NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees shortstop Troy Tulowitzki has been pulled from a game with a strained left calf and taken to a hospital for further testing, another blow for the majors' most hobbled club.Tulowitzki fielded a routine grounder in the second inning and popped up in his only at-bat in the bottom of that frame against the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday, but he showed no signs of injury. He was pulled prior to the fourth inning.Gleyber Torres moved from second base to shortstop to replace Tulowitzki, with Tyler Wade entering at second. The team announced Tulowitzki's calf injury moments later.The Yankees already have a major league-most 10 players on the injured list a week into the season, including left-hander CC Sabathia, who was transferred from the suspended list to the IL earlier in the day.The group also includes Luis Severino, Aaron Hicks, Didi Gregorius, Giancarlo Stanton, Miguel Andujar, Dellin Betances and Jordan Montgomery. Those players contributed 26.5 of the Yankees' 56 wins above replacement (WAR) last season, according to Fangraphs.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Miguel Andujar is hopeful he can avoid surgery and return to the New York Yankees' lineup this year.The third baseman has a small labrum tear in his right shoulder that landed him on the 10-day injured list Monday along with fellow slugger Giancarlo Stanton, who strained his left biceps. They joined a long list of Yankees regulars already sidelined just a few games into the season, and Andujar's status is perhaps the most uncertain."We're in the very early stages, so I think it's just got to play out over the next few days and then as he starts ramping back up, I think it'll become clear," manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday.The team will try treating Andujar's injury with physical therapy and a rehab program. If that doesn't work, he could require surgery that would "compromise his season," Boone acknowledged Monday night."It's tough," Andujar said through a translator. "But at the same time I'm optimistic because my shoulder is strong. The physical tests on my shoulder came... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Christian Yelich hit his fourth homer in the first inning and a two-run double in the ninth, leading the Milwaukee Brewers to a dramatic 5-4 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday.Ben Gamel led off the ninth with a pinch-hit double and advanced on Lorenzo Cain's infield single off reliever Jordan Hicks' glove. Yelich then hit a liner into the gap in left-center, driving in Gamel and Cain.Yelich tossed his helmet in the air in celebration as Cain slid face first across the plate, giving Milwaukee three wins in its opening four-game set against rival St. Louis. Yelich's teammates rushed the field and doused the reigning NL MVP with Gatorade in a raucous celebration at second.Yelich began his day with a long drive into the second deck in right against Michael Wacha, tying the major league record for homers in consecutive games to start a season. He also became the first player to win the MVP award and then homer in his first four games of the next season.Paul Goldschmidt,... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Christian Yelich hit his fourth homer in the first inning and a two-run double in the ninth, leading the Milwaukee Brewers to a dramatic 5-4 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday.Ben Gamel led off the ninth with a pinch-hit double and advanced on Lorenzo Cain's infield single off reliever Jordan Hicks' glove. Yelich then hit a liner into the gap in left-center, driving in Gamel and Cain.Yelich tossed his helmet in the air in celebration as Cain slid face first across the plate, giving Milwaukee three wins in its opening four-game set against rival St. Louis. Yelich's teammates rushed the field and doused the reigning NL MVP with Gatorade in a raucous celebration at second.Yelich began his day with a long drive into the second deck in right against Michael Wacha, tying the major league record for homers in consecutive games to start a season. He also became the first player to win the MVP award and then homer in his first four games of the next season.Paul Goldschmidt,... [More]

LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) — In his rookie season with the Detroit Tigers, Niko Goodrum spent time at first base, second base, third base, shortstop and both corner outfield spots.The next logical step was to try him in center field, and manager Ron Gardenhire did just that during spring training this month."We're just looking for places to put him. We're going to play him everywhere," Gardenhire said. "Except catcher. We're not going to do that yet."Goodrum's bat makes him a decent asset for the Tigers, but his versatility is what really sets him apart, and there's increasing evidence that major league teams are putting more value on his type of jack-of-all-trades skill set. More players have been moved around the diamond in recent seasons, a sign of how important the modern utility player is to the flexibility of a big league lineup.According to the play index at Baseball-Reference.com, 31 players appeared in at least one game last season at first base, second base, third base and shortstop.... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Manager Aaron Boone sees even more motivation in this year's New York Yankees."They've had a couple of really good teams here that have been close, and the disappointment of an ending when you feel like you have a team capable of greatness I think does add a log to the fire," he said Wednesday. "It does add a little extra kick to wanting this to get done, and I think that adds to everyone's hunger a little bit."New York worked out at Yankee Stadium ahead of Thursday's opener against Baltimore. The Yankees have not reached the World Series since winning the 2009 title and haven't finished first in the AL East since 2012.They finished eight games behind Boston in the AL East last year and were eliminated by the Red Sox in the Division Series. In 2017, they lost to Houston in Game 7 of the AL Championship Series."In '17 we got one game away from the World Series and last year leaving in the DS, those games sting. Both those years sting a little bit," said right fielder Aaron... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Manager Aaron Boone sees even more motivation in this year's New York Yankees."They've had a couple of really good teams here that have been close, and the disappointment of an ending when you feel like you have a team capable of greatness I think does add a log to the fire," he said Wednesday. "It does add a little extra kick to wanting this to get done, and I think that adds to everyone's hunger a little bit."New York worked out at Yankee Stadium ahead of Thursday's opener against Baltimore. The Yankees have not reached the World Series since winning the 2009 title and haven't finished first in the AL East since 2012.They finished eight games behind Boston in the AL East last year and were eliminated by the Red Sox in the Division Series. In 2017, they lost to Houston in Game 7 of the AL Championship Series."In '17 we got one game away from the World Series and last year leaving in the DS, those games sting. Both those years sting a little bit," said right fielder Aaron... [More]

