MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Steve Pearce will start the season on the injured list for the Boston Red Sox.The 2018 World Series MVP exited an exhibition game last weekend due to discomfort in his left calf. Pearce, a right-handed batter, normally platoons with lefty-hitting Mitch Moreland at first base. But the Red Sox will begin defense of their championship Thursday in Seattle without Pearce."We have to do it that way," manager Alex Cora said Monday night. "It makes sense for us, it makes sense for him. He should be back sooner rather than later but he won't be ready for Seattle, so why take a chance?"Sam Travis will likely make the team and take Pearce's spot on the opening-day roster."He's been swinging the bat, he plays first, he's a right-handed hitter," Cora said. "It seems like we're going to face a lot of lefties on the West Coast. Having a right-handed bat would help us out."Pearce was acquired from Toronto in a trade last June and batted a combined .284 with 11 homers, 42 RBIs and an... [More]

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Forget about this bullpen obsession for a moment. Believe it or not, plenty of big league teams are still anchored by well-armed rotations.In this age of openers and closers, with relievers starting games and starters rarely finishing them, it might seem starting pitchers have been devalued by executives all over baseball.Dallas Keuchel, the 2015 AL Cy Young Award winner, is a 31-year-old free agent still looking for a job. Same for fellow lefty Gio Gonzalez, a two-time All-Star one season removed from going 15-9 with a 2.96 ERA in 201 innings.Meanwhile, short relievers like Zack Britton ($39 million), Jeurys Familia ($30 million), Kelvin Herrera ($18 million) and Joakim Soria ($15 million) had no trouble getting multiyear deals this winter.Doesn't anyone remember what Koufax and Drysdale did for the Dodgers?Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz with the Braves?"At the end of the day, your starting staff is the backbone of your team," Washington ace Max Scherzer said.... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The champion Boston Red Sox aren't looking to cut the biggest payroll in the big leagues.After exceeding all three luxury tax thresholds paid off in a World Series title, the Red Sox anticipate going over the levels again next year even though they're increasing.Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski dismissed reports he is trying to trade some high-priced players, such as pitcher Rick Porcello."I've heard those tweets," he said Tuesday at the winter meetings. "We're not looking to move anybody. We're not driven to move anybody."Boston had the highest payroll for the first time in the free agent era. The Red Sox luxury tax payroll as of Aug. 31 was nearly $239 million, and Dombrowski said he thinks the Red Sox will be over $246 million next season.The Red Sox re-signed pitcher Nathan Eovaldi last week to a $68 million, four-year contract.Last season, Boston far exceeded the $197 million luxury tax threshold, the $217 million level for the first surcharge... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Latest on Major League Baseball's winter meetings (all times local):4:04 p.m.The big-budget Boston Red Sox aren't looking to cut payroll after winning the World Series.Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski is dismissing reports that he's trying to trade some high-priced players, such as pitcher Rick Porcello."We're not looking to move anybody. We're not driven to move anybody," he said.The Red Sox had the highest payroll in the majors for the first time in the free agent era. It was nearly $239 million in late August on Boston's way to a team-record 108 wins in the regular season.Dombrowski says he thinks the team payroll will be over $246 million next year.___3:55 p.m.The Oakland Athletics have reached agreement with catcher Chris Herrmann on a $1 million, one-year contract.General manager David Forst had put getting a catcher among his top to-do items, and the A's found one at the winter meetings.The 31-year-old Herrmann played 36 games for Seattle... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Nathan Eovaldi loved what he started in Boston — emphasis on started."There were a lot of teams that reached out, wanted me to be a closer," he said. "I view myself as a starter, and that's something I've always done my entire career. And I enjoy doing that. So if I had that choice, I still wanted to be a starter."After shifting to the bullpen for three World Series relief appearances, including an epic 97-pitch outing in an 18-inning loss , Eovaldi decided last week to stay with the Red Sox for a $68 million, four-year contract ."I can't wait to see him again with us. He's going to be a huge part of this rotation," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Monday during a winter meetings news conference. "He's a workaholic."Eovaldi averaged nearly 98 mph with his fastball during the regular season but reached 100 mph six times in the first two games against the Los Angeles Dodgers, not needing to hold back. That velocity intrigued teams as he became a free agent.Before October, Eovaldi's... