Capsules of National League Central teams, listed in order of finish last year:___Chicago Cubs2017: 92-70, first place, lost to Dodgers in NLCS.Manager: Joe Maddon (fourth season).He's Here: RHP Yu Darvish, RHP Brandon Morrow, RHP Tyler Chatwood, RHP Steve Cishek, LHP Drew Smyly, C Chris Gimenez.He's Outta Here: RHP Wade Davis, C Alex Avila, C Rene Rivera.Projected Lineup: CF Ian Happ (.253, 24 HRs, 68 RBIs, .842 OPS) or Albert Almora Jr. (.298, 8, 46), 3B Kris Bryant (.295, 29, 73, 38 2Bs, 111 runs), 1B Anthony Rizzo (.273, 32, 109, 91 BBs), C Willson Contreras (.276, 21, 74), LF Kyle Schwarber (.211, 30, 59), SS Addison Russell (.239, 12, 43), RF Jason Heyward (.259, 11, 59), 2B Javier Baez (.273, 23, 75, .796 OPS).Rotation: LH Jon Lester (13-8, 4.33 ERA, 180 Ks), RH Kyle Hendricks (7-5, 3.03), RH Yu Darvish (10-12, 3.86, 209 Ks with Rangers and Dodgers), LH Jose Quintana (11-11, 4.15, 207 Ks with White Sox and Cubs), RH Tyler Chatwood (8-15, 4.69 with Rockies).Key Relievers: RH Brandon... [More]

Capsules of National League West teams, listed in order of finish last year:___Los Angeles Dodgers2017: 104-58, first place, lost to Houston in World Series.Manager: Dave Roberts (third season).He's Here: OF Matt Kemp, RHP Tom Koehler, LHP Scott Alexander, LHP Henry Owens.He's Outta Here: 1B Adrian Gonzalez, RHP Yu Darvish, RHP Brandon Morrow, RHP Brandon McCarthy, LHP Tony Watson, LHP Luis Avilan, LHP Scott Kazmir, LHP Adam Liberatore, OF Andre Ethier, INF Charlie Culberson, OF Curtis Granderson, LHP Grant Dayton, OF Franklin Gutierrez, RHP Josh Ravin.Projected Lineup: CF Chris Taylor (.288, 21 HRs, 72 RBIs, 17 SBs), SS Corey Seager (.295, 22, 77), 3B Justin Turner (.322, 21, 71, will start season on DL with broken left wrist), 1B Cody Bellinger (.267, 39, 97, 10 SBs), RF Yasiel Puig (.263, 28, 74), LF Matt Kemp (.276, 19, 64 in 115 games with Braves) or Joc Pederson (.212, 11, 35 in 102 games), C Austin Barnes (.289, 8, 38) or Yasmani Grandal (.247, 22, 58), 2B Logan Forsythe (.224, 6,... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs remember what it was like in 2016, and they remember what happened last year. They remember all the fun they had two years ago, and how tired they were at the end of last season.The past two years could hold the key to how they perform in 2018."These guys absolutely get it. They're on a mission, no question," manager Joe Maddon said. "They want to go back to what happened in 2016. They didn't like what happened last year, but they kind of understand what did (happen) and how we worked through it and eventually almost got back to our goal."One of the big differences between the World Series-winning 2016 team and last year's group was the start of the season. The Cubs struggled at the beginning of last season and then pushed hard to overcome the Brewers and win the NL Central. After surviving a grueling playoff round against Washington, they were run over by the rested Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Championship Series.Chicago's 25-6 start in 2016 set up the... [More]

Never pay for saves. That mantra has been a constant in fantasy baseball circles almost as long as it has been played.Top relievers dominated the saves category, but their dearth of wins and strikeouts limited their value in comparison to starting pitchers. Despite posting elite ratios, relievers just didn't pitch enough innings to hang with even a mid-level starting pitcher. Add all that onto the relative ease of acquiring saves in-season and it's easy to see why many people bypassed the top relievers and scavenged the lower rungs of closers for value.Not anymore. Changes in real baseball mean values in fantasy are changing as a result.As MLB managers lean more on their bullpens, the statistical landscape has changed for pitchers. Managers are quicker with the hook and more starters are limited to five or six innings a start. This means once you get past the top few elite starters, the gap in strikeouts and wins is shrinking. As relievers grab an increasing percentage of innings, their... [More]

