Kyle Seager will be absent next week when the Seattle Mariners play the major league opener in Japan. Mike Foltynewicz will miss opening day for Atlanta, too.Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw, meanwhile, is on the mend.The Mariners said Monday that Seager needs surgery on his left hand, sidelining the third baseman through at least April. The former All-Star and Gold Glove winner rolled his glove going for a grounder in a spring training game last week.Seattle is likely to move first baseman Ryon Healy across the diamond to third. The Mariners and Oakland begin the regular season on March 20 in Tokyo.The Braves had hoped Foltynewicz could start on March 28 when the NL East champions open at Philadelphia, but a sore elbow has slowed the All-Star righty.Foltynewicz has yet to make an appearance in an exhibition game because of discomfort that began about two weeks ago."We're just trying to figure out at what point do we get him up to five innings?" general manager Alex Anthopoulos said. "He's not... [More]

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — Bothered by a sore elbow, Mike Foltynewicz will not be ready to pitch for the Atlanta Braves on opening day.The All-Star right-hander has yet to make an appearance in a spring training game because of discomfort in his elbow that began about two weeks ago. While not believed to be a serious issue, Foltynewicz was forced to push back his throwing schedule.General manager Alex Anthopoulos said Monday the team has been mapping out his routine for the next several weeks, but that won't leave enough to time for him to be ready for the March 28 opener at NL East rival Philadelphia."We're just trying to figure out at what point do we get him up to five innings?" Anthopoulos said. "He's not that far removed from throwing (off the mound), but we still want to be careful how we build him up. If he was going to come back as a reliever, he'd be ready to go that first series. But right now, the way it's trending, it's going to take a little bit of time in the season to get him... [More]

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — The Atlanta Braves say pitcher Mike Foltynewicz will not be ready for opening day.The right-hander hasn't been able to pitch during spring training because of discomfort in his elbow caused by bone spurs. While not believed to be a serious issue, Foltynewicz was forced to push back his throwing schedule.General manager Alex Anthopoulos says the pitcher won't have enough to time to be ready for the March 28 opener at NL East rival Philadelphia.Foltynewicz was expected to get his first opening-day start after an All-Star season in which he went 13-10 with a 2.85 ERA, along with 202 strikeouts in 183 innings.With Foltynewicz out, the Braves could go with Julio Teheran on opening day for the sixth year in a row. Sean Newcomb is another possibility.___For more AP baseball coverage: https://apnews.com/apf-Baseball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Bryce Harper drew big cheers, a pair of walks and a most unusual defense in his spring training debut for the Philadelphia Phillies.Both times the slugger with the biggest contract in baseball came to the plate, the Toronto Blue Jays shifted to a four-man outfield, moved the shortstop on the other side of second base and gave the left-handed hitting Harper a wide-open left side of the infield."I've never seen that. That's intense," Harper said, adding he hopes teams don't do that to him often. "If they start playing ball like that, it's definitely different."Phillies manager Gabe Kapler didn't want to discuss shift strategy but shared his advice for Harper."Hit a lot of homers, drive the ball like you're capable of, do exactly what you always do, be Bryce Harper," Kapler said.Harper drew a loud ovation when he walked up to the plate to Will Smith's theme song from "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air."Wearing No. 3 on his uniform, eye black under his eyes and a white armband... [More]

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Bryce Harper drew big cheers, a pair of walks and a most unusual defense in his spring training debut for the Philadelphia Phillies.Both times the slugger with the biggest contract in baseball came to the plate, the Toronto Blue Jays shifted to a four-man outfield, moved the shortstop on the other side of second base and gave the left-handed hitting Harper a wide-open left side of the infield."I've never seen that. That's intense," Harper said, adding he hopes teams don't do that to him often. "If they start playing ball like that, it's definitely different."Phillies manager Gabe Kapler didn't want to discuss shift strategy but shared his advice for Harper."Hit a lot of homers, drive the ball like you're capable of, do exactly what you always do, be Bryce Harper," Kapler said.Harper drew a loud ovation when he walked up to the plate to Will Smith's theme song from "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air."Wearing No. 3 on his uniform, eye black under his eyes and a white armband... [More]

