CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs placed closer Craig Kimbrel on the 10-day injured list Monday and announced All-Star catcher Willson Contreras will be sidelined for four weeks with a right hamstring strain.The pair of injuries will test Chicago's depth and the ingenuity of its front office as it tries to win the roller-coaster NL Central for the third time in four years. While manager Joe Maddon has some veteran bullpen options, the catching situation is more perilous and the team can't trade for help under a new set of rules that began this year.Kimbrel, who got a late start this year after he finalized a $43 million, three-year deal with the Cubs in June, is dealing with inflammation in his right knee. He said it started bothering him while he was closing out Saturday's 4-1 victory over the Brewers."We assessed it yesterday morning and it looked like there was a strain and some swelling in there and we're just going to let it calm down," Kimbrel said before Chicago's 6-5 victory over... [More]

ST. LOUIS (AP) — The Cubs added bullpen depth by acquiring right-hander David Phelps from Toronto for minor league righty Thomas Hatch.As part of the trade announced Tuesday, the Blue Jays agreed to send cash to Chicago to offset some of Phelps' contract, which includes a $2.5 million base salary for this year, a $1 million club option for 2020 and numerous performance bonuses.Phelps will cost Chicago a maximum of $1.25 million this year. The Cubs are responsible for the $819,892 remaining of his 2019 salary and the first $430,108 of the performance bonuses Phelps earns."There was a time when he was kind of a reverse guy when he first began, would be really good against lefties, cut the ball in, elevated fastball," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "He's become more of a conventional pitcher the last couple years, but he still has that ability to get out a lefty too, a very aggressive sort, a very, very physical, aggressive, let's go kind of guy."The 32-year-old tore the ulnar collateral ligament... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The Cubs added bullpen depth by acquiring right-hander David Phelps from Toronto for minor league righty Thomas Hatch.As part of the trade announced Tuesday, the Blue Jays agreed to send cash to Chicago to offset some of Phelps' contract, which includes a $2.5 million base salary for this year, a $1 million club option for 2020 and numerous performance bonuses.Phelps will cost Chicago a maximum of $1.25 million. The Cubs are responsible for the $819,892 remaining of his 2019 salary and the first $430,108 of the performance bonuses Phelps earns.The 32-year-old tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow on March 17, 2017, during his final pitch in a spring training outing against the Los Angeles Angels, had surgery March 26 and did not return to the major leagues until this June 17. He had a 3.63 ERA in 17 relief appearances with the Blue Jays, going 0 for 2 in save chances.He is 30-33 with a 3.88 ERA over 245 games in seven seasons with the New York Yankees (2012-14),... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The Cubs added bullpen depth by acquiring right-hander David Phelps from Toronto for minor league righty Thomas Hatch.As part of the trade announced Tuesday, the Blue Jays will send cash to Chicago to offset some of Phelps' contract, which includes a $2.5 million base salary for this year, a $1 million club option for 2020 and numerous performance bonuses.The 32-year-old tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow on March 17, 2017, during his final pitch in a spring training outing against the Los Angeles Angels, had surgery March 26 and did not return to the major leagues until this June 17. He had a 3.63 ERA in 17 relief appearances with the Blue Jays, going 0 for 2 in save chances.He is 30-33 with a 3.88 ERA over 245 games in seven seasons with the New York Yankees (2012-14), Miami (2015-17), Seattle (2017) and Toronto.To open a 40-man roster spot for Phelps, the Cubs moved left-hander Xavier Cedeño to the 60-day injured list.Phelps is the third player in... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Edwin Jackson became the first player in major league history to play for 14 teams when he made his Toronto Blue Jays debut.The 35-year-old right-hander allowed three runs — two earned — and six hits in five innings against San Francisco. He struck out two, walked one, hit a batter and left after 77 pitches with the score 3-3.Toronto acquired Jackson from the Oakland Athletics on Saturday for $30,000. He became his tenure with his new team by throwing an 88 mph cutter that Joe Panik took for a called strike.Jackson had been tied with Octavio Dotel for most teams. Jackson agreed last month to a minor league contract with the A's and was 1-0 with a 6.75 ERA in three minor league starts.In addition to the Blue Jays and A's, Jackson has played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tampa Bay, Detroit, Arizona, the Chicago White Sox, St. Louis, Washington, the Chicago Cubs, Atlanta, Miami, San Diego and Baltimore.Jackson made his 306th big league start. He entered with a 104-123 record... [More]

DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP) — Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is not worrying about whether he will start the season with the Toronto Blue Jays.The 19-year-old son of Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero is considered the top prospect entering 2019. Yet, it would not be surprising if Toronto kept the third baseman in the minor leagues for the first 15 days and delayed his debut until at least April 12. By denying him 15 days of major league service, the Blue Jays would delay his eligibility for free agency by a year, until after the 2025 season."Controlling what I can control and then working hard everyday," Guerrero said through a translator on Monday as the Blue Jays held their first full-squad workout. "Making the best out of it. Trying to get better every day and giving the best of me."Guerrero hit .402 at Double-A and .336 at Triple-A last year, combining for 20 homers and 78 RBIs."Can't relate to being 19-years old and being that even-keeled and cool like that kid is," new Toronto manager Charlie Montoyo... [More]

A team-by-team look at the American League East 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:___Boston Red SoxManager: Alex Cora (second season).2018: 108-54, first place, World Series champions.Training Town: Fort Myers, Florida.Park: JetBlue Park at Fenway South.First Workout: Feb. 13/18.He's Here: OF Gorkys Hernandez, RHP Jenrry Mejia.He's Outta Here: RHP Craig Kimbrel, RHP Joe Kelly, 2B Ian Kinsler.Going campin': The Red Sox are largely standing pat as they attempt to win back-to-back World Series for the first time in more than a century. The team that won a franchise-record 108 games in the regular season last year is largely intact, with All-Star closer Kimbrel the biggest loss. Second baseman Dustin Pedroia is hoping to return from a knee injury that limited him to three games last season. Christian Vazquez, Blake Swihart and Sandy Leon will compete for two spots at catcher.... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Right-hander David Phelps and the Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to a $2.5 million, one-year contract, a deal that could be worth $13.75 million over two seasons, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.The person spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday night because the deal had not yet been announced. The contractPhelps, a 32-year-old free agent who is coming back from Tommy John surgery, can earn an additional $3.25 million in performance bonuses this year as part of the agreement, and the Blue Jays have a $1 million team option for 2020 that could escalate to $8 million depending on appearances and games finished this year.He tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching arm on March 17 during his final pitch in a spring training outing against the Los Angeles Angels, and he had surgery March 26.Phelps was 2-1 with a 3.12 ERA in 10 relief appearances in 2017 for Seattle, which acquired him from Miami that July 20. He had a $5.55 million... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Right-hander David Phelps and the Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to a $2.5 million, one-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.The person spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday night because the deal had not yet been announced.Phelps, a 32-year-old free agent who is coming back from Tommy John surgery, can earn an additional $3.25 million in performance bonuses this year as part of the agreement, and the Blue Jays have a $1 million team option for 2020 that could escalate to $8 million depending on appearances and games finished this year.He tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching arm on March 17 during his final pitch in a spring training outing against the Los Angeles Angels, and he had surgery March 26.Phelps was 2-1 with a 3.12 ERA in 10 relief appearances in 2017 for Seattle, which acquired him from Miami that July 20. He had a $5.55 million salary last season.During six major league seasons with the New York Yankees... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Right-hander David Phelps and the Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to a $2.5 million, one-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.The person spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday night because the deal had not yet been announced.Phelps, a 32-year-old free agent who is coming back from Tommy John surgery, has performance bonuses in the agreement, and the Blue Jays have a 2020 team option that includes an escalator.He tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching arm on March 17 during his final pitch in a spring training outing against the Los Angeles Angels, and he had surgery March 26.Phelps was 2-1 with a 3.12 ERA in 10 relief appearances in 2017 for Seattle, which acquired him from Miami that July 20. He had a $5.55 million salary last season.During six major league seasons with the New York Yankees (2012-14), Miami (2015-17) and the Mariners, Phelps is 30-33 with a 3.89 ERA and five saves in 64 starts and 164 relief appearances.His agreement was first reported by ESPN.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that right-hander David Phelps and the Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to a $2.5 million, one-year contract.The person spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday night because the deal had not yet been announced.Phelps, a 32-year-old free agent who is coming back from Tommy John surgery, has performance bonuses in the agreement, and the Blue Jays have a 2020 team option that includes an escalator.He tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching arm on March 17 during his final pitch in a spring training outing against the Los Angeles Angels, and he had surgery March 26.Phelps was 2-1 with a 3.12 ERA in 10 relief appearances in 2017 for Seattle, which acquired him from Miami that July 20.His agreement was first reported by ESPN.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SEATTLE (AP) — The last time the Seattle Mariners were in first place this deep into the season, the current hitting coach was the designated hitter, the current "Special Assistant to the Chairman" was hitting .352 at the top of the order, and the club won 93 games but missed the playoffs.Yes, it has been a long time since Edgar Martinez and Ichiro Suzuki had the Mariners in contention like they are right now."We just love playing for each other right now," pitcher Marco Gonzales said. "We're all rallying around each other and it's a lot of fun to be out there."The Mariners started Monday at 37-22 and with a one-game lead in the AL West, a position they haven't held this far into a season since late August 2003. That's nearly 15 years since the club has sniffed the clear air of the division lead outside the early stages of the regular season. An entire generation of Little Leaguers in the Pacific Northwest who look up to the likes of Nelson Cruz, James Paxton and Dee Gordon have never seen... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — When catcher Mike Zunino was scratched on opening day, the Seattle Mariners believed he'd be on the field making his season debut Saturday.Instead, Zunino was spending his second day on the 10-day disabled list with a strained left oblique."It's frustrating. I wish there was a word that's more than that," Zunino said on Saturday. "You know it's part of the game. Obviously if this happened halfway through the year, you take a couple of days and it's different. But for the anticipation of the season and what we had in store as at team, it's not how you want to get off to a start. But I'm trying to get healthy as soon as I can so I can help this team as long as I can."Zunino suffered the injury during batting practice on Wednesday and is the latest addition to Seattle's list of ailments that started in spring training and has carried into the regular season. The Mariners are already without outfielder Ben Gamel and pitcher Erasmo Ramirez due to injuries suffered in spring training... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — The lingering question of whether Ichiro Suzuki would be ready for opening day was solved on Wednesday.Yes, he'll be on the Seattle Mariners 25-man roster, despite a lingering calf injury. And, yes, he'll be in left field on Thursday night when the Mariners open the season hosting the Cleveland Indians."It was a crazy spring for him getting in late and having a little setback with the calf injury but I think he showed us enough here the last couple of days that he can get out there, run around and help us out a little bit," Seattle manager Scott Servais said. "As I said when we brought him in he'll hit at the bottom of the lineup, he'll help in a number of different ways. But obviously he'll be in the lineup tomorrow night."This isn't turn back the clock night, although the nostalgia will be thick — let alone the challenge of facing Cleveland ace Corey Kluber and one of the powerhouse clubs in the American League. It'll be Suzuki's first regular season game in a Seattle uniform... [More]