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Los Angeles Angels rookie Shohei Ohtani allowed six runs while pitching three innings in an exhibition game against the Mexican League's Tijuana Toros on Friday.The 23-year-old Ohtani struck out six and walked one.Ohtani spent five seasons with the Nippon Ham Fighters before signing with the Angels as an international free agent on Dec. 10. He is trying to become the first player in nearly 100 years to play regularly as a pitcher and hitter, but he has had mixed results so far this spring.AROUND THE GRAPEFRUIT AND CACTUS LEAGUESDODGERS 6, ROYALS (SS) 4Los Angeles closer Kenley Jansen was held out of what was supposed to be his first big league spring training game this year due to an injured upper right hamstring."When he was getting ready today, his pregame stuff and kind of getting his legs loose, it tightened up on him," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "We had the trainers look at him and it just made sense to just not throw him out there."Roberts said he expects... [More]

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Los Angeles Angels rookie Shohei Ohtani allowed six runs while pitching three innings in an exhibition game against the Mexican League's Tijuana Toros on Friday.The 23-year-old Ohtani struck out six and walked one.Ohtani spent five seasons with the Nippon Ham Fighters before signing with the Angels as an international free agent on Dec. 10. He is trying to become the first player in nearly 100 years to play regularly as a pitcher and hitter, but he has had mixed results so far this spring.AROUND THE GRAPEFRUIT AND CACTUS LEAGUESDODGERS 6, ROYALS (SS) 4Los Angeles closer Kenley Jansen was held out of what was supposed to be his first big league spring training game this year due to an injured upper right hamstring."When he was getting ready today, his pregame stuff and kind of getting his legs loose, it tightened up on him," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "We had the trainers look at him and it just made sense to just not throw him out there."Roberts said he expects... [More]

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — If Yu Darvish was tipping his pitches in the World Series last year, he seems to have fixed it.Darvish threw two hitless innings in his spring training debut for the Chicago Cubs, facing his former teammates on the Los Angeles Dodgers.When last on the mound, Darvish was chased by Houston after getting just five outs in both Games 3 and 7 of the World Series. Darvish said he was moved to lose 15 pounds "because of what happened in the World Series."Darvish was concerned about the possible impact of the weight loss on his velocity but those worries seemed unwarranted Tuesday."It was right up there," he said of his velocity, speaking through a translator. "Glad it's 95."There was speculation that the Astros had figured out what sort of pitches Darvish was about to throw."They could simply be a good, strong team," Darvish said, adding he has considered "various things to keep consistency and mix up pitches and throw from the same slot."Darvish struck out four, including Corey... [More]

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — For all the talk about the Chicago Cubs' new-look bullpen, the biggest key to its success might be the return of Justin Wilson.Not the Justin Wilson who struggled for the last couple months of last season. The one who pitched for the Detroit Tigers.If Wilson finds his form, he would give manager Joe Maddon another left-handed option for high-leverage situations late in games. If Wilson struggles again, Maddon would have to employ him very carefully."It just permits us to dole out the work in a way that we should not get anybody overtly tired, so that's what I look at," Maddon said Monday. "But I mean, listen, you've seen good, I've heard good, you know, work-wise and the stuff that he's been doing. They're reporting back, he did something today that the guys are just raving about, so let's see how it plays out."The 30-year-old Wilson has made two appearances so far this spring training, tossing a scoreless inning against Oakland and Cincinnati with two strikeouts total.... [More]

