A team-by-team look at the National League West 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:___Los Angeles Dodgers Manager: Dave Roberts (fifth season). 2019: 106-56, first place, lost to Nationals in Division Series. Training Town: Glendale, Arizona. Park: Camelback Ranch. First Workout: Feb. 14/18. He's Here: OF Mookie Betts, LHP David Price, LHP Alex Wood, RHP Blake Treinen, RHP Jimmy Nelson, 2B Clayton Daniel.He's Outta Here: LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu, RHP Kenta Maeda, LHP Rich Hill, OF Joc Pederson, OF Alex Verdugo, 1B David Freese, RHP Yimi Garcia, 3B Jedd Gyorko, C Russell Martin, RHP JT Chargois, 2B Kristopher Negron.Going campin': In what's become a familiar refrain, the Dodgers arrive at camp still looking for their first World Series championship since 1988. After losing in two straight World Series, they were ousted by Washington in five games in the NL Division Series last fall.... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Zack Cozart has had surgery on his left shoulder twice in two years.The San Francisco Giants will wait patiently for the 2017 All-Star to heal.They bolstered their infield Tuesday by acquiring Cozart and prized prospect in Will Wilson in a trade with the Los Angeles Angels for a player to be named or cash.San Francisco also announced Tuesday it signed right-hander Kevin Gausman to a $9 million, one-year contract. Cozart, if healthy after missing significant time in 2019 with shoulder and neck injuries, can play second or provide versatility behind third baseman Evan Longoria. The Giants are taking on Cozart's salary for next year of $12,666,667. Cozart is eligible for free agency after 2020.“He's got a ways to go in rehab," president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi said. “He's had a couple of shoulder surgeries. He's swinging the bat, but he's got a ways to go and we're obviously going to do everything we can to help him get back on the field. "All-Star in 2017, his... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — An era is over, that's certain.Manager Bruce Bochy is retiring from the San Francisco Giants, and one of his top pitchers — Madison Bumgarner — might be gone, too. And that might just be the beginning in an offseason of change for the franchise.President of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi begins his second offseason with the Giants and topping his list will be finding a manager to replace Bochy, who won three World Series titles during his 13-year Bay Area tenure. He went out with a surprise send-off in Sunday's 9-0 defeat to the Dodgers featuring dozens of former players on hand."So it was an emotional roller coaster going on the whole day," Bochy said. "This is a day I'll never forget."The 64-year-old Bochy, who guided the Giants to World Series championships in 2010, '12 and '14, finished 2,003-2,029 in 4,032 games as a manager over 25 seasons, the first 12 with San Diego before 13 in San Francisco. He went 1,052-1,054 with the Giants, who wound up 77-85 in his... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — An era is over, that's certain.Manager Bruce Bochy is retiring from the San Francisco Giants, and one of his top pitchers — Madison Bumgarner — might be gone, too. And that might just be the beginning in an offseason of change for the franchise.President of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi begins his second offseason with the Giants and topping his list will be finding a manager to replace Bochy, who won three World Series titles during his 13-year Bay Area tenure. He went out with a surprise send-off in Sunday's 9-0 defeat to the Dodgers featuring dozens of former players on hand."So it was an emotional roller coaster going on the whole day," Bochy said. "This is a day I'll never forget."The 64-year-old Bochy, who guided the Giants to World Series championships in 2010, '12 and '14, finished 2,003-2,029 in 4,032 games as a manager over 25 seasons, the first 12 with San Diego before 13 in San Francisco. He went 1,052-1,054 with the Giants, who wound up 77-85 in his... [More]

Dodgers second. Cody Bellinger homers to center field. Corey Seager homers to right field. Will Smith walks. Gavin Lux triples to deep right field. Will Smith scores. Kike Hernandez strikes out swinging. Walker Buehler strikes out swinging. Joc Pederson homers to center field. Gavin Lux scores. Max Muncy doubles to center field. A.J. Pollock grounds out to shallow infield, Johnny Cueto to Brandon Belt.5 runs, 5 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Dodgers 5, Giants 0.Giants second. Kevin Pillar walks. Alex Dickerson singles to center field. Kevin Pillar to third. Brandon Crawford out on a sacrifice fly to deep left field to A.J. Pollock. Kevin Pillar scores. Mauricio Dubon singles to center field. Alex Dickerson to second. Chris Shaw pinch-hitting for Johnny Cueto. Chris Shaw strikes out swinging. Mike Yastrzemski strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Dodgers 5, Giants 1.Giants third. Brandon Belt walks. Evan Longoria strikes out swinging. Stephen Vogt doubles to right field. Brandon... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:TEXAS ONE-STEPThe Astros can clinch a third straight AL West title with a win over the Angels or a loss by Oakland. Houston has won six straight games and is already assured a postseason spot, and it's getting shortstop Carlos Correa in the swing of things at just the right time. Correa homered twice Friday in his second game after missing nearly a month with a sore back, and he finally looks healthy after missing 80 games total with various injuries."We can feel it," second baseman Jose Altuve said. "We're excited. We all are anxious about things right now which is normal because we want to make it happen."CENTRAL CONTROLThe NL Central-leading Cardinals are sending another red-hot pitcher to the Wrigley Field mound with a chance to ensure a series victory in their crucial four-game set against the Cubs. Right-hander Dakota Hudson (16-7, 3.35) is 6-1 with a 1.59 ERA in his last seven starts. That's bad news for slumping Chicago, which has... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Saturday:TEXAS ONE-STEPThe Astros can clinch a third straight AL West title with a win over the Angels or a loss by Oakland. Houston has won six straight games and is already assured a postseason spot, and it's getting shortstop Carlos Correa in the swing of things at just the right time. Correa homered twice Friday in his second game after missing nearly a month with a sore back, and he finally looks healthy after missing 80 games total with various injuries."We can feel it," second baseman Jose Altuve said. "We're excited. We all are anxious about things right now which is normal because we want to make it happen."CENTRAL CONTROLThe NL Central-leading Cardinals are sending another red-hot pitcher to the Wrigley Field mound with a chance to ensure a series victory in their crucial four-game set against the Cubs. Right-hander Dakota Hudson (16-7, 3.35) is 6-1 with a 1.59 ERA in his last seven starts. That's bad news for slumping Chicago, which... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Saturday:CENTRAL CONTROLThe NL Central-leading Cardinals are sending another red-hot pitcher to the Wrigley Field mound with a chance to ensure a series victory in their crucial four-game set against the Cubs. Right-hander Dakota Hudson (16-7, 3.35) is 6-1 with a 1.59 ERA in his last seven starts. That's bad news for slumping Chicago, which has totaled nine runs while losing four straight games. St. Louis won the first two games of the series, and its starters have given up two runs in 12 innings — including eight one-run innings from emerging ace Jack Flaherty on Thursday.The Cubs are two games behind Milwaukee for the second NL wild card and five back of St. Louis for the NL Central lead. They will start left-hander Jose Quintana (13-8, 3.35), pitching on an extra day of rest after Chicago shuffled its rotation to let veteran Cole Hamels rest his fatigued left shoulder.The Brewers again face Pittsburgh, with right-hander Zach Davies (10-7,... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Star first baseman Anthony Rizzo was pulled from a game Sunday with a sprained right ankle, putting a damper on the Chicago Cubs' 16-6 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates that completed a three-game sweep.Rizzo was injured fielding a bunt at first base, had to be helped off the field and could not put pressure on the leg. X-rays taken at Wrigley Field showed no fractures. He'll get an MRI on Monday.Chicago's postseason pursuit has already been hindered by an injury to shortstop Javier Báez, who is out for the rest of the regular season with a hairline fracture of his left thumb.The Cubs maintained their one-game lead over Milwaukee for the second NL wild card.Kris Bryant homered twice, and Ian Happ, Kyle Schwarber and Jonathan Lucroy also connected for the Cubs, who outscored the Pirates 47-15 in the series.Brad Wieck (1-1) struck out both batters he faced. Trevor Williams (7-7) allowed seven runs in 2 1/3 innings.DODGERS 3, METS 2NEW YORK (AP) — Jedd Gyorko came off the... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Star first baseman Anthony Rizzo was pulled from a game Sunday with a sprained right ankle, putting a damper on the Chicago Cubs' 16-6 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates that completed a three-game sweep.Rizzo was injured fielding a bunt at first base, had to be helped off the field and could not put pressure on the leg. X-rays taken at Wrigley Field showed no fractures. He'll get an MRI on Monday.Chicago's postseason pursuit has already been hindered by an injury to shortstop Javier Báez, who is out for the rest of the regular season with a hairline fracture of his left thumb.The Cubs maintained their one-game lead over Milwaukee for the second NL wild card.Kris Bryant homered twice, and Ian Happ, Kyle Schwarber and Jonathan Lucroy also connected for the Cubs, who outscored the Pirates 47-15 in the series.Brad Wieck (1-1) struck out both batters he faced. Trevor Williams (7-7) allowed seven runs in 2 1/3 innings.BREWERS 7, CARDINALS 6ST. LOUIS (AP) — Ryan Braun overcame... [More]

Giants third. Mauricio Dubon homers to left field. Johnny Cueto strikes out swinging. Mike Yastrzemski called out on strikes. Brandon Belt strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Giants 1, Marlins 0.Marlins seventh. Jorge Alfaro grounds out to shortstop, Brandon Crawford to Brandon Belt. Lewis Brinson strikes out swinging. Magneuris Sierra singles to shallow infield, advances to 3rd. Throwing error by Evan Longoria. Jon Berti singles to left field. Magneuris Sierra scores. Martin Prado pinch-hitting for Adam Conley. Martin Prado flies out to left field to Joey Rickard.1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Marlins 1, Giants 1.Giants eighth. Donovan Solano pinch-hitting for Chris Shaw. Donovan Solano flies out to center field to Magneuris Sierra. Mike Yastrzemski singles to left field. Brandon Belt singles to center field. Mike Yastrzemski to second. Evan Longoria walks. Stephen Vogt strikes out swinging. Brandon Crawford is intentionally walked. Mike Gerber strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Giants 2, Marlins 1.

