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 AND CACTUS LEAGUESBLUE 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... [More]

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 AND CACTUS LEAGUESBLUE 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... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Outfielders Cameron Maybin and Gerardo Parra finalized minor league contracts with the San Francisco Giants after passing physicals.Maybin joins his ninth team in 13 major league seasons, including from 2011-14 in the NL West for the San Diego Padres. He played in the 2017 World Series for the champion Houston Astros.The 31-year-old Maybin spent 2018 with Miami and Seattle. He batted .249 with four home runs, 14 doubles and 28 RBIs, and he was safe on 10 of 15 steal attempts.Parra, 31, hit .284 last season with six homers and 53 RBIs in 142 games for Colorado. He also played in the NL West for Arizona.The Giants held their first full-squad spring training workout Monday.San Francisco met earlier this month with free agent outfielder Bryce Harper in Las Vegas. President of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi wanted to add two veteran outfielders this offseason.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — When catching prospect Joey Bart arrived in the San Francisco Giants' camp, he wanted to get over any nervousness about being around veterans such as Madison Bumgarner, so he made a point of introducing himself to the pitcher.The second overall pick in last year's amateur draft had no idea he'd be catching Bumgarner's first bullpen session Wednesday."I was walking in to catch and he was like, 'Let's go on No. 1,'" Bart said. "I was like, 'All right, here we go.'"Bumgarner hopes to bounce back from a disappointing 2018. The left-hander didn't make his season debut until June 5 after breaking the pinkie of his pitching hand when hit by a line drive off the bat of Kansas City's Whit Merrifield late in spring training. Bumgarner went 6-7 with a 3.26 ERA in 21 starts."You can tell he came in ready," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "It was a really good bullpen for him. It's good for the kid to catch him, too. First bullpen and he's catching your No. 1 guy. That's probably... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — When catching prospect Joey Bart arrived in the San Francisco Giants' camp, he wanted to get over any nervousness about being around veterans such as Madison Bumgarner so he made a point of introducing himself to the pitcher.The second overall pick in last year's amateur draft had no idea he'd be catching Bumgarner's first bullpen session on Wednesday."I was walking in to catch and he was like, 'Let's go on No. 1,'" Bart said. "I was like, 'All right, here we go.'"Bumgarner's hopes to bounce back from a disappointing 2018. The left-hander didn't make his season debut until June 5 after breaking the pinkie of his pitching hand when hit by a line drive off the bat of Kansas City's Whit Merrifield late in spring training. Bumgarner went 6-7 with a 3.26 ERA in 21 starts."You can tell he came in ready," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "It was a really good bullpen for him. It's good for the kid to catch him, too. First bullpen and he's catching your No. 1 guy. That's... [More]

A team-by-team look at the National League West 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:___Los Angeles DodgersManager: Dave Roberts (fourth season).2018: 92-71, first place, lost to Boston in World Series.Training Town: Glendale, Arizona.Park: Camelback Ranch.First Workout: Feb. 13/19.He's Here: CF A.J. Pollock, RHP Joe Kelly, C Russell Martin, RHP Homer Bailey, 3B Justin Yorchak, LHP Adam McCreery, RHP Jaime Schultz.He's Outta Here: SS Manny Machado, OF Matt Kemp, OF Yasiel Puig, C Yasmani Grandal, LHP Alex Wood, 2B Brian Dozier, RHP Ryan Madson, C Kyle Farmer, 2B Chase Utley, RHP John Axford, RHP Daniel Hudson, LHP-RHP Pat Venditte.Going campin': The Dodgers arrive at camp with unfinished business yet again, having lost in the World Series for the second straight year. They won their sixth consecutive NL West title and second straight NL pennant only to fall short in seven... [More]

