CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox have agreed to a $12 million, one-year contract with veteran slugger Edwin Encarnación, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Wednesday night.The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been announced.Encarnación is due $11 million in salary next season and a $1 million signing bonus, with the White Sox holding an option for the 2021 season. Encarnación hit 34 home runs in 109 games for Seattle and the Yankees last season. The three-time All-Star led the American League with 21 homers when the Mariners dealt him to New York in June. But the Yankees declined an option for next season after he was limited by oblique problems down the stretch.Encarnación batted .249 with 13 homers and 37 RBIs in 44 regular-season games with the Yankees. He hit .308 while New York pounded Minnesota in the AL Division Series, but slumped badly in the AL Championship Series against Houston.Encarnación, turns 37 on Jan.... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox have agreed to a $12 million, one-year contract with veteran slugger Edwin Encarnación, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Wednesday night.The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been announced.Encarnación is due $11 million in salary next season and a $1 million signing bonus, with the White Sox holding an option for the 2021 season. Encarnación hit 34 home runs in 109 games for Seattle and the Yankees last season. The three-time All-Star led the American League with 21 homers when the Mariners dealt him to New York in June. But the Yankees declined an option for next season after he was limited by oblique problems down the stretch.Encarnación batted .249 with 13 homers and 37 RBIs in 44 regular-season games with the Yankees. He hit .308 while New York pounded Minnesota in the AL Division Series, but slumped badly in the AL Championship Series against Houston.Encarnación, turns 37 on Jan.... [More]

The Chicago White Sox and left-hander Dallas Keuchel have agreed to a $55.5 million, three-year deal, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.The person spoke on condition of anonymity Saturday night because the agreement had not been announced. Keuchel's deal includes a vesting option for 2023 that would bring the total value to $74 million.The 31-year-old Keuchel won the AL Cy Young Award with the Houston Astros in 2015 but struggled to find work last offseason as a free agent. He signed a roughly $13 million, one-year deal with the Atlanta Braves in June and went 8-8 with a 3.75 ERA for the NL East champions. The long-bearded veteran joins catcher Yasmani Grandal as a big-money addition to the White Sox this offseason. Grandal signed a $73 million, four-year contract with Chicago last month. The White Sox also brought back slugger Jose Abreu on a $50 million, three-year deal, acquired outfielder Nomar Mazara from the Texas Rangers and added lefty starter Gio... [More]

The Chicago White Sox and left-hander Dallas Keuchel have agreed to a $55 million, three-year deal, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.The person spoke on condition of anonymity Saturday night because the agreement had not been announced. Keuchel's deal includes a vesting option for 2023 that would bring the total value to $74 million.The 31-year-old Keuchel won the AL Cy Young Award with the Houston Astros in 2015 but struggled to find work last offseason as a free agent. He signed a roughly $13 million, one-year deal with the Atlanta Braves in June and went 8-8 with a 3.75 ERA for the NL East champions. The long-bearded veteran joins catcher Yasmani Grandal as a big-money addition to the White Sox this offseason. Grandal signed a $73 million, four-year contract with Chicago last month. The White Sox also brought back slugger Jose Abreu on a $50 million, three-year deal, acquired outfielder Nomar Mazara from the Texas Rangers and added lefty starter Gio Gonzalez... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The White Sox boosted their starting rotation, finalizing a $5 million, one-year contract with two-time All-Star Gio González that includes a 2021 club option.The deal announced Friday calls for a $4.5 million salary in 2020 and gives the White Sox a $7 million option for 2021 with a $500,000 buyout. He can earn an additional $1 million in performance bonuses in 2020 based on starts: $250,000 each for 15, 20, 25 and 30.The 34-year-old left-hander finally will get a chance to pitch for the team that took him with the No. 38 overall pick in the 2004 amateur draft. Chicago dealt González to Philadelphia following the 2005 season as part of the trade that sent Aaron Rowand to the Phillies for Jim Thome, then reacquired González a year later along with Gavin Floyd for Freddy García. The White Sox traded González to Oakland for Nick Swisher in January 2008.González debuted with the Athletics in 2008 and is 130-99 with a 3.68 ERA over 12 years with Oakland (2008-11), Washington... