Infielder Gordon Beckham announced in a tweet on Wednesday that he is officially retiring. The eighth overall pick by the Chicago White Sox in the 2008 draft, Beckham made his Major League debut in 2009 and logged 3782 plate appearances in the Majors. In addition to playing for the White Sox, he also suited up for the Los Angeles Angels, Atlanta Braves, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, and Detroit Tigers in 11 Major League seasons. He hit .237 with a .300 on-base percentage, 80 home runs, and 35 stolen bases in his Major League career while seeing most of his playing time at second base and third base.

NEW YORK (AP) — New York Mets hitting coach Chili Davis hasn’t decided if he will rejoin the team at any point this season because of concerns about the coronavirus.The 60-year-old Davis has been working remotely from his Arizona home during the pandemic, doing his best to help Mets hitters throughout their summer training camp in New York this month. On a video conference call with reporters Wednesday, he said he’s at risk due to underlying health conditions that he preferred to keep private.“It’s a tough decision,” Davis said. “It’s not easy. It’s kind of boring sitting here not doing what I signed up to do.” New York opens the 60-game regular season Friday at home against Atlanta.Davis said he’s “very much in contact” with all the players and especially manager Luis Rojas and assistant hitting coach Tom Slater, who is subbing on site at Citi Field. Davis said he and Slater talk at least two or three times a day.Mets staffers send videos to Davis of batting practice and simulated games.“I... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — When baseball comes back next month, Yoenis Céspedes might finally be ready to return, too.Sidelined for nearly two years by injuries and then the coronavirus pandemic, the New York Mets slugger could be healthy enough at last to play on opening day in late July — especially with the designated hitter available in the National League this season.“We’ll have to evaluate how the next few days go, but we’re optimistic,” Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said Monday. “His bat can be a real impact and be a little bit of a separator for us as we compare ourselves to the rest of the teams in the league.”The 34-year-old Céspedes hasn’t played since July 20, 2018 — his only major league game after May 13 that year. The two-time All-Star had surgery on both heels and then broke his right ankle in a nasty spill on his Florida ranch in a reported run-in with a wild boar.Van Wagenen mentioned that Céspedes is a five-tool athlete and won’t necessarily be limited to DH duty if healthy.... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — When baseball comes back next month, Yoenis Céspedes might finally be ready to return, too.Sidelined for nearly two years by injuries and then the coronavirus pandemic, the New York Mets slugger could be healthy enough at last to play on opening day in late July — especially with the designated hitter available in the National League this season.“We’ll have to evaluate how the next few days go, but we’re optimistic,” Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said Monday. “His bat can be a real impact and be a little bit of a separator for us as we compare ourselves to the rest of the teams in the league.”The 34-year-old Céspedes hasn’t played since July 20, 2018 — his only major league game after May 13 that year. The two-time All-Star had surgery on both heels and then broke his right ankle in a nasty spill on his Florida ranch in a reported run-in with a wild boar.Van Wagenen mentioned that Céspedes is a five-tool athlete and won’t necessarily be limited to DH duty if healthy.... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The San Diego Padres have agreed to minor league deals with outfielder Juan Lagares and infielder Gordon Beckham, a person familiar with the agreements told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday night because the deals have not been announced and are pending physicals.Lagares will compete for the center field job vacated when Manuel Margot was traded to Tampa Bay for reliever Emilio Pagán. Trent Grisham, obtained in a trade with Milwaukee, appears to be the front runner for center field, and Franchy Cordero also will be in the mix. Lagares, 30, became a free agent after spending seven seasons with the New York Mets. He hit .213 with five home runs and 27 RBIs in 133 games in 2019. He made 67 starts in center field.Beckham, 33, was with Detroit in 2019, hitting .215 with six homers and 15 RBIs. He started at all four infield spots, making 56 total starts. He also became a free agent after the season.Pitchers and catchers report to Peoria, Arizona, on Wednesday, while position players report on Monday. The first full-squad workout is next Tuesday. ___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

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 TwinsManager: Rocco Baldelli (second season). 2019: 101-61, first place, lost to Yankees in Division Series.Training Town: Fort Myers, Florida.Park: Hammond Stadium at CenturyLink Sports Complex. First Workout: Feb. 12/17.He's Here: 3B Josh Donaldson, RHP Kenta Maeda, RHP Homer Bailey, RHP Tyler Clippard, C Alex Avila, LHP Rich Hill, RHP Matt Wisler, RHP Jhoulys Chacin, LHP Blaine Hardy.He's Outta Here: RHP Brusdar Graterol, RHP Kyle Gibson, 1B C.J. Cron, 2B Jonathan Schoop, C Jason Castro, LHP Mart�n P�rez, RHP Ryne Harper, RHP Trevor Hildenberger, RHP Sam Dyson.Going campin': The high-priced addition of the big-swinging, slick-fielding Donaldson boosted an already deep lineup that produced a major league record 307 home runs last season. Then came the agreement this week... [More]

