WASHINGTON (AP) — Infielder Starlin Castro finalized a two-year contract with the Washington Nationals on Tuesday, one of a flurry of recent moves by the World Series champions.Castro's deal gives the club someone who can start at second base and maybe also play some at third, where Anthony Rendon left as a free agent. Castro gets $5 million next season and $7 million in 2021 plus the chance to earn award bonuses.Last season with the Miami Marlins, Castro batted .270 with career highs of 22 homers and 86 RBIs. He appeared in all 162 games, making 115 starts at second and 42 at third, along with two at shortstop.Castro will turn 30 in March and is entering his 11th season in the majors. In addition to the Marlins, he has played for the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees and been an All-Star four times.For his career, Castro has hit .280, with a .319 on-base percentage, .414 slugging percentage, 133 homers and 636 RBIs.Other agreements for Washington in recent days included free agents Will Harris — a reliever whose three-year deal will pay him $8 million each season — and Eric Thames, a first baseman, as well as returning reliever Daniel Hudson.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

WASHINGTON (AP) — Infielder Starlin Castro finalized a two-year contract with the Washington Nationals on Tuesday, one of a flurry of recent moves by the World Series champions.Castro's deal gives the club someone who can start at second base and maybe also play some at third, where Anthony Rendon left as a free agent.Last season with the Miami Marlins, Castro batted .270 with career highs of 22 homers and 86 RBIs. He appeared in all 162 games, making 115 starts at second and 42 at third, along with two at shortstop.Castro will turn 30 in March and is entering his 11th season in the majors. In addition to the Marlins, he has played for the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees and been an All-Star four times.For his career, Castro has hit .280, with a .319 on-base percentage, .414 slugging percentage, 133 homers and 636 RBIs.Other agreements for Washington in recent days included free agents Will Harris — a reliever whose three-year deal will pay him $8 million each season — and Eric Thames, a first baseman, as well as returning reliever Daniel Hudson.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

WASHINGTON (AP) — Infielder Starlin Castro finalized a two-year contract with the Washington Nationals on Tuesday, one of a flurry of recent moves by the World Series champions.Castro's deal gives the club someone who can start at second base and maybe also play some at third, where Anthony Rendon left as a free agent.Last season with the Miami Marlins, Castro batted .270 with career highs of 22 homers and 86 RBIs. He appeared in all 162 games, making 115 starts at second and 42 at third, along with two at shortstop.Castro will turn 30 in March and is entering his 11th season in the majors. In addition to the Marlins, he has played for the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees and been an All-Star four times.For his career, Castro has hit .280, with a .319 on-base percentage, .414 slugging percentage, 133 homers and 636 RBIs.Other agreements for Washington in recent days included free agents Will Harris — a reliever whose three-year deal will pay him $8 million each season — and Eric Thames, a first baseman, as well as returning reliever Daniel Hudson.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Patrick Corbin was an exception last offseason.Amid a slow free agent market — some stars didn’t sign until after the start of spring training — Corbin’s search for a new home was over in December when he received a $140 million, six-year contract from Washington.That worked out pretty well for both team and player. Corbin was a key part of the Nationals’ starting rotation this year, and he threw three scoreless innings in relief in Game 7 of the World Series, helping the team win its first World Series title.Now, another offseason is in full swing. It’s hard to say whether teams will be more aggressive in pursuing free agents, hoping to land the next Corbin, but the Atlanta Braves already made a significant move, signing reliever Will Smith away from San Francisco.Here’s a look at the top free agents still available, broken down by position. Players are listed with their most recent teams, with their ages in parentheses:LEFT-HANDED STARTERHyun-Jin Ryu, Dodgers (32)The runner-up for the... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — The Marlins have declined their $16 million option on infielder Starlin Castro for 2020 and will pay him a $1 million buyout, allowing him to become a free agent.The move confirmed Friday had been expected as the Marlins rebuild.Castro, 29, batted .270 while playing all 162 games this year and had career-high totals of 22 homers and 86 RBIs.Castro is a 10-year veteran who spent two seasons with Miami.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Marlins second. Starlin Castro homers to center field. Harold Ramirez singles to left field. Isan Diaz homers to right field. Harold Ramirez scores. Austin Dean lines out to shortstop to Sean Rodriguez. Bryan Holaday flies out to right field to Bryce Harper. Sandy Alcantara called out on strikes.3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Marlins 3, Phillies 0.Marlins third. Jon Berti singles to center field. Martin Prado homers to left field. Curtis Granderson flies out to left field to Brad Miller. Starlin Castro flies out to center field to Adam Haseley.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Marlins 4, Phillies 0.Phillies third. Nick Williams pinch-hitting for Edgar Garcia. Nick Williams lines out to center field to Harold Ramirez. Cesar Hernandez grounds out to second base, Isan Diaz to Martin Prado. Brad Miller homers to center field. Bryce Harper singles to center field. Rhys Hoskins strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Marlins 4, Phillies 1.Phillies seventh. Cesar Hernandez singles to shallow infield. Brad Miller homers to center field. Cesar Hernandez scores. Bryce Harper strikes out swinging. Rhys Hoskins singles to right center field. Adam Haseley singles to right center field. Rhys Hoskins to second. Maikel Franco pops out to shallow center field to Jon Berti. Andrew Knapp strikes out swinging.2 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Marlins 4, Phillies 3.