With opening day just around the corner, the list of notable players who are going to be absent keeps growing.World Series MVP Steve Pearce will start the season on the injured list for the Boston Red Sox, and Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Steven Souza Jr. went down with a knee injury Monday night when he slipped on home plate.Earlier in the day, Baltimore put scheduled opening-day starter Alex Cobb on the 10-day injured list with a strained right groin.Pearce exited an exhibition game last weekend due to discomfort in his left calf. The 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. "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... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Every team has a "next big thing" in the minors, waiting for the chance to dazzle in the majors, and Washington Nationals fans have been hearing about Victor Robles for years.He's an outfielder whose speed fuels his offense and defense. He's shown power, too. "Toolsy" is the way new Nationals second baseman Brian Dozier described him. "Explosive," was first baseman Ryan Zimmerman's adjective.Robles started in center field and went 0 for 3 in Washington's exhibition finale Monday, a 5-3 victory over the New York Yankees at Nationals Park. That's also where he's expected to be on opening day, finally getting his turn to begin a season in the big leagues, moving into an outfield that lost Bryce Harper to free agency."That's what we work here for, to be an everyday player in the big leagues. I feel physically and mentally ready for that," Robles said in an interview through bullpen catcher Octavio Martinez, who serves as a team translator. "Absolutely, that's something you... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia threw 20 pitches Tuesday during his first batting practice session since a heart procedure in December.Sabathia, expected to miss his first two or three regular-season starts, is slated to throw a simulated game Saturday.The 38-year-old, who is retiring after the season, had a stent inserted Dec. 11 after a blockage was found in an artery from his heart. He has had chronic right knee problems that required several operations."He's really responded well to everything," Yankee manager Aaron Boone said. "He's doing well."Sabathia also is suspended for five games for hitting Tampa Bay's catcher Jesus Sucre with a pitch on Sept. 27.The 2007 AL Cy Young Award winner with Cleveland, Sabathia is 246-153 with a 3.70 ERA and 2,986 strikeouts in 18 major league seasons. He was 9-7 with a 3.65 ERA in 29 starts last season. This will be his 11th year with the Yankees.Center fielder Aaron Hicks, who hurt his back during batting practice March 1, got... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Brendon Rodgers has had to wait for an opening in the Colorado Rockies' infield, just like Trevor Story did a few years ago.Selected third overall in the 2015 amateur draft, Rodgers has hit .291 in four minor league seasons. The 22-year-old played at Double-A Hartford and Triple-A Albuquerque last season and is at big league training camp for the second straight year."With Brendan, I think he's confident to start with," Rockies manager Bud Black said Monday. "He's really confident in his abilities. He knows he's a good player and he knows he's talented. The way I see him move around the clubhouse and how he's interacting with the coaches and the players, his personality is more at ease. I think he's showing who he is."Story had to wait for Troy Tulowitzki's departure, then enjoyed a breakout 2016 following the trade of the shortstop to Toronto and became a first-time All-Star last year. That is a path Rodgers is eager to emulate."He wants to get better, and he wants... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Chris Archer had success against the high-powered New York Yankees and more importantly felt great afterwards.Archer allowed two hits and struck out four over three scoreless innings in the Pittsburgh Pirates' 6-5 loss on Sunday.The right-hander, who underwent surgery to repair a hernia in November, faced a lineup that included Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Troy Tulowitzki, Gleyber Torres, Brett Gardner and Greg Bird."The biggest thing for me is health," Archer said. "Whenever I don't have to be tentative, I don't have to be passive because there's an ailment, I'm happy."Gardner and Stanton had first-inning singles before Archer retired his final seven batters."Facing those guys, you get really good feedback," Archer said. "But the process of executing the pitches, that's all I was focused on."Archer had four strikeouts over two hitless innings in his first spring training start in Tuesday's 10-4 win over the Baltimore Orioles.The 30-year-old will start the Pirates'... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Troy Tulowitzki is doing just fine, New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone says, despite his slow start at the plate.Tulowitzki was hitless in three at-bats in a 6-5 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday. The five-time All-Star, who has not played in the major leagues since July 2017, is hitting just .176 (3 for 17) in seven games."I'm seeing enough encouraging things out of him," Boone said. "He needs reps now is all."Tulowitzki missed last season because of surgery on April 2 for bone spurs in his right and left heels. He was released by the Toronto Blue Jays on Dec. 14, then signed with the Yankees on Jan. 4.Tulowitzki homered on his first at-bat with the Yankees against his old team on Feb. 25. He is replacing Didi Gregorius, who is out until summer following Tommy John surgery.Center fielder Aaron Hicks, who has been out since experiencing lower back soreness during batting practice March 1, ran, played catch and swung a bat."Hopefully on the upswing," Boone said.Hicks will be evaluated by team doctors Monday.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Dansby Swanson was 1 for 2 with a single and played three innings at shortstop in his first game for the Atlanta Braves since surgery on his left wrist last Nov. 5.Swanson was thrown out at first base by shortstop Troy Tulowitzki after hitting a drive off a leg of pitcher Stephen Tarpley in the first inning of a 5-1 loss to the New York Yankees on Tuesday. He had a base hit to right during the fourth.The 25-year-old hit .238 with 14 home runs and 59 RBIs in 136 games last season. He was left off the NL Division Series roster against the Los Angeles Dodgers after tearing a ligament in his left hand late in the season.Swanson had his first appearance pushed back from Friday because of discomfort stemming from scar tissue in his left hand while taking batting practice.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports'

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Aaron Judge and Brett Gardner think the Yankees can break the major league season record of 267 home runs that New York set last season"Get this whole team healthy, we're going to crush the record that we set last year," Judge said.New York broke the previous mark of 264 by the 1997 Seattle Mariners despite injuries that limited Judge to 112 games, Gary Sanchez to 89 and Greg Bird to 82."I just think that we're capable of doing better than we were last year overall as an offense," Gardner said.Judge, slowed by a right wrist injury last season, and Gardner each hit two homers in Sunday's 7-1 win over the Detroit Tigers.Judge came to camp after a normal offseason. He was slowed slightly at the start of spring training last year following left shoulder surgery."Just working on my swing. Last year I didn't get a chance to do that at all," Judge said. "I'm just trying to have a healthy season. Then we'll see where the numbers are at."Judge hit 27 homers last season and Giancarlo... [More]