White sox second. Eloy Jimenez singles to left field. James McCann singles to left field. Eloy Jimenez to second. Yolmer Sanchez flies out to left field to Ronny Rodriguez. Danny Mendick called out on strikes. Zack Collins singles to left center field. James McCann scores. Eloy Jimenez scores. Adam Engel doubles to deep right field. Zack Collins to third. Leury Garcia grounds out to first base to Jeimer Candelario.2 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. White sox 2, Tigers 0.Tigers sixth. Gordon Beckham singles to shallow left field. Victor Reyes singles to center field. Gordon Beckham to third. Jordy Mercer walks. Victor Reyes to second. Jeimer Candelario singles to center field. Jordy Mercer to second. Victor Reyes to third. Gordon Beckham scores. Christin Stewart reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Jeimer Candelario to second. Jordy Mercer to third. Victor Reyes out at home. Ronny Rodriguez strikes out swinging. Dawel Lugo grounds out to second base to Jose Abreu.1 run, 3... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — George Springer hit a career-high three homers, Justin Verlander posted his MLB-leading 20th win and the Houston Astros clinched their third straight AL West title in grand fashion, routing the Los Angeles Angels 13-5 on Sunday.A crowd at Minute Maid Park that was cheering from Verlander's first pitch got even louder as Springer homered three times in the first four innings. The Astros kept breaking away and improved to 102-54, a half-game ahead of the New York Yankees for the best record in the majors.After the final out, the Astros held a bouncing group hug in the middle of the diamond and posed for a team picture. It hasn't been determined who they will face in the playoffs as they try for their second World Series championship in three years.Springer, the MVP of the 2017 World Series, had two chances to tie the big league record for home runs in a game. He popped up with the bases loaded in the fifth and grounded out in the seventh.Verlander (20-6) yielded six hits and... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — George Springer hit a career-high three homers, Justin Verlander posted his MLB-leading 20th win and the Houston Astros clinched their third straight AL West title in grand fashion, routing the Los Angeles Angels 13-5 on Sunday.A crowd at Minute Maid Park that was cheering from Verlander's first pitch got even louder as Springer homered three times in the first four innings. The Astros kept breaking away and improved to 102-54, a half-game ahead of the New York Yankees for the best record in the majors.After the final out, the Astros held a bouncing group hug in the middle of the diamond and posed for a team picture. It hasn't been determined who they will face in the playoffs as they try for their second World Series championship in three years.Springer, the MVP of the 2017 World Series, had two chances to tie the big league record for home runs in a game. He popped up with the bases loaded in the fifth and grounded out in the seventh.Verlander (20-6) yielded six hits and... [More]

White sox first. Leury Garcia flies out to right center field to Victor Reyes. Tim Anderson pops out to shortstop to Willi Castro. Jose Abreu singles to left field. Eloy Jimenez homers to center field. Jose Abreu scores. Yoan Moncada singles to center field. Welington Castillo strikes out swinging.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. White sox 2, Tigers 0.Tigers first. Victor Reyes singles to left field. Brandon Dixon pops out to shallow infield to Jose Abreu. Harold Castro lines out to left field to Eloy Jimenez. Jeimer Candelario homers to right field. Victor Reyes scores. Christin Stewart strikes out swinging.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. White sox 2, Tigers 2.Tigers second. Dawel Lugo singles to center field. Grayson Greiner grounds out to shortstop. Dawel Lugo out at second. Gordon Beckham homers to left field. Willi Castro strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Tigers 3, White sox 2.Tigers third. Victor Reyes grounds out to second base, Danny Mendick to Jose... [More]

Sept. 151912 — Joe Wood of the Boston Red Sox pitched his 16th consecutive victory to tie Walter Johnson's record as he beat the St. Louis Browns 2-1.1938 — Brothers Lloyd and Paul Waner hit back-to-back homers for the Pittsburgh Pirates off Cliff Melton of the New York Giants. This was the only time brothers hit successive home runs in a major league game. It was Lloyd's last homer.1946 — The Brooklyn Dodgers beat the Chicago Cubs 2-0 in five innings when the game was called because of gnats. The insects became such a problem for the players, umpires and fans that the game had to be stopped.1963 — All three Alou brothers — Felipe, Matty and Jesus — played in the outfield at the same time for the San Francisco Giants in a 13-5 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.1969 — St. Louis left-hander Steve Carlton struck out 19 Mets for a nine-inning game record. New York won the game 4-3 on two, two-run homers by Ron Swoboda.1979 — Bob Watson of the Red Sox became the first player to hit for the... [More]

