The Washington Nationals are ready to take the field as defending champs.The fans won't be there, but the ballpark will reflect the team's proud status.The Nationals are planning to raise a new 2019 World Series champions flag before Thursday night's opener against the New York Yankees. Other festivities include a ceremonial first pitch thrown by Dr. Anthony Fauci and a previously recorded Presidents Race to be shown during the fourth inning.“We definitely feel a connection with the fans so we’re really going to miss them and we’ll be thinking about them. We’ll be pumping in crowd noise to try to make up the difference,” reliever Sean Doolittle said.“I think opening day, like I said, we’ve got that patch on our uniform sleeve that says world champs. Going out there to start to defend our championship is something we’ve been looking forward to since the end of October," he added.The Nationals also say a Black Lives Matter stencil will appear on the pitcher's mound during games on opening... [More]

The Washington Nationals are ready to take the field as defending World Series champions.The fans won't be there, but the ballpark will reflect the team's new status.The Nationals are planning to raise a new 2019 World Series champions flag before Thursday night's opener against the New York Yankees. Other festivities include a ceremonial first pitch thrown by Dr. Anthony Fauci and a previously recorded Presidents Race to be shown during the fourth inning.“We definitely feel a connection with the fans so we’re really going to miss them and we’ll be thinking about them. We’ll be pumping in crowd noise to try to make up the difference,” reliever Sean Doolittle said.“I think opening day, like I said, we’ve got that patch on our uniform sleeve that says world champs. Going out there to start to defend our championship is something we’ve been looking forward to since the end of October," he said.The Nationals also say a Black Lives Matter stencil will appear on the pitcher's mound during games... [More]

Opening day rosters gained clarity on Tuesday when the Atlanta Braves reached an agreement with Yasiel Puig, and Tampa Bay pitcher Tyler Glasnow provided hopes for teams awaiting players to be cleared following positive tests for the coronavirus.Puig agreed to a one-year deal pending a physical, a person with knowledge of the agreement told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement is not official until Puig passes the physical.The 29-year-old Puig, who began his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, hit a combined .267 with 24 homers and 84 RBIs for Cincinnati and Cleveland in 2019. He also stole 19 bases.Puig was the last big-name free agent from the offseason who had not signed with a team. He helps the Braves fill a void left when Nick Markakis opted out for the season.Glasnow rejoined the Rays after missing the first 11 days of summer camp following his positive test. The right-hander immediately jumped into a simulated game at Tropicana... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Texas Rangers catcher Robinson Chirinos could miss the start of the season because of an injured right ankle sustained in an intrasquad game.Manager Chris Woodward said Tuesday night that Chirinos was probably better than anticipated a day after getting hurt, but that it was still unclear how long the catcher would be out. The season opener is July 24 at home against Colorado.“Encouraging to see him walking around. Not a lot of swelling," Woodward said. “I guess we’ll take it day by day, but there is a slight chance he may be ready for the start of the season, or maybe down for the beginning of the year. But it is encouraging. It could have been a lot worse.”Chirinos was hurt Monday night when taking a throw at the plate, rolling his ankle when Scott Heineman hit it while sliding into the plate. Chirinos stayed seated on the ground for a few minutes before walking gingerly to the dugout.Chirinos returned to the Rangers as a free agent after one season away, spending... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Blake Snell, Juan Soto and Bo Bichette are among the baseball stars switching over to PlayStation with America's pastime on hold. Thirty big leaguers — one from each team — have signed on to play a round-robin regular season on the MLB The Show video game with the real season on hold due to the novel coronavirus. Snell, a Cy Young Award winner with Tampa Bay, will face Cincinnati reliever Amir Garrett in the opener Friday night. That matchup will air on Snell's Twitch feed, and other games will be streamed via Twitch and YouTube with MLB Network host Robert Flores providing commentary.The venture was launched Friday by Major League Baseball, the players’ association and Sony Interactive Entertainment. Participants range in age from 36-year-old San Francisco outfielder Hunter Pence to 21-year-old San Diego infielder Fernando Tatis Jr. There are 11 All-Stars, including Milwaukee reliever Josh Hader, Texas slugger Joey Gallo and the New York Mets' Jeff McNeil. “We’ll see how... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Rangers left fielder Willie Calhoun says he has been cleared to resume workouts in his recovery from a broken jaw. Calhoun tweeted Thursday that he was ready to start his daily workouts and baseball activities again. The Texas outfielder had surgery March 9, a day after he was hit in the face by a fastball during a spring training game and suffered a broken jaw. A plate was inserted to stabilize the jaw. His tweet came on the same day that was scheduled to be opening day before the coronavirus pandemic indefinitely pushed back the start the MLB season. “Willie being healthy is going to help us a lot,” manager Chris Woodward said earlier this week. “That was going to be a big black eye for us to start the season, and now it won't be because he will be healthy. He can't wait to get started."Calhoun hit .269 with 21 homers in 83 games last season. He became the starting left fielder after the Rangers traded outfielders Delino DeShields and Nomar Mazara over the winter. ___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Texas Rangers outfielder Willie Calhoun had surgery to repair his broken jaw Monday, a day after being hit in the face by a fastball.“Hey guys, just want to thank everyone for your prayers," Calhoun tweeted Monday night. “I just got out of surgery and I’m doing well. Can’t wait to be back hitting homers soon."Surgeons were prepared to wire Calhoun's jaw shut but instead installed a plate to steady the fracture, which should make for a quicker recovery. Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said Calhoun would be released from the hospital this week, possibly Tuesday, and will be re-evaluated in two weeks, at which time Texas may get a better idea of his timetable for a return.Daniels said doctors had not yet determined if Calhoun had a concussion. While Calhoun is almost certain to open the season on the injured list, Daniels characterized the outcome of the surgery as relatively positive.“Certainly, in my opinion it is,” he said.The 25-year-old Calhoun set career highs... [More]