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — The Chicago Cubs, boosted by the addition of Yu Darvish, are certainly well armed as they start spring training. The result, they hope, is a drive toward a second crown in three years."The expectation for this group is to win the World Series," center fielder Albert Almora Jr. said "We know the group in here can do it. We expect nothing but that."The Cubs have made three straight extended postseason runs, with 2015 and 2017 ending in losses in the NL Championship Series.The relatively young core of productive position players, led by Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant, returns intact.Now, Darvish slides into an already strong pitching rotation that includes Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks, Jose Quintana and newcomer Tyler Chatwood."You could feel the confidence," manager Joe Maddon said Wednesday after the Cubs' first workout for pitchers and catchers.Darvish totally rounds out the starting rotation, Maddon said."Listen, it was going to be really good, anyway," he said."When you... [More]

A team-by-team look at the National League Central 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:___Chicago CubsManager: Joe Maddon (fourth season).2017: 92-70, first place, lost to Dodgers in NLCS.Training Town: Mesa, Arizona.Park: Sloan Park.First Workout: Feb. 14/19.He's Here: RHP Brandon Morrow, RHP Tyler Chatwood, RHP Steve Cishek, LHP Drew Smyly.He's Outta Here: RHP Wade Davis, C Alex Avila, C Rene Rivera.Going campin': Chicago is coming off three consecutive NLCS appearances, and it looked a little tired when its title defense came to an end with a lopsided playoff loss to Los Angeles last year. The bullpen was hit hard by the Dodgers in the NLCS, and the Cubs batted just .168 in 10 postseason games. The roster returns mostly intact, but the bullpen and coaching staff each has a new look. Morrow replaces Davis at closer after agreeing to a $21 million, two-year contract. Jim... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The young core of the Chicago Cubs is learning with each long playoff run.Coming off their first World Series title since 1908, the Cubs got off to a slow start last year and had to push themselves in the second half to overcome Milwaukee and win the NL Central. But they lined up with Washington in the first round of the playoffs and the grueling series with the Nationals took its toll, sending the Cubs on to a lopsided loss to rested Los Angeles in the next round.The grind of a third straight trip to the NL Championship Series left an impression."I think it just teaches you how every year is so different," pitcher Kyle Hendricks said, "not just the season, but the offseason too, and how you get your body ready. For a lot of us young guys, I think we learned a lot between the 16-17 year and that offseason and I think we're using it to our advantage this year; just how much to rest, how much to work out, what you need to get ready."The division is much improved, but the Cubs... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The young core of the Chicago Cubs is learning with each long playoff run.Coming off their first World Series title since 1908, the Cubs got off to a slow start last year and had to push themselves in the second half to overcome Milwaukee and win the NL Central. But they lined up with Washington in the first round of the playoffs and the grueling series with the Nationals took its toll, sending the Cubs on to a lopsided loss to rested Los Angeles in the next round.The grind of a third straight trip to the NL Championship Series left an impression."I think it just teaches you how every year is so different," pitcher Kyle Hendricks said, "not just the season, but the offseason too, and how you get your body ready. For a lot of us young guys, I think we learned a lot between the 16-17 year and that offseason and I think we're using it to our advantage this year; just how much to rest, how much to work out, what you need to get ready."The division is much improved, but the Cubs... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Left-hander Brian Duensing and Chicago have finalized a $7 million, two-year contract for the reliever to remain with the Cubs.Duensing gets $3.5 million in each of the next two seasons as part of the agreement announced Monday. His 2019 salary can escalate by up to $1.25 million based on pitching appearances this year: $250,000 for 50, $333,333 each for 55 and 60, and $333,334 for 65.Duensing went 1-1 with a 2.74 ERA in 68 appearances last season. He had agreed to the deal last week, pending a successful physical.Duensing helped Chicago win the NL Central last season, but its bullpen faltered in the playoffs and the Cubs were eliminated by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Championship Series.All-Star closer Wade Davis left as a free agent and agreed to a $52 million, three-year contract with Colorado, but the Cubs signed relievers Brandon Morrow and Steve Cishek before coming to an agreement with Duensing.Duensing, who turns 35 next month, was selected by Minnesota in the third round of the 2005 amateur draft. He broke into the majors with the Twins in 2009 and is 43-38 with a 4.01 ERA in nine seasons.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs bolstered their revamped bullpen on Wednesday, bringing back Brian Duensing with a $7 million, two-year contract.Duensing returns to Chicago after signing a one-year deal with the Cubs last winter. The left-hander went 1-1 with a 2.74 ERA in 68 appearances last season.A person with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed the contract to The Associated Press on Wednesday on condition of anonymity because it is pending a physical.Duensing helped Chicago win the NL Central last season, but its bullpen faltered in the playoffs and it was eliminated by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Championship Series. All-Star closer Wade Davis then left in free agency, agreeing to a $52 million, three-year contract with Colorado, but the Cubs signed relievers Brandon Morrow and Steve Cishek before coming to an agreement with Duensing.Duensing, who turns 35 next month, played college ball at Nebraska before he was selected by Minnesota in the third round of the 2005 draft. He broke into the majors with the Twins in 2009 and is 43-38 with a 4.01 ERA in nine seasons.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