Phillies first. Cesar Hernandez homers to left field. Phil Gosselin flies out to left center field to Austin Dean. Bryce Harper pops out to shallow center field to Starlin Castro. Rhys Hoskins pops out to shallow infield to Neil Walker.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Phillies 1, Marlins 0.Phillies second. Sean Rodriguez walks. Maikel Franco homers to center field. Sean Rodriguez scores. Adam Haseley singles to shortstop. Deivy Grullon flies out to deep right field to Harold Ramirez. Zach Eflin reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Adam Haseley out at second. Cesar Hernandez walks. Zach Eflin to second. Phil Gosselin flies out to left field to Austin Dean.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Phillies 3, Marlins 0.Phillies third. Bryce Harper flies out to deep right center field to Harold Ramirez. Rhys Hoskins walks. Sean Rodriguez walks. Rhys Hoskins to second. Maikel Franco pops out to Jorge Alfaro. Adam Haseley singles to left field, advances to 2nd. Sean Rodriguez scores.... [More]

Marlins first. Jon Berti flies out to deep left center field to Brad Miller. Miguel Rojas hit by pitch. Starlin Castro doubles to deep left field. Miguel Rojas scores. Austin Dean strikes out swinging. Isan Diaz flies out to left field to Brad Miller.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Marlins 1, Phillies 0.Phillies first. Cesar Hernandez doubles to deep left field. Scott Kingery lines out to right field to Lewis Brinson. Bryce Harper triples to deep center field. Cesar Hernandez scores. Rhys Hoskins out on a sacrifice fly to deep right center field to Lewis Brinson. Bryce Harper scores. Brad Miller singles to shortstop. Andrew Knapp grounds out to first base to Austin Dean.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Phillies 2, Marlins 1.Marlins second. Harold Ramirez homers to center field. Lewis Brinson grounds out to third base, Maikel Franco to Rhys Hoskins. Tyler Heineman singles to right field. Pablo Lopez strikes out on a foul bunt. Jon Berti grounds out to shortstop, Scott Kingery to Rhys... [More]

