TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia has returned to the mound for the first time since undergoing a heart procedure in December.Sabathia allowed one run and two hits over two innings on Thursday in a minor league exhibition game, striking out three for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre against Toledo, Detroit's Triple-A affiliate.Sabathia, who has announced he's retiring after the season, said he "felt great" after his 26-pitch outing."No problems. I felt like the ball was coming out of my hand pretty good. All positive," Sabathia said.Tigers center field prospect Daz Cameron, the son of former major leaguer Mike Cameron, had a first-inning double and Hector Sanchez hit an opposite-field homer to right during the second. Sabathia will make another minor league appearance on Tuesday against Philadelphia Phillies prospects. He expected to miss his first two or three regular season starts."He's progressed pretty well," Yankees pitching coach Larry Rothschild said. "We... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia has returned to the mound for the first time since undergoing a heart procedure in December.Sabathia allowed one run and two hits over two innings on Thursday in a minor league exhibition game, striking out three for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre against Toledo, Detroit's Triple-A affiliate.Sabathia, who has announced he's retiring after the season, said he "felt great" after his 26-pitch outing."No problems. I felt like the ball was coming out of my hand pretty good. All positive," Sabathia said.Tigers center field prospect Daz Cameron, the son of former major leaguer Mike Cameron, had a first-inning double and Hector Sanchez hit an opposite-field homer to right during the second. Sabathia will make another minor league appearance on Tuesday against Philadelphia Phillies prospects. He expected to miss his first two or three regular season starts."He's progressed pretty well," Yankees pitching coach Larry Rothschild said. "We... [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]

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 an MRI was done on Betances on Tuesday after the 6-8, 265-pound right-hander continued to lack 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... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Adam Ottavino has a bagel on his back, supplanting Derek Jeter in one small area of New York Yankees history.The newly signed relief pitcher was playing catch at Steinbrenner Field during Thursday's opening workout of spring training, a white No. 0 on his dark blue practice jersey with the interlocking "NY" on the front. When he gets into a game, he will become the first player in the team's history to wear the number.Jeter was thought to be the last player with a single-digit uniform on the Yankees, and his No. 2 was retired in 2017.A Brooklyn native, Ottavino is wearing the number he used at Berkeley Carroll High School and for the past six seasons with the Colorado Rockies."I don't want to do anything to upset people, but I had to be myself and didn't know what the organization would think," Ottavino said. "So I said the ball is in your court. For me it's just a number. Something I'm comfortable with."New York has retired Nos. 1 (Billy Martin), 3 (Babe Ruth), 4 (Lou... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Pitcher Danny Farquhar has agreed to a minor league contract with the New York Yankees after recovering from a ruptured aneurysm and brain hemorrhage while pitching for the Chicago White Sox last April.A right-hander who turns 32 on Feb. 17, Farquhar collapsed in the White Sox dugout last April 20 after pitching in the sixth inning against Houston. He had surgery the next day and was hospitalized until May 7. He was not cleared to pitch again in 2018, but doctors said they expected him to make a full recovery.He refused an outright assignment to the minor leagues after the season and elected to become a free agent.Tampa Bay (2016-17) and the White Sox (2017-18). He was 1-1 with a 5.63 in eight innings over eight games last year.New York also announced minor league contracts Friday with right-handers David Hale and Brady Lail; catchers Kellin Deglan, Francisco Diaz, Ryan Lavarnway and Jorge Saez and infielder Giovanny Urshela.The Yankees previously announced minor league deals with right-hander Drew Hutchison, left-handers Rex Brothers and Danny Coulombe, and outfielders Billy Burns and Matt Lipka.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Troy Tulowitzki would be happy if the New York Yankees add Manny Machado to their infield, even if the move costs the 34-year-old shortstop playing time."Hey, I signed up to be a Yankee because I wanted to play with the best players," Tulowitzki said during a conference call Monday. "So if Manny is one of those guys, then I think that would be awesome. It would make the team that much stronger."If Machado signs with the Yankees as a high-priced free agent, he presumably would take over at third base. Tulowitzki is projected to start in an infield with Miguel Andujar at third, Gleyber Torres at second and Luke Voit or Greg Bird at first. The Yankees needed a replacement for Didi Gregorius, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow and is not expected back until June, July or August.When Gregorius returns, Tulowitzki might have a reduced role. If Machado and Gregorius are in the lineup, Tulowitzki might not get many at-bats."A lot can happen in that time,"... [More]

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani was rocked for seven runs and seven hits over 1 1/3 innings in his second major league spring training start for the Los Angeles Angels, allowing long home runs to Colorado's Ian Desmond and Nolan Arenado that went over the left-field berm on Friday in an 18-6 loss.The 23-year-old Japanese two-way star made his first big league exhibition appearance since Feb. 24, when he pitched 1 1/3 innings against Milwaukee and gave up Keon Broxton's home run leading off the second.Desmond hit a solo homer and Arenado had a three-run shot. Charlie Blackmon had a two-run single, and DJ LeMahieu a run-scoring infield single.Desmond also hit a solo homer off Tyler Warmoth. Kole Calhoun homered for the Angels and Justin Upton went deep for the third time.ELSEHWERE AROUND THE GRAPEFRUIT AND CACTUS LEAGUESROYALS 12, PADRES 4Mike Moustakas hit a two-run single in his first spring training appearance for Kansas City after rejoining the Royals. Salvador Perez homered twice,... [More]