The Chicago Cubs reportedly agreed to a two-year deal with reliever Brandon Morrow on Sunday, according to multiple outlets.Morrow could be in line to be the Cubs' closer if the franchise fails to re-sign free agent Wade Davis.Morrow, 33, was 6-0 with a 2.06 ERA in 45 regular-season games for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2017. He gave up just one run and three hits over 8 1/3 innings as the Dodgers won the first two rounds of the National League playoffs to reach the World Series.Morrow's standout postseason included four scoreless appearances against the Cubs in the NL Championship Series. The right-hander struck out seven and allowed just one hit in 4 2/3 innings.Morrow became the second pitcher to enter all seven games of the World Series when the Dodgers faced the Houston Astros. But his ERA was 8.44 and he served up two homers over 5 1/3 innings.Overall, Morrow is 51-43 with a 4.05 ERA in 299 career appearances (113 starts) with the Seattle Mariners (2007-09), Toronto Blue Jays (2010-14), San Diego Padres (2015-16) and Dodgers.

RHP Brandon Morrow agreed to terms on a two-year deal with the Cubs on Sunday. He could become the Cubs' closer if the franchise fails to re-sign free agent Wade Davis. Morrow, 33, was 6-0 with a 2.06 ERA in 45 regular-season games for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2017. He gave up just one run and three hits over 8 1/3 innings as the Dodgers won the first two rounds of the playoffs to reach the World Series. Morrow became the second pitcher to enter all seven games of the World Series, but his ERA was 8.44 and he served up two homers over 5 1/3 innings. Overall, Morrow is 51-43 with a 4.05 ERA in 299 career appearances (113 starts) with the Seattle Mariners (2007-09), Toronto Blue Jays (2010-14), San Diego Padres (2015-16) and Dodgers.

RHP Brandon Morrow appeared in all seven World Series games after coming on in relief in the second inning of Game 7. Oakland's Darold Knowles (1973) is the only other pitcher to appear in all seven games of a World Series. In addition, Morrow tied Cleveland's Paul Assenmacher (1997) for most appearances in a single postseason with 14.

RHP Brandon Morrow came on in the fifth inning Tuesday to give him an appearance in all six World Series games. Morrow has also appeared in 13 of the Dodgers' 14 postseason games this month. Cleveland's Paul Assenmacher appeared in a record 14 postseason games in 1997. Oakland's Darold Knowles is the only pitcher to appear in all seven games of a single World Series.

RHP Brandon Morrow appeared in his 12th postseason game, and he has pitched in all but one of the Dodgers' postseason games. The 12 appearances are the most by a Dodgers hurler in a single postseason. Cleveland LHP Paul Assenmacher holds the single-postseason mark with 14 appearances during in 1997. Morrow became the fourth reliever in Dodgers history to appear in at least five games in a single World Series. The others include Hugh Casey (six in 1947), Hank Behrman (five in 1947) and Mike Marshall (five in 1974). Morrow struggled in Game 5 of the World Series, though, allowing four hits and four runs without retiring a batter.

RHP Brandon Morrow appeared in his 11th postseason game, and has pitched in all but one of the Dodgers' postseason games. His 11 appearances are the most by a Dodgers pitcher in a postseason and three shy of the major league mark set by Indians LHP Paul Assenmacher in 1997. Morrow became the sixth Dodgers reliever to appear in at least four games in a World Series.