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Texas Rangers outfielder Willie Calhoun had surgery to repair his broken jaw Monday, a day after being hit in the face by a fastball.Surgeons were prepared to wire Calhoun's jaw shut but instead installed a plate to steady the fracture, which should make for a quicker recovery. Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said Calhoun would be released from the hospital this week, possibly Tuesday, and will be re-evaluated in two weeks, at which time Texas may get a better idea of his timetable for a return.Daniels said doctors had not yet determined if Calhoun had a concussion. While Calhoun is almost certain to open the season on the injured list, Daniels characterized the outcome of the surgery as relatively positive.“Certainly, in my opinion it is,” he said. The left-handed hitting Calhoun was hit by a first-inning fastball from Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Julio Urías — a former minor league teammate and friend of Calhoun's. Drafted by the Dodgers in 2015, Calhoun... [More]

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Texas Rangers outfielder Willie Calhoun was having surgery to repair his broken jaw Monday, a day after being hit in the face by a fastball.Rangers manager Chris Woodward said Calhoun was being operated on prior to Texas' spring training game against the Oakland Athletics. Woodward said doctors would decide during the procedure whether Calhoun would need to have his mouth wired shut, or if a plate would be inserted.The recovery if he only needs a plate is expected to be shorter. Woodward also said the team was not yet sure if Calhoun had a concussion.The left-handed hitting Calhoun was hit by a first-inning fastball from Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Julio Urias — a former minor league teammate and friend of Calhoun's. Drafted by the Dodgers in 2015, Calhoun was traded to Texas in July 2017 in a package for Yu Darvish.Woodward said Urias texted Calhoun to express concern.The 25-year-old Calhoun was air-lifted to a hospital, and Woodward left Texas' game to meet... [More]