A team-by-team look at the National League West 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:___Los Angeles DodgersManager: Dave Roberts (fourth season).2018: 92-71, first place, lost to Boston in World Series.Training Town: Glendale, Arizona.Park: Camelback Ranch.First Workout: Feb. 13/19.He's Here: CF A.J. Pollock, RHP Joe Kelly, C Russell Martin, RHP Homer Bailey, 3B Justin Yorchak, LHP Adam McCreery, RHP Jaime Schultz.He's Outta Here: SS Manny Machado, OF Matt Kemp, OF Yasiel Puig, C Yasmani Grandal, LHP Alex Wood, 2B Brian Dozier, RHP Ryan Madson, C Kyle Farmer, 2B Chase Utley, RHP John Axford, RHP Daniel Hudson, LHP-RHP Pat Venditte.Going campin': The Dodgers arrive at camp with unfinished business yet again, having lost in the World Series for the second straight year. They won their sixth consecutive NL West title and second straight NL pennant only to fall short in seven... [More]

A team-by-team look at the National League West 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:___Los Angeles DodgersManager: Dave Roberts (fourth season).2018: 92-71, first place, lost to Boston in World Series.Training Town: Glendale, Arizona.Park: Camelback Ranch.First Workout: Feb. 13/19.He's Here: CF A.J. Pollock, RHP Joe Kelly, C Russell Martin, RHP Homer Bailey, 3B Justin Yorchak, LHP Adam McCreery, RHP Jaime Schultz.He's Outta Here: SS Manny Machado, OF Matt Kemp, OF Yasiel Puig, C Yasmani Grandal, LHP Alex Wood, 2B Brian Dozier, RHP Ryan Madson, C Kyle Farmer, 2B Chase Utley, RHP John Axford, RHP Daniel Hudson, LHP-RHP Pat Venditte.Going campin': The Dodgers arrive at camp with unfinished business yet again, having lost in the World Series for the second straight year. They won their sixth consecutive NL West title and second straight NL pennant only to fall short in seven... [More]

DENVER (AP) — The Colorado Rockies have brought in Daniel Murphy to boost an offense big on pop but lackluster in batting average.The veteran infielder has agreed to a $24 million, two-year contract with the Rockies, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Thursday night. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal was subject to a successful physical.The Rockies hit .256 last season, their lowest mark in team history. The team had 210 homers, the fifth-most in franchise history and the most since 2001.Murphy figures to raise that batting average. He is a .330 hitter in 26 games at Coors Field.The 33-year-old Murphy spent last season with the Washington Nationals and Chicago Cubs, where he hit a combined .299 with 12 homers. The three-time All-Star missed the start of the year after undergoing right knee surgery.Murphy could play second base for the Rockies if DJ LeMahieu departs in free agency. The Rockies also may be looking at Murphy to take... [More]

DENVER (AP) — The Colorado Rockies have brought in Daniel Murphy to boost an offense big on pop but lackluster in batting average.The veteran infielder has agreed to a $24 million, two-year contract with the Rockies, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Thursday night. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal was subject to a successful physical.The Rockies hit .256 last season, their lowest mark in team history. The team had 210 homers, the fifth-most in franchise history and the most since 2001.Murphy figures to raise that batting average. He is a .330 hitter in 26 games at Coors Field.The 33-year-old Murphy spent last season with the Washington Nationals and Chicago Cubs, where he hit a combined .299 with 12 homers.Murphy could play second base for the Rockies if DJ LeMahieu departs in free agency. The Rockies also may be looking at Murphy to take over at first base should Ian Desmond move to the outfield. The team figures to lose outfielders... [More]

