WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman left Wednesday's 11-5 victory over the Miami Marlins because of back stiffness.Bregman walked in the first inning and was replaced after the second. He was playing his third spring training game following arthroscopic elbow surgery on Jan. 11.Astros manager A.J. Hinch said Bregman probably will be held out a day and return to the lineup on Friday.AROUND THE GRAPEFRUIT LEAGUEBLUE JAYS 9, PHILLIES 7Cavan Biggio, the son of Astros Hall of Famer Craig Biggio, and Anthony Alford both homered for the first time for the Blue Jays. Dalton Pompey hit two doubles and drove in three runs for Toronto. Aaron Sanchez made his second start, allowing a hit and two walks in 2 2/3 scoreless innings.Vince Velasquez made his first start for Philadelphia, allowing one run, one hit and two walks in one inning. Aaron Althier went 0 for 3, striking out twice and lowering his average to .143.ORIOLES 9, RAYS 6Mike Yastrzemski, a grandson of Red... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The Braves have agreed to a $5,475,000, one-year deal with Mike Foltynewicz, avoiding arbitration with the All-Star right-hander.Atlanta also avoided arbitration with its other six players who were eligible, agreeing with right-hander Kevin Gausman ($9.35 million), relievers Sam Freeman ($1,575,000), Arodys Vizcaíno ($4.8 million) and Dan Winkler ($1.61 million), infielder Charlie Culberson ($1,395,000) and outfielder Adam Duvall ($2,875,000).Foltynewicz went 13-10 with a 2.85 ERA and 202 strikeouts last season and was a big reason the Braves were the surprise NL East champions. His role as staff ace was clear when he was the choice of manager Brian Snitker to pitch Game 1 of the NL Division Series against the Dodgers.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — Brian McCann slipped on the No. 16 jersey he wore for so many years."It feels right," he said, over and over again.Looking to improve on their first division title in five years, the Atlanta Braves agreed to one-year contracts with McCann and former AL MVP Josh Donaldson — a pair of low-risk moves that give the team a chance to make another postseason run while not hindering the long-term development of all those talented young players.Donaldson agreed to a $23 million deal, the Braves confirmed Monday night. The salary matches what the third baseman made during a forgettable 2018 season.McCann's $2 million contract reunites the team with a catcher who was a seven-time All-Star from 2005-13. A native of suburban Atlanta, he was eager for a chance to return home with his wife and two children."This is as special a day for me as any I've had in my career," McCann said during a hastily called news conference at SunTrust Park. "To put this uniform back on, with the love I have... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Brian McCann slipped on the No. 16 jersey he wore for so many years."It feels right," he said, over and over again.Looking to improve on their first division title in five years, the Atlanta Braves agreed Monday to one-year contracts with McCann and former AL MVP Josh Donaldson — a pair of low-risk moves that give the team a chance to make another postseason run while not hindering the long-term development of all those talented young players.Donaldson agreed to a $23 million deal, the Braves confirmed Monday night. The salary matches what the third baseman made during a forgettable 2018 season.McCann's $2 million contract reunites the team with a catcher who was a seven-time All-Star from 2005-13. A native of suburban Atlanta, he was eager for a chance to return home with his wife and two children."This is as special a day for me as any I've had in my career," McCann said during a hastily called news conference at SunTrust Park. "To put this uniform back on, with the love... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson is expected to be ready for spring training following surgery on his left wrist.The Braves said Wednesday Swanson had a procedure on Monday to remove a "loose body" in the wrist.The 24-year-old Swanson hit .238 with 14 home runs and 59 RBI in 136 games last season. He was left off the National League Division Series roster against the Los Angeles Dodgers after tearing a ligament in his left hand late in the season. His hand and wrist were examined at the time.Charlie Culberson filled in at shortstop in the NL Division Series loss to the Dodgers.Swanson is expected to enter the 2019 season as the starter. General manager Alex Anthopoulos said after the season he is happy with the team's infield.