their back-to-back World Series appearances in 2014-15, are beginning to see the fruits of that labor. Their next wave of young position players reached the big leagues, and a promising batch of pitching prospects dazzled at just about every level of the minor leagues this season."There's a lot of talent on this team," Royals pitcher Glenn Sparkman said. "We will put it together at some point. When we do, it's going to be a lot of fun."There will be a whole new bunch of faces overseeing it.Longtime owner David Glass agreed to sell the franchise to Kansas City businessman John Sherman, a minority owner of the Cleveland Indians, late in the season. Sherman... [More]

Royals first. Whit Merrifield strikes out swinging. Jorge Soler homers to center field. Hunter Dozier pops out to shallow right field to Willians Astudillo. Alex Gordon singles to right field. Cheslor Cuthbert flies out to center field to Ian Miller.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Royals 1, Twins 0.Twins second. Eddie Rosario strikes out swinging. Mitch Garver doubles to deep left center field. LaMonte Wade Jr flies out to center field to Erick Mejia. Willians Astudillo doubles to deep left field. Mitch Garver scores. Jonathan Schoop singles to shallow center field. Willians Astudillo to third. Ian Miller flies out to left field to Alex Gordon.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Twins 1, Royals 1.Twins fifth. Ian Miller doubles to deep left field. Luis Arraez grounds out to first base, Cheslor Cuthbert to Glenn Sparkman. Ian Miller to third. Jorge Polanco out on a sacrifice fly to deep center field to Erick Mejia. Ian Miller scores. Nelson Cruz called out on strikes.1 run, 1 hit, 0... [More]

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Brian Moran became the first player in major league history to make his debut while on the mound facing his brother, striking out younger sibling Colin in the Miami Marlins' 10-7 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night.Brian (1-0) entered in the fourth inning with the Marlins trailing 5-2. After Bryan Reynolds led off with a groundout, Colin stepped to the plate having doubled in each of his first two at-bats.The 30-year-old Brian fell behind 3-1 before throwing back-to-back sliders to strike out Colin looking. The 26-year-old Colin shouted toward the mound on his way back to the dugout. Moran hit Josh Bell with a pitch and then got Melky Cabrera to fly out in his only inning of work.The Marlins rallied for four runs in the fifth, allowing Brian to get the win. Colin finished 2 for 4.They became the first siblings to face each other in a pitcher-batter scenario with one of the brothers making his major league debut, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.Dario... [More]

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Brian Moran became the first player in major league history to make his debut while on the mound facing his brother, striking out younger sibling Colin in the Miami Marlins' 10-7 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night.Brian (1-0) entered in the fourth inning with the Marlins trailing 5-2. After Bryan Reynolds led off with a groundout, Colin stepped to the plate having doubled in each of his first two at-bats.The 30-year-old Brian fell behind 3-1 before throwing back-to-back sliders to strike out Colin looking. The 26-year-old Colin shouted toward the mound on his way back to the dugout. Moran hit Josh Bell with a pitch and then got Melky Cabrera to fly out in his only inning of work.The Marlins rallied for four runs in the fifth, allowing Brian to get the win. Colin finished 2 for 4.They became the first siblings to face each other in a pitcher-batter scenario with one of the brothers making his major league debut, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.Dario... [More]