Yankees first. DJ LeMahieu singles to right field. Aaron Judge homers to center field. DJ LeMahieu scores. Didi Gregorius grounds out to shallow right field, Gordon Beckham to John Hicks. Gleyber Torres singles to left center field. Gary Sanchez reaches on a fielder's choice to third base. Gleyber Torres out at second. Brett Gardner strikes out swinging.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Yankees 2, Tigers 0.Yankees second. Luke Voit lines out to center field to Harold Castro. Mike Ford singles to right center field. Tyler Wade called out on strikes. DJ LeMahieu doubles to deep right center field, advances to 3rd. Mike Ford scores. Aaron Judge flies out to deep center field to Harold Castro.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Yankees 3, Tigers 0.Tigers fourth. Jeimer Candelario walks. Ronny Rodriguez strikes out swinging. Jordy Mercer singles to left center field. Jeimer Candelario to second. Brandon Dixon doubles to deep left field. Jordy Mercer scores. Jeimer Candelario scores. Grayson... [More]

Athletics second. Seth Brown singles to right field. Khris Davis strikes out swinging. Jurickson Profar singles to right field. Seth Brown to second. Ramon Laureano hit by pitch. Jurickson Profar to second. Seth Brown to third. Josh Phegley doubles to deep right field. Ramon Laureano to third. Jurickson Profar scores. Seth Brown scores. Marcus Semien walks. Matt Chapman walks. Marcus Semien to second. Josh Phegley to third. Ramon Laureano scores. Matt Olson reaches on a fielder's choice to first base. Matt Chapman out at second. Marcus Semien to third. Josh Phegley scores. Mark Canha strikes out swinging.4 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Athletics 4, Tigers 0.Tigers seventh. Miguel Cabrera walks. Christin Stewart homers to center field. Miguel Cabrera scores. Jeimer Candelario grounds out to shallow right field, Marcus Semien to Matt Olson. Dawel Lugo singles to right field. Travis Demeritte reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Dawel Lugo out at second. Grayson Greiner singles... [More]

Tigers third. Travis Demeritte doubles to left field. Grayson Greiner singles to right field. Travis Demeritte scores. Victor Reyes singles to shallow left field. Grayson Greiner to second. Willi Castro grounds out to shortstop. Victor Reyes out at second. Grayson Greiner to third. Miguel Cabrera walks. Ronny Rodriguez strikes out swinging.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Tigers 1, Royals 0.Royals third. Humberto Arteaga grounds out to shallow infield, Daniel Norris to Jeimer Candelario. Nick Dini walks. Whit Merrifield singles to left field. Nick Dini to second. Adalberto Mondesi flies out to deep right field to Travis Demeritte. Nick Dini to third. Jorge Soler homers to center field. Whit Merrifield scores. Nick Dini scores. Hunter Dozier strikes out swinging.3 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Royals 3, Tigers 1.Tigers seventh. Brandon Dixon grounds out to shortstop, Adalberto Mondesi to Ryan McBroom. Travis Demeritte strikes out on a foul tip. Grayson Greiner singles to center field.... [More]

Twins first. Mitch Garver homers to left field. Jorge Polanco singles to center field. Nelson Cruz strikes out swinging. Eddie Rosario flies out to deep left field to Brandon Dixon. Miguel Sano pops out to second base to Gordon Beckham.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Twins 1, Tigers 0.Tigers first. Victor Reyes singles to right field. Willi Castro pops out to shallow infield to C.J. Cron. Miguel Cabrera walks. Victor Reyes to third. Ronny Rodriguez out on a sacrifice fly to deep left field to Eddie Rosario. Victor Reyes scores. Dawel Lugo called out on strikes.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Twins 1, Tigers 1.Twins second. C.J. Cron strikes out swinging. Ehire Adrianza grounds out to third base, Dawel Lugo to Ronny Rodriguez. Max Kepler homers to right field. Jonathan Schoop strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Twins 2, Tigers 1.Tigers third. Gordon Beckham grounds out to shortstop, Jorge Polanco to C.J. Cron. Victor Reyes singles to right field, advances to 3rd.... [More]