DENVER (AP) — The Colorado Rockies have declined their $12.5 million option on outfielder Gerardo Parra and will pay a $1.5 million buyout.The 31-year-old, who became a free agent, hit .284 with six homers and 53 RBIs in his third season with the Rockies. He started 90 games in left field in 2018 and seven in right.Parra saw action in three games during the Rockies' postseason run, including a start in Game 2 of the NL Division Series. He was 4 for 8 with a run scored.Parra made his major league debut in 2009 with Arizona and also has played for Milwaukee and Baltimore.___More AP baseball coverage: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Chris Iannetta made contact, all right.He slammed his bat over his right knee, splitting it in half after a strikeout with the potential tying run at third base in the seventh inning.Connecting with the ball? Not so much.It was the same old story for the Colorado Rockies in Game 2 of the NL Division Series: Their power-laden lineup couldn't score runs.No wonder they're down 2-0 in the series following a 4-0 loss on Friday at Miller Park. Game 3 is Sunday in Denver, with the Rockies sending German Marquez to the mound against Milwaukee's Wade Miley.Facing elimination, maybe the thin mountain air will do Colorado some good."You just keep fighting through it and having good at-bats," manager Bud Black said. "So we've got to keep fighting the good fight."The Rockies finished among the major league leaders in several offensive categories this year. But they've scored just six runs in four games since slugging five homers in a 12-0 victory over Washington on Sunday that left... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Chris Iannetta made contact, all right.He slammed his bat over his right knee, shattering it in half after a strikeout with the potential tying run at third base in the seventh inning.Connecting with the ball? Not so much.It was the same old story for the Colorado Rockies in Game 2 of the NL Division Series: Their power-laden lineup couldn't score runs.No wonder they're down 2-0 in the series following a 4-0 loss on Friday at Miller Park. Game 3 is Sunday in Denver, with the Rockies sending German Marquez to the mound against Milwaukee's Wade Miley.Facing elimination, maybe the thin mountain air will do Colorado some good.The Rockies finished among the major league leaders in several offensive categories this year. But they've scored just six runs in four games since slugging five homers in a 12-0 victory over Washington on Sunday that left them tied for the NL West lead after 162 games.They dropped a tiebreaker with the Dodgers for the division title and then squeaked... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Right fielder Carlos Gonzalez will hit cleanup when the Colorado Rockies try to break out of their slump in Game 2 of the NL Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers.The left-handed slugger moved up after hitting sixth in the order in a 3-2 loss in 10 innings in Game 1 on Thursday at Miller Park.Manager Bud Black also inserted Gerardo Parra into the lineup, hitting sixth and playing in left. Parra has hits in both postseason games for Colorado. David Dahl, who started Game 1 in left, will come off the bench.The Rockies have managed just six runs in three games since a 12-0 win over Washington on Sunday.The top of the order hasn't changed with center fielder Charlie Blackmon, second baseman DJ LeMahieu and third baseman Nolan Arenado leading off. They're followed by Gonzalez, shortstop Trevor Story and Parra.First baseman Ian Desmond, catcher Chris Iannetta and starter Tyler Anderson round out the lineup.For the Brewers, Mike Moustakas has moved up one spot in the order to fifth, a day after driving in the winning run in Game 1.Center fielder Lorenzo Cain, right fielder Christian Yelich and left fielder Ryan Braun top the lineup. First baseman Jesus Aguilar, Moustakas and shortstop Hernan Perez are next.Second baseman Travis Shaw hits seventh after hitting cleanup in Game 1. He's followed by catcher Erik Kratz and starting pitcher Jhoulys Chacin.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Nolan Arenado and Colorado had one good stretch at the plate. That was it for the whole afternoon.Tough couple of days for the Rockies' star-studded lineup.Arenado helped Colorado rally against Milwaukee's vaunted bullpen in Game 1 of the NL Division Series, but the Rockies were unable to finish off Jeremy Jeffress. Mike Moustakas then hit an RBI single in the 10th inning to lift the Brewers to a 3-2 win Thursday.Led by Arenado and Trevor Story, Colorado finished among the major league leaders in several offensive categories this year. But the Rockies have been held in check since they bashed five homers in a 12-0 victory over Washington last Sunday, leaving them in a tie for the NL West lead."We've got to put better at-bats together, all of us," Arenado said. "I think we're having a little trouble there the last few games. But at the same time, we're facing good pitching. It's tough. These guys are good."Colorado had just one hit Thursday before Gerardo Parra and Matt... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Colorado Rockies have some of baseball's best hitters — and not much to show for it on the scoreboard lately.Nolan Arenado helped Colorado rally against Milwaukee's vaunted bullpen in Game 1 of the NL Division Series on Thursday, but the Rockies were unable to finish off Jeremy Jeffress. Mike Moustakas hit an RBI single in the 10th inning to lift the Brewers to a 3-2 win.Colorado had just one hit before Gerardo Parra and Matt Holliday opened the ninth with consecutive singles off Jeffress, who had made 11 consecutive scoreless appearances since Aug. 31. Charlie Blackmon then singled in Parra, and DJ LeMahieu reached on an error before Arenado tied it at 2 with a sacrifice fly to center.The Rockies had a chance for more, but Blackmon was tagged out in a rundown on David Dahl's grounder to first and Jeffress struck out Trevor Story to end the inning.That missed opportunity proved costly when Moustakas came up with the game-ending hit against Adam Ottavino.Game 2 is back... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — No team in the National League piled up more victories than the Chicago Cubs through 162 games. That seems like small consolation now.Kyle Hendricks gave up a tiebreaking single to Tony Wolters in the 13th inning, sending the Cubs to a 2-1 loss to the Colorado Rockies in a marathon wild-card game on Tuesday night.Chicago lost two home games with a chance to reach the NL Division Series. The Cubs scored a total of two runs over 22 innings, dropping a tiebreaker to Milwaukee for the NL Central championship and then getting knocked out of the playoffs by the Rockies.They squandered a dominant start by Jon Lester, got shut down by Kyle Freeland and wasted several big scoring opportunities. Hendricks came in to retire the final two batters in the 12th and got the first two in the 13th before running into trouble.Trevor Story grounded a single through the left side and Gerardo Parra lined one to right, putting runners at first and third. Wolters — who came into the game as part... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — No team in the National League piled up more victories than the Chicago Cubs through 162 games. That seems like small consolation now.Kyle Hendricks gave up a tiebreaking single to Tony Wolters in the 13th inning, sending the Cubs to a 2-1 loss to the Colorado Rockies in a marathon wild-card loss on Tuesday night.Chicago lost two home games with a chance to reach the NL Division Series. The Cubs scored a total of two runs over 22 innings, dropping a tiebreaker to Milwaukee for the NL Central championship and then getting knocked out of the playoffs by the Rockies.They squandered a dominant start by Jon Lester, got shut down by Kyle Freeland and wasted several big scoring opportunities. Hendricks came in to retire the final two batters in the 12th and got the first two in the 13th before running into trouble.Trevor Story grounded a single through the left side and Gerardo Parra lined one to right, putting runners at first and third. Wolters — who came into the game as part... [More]