Mets seventh. Robinson Cano grounds out to shortstop, Miguel Rojas to Austin Dean. Todd Frazier singles to center field. Luis Guillorme singles to center field. Todd Frazier to third. Rene Rivera walks. Luis Guillorme to second. Zack Wheeler singles to right center field. Rene Rivera to second. Luis Guillorme to third. Todd Frazier scores. Brandon Nimmo out on a sacrifice fly to center field to Jon Berti. Luis Guillorme scores. Pete Alonso strikes out swinging.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Mets 2, Marlins 0.Marlins eighth. Harold Ramirez doubles to deep left center field. Lewis Brinson grounds out to shortstop, Luis Guillorme to Pete Alonso. Harold Ramirez to third. Tyler Heineman homers to right field. Harold Ramirez scores. Curtis Granderson pinch-hitting for Jeff Brigham. Curtis Granderson homers to center field. Jon Berti flies out to center field to Brandon Nimmo. Miguel Rojas pops out to shallow center field to Luis Guillorme.3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Marlins 3, Mets 2.Marlins ninth. Isan Diaz strikes out swinging. Starlin Castro grounds out to shallow infield to Pete Alonso. Austin Dean homers to left field. Harold Ramirez grounds out to shortstop, Luis Guillorme to Pete Alonso.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Marlins 4, Mets 2.

Marlins second. Isan Diaz homers to center field. Harold Ramirez grounds out to shortstop, Amed Rosario to Pete Alonso. Austin Dean doubles to deep right field. Sandy Alcantara called out on strikes. Jon Berti singles to second base. Austin Dean scores. Miguel Rojas grounds out to shortstop, Jeff McNeil to Pete Alonso.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Marlins 2, Mets 0.Marlins third. Neil Walker doubles to deep right field. Starlin Castro grounds out to first base to Pete Alonso. Neil Walker to third. Jorge Alfaro strikes out swinging. Isan Diaz singles to right field. Neil Walker scores. Harold Ramirez pops out to shallow infield to Jeff McNeil.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Marlins 3, Mets 0.Marlins fifth. Neil Walker doubles to deep right center field. Starlin Castro grounds out to third base, Jeff McNeil to Pete Alonso. Neil Walker to third. Jorge Alfaro singles to shallow center field. Neil Walker scores. Isan Diaz strikes out swinging. Jorge Alfaro steals second. Harold Ramirez... [More]

Marlins second. Jorge Alfaro homers to left field. Harold Ramirez grounds out to shortstop, Amed Rosario to Pete Alonso. Isan Diaz grounds out to second base, Pete Alonso to Steven Matz. Austin Dean strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Marlins 1, Mets 0.Marlins third. Lewis Brinson grounds out to shallow infield to Pete Alonso. Caleb Smith grounds out to first base, Pete Alonso to Steven Matz. Jon Berti doubles to deep left center field. Miguel Rojas singles to right center field. Jon Berti scores. Starlin Castro grounds out to shallow infield, Steven Matz to Pete Alonso.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Marlins 2, Mets 0.Marlins sixth. Jon Berti singles to left field. Miguel Rojas singles to left field. Jon Berti to second. Starlin Castro singles to right field. Miguel Rojas to second. Jon Berti to third. Jorge Alfaro homers to center field. Starlin Castro scores. Miguel Rojas scores. Jon Berti scores. Harold Ramirez grounds out to shortstop, Amed Rosario to Pete Alonso.... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — George Springer hit a career-high three homers, Justin Verlander posted his MLB-leading 20th win and the Houston Astros clinched their third straight AL West title in grand fashion, routing the Los Angeles Angels 13-5 on Sunday.A crowd at Minute Maid Park that was cheering from Verlander's first pitch got even louder as Springer homered three times in the first four innings. The Astros kept breaking away and improved to 102-54, a half-game ahead of the New York Yankees for the best record in the majors.After the final out, the Astros held a bouncing group hug in the middle of the diamond and posed for a team picture. It hasn't been determined who they will face in the playoffs as they try for their second World Series championship in three years.Springer, the MVP of the 2017 World Series, had two chances to tie the big league record for home runs in a game. He popped up with the bases loaded in the fifth and grounded out in the seventh.Verlander (20-6) yielded six hits and... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — George Springer hit a career-high three homers, Justin Verlander posted his MLB-leading 20th win and the Houston Astros clinched their third straight AL West title in grand fashion, routing the Los Angeles Angels 13-5 on Sunday.A crowd at Minute Maid Park that was cheering from Verlander's first pitch got even louder as Springer homered three times in the first four innings. The Astros kept breaking away and improved to 102-54, a half-game ahead of the New York Yankees for the best record in the majors.After the final out, the Astros held a bouncing group hug in the middle of the diamond and posed for a team picture. It hasn't been determined who they will face in the playoffs as they try for their second World Series championship in three years.Springer, the MVP of the 2017 World Series, had two chances to tie the big league record for home runs in a game. He popped up with the bases loaded in the fifth and grounded out in the seventh.Verlander (20-6) yielded six hits and... [More]