Indians second. Jason Kipnis homers to center field. Franmil Reyes strikes out swinging. Tyler Naquin singles to shallow infield. Roberto Perez strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Indians 1, Tigers 0.Tigers fifth. Dawel Lugo homers to center field. Brandon Dixon grounds out to third base, Yu Chang to Carlos Santana. Travis Demeritte flies out to right center field to Greg Allen. Jordy Mercer called out on strikes.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Indians 1, Tigers 1.Indians sixth. Francisco Lindor doubles to deep right center field. Greg Allen out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Jordan Zimmermann to Jordy Mercer. Francisco Lindor to third. Carlos Santana singles to deep left field. Francisco Lindor scores. Yasiel Puig reaches on a fielder's choice to third base. Carlos Santana out at second. Jason Kipnis reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Yasiel Puig out at second.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Indians 2, Tigers 1.Tigers sixth. John Hicks singles... [More]

Twins third. Jonathan Schoop walks. Mitch Garver doubles to deep right center field. Jonathan Schoop scores. Jorge Polanco grounds out to second base, Gordon Beckham to Jordy Mercer. Mitch Garver to third. Nelson Cruz grounds out to third base, Dawel Lugo to Jordy Mercer. Mitch Garver scores. Marwin Gonzalez strikes out swinging.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Twins 2, Tigers 0.Twins fourth. Miguel Sano doubles to deep left field. Max Kepler hit by pitch. C.J. Cron homers to center field. Max Kepler scores. Miguel Sano scores. Luis Arraez walks. Jonathan Schoop strikes out swinging. Mitch Garver pops out to Dawel Lugo. Jorge Polanco pops out to shallow right field to Gordon Beckham.3 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Twins 5, Tigers 0.Tigers fifth. Jordy Mercer doubles to left field. John Hicks doubles to deep left field. Jordy Mercer scores. Gordon Beckham grounds out to shallow infield, Martin Perez to C.J. Cron. John Hicks to third. Victor Reyes grounds out to shallow infield to... [More]

Tigers fifth. Harold Castro flies out to right center field to George Springer. Dawel Lugo grounds out to shortstop, Jack Mayfield to Yuli Gurriel. Ronny Rodriguez homers to right field. Jordy Mercer pops out to Yuli Gurriel.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Tigers 1, Astros 0.Astros seventh. Robinson Chirinos homers to left field. Jake Marisnick strikes out swinging. Jack Mayfield lines out to right field to Travis Demeritte. Myles Straw flies out to deep right field to Travis Demeritte.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Tigers 1, Astros 1.Tigers ninth. John Hicks homers to left field. Gordon Beckham flies out to shallow center field to George Springer. Victor Reyes lines out to first base to Yuli Gurriel. Travis Demeritte strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Tigers 2, Astros 1.

Tigers first. Victor Reyes homers to right field. Harold Castro grounds out to shortstop, Jack Mayfield to Yuli Gurriel. Miguel Cabrera strikes out swinging. Brandon Dixon grounds out to shallow infield, Aaron Sanchez to Yuli Gurriel.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Tigers 1, Astros 0.Astros first. George Springer homers to right field. Jose Altuve homers to right field. Michael Brantley grounds out to second base, Gordon Beckham to Ronny Rodriguez. Alex Bregman hit by pitch. Yordan Alvarez walks. Alex Bregman to second. Yuli Gurriel grounds out to third base. Yordan Alvarez out at second.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Astros 2, Tigers 1.Astros second. Josh Reddick grounds out to second base, Gordon Beckham to Ronny Rodriguez. Martin Maldonado walks. Jack Mayfield doubles. Martin Maldonado to third. George Springer strikes out swinging. Jose Altuve singles to shallow infield. Jack Mayfield to third. Martin Maldonado scores. Michael Brantley doubles to deep right field. Jose Altuve... [More]

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) — José Quintana pitched seven crisp innings, Anthony Rizzo hit a two-run homer and the Chicago Cubs beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-1 on Sunday night in the MLB Little League Classic.Nicholas Castellanos and Jason Heyward also connected as Chicago earned its second straight win since consecutive heartbreaking losses to the Phillies and Pirates.The Cubs took two of three in the unusual weekend set and remain in a virtual tie with St. Louis for the top spot in the NL Central.Starling Marté had three hits for Pittsburgh, including his 21st homer in the ninth. Mitch Keller (1-2) allowed six runs in 4 1/3 innings.With grinning Little Leaguers dressed in their uniforms filling the stands at BB&T Ballpark, Quintana (11-7) allowed five hits and walked none. The left-hander improved to 7-0 in nine starts since his last loss June 22.ASTROS 4, ATHLETICS 1OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Zack Greinke threw seven smooth innings for his 200th win, helping the AL West-leading Astros avoid... [More]