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — After the Atlanta Braves leaned heavily on their youth in a breakout season, a lack of experience and depth finally caught up to them in October.The Baby Braves ran out of steam in the NL Division Series, falling to the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-2 on Monday. Manny Machado delivered the crushing blow, a three-run homer in the seventh inning against Chad Sobotka, a rookie who made Atlanta's postseason roster despite appearing in only 14 regular-season games. Los Angeles won the series 3-1.The Braves scored a combined two runs in their three losses."We didn't hit," Freddie Freeman said. "Bottom line. Too many opportunities left out there."Sobotka was the second straight rookie reliever, after Max Fried, used by manager Brian Snitker in the game.The Braves lost their ninth consecutive playoff series since sweeping the Astros in the 2001 division series. Still, the team has good reason for optimism after improving from 90 losses in 2017 to win their first NL East title since 2013.The... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — After the Atlanta Braves leaned heavily on their youth in a breakout season, a lack of experience and depth finally caught up to them in October.The Baby Braves ran out of steam in the NL Division Series, falling to the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-2 on Monday. Manny Machado delivered the crushing blow, a three-run homer in the seventh inning against Chad Sobotkia, a rookie who made Atlanta's postseason roster despite appearing in only 14 regular-season games. Los Angeles won the series 3-1.Sobotka was the second straight rookie reliever, after Max Fried, used by manager Brian Snitker in the game.The Braves lost their ninth consecutive playoff series since sweeping the Astros in the 2001 division series. Still, the team has good reason for optimism after improving from 90 losses in 2017 to win their first NL East title since 2013.The Baby Braves enjoyed their postseason moment in the spotlight Sunday night, when 20-year-old rookie Ronald Acuna Jr. became the youngest player to hit... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Dodgers head to Atlanta full of confidence after consecutive shutouts gave them a commanding 2-0 lead over the Braves in their National League Division Series.Now the Braves must win the first postseason game in their new ballpark to extend their season. And they face some daunting history: only three times have teams that trailed 2-0 rallied to win a best-of-five playoff series under the 2-2-1 format.Atlanta was outscored 9-0 and outhit 10-9 in losing the first two games at Dodger Stadium, where Los Angeles slugged five homers.Game 3 is Sunday night at SunTrust Park, with left-hander Sean Newcomb chosen to start for the Braves instead of Kevin Gausman. Manager Brian Snitker announced the change Saturday.The 25-year-old Newcomb came within one strike of throwing a no-hitter against the Dodgers at home July 29. He pitched two scoreless innings in relief of starter Mike Foltynewicz in Thursday's opener."We need to win," Snitker said. "Not that Gausman doesn't give us... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Dodgers head to Atlanta full of confidence after consecutive shutouts gave them a commanding 2-0 lead over the Braves in their National League Division Series.Now the Braves must win the first postseason game in their new ballpark to extend their season. And they face some daunting history: only three times have teams that trailed 2-0 rallied to win a best-of-five playoff series under the 2-2-1 format.Atlanta was outscored 9-0 and outhit 10-9 in losing the first two games at Dodger Stadium, where Los Angeles slugged five homers.Game 3 is Sunday night at SunTrust Park, with Kevin Gausman expected to take the mound for the Braves. He was 5-3 with a 2.87 ERA in 10 starts after Atlanta acquired him from Baltimore at the July 31 trade deadline in a six-player deal.The Baby Braves ran into back-to-back dominant pitchers in Hyun-Jin Ryu and Clayton Kershaw in Los Angeles. Atlanta didn't advance a runner past second base in Game 1 and twice got runners to third in Game 2,... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Right fielder Yasiel Puig will be hitting fifth in the Los Angeles Dodgers' lineup for Game 2 of the National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves.The Cuban slugger moved up two spots on Friday night after hitting seventh in a 6-0 victory in Game 1 at Dodger Stadium. Puig was 0 for 3 with two strikeouts and a walk on Thursday night. He also scored a run.Manager Dave Roberts moved catcher Yasmani Grandal to eighth after he went 0 for 4 with three strikeouts hitting in the fifth spot in Game 1.The Dodgers kept their lineup intact in facing their second straight right-hander. Anibal Sanchez started for the Braves on Friday after righty Mike Foltynewicz made his postseason debut in Game 1.Left fielder Joc Pederson leads off for Los Angeles, followed by third baseman Justin Turner, first baseman Max Muncy — who hit a three-run homer in Game 1 — and shortstop Manny Machado. After Puig, center fielder Cody Bellinger, second baseman Enrique Hernandez, Grandal and... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Injured shortstop Dansby Swanson didn't make the Atlanta Braves' roster for the National League Division Series. His replacement is Charlie Culberson, someone familiar to the Los Angeles Dodgers.The Braves announced their roster Thursday, hours before the start of Game 1.The Dodgers left All-Star pitcher Ross Stripling off their roster. The right-hander sparkled when added to the rotation because of injuries, going 8-3 with a 2.92 ERA before getting hurt and shifting back to the bullpen in August.Also not on the Dodgers' roster is 39-year-old infielder Chase Utley, who had announced he'll retire at the end of the season although it's likely he has already played in his last game.The Dodgers are carrying 12 pitchers and 13 position players. Ambidextrous reliever Pat Venditte and reliever John Axford, who came over from Toronto at the trade deadline in August, didn't make the roster.Swanson tore a ligament in his left hand against the New York Mets in the next-to-last series... [More]

