A look at what's happening around the majors Tuesday:PANDEMIC PANICMajor League Baseball has already postponed a second scheduled game between Miami and Baltimore after more than a dozen Marlins players and staff tested positive for the coronavirus, prompting the club to lock down in Philadelphia. Commissioner Rob Manfred said the soonest the Marlins could resume their schedule is Wednesday, when they are set to play in Baltimore.“I don’t see it as a nightmare,” Manfred told MLB Network on Monday night. “We built the protocols to allow us to continue to play. That’s why we have the expanded rosters, that’s why we have the pool of additional players. And we think we can keep people safe and continue to play.”The Yankees and Phillies also postponed their game Monday after the Marlins played in Philadelphia over the weekend. As of Monday night, the teams planned to begin their series Tuesday instead.Word of multiple positive tests among players on the Marlins and Reds rosters shook many around... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Tuesday:PANDEMIC PANICMajor League Baseball has already postponed a second scheduled game between Miami and Baltimore after more than a dozen Marlins players and staff tested positive for the coronavirus, prompting the club to lock down in Philadelphia. Commissioner Rob Manfred said the soonest the Marlins could resume their schedule is Wednesday, when they are set to play in Baltimore.“I don’t see it as a nightmare,” Manfred told MLB Network on Monday night. “We built the protocols to allow us to continue to play. That’s why we have the expanded rosters, that’s why we have the pool of additional players. And we think we can keep people safe and continue to play.”The Yankees and Phillies also postponed their game Monday after the Marlins played in Philadelphia over the weekend. As of Monday night, the teams planned to begin their series Tuesday instead.Word of multiple positive tests among the Marlins and Reds rosters shook many around the game.“I’m... [More]

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Zach Davies has to compensate for his lack of velocity.“There are some guys who just go out there and throw, and that’s great and it works," San Diego's newly acquired pitcher said. "Unfortunately, I don’t have that. But there are ways to be successful other than throw hard and try to blow it by people, and that’s something I’ve had to focus on.”Davies, whose fastball averaged just under 89 mph last season, was acquired from Milwaukee in late November along with center fielder Trent Grisham for left-hander Eric Lauer, infielder Luis Urías and a player to be named.Davies examines video of other pitchers who rely on command and control, such as former Padre Jake Peavy, Tim Hudson and Kyle Hendricks.“Just kind of see how hitters react to it," Davies said. "There are differences in the way you sequence and the way you throw to guys, but you can kind of see the way hitters react in certain situations. And if you want to change your game plan, you know what works with other... [More]

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — San Diego right-hander Chris Paddack has something new to show hitters this season — a blue-eyed lion. Two days before spring training opened, Paddack had a tattoo of a lion — his spirit animal — inked from wrist to elbow on the outside of his left forearm. When he comes to a set position on the mound, the lion is directly batter’s line of vision. He relishes the chance to let it loose on opening day against Colorado on March 26.“Have I reflected on that start? Absolutely,” Paddack said. “But whoever pitches that day is our ace. The chemistry is more important than that. You can’t selfish yourself out of the group. I’m definitely a big believer in that. But don’t get me wrong, March 26 is my goal, for sure.”Paddack is a candidate after going 9-7 with a 3.33 ERA in 26 starts as a rookie last season. The Padres monitored his workload in the final stages of his return from Tommy John surgery that sidelined him for the 2017 season.Paddak never pitched on fewer than five... [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 Dodgers Manager: Dave Roberts (fifth season). 2019: 106-56, first place, lost to Nationals in Division Series. Training Town: Glendale, Arizona. Park: Camelback Ranch. First Workout: Feb. 14/18. He's Here: OF Mookie Betts, LHP David Price, LHP Alex Wood, RHP Blake Treinen, RHP Jimmy Nelson, 2B Clayton Daniel.He's Outta Here: LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu, RHP Kenta Maeda, LHP Rich Hill, OF Joc Pederson, OF Alex Verdugo, 1B David Freese, RHP Yimi Garcia, 3B Jedd Gyorko, C Russell Martin, RHP JT Chargois, 2B Kristopher Negron.Going campin': In what's become a familiar refrain, the Dodgers arrive at camp still looking for their first World Series championship since 1988. After losing in two straight World Series, they were ousted by Washington in five games in the NL Division Series last fall.... [More]

