CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Zack Wheeler wants to dial down his little dispute with his former team's general manager.The new Philadelphia right-hander has been trading barbs with New York Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen recently, adding even more intrigue after Wheeler left the Mets to sign with the rival Phillies. On Saturday, Wheeler figured there wasn't much more he needed to add.“I don't want to make this go on any further. I don't think it's meant to go on any further. We're two grown-ups here, and we're battling like little kids, you know what I mean?" Wheeler said. "I'm happy to be here with this group of guys.”Wheeler signed a $118 million, five-year contract with Philadelphia this offseason after pitching for the Mets since his debut season in 2013. Wheeler told the New York Post on Thursday that he circled back with the Mets before signing with Philadelphia. He told the Post “it was basically just crickets.”“It's how they roll,” Wheeler told the newspaper.Van Wagenen responded sharply.“Our... [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 Braves Manager: Brian Snitker (fifth season). 2019: 97-65, first place, lost to Cardinals in Division Series.Training Town: North Port, Florida.Park: CoolToday Park. First Workout: Feb. 13/18. He's Here: LF Marcell Ozuna, C Travis d'Arnaud, LHP Cole Hamels, LHP Will Smith, RHP F�lix Hern�ndez.He's Outta Here: 3B Josh Donaldson, LHP Dallas Keuchel, RHP Julio Teheran, C Brian McCann, OF Matt Joyce, RHP Anthony Swarzak, RHP Josh Tomlin, LHP Jerry Blevins, OF Billy Hamilton, C Francisco Cervelli. Going campin': The Braves are coming off their second straight NL East title, led by one of baseball's brightest young stars. In his first full season in the big leagues, 22-year-old OF Ronald Acu�a Jr. hit 41 homers, led the league with 127 runs and tallied 37 stolen bases to become the second-youngest... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Pitchers Zach Eflin, Vince Velasquez, Jose Alvarez and Adam Morgan reached one-year contracts with the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday while All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto and reliever Héctor Neris exchanged salary arbitration figures with the team.Realmuto asked for $12.4 million and the club offered $10 million. In his first season with the Phillies, he set career-highs with 25 homers and 83 RBIs, batted .275, was an All-Star for the second straight season and won his first Gold Glove Award. He made $6.05 million last year.Neris sought $5.2 million and was offered $4.25 million. The right-hander made $1.8 million last year when he was Philadelphia's most reliable reliever, leading the team with a career-high 28 saves in 34 chances. He posted a 2.93 ERA with 89 strikeouts in 67 2/3 innings. Neris is 67 for 83 in save opportunities in his career.Eflin got a raise from $590,000 to $2,625,000. The righty was 10-13 with a career-best 4.13 ERA in his fourth season in Philadelphia.... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Didi Gregorius was struggling in his first season with the New York Yankees after replacing franchise icon Derek Jeter when manager Joe Girardi assured him he would be the starting shortstop despite a bad slump."It was really strong for me," Gregorius said Monday after Girardi helped him put on a No. 18 Philadelphia Phillies jersey for the first time. "That's one thing you always want to hear from your manager, that he wants you to play every day."Gregorius agreed to a $14 million, one-year contract with the Phillies last week, reuniting with Girardi, who enters his first season as Philadelphia's manager.Gregorius says Girardi is more of a mentor than a coach. Girardi joked that general manager Matt Klentak didn't want him talking to Gregorius during contract negotiations because his price would've kept going up."Didi knows how I feel about him and how much I'd love to have him," Girardi said.Right-hander Zack Wheeler also was introduced along with Gregorius. Wheeler... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Joe Girardi views Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler as his co-aces.“I think you're going to have a 1 and a 1A with him and Nola," the first-year Philadelphia Phillies manager said Monday after Wheeler's $118 million, five-year contract was announced.