DENVER (AP) — David Dahl homered for the fourth straight game, and the Colorado Rockies opened a one-game NL West lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers with a 5-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday that extended their winning streak to seven.Trevor Story and Gerardo Parra also went deep. Trying for the first division title in team history, Colorado (89-70) closes at home with three games against Washington while the Dodgers finish at San Francisco. The Dodgers are one game ahead of St. Louis for the second NL wild-card berth.Scott Oberg (8-1) pitched 1 1/3 hitless innings, and Wade Davis got his NL-leading 42nd save.Philadelphia (78-81) has lost a season-high eight straight and has gone 15-33 since moving a season-high 15 games over .500 on Aug. 5.Jake Arrieta (10-11) gave up three runs and six hits in six innings. He had a 3.96 ERA, his highest since 2013, in his first season after agreeing to a $75 million, three-year contract with the Phillies.YANKEES 12, RAYS 1ST. PETERSBURG,... [More]

DENVER (AP) — David Dahl homered for the fourth straight game, and the Colorado Rockies opened a one-game NL West lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers with a 5-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday that extended their winning streak to seven.Trevor Story and Gerardo Parra also went deep. Trying for the first division title in team history, Colorado (89-70) closes at home with three games against Washington while the Dodgers finish at San Francisco. The Dodgers are one game ahead of St. Louis for the second NL wild-card berth.Scott Oberg (8-1) pitched 1 1/3 hitless innings, and Wade Davis got his NL-leading 42nd save.Philadelphia (78-81) has lost a season-high eight straight and has gone 15-33 since moving a season-high 15 games over .500 on Aug. 5.Jake Arrieta (10-11) gave up three runs and six hits in six innings. He had a 3.96 ERA, his highest since 2013, in his first season after agreeing to a $75 million, three-year contract with the Phillies.YANKEES 12, RAYS 1ST. PETERSBURG,... [More]