A team-by-team look at the National League Central 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:___St. Louis CardinalsManager: Mike Shildt (third season). 2019: 91-71, first place, lost to Nationals in NLCS.Training Town: Jupiter, Florida.Park: Roger Dean Stadium.First Workout: Feb. 12/17. He's Here: LHP Matthew Liberatore, C Matt Wieters, LHP Kwang-Hyun Kim.He's Outta Here: OF Marcell Ozuna, RF Jose Martinez, LF Randy Arozarena, RHP Dominic Leone.Going campin': The Cardinals return largely intact after getting swept in the NLCS by World Series champion Washington. The biggest competition throughout the spring will be in the outfield, where only Dexter Fowler has a position locked up — mostly because of his contract. Center fielder Harrison Bader probably has another spot under control, and that leaves Tyler O'Neill, Lane Thomas and top prospect Dylan Carlson competing for the last... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — New Brewers shortstop Luis Urías could miss the start of the season after he had surgery Tuesday to repair a broken bone in his left hand.Urías will be sidelined for about eight weeks. He is expected to make a full recovery with no lingering effects, but general manager David Stearns said he is questionable for opening day March 26 against the Chicago Cubs.The 22-year-old Urías was acquired in a multiplayer trade with San Diego on Nov. 27. Milwaukee sent right-hander Zach Davies and outfielder Trent Grisham to the Padres for left-hander Eric Lauer and Urías, who made his big league debut in 2018. The Brewers also were slated to receive a player to be named or cash in the swap.Urías got hurt while playing winter ball in Mexico. He was expected to compete with Orlando Arcia for the shortstop job during spring training.Urías split 2019 between the Padres and Triple-A El Paso. He had two stints with the Padres, batting .223 with four homers and 24 RBIs.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SAN DIEGO (AP) — All-Star closer Kirby Yates, who led the major leagues with 41 saves, agreed Friday to a one-year contract for $7,062,500 with the San Diego Padres.Yates was named to his first All-Star team in his first full season as closer. He had 101 strikeouts in 60 2/3 innings. He and the Padres have been discussing a long-term deal.San Diego agreed to deals with all of its arbitration-eligible players. New left fielder Tommy Pham got a $7.9 million deal, right-hander Zach Davies a $5,250,000 contract and catcher Austin Hedges got $3 million.The Padres agreed with right-hander Dinelson Lamet for $1.3 million, center fielder Manuel Margot for $2,475,000, right-hander Luis Perdomo for $950,000 and left-hander Matt Strahm for $1.4 millionPham was acquired from Tampa Bay in a deal that sent slugger Hunter Renfroe to the Rays. Pham batted .273 with 21 homers, 68 RBIs, 25 stolen bases and an .818 OPS.Davies was obtained from Milwaukee with outfielder Trent Grisham for popular young second baseman Luis Urías and left-hander Eric Lauer, who was San Diego’s opening day starter in 2019. Davies was 10-7 with a 3.55 ERA in 2019.Hedges is one of the top defensive catchers in the majors but struggled so badly at the plate that he began to lose playing time to Francisco Mejía and could be relegated to backup duty. He hit only .176 with 11 home runs and a .252 on-base percentage.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SAN DIEGO (AP) — General manager A.J. Preller continued to remake the San Diego Padres' outfield, and added an intriguing two-way player as well.Preller acquired outfielder Tommy Pham and infielder-pitcher Jake Cronenworth from the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday for outfielder Hunter Renfroe, minor league infielder Xavier Edwards and a player to be named.The moves came a week after the Padres obtained starter Zach Davies and outfielder Trent Grisham from Milwaukee, and signed free agent reliever Drew Pomeranz.“We tried to address every area of our ballclub and we feel we're improved at this point," Preller said. The Padres need to get better. Even with $300 million slugger Manny Machado and rookie phenom Fernando Tatis Jr., they had their ninth straight losing season and missed the playoffs for the 13th consecutive year. They finished last in the NL West at 70-92, their fourth season in a row with 90-plus losses.Pham gives the rebuilding Padres some pop after they finished near the bottom in... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — General manager A.J. Preller continued to remake the San Diego Padres' outfield, and added an intriguing two-way player as well.Preller acquired outfielder Tommy Pham and infielder-pitcher Jake Cronenworth from the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday for outfielder Hunter Renfroe, minor league infielder Xavier Edwards and a player to be named.The moves came a week after the Padres obtained starter Zach Davies and outfielder Trent Grisham from Milwaukke, and signed free agent reliever Drew Pomeranz.“We tried to address every area of our ballclub and we feel we're improved at this point," Preller said. The Padres need to get better. Even with $300 million slugger Manny Machado and rookie phenom Fernando Tatis Jr., they had their ninth straight losing season and missed the playoffs for the 13th consecutive year. They finished last in the NL West at 70-92, their fourth season in a row with 90-plus losses.Pham gives the rebuilding Padres some pop after they finished near the bottom in... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The rebuilding San Diego Padres rewarded free agent Drew Pomeranz for two strong months in Milwaukee’s bullpen and addressed two big needs by acquiring right-handed starter Zach Davies and lefty outfielder Trent Grisham from the Brewers on Wednesday.They were the first big moves of the offseason for the Padres, who have lost more than 90 games for four straight seasons and haven’t been to the playoffs since 2006.San Diego and Pomeranz — an All-Star during his brief stay with the Padres in 2016 — agreed to a $34 million, four-year contract.The left-hander had a strong final two months of the season with the Brewers after being traded to Milwaukee from San Francisco. He was 0-1 with a 2.39 ERA in 25 games, including one start.Pomeranz struck out 45 and walked only eight of the 100 batters he faced"We're banking that he's found a role that really fits for him and it was a chance to get an impact performer," Padres general manager A.J. Preller said."He shortened up his repertoire... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The rebuilding San Diego Padres rewarded free agent Drew Pomeranz for two strong months in Milwaukee’s bullpen and addressed two big needs by acquiring right-handed starter Zach Davies and lefty outfielder Trent Grisham from the Brewers on Wednesday.They were the first big moves of the offseason for the Padres, who have lost more than 90 games for four straight seasons and haven’t been to the playoffs since 2006.San Diego and Pomeranz — an All-Star during his brief stay with San Diego in 2016 — agreed to a $34 million, four-year contract.The left-hander had a strong final two months of the season with the Brewers after being traded to Milwaukee from San Francisco. He was 0-1 with a 2.39 ERA in 25 games, including one start.He’ll get an $8 million signing bonus and salaries of $4 million in 2020, $6 million 2021 and $8 million in 2022 and 2023.Pomeranz spent the first half of 2016 with the Padres, going 8-7 with a 2.47 ERA and earning an All-Star berth. He was traded to... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Padres have acquired right-hander Zach Davies and outfielder Trent Grisham from the Milwaukee Brewers for infielder Luis Urías and left-hander Eric Lauer.San Diego also will send cash or another player to the Brewers to complete Wednesday’s deal.Davies was 10-7 with a 3.55 ERA in 31 starts in 2019, his fifth big league season. He made $2.6 million and is eligible for salary arbitration.Grisham made his big league debut in 2019, hitting .231 with six home runs and 24 RBIs in 51 games. He made 36 starts, playing all three outfield positions. He committed a key error in Milwaukee’s loss to Washington in the NL wild card game.Lauer, San Diego’s opening-day starter, went 8-10 with a 4.45 ERA in his second big league season.Urías split 2019 between the Padres and Triple-A El Paso. He had two stints with the Padres, batting .223 with four homers and 24 RBIs. He made his big league debut in September 2018.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

It's been three years since Andrew Miller led the Cleveland Indians to the brink of a World Series championship by coming out of the bullpen early and often, and bulk work from relievers has been an October staple since. Whether it's Brewers All-Star Josh Hader stretching out for three innings or Astros ace Justin Verlander moonlighting in middle relief, aggressive bullpen management has become standard postseason practice.As the calendar flips, a look at the best relief options — for the biggest outs, and for a bunch of them — for each of the 10 playoff clubs.NEW YORK YANKEESFor The Big Out: In baseball's deepest bullpen, the difference maker is Aroldis Chapman. The 31-year-old left-hander has lost some steam — he averaged about 98 mph on his fastball this year, down from 101 at his peak in 2016 — but he's made up for it with an improved slider that he's throwing more than ever. Although he famously blew a lead for the Cubs in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series, Chapman has been fantastic... [More]

Brewers first. Trent Grisham singles to right field. Keston Hiura hit by pitch. Trent Grisham to second. Yasmani Grandal lines out to shortstop to Trevor Story. Keston Hiura doubled off first. Ryan Braun singles to shallow center field. Trent Grisham scores. Eric Thames lines out to first base to Daniel Murphy.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Brewers 1, Rockies 0.Rockies third. Sam Hilliard doubles to deep center field. Tony Wolters singles to center field, advances to 2nd. Sam Hilliard scores. Antonio Senzatela out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Zach Davies to Keston Hiura. Tony Wolters to third. Garrett Hampson flies out to right field to Trent Grisham. Charlie Blackmon lines out to left field to Ben Gamel.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Brewers 1, Rockies 1.Brewers fourth. Eric Thames flies out to deep left center field to Sam Hilliard. Lorenzo Cain homers to left field. Cory Spangenberg grounds out to first base to Daniel Murphy. Orlando Arcia grounds out to shortstop,... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:AL WILD CARDOakland and Tampa Bay could clinch the AL wild-card spots and close out Cleveland.Francisco Lindor and the Indians put themselves in danger by losing 8-0 to the White Sox on Thursday night. The loss dropped them two games behind the Rays for the second wild-card slot — the three playoff contenders each have three games left.Mike Fiers (15-4, 3.91) is ready to pitch for the Athletics as they continue their series at Seattle. The A's seal a spot with a win or a Cleveland loss.Tyler Glasnow (6-1, 1.92 ERA) is expected to start for Tampa Bay at Toronto. He's pitched a total of eight innings in three starts since missing most of the season with forearm trouble. The Rays get in with a win and an Indians loss.Zach Plesac (8-6, 3.82) is set to start for the Indians when they visit playoff-bound Washington in an interleague matchup.SOMETHING BREWIN'Sparkplug rookie Keston Hiura and the Brewers take a seven-game winning streak into Coors... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Friday:AL WILD CARDOakland and Tampa Bay could clinch the AL wild-card spots and close out Cleveland.Francisco Lindor and the Indians put themselves in danger by losing 8-0 to the White Sox on Thursday night. The loss dropped them two games behind the Rays for the second wild-card slot — the three playoff contenders each have three games left.Tyler Glasnow (6-1, 1.92 ERA) is expected to start for Tampa Bay at Toronto. He's pitched a total of eight innings in three starts since missing most of the season with forearm trouble.Mike Fiers (15-4, 3.91) is ready to pitch for the Athletics as they continue their series at Seattle.Zach Plesac (8-6, 3.82) is set to start for the Indians when they visit playoff-bound Washington in an interleague matchup.SOMETHING BREWIN'Sparkplug rookie Keston Hiura and the Brewers take a seven-game winning streak into Coors Field. Milwaukee has already clinched a playoff spot — it trails St. Louis by one game in the NL... [More]

Pirates first. Kevin Newman flies out to center field to Lorenzo Cain. Bryan Reynolds grounds out to shallow infield, Zach Davies to Eric Thames. Adam Frazier singles to deep right field. Jose Osuna singles to center field. Adam Frazier to second. Colin Moran reaches on error. Jose Osuna to second. Adam Frazier scores. Fielding error by Keston Hiura. Elias Diaz flies out to deep left field to Ryan Braun.1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 2 left on. Pirates 1, Brewers 0.Brewers first. Trent Grisham grounds out to first base to Jose Osuna. Yasmani Grandal singles to center field. Mike Moustakas lines out to deep right field to Kevin Kramer. Keston Hiura homers to center field. Yasmani Grandal scores. Ryan Braun grounds out to third base, Colin Moran to Jose Osuna.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Brewers 2, Pirates 1.Brewers fourth. Ryan Braun singles to left field. Eric Thames hit by pitch. Ryan Braun to second. Lorenzo Cain singles to center field. Eric Thames to second. Ryan Braun scores. Orlando... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:TEXAS ONE-STEPThe Astros can clinch a third straight AL West title with a win over the Angels or a loss by Oakland. Houston has won six straight games and is already assured a postseason spot, and it's getting shortstop Carlos Correa in the swing of things at just the right time. Correa homered twice Friday in his second game after missing nearly a month with a sore back, and he finally looks healthy after missing 80 games total with various injuries."We can feel it," second baseman Jose Altuve said. "We're excited. We all are anxious about things right now which is normal because we want to make it happen."CENTRAL CONTROLThe NL Central-leading Cardinals are sending another red-hot pitcher to the Wrigley Field mound with a chance to ensure a series victory in their crucial four-game set against the Cubs. Right-hander Dakota Hudson (16-7, 3.35) is 6-1 with a 1.59 ERA in his last seven starts. That's bad news for slumping Chicago, which has... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Saturday:TEXAS ONE-STEPThe Astros can clinch a third straight AL West title with a win over the Angels or a loss by Oakland. Houston has won six straight games and is already assured a postseason spot, and it's getting shortstop Carlos Correa in the swing of things at just the right time. Correa homered twice Friday in his second game after missing nearly a month with a sore back, and he finally looks healthy after missing 80 games total with various injuries."We can feel it," second baseman Jose Altuve said. "We're excited. We all are anxious about things right now which is normal because we want to make it happen."CENTRAL CONTROLThe NL Central-leading Cardinals are sending another red-hot pitcher to the Wrigley Field mound with a chance to ensure a series victory in their crucial four-game set against the Cubs. Right-hander Dakota Hudson (16-7, 3.35) is 6-1 with a 1.59 ERA in his last seven starts. That's bad news for slumping Chicago, which... [More]