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Nathan Eovaldi's marathon relief performance in Game 3 of the World Series is a moment that will resonate in Red Sox history.Boston rewarded him with a $68 million, four-year contract."We're very happy to have Nathan back with us," Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said in a statement as the deal was announced Thursday. "He did a tremendous job for us last season, playing a significant role in helping us win the division and the World Series. His performance in the postseason was outstanding, both as a starting pitcher and as a reliever."A 28-year-old right-hander who has had a pair of Tommy John surgeries, Eovaldi was acquired by Boston from Tampa Bay on July 25. He went 3-3 with a 3.33 ERA down the stretch. He made four starts against the Yankees, going 2-0 with a 0.39 ERA, and beat the New York in Game 3 of the AL Division Series, when he gave up one run in seven innings.In six postseason appearances, including two starts, Eovaldi went 2-1 with a... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Nathan Eovaldi's marathon relief performance in Game 3 of the World Series is a moment that will resonate in Red Sox history.Boston rewarded him with a $68 million, four-year contract."We're very happy to have Nathan back with us," Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said in a statement as the deal was announced Thursday. "He did a tremendous job for us last season, playing a significant role in helping us win the division and the World Series. His performance in the postseason was outstanding, both as a starting pitcher and as a reliever."A 28-year-old right-hander who has had a pair of Tommy John surgeries, Eovaldi was acquired by Boston from Tampa Bay on July 25. He went 3-3 with a 3.33 ERA down the stretch. He made four starts against the Yankees, going 2-0 with a 0.39 ERA, and beat the New York in Game 3 of the AL Division Series, when he gave up one run in seven innings.In six postseason appearances, including two starts, Eovaldi went 2-1 with a... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Brian Dozier swung bananas from a rope over the dugout railing.How appropriate. The longest game in World Series history was bananas.Twenty-three players on each team, including nine pitchers.Eighteen innings — four more than any of the previous 662 World Series games.Seven hours, 20 minutes — 1:39 longer than any Series game played before and 15 minutes more than all four games of the 1939 World Series combined.Walker Buehler threw the first pitch in autumn twilight at 5:10 p.m.Max Muncy homered on the 561st and last at 12:30 a.m., when most of America was asleep and even fans in Alaska and in Hawaii were struggling to stay up.Ernie Banks would have been happy — the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox filled his oft-said desire: Let's play two! "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" was played twice, during the seventh-inning stretch and the 14th inning elongation."It was an amazing game," Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig said. "I'm a little tired. But we're ready to come back... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Brian Dozier swung bananas from a rope over the dugout railing.How appropriate. The longest game in World Series history was bananas.Twenty-three players on each team, including nine pitchers.Eighteen innings — four more than any of the previous 662 World Series games.Seven hours, 20 minutes — 1:39 longer than any Series game played before and 15 minutes more than all four games of the 1939 World Series combined.Walker Buehler threw the first pitch in autumn twilight at 5:10 p.m.Max Muncy homered on the 561st and last at 12:30 a.m., when most of America was asleep and even fans in Alaska and in Hawaii were struggling to stay up.Ernie Banks would have been happy — the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox filled his oft-said desire: Let's play two! "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" was played twice, during the seventh-inning stretch and the 14th inning elongation."It was an amazing game," Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig said. "I'm a little tired. But we're ready to come back... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Brian Dozier swung bananas from a rope over the dugout railing.How appropriate. The longest game in World Series history was bananas.Twenty-three players on each team, including nine pitchers.Eighteen innings — four more than any of the previous 662 World Series games.Seven hours, 20 minutes — 1:39 longer than any Series game played before.Walker Buehler threw the first pitch in autumn twilight at 5:10 p.m.Max Muncy homered on the 561st and last at 12:30 a.m., when most of America was asleep and even fans in Alaska and in Hawaii were struggling to stay up.Ernie Banks would have been happy — the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox filled his oft-said desire: Let's play two! "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" was played twice, during the seventh-inning stretch and the 14th inning elongation."It was an amazing game," Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig said. "I'm a little tired. But we're ready to come back tomorrow."Then he looked at his watch and corrected himself."In a couple... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Brian Dozier swung bananas from a rope over the dugout railing.How appropriate. The longest game in World Series was bananas.Twenty-three players on each team, including nine pitchers.Eighteen innings — four more than any of the previous 662 World Series games.Seven hours, 70 minutes — 1:39 longer than any Series game played before.Walker Buehler threw the first pitch in autumn twilight at 5:10 p.m.Max Muncy homered on the 561st and last at 12:30 a.m., when most of America was asleep and even fans up in Alaska and out in Hawaii were struggling to stay up.Ernie Banks would have been happy — the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox filled his oft-said desire: Let's play two! "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" was played twice, during the seventh-inning stretch and the 14th inning elongation."It was an amazing game," Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig said. "I'm a little tired. But we're ready to come back tomorrow."Then he looked at his watch and corrected himself."In a couple... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Brian Dozier swung bananas from a rope over the dugout railing.How appropriate. The longest game in World Series was bananas.Twenty-three players on each team, including nine pitchers.Eighteen innings — four more than any of the previous 662 World Series games.Seven hours, 70 minutes — 1:39 longer than any Series game played before.Walker Buehler threw the first pitch in autumn twilight at 5:10 p.m.Max Muncy homered on the 561st and last at 12:30 a.m., when most of America was asleep and even fans up in Alaska and out in Hawaii were struggling to stay up.Ernie Banks would have been happy — the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox filled his oft-said desire: Let's play two! "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" was played twice, during the seventh-inning stretch and the 14th inning elongation."It was an amazing game," Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig said. "I'm a little tired. But we're ready to come back tomorrow."Then he looked at his watch and corrected himself."In a couple... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Now Alex Cora's in trouble.Boston's manager went for a commanding lead in the World Series, using David Price and Nathan Eovaldi out of the bullpen in Game 3 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.But Los Angeles won 3-2 in 18 innings Friday night, trimming Boston's lead to 2-1 in the best-of-seven series. Now Cora has to come up with a starting pitcher for Game 4.After failing to answer the first time when asked, Cora spelled out his situation."TBA" he said, then repeating for extra emphasis: "TBA."Cora's Game 3 moves almost worked. Jackie Bradley Jr.'s eighth-inning home run off Kenley Jansen tied it at 1, and the Red Sox went ahead in the 13th when Eduardo Nunez reached on an infield single that pitcher Scott Alexander threw wildly to first for an error that allowed Brock Holt to come home from second.But Max Muncy walked off Nathan Eovaldi leading off the bottom half, tagged up and went to second when third baseman Eduardo Nunez fell into the seats catching Cody Bellinger's... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Nathan Eovaldi seemed to have a rubber arm. Maybe that second Tommy John surgery turned him into a bionic pitcher.Until the 97th pitch of an outing that was among the most unusual in World Series history, until the 561st pitch of an epic endurance test that sprawled across the night for 18 innings, he finally got beat.Eovaldi allowed Max Muncy's opposite-field homer to left-center on a cutter that hung over the high, outside corner, ending the longest World Series game ever after 7 hours, 20 minutes. The Dodgers' 3-2 win over Boston on Friday cut Los Angeles' World Series deficit to 2-1."After the game was over I started crying," Red Sox starter Rick Porcello said. "He literally gave everything he had on every single pitch."Before this week, Eovaldi had never pitched on consecutive days in his major league career.Now the 28-year-old right-hander was sent to the mound by manager Alex Cora for the third time in four days. In the World Series. Throwing 98 mph in his seventh... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Nathan Eovaldi seemed to have a rubber arm. Maybe that second Tommy John surgery turned him into a bionic pitcher.Until the 97th pitch of an outing that was among the most unusual in World Series history, until the 561st pitch of an epic endurance test that sprawled across the night for 18 innings, he finally got beat.Eovaldi allowed Max Muncy's opposite-field homer to left-center on a cutter that hung over the high, outside corner, ending the longest World Series game ever after 7 hours, 20 minutes. The Dodgers' 3-2 win over Boston on Friday cut Los Angeles' World Series deficit to 2-1."After the game was over I started crying," Red Sox starter Rick Porcello said. "He literally gave everything he had on every single pitch."Before this week, Eovaldi had never pitched on consecutive days in his major league career.Now the 28-year-old right-hander was sent to the mound by manager Alex Cora for the third time in four days. In the World Series. Throwing 98 mph in his seventh... [More]