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — David Phelps was ready to be a primary setup man for the Seattle Mariners ahead of closer Edwin Diaz this season. Manager Scott Servais is going to have to look elsewhere for that role now.Phelps will have season-ending Tommy John surgery on Monday to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. He was injured on the final pitch of his most recent outing on March 17 against the Los Angeles Angels.Phelps was acquired from Miami last July and then did two stints on the disabled list for right elbow impingements. He had surgery in September to remove a bone spur from the elbow."I'd been feeling pretty good all spring, I finally felt locked in that last outing. I was throwing my fastball where I wanted to," Phelps said. "Second to last pitch is when I felt something. Threw another one. ... I thought I felt a crack in the back of my elbow. I was hopeful maybe it was just scar tissue from my (September) surgery. Turns out what I thought was a crack was a pop."Phelps... [More]

Capsules of American League West teams, listed in order of finish last year:___Houston Astros2017: 101-61, first place, won World Series.Manager: A.J. Hinch (fourth season).He's Here: RHP Gerrit Cole, RHP Joe Smith, RHP Hector Rondon.He's Outta Here: DH Carlos Beltran, RHP Luke Gregerson, RHP Joe Musgrove, RHP Mike Fiers, RHP Michael Feliz, INF Colin Moran.Projected Lineup: CF George Springer (.283, 34 HRs, 85 RBIs), 3B Alex Bregman (.284, 19, 71, 39 2Bs), 2B Jose Altuve (MLB-best .346, 24, 81, 39 2Bs, 32 SBs, AL MVP), SS Carlos Correa (.315, 24, 84), 1B Yuli Gurriel (.299, 18, 75, 43 2Bs), LF Marwin Gonzalez (.303, 23, 90, 34 2Bs), DH Evan Gattis (.263, 12, 55), RF Josh Reddick (.314, 13, 82, 34 2Bs), C Brian McCann (.241, 18, 62).Rotation: LH Dallas Keuchel (14-5, 2.90 ERA, 251 Ks), RH Justin Verlander (15-8, 3.36, 219 Ks with Tigers and Astros), RH Gerrit Cole (12-12, 4.26, 196 Ks with Pirates), RH Lance McCullers Jr. (7-4, 4.25), RH Charlie Morton (14-7, 3.62).Key Relievers: RH Ken... [More]

The Baltimore Orioles figured Alex Cobb would be a fine fit.Cobb stayed in the division he knew best, finalizing a $57 million, four-year contract on Wednesday."They used the AL East and the success I've had in it to their advantage," the 30-year-old right-hander said. "They kept challenging me with it and I love the challenge of pitching in this division and they know that over the times we talked. They did a really good job of making me feel like this is where I need to be."Cobb had spent his entire six-season big league career with Tampa Bay and was the last top starting pitcher available in a slow-moving free agent market.Cobb joined Andrew Cashner and Chris Tillman, who were signed last month, in a revamped rotation that includes holdovers Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman.The Orioles are coming off a last-place finish and 75-87 record.Cobb was 12-10 with a 3.66 ERA in 29 starts last season. He pitched 179 1/3 innings in his first full year back after missing nearly two seasons because... [More]

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Mariners reliever David Phelps will miss this season after tearing the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching arm.Seattle general manager Jerry Dipoto announced the diagnosis Wednesday night.Phelps was injured on the final pitch of his previous outing March 17 against the Angels. The right-hander will have Tommy John surgery to repair his elbow, though a surgery date has not been set. The typical recovery time for that operation is 12 to 15 months.The 31-year-old Phelps was 2-1 with a 3.12 ERA in 10 relief appearances with Seattle after a trade from Miami last July. He did two stints on the disabled list with elbow issues last season. Phelps figured to be a key piece in Seattle's bullpen this season.

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Ichiro Suzuki's wish was granted. He is back in the familiar white and blue jersey of the Seattle Mariners."Even in the offseason when I would go back to Japan, I always came back to Seattle. This was my home ... has always been my home," the 44-year-old outfielder said through a translator Wednesday after finalizing a $750,000, one-year contract. "Somewhere deep inside, I wanted to return and wear this uniform again."Almost six years away, Suzuki returned to help patch an injury-depleted outfield on the team he played for from 2001-12. The 10-time All-Star can earn an additional $1.25 million in performance bonuses based on plate appearances: $200,000 each for 150 and each additional 50 through 350, and $250,000 for 400.Suzuki earned the 2001 AL Rookie of the Year and MVP, with the Mariners and won a pair of AL batting titles. He was traded to the New York Yankees midway through 2012, played parts of three seasons with the Yankees, then spent three seasons with Miami.He... [More]

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — When Seattle traded for reliever David Phelps last July, Mariners manager Scott Servais believed his team was adding a player that could help the team reach the postseason."When we acquired him, first of all, I thought it was perfect, this was the piece," Servais said Monday.Seattle was contending for an AL wild-card spot and the talented righty added depth and experience to an overworked bullpen. Phelps helped Seattle go 6-1 in the first seven games he pitched in.That's when his season, as well as the Mariners' year, went sideways. An elbow injury sidelined him for a couple weeks in August. He returned later that month, but threw fewer than two innings before bone spurs in the same elbow ended his season. He had surgery to remove them in September."I think he was a key loss to us," Servais said, "if you look at last year's season when he went down."A check of the standings backs up Servais' claim. Seattle was 1 1/2 games back from a wild-card berth when Phelps first... [More]