WASHINGTON (AP) — Alex Avila finalized a $1.5 million, one-year contract Wednesday with the Washington Nationals, who are expected to use him as the primary backup to starting catcher Yan Gomes. Avila, who turned 34 last week, was a free agent after playing in 2020 for the Minnesota Twins, batting .184 in 49 at-bats during the coronavirus-shortened season. While he hasn't had any detailed discussions about his role with manager Dave Martinez or GM Mike Rizzo, Avila said: "Whenever Davey needs me in the lineup, I’ll be ready to go.” He has played 12 years in the majors for five clubs and has a .235 career batting average with a .348 on-base percentage, 104 homers and 388 RBIs. “I don't think I'm going to be hitting fourth for this team,” joked Avila, who has thrown out 14 of 32 runners trying to steal over the past two seasons. He has caught current Nationals starters Max Scherzer, Patrick Corbin and Jon Lester in previous stops. Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, was the first... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Jon Lester has been a part of three World Series champions and collected nearly 200 wins in the majors. He's been a five-time All-Star and a Cy Young runner-up. Now 37 and heading toward his 16th season in the big leagues, the left-hander is looking forward to being a member of a stacked Washington Nationals rotation that features three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer, 2019 World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin. “I’ll tell you what: It's going to be nice to just kind of sit back and watch these guys work. I mean, obviously, I’ve seen them from afar and got to compete against them for a long time. I’m excited to work with them. It’s always nice when you go to another team and you get to see how guys work,” Lester said Wednesday on a video conference after finalizing a $5 million, one-year contract that brings him to the Nationals after six seasons with the Chicago Cubs. Lester and Washington had a 2021 agreement in principle in place last week, pending... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Jon Lester has been a part of three World Series champions and collected nearly 200 wins in the majors. He's been a five-time All-Star and a Cy Young runner-up. Now 37 and heading toward his 16th season in the big leagues, the left-hander is looking forward to being a member of a stacked Washington Nationals rotation that features three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer, 2019 World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin. “I’ll tell you what: It's going to be nice to just kind of sit back and watch these guys work. I mean, obviously, I’ve seen them from afar and got to compete against them for a long time. I’m excited to work with them. It’s always nice when you go to another team and you get to see how guys work,” Lester said Wednesday on a video conference after finalizing a $5 million, one-year contract that brings him to the Nationals after six seasons with the Chicago Cubs. Lester and Washington had a 2021 agreement in principle in place last week, pending... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Left-handed starter Jon Lester and the Washington Nationals finalized a $5 million, one-year contract Wednesday, giving the team a fourth member of a rotation led by Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin. Lester and the team had an agreement in principle in place last week, pending the successful completion of a physical exam. The five-time All-Star and Nationals manager Dave Martinez know each other well: Martinez was the bench coach for the Chicago Cubs when Lester helped that club win the 2016 World Series for its first title in 108 years. Coming off a last-place finish in the NL East in 2020, Washington has had a busy offseason that already includes adding outfielder Kyle Schwarber — like Lester, from the Cubs — and lefty reliever Brad Hand via free agency, first baseman Josh Bell in a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates and re-signing Ryan Zimmerman after he sat out last season because of the coronavirus pandemic. Lester turned 37 this month and will be... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Left-hander Jon Lester and the Washington Nationals have an agreement in principle in place for a one-year contract, pending the successful completion of a physical exam, a person with knowledge of the deal confirmed to The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity on Monday night because the contract was not yet official. ESPN was first to report an agreement between Lester and the Nationals, whose manager, Dave Martinez, was the bench coach for the Chicago Cubs when the starting pitcher helped that club win the 2016 World Series for its first title in 108 years. Lester is expected to fill the need for a No. 4 starter in Washington, slotting into a rotation that is led by three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer, 2019 World Series MVP and lefty Patrick Corbin. Coming off a last-place finish in the NL East in 2020, Washington's busy offseason already included adding outfielder Kyle Schwarber via free agency — like Lester, from the Cubs... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington Nationals pitching coach Paul Menhart will not be brought back next season after working in the organization for 15 years. A team spokesman confirmed Sunday that the team would let Menhart go. His contract is up after this season. Menhart was the Nationals' minor league pitching coordinator when he was brought up to work with the major league club in May 2019, replacing fired pitching coach Derek Lilliquist. Led by starting pitchers Stephen Strasburg — the World Series MVP — Max Scherzer and Patrick Corbin, and a bullpen that went from a serious problem to a postseason strength, the Nationals won the franchise's first championship a year ago. But this pandemic-altered season was a struggle right from the get-go for manager Dave Martinez's team, and Washington finished tied for last in the NL East with a 26-34 record. Menhart’s departure is the first significant fallout from that best-to-worst decline. Martinez and general manager Mike Rizzo were both given multiyear... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Alex Bregman singled in the go-ahead run during a five-run ninth inning, and the Astros rallied past the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-5 under smoky skies Saturday night in Houston’s first visit since the infamous 2017 World Series.The Dodgers blew a three-run lead in the ninth when Kenley Jansen (3-1) got knocked around, giving up four consecutive hits without an out.Josh James (1-0) got the victory with 1 1/3 innings of relief. Ryan Pressly earned his ninth save.The game lacked the fiery emotion of the teams’ matchup on July 29. But there were multiple reminders that Dodger fans haven’t forgotten the Astros’ cheating scandal from their championship three years ago.A plane towed a banner reading “Houston Cheats Bang Bang” over the stadium.WHITE SOX 14, TIGERS 0CHICAGO (AP) — José Abreu hit two three-run homers and matched a career high with seven RBIs, and the White Sox earned their eighth straight win against the Tigers.Abreu went 4 for 4 a day after his career-best 22-game... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Alex Bregman singled in the go-ahead run during a five-run ninth inning, and the Astros rallied past the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-5 under smoky skies Saturday night in Houston’s first visit since the infamous 2017 World Series.The Dodgers blew a three-run lead in the ninth when Kenley Jansen (3-1) got knocked around, giving up four consecutive hits without an out.Josh James (1-0) got the victory with 1 1/3 innings of relief. Ryan Pressly earned his ninth save.The game lacked the fiery emotion of the teams’ matchup on July 29. But there were multiple reminders that Dodger fans haven’t forgotten the Astros’ cheating scandal from their championship three years ago.A plane towed a banner reading “Houston Cheats Bang Bang” over the stadium.WHITE SOX 14, TIGERS 0CHICAGO (AP) — José Abreu hit two three-run homers and matched a career high with seven RBIs, and the White Sox earned their eighth straight win against the Tigers.Abreu went 4 for 4 a day after his career-best 22-game... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Paul Goldschmidt hit a three-run homer off a struggling Jon Lester, and the St. Louis Cardinals gained ground in the NL Central race by beating the Chicago Cubs 7-3 on Sunday night.St. Louis pulled within 1 1/2 games of Chicago with its third consecutive win over the division leaders. The longtime rivals have one game left in their pandemic-shortened season series on Monday.Dakota Hudson (2-2) worked five innings of three-run ball, shrugging off a shaky start.Chicago dropped to 10-15 since its 13-3 start. Anthony Rizzo and Jason Kipnis homered for the Cubs, but Lester (2-2) lasted just 3 1/3 innings in another lackluster performance.ANGELS 9, ASTROS 5ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Anthony Rendon homered, Jared Walsh and Justin Upton delivered key hits during a four-run eighth inning and Los Angeles swept the four-game series.The Angels have a won a season-high five straight. They trailed by at least three runs in each game against Houston before rallying.Mike Mayers (1-0), the fifth... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Paul Goldschmidt hit a three-run homer off a struggling Jon Lester, and the St. Louis Cardinals gained ground in the NL Central race by beating the Chicago Cubs 7-3 on Sunday night.St. Louis pulled within 1 1/2 games of Chicago with its third consecutive win over the division leaders. The longtime rivals have one game left in their pandemic-shortened season series on Monday.Dakota Hudson (2-2) worked five innings of three-run ball, shrugging off a shaky start.Chicago dropped to 10-15 since its 13-3 start. Anthony Rizzo and Jason Kipnis homered for the Cubs, but Lester (2-2) lasted just 3 1/3 innings in another lackluster performance.ANGELS 9, ASTROS 5ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Anthony Rendon homered, Jared Walsh and Justin Upton delivered key hits during a four-run eighth inning and Los Angeles swept the four-game series.The Angels have a won a season-high five straight. They trailed by at least three runs in each game against Houston before rallying.Mike Mayers (1-0), the fifth... [More]