You would've thought the Boston Red Sox were in a must-win situation.They put everything they had into one of the greatest games — really, two games — in World Series history.Now, even though Boston is still ahead, it feels like the Los Angeles Dodgers have all the momentum.In an epic marathon that lasted a staggering 7 hours and 20 minutes, stretching from Friday night well into Saturday morning, the Red Sox put all their cards on the table and still came away with a losing hand.Max Muncy led off the bottom of the 18th with a walk-off homer, finally finishing off the longest game — in both time and innings — in World Series history. The Dodgers emerged with a 3-2 victory , cutting their deficit in the series to a now-manageable two games to one.Sure, it was only one victory.It felt like so much more.The Red Sox staggered off the field with their pitching staff in shambles, namely because they tried to get seven innings — SEVEN! — from Nathan Eovaldi out of the bullpen.Who will start Game... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Now Alex Cora's in trouble.Boston's manager went for a commanding lead in the World Series, using David Price and Nathan Eovaldi out of the bullpen in Game 3 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.But Los Angeles won 3-2 in 18 innings Friday night, trimming Boston's lead to 2-1 in the best-of-seven series. Now Cora has to come up with a starting pitcher for Game 4.After failing to answer the first time when asked, Cora spelled out his situation."TBA" he said, then repeating for extra emphasis: "TBA."Cora's Game 3 moves almost worked. Jackie Bradley Jr.'s eighth-inning home run off Kenley Jansen tied it at 1, and the Red Sox went ahead in the 13th when Eduardo Nunez reached on an infield single that pitcher Scott Alexander threw wildly to first for an error that allowed Brock Holt to come home from second.But Max Muncy walked off Nathan Eovaldi leading off the bottom half, tagged up and went to second when third baseman Eduardo Nunez fell into the seats catching Cody Bellinger's... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Now Alex Cora's in trouble.Boston's manager went for a commanding lead in the World Series, using David Price and Nathan Eovaldi out of the bullpen in Game 3 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.His moves almost worked, but second baseman Ian Kinsler slipped on the infield and made a throwing error that allowed the tying run to score in the 13th inning.Los Angeles went on to win 3-2 in a World Series-record 18 innings, cutting the Red Sox advantage to 2-1.Now Cora faces a short pitching staff for the rest of the weekend. All those brash moves now seem rash.Boston tied a World Series record by using 23 players and nine pitchers.Eovaldi, Cora's Game 4 starter, entered in the 12th inning. Cora had envisioned possibly using Eovaldi in the eighth inning as a bridge to closer Craig Kimbrel."You never know, a walk, a hit and a tie game, but it's a chance we're taking," Cora said.Eovaldi threw 97 of Boston's 283 pitches over six-plus innings. It was his third appearance in four days... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):12:30 a.m.Max Muncy ended the longest World Series game ever with a leadoff home run in the 18th inning and the Los Angeles Dodgers outlasted the Boston Red Sox 3-2 early Saturday to pull within 2-1.Muncy connected off Nathan Eovaldi, who was in his seventh inning of relief. It took seven hours and 561 pitches to settle this.The Red Sox were oh-so-close in the 13th to taking a huge 3-0 lead. But second baseman Ian Kinsler's wide throw on a two-out grounder by Yasiel Puig let Los Angeles score the tying run.Game 4 is Saturday and Rich Hill will start for the Dodgers. Eovaldi had been set to pitch until he entered in the 12th and stayed in.___12:15 a.m.The Dodgers and Red Sox are headed to the 18th inning in Game 3 of the World Series.Neither team did much offensively in the 17th against Los Angeles reliever Julio Urias and Boston's Nathan Eovaldi, who has now thrown six innings of two-hit ball.Jackie Bradley Jr. drew a walk,... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The longest game in postseason history is headed to the 18th inning at the World Series.The Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers were tied 2-all after seven hours and more than 500 pitches in Game 3 on Friday night. Fans were still standing at packed Dodger Stadium, where a big cheer went up when the scoreboard clock hit midnight.During the bottom of the 15th, the game surpassed San Francisco's 6-hour, 23-minute win over Washington that went 18 innings during the 2014 NL Division Series.Previously, no World Series matchup had ever gone past the 14th.The Red Sox nearly got a run in the 15th against Kenta Maeda, the Dodgers' sixth reliever. Boston put its first two batters on base, but Maeda made a gutsy forceout throw to get Eduardo Nunez at third before striking out Sandy Leon and Mookie Betts, who didn't like the called third strike.Max Muncy came ever so close to ending it in the bottom half, but his long drive down the right-field line hooked foul a few feet in front... [More]