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani was rocked for seven runs and seven hits over 1 1/3 innings in his second major league spring training start for the Los Angeles Angels, allowing long home runs to Colorado's Ian Desmond and Nolan Arenado that went over the left-field berm on Friday in an 18-6 loss.The 23-year-old Japanese two-way star made his first big league exhibition appearance since Feb. 24, when he pitched 1 1/3 innings against Milwaukee and gave up Keon Broxton's home run leading off the second.Desmond hit a solo homer and Arrenado had a three-run shot. Charlie Blackmon had a two-run single, and DJ LeMahieu a run-scoring infield single.Desmond also hit a solo homer off Tyler Warmoth. Kole Calhoun homered for the Angels and Justin Upton went deep for the third time.ELSEHWERE AROUND THE GRAPEFRUIT AND CACTUS LEAGUESROYALS 12, PADRES 4Mike Moustakas hit a two-run single in his first spring training appearance for Kansas City after rejoining the Royals. Salvador Perez homered twice,... [More]

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Lucas Duda and the Royals have agreed to a one-year contract, giving Kansas City a replacement for Eric Hosmer at first base.The 32-year-old Duda hit .217 with 30 homers and 64 RBIs last year for the New York Mets and Tampa Bay, which acquired him on July 27.Drafted by the Mets in 2007, he has a .242 with 138 homers and 405 RBIs in eight major league seasons.Duda was 5 for 19 (.263) with two RBIs against the Royals in the 2015 World Series.Hosmer left as a free agent and signed with San Diego.To clear a roster spot, the Royals designated outfielder Billy Burns for assignment.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Former All-Star outfielder Michael Saunders has ended his two-day stay with Pittsburgh, instead seeking a better chance to play with the Kansas City Royals.Saunders arrived at the Royals' camp on Saturday after signing a minor league contract. He will receive $1.5 million if he is put on the big league roster and could earn another $500,000 in performance bonuses.The Pirates had signed Saunders to a minor league contract Wednesday and he reported to their spring training complex in Bradenton, Florida. When Pittsburgh acquired outfielder Corey Dickerson in a trade with Tampa Bay on Thursday, Saunders was given his release to pursue other opportunities. The Royals promptly picked up the 31-year-old.Saunders hit a combined .202 last season with the Blue Jays and Philadelphia Phillies, and Toronto released him after the season. He is a career .232 hitter in 775 major league games over nine seasons, the first six with Seattle.The Kansas City outfield remains in a state... [More]

OF Billy Burns was optioned to Triple-A Omaha. He was thrown out trying to steal second Friday as a pinch runner. Burns is 1-for-6 in seven games over two stints with Kansas City.

OF Billy Burns was recalled from Triple-A Omaha, where he was hitting .259. He was up for four days in early June. Burns made a spectacular diving catch in the eighth inning to rob Justin Upton of a hit. Manager Ned Yost said Burns will be used as a pinch runner and can start in center to give Lorenzo Cain a break in the hot weather.

CF Billy Burns was sent down to Triple-A Omaha along with RHP Kevin McCarthy when the club brought up INF Ramon Torres and activated LHP Scott Alexander from the DL. Burns had been called up June 4. He has no hits in just two at-bats this year for the Royals.

OF Billy Burns was recalled from Triple-A Omaha, where he was hitting .246 with two doubles, a triple and 13 stolen bases in 39 games. The Royals acquired Burns last July 30 in a trade with the Athletics. Burns hit .243 in 24 games with Kansas City. Burns entered the game as a defensive replacement and grounded out in his only at-bat.

OF Billy Burns was recalled by the Royals ahead of Saturday's game against the Cleveland Indians. Burns, 27, is hitting .246 with two doubles, a triple and 13 stolen bases in 39 games for Omaha this season. Burns was acquired by the Royals last July from the Oakland Athletics, batting .243 with seven runs scored and three steals in 24 games with Kansas City.

The Kansas City Royals optioned slumping outfielder Jorge Soler to Triple-A Omaha on Saturday.In a corresponding move, the Royals recalled outfielder Billy Burns ahead of Saturday's game against the Cleveland Indians.Soler was acquired by the Royals in a December trade that sent closer Wade Davis to the Chicago Cubs.The 25-year-old Cuban, who spent time on the disabled list earlier this year because of a strained oblique, is batting .164 with one home run and three RBIs in 18 games for the Royals this season."It's been a little bit tough, kind of finding spots for him," Royals manager Ned Yost said of Soler earlier this week.Burns, 27, is hitting .246 with two doubles, a triple and 13 stolen bases in 39 games for Omaha this season.Burns was acquired by the Royals last July from the Oakland Athletics, batting .243 with seven runs scored and three steals in 24 games with Kansas City.

CF Billy Burns batted leadoff for the first time. He became the sixth player to bat first this season.

OF Billy Burns made his Royals debut Wednesday, called up from the minors after being acquired Friday from the Athletics. He pinch-hit and flew out to center field, taking over in center the rest of the night. His speed will be an asset for Kansas City but his average has dropped off from his stellar rookie year.