“When you look at what he's done the last few years and really throughout his career, he's continued to get better and better," Girardi said. “This is a power guy with four pitches where I think he's just starting to reach his potential. I think there is more in the tank there. I think this guy can be more dominant than he's been, and we're looking forward to seeing the top of our rotation."Wheeler gets $21.5 million next year, $22.5 million in 2021, $26 million in 2022, $24.5 million in 2023 and $23.5 million in 2024. He agreed to the deal last Thursday subject to a successful physical.The 29-year-old stays in the NL East after spending his first seven seasons with the New York Mets. He was 11-8 with a 3.96 ERA last season after... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies and right-hander Zack Wheeler finalized their $118 million, five-year contract Monday.Wheeler gets $21.5 million next year, $22.5 million in 2021, $26 million in 2022, $24.5 million in 2023 and $23.5 million in 2024. He agreed to the deal last Thursday subject to a successful physical.The 29-year-old stays in the NL East after spending his first seven seasons with the New York Mets. He was 11-8 with a 3.96 ERA last season after going 12-7 with a 3.31 ERA in 2018. Wheeler missed the 2015 and 2016 seasons following Tommy John surgery.He joins a rotation led by Aaron Nola that also includes Jake Arrieta. The Phillies may pursue another front-line starter — longtime NL East foe Stephen Strasburg, perhaps — to join a staff that has Zach Eflin, Vince Velasquez and Nick Pivetta. Philadelphia spent big money last season on free-agent outfielders Bryce Harper and Andrew McCutchen and acquired catcher J.T. Realmuto and shortstop Jean Segura in trades. The... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies and right-hander Zack Wheeler finalized their $118 million, five-year contract Monday.Wheeler agreed to the deal last Thursday subject to a successful physical.The 29-year-old stays in the NL East after spending his first seven seasons with the New York Mets. He was 11-8 with a 3.96 ERA last season after going 12-7 with a 3.31 ERA in 2018. Wheeler missed the 2015 and 2016 seasons following Tommy John surgery.He joins a rotation led by Aaron Nola that also includes Jake Arrieta. The Phillies may pursue another front-line starter — longtime NL East foe Stephen Strasburg, perhaps — to join a staff that has Zach Eflin, Vince Velasquez and Nick Pivetta. Philadelphia spent big money last season on free-agent outfielders Bryce Harper and Andrew McCutchen and acquired catcher J.T. Realmuto and shortstop Jean Segura in trades. The Phillies didn't address starting pitching, and the staff's struggles cost them in the second half as they faded to an 81-81... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies and right-hander Zack Wheeler finalized their $118 million, five-year contract Monday.Wheeler agreed to the deal last Thursday subject to a successful physical.The 29-year-old stays in the NL East after spending his first seven seasons with the New York Mets. He was 11-8 with a 3.96 ERA last season after going 12-7 with a 3.31 ERA in 2018. Wheeler missed the 2015 and 2016 seasons following Tommy John surgery.He joins a rotation led by Aaron Nola that also includes Jake Arrieta. The Phillies may pursue another front-line starter — longtime NL East foe Stephen Strasburg, perhaps — to join a staff that has Zach Eflin, Vince Velasquez and Nick Pivetta. Philadelphia spent big money last season on free-agent outfielders Bryce Harper and Andrew McCutchen and acquired catcher J.T. Realmuto and shortstop Jean Segura in trades. The Phillies didn't address starting pitching, and the staff's struggles cost them in the second half as they faded to an 81-81 finish. Manager Gabe Kapler was fired and replaced by Joe Girardi.Wheeler is 44-38 with a 3.77 ERA in 126 starts. He has 726 strikeouts in 749 1/3 innings.___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies filled their biggest need quickly.Right-hander Zack Wheeler and the Phillies agreed to a $118 million, five-year contract, two people familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Wednesday.Both people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the agreement, which is subject to a successful physical, had not been announced. The 29-year-old Wheeler stays in the NL East after spending his first seven seasons with the New York Mets. He was 11-8 with a 3.96 ERA last season after going 12-7 with a 3.31 ERA in 2018. Wheeler missed the 2015 and 2016 seasons following Tommy John surgery.He will join a rotation led by Aaron Nola that also includes Jake Arrieta. The Phillies may pursue another front-line starter — Stephen Strasburg, perhaps — to join a staff that has Zach Eflin, Vince Velasquez and Nick Pivetta. “He knows all of us hitters very well,” Mets role player J.D. Davis said earlier in the day. “He's a great pitcher, great stuff.... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies filled their biggest need quickly.Right-hander Zack Wheeler and the Phillies agreed to a $118 million, five-year contract, two people familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Wednesday.Both people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the agreement, which is subject to a successful physical, had not been announced. The 29-year-old Wheeler stays in the NL East after spending his first seven seasons with the New York Mets. He was 11-8 with a 3.96 ERA last season after going 12-7 with a 3.31 ERA in 2018. Wheeler missed the 2015 and 2016 seasons following Tommy John surgery.He will join a rotation led by Aaron Nola that also includes Jake Arrieta. The Phillies may pursue another front-line starter — Stephen Strasburg, perhaps — to join a staff that has Zach Eflin, Vince Velasquez and Nick Pivetta. “He knows all of us hitters very well,” Mets role player J.D. Davis said earlier in the day. “He's a great pitcher, great stuff.... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Right-hander Zack Wheeler and the Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to a $118 million, five-year contract, two people familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Wednesday.Both people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the agreement, which is subject to a successful physical, had not been announced. The 29-year-old Wheeler stays in the NL East after spending his first seven seasons with the New York Mets. He was 11-8 with a 3.96 ERA last season after going 12-7 with a 3.31 ERA in 2018. Wheeler missed the 2015 and 2016 seasons following Tommy John surgery.He will join a rotation led by Aaron Nola that also includes Jake Arrieta. The Phillies may pursue another starter to join a staff that has Zach Eflin, Vince Velasquez and Nick Pivetta. Wheeler is 44-38 with a 3.77 ERA in 126 starts. He has 726 strikeouts in 749 1/3 innings.___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Two people familiar with the deal say the Philadelphia Phillies and right-hander Zack Wheeler have agreed on a five-year, $118 million contract.Both people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday because they weren't authorized to announce the signing. The 29-year-old Wheeler stays in the NL East after spending his first seven seasons with the New York Mets. He was 11-8 with a 3.96 ERA last season after going 12-7 with a 3.31 ERA in 2018. Wheeler missed the entire 2015-2016 seasons following Tommy John surgery.He'll join a rotation led by Aaron Nola that also includes Jake Arrieta. The Phillies are still likely pursuing another starter to go with Zach Eflin, Vince Velasquez and Nick Pivetta. Wheeler is 44-38 with a 3.77 ERA in 126 career starts. He has 726 strikeouts in 749 1/3 innings.___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Second baseman César Hernández and third baseman Maikel Franco became free agents when the Phillies did not offer them contracts on Monday.The Phillies offered 2020 contracts to catcher J.T. Realmuto and pitchers Héctor Neris, Vince Velasquez, Zach Eflin, Adam Morgan and José Álvarez. The six are eligible for arbitration. The team avoided arbitration with catcher Andrew Knapp, agreeing on a $710,000, one-year deal.Hernández had been a starter since 2015. He replaced Chase Utley and led the team in average in 2016 and 2017, hitting .294 both seasons. Hernández hit .279 with 14 homers and a career-high 71 RBIs last year. He has a .277 career average and .352 on-base percentage.Franco also became a starter in 2015 but didn’t play regularly the past two seasons. He averaged 24 homers and 77 RBIs from 2016-18. Franco batted .234 with 17 homers and 56 RBIs in this year.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Second baseman César Hernández and third baseman Maikel Franco became free agents when the Phillies did not offer them contracts on Monday.The Phillies offered 2020 contracts to catcher J.T. Realmuto and pitchers Héctor Neris, Vince Velasquez, Zach Eflin, Adam Morgan and José Álvarez. The six are eligible for arbitration. The team avoided arbitration with catcher Andrew Knapp, agreeing on a one-year deal.Hernández had been a starter since 2015. He replaced Chase Utley and led the team in average in 2016 and 2017, hitting .294 both seasons. Hernández hit .279 with 14 homers and a career-high 71 RBIs last year. He has a .277 career average and .352 on-base percentage.Franco also became a starter in 2015 but didn’t play regularly the past two seasons. He averaged 24 homers and 77 RBIs from 2016-18. Franco batted .234 with 17 homers and 56 RBIs in this year.