MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Despite all the speculation that surrounded José Berríos this month, with the Minnesota Twins nowhere near contention and ready to reload for the future, the right-hander wasn’t ready to accept he could be traded. The news that he was heading to Toronto on Friday brought him and his wife to tears. Then came the really hard part, having to break the news to their three children that he was joining the Blue Jays in a deadline-day deal that sent two highly rated minor leaguers to the Twins. “I know that it will be hard because this year, they are bigger. They are growing up. They know more about life and also some people,” Berríos said, predicting the greatest difficulty for 7-year-old daughter Valentina. Soon-to-be-5-year-old Sebastian and 3-year-old Diego had grown fond of Minneapolis and their friends there, too. Berríos, drafted 32nd overall by the Twins in 2012, debuted with Minnesota in 2015. Though Puerto Rico was their home, he and his wife, Jannieliz, became strongly... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Despite all the speculation that surrounded José Berríos this month, with the Minnesota Twins nowhere near contention and ready to reload for the future, the right-hander wasn't ready to accept he could be traded. The news that he was heading to Toronto on Friday brought him and his wife to tears. Then came the really hard part, having to break the news to their three children that he was joining the Blue Jays in a deadline-day deal that sent two highly rated minor leaguers to the Twins. “I know that it will be hard because this year, they are bigger. They are growing up. They know more about life and also some people,” Berríos said, predicting the greatest difficulty for 7-year-old daughter Valentina. Soon-to-be-5-year-old Sebastian and 3-year-old Diego had grown fond of Minneapolis and their friends there, too. Berríos, drafted 32nd overall by the Twins in 2012, debuted with Minnesota in 2015. Though Puerto Rico was their home, he and his wife, Jannieliz, became strongly... [More]

The playoff-chasing Toronto Blue Jays won the pursuit for All-Star pitcher José Berríos, acquiring the Minnesota right-hander for two minor leaguers on Friday. The Twins got infielder/outfielder Austin Martin and righty Simeon Woods Richardson for their top pitcher. The deal was made shortly before the 4 p.m. EDT trade deadline. Berríos was 7-5 with a 3.48 ERA in 20 starts for the Twins this season, and attracted interest from several contenders. Toronto began the day at 51-48, in the fifth spot chasing two AL wild-card slots. The 27-year-old Berríos was Minnesota’s unquestioned ace, a two-time All-Star who has been as durable as any pitcher in the game and remains under team control through the 2022 season. Berríos struck out 126 in 121 2/3 innings this season and held opponents to a .213 batting average. He was 55-43 with a 4.08 ERA in six season with Minnesota. Dealing Berríos will set a struggling rotation back even further, but the Twins had all the leverage with so many teams on the... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — This rookie came swooping into Yankee Stadium out of nowhere.Another slugger? A defensive whiz?Naw, this newcomer is known for a great wing. Two of them, actually.A red-tailed hawk has become a sensation in the Bronx, showing up in the last week or so and picking out perches all over the ballpark."I feel like every game we're trying to figure out where he's at. Which flagpole he's on," New York Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu said before Wednesday's game against Toronto.On Tuesday night, this raptor had a bird's-eye view of a high-flyin' team from atop the right field foul pole. More like a fowl pole."I guess it just lives in the stadium. We'll see if it's there today. Four days in a row," Yankees reliever Zack Britton said.In fact, it was a no-show for the 8-7 win, New York's last home game for almost three weeks.But recently, this ballhawk was perched on two poles that extend above the lights and sport flags of the other big league teams — the Blue Jays and Cardinals, fittingly.... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — This rookie came swooping into Yankee Stadium out of nowhere.Another slugger? A defensive whiz?Naw, this newcomer is known for a great wing. Two of them, actually.A red-tailed hawk has become a sensation in the Bronx, showing up in the last week or so and picking out perches all over the ballpark."I feel like every game we're trying to figure out where he's at. Which flagpole he's on," New York Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu said before Wednesday's game against Toronto.On Tuesday night, this raptor had a bird's-eye view of a high-flyin' team from atop the right field foul pole. More like a fowl pole."I guess it just lives in the stadium. We'll see if it's there today. Four days in a row," Yankees reliever Zack Britton said.In fact, it was a no-show for the 8-7 win, New York's last home game for almost three weeks.But recently, this ballhawk was perched on two poles that extend above the lights and sport flags of the other big league teams — the Blue Jays and Cardinals, fittingly.... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — This rookie came swooping into Yankee Stadium out of nowhere.Another slugger? A defensive whiz?Naw, this newcomer is known for a great wing. Two of them, actually.A red-tailed hawk has become a sensation in the Bronx, showing up in the last week or so and picking out perches all over the ballpark."I feel like every game we're trying to figure out where he's at. Which flagpole he's on," New York Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu said before Wednesday's game against Toronto.On Tuesday night, this raptor had a bird's-eye view of a high-flyin' team from atop the right field foul pole. More like a fowl pole."I guess it just lives in the stadium. We'll see if it's there today. Four days in a row," Yankees reliever Zack Britton said.Recently, this ballhawk was perched on two poles that extend above the lights and sport flags of the other big league teams — the Blue Jays and Cardinals, fittingly. Not the Orioles, so far.The most common hawk in North America, red-tails are frequently... [More]

Hawkins gave up one run, two hits and a walk in one inning of Sunday's victory over the Orioles.

After being used often in higher leverage situations right after his acquisition, Hawkins has been used a bit more sparingly and in lower risk situations. This despite holding a 1.46 ERA in 13 appearances for the Blue Jays. It hasn't been all good, as his WHIP is at 1.62 and hadn't pitched since August 31 prior to Sunday's appearance.