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Texas Rangers outfielder Willie Calhoun has a broken jaw after being hit in the mouth by a fastball Sunday. The left-handed hitting Calhoun crumbled after being struck in the face by a fastball from Los Angeles Dodgers lefty Julio Urias in the first inning of a spring training game. Calhoun fell on his back, put his hands over his face and was eventually carried off on a cart. The Rangers said he was taken to a hospital and had a CT scan, which revealed a fracture of his jaw. He's expected to be re-examined Monday.A fourth-round pick by the Dodgers in 2015, Calhoun was acquired by Texas in a trade for Yu Darvish in 2017 and established himself in the Rangers' lineup last year. The 25-year-old set career bests with 21 homers, a .269 average and an .848 OPS in 83 games.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Texas Rangers outfielder Willie Calhoun was hit in the mouth by a fastball Sunday and taken to a hospital.The left-handed hitting Calhoun crumbled after being struck in the jaw by a fastball from Los Angeles Dodgers lefty Julio Urias in the first inning of a spring training game. Calhoun fell on his back, put his hands over his face and was eventually carried off on a cart. The Rangers said he was taken to a hospital. A fourth-round pick by the Dodgers in 2015, Calhoun was acquired by Texas in a trade for Yu Darvish in 2017 and established himself in the Rangers' lineup last year. The 25-year-old set career bests with 21 homers, a .269 average and an .848 OPS in 83 games.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Yankees first. DJ LeMahieu flies out to center field to Danny Santana. Aaron Judge triples to deep center field. Brett Gardner out on a sacrifice fly to deep right field to Scott Heineman. Aaron Judge scores. Giancarlo Stanton grounds out to shortstop, Elvis Andrus to Ronald Guzman.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Yankees 1, Rangers 0.Rangers first. Shin-Soo Choo walks. Elvis Andrus strikes out swinging. Willie Calhoun pops out to shallow infield to Didi Gregorius. Danny Santana walks. Rougned Odor doubles to deep right center field. Danny Santana scores. Shin-Soo Choo scores. Scott Heineman walks. Ronald Guzman grounds out to second base, DJ LeMahieu to Mike Ford.2 runs, 1 hit, 1 error, 2 left on. Rangers 2, Yankees 1.Rangers fourth. Scott Heineman doubles to deep left field. Ronald Guzman walks. Jose Trevino doubles to deep left field. Ronald Guzman to third. Scott Heineman scores. Isiah Kiner-Falefa strikes out swinging. Shin-Soo Choo strikes out swinging. Elvis Andrus is intentionally... [More]

Yankees first. DJ LeMahieu grounds out to shortstop, Elvis Andrus to Danny Santana. Giancarlo Stanton homers to center field. Gleyber Torres singles to left field. Luke Voit called out on strikes. Gary Sanchez strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Yankees 1, Rangers 0.Rangers first. Shin-Soo Choo flies out to deep center field to Brett Gardner. Elvis Andrus singles to center field. Willie Calhoun reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Elvis Andrus out at second. Danny Santana homers to center field. Willie Calhoun scores. Nick Solak doubles to deep center field. Rougned Odor strikes out on a foul tip.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Rangers 2, Yankees 1.Yankees second. Brett Gardner called out on strikes. Gio Urshela called out on strikes. Cameron Maybin homers to center field. Mike Ford called out on strikes.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Yankees 2, Rangers 2.Yankees fourth. Brett Gardner homers to center field. Gio Urshela singles to right center field.... [More]

Red sox fourth. Marco Hernandez singles to second base. Andrew Benintendi strikes out swinging. J.D. Martinez singles to left field. Marco Hernandez to third. Sam Travis singles to left field. J.D. Martinez to second. Marco Hernandez scores. Brock Holt reaches on a fielder's choice to first base. Sam Travis out at second. J.D. Martinez to third. Gorkys Hernandez doubles to deep left field. Brock Holt to third. J.D. Martinez scores. Jackie Bradley Jr. singles to second base. Gorkys Hernandez to third. Brock Holt scores. Sandy Leon grounds out to shallow infield, Mike Minor to Ronald Guzman.3 runs, 5 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Red sox 3, Rangers 0.Rangers fourth. Willie Calhoun walks. Danny Santana reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Willie Calhoun out at second. Rougned Odor strikes out swinging. Nick Solak doubles to deep left field. Danny Santana scores. Ronald Guzman walks. Jose Trevino called out on strikes.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on. Red sox 3, Rangers 1.Rangers fifth.... [More]

