CINCINNATI (AP) — Adam Eaton had solo homer among his career-high five hits and Brian Goodwin hit his first career grand slam on Saturday, powering the Washington Nationals to a 13-7 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.The Nationals have won their first two games under new manager Dave Martinez, hired after Dusty Baker was fired last season following another quick exit in the playoffs. The last time they opened a season 3-0 was 2013, when they swept the Marlins.Matt Adams and Trea Turner also homered for Washington.Stephen Strasburg (1-0) gave up three runs — only one earned — in 6 1/3 innings while improving to 5-1 career against Cincinnati. Scott Schebler's homer in the fourth inning provided Cincinnati's first run of the season after 12 scoreless innings.The Nationals piled up six runs in six innings off Luis Castillo (0-1), the Reds' top young starter last season.BLUE JAYS 5, YANKEES 3TORONTO (AP) — Yangervis Solarte hit a tiebreaking homer in the eighth inning of Toronto's first win of... [More]

BALTIMORE (AP) — There's a vastly different vibe in the Minnesota Twins clubhouse heading into opening day.A year ago, Minnesota was coming off a 59-103 season and just hoping to be good. Now, following their first playoff appearance in seven years, the Twins can't wait to face the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday."I can tell that the guys are excited to get going and see what lies ahead for us throughout the next six months," manager Paul Molitor said Wednesday. "It's think it would be awfully fun to be part of that clubhouse right now."Minnesota finished 85-77 last season before getting ousted by the New York Yankees in the wild-card game. Although the Twins accomplished plenty, they walked away wanting more."Ask anybody in here, and they'll tell you that we thought we should have gone deeper into the postseason," infielder Brian Dozier said. "I think that made us that much hungrier to get to opening day, to kind of keep going what we set out to do last year."Well aware of the Twins turnaround,... [More]

Once again, Greg Bird is hurt as spring training comes to a close.The oft-injured New York Yankees first baseman will need surgery on his ailing right ankle and could be sidelined for two months. The team learned of the setback Monday while in Atlanta for its final exhibition game, three days before the season opener at Toronto."Obviously, we were hoping it was going to be a shorter-term thing," said rookie manager Aaron Boone, who took over a club that reached Game 7 of the AL Championship Series last year. "But we feel like we got some answers. We feel like we know what the surgery's going to accomplish."Bird will have surgery to remove a small broken spur on the outside of his right ankle. Dr. Martin O'Malley is scheduled to operate Tuesday at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.The slugger is expected to be out for six to eight weeks."Hopefully this is something he will now put behind him for good," Boone said. "We feel pretty good that the surgery is fairly minor and they're... [More]

Once again, Greg Bird is hurt as spring training comes to a close.The oft-injured New York Yankees first baseman will need surgery on his ailing right ankle and could be sidelined for two months. The team learned of the setback Monday while in Atlanta for its final exhibition game, three days before the season opener at Toronto."Obviously, we were hoping it was going to be a shorter-term thing," said rookie manager Aaron Boone, who took over a club that reached Game 7 of the AL Championship Series last year. "But we feel like we got some answers. We feel like we know what the surgery's going to accomplish."Bird will have surgery to remove a small broken spur on the outside of his right ankle. Dr. Martin O'Malley is scheduled to operate Tuesday at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.The slugger is expected to be out for six to eight weeks."Hopefully this is something he will now put behind him for good," Boone said. "We feel pretty good that the surgery is fairly minor and they're... [More]

SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — This spring training has been a glorious one for Manny Machado. The new Baltimore Orioles shortstop has made a seamless transition from third base to his new position and is hitting .373 with three home runs and 16 RBIs."I go out there and I play," Machado said. "It's my natural position. I've always been able to do it. It's just a matter of getting the repetitions. Every day that goes by, I feel better and better. I'm just looking forward to this year. It's going to be special, and I'm going to do a lot of special things over there."Machado is a pending free agent, and is likely to be one of the most attractive ones available next offseason. He's had fun playing with second baseman Jonathan Schoop, and is trying to appreciate this year because he knows what may lie ahead."Me and Jon go way back. We're just excited to be right back up the middle and playing together," Machado said. "This could be possibly the last year that we are, and it just takes us back to the... [More]

SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — Dylan Bundy has been picked to start the Baltimore Orioles' opener against Minnesota on March 29.The 24-year-old right-hander led the Orioles in wins last season, when he was 13-9 with a 4.24 ERA.Bundy beat out Kevin Gausman, who started last year's opener, and Chris Tillman, the starter of the previous three. Last year was Bundy's first season in the rotation."I wasn't even expecting it or thinking it," Bundy said Thursday. "I was trying to get through spring training and work on the stuff I need to work on, and let things play out however they may be."Baltimore's other starters are Andrew Cashner, who was signed last month and Alex Cobb, added Wednesday.___More MLB baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

