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]

Neil Walker became the latest free agent to take a big pay cut as opening day approaches, joining the New York Yankees on Monday with a one-year deal for $4 million.The veteran infielder made $17.2 million last season while playing for the New York Mets and Milwaukee Brewers. He can earn $1 million in performance bonuses this year.The 32-year-old Walker hit .265 with 14 home runs and 49 RBIs last season, then became a free agent. He will likely start at second base, giving prospects Gleyber Torres and Miguel Andujar more time to mature in the minor leagues."It's certainly a crazy offseason, but more than anything my hope was that I'd land somewhere that's going to be competitive and have a chance to win," Walker said. "I'm happy to be here, happy to be on a contending team."Starting pitcher Lance Lynn got right to work with Minnesota after finalizing his $12 million, one-year deal. He turned down a $17.4 million offer to stay with St. Louis, and looked for a richer contract in free agency.Lynn... [More]

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Drew Pomeranz of the Boston Red Sox and Bud Norris of the St. Louis Cardinals left their spring training starts because of injuries Friday.Pomeranz left his first exhibition outing due to left forearm tightness. Norris had a left hamstring spasm.Pomeranz breezed through the first inning, retiring the side in order with 13 pitches, then felt an issue while warming up for the second. He threw four pitches to Marcell Ozuna, then summoned catcher Blake Swihart to the mound, talked with a trainer and departed."I wasn't really pushing it, so I just was like, you know what? There's no point," Pomeranz said. "Figure out what's going on and shut it down."Pomeranz, 17-6 with a 3.32 ERA for the Red Sox last season, is to undergo further examinations Saturday."I'm not too worried about it," he said.Norris allowed homers to Andrew Benintendi and Sam Travis in the first and pitched a scoreless second. He allowed a run in the third and Rafael Devers grounded to first baseman Jose... [More]

Spring training got off to a solemn start as MLB teams wore hats to honor Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, where 17 people were fatally shot nine days ago.Stoneman Douglas baseball coach Todd Fitz-Gerald and his two sons were guests of the Houston Astros for their spring opener against the Washington Nationals. Members of the school's baseball and softball teams were guests of the Marlins and mingled on the field with players, coaches and CEO Derek Jeter.Teams had the option of wearing he caps, which are black with "SD" in block letters, during the games or only during warmups. Both the Astros and Nationals wore them during Friday's games.MLB ordered more than 2,500 of the caps from New Era, league spokesman Steven Arrocho said. Many teams will have players sign them, and they will be auctioned to benefit the victims and families affected by the shooting.Fitz-Gerald said it was a "relief" to get back to the sport he loves and to stop thinking, at least for a moment,... [More]

Spring training got off to a solemn start as MLB teams wore hats to honor Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, where 17 people were fatally shot nine days ago.Stoneman Douglas baseball coach Todd Fitz-Gerald and his two sons were guests of the Houston Astros for their spring opener against the Washington Nationals. Members of the school's baseball and softball teams were guests of the Marlins and mingled on the field with players, coaches and CEO Derek Jeter.Teams had the option of wearing he caps, which are black with "SD" in block letters, during the games or only during warmups. Both the Astros and Nationals wore them during Friday's games.MLB ordered more than 2,500 of the caps from New Era, league spokesman Steven Arrocho said. Many teams will have players sign them, and they will be auctioned to benefit the victims and families affected by the shooting.Fitz-Gerald said it was a "relief" to get back to the sport he loves and to stop thinking, at least for a moment,... [More]

C Blake Swihart was among four September callups for the Red Sox on Friday. Swihart struggled at the plate this year, batting .190 (37-for-195) with four homers at Triple-A Pawtucket. Swihart has appeared in 103 games for Boston in the previous two seasons, batting .271 with five homers and 36 RBIs.

OF/C Blake Swihart (ankle) was reinstated from the 60-day disabled list.

LF Blake Swihart (left ankle surgery in August 2016) should be ready for spring training.

C/LF Blake Swihart will undergo season-ending left ankle surgery Monday in North Carolina, Boston manager John Farrell announced Wednesday. Swihart's surgery will be performed by Dr. Robert B. Anderson. Swihart hasn't played for the Red Sox since June 4, and he was placed on the disabled list the following day.

C/LF Blake Swihart, who suffered a severe ankle sprain in June, will have season-ending surgery.

LF Blake Swihart is likely out for the season and will require surgery, manager John Farrell said on Tuesday. Swihart is on the disabled list with an ankle sprain since June 5.

C/LF Blake Swihart (left ankle sprain) has made progress since last week's setback, but he isn't ready to begin a rehab assignment. "He's ramping up activities, and when he first increased the intensity, there was some residual discomfort in just getting past some of the increased change in direction, straight-ahead speed," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. Swihart, batting .258/.365/.355 with five RBIs in 19 games, last played for Boston on June 4.

C/LF Blake Swihart (left ankle sprain) has suffered a setback in his rehab. "As he's ramped up the intensity and the different cuts, his ankle is starting to talk back to him a little bit here," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. Swihart was placed on the disabled list June 5 and transferred to the 60-day DL on July 9. He has not played since June 4.

LF/C Blake Swihart (left ankle sprain) is progressing through full baseball activities, but there is no timetable for his return. Red Sox manager John Farrell hinted that Swihart's return could come sooner rather than later while adding that he was unsure if the 24-year-old will see any more time behind the plate this season. He last played June 4.

C/OF Blake Swihart (sprained left ankle) has begun taking batting practice from both sides of the plate. Swihart has been on the disabled list since June 5 and manager John Farrell hopes he can start rehab games by next weekend.

LF/C Blake Swihart (left ankle sprain) was transferred to the 60-day disabled list on Saturday. Swihart, batting .258/.365/.355 with five RBIs in 19 games this season, has missed 29 games and last played June 4.

LF Blake Swihart, on the disabled list with a high ankle sprain, is now out of the walking boot but there is still no sign of when he might be back.

C/LF Blake Swihart (left ankle sprain) is no longer wearing a cast, but has still not regained full mobility. Swihart has not played since suffering the injury June 4.

LF Blake Swihart (left ankle sprain) was placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday. Swihart left Saturday's game in the seventh inning after colliding with the side wall in left field while pursuing a fly ball. He had an MRI after the game and was scheduled to see a local foot specialist, Dr. George Theodore, on Sunday. A more severe foot injury was not ruled out.

LF Blake Swihart, whose slide into home plate was ruled an out before getting overturned, left the game in the next inning with a left ankle injury. He was hurt making what was called a catch before running into the side wall in foul territory. That call also was overturned and Swihart, after getting help, was able to make it most of the way to the dugout. He seemed to have trouble making it down the steps.