CLEVELAND (AP) — The Indians' opener is Thursday in Detroit. Their closer isn't nearly as definitive. Cleveland enters the season with uncertainty at several positions, questions about whether their offense can produce enough to back a strong starting staff and manager Terry Francona deciding not to christen a closer from an interesting assortment of bullpen arms. For now, the closer's job is shared. After the Indians parted ways with All-Star Brad Hand this winter, it was assumed that hard-throwing right-hander James Karinchak, who had 53 strikeouts in 27 innings last season, would move into the vital closer spot. However, partly because of Karinchak's struggles during camp (6.10 ERA in 12 appearances) and because he has other options, Francona will use a rotation of relievers to close with Karinchak, Emmanuel Clase and Nick Wittgren all getting a turn. “It’s more how we get to a point in the game,” Francona said Wednesday on a Zoom call from Comerica Park. "I've never been real comfortable... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Bryan Shaw came to camp determined to show the Indians there were some quality innings left in that rubber right arm of his. They believe him. The 33-year-old right-hander, who signed a minor league deal with Cleveland this offseason, was told Wednesday by Chris Antonetti, the team's president of baseball operations, that he will make the opening-day roster. “It was awesome,” Shaw said of getting the news. “I mean, I kept giving him some crap every day, walking by (manager) Tito’s (Francona's) office, saying, ‘Hey, we got a meeting today?’ for the past week or so, trying to see if they’d tell me one way or another.” Shaw earned his spot in Cleveland's bullpen, where he spent 2013-17 and took the ball from Francona as often as needed. He'll get a one-year contract paying a $1 million salary in the major leagues and $125,000 in the minors and will have the chance to earn $1.3 million in performance bonuses based on pitching appearances: $100,000 each for 35 and 40, $150,000... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Bryan Shaw has pitched his way back into Cleveland's bullpen. The 33-year-old right-hander, who signed a minor league deal with the Indians this offseason, was told Wednesday that he will make the club's opening-day roster. He will get a one-year contract paying a $1 million salary in the major leagues and $125,000 in the minors and will have the chance to earn $1.3 million in performance bonuses based on pitching appearances: $100,000 each for 35 and 40, $150,000 apiece for 45, 50 and 55, and $200,000 each for 60, 65, 70 and 75. Shaw was a dependable reliever from 2013-17 with the Indians before signing with Colorado as a free agent. He came into camp determined to show he had something left, and Shaw has shown the Indians everything they wanted go see. Manager Terry Francona said he let Chris Antonetti, the team's president of baseball operations, deliver the news to Shaw. “We’ve actually had some really tough conversations, and I thought Chris should get to have one... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Free agent outfielder Delino DeShields has agreed to a minor league contract with Texas that includes an invitation to spring training with the Rangers, who traded him away just more than a year ago. The Rangers said Monday that free agent right-hander Sam Gaviglio also signed a minor league deal with a spring training invitation. DeShields and hard-throwing reliever Emmanuel Clase were traded to Cleveland in December 2019, with two-time AL Cy Young winner Corey Kluber going to the Rangers. Kluber pitched only one inning for Texas in his debut last July 26 before exiting with a torn muscle in his right shoulder, and last week signed an $11 million, one-year free-agent deal with the New York Yankees. The 28-year-old DeShields hit .252 with seven RBIs in 37 games last season with the Indians, who didn't offer him a contract for 2021. After being selected from Houston in the Rule 5 draft, DeShields played 539 games for the Rangers from 2015-19, hitting .246 with 18... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball’s number of drug tests dropped sharply during the novel coronavirus pandemic. There were 3,733 urine samples and 412 blood samples for human growth hormone testing collected during the year ending with the World Series, independent program administrator Thomas M. Martin said in his annual report Tuesday. That was down from 9,332 urine samples and 2,287 blood samples in the year ending with the 2019 World Series. “The lower testing numbers were a result of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the extended closure of the WADA-accredited anti-doping laboratory in Montreal,” Martin wrote. Spring training was interrupted in mid-March and the start of the regular season was delayed from late March until late July. Each team’s schedule was cut from 162 games to 60. There were 10 positive tests for performance-enhancing substances: two for Stanozolol (New York Mets second baseman Robinson Canó and free agent pitcher Victor Alcántara), five for Boldenone (Houston... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Jon Lester, Corey Kluber and Brad Hand were among 15 more major leaguers who became free agents Friday when teams declined their 2021 options, many the victims of budget cuts following a regular season without fans due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. Also cut loose were Milwaukee infielders Jedd Gyorko and Eric Sogard, Chicago White Sox designated hitter Edwin Encarnación and left-hander Gio González, and Philadelphia relievers David Robertson, Héctor Neris and David Phelps. AL champion Tampa Bay declined 2021 options on right-hander Charlie Morton and catcher Mike Zunino but say it remains hopeful of re-signing them. There are 175 players who became free agents following the World Series and about 15 more can go free this weekend. Among the remaining decisions are on player options by Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton, Boston designated hitter JD Martinez, Cincinnati outfielder Nick Castellanos and Mets reliever Dellin Betances. Teams must decide by 5 p.m. Sunday whether... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Jon Lester, Corey Kluber and Brad Hand were among 15 more major leaguers who became free agents Friday when teams declined their 2021 options, many the victims of budget cuts following a regular season without fans due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. Also cut loose were Milwaukee infielders Jedd Gyorko and Eric Sogard, Chicago White Sox designated hitter Edwin Encarnación and left-hander Gio González, and Philadelphia relievers David Robertson, Héctor Neris and David Phelps. AL champion Tampa Bay declined 2021 options on right-hander Charlie Morton and catcher Mike Zunino but say it remains hopeful of re-signing them. There are 175 players who became free agents following the World Series and about 15 more can go free this weekend. Among the remaining decisions are on player options by Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton, Boston designated hitter JD Martinez, Cincinnati outfielder Nick Castellanos and Mets reliever Dellin Betances. Teams must decide by 5 p.m. Sunday whether... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Texas Rangers on Friday declined the $18 million contract option on right-hander Corey Kluber, who lasted just one inning in his only start before a shoulder injury ended his season. Kluber gets a $1 million buyout, and the club has said it is interested in re-signing Kluber to a less expensive deal. The Rangers acquired the two-time Cy Young Award winner from Cleveland last offseason in a trade that sent hard-throwing reliever Emmanuel Clase to the Indians. Clase was suspended 80 games after testing positive for a banned performance-enhancing substance. Kluber threw 18 pitches in his only inning for the Rangers, leaving with shoulder tightness in a 5-2 loss to Colorado in the third game of the season. The 34-year-old was diagnosed with a small tear in his shoulder muscle the next day. It was Kluber's first appearance with a team other than Cleveland, and his first start in almost 15 months after his right forearm was broken by a line drive in what ended up being... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Whenever the Cleveland Indians finally get to start their season they won't have reliever Emmanuel Clase.The hard-throwing right-hander was suspended 80 games by Major League Baseball on Friday for testing positive for a banned performance-enhancing drug.Clase was the biggest acquisition by Cleveland in the big offseason trade that sent two-time Cy Young winner Corey Kluber to the Texas Rangers. The commissioner's office said the 22-year-old Clase tested positive for Boldenone, an anabolic steroid.Clase was expected to have a major role at the back end of the Indians' bullpen this season.His suspension will not begin until the start of the 2020 regular season, which has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If the season doesn't cover 80 games, MLB and the players' association are still working out if any carry over will apply for 2021.The regular season was scheduled to open March 26.The Indians said they were “disappointed” by Clase's suspension.“We fully support... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Whenever the Cleveland Indians finally get to start their season they won't have reliever Emmanuel Clase.The hard-throwing right-hander was suspended 80 games by Major League Baseball on Friday for testing positive for a banned performance-enhancing drug.Clase was the biggest acquisition by Cleveland in the big offseason trade that sent two-time Cy Young winner Corey Kluber to the Texas Rangers. The commissioner's office said the 22-year-old Clase tested positive for Boldenone, an anabolic steroid.Clase was expected to have a major role at the back end of the Indians' bullpen this season.His suspension will not begin until the start of the 2020 regular season, which has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If the season doesn't cover 80 games, MLB and the players' association are still working out if any carry over will apply for 2021.The regular season was scheduled to open March 26.The Indians said they were “disappointed” by Clase's suspension.“We fully support... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Indians reliever Emmanuel Clase has been suspended 80 games by Major League Baseball for testing positive for a banned performance-enhancing drug.Clase was acquired from the Texas Rangers this winter in Cleveland's trade of two-time Cy Young winner Corey Kluber. The commissioner's office said the 22-year-old Clase tested positive for Boldenone, an anabolic steroid.The hard-throwing right-hander was expected to have a major role at the back end of the Indians' bullpen this season.Clase's suspension will not begin until the start of the 2020 regular season, which has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If the season doesn't cover 80 games, MLB and the players' association are still working out if any carry over will apply for 2021.The Indians said they were “disappointed” by Clase's suspension.