A look at the best-of-five National League Division Series between the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers:___Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Thursday, at Los Angeles, 8:37 p.m. (MLB); Game 2, Friday, at Los Angeles, 9:37 p.m. (FS1); Game 3, Sunday, at Atlanta, 8:07 p.m. (FS1); x-Game 4, Monday, Oct. 8, at Atlanta, TBA; x-Game 5, Wednesday, Oct. 10, at Los Angeles, TBA.x-if necessary.___Season Series: Dodgers won 5-2.___Projected Lineups:Braves: LF Ronald Acuna Jr. (.293, 26 HRs, 64 RBIs, 16 SBs), CF Ender Inciarte (.265, 10, 61, 28 SBs), 1B Freddie Freeman (.309, 23, 98, 10 SBs), RF Nick Markakis (.297, 14, 93), 3B Johan Camargo (.272, 19, 76), C Tyler Flowers (.227, 8, 30), 2B Ozzie Albies (.261, 24, 72, 14 SBs), SS Charlie Culberson (.270, 12, 45).Dodgers: LF Joc Pederson (.248, 25, 56) or Matt Kemp (.290, 21, 85, 115 Ks in 146 games), 3B Justin Turner (.312, 14, 52), 1B Max Muncy (.263, 35, 79, .958 OPS), SS Manny Machado (.315, 24, 65, .963 OPS with Orioles; .273, 13, 42, .825... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Injured shortstop Dansby Swanson didn't make the Atlanta Braves' roster for the National League Division Series. His replacement is Charlie Culberson, someone familiar to the Los Angeles Dodgers.The Braves announced their roster Thursday, hours before the start of Game 1.Swanson tore a ligament in his left hand against the New York Mets in the next-to-last series of the regular season. He is one of Atlanta's top defensive players. At the plate, he was hitting .238, with 14 home runs and 59 RBIs in 136 games.Culberson is making his third straight playoff appearance. He helped the Dodgers to the World Series last year.The Braves' 25-man roster features 12 pitchers, including right-hander Julio Teheran, one of just two players who were with Atlanta for its last postseason appearance in 2013. The other is first baseman Freddie Freeman.The other pitchers are: Brad Brach, Game 1 starter Mike Foltynewicz, rookie Max Fried, Kevin Gausman, rookie A.J. Minter, Sean Newcomb, Game... [More]

A look at the best-of-five National League Division Series between the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers:___Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Thursday, at Los Angeles, 8:37 p.m. (MLB); Game 2, Friday, at Los Angeles, 9:37 p.m. (FS1); Game 3, Sunday, at Atlanta, 8:07 p.m. (FS1); x-Game 4, Monday, Oct. 8, at Atlanta, TBA; x-Game 5, Wednesday, Oct. 10, at Los Angeles, TBA.x-if necessary.___Season Series: Dodgers won 5-2.___Projected Lineups:Braves: LF Ronald Acuna Jr. (.293, 26 HRs, 64 RBIs, 16 SBs), CF Ender Inciarte (.265, 10, 61, 28 SBs), 1B Freddie Freeman (.309, 23, 98, 10 SBs), RF Nick Markakis (.297, 14, 93), 3B Johan Camargo (.272, 19, 76), C Tyler Flowers (.227, 8, 30), 2B Ozzie Albies (.261, 24, 72, 14 SBs), SS Dansby Swanson (.238, 14, 59, injured left hand) or Charlie Culberson (.270, 12, 45).Dodgers: LF Joc Pederson (.248, 25, 56) or Matt Kemp (.290, 21, 85, 115 Ks in 146 games), 3B Justin Turner (.312, 14, 52), 1B Max Muncy (.263, 35, 79, .958 OPS), SS Manny Machado (.315,... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Shortstop Dansby Swanson did not participate in the Atlanta Braves' light workout Tuesday and appears to be a longshot to make the team's roster for its NL Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.Swanson partially tore a ligament in his left hand on a swing against the Mets' Noah Syndergaard on Sept. 24. He had pain when he tried to swing a bat Saturday in Philadelphia and received more treatment Tuesday, remaining inside while his teammates were on the SunTrust Park field.Manager Brian Snitker paused when asked if Swanson still has a chance to play when the Braves open the NLDS on Thursday night in Los Angeles."A chance," Snitker said. "I don't know how great of one, really. But we've had guys in situations like this who have come in the next day and been a lot better, so we're just going to take it a day at a time."Braves players were not available to reporters on what was officially a day off.Charlie Culberson, who excelled for the Dodgers in the 2017 postseason... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Atlanta Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson has a partially torn ligament in his left hand and it's unclear if he will be available in the postseason for the NL East champions.Swanson traveled from New York to Atlanta on Wednesday to get his wrist and hand examined by team doctors. He will undergo treatment while missing the rest of the regular season, which ends Sunday.The Braves said Swanson will be re-evaluated next week before they open the best-of-five NL Division Series on Oct. 4.Swanson exited Tuesday night's 7-3 win over the New York Mets for tests."He swung the bat and something didn't feel right," Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said. "Which is why he'd alarmed me a little bit. He'd been feeling fine, hadn't been complaining about it.""A lot of times the player gets checked out and is reassured it's nothing really bad," Snitker said. "That relieves a lot of their worries also. But it's your hand. That's a big deal in this game. We'll just have to wait and see."Swanson... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox became the first team in the majors to clinch a playoff spot this season, rallying on pinch-hitter Brock Holt's go-ahead home run in the seventh inning to beat the Toronto Blue Jays 7-2 Tuesday night.The Red Sox assured themselves at least a spot in the AL wild-card game while reaching the postseason for the third straight year. The AL East leaders began the night with an eight-game lead over the New York Yankees.Boston starter Chris Sale came off the disabled list and pitched one scoreless inning, striking out two and throwing 26 pitches. Sale has been slowed by inflammation in his left shoulder, and the Red Sox had said they would ease their ace back into action.Ryan Brasier (2-0) got the win with 1 1/3 innings of hitless relief as Boston used seven relievers after limiting Sale in his return.Ryan Tepera (5-5) took the loss.ANGELS 1, RANGERS 0ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Blake Parker gave up Isiah Kiner-Falefa's single to right with one out in the eighth inning... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Aaron Nola outdueled Max Scherzer in a meeting of All-Star aces, Odubel Herrera hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning and the Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Washington Nationals 2-0 Thursday.Nola (15-3) was masterful in his matchup with the three-time Cy Young Award winner, allowing five hits and one walk. He escaped his biggest jam with his final pitch, striking out Bryce Harper with runners on first and second to end the eighth.Nola struck out nine and finished with a 2.13 ERA — the exact same ERA as Scherzer.Scherzer (16-6) was nearly as good in the first matchup of starters with at least 150 innings and a sub-2.25 ERA since St. Louis' John Tudor faced Mets ace Dwight Gooden on Sept. 11, 1985. Scherzer gave up two hits in seven innings and struck out 10, increasing his major league-leading total to 244.Pat Neshek pitched a perfect ninth for his fourth save.BRAVES 5, MARLINS 0MIAMI (AP) — Rookie Ronald Acuna Jr. hit his 21st home run and got hit by another Miami... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Aaron Nola outdueled Max Scherzer in a meeting of All-Star aces, Odubel Herrera hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning and the Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Washington Nationals 2-0 Thursday.Nola (15-3) was masterful in his matchup with the three-time Cy Young Award winner, allowing five hits and one walk. He escaped his biggest jam with his final pitch, striking out Bryce Harper with runners on first and second to end the eighth.Nola struck out nine and finished with a 2.13 ERA — the exact same ERA as Scherzer.Scherzer (16-6) was nearly as good in the first matchup of starters with at least 150 innings and a sub-2.25 ERA since St. Louis' John Tudor faced Mets ace Dwight Gooden on Sept. 11, 1985. Scherzer gave up two hits in seven innings and struck out 10, increasing his major league-leading total to 244.Pat Neshek pitched a perfect ninth for his fourth save.BRAVES 5, MARLINS 0MIAMI (AP) — Rookie Ronald Acuna Jr. hit his 21st home run and got hit by another Miami... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Ronald Acuna Jr. became the youngest player in major league history to homer in five straight games, hitting a leadoff shot on the first pitch and later adding a three-run drive to help the surging Atlanta Braves beat the Miami Marlins 10-6 on Tuesday night.The 20-year-old Acuna homered on Miami's first pitch for the second straight night and became the first player to hit a leadoff homer in three consecutive games since Baltimore's Brady Anderson went deep in four straight in 1996. On Monday, he became the fourth player in major league history to hit leadoff homers in both games of a doubleheader.Acuna connected in the first off Trevor Richards and homered to right-center, his 19th of the year, off Adam Conley (3-3) to give the Braves a 10-6 lead in the seventh.Freddie Freeman hit his 20th homer to tie it in the sixth, and Dansby Swanson had a tiebreaking RBI single in the seventh as the NL East-leading Braves won for the 13th time in 17 games.Acuna, who has homered in seven... [More]