Nationals first. Trea Turner singles to center field. Adam Eaton singles to center field. Trea Turner to third. Anthony Rendon singles to left field. Adam Eaton to second. Trea Turner scores. Juan Soto grounds out to first base. Anthony Rendon out at second. Adam Eaton to third. Howie Kendrick flies out to deep left field to Harold Ramirez.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 1, Marlins 0.Marlins first. Magneuris Sierra triples to left field. Jon Berti lines out to first base to Howie Kendrick. Starlin Castro out on a sacrifice fly to center field to Victor Robles. Magneuris Sierra scores. Jorge Alfaro grounds out to shortstop, Trea Turner to Howie Kendrick.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Nationals 1, Marlins 1.Nationals fourth. Juan Soto walks. Howie Kendrick singles to left field. Juan Soto to second. Brian Dozier reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Howie Kendrick out at third. Juan Soto scores. Victor Robles grounds out to third base, Isan Diaz to Starlin Castro to... [More]

Nationals second. Ryan Zimmerman grounds out to shortstop, Miguel Rojas to Neil Walker. Victor Robles grounds out to shortstop, Miguel Rojas to Neil Walker. Yan Gomes doubles to deep left field. Stephen Strasburg singles to center field. Yan Gomes scores. Trea Turner flies out to right field to Harold Ramirez.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 1, Marlins 0.Nationals fifth. Trea Turner doubles to deep center field. Adam Eaton strikes out swinging. Anthony Rendon walks. Juan Soto called out on strikes. Asdrubal Cabrera singles to left field. Anthony Rendon to second. Trea Turner scores. Ryan Zimmerman grounds out to shortstop, Miguel Rojas to Neil Walker.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Nationals 2, Marlins 0.Nationals eighth. Asdrubal Cabrera singles to center field. Ryan Zimmerman singles to right field. Michael A. Taylor to second. Victor Robles singles to center field. Ryan Zimmerman to third. Michael A. Taylor scores. Yan Gomes reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop.... [More]

Nationals third. Yan Gomes flies out to deep left field to Austin Dean. Anibal Sanchez strikes out swinging. Trea Turner homers to center field. Adam Eaton flies out to deep left center field to Jon Berti.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Nationals 1, Marlins 0.Marlins third. Austin Dean doubles to deep left field. Robert Dugger grounds out to shortstop, Trea Turner to Howie Kendrick. Jon Berti singles to right field. Austin Dean scores. Miguel Rojas lines out to deep right center field to Adam Eaton. Jon Berti doubled off second.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Nationals 1, Marlins 1.Nationals fourth. Anthony Rendon grounds out to shortstop, Miguel Rojas to Neil Walker. Juan Soto walks. Howie Kendrick singles to center field. Juan Soto to third. Asdrubal Cabrera homers to center field. Howie Kendrick scores. Juan Soto scores. Victor Robles flies out to center field to Jon Berti. Yan Gomes flies out to deep left field to Austin Dean.3 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Nationals 4,... [More]