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Brian Moran became the first player in major league history to make his debut while on the mound facing his brother, striking out younger sibling Colin in the Miami Marlins' 10-7 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night.Brian (1-0) entered in the fourth inning with the Marlins trailing 5-2. After Bryan Reynolds led off with a groundout, Colin stepped to the plate having doubled in each of his first two at-bats.The 30-year-old Brian fell behind 3-1 before throwing back-to-back sliders to strike out Colin looking. The 26-year-old Colin shouted toward the mound on his way back to the dugout. Moran hit Josh Bell with a pitch and then got Melky Cabrera to fly out in his only inning of work.The Marlins rallied for four runs in the fifth, allowing Brian to get the win. Colin finished 2 for 4.They became the first siblings to face each other in a pitcher-batter scenario with one of the brothers making his major league debut, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.Dario... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland third baseman Jose Ramirez has been removed from the Indians' game against Kansas City with a right wrist injury.A team spokesman said Ramirez left Saturday's game in the first inning because of "discomfort."With two outs, Ramirez fouled off a 2-0 pitch from right-hander Glenn Sparkman and immediately bent over in pain.The 26-year-old was examined by head athletic trainer James Quinlan before walking off the field. Mike Freeman completed the at-bat and walked.Ramirez is batting .254 with 20 homers and 75 RBIs in 126 games.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PITTSBURGH (AP) — A fan casually walked to home plate and approached Philadelphia hitter Brad Miller for a handshake before being apprehended, and the Phillies later beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1 Sunday on Rhys Hoskins' home run in the 11th inning.Moments after Bryce Harper argued a called third strike and Hoskins spiked his bat after being hit by a pitch, things turned bizarre in the sixth inning at PNC Park.That's when a man carrying a cellphone came out of the crowd and strolled toward Miller in the batter's box. Miller backed away and the man kept walking, leisurely getting near the Phillies' dugout on the first base side, where he was handcuffed by security personnel and led away.Miller then grounded into an inning-ending double play.Hoskins hit his 21st home run, connecting off Chris Stratton (1-3). The drive came right after Harper again seemed displeased with plate umpire Ben May when striking out looking to start the inning.Phillies reliever Ranger Suárez (3-0) got Starling Marte... [More]

PITTSBURGH (AP) — A fan casually walked to home plate and approached Philadelphia hitter Brad Miller for a handshake before being apprehended, and the Phillies later beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1 Sunday on Rhys Hoskins' home run in the 11th inning.Moments after Bryce Harper argued a called third strike and Hoskins spiked his bat after being hit by a pitch, things turned bizarre in the sixth inning at PNC Park.That's when a man carrying a cellphone came out of the crowd and strolled toward Miller in the batter's box. Miller backed away and the man kept walking, leisurely getting near the Phillies' dugout on the first base side, where he was handcuffed by security personnel and led away.Miller then grounded into an inning-ending double play.Hoskins hit his 21st home run, connecting off Chris Stratton (1-3). The drive came right after Harper again seemed displeased with plate umpire Ben May when striking out looking to start the inning.Phillies reliever Ranger Suárez (3-0) got Starling Marte... [More]