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Bryce Harper drew big cheers, a pair of walks and a most unusual defense in his spring training debut for the Philadelphia Phillies.Both times the slugger with the biggest contract in baseball came to the plate, the Toronto Blue Jays shifted to a four-man outfield, moved the shortstop on the other side of second base and gave the left-handed hitting Harper a wide-open left side of the infield."I've never seen that. That's intense," Harper said, adding he hopes teams don't do that to him often. "If they start playing ball like that, it's definitely different."Phillies manager Gabe Kapler didn't want to discuss shift strategy but shared his advice for Harper."Hit a lot of homers, drive the ball like you're capable of, do exactly what you always do, be Bryce Harper," Kapler said.Harper drew a loud ovation when he walked up to the plate to Will Smith's theme song from "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air."Wearing No. 3 on his uniform, eye black under his eyes and a white armband... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — All rise — again. Aaron Judge is back.Judge hit his first two homers of spring training, helping the New York Yankees to a 7-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers in a split-squad game on Sunday.Brett Gardner also connected twice and Gary Sanchez had a solo drive as New York went deep six times. The Yankees set a major league record with 267 homers last season.Gardner and Judge hit consecutive homers off Daniel Norris in the first. Judge went deep again in the fifth, belting a two-run drive to right that went off the glove of a leaping Victor Reyes and just over the wall.Norris allowed three runs and four hits in 1 2/3 innings. The 25-year-old left-hander is trying to win a spot in Detroit's rotation."Just trying to throw strikes and stay out of the middle of the zone, which I didn't do very good today," Norris said.Masahiro Tanaka tossed three scoreless innings for the Yankees in his first spring start. Traditionally one of baseball's most deliberate workers, the right-hander... [More]

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — The fifth spot in the Atlanta Braves' pitching rotation was open when spring training began.Now it is wide-open, and it might not be the only spot.Right-hander Touki Toussaint didn't do anything to help his bid for the rotation Thursday, giving up five runs in one inning in his second spring start, a 7-6 loss to the Detroit Tigers.Toussaint, a 22-year-old right-hander who started five games for the Braves late last season and got their only postseason win in relief, is considered a strong candidate for the fifth spot.But right-handers Mike Foltynewicz and Kevin Gausman have encountered arm problems early in camp along with two of the other rotation candidates. So far, Foltynewicz's sore elbow and Gausman's sore shoulder are considered minor setbacks."I don't know that there's any more or less than there was before," manager Brian Snitker said. "It's early camp. I'm sure everybody goes through that. That's why you need a lot of 'em."The first six Tigers to face Toussaint... [More]

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — Atlanta Braves pitchers and catchers had their first organized workout Saturday, officially ending a relatively quiet winter for the team that won the NL East.It may have been a little too quiet for some critics, considering the aggressive roster moves made by their division rivals. But All-Star first baseman Freddie Freeman begs to differ."Pretty much everyone came back, and we added Josh Donaldson and B-Mac (Brian McCann)," Freeman said. "I feel we have a 90-win team that got better, so I think we're going to be very good this year."Darren O'Day was the other major winter acquisition, adding veteran depth to a bullpen that was tested last season as the Braves won the division by eight games and qualified for the postseason for the first time in five years."We've kind of gotten to the point where there's not a lot of holes, maybe one starter, and we'll take the best eight (relievers) with us north," said Brian Snitker, who won the NL Manager of the Year award.... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Braves closer Arodys Vizcaino has help for anyone confused by the team's long list of young starting pitchers, including several who had Atlanta auditions in 2018.As Atlanta's pitchers and catchers prepare to report to spring training this week, there are many highly regarded candidates for at least one open spot in the rotation. The list includes Mike Soroka, Touki Toussaint, Kyle Wright, Kolby Allard, Max Fried, Bryse Wilson and Luiz Gohara.Vizcaino sees one starter emerging from the crowd."Touki. Touki," Vizcaino said last month. "He's very good. He impressed me a lot."Vizcaino wouldn't be swayed. Nor would he seek a diplomatic way out when asked about Soroka."I like Touki more," Vizcaino said.And that was that.Vizcaino isn't the only Braves player with high expectations for Toussaint, 22, who was acquired from Arizona in 2015. The Braves agreed to take on Bronson Arroyo's $10 million contract with Toussaint for third baseman Phil Gosselin.Toussaint could make that $10... [More]