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — The biggest play from the Phillies' spring training game Thursday: great communication behind the home dugout.Philadelphia fans with an eye on their smartphones cried out when reports emerged that Bryce Harper had agreed to a deal with the Phillies, breaking the news to manager Gabe Kapler and his players during a 5-5 split-squad tie with the Orioles. Harper agreed to a $330 million, 13-year deal with the club, the largest contract in baseball history. Harper's agent, Scott Boras, said the deal was agreed to shortly before noon, subject to a successful physical."If the reports are true, it's a huge moment for our baseball team," Kapler said. "Certainly I think that the city of Philadelphia would embrace Bryce Harper. I think he would be very happy in this city because our fans care deeply about winning."A 26-year-old All-Star who had spent his entire big league career with the Washington Nationals, Harper topped the $325 million, 13-year agreement outfielder Giancarlo... [More]

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — The biggest play from the Phillies' spring training game Thursday: great communication behind the home dugout.Philadelphia fans with an eye on their smartphones cried out when reports emerged that Bryce Harper had agreed to a deal with the Phillies, breaking the news to manager Gabe Kapler and his players during a 5-5 split-squad tie with the Orioles. Harper agreed to a $330 million, 13-year deal with the club, the largest contract in baseball history. Harper's agent, Scott Boras, said the deal was agreed to shortly before noon, subject to a successful physical."If the reports are true, it's a huge moment for our baseball team," Kapler said. "Certainly I think that the city of Philadelphia would embrace Bryce Harper. I think he would be very happy in this city because our fans care deeply about winning."A 26-year-old All-Star who had spent his entire big league career with the Washington Nationals, Harper topped the $325 million, 13-year agreement outfielder Giancarlo... [More]

A weekly look at some of the standout players during spring training and how they might help their teams this season (through Wednesday):BYRON BUXTON, MINNESOTA TWINS, OFThe 25-year-old started spring training with five straight hits, including two homers. The speedy outfielder hit .253 with 16 homers and 29 stolen bases in 2017, but batted .156 last year while dealing with migraines, a broken toe plus hand and wrist issues.JULIO URIAS, LOS ANGELES DODGERS, LHPThe hard-throwing left hander had a good start to spring training, pitching a scoreless inning against Oakland. Still just 22 years old, he has a chance to break camp in the starting rotation, especially with ace Clayton Kershaw's uncertain health. Urias made his MLB debut in 2016 at 19, but his quick rise was stalled by surgery on June 27, 2017, to repair the anterior capsule of his left shoulder. He returned to the Dodgers last Sept. 15 and made three appearances.YOAN MONCADA, CHICAGO WHITE SOX, 2BThe 23-year-old former top prospect... [More]

Bryce Harper meets with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the very next day, a Brinks truck is parked right outside the team's spring training complex.Coincidence or correlation?With the first full week of exhibition games on deck, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed he joined club executives in meeting with Harper in Las Vegas on Sunday night.Roberts said it was a good session and gave the sides a chance to "get to know each other." Roberts says the Dodgers were "vetting a certain process."Harper has been connected to the Philadelphia Phillies and the San Francisco Giants during a second consecutive slow free-agent market for the sport. Manny Machado, the other top free agent this winter, signed a $300 million, 10-year deal with the San Diego Padres on Thursday.The 26-year-old Harper was the 2015 NL MVP and made six All-Star teams in seven big league seasons with the Washington Nationals. He batted .249 with 34 home runs, 100 RBIs and an .889 OPS last season.FROM AROUND THE GRAPEFRUIT AND... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Aaron Boone kept tuning into postseason games, even after his New York Yankees were eliminated by Boston, and he watched the Red Sox win the World Series."I don't know if it was to torture myself or what," the New York manager said Wednesday as pitchers and catchers reported for spring training. "You put this hat on and this uniform on, to get to wear a big league uniform, you shouldn't need much motivation, but to watch a team that you know so well that's certainly one of your rivals celebrate where you want to be, I think that adds a little fuel to the fire, certainly."The Yankees went 100-62 in Boone's first season as manager, their best record since winning the 2009 World Series, and Boone thinks this team could be better following the additions of left-hander James Paxton, reliever Adam Ottavino, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and infielder DJ LeMahieu."I feel like as we sit in here in early February on paper we probably look a little bit strong," he said. "Hopefully... [More]