Rangers first. Shin-Soo Choo doubles to deep right field. Elvis Andrus singles to shallow right field. Shin-Soo Choo to third. Willie Calhoun hit by pitch. Elvis Andrus to second. Rougned Odor doubles to deep right field, advances to 3rd. Willie Calhoun out at home. Elvis Andrus scores. Shin-Soo Choo scores. Danny Santana grounds out to second base, Chris Owings to Mitch Moreland. Ronald Guzman singles to shallow left field. Rougned Odor scores. Scott Heineman reaches on a fielder's choice to third base. Ronald Guzman out at second.3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Rangers 3, Red sox 0.Red sox second. J.D. Martinez singles to left field. Christian Vazquez reaches on a fielder's choice to third base. J.D. Martinez out at second. Mitch Moreland singles to right center field. Christian Vazquez to third. Gorkys Hernandez walks. Mitch Moreland to second. Jackie Bradley Jr. grounds out to second base, Elvis Andrus to Ronald Guzman. Gorkys Hernandez to second. Mitch Moreland to third. Christian... [More]

Red sox first. Mookie Betts grounds out to shortstop, Elvis Andrus to Danny Santana. Rafael Devers singles to shallow left field. Xander Bogaerts singles to second base. Rafael Devers scores. J.D. Martinez singles to second base. Xander Bogaerts scores. Mitch Moreland grounds out to shallow right field, Rougned Odor to Edinson Volquez. J.D. Martinez to second. Andrew Benintendi singles to shallow center field. J.D. Martinez to third. Christian Vazquez walks. Andrew Benintendi to second. Jackie Bradley Jr. doubles to deep right center field. Christian Vazquez to third. Andrew Benintendi scores. J.D. Martinez scores. Marco Hernandez flies out to deep right field to Scott Heineman.4 runs, 5 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Red sox 4, Rangers 0.Rangers first. Delino DeShields strikes out swinging. Elvis Andrus doubles to deep left center field. Willie Calhoun singles to shallow infield. Elvis Andrus to third. Nick Solak strikes out swinging. Danny Santana walks. Willie Calhoun to second. Rougned... [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]

Athletics first. Marcus Semien singles to left field. Matt Chapman singles to right center field. Marcus Semien to third. Matt Olson singles to right field. Matt Chapman to second. Marcus Semien scores. Mark Canha reaches on a fielder's choice to third base, advances to 2nd. Matt Olson scores. Matt Chapman out at third. Throwing error by Nick Solak. Ramon Laureano doubles to deep right field. Mark Canha scores. Khris Davis walks. Chad Pinder walks. Khris Davis to second. Ramon Laureano to third. Sheldon Neuse out on a sacrifice fly to right field to Shin-Soo Choo. Khris Davis to third. Ramon Laureano scores. Josh Phegley singles to left field. Chad Pinder to second. Khris Davis scores. Marcus Semien walks. Josh Phegley to second. Chad Pinder to third. Matt Chapman singles to center field. Marcus Semien to third. Josh Phegley scores. Chad Pinder scores. Matt Olson strikes out swinging.7 runs, 6 hits, 1 error, 2 left on. Athletics 7, Rangers 0.Athletics second. Mark Canha singles to shallow... [More]

Athletics second. Ramon Laureano singles to shallow right field. Khris Davis strikes out swinging. Sean Murphy walks. Ramon Laureano to second. Chad Pinder homers to center field. Sean Murphy scores. Ramon Laureano scores. Sheldon Neuse grounds out to first base, Ronald Guzman to Mike Minor. Marcus Semien flies out to left field to Willie Calhoun.3 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Athletics 3, Rangers 0.Athletics third. Matt Chapman walks. Matt Olson grounds out to first base to Ronald Guzman. Matt Chapman to second. Mark Canha doubles to deep right field. Matt Chapman scores. Ramon Laureano pops out to shallow infield to Rougned Odor. Khris Davis flies out to center field to Delino DeShields.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Athletics 4, Rangers 0.Athletics fourth. Sean Murphy walks. Chad Pinder singles to left field. Sean Murphy to second. Sheldon Neuse grounds out to second base. Chad Pinder out at second. Sean Murphy to third. Marcus Semien doubles to deep left field. Sean Murphy... [More]