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Gabe Kapler took the fall for the Philadelphia Phillies.He was fired Thursday, nearly two weeks after a disappointing finish to a season of big expectations highlighted by Bryce Harper's arrival.Kapler went 161-163 in two years, his team unable to deliver following its offseason spending spree. Philadelphia finished 81-81, its first nonlosing season since 2012."Several years ago, I promised our loyal fans that I would do everything in my power to bring a world championship team to our city. I will never waver from that commitment," Phillies managing partner John Middleton said in a statement."I have decided that some changes are necessary to achieve our ultimate objective. Consequently, we will replace our manager. I am indebted to Gabe for the steadfast effort, energy and enthusiasm that he brought to our club, and we are unquestionably a better team and organization as a result of his contributions."The Phillies were only two games behind in the NL wild-card standings... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Gabe Kapler took the fall for the Philadelphia Phillies.He was fired Thursday, nearly two weeks after a disappointing finish to a season of big expectations highlighted by Bryce Harper's arrival.Kapler went 161-163 in two years, his team unable to deliver following its offseason spending spree. Philadelphia finished 81-81, its first nonlosing season since 2012."Several years ago, I promised our loyal fans that I would do everything in my power to bring a world championship team to our city. I will never waver from that commitment," Phillies managing partner John Middleton said in a statement."I have decided that some changes are necessary to achieve our ultimate objective. Consequently, we will replace our manager. I am indebted to Gabe for the steadfast effort, energy and enthusiasm that he brought to our club, and we are unquestionably a better team and organization as a result of his contributions."The Phillies were only two games behind in the NL wild-card standings... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Gabe Kapler wants the opportunity to lead the Philadelphia Phillies back to the postseason after consecutive collapses in September.It's still uncertain whether he'll get another chance.A season that began with high expectations following the arrival of Bryce Harper and other high-profile players ended the same as the previous seven years: without October baseball.The Phillies finished 81-81, a one game improvement from Kapler's rookie season as manager. Frustrated fans want to see change but management hasn't announced a decision either way."I love managing that group of players," Kapler said after the season ended Sunday. "I love working with that staff. I love working with this front office. They give me all sorts of autonomy. I have felt supported by our ownership group. Our ownership group has done everything in their power to put a winning product on the field. I'm proud to be a Philadelphia Phillie and will do it as long as I'm able."The Phillies were only two... [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]

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]

Phillies third. Scott Kingery walks. Adam Haseley grounds out to second base, Mike Freeman to Carlos Santana. Scott Kingery to second. Cesar Hernandez flies out to deep center field to Oscar Mercado. Scott Kingery to third. J.T. Realmuto doubles to deep left center field. Scott Kingery scores. Bryce Harper is intentionally walked. Rhys Hoskins reaches on a fielder's choice to third base. Bryce Harper out at second.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on. Phillies 1, Indians 0.Indians fourth. Oscar Mercado grounds out to second base, Cesar Hernandez to Rhys Hoskins. Carlos Santana singles to shallow center field. Yasiel Puig singles to deep right center field. Carlos Santana to third. Mike Freeman reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Yasiel Puig out at second. Carlos Santana scores. Franmil Reyes strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Phillies 1, Indians 1.Indians fifth. Greg Allen reaches on error. Fielding error by Jean Segura. Roberto Perez reaches on a sacrifice bunt... [More]