A look at what’s happening around the majors today:___FACES IN NEW PLACESMike Clevinger, Starling Marte and Archie Bradley are among the notable players headed to new teams after a flurry of deals before Monday's trade deadline. The aggressive Padres landed Clevinger in a multiplayer swap with Cleveland, bolstering their rotation in a rare deadline deal between contenders. It was San Diego's fifth big trade since Saturday, and the cost was a package of young players that included outfielder Josh Naylor, right-hander Cal Quantrill and catcher Austin Hedges. The surprising Marlins reeled in Marte for their outfield, and the Reds boosted their bullpen by acquiring Bradley from Arizona. The trade deadline is normally July 31, but it was pushed back when the start of the season was delayed because of the coronavirus. “I’d say the volume of consummated transactions probably surprised me a little bit,” Brewers general manager David Stearns said.BIG MIKE IS BACKMichael Pineda comes off the restricted... [More]

A look at what’s happening around the majors Tuesday:___FACES IN NEW PLACESMike Clevinger, Starling Marte and Archie Bradley are among the notable players headed to new teams after a flurry of deals before Monday's trade deadline. The aggressive Padres landed Clevinger in a multiplayer swap with Cleveland, bolstering their rotation in a rare deadline deal between contenders. It was San Diego's fifth big trade since Saturday, and the cost was a package of young players that included outfielder Josh Naylor, right-hander Cal Quantrill and catcher Austin Hedges. The surprising Marlins reeled in Marte for their outfield, and the Reds boosted their bullpen by acquiring Bradley from Arizona. The trade deadline is normally July 31, but it was pushed back when the start of the season was delayed because of the coronavirus. “I’d say the volume of consummated transactions probably surprised me a little bit,” Brewers general manager David Stearns said.BIG MIKE IS BACKMichael Pineda comes off the restricted... [More]

A look at what’s happening around the majors Tuesday:___FACES IN NEW PLACESMike Clevinger, Starling Marte and Archie Bradley are among the notable players headed to new teams after a flurry of deals before Monday's trade deadline. The busy and aggressive Padres landed Clevinger in a multiplayer swap with Cleveland, bolstering their rotation in a rare deadline deal between contenders. It was San Diego's fifth big trade since Saturday, and the cost was a package of young players that included outfielder Josh Naylor, right-hander Cal Quantrill and catcher Austin Hedges. The surprising Marlins reeled in Marte for their outfield, and the Reds boosted their bullpen by acquiring Bradley from Arizona. The trade deadline is normally July 31, but it was pushed back when the start of the season was delayed because of the coronavirus. “I’d say the volume of consummated transactions probably surprised me a little bit,” Brewers general manager David Stearns said.BIG MIKE IS BACKMichael Pineda comes off... [More]

Nationals second. Juan Soto homers to left field. Howie Kendrick lines out to right field to Bryce Harper. Yan Gomes singles to shallow left field. Luis Garcia grounds out to second base, Jean Segura to Rhys Hoskins. Yan Gomes to second. Eric Thames strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 1, Phillies 0.Phillies third. Andrew McCutchen grounds out to shortstop, Trea Turner to Eric Thames. Rhys Hoskins homers to center field. Bryce Harper lines out to center field to Victor Robles. J.T. Realmuto grounds out to shallow infield, Patrick Corbin to Eric Thames.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Phillies 1, Nationals 1.Nationals fourth. Asdrubal Cabrera walks. Juan Soto walks. Asdrubal Cabrera to second. Howie Kendrick singles to shallow center field. Juan Soto to second. Asdrubal Cabrera scores. Yan Gomes strikes out swinging. Luis Garcia reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Howie Kendrick out at second. Juan Soto to third. Eric Thames flies out to left... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Adam Duvall hit a tiebreaking home run off the foul pole with one out in the ninth inning, and the Atlanta Braves broke a four-game losing streak by beating the first-place Miami Marlins 2-1 Saturday.Atlanta’s Max Fried pitched 6 1/3 shutout innings and was in line for his fourth victory until Monte Harrison hit his first major league homer leading off the eighth against Will Smith for a 1-all tie.The Braves regained the lead when Duvall lunged at an outside pitch from Brandon Kintzler (1-1) and pulled it down the left field line.Marcell Ozuna produced the game’s first run when he led off the seventh with his fifth homer off Daniel Castano, making only his second major league start.Fried allowed four hits, struck out seven and lowered his ERA to 1.24, but he remained winless in five career starts against Miami.Smith (1-0) worked the eighth. Mark Melancon pitched around a two-out single in the ninth for his fourth save to complete a six-hitter.INDIANS 3, TIGERS 1DETROIT (AP)... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Adam Duvall hit a tiebreaking home run off the foul pole with one out in the ninth inning, and the Atlanta Braves broke a four-game losing streak by beating the first-place Miami Marlins 2-1 Saturday.Atlanta’s Max Fried pitched 6 1/3 shutout innings and was in line for his fourth victory until Monte Harrison hit his first major league homer leading off the eighth against Will Smith for a 1-all tie.The Braves regained the lead when Duvall lunged at an outside pitch from Brandon Kintzler (1-1) and pulled it down the left field line.Marcell Ozuna produced the game’s first run when he led off the seventh with his fifth homer off Daniel Castano, making only his second major league start.Fried allowed four hits, struck out seven and lowered his ERA to 1.24, but he remained winless in five career starts against Miami.Smith (1-0) worked the eighth. Mark Melancon pitched around a two-out single in the ninth for his fourth save to complete a six-hitter.INDIANS 3, TIGERS 1DETROIT (AP)... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Adam Duvall hit a tiebreaking home run off the foul pole with one out in the ninth inning, and the Atlanta Braves broke a four-game losing streak by beating the first-place Miami Marlins 2-1 Saturday.Atlanta’s Max Fried pitched 6 1/3 shutout innings and was in line for his fourth victory until Monte Harrison hit his first major league homer leading off the eighth against Will Smith for a 1-all tie.The Braves regained the lead when Duvall lunged at an outside pitch from Brandon Kintzler (1-1) and pulled it down the left field line.Marcell Ozuna produced the game’s first run when he led off the seventh with his fifth homer off Daniel Castano, making only his second major league start.Fried allowed four hits, struck out seven and lowered his ERA to 1.24, but he remained winless in five career starts against Miami.Smith (1-0) worked the eighth. Mark Melancon pitched around a two-out single in the ninth for his fourth save to complete a six-hitter.INDIANS 3, TIGERS 1DETROIT (AP)... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Eric Hosmer singled in the go-ahead run with two outs in the sixth inning, and the San Diego Padres beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-1 in the series opener Monday night.Joc Pederson bobbled the ball on Hosmer’s hit to left and couldn’t attempt a throw as Trent Grisham scored from second after Dustin May (1-1) walked him, giving the Padres a 2-1 lead.Austin Hedges homered with two outs in the fifth to tie it at 1. It was Hedges’ third hit and first homer of the season and only the second home run given up by May.Emilio Pagán retired Mookie Betts, Cody Bellinger and Justin Turner in order in the eighth, and the Dodgers managed just four hits. Betts, Bellinger and Turner were 1 for 4 with a strikeout each. Los Angeles was 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position.Cal Quantrill (2-0) got the victory with three innings of relief. He allowed two hits and struck out three.Drew Pomeranz retired the side in the ninth for his third save.ANGELS 10, ATHLETICS 9ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) —... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Eric Hosmer singled in the go-ahead run with two outs in the sixth inning, and the San Diego Padres beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-1 in the series opener Monday night.Joc Pederson bobbled the ball on Hosmer’s hit to left and couldn’t attempt a throw as Trent Grisham scored from second after Dustin May (1-1) walked him, giving the Padres a 2-1 lead.Austin Hedges homered with two outs in the fifth to tie it at 1. It was Hedges’ third hit and first homer of the season and only the second home run given up by May.Emilio Pagán retired Mookie Betts, Cody Bellinger and Justin Turner in order in the eighth, and the Dodgers managed just four hits. Betts, Bellinger and Turner were 1 for 4 with a strikeout each. Los Angeles was 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position.Cal Quantrill (2-0) got the victory with three innings of relief. He allowed two hits and struck out three.Drew Pomeranz retired the side in the ninth for his third save.ASTROS 6, GIANTS 4HOUSTON (AP) — Lance McCullers... [More]

Nationals second. Juan Soto grounds out to shallow infield, Steven Matz to Pete Alonso. Howie Kendrick grounds out to shortstop, J.D. Davis to Pete Alonso. Asdrubal Cabrera homers to center field. Carter Kieboom strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Nationals 1, Mets 0.Nationals third. Yan Gomes singles to right field. Victor Robles strikes out swinging. Trea Turner homers to left field. Yan Gomes scores. Josh Harrison grounds out to shallow infield, J.D. Davis to Pete Alonso. Starlin Castro reaches on third strike. Juan Soto homers to center field. Starlin Castro scores. Howie Kendrick flies out to right center field to Michael Conforto.4 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Nationals 5, Mets 0.Nationals fifth. Trea Turner singles to shallow center field. Josh Harrison singles to shallow center field. Trea Turner to second. Starlin Castro reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow left field. Josh Harrison out at second. Trea Turner to third. Juan Soto doubles to deep center... [More]