BALTIMORE (AP) — There is a sense of urgency surrounding the Baltimore Orioles as they enter the 2018 season.For several years now, the Orioles have operated under manager Buck Showalter with a core group of players led by Manny Machado, Adam Jones and Zach Britton.All three of those stars, in addition to Showalter and executive vice president Dan Duquette, are in the final year of their contract.Knowing that significant change is coming for a team with three playoff appearances in the last six seasons, the Orioles are preparing to make one final thrust at greatness."We all understand that you're not going to play with the same group of guys forever," first baseman Chris Davis said. "We've done a lot of great things with this team, but we haven't reached the top yet. That's still the goal for each and every guy in here."Davis signed a 7-year, $161 million contract in 2016. The deal, designed to keep a playoff-quality club intact, could make it difficult for the cash-conscious Orioles to... [More]

BALTIMORE (AP) — There is a sense of urgency surrounding the Baltimore Orioles as they enter the 2018 season.For several years now, the Orioles have operated under manager Buck Showalter with a core group of players led by Manny Machado, Adam Jones and Zach Britton.All three of those stars, in addition to Showalter and executive vice president Dan Duquette, are in the final year of their contract.Knowing that significant change is coming for a team with three playoff appearances in the last six seasons, the Orioles are preparing to make one final thrust at greatness."We all understand that you're not going to play with the same group of guys forever," first baseman Chris Davis said. "We've done a lot of great things with this team, but we haven't reached the top yet. That's still the goal for each and every guy in here."Davis signed a 7-year, $161 million contract in 2016. The deal, designed to keep a playoff-quality club intact, could make it difficult for the cash-conscious Orioles to... [More]

Capsules of American League East teams, listed in order of finish last year:___Boston Red Sox2017: 93-69, first place, lost to Houston in ALDS.Manager: Alex Cora (first season).He's Here: DH J.D. Martinez.He's Outta Here: Manager John Farrell, RHP Doug Fister, OF Chris Young, RHP Addison Reed, OF Rajai Davis, LHP Henry Owens, LHP Fernando Abad.Projected Lineup: RF Mookie Betts (.264, 24 HRs, 102 RBIs), LF Andrew Benintendi (.271, 20, 90), 1B Hanley Ramirez (.242, 23, 62) or Mitch Moreland (.246, 22, 79), DH J.D. Martinez (.303, 45, 104 with Tigers and Diamondbacks), 3B Rafael Devers (.284, 10, 30 in 58 games), SS Xander Bogaerts (.273, 10, 62), CF Jackie Bradley Jr. (.245, 17, 63), C Christian Vazquez (.290, 5, 32) or Sandy Leon (.225, 7, 39), 2B Eduardo Nunez (.313, 12, 58, 24 SBs with Giants and Red Sox) or Dustin Pedroia (.293, 7, 62, .369 OBP in 105 games, expected to be out until late May following knee surgery).Rotation: LH Chris Sale (17-8, 2.90 ERA, MLB-best 308 Ks, MLB-high 214... [More]

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]

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]

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]

SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — Alex Cobb's comfort and familiarity with the AL East was the deciding factor in his decision to sign with the Baltimore Orioles."They used the AL East and the success I've had in it to their advantage," the 30-year-old right-hander said Wednesday after finalizing a $57 million, four-year contract. "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 gets $14 million in each of the first three seasons and $15 million in 2021, and he would earn a $500,000 bonus in each year he pitches 180 innings. Baltimore will defer $6.5 million from this year's salary and $4.5 million in each of the next three seasons.He gets $2 million of the deferred money on Nov. 30, 2022, and $1.8 million annually on Nov. 30 from 2023-32. If he doesn't pitch at least 130 innings in 2020, an additional $5.25 million of the final's year... [More]

SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — Free agent pitcher Alex Cobb and the Baltimore Orioles have finalized a four-year contract.Cobb was the last big-name starting pitcher still available in a slow-moving free agent market. He joins Andrew Cashner and Chris Tillman, who were signed last month, in a revamped rotation that includes holdovers Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman.The 30-year-old righty was 12-10 with a 3.66 ERA in 29 starts for Tampa Bay last season. He pitched 179 1/3 innings in his first full year back after missing nearly two seasons because of Tommy John surgery.Cobb is 48-35 with a 3.50 in six big league seasons, all with the Rays. He turned down Tampa Bay's $17.4 million qualifying offer in November.Baltimore will lose its third-highest draft pick, currently No. 51, and the Rays get an extra selection after the first round as compensation.Jose Mesa Jr. was designated for assignment Wednesday to clear a roster spot.Baltimore opens on March 29 at home against Minnesota.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — Buck Showalter heard that Lance Lynn was pitching against the Orioles and knew he'd be changing his lineup.The Baltimore manager wasn't concerned about the result of last week's Grapefruit League game against Minnesota, played hours after Lynn officially joined the team. But Showalter figured the right-hander might start when the Twins travel to Camden Yards for a three-game season-opening series later this month.With that in mind, Showalter saw an opportunity.Even in spring training, when wins and losses are meaningless, managers are always hunting for significant matchups. That's especially true along the Florida Gulf Coast, where all five AL East rivals train within about three hours of each other.Picking and choosing spots for players has been key for Baltimore this spring because the Orioles play 14 of their first 17 regular season games against either division foes or the Twins, another regular spring opponent. When Minnesota signed Lynn to a free-agent deal... [More]

SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — Caleb Joseph has gone from being a punchline in 2016 to being the Baltimore Orioles No. 1 catcher — at least for now.Joseph went through the entire season in 2016 — during which he had 132 at-bats — without a single RBI.He rebounded last season, driving in 28 runs, and has swung a hot bat this spring.Entering Tuesday's game at Minnesota, Joseph was batting a cool .444 (8-for-18) with a home run and 5 RBIs, and at least for now, Joseph is the Orioles' starting catcher."It's spring training. That sums it up," Joseph said. "There's been springs when you didn't get any hits. There's been springs where you've gotten a ton of hits. I wish it mattered."The 31-year-old catcher endured years of minor league ball — including five seasons at Double-A Bowie, where he set an unwanted franchise record for most games played.Joseph finally made it to the big leagues in 2014, and after sitting behind Matt Wieters and Welington Castillo, he's inherited — or earned — Baltimore's catching... [More]

SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — Caleb Joseph has gone from being a punchline in 2016 to being the Baltimore Orioles No. 1 catcher — at least for now.Joseph went through the entire season in 2016 — during which he had 132 at-bats — without a single RBI.He rebounded last season, driving in 28 runs, and has swung a hot bat this spring.Entering Tuesday's game at Minnesota, Joseph was batting a cool .444 (8-for-18) with a home run and 5 RBIs, and at least for now, Joseph is the Orioles' starting catcher."It's spring training. That sums it up," Joseph said. "There's been springs when you didn't get any hits. There's been springs where you've gotten a ton of hits. I wish it mattered."The 31-year-old catcher endured years of minor league ball — including five seasons at Double-A Bowie, where he set an unwanted franchise record for most games played.Joseph finally made it to the big leagues in 2014, and after sitting behind Matt Wieters and Welington Castillo, he's inherited — or earned — Baltimore's catching... [More]

SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — Right-handers Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman remain the Baltimore Orioles top two starting pitchers — for now.When the Orioles opened spring training, they were the team's only accomplished starters in their rotation. Baltimore has re-signed Chris Tillman and added Andrew Cashner to the starting staff, but Bundy and Gausman are the team's aces.Bundy and Gausman have been grouped together. They were the fourth overall picks in consecutive drafts — Bundy in 2011 and Gausman in 2012.Though Bundy got to the big leagues first, in September 2012, injuries kept him from returning until the beginning of the 2016 season. By then, Gausman had already spent parts of three seasons in the major leagues.Last year, Bundy surpassed Gausman on the mound, with a 13-9 record and a 4.24 ERA, and tossed a one-hit shutout against the Seattle Mariners, striking out 12."I don't think he ever takes anything for granted," Baltimore manager Buck Showalter said of Bundy. "He's trying to work on... [More]

SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — Colby Rasmus is making a new start with the Baltimore Orioles after taking an eight-month break from baseball.Rasmus signed a minor league contract with the Orioles this week, after abruptly leaving the Tampa Bay Rays in midseason. The contract is for $3 million if he makes the Orioles and contains up to $2 million in incentives.The 31-year-old outfielder, who had a lingering hip injury last season, discussed some of the reasons for his departure."I started working out at 8 or 9 years old to play in the big leagues, and I just kind of hit a point to where I was like, 'man, I need to take a little break and enjoy some time with my family'" Rasmus said Thursday. "My 8-year-old girl was in school, just had a boy who was 10 weeks old, so being able to spend time with them and keeping my wife feeling good through her pregnancy was important to me."Rasmus has a .242 lifetime average in nine seasons with St. Louis, Toronto, Houston and Tampa Bay. He hit .281 with nine home... [More]

SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — Colby Rasmus is making a new start with the Baltimore Orioles after taking an eight-month break from baseball.Rasmus signed a minor league contract with the Orioles this week, after abruptly leaving the Tampa Bay Rays in midseason. The contract is for $3 million if he makes the Orioles and contains up to $2 million in incentives.The 31-year-old outfielder, who had a lingering hip injury last season, discussed some of the reasons for his departure."I started working out at 8 or 9 years old to play in the big leagues, and I just kind of hit a point to where I was like, 'man, I need to take a little break and enjoy some time with my family'" Rasmus said. "My 8-year-old girl was in school, just had a boy who was 10 weeks old, so being able to spend time with them and keeping my wife feeling good through her pregnancy was important to me."Rasmus has a .242 lifetime average in nine seasons with St. Louis, Toronto, Houston and Tampa Bay. He hit .281 with nine home runs and... [More]