Hawkins picked up his third save of the season Wednesday against the Twins, giving up two hits in a scoreless ninth.

Hawkins picked up his first save of the season in a Blue Jays uniform, and he also became the 13th pitcher to record a save against all 30 teams, completing the achievement against the team that drafted him in 1991. At 42, he became the oldest pitcher in Blue Jays history to record a save.

Hawkins pitched a perfect inning, striking out one in Tuesday's loss to the Phillies.

In his first game for the Blue Jays, Hawkins wasted no time making an impact. Throwing just eight pitches, Hawkins nimbly worked through the 3-4-5 hitters in the Phillies' lineup, striking out Ryan Howard to close out the inning. He may be 42-years-old, but Hawkins still has some gas in the tank as a middle reliever and will provide a veteran presence to a young Blue Jays bullpen.

Hawkins will be available for Tuesday's game against the Phillies, Mike Wilner of Blue Jays Talk reports.

Hawkins was acquired from the Rockies on Monday night as part of the Troy Tulowitzki/Jose Reyes trade. While Tulowitzki will not play Tuesday, Hawkins has arrived in Toronto and will be available out of the bullpen. Hawkins last pitched Friday against Cincinnati, giving up one earned run on two hits in one inning.

Hawkins has been traded along with Troy Tulowitzki to the Blue Jays, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports.

The deal remains unconfirmed, but Jose Reyes and a package of prospects are reportedly heading to Colorado in return. The 42-year-old Hawkins lost his closing job early in the year and missed significant time to a biceps injury, but has actually been reasonably effective, with a 3.63 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 20:4 K:BB in 22.3 innings. Toronto's not that much of a better place to pitch than Coors, but it still probably represents a modest upgrade for Hawkins. It's hard to imagine him seeing many save chances, though.

Hawkins earned his second save in Tuesday's win over the Athletics with a clean inning.

Hawkins's last save came in Colorado's second game on April 7. Hawkins had a 10.50 ERA before hitting the disabled list in late April and earned his way back into a high leverage situation behind eight strong appearances this June (6.2 IP, 7 H, 7 K, 1 BB). John Axford is on the family medical emergency list and should be expected to retain the closer's role when he returns, but Hawkins is trusted again out of the Rockies bullpen and could be the number two going forward.

Hawkins (biceps) was officially recalled from the disabled list Thursday, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports.

Hawkins has been on the DL since late-April with tendinitis in his biceps, and he'll return to the club after a pair of rehab appearances at Triple-A Albuquerque. It's unclear exactly how he'll be used, but he'll likely enter a set-up role after losing his grasp on the closer job earlier this season.

The Colorado Rockies activated pitcher LaTroy Hawkins from the disabled list Thursday after he recovered from a biceps injury, according to the Denver Post.

The Colorado Rockies activated pitcher LaTroy Hawkins from the disabled list Thursday after he recovered from a biceps injury, according to the Denver Post. Hawkins had been sidelined since late April.

Hawkins (biceps) pitched a scoreless inning during Tuesday's rehab appearance at Triple-A Albuquerque.

It was Hawkins' third rehab outing at Albuquerque, and a good bounce-back effort after he was rocked for two runs on three hits in Sunday's appearance. With his bout with biceps tendinitis seemingly no longer an issue, it's quite possible that he'll be activated by the Rockies ahead of their weekend series with the Marlins.

Hawkins (biceps) is slated to kick off a rehab assignment at Triple-A Albuquerque on Thursday, Nick Groke of the Denver Post reports.

Manager Walt Weiss indicated that Hawkins would likely need two appearances with Albuquerque before rejoining the Rockies, so expect the 42-year-old to stick with the Triple-A club through the end of the weekend. Hawkins, who opened the season as the Rockies' closer before surrendering the gig to Adam Ottavino and now John Axford, should be in line for a high-leverage setup role with the big club once he's activated.

Colorado Rockies pitcher LaTroy Hawkins will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Albuquerque on Thursday while recovering from a biceps injury, according to the Denver Post.

Colorado Rockies pitcher LaTroy Hawkins will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Albuquerque on Thursday while recovering from a biceps injury, according to the Denver Post. Hawkins has been on the disabled list since Apr. 22 after having to be shut down from his rehab due to a setback, but he said in a blog post that he is taking steps to ensure that he will remain on the road to recovery. "The first time I was on rehab I threw a day, off a day, pitched a day. And that’s when I had the setback because I didn’t recover well," he said last week. "So this time I’m going to throw a day, take two days, throw a day, off again, and then throw to see how I feel. Then we’ll go from there." Hawkins, who began the year as the closer before losing the job to John Axford, could be placed in high-leverage relief situations upon his return.

Hawkins (biceps) faced live hitters Monday, MLB.com's Dargan Southard reports.

Manager Walt Weiss said the reliever's session went well, and the Rockies should have clarification on his next step in the near future. Hawkins has been on the DL since April 22, so it wouldn't be surprising if he needed to head out on a rehab assignment before his activation comes.

Hawkins (right biceps inflammation) threw a bullpen session Wednesday, Nick Groke of the Denver Post reports.

Hawkins experienced no issues during the session and will throw again in Philadelphia over the weekend. If that goes well, Hawkins is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment next week, which would put him on track for an early-June return from the DL.

Colorado Rockies pitcher LaTroy Hawkins threw a bullpen session Wednesday as he recovers from inflammation in his right biceps, according to the Denver Post.

Colorado Rockies pitcher LaTroy Hawkins threw a bullpen session Wednesday as he recovers from inflammation in his right biceps, according to the Denver Post. After experiencing no issues during the session, Hawkins will throw again in Philadelphia this weekend, hoping to begin a rehab assignment next week.