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Yasmani Grandal saw a young team stocked with promising pitchers and hitters. He envisioned a bright future for the Chicago White Sox, and he chose to be part of it.No longer burdened by draft-pick compensation, Grandal found the multiyear contract he failed to get last offseason. The All-Star catcher agreed Thursday to a $73 million, four-year contract with the White Sox.“There’s a lot of young talent,” Grandal said. “The way I looked at it, this team could be a dark horse in the next year or so.”Grandal turned down a $17.9 million qualifying offer from the Los Angeles Dodgers last November. A team signing him during the 2018-19 offseason would have lost a top amateur draft pick and he found a slow market. He agreed in January to a deal with Milwaukee that guaranteed $18.25 million: a $16 million salary for 2019 and a $16 million mutual option for 2020 with a $2.25 million buyout.“Exciting day for us around here, being able to add one of the elite talents at a premium position,”... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — No longer burdened by draft-pick compensation, Yasmani Grandal found the multiyear contract he failed to get last offseason.The All-Star catcher agreed Thursday to a $73 million, four-year contract with the Chicago White Sox.“Exciting day for us around here, being able to add one of the elite talents at a premium position,” general manager Rick Hahn said.Grandal turned down a $17.9 million qualifying offer from the Los Angeles Dodgers last November. A team signing him during the 2018-19 offseason would have lost a top amateur draft pick and he found a slow market. He agreed in January to a deal with Milwaukee that guaranteed $18.25 million: a $16 million salary for 2019 and a $16 million mutual option for 2020 with a $2.25 million buyout.Selected for the All-Star team for the second time, the 31-year-old hit .246 and had career bests with 28 homers and 77 RBIs. He declined to exercise his part of the option and became a free agent again.A free agent may only be given a qualifying... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — All-Star catcher Yasmani Grandal agreed to a $73 million, four-year contract with the Chicago White Sox, finding a more lucrative free-agent market now that he no longer is burdened by draft-pick compensation.Grandal will earn $18.25 million annually as part of the deal announced Thursday.“In addition to what he brings to the field, Yasmani is also a great benefit in the clubhouse,” general manager Rick Hahn said in a statement. “We foresee him playing an integral role on both the further development of our young pitchers and the continued improvement of our offense as we reach our championship goals.”Grandal turned down a $17.9 million qualifying offer from the Los Angeles Dodgers last November. A team signing him during the 2018-19 offseason would lose a top amateur draft pick and he found a slow market, agreeing in January to a deal with Milwaukee that guaranteed $18.25 million: a $16 million salary for 2019 and a $16 million mutual option for 2020 with a $2.25 million... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — All-Star catcher Yasmani Grandal agreed to a $73 million, four-year contract with the Chicago White Sox, finding a more lucrative free-agent market now that he no longer is burdened by draft-pick compensation.Grandal will earn $18.25 million annually as part of the deal announced Thursday.“In addition to what he brings to the field, Yasmani is also a great benefit in the clubhouse,” general manager Rick Hahn said in a statement. “We foresee him playing an integral role on both the further development of our young pitchers and the continued improvement of our offense as we reach our championship goals.”Grandal turned down a $17.9 million qualifying offer from the Los Angeles Dodgers last November. A team signing him during the 2018-19 offseason would lose a top amateur draft pick and he found a slow market, agreeing in January to a deal with Milwaukee that guaranteed $18.25 million: a $16 million salary for 2019 and a $16 million mutual option for 2020 with a $2.25 million... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox signaled better days are coming. Maybe next season, they will make the big breakthrough.With young stars establishing themselves in the majors and promising prospects in the pipeline, there is a strong sense on the South Side that this string of losing seasons is finally about to end."Definitely," star shortstop Tim Anderson said. "We've got the guys to do it. I'm just excited to be in the mix of it. I think next year is going to be even better."The White Sox went 72-89 in their seventh straight losing season and missed the playoffs for the 13th time in 14 years since the 2005 team won the World Series. But they won 10 more games than they did a year ago and the big steps taken by their young core players have generated plenty of optimism.They saw Lucas Giolito emerge as an ace, Anderson hit for the highest average in the majors (.335), Yoán Moncada break through and rookie Eloy Jimenez show the pop they envisioned. And they see more in the pipeline."You... [More]