A team-by-team look at the National 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:___Atlanta BravesManager: Brian Snitker (fourth season).2018: 90-72, first place, lost to Dodgers in Division Series.Training Town: Kissimmee, Florida.Park: Champion Stadium.First Workout: Feb. 16/21.He's Here: 3B Josh Donaldson, C Brian McCann, C Raffy Lopez, pitching coach Rick Kranitz.He's Outta Here: C Kurt Suzuki, RHP Anibal Sanchez, RHP Brandon McCarthy, RHP Brad Brach, 3B Ryan Flaherty, RHP Peter Moylan, 1B Lucas Duda, C Rene Rivera, OF Lane Adams, pitching coach Chuck Hernandez.Going campin': The 2018 Baby Braves were a surprise breakthrough team, winning the club's first NL East championship since 2013. A repeat title in a tougher NL East might be a bigger challenge. A key to the start of spring will be the health of Donaldson, who signed a one-year, $23 million deal after a left... [More]

A team-by-team look at the National 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:___Atlanta BravesManager: Brian Snitker (fourth season).2018: 90-72, first place, lost to Dodgers in Division Series.Training Town: Kissimmee, Florida.Park: Champion Stadium.First Workout: Feb. 16/21.He's Here: 3B Josh Donaldson, C Brian McCann, C Raffy Lopez, pitching coach Rick Kranitz.He's Outta Here: C Kurt Suzuki, RHP Anibal Sanchez, RHP Brandon McCarthy, RHP Brad Brach, 3B Ryan Flaherty, RHP Peter Moylan, 1B Lucas Duda, C Rene Rivera, OF Lane Adams, pitching coach Chuck Hernandez.Going campin': The 2018 Baby Braves were a surprise breakthrough team, winning the club's first NL East championship since 2013. A repeat title in a tougher NL East might be a bigger challenge. A key to the start of spring will be the health of Donaldson, who signed a one-year, $23 million deal after a left... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Brian Snitker endured a restless night after the final game of the season.He was poring over what went wrong for the Atlanta Braves in the playoffs.He might've been thinking about his own future, as well."I laid awake all night staring at the ceiling," the Braves manager said. "I couldn't sleep."After assembling some of baseball's finest young talent and making a surprising return to the playoffs for the first time since 2013, Atlanta went down quietly in the postseason. The Baby Braves were shut out twice in Los Angeles before the high-powered Dodgers finished off the best-of-five series with a 6-2 victory in Game 4 on Monday.The brief playoff appearance exposed a team that still has some glaring weaknesses . The pitching lacks a dominant starter, the lineup needs more power, and the bench wasn't much help at all.When Snitker looked over at the Dodgers, a star-filled team that earned its third straight trip to the NL Championship Series, he saw what the Braves must strive... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Max Muncy is starting at first base and Joc Pederson is in left field for the Los Angeles Dodgers against Atlanta Braves right-hander Mike Foltynewicz in Monday's Game 4 of the NL Division Series.Each sat in Game 3 when manager Dave Roberts started David Freese at first and Chris Taylor in left against left-hander Sean Newcomb on Sunday night.Yasiel Puig is in right field and Matt Kemp returns to the bench for the Dodgers, who lead the best-of-five series 2-1.Left-hander Rich Hill is on the mound for Los Angeles.Roberts said Clayton Kershaw would start on Wednesday in Los Angeles if a Game 5 is necessary. He said the decision was simple even though he chose Hyun-Jin Ryu over Kershaw to start Game 1."I think that we had our reasons why we decided on Game 1 versus Game 2," Roberts said. "But if there's a potential Game 5, we feel very confident that Clayton should be the guy taking the baseball."Braves manager Brian Snitker said he might use Sean Newcomb and Kevin Gausman,... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Max Muncy is starting at first base and Joc Pederson is in left field for the Los Angeles Dodgers against Atlanta Braves right-hander Mike Foltynewicz in Game 4 of the NL Division Series.Each sat in Game 3 when manager Dave Roberts started David Freese at first and Chris Taylor in left against left-hander Sean Newcomb on Sunday night.Yasiel Puig is in right field and Matt Kemp returns to the bench for the Dodgers, who lead the best-of-five series 2-1.Left-hander Rich Hill is on the mound for Los Angeles.Braves manager Brian Snitker moved second baseman Ozzie Albies to the No. 2 spot in the batting order — the team's third option behind leadoff hitter Ronald Acuna Jr. in the last three games. Third baseman Johan Camargo hit second in the first two games, followed by Ender Inciarte in Game 3. .Camargo is hitting fifth and Inciarte is seventh in Monday's lineup.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta Braves rookie Ronald Acuna Jr. has become the youngest player to hit a grand slam in the postseason.The 20-year-old Acuna made history with his second-inning homer off Walker Buehler in the NL Division Series on Sunday night.The previous youngest hitter with a postseason grand slam was Yankees Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle, who was 21 when he accomplished the feat against the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1953 World Series.Buehler issued a bases-loaded walk to Braves pitcher Sean Newcomb to force in a run. Acuna took three balls and a questionable called strike before pulling a 98-mph fastball from Buehler into the seats in left-center.The homer gave the Braves, who trail 2-0 in the series, a 5-0 lead. The five second-inning runs were the first of the series for Atlanta.