A look at what's happening around the majors today:HOUSTON HAMMERSRookie Yordan Alvarez and the Houston Astros have set a franchise record by totaling 36 runs in their last two games, helped by exceptionally fast starts.On Sunday, the AL West leaders built a whopping 13-0 cushion in the first three innings on their way to a 21-1 rout of Seattle — Alvarez had three doubles and a single and drove in six runs.On Monday night, Alvarez homered in each of the first two innings as Houston rushed to an 11-0 lead. The Astros hit seven homers overall and pounded Oakland 15-0.The Astros have won five in a row and next take on A's righty Tanner Roark (9-8, 3.86 ERA). Wade Miley (13-4, 3.35) starts for host Houston.TROUT OUTAngels star Mike Trout has undergone a cryoablation procedure to alleviate pain in his right foot. Manager Brad Ausmus described the procedure as relatively minor and said the slugging outfielder could return later this series against Cleveland.Trout has been bothered by nerve pain... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The ownership of the Kansas City Royals is open to the possibility of selling the franchise if the right buyer is found, two people familiar with the situation told The Associated Press, and reports suggest that it could happen in the near future.The people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Tuesday night because they were not authorized to discuss any negotiations given the sensitive nature of the situation.The Athletic reported earlier Tuesday that Royals owner David Glass was in discussions with a group led by Kansas City native and Cleveland Indians vice chairman John Sherman. But the depth of those talks is unclear, and one person told the AP the club has been open to offers for some time.Sherman would need to divest himself of his shares in the Indians to buy the franchise."The Kansas City Royals are not in a position to make any comments on the published speculation regarding any potential sale of the ballclub," the team said in a statement shortly... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:BRYCE BLASTSQuiet for much of the season, Bryce Harper is making a lot of noise lately for the Phillies.Harper hollered as he ran around the bases after hitting a game-ending grand slam that rallied Philadelphia over the Cubs 7-5 Thursday night for a three-game sweep. Harper has seven homers and 15 RBIs in the last 12 games, keeping the Phils in the thick of the NL wild-card chase.Harper is batting .253 with 25 home runs and 87 RBIs. His slam was his biggest hit since signing a $330 million, 13-year contract to join the Phillies in spring training."Before I went to the plate, I touched my heart and I was thinking to myself: Why am I not jittery? Why am I not excited? But that's just how I am," Harper said. "I go up there and each at-bat is the same. I don't think about bases loaded. I try to get a pitch I can drive and hopefully good things happen. I love those moments. I love those opportunities. I think it helped me a lot from a young... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Friday:BRYCE BLASTSQuiet for much of the season, Bryce Harper is making a lot of noise lately for the Phillies.Harper hollered as he ran around the bases after hitting a game-ending grand slam that rallied Philadelphia over the Cubs 7-5 Thursday night for a three-game sweep. Harper has seven homers and 15 RBIs in the last 12 games, keeping the Phils in the thick of the NL wild-card chase.Harper is batting .253 with 25 home runs and 87 RBIs. His slam was his biggest hit since signing a $330 million, 13-year contract to join the Phillies in spring training."Before I went to the plate, I touched my heart and I was thinking to myself: Why am I not jittery? Why am I not excited? But that's just how I am," Harper said. "I go up there and each at-bat is the same. I don't think about bases loaded. I try to get a pitch I can drive and hopefully good things happen. I love those moments. I love those opportunities. I think it helped me a lot from a young... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — The San Francisco Giants could accelerate their timeline for Johnny Cueto to help with their pursuit of an NL wild card.Cueto had season-ending Tommy John surgery a year ago. The right-hander was scheduled to throw 45 pitches in a rehab start at Class A San Jose on Thursday night.The original plan was to have Cueto make at least two more rehab starts after that, but that could change.Giants manager Bruce Bochy says "Definitely needs a start tonight and another start. We'll see where we are at. I'm not saying we're going to do anything. I'm just saying that we will re-evaluate."Cueto went 3-2 with a 3.23 ERA in nine starts last season before the injury. He is in the fourth year of a six-year, $130 million contract.Bochy says Cueto is "pretty close to 100 percent, he just doesn't have the strength and stamina to go deep into games."The 33-year-old Cueto struck out seven in four scoreless innings in his first two rehab appearances in the rookie Arizona League.