Indians first. Francisco Lindor homers to right field. Greg Allen grounds out to shallow infield, Dylan Cease to Jose Abreu. Carlos Santana strikes out swinging. Yasiel Puig singles to right field. Jake Bauers strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Indians 1, White sox 0.White sox second. Yoan Moncada walks. James McCann pops out to Roberto Perez. Eloy Jimenez doubles to deep left center field. Yoan Moncada scores. Daniel Palka strikes out swinging. Yolmer Sanchez flies out to left field to Jake Bauers.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. White sox 1, Indians 1.Indians fifth. Franmil Reyes doubles to deep center field. Mike Freeman called out on strikes. Roberto Perez singles to right field, tagged out at second, James McCann to Tim Anderson. Franmil Reyes scores. Ryan Flaherty strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Indians 2, White sox 1.White sox seventh. Eloy Jimenez homers to center field. Daniel Palka flies out to deep left center field to Greg Allen.... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The Minnesota Twins broke a major league record for most home runs on the road, getting back-to-back homers in the third inning for 140.Jake Cave led off the third with a solo shot off Chicago White Sox right-hander Dylan Cease to give AL Central leaders the record. That surpassed the 138 set by the San Francisco Giants in 2001.C.J. Cron followed with a drive to center to give Minnesota 140 longballs on the road.The Twins have a major league leading 260 home runs overall this season.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Didi Gregorius hit a grand slam off Hyun-Jin Ryu and added a solo shot to help the Yankees set a club record for homers in a month, and New York routed the Los Angeles Dodgers 10-2 Friday night in a matchup of the two teams with the best records in baseball.Aaron Judge, Gary Sánchez and Gleyber Torres also homered as the Yankees ended a four-game skid. They have a major league-leading 57 homers in August, their most in any month.Starting on five days' rest, James Paxton (10-6) allowed two runs in 6 2/3 innings to win his fifth straight start. He struck out 11 and walked none.Ryu (12-4) gave up seven runs and nine hits in 4 1/3 innings in his shortest outing since June 28.BRAVES 2, METS 1, 14 INNINGSNEW YORK (AP) — Billy Hamilton singled home the go-ahead run in the 14th inning for his first hit with Atlanta, and the Braves earned sixth straight win despite yet another sensational game by Jacob deGrom.The Mets tied a major league record by striking out 26 batters — including... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Didi Gregorius hit a grand slam off Hyun-Jin Ryu and added a solo shot to help the Yankees set a club record for homers in a month, and New York routed the Los Angeles Dodgers 10-2 Friday night in a matchup of the two teams with the best records in baseball.Aaron Judge, Gary Sánchez and Gleyber Torres also homered as the Yankees ended a four-game skid. They have a major league-leading 57 homers in August, their most in any month.Starting on five days' rest, James Paxton (10-6) allowed two runs in 6 2/3 innings to win his fifth straight start. He struck out 11 and walked none.Ryu (12-4) gave up seven runs and nine hits in 4 1/3 innings in his shortest outing since June 28.BRAVES 2, METS 1, 14 INNINGSNEW YORK (AP) — Billy Hamilton singled home the go-ahead run in the 14th inning for his first hit with Atlanta, and the Braves earned sixth straight win despite yet another sensational game by Jacob deGrom.The Mets tied a major league record by striking out 26 batters — including... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Billy Hamilton singled home the go-ahead run in the 14th inning for his first hit as a Brave, and Atlanta beat the New York Mets 2-1 Friday night for its sixth straight win despite yet another sensational game by Jacob deGrom.The Mets tied a major league record by striking out 26 batters — including 13 by deGrom — but had their five-game winning streak end.At 21, Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. became the second-youngest player with a 30-homer, 30-steal season. Only Mike Trout did it faster than Acuña.Hamilton's grounder off Jeurys Familia (4-2) was just out of reach for diving second baseman Joe Panik, allowing Tyler Flowers to score from third.DeGrom homered and struck out eight straight batters during one dominant stretch, pitching seven innings of one-run ball.Luke Jackson (7-2) pitched two scoreless innings to win. Mark Melancon delivered a 1-2-3 14th to close out the 4 hour, 37-minute game for his fifth save.MARLINS 19, PHILLIES 11MIAMI (AP) — Starlin Castro homered twice... [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]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Zack Greinke threw seven smooth innings for his 200th win, pitching the first-place Houston Astros past the Oakland Athletics 4-1 on Sunday to avoid a four-game sweep.Alex Bregman had a three-run homer among his four hits to back Greinke, who won his third straight start since joining the Astros from the Arizona Diamondbacks at the July 31 trade deadline.Greinke (13-4) went nine up, nine down on 25 pitches to start the game before giving up Marcus Semien's 21st homer. The right-hander allowed four hits with three walks and six strikeouts. He became the 115th pitcher in major league history to reach 200 career wins, and the second in Houston's rotation along with Justin Verlander.Roberto Osuna finished for his 27th save as the Astros stopped a five-game slide.Yuli Gurriel added an RBI double for Houston, which snapped Oakland's four-game winning streak. The Astros went back ahead of the A's by 7 1/2 games in the AL West race.Athletics lefty Brett Anderson (10-9) allowed... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Zack Greinke's second start with the Houston Astros has been postponed by rain.The Astros were scheduled to begin a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox on Monday night, but the rain started to pick up in the afternoon and the game was quickly called.The teams will play a traditional doubleheader Tuesday. Greinke and Gerrit Cole will pitch for Houston, and rookie Dylan Cease and Iván Nova are the scheduled starters for Chicago.The 35-year-old Greinke was acquired in a blockbuster trade with Arizona on July 31, giving Houston another ace for its rotation. The six-time All-Star got the win in his Astros debut, pitching six innings of five-run ball in an 11-6 victory over Colorado on Tuesday.Houston has won 12 of 15 to open a 10-game lead in the AL West. It looked as if it was headed for its ninth straight win Sunday in Baltimore, but Roberto Osuna surrendered a two-run homer to Rio Ruiz with two out in the ninth inning of the Orioles' 8-7 victory.Houston's pitching... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Zack Greinke's second start with the Houston Astros has been postponed by rain.The Astros were scheduled to begin a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox on Monday night, but the rain started to pick up in the afternoon and the game was quickly called.The teams will play a traditional doubleheader Tuesday.The 35-year-old Greinke was acquired in a blockbuster trade with Arizona on July 31, giving Houston another ace for its rotation. The six-time All-Star got the win in his Astros debut, pitching six innings of five-run ball in an 11-6 victory over Colorado on Tuesday.Houston has won 12 of 15 to open a 10-game lead in the AL West. It looked as if it was headed for its ninth straight win Sunday in Baltimore, but Roberto Osuna surrendered a two-run homer to Rio Ruiz with two out in the ninth inning of the Orioles' 8-7 victory.Chicago dropped two of three against Oakland over the weekend. Lucas Giolito struck out a career-high 13 in six innings Sunday, but Matt Olson... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:NEW FACES AND PLACESFollowing a flurry of deals just before Wednesday's trade deadline, players all over the majors will be joining their new teams. Zack Greinke (Astros), Shane Greene (Braves) and Nicholas Castellanos (Cubs) were among the notable names who got moved on a dizzying day that featured two dozen trades. But perhaps most surprising was the fact the AL East-leading Yankees — and World Series champion Red Sox — didn't make any additions to their major league rosters.LONG WAITCleveland starter Danny Salazar makes his first big league appearance since the 2017 playoffs when the Indians host Houston in the rubber match of a three-game series between AL pennant contenders. Salazar, an All-Star in 2016, missed last season because of arm trouble and had shoulder surgery. All-Star Gerrit Cole (12-5, 2.94 ERA) looks to continue his dominant stretch for the Astros. He's 7-0 with a 1.88 ERA in 11 starts since June 1, piling up 100 strikeouts... [More]