ATLANTA (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers put left fielder Chris Taylor in the leadoff position and sat Yasiel Puig as manager Dave Roberts adjusted his lineup to face Atlanta Braves left-hander Sean Newcomb in Game 3 of the National League Division Series on Sunday night.The right-handed hitting Taylor is taking the spot of the left-handed hitting Joc Pederson in the lineup.Another right-handed hitter, David Freese, is playing first base instead of Max Muncy and hitting third. Also, Matt Kemp is taking the place of Puig in right field and hitting fifth.Kemp, who played for the Braves in 2016-17, hit 11 homers in 183 at-bats against left-handers. He hit 10 homers in 279 at-bats against right-handers. Freese hit .321 against left-handers and .273 against right-handers."To get Kemp, Freese, Taylor back involved against a starter like Newcomb, I think it gives us the best chance to win," Roberts said.Braves manager Brian Snitker said the lineup moves reflect the depth of the Dodgers' bench."It... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers put left fielder Chris Taylor in the leadoff position as manager Dave Roberts adjusted his lineup to face Atlanta Braves left-hander Sean Newcomb in Game 3 of the National League Division Series.The right-handed hitting Taylor is taking the spot of the left-handed hitting Joc Pederson in Sunday night's lineup.Another right-handed hitter, David Freese, is playing first base instead of Max Muncy and hitting third. Also, Matt Kemp is taking the place of Yasiel Puig in right field and hitting fifth.The Braves are staying with rookie Ronald Acuna Jr. as their leadoff hitter but manager Brian Snitker is moving Ender Inciarte into the No. 2 spot. Third baseman Johan Camargo, who hit second in Game 2, is hitting fifth.Otherwise, the Braves' lineup remains unchanged.The Dodgers lead the best-of-five series 2-0. The Braves must win to force a Game 4 on Monday.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at what's happening around the majors today:2-0 CHANGEUPSean Newcomb will start Game 3 of the Braves' NL Division Series against the Dodgers instead of Kevin Gausman. With Atlanta trailing 2-0 in the best-of-five series, manager Brian Snitker made the swap Saturday. The 25-year-old Newcomb came within a strike of throwing a no-hitter against the Dodgers at home on July 29, and also threw two scoreless innings in relief in the series opener Thursday."We need to win," Snitker said. "Not that Gausman doesn't give us that opportunity. We like how Newcomb matches up with them and the success that he's had against the Dodgers this year."Rookie right-hander Walker Buehler is expected to start for Los Angeles. He allowed one hit in 6 2/3 scoreless innings Monday during the 5-2 win over Colorado in the NL West tiebreaker and finished 8-5 with a 2.62 ERA.COMING TO COORSThe Rockies hope the thin mountain air in Denver might help them solve Milwaukee's pitchers. Colorado is facing elimination... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — With their season on the line, the Atlanta Braves are throwing a changeup.Trailing the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-0 in their best-of-five NL Division Series, the Braves will start left-hander Sean Newcomb in Game 3 on Sunday night rather than Kevin Gausman. Newcomb nearly pitched a no-hitter against Los Angeles in July, and the Dodgers have beaten right-handers in the first two games of the series."We need to win," Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said Saturday. "And not that Gausman doesn't give us that opportunity. We like how Newcomb matches up with them and the success that he's had against the Dodgers this year."Snitker said he discussed the switch with general manager Alex Anthopoulos on the flight home after Atlanta's 3-0 loss Friday. They agreed to the move Saturday afternoon."Snit came up and talked to me on the plane before we took off, let me know that that was a possibility, so kind of get my mind right before I kind of went to bed," Newcomb said. "So I kind of had a... [More]