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PHOENIX (AP) — San Francisco Giants right-hander Johnny Cueto threw a bullpen session Saturday, and the team was encouraged enough for manager Bruce Bochy to say the club hopes Cueto can return toward the end of this season.Cueto, who had major elbow surgery last August, was 18-5 in 2016 and selected to the All-Star game, but has since gone 11-10 in the last two years combined."I think he surprised a lot of us with where he's at," Bochy said before Saturday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. "It's all fastballs, but he's gotten himself in great shape, too. I think it's the best shape I've seen Johnny in, to be honest."From what you saw today, you've got to believe he's going to be pitching before the season's over. I'm not going to be surprised if he pitches in September."Cueto threw off flat ground Saturday, and the hope is that next week he will throw breaking balls and changeups.If Cueto comes back in September, it will be as a starting pitcher, Bochy said. Cueto, 33, has been... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — San Francisco Giants hitting coach Alonzo Powell never considered stepping away when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Being around the game is good therapy, he said, and all he had to do was find a way to work his radiation treatments into his busy schedule.The 54-year-old was diagnosed during a routine physical in 2017 while he was on the Houston Astros' coaching staff. He underwent a biopsy after the '17 World Series, which the Astros won, and was told in January 2018 that he had prostate cancer.As Powell says, 2017 was the best year of his life, but in '18, his favorite college football team, Oklahoma, lost the Rose Bowl and he was told he had cancer."I'm in 2018 and I'm already 0 for 2," he said.Powell started radiation treatments on Jan. 8, 2018, and finished his 40th on Thursday, prompting a celebration by the Giants players."I made it through it and didn't have any issues and I was still able to come out and do my job which meant a lot to me to get... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — For nearly three years, Johnny Cueto pitched with a stabbing pain in his right elbow. He won 18 games for San Francisco in 2016 and started the All-Star game that year dealing with the discomfort.How he did so, Cueto isn't sure. And the animated right-hander can now envision how great it will be once he's back on the mound and pain-free following Tommy John reconstructive surgery."It was a lot for me to deal with. It was almost three years with pain in the elbow, and strong pain," said Cueto, who turns 33 on Friday. "It's not easy. Last year I started well, but it's a mental pain, it's a pain that felt like someone stuck a knife in my elbow and stabbed it over and over again. It was unbearable and I don't know how I was able to pitch and block the pain."Cueto arrived in Arizona a couple of days behind the Giants pitchers and catchers because of personal reasons and had his physical Thursday. He is scheduled to throw next week for the first time since his August... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — When catching prospect Joey Bart arrived in the San Francisco Giants' camp, he wanted to get over any nervousness about being around veterans such as Madison Bumgarner, so he made a point of introducing himself to the pitcher.The second overall pick in last year's amateur draft had no idea he'd be catching Bumgarner's first bullpen session Wednesday."I was walking in to catch and he was like, 'Let's go on No. 1,'" Bart said. "I was like, 'All right, here we go.'"Bumgarner hopes to bounce back from a disappointing 2018. The left-hander didn't make his season debut until June 5 after breaking the pinkie of his pitching hand when hit by a line drive off the bat of Kansas City's Whit Merrifield late in spring training. Bumgarner went 6-7 with a 3.26 ERA in 21 starts."You can tell he came in ready," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "It was a really good bullpen for him. It's good for the kid to catch him, too. First bullpen and he's catching your No. 1 guy. That's probably... [More]