PITTSBURGH (AP) — A fan casually walked to home plate and approached Philadelphia hitter Brad Miller for a handshake before being apprehended, and the Phillies later beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1 Sunday on Rhys Hoskins' home run in the 11th inning.Moments after Bryce Harper argued a called third strike and Hoskins spiked his bat after being hit by a pitch, things turned bizarre in the sixth inning at PNC Park.That's when a man carrying a cellphone came out of the crowd and strolled toward Miller in the batter's box. Miller backed away and the man kept walking, leisurely getting near the Phillies' dugout on the first base side, where he was handcuffed by security personnel and led away.Miller then grounded into an inning-ending double play.Hoskins hit his 21st home run, connecting off Chris Stratton (1-3). The drive came right after Harper again seemed displeased with plate umpire Ben May when striking out looking to start the inning.Phillies reliever Ranger Suárez (3-0) got Starling Marte... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Gary Sánchez, Gleyber Torres and DJ LeMahieu homered in a hurry, connecting in a six-run fourth inning that powered the New York Yankees past the Houston Astros 10-6 on Thursday night for their sixth straight win.Edwin Encarnación hit his AL-leading 23rd home run, and second since being acquired by New York from Seattle, as the Yankees handed Houston its season-worst fifth loss in a row.The Astros dropped a matchup of division leaders despite Jake Marisnick's two home runs and solo drives by Alex Bregman and rookie Yordan Álvarez.Sánchez opened the fourth with his 22nd homer. With rain falling, Torres connected for a three-run jolt off rookie Framber Valdéz (3-3). LeMahieu tagged reliever Chris Devenski for a two-run homer and a 6-0 lead. The inning included two delays — a short break to fix the mound and a 37-minute stoppage when the showers fell too hard.Nestor Cortes Jr. (2-0) pitched three innings after another fine start by opener Chad Green. The veteran reliever struck... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Gary Sánchez, Gleyber Torres and DJ LeMahieu homered in a hurry, connecting in a six-run fourth inning that powered the New York Yankees past the Houston Astros 10-6 on Thursday night for their sixth straight win.Edwin Encarnación hit his AL-leading 23rd home run, and second since being acquired by New York from Seattle, as the Yankees handed Houston its season-worst fifth loss in a row.The Astros dropped a matchup of division leaders despite Jake Marisnick's two home runs and solo drives by Alex Bregman and rookie Yordan Álvarez.Sánchez opened the fourth with his 22nd homer. With rain falling, Torres connected for a three-run jolt off rookie Framber Valdéz (3-3). LeMahieu tagged reliever Chris Devenski for a two-run homer and a 6-0 lead. The inning included two delays — a short break to fix the mound and a 37-minute stoppage when the showers fell too hard.Nestor Cortes Jr. (2-0) pitched three innings after another fine start by opener Chad Green. The veteran reliever struck... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Gary Sánchez, Gleyber Torres and DJ LeMahieu homered in a hurry, connecting in a six-run fourth inning that powered the New York Yankees past the Houston Astros 10-6 on Thursday night for their sixth straight win.Edwin Encarnación hit his AL-leading 23rd home run, and second since being acquired by New York from Seattle, as the Yankees handed Houston its season-worst fifth loss in a row.The Astros dropped a matchup of division leaders despite Jake Marisnick's two home runs and solo drives by Alex Bregman and rookie Yordan Álvarez.Sánchez opened the fourth with his 22nd homer. With rain falling, Torres connected for a three-run jolt off rookie Framber Valdéz (3-3). LeMahieu tagged reliever Chris Devenski for a two-run homer and a 6-0 lead. The inning included two delays — a short break to fix the mound and a 37-minute stoppage when the showers fell too hard.Nestor Cortes Jr. (2-0) pitched three innings after another fine start by opener Chad Green. The veteran reliever struck... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:KEEP IT COOLRoyals right-hander Glenn Sparkman pitches against the White Sox at Kauffman Stadium — in his last outing, he was ejected for hitting Chicago sparkplug Tim Anderson in the helmet with a pitch.Sparkman was tossed in the second inning on May 29 in Chicago. The Royals have mixed it up with the bat-flipping Anderson a few times.RIVALRY NIGHTIt's Cardinals-Cubs under the lights at Wrigley Field when Adam Wainwright (5-5, 4.34 ERA) faces Kyle Hendricks (6-4, 3.16) in the series finale. Wainwright tossed eight shutout innings in a 2-1 win over the Cubs at St. Louis last Sunday when he allowed two hits but walked a career-high seven. Hendricks has won five straight decisions over his last seven starts with a 2.09 ERA during that span.OUCH!Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner will see how he's feeling, a day after his hard hit — but not the kind he hoped for.Fuming after his bid for extra bases was caught Saturday, Gardner fired his batting... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Sunday:KEEP IT COOLRoyals right-hander Glenn Sparkman pitches against the White Sox at Kauffman Stadium — in his last outing, he was ejected for hitting Chicago sparkplug Tim Anderson in the helmet with a pitch.Sparkman was tossed in the second inning on May 29 in Chicago. The Royals have mixed it up with the bat-flipping Anderson a few times.RIVALRY NIGHTIt's Cardinals-Cubs under the lights at Wrigley Field when Adam Wainwright (5-5, 4.34 ERA) faces Kyle Hendricks (6-4, 3.16) in the series finale. Wainwright tossed eight shutout innings in a 2-1 win over the Cubs at St. Louis last Sunday when he allowed two hits but walked a career-high seven. Hendricks has won five straight decisions over his last seven starts with a 2.09 ERA during that span.OUCH!Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner will see how he's feeling, a day after his hard hit — but not the kind he hoped for.Fuming after his bid for extra bases was caught Saturday, Gardner fired his batting... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Saturday:KEEP IT COOLRoyals right-hander Glenn Sparkman pitches against the White Sox at Kauffman Stadium — in his last outing, he was ejected for hitting Chicago sparkplug Tim Anderson in the helmet with a pitch.Sparkman was tossed in the second inning on May 29 in Chicago. The Royals have mixed it up with the bat-flipping Anderson a few times.OUCH!Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner will see how he's feeling, a day after his hard hit — but not the kind he hoped for.Fuming after his bid for extra bases was caught Saturday, Gardner fired his batting helmet against a dugout wall in Cleveland— only to have the protective gear ricochet back and smack him in the face.The result: A bloody lower lip that took six stitches to close. He said getting the stitches hurt more than being hit with the helmet."It was just frustration building up, we gave up the lead," Gardner said. "You hit a ball like that that's an out, it's just frustrating."Gardner was 0 for... [More]