Diamondbacks first. Abraham Almonte homers to center field. Josh Rojas strikes out swinging. Eduardo Escobar grounds out to second base, Isan Diaz to Neil Walker. Christian Walker grounds out to second base, Isan Diaz to Neil Walker.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Diamondbacks 1, Marlins 0.Marlins second. Starlin Castro homers to center field. Jorge Alfaro flies out to deep left field to Josh Rojas. Isan Diaz triples to deep center field. Harold Ramirez singles to right field. Isan Diaz scores. Austin Dean flies out to deep center field to Jarrod Dyson. Harold Ramirez to second. Sandy Alcantara strikes out swinging.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Marlins 2, Diamondbacks 1.Diamondbacks second. Jake Lamb walks. Domingo Leyba triples to deep right field. Jake Lamb scores. Alex Avila strikes out swinging. Jarrod Dyson singles to right center field. Domingo Leyba scores. Mike Leake out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Starlin Castro to Neil Walker. Jarrod Dyson to second. Abraham... [More]

Marlins third. Austin Dean singles to left field. Caleb Smith out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Christian Walker to Wilmer Flores. Austin Dean to second. Jon Berti strikes out swinging. Miguel Rojas doubles to left center field. Austin Dean scores. Starlin Castro flies out to deep right field to Adam Jones.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Marlins 1, Diamondbacks 0.Diamondbacks third. Ildemaro Vargas flies out to right field to Lewis Brinson. Ketel Marte singles to shallow left field. Eduardo Escobar strikes out on a foul tip. Christian Walker doubles to shallow left field, tagged out at third, Austin Dean to Miguel Rojas to Starlin Castro to Isan Diaz. Ketel Marte scores.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Marlins 1, Diamondbacks 1.Marlins fifth. Caleb Smith strikes out swinging. Jon Berti singles to shortstop. Miguel Rojas grounds out to first base to Christian Walker. Jon Berti to third. Throwing error by Christian Walker. Starlin Castro is intentionally walked. Bryan Holaday... [More]

Diamondbacks first. Wilmer Flores hit by pitch. Josh Rojas hit by pitch. Wilmer Flores to second. Ketel Marte lines out to center field to Lewis Brinson. Eduardo Escobar singles to left field. Josh Rojas to second. Wilmer Flores to third. Jake Lamb hit by pitch. Eduardo Escobar to second. Josh Rojas to third. Wilmer Flores scores. Adam Jones grounds out to second base. Jake Lamb out at second.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on. Diamondbacks 1, Marlins 0.Diamondbacks third. Wilmer Flores pops out to shallow center field to Miguel Rojas. Josh Rojas singles to center field. Ketel Marte doubles to deep center field. Josh Rojas scores. Eduardo Escobar grounds out to first base, Martin Prado to Pablo Lopez. Ketel Marte to third. Jake Lamb called out on strikes.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Diamondbacks 2, Marlins 0.Diamondbacks sixth. Eduardo Escobar homers to right field. Jake Lamb strikes out swinging. Adam Jones grounds out to third base, Jon Berti to Martin Prado. Nick Ahmed grounds... [More]

Marlins seventh. Lewis Brinson grounds out to third base, Brandon Crawford to Brandon Belt. Starlin Castro singles to right center field. Jorge Alfaro homers to center field. Starlin Castro scores. Harold Ramirez grounds out to third base, Evan Longoria to Brandon Belt. Martin Prado grounds out to shortstop, Brandon Crawford to Brandon Belt.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Marlins 2, Giants 0.Giants seventh. Buster Posey lines out to right field to Harold Ramirez. Brandon Crawford singles to deep right field. Mauricio Dubon doubles to deep left field. Brandon Crawford to third. Donovan Solano pinch-hitting for Madison Bumgarner. Donovan Solano triples to deep right center field. Mauricio Dubon scores. Brandon Crawford scores. Mike Gerber pinch-hitting for Mike Yastrzemski. Mike Gerber grounds out to second base, Isan Diaz to Martin Prado. Brandon Belt flies out to left field to Austin Dean.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Marlins 2, Giants 2.Marlins eighth. Isan Diaz called out... [More]