“We fully support Major League Baseball’s policy and its efforts to eliminate performance-enhancing drugs from our game,” the team said in a statement. “We have been in contact with Emmanuel, and we will welcome him back after the discipline has been served. ”Clase made his debut with the Rangers in August. He appeared in 21 games, going 2-3 with a 2.31 ERA. He struck out 21 in 23 1-3 innings.Clase is scheduled to make $564,800 this season.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Dad, the elder Delino DeShields, is working less than 100 yards away, behind a fence dividing Cleveland's training complex from the Cincinnati Reds facility. Sister Diamond DeShields is just a phone call away.Together, they help Delino DeShields strive to meet his latest challenge: making an impact in his first season with the Indians.He talks baseball and life with Dad and mental outlook with his sister, a rising WNBA star."Baseball is a big part of our lives, so it is something we both bond over,'' DeShields said of his father, a 13-year MLB veteran who is in his second year as the first base coach of the Reds.DeShields relishes discussions with his sister as well. The former Tennessee standout earned all-WNBA honors last season for the Chicago Sky and was an All-Rookie selection in 2018."She has a killer mindset,'' Delino proudly said. "I thought she could have been a professional in high school, just the way she carried herself and the way she led her team. She... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Dad, the elder Delino DeShields, is working less than 100 yards away, behind a fence dividing Cleveland's training complex from the Cincinnati Reds facility. Sister Diamond DeShields is just a phone call away.Together, they help Delino DeShields strive to meet his latest challenge: making an impact in his first season with the Indians.He talks baseball and life with Dad and mental outlook with his sister, a rising WNBA star."Baseball is a big part of our lives, so it is something we both bond over,'' DeShields said of his father, a 13-year MLB veteran who is in his second year as the first base coach of the Reds.DeShields relishes discussions with his sister as well. The former Tennessee standout earned all-WNBA honors last season for the Chicago Sky and was an All-Rookie selection in 2018."She has a killer mindset,'' Delino proudly said. "I thought she could have been a professional in high school, just the way she carried herself and the way she led her team. She... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Cleveland Indians outfielder Oscar Mercado will undergo an MRI on his left wrist, which he injured while making a diving catch in an exhibition game.Manager Terry Francona said Mercado, who had a solid rookie season in 2019, will have the imaging tests on Friday. The team will provide an update on his status once the tests are completed and evaluated.Mercado got hurt when he caught a ball hit by San Francisco’s Alex Dickerson in the fourth inning of Thursday's game in Scottsdale. The 25-year-old did not return, and the Indians said the initial diagnosis was that Mercado sustained a sprain.Before getting hurt, Mercado hit a two-run homer in the top of the inning.Cleveland's outfield situation remains fluid, and Mercado's injury is the latest to hit the team at spring training.Mercado batted .269 with 15 homers and 59 RBIs in 118 games last season and was penciled in for a starting spot this year.His versatility will allow Francona to play him in any of the three outfield... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Cleveland Indians outfielder Oscar Mercado will undergo an MRI on his left wrist, which he injured while making a diving catch in an exhibition game.Manager Terry Francona said Mercado, who had a solid rookie season in 2019, will have the imaging tests on Friday. The team will provide an update on his status once the tests are completed and evaluated.Mercado got hurt when he caught a ball hit by San Francisco’s Alex Dickerson in the fourth inning of Thursday's game in Scottsdale. The 25-year-old did not return, and the Indians said the initial diagnosis was that Mercado sustained a sprain.Before getting hurt, Mercado hit a two-run homer in the top of the inning.Cleveland's outfield situation remains fluid, and Mercado's injury is the latest to hit the team at spring training.Mercado batted .269 with 15 homers and 59 RBIs in 118 games last season and was penciled in for a starting spot this year.His versatility will allow Francona to play him in any of the three outfield... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Cleveland Indians outfielder Oscar Mercado will undergo an MRI on his left wrist, which he injured while making a diving catch in an exhibition game.Manager Terry Francona said Mercado, who had a solid rookie season in 2019, will have the imaging tests on Friday. The team will provide an update on his status once the tests are completed and evaluated.Mercado got hurt when he caught a ball hit by San Francisco’s Alex Dickerson in the fourth inning of Thursday's game in Scottsdale. The 25-year-old did not return, and the Indians said the initial diagnosis was that Mercado sustained a sprain.Before getting hurt, Mercado hit a two-run homer in the top of the inning.Cleveland's outfield situation remains fluid, and Mercado's injury is the latest to hit the team at spring training.Mercado batted .269 with 15 homers and 59 RBIs in 118 games last season and was penciled in for a starting spot this year.His versatility will allow Francona to play him in any of the three outfield... [More]

Anthony Rendon won a World Series in Washington and then left the Nationals to join Mike Trout and Albert Pujols with the Los Angeles Angels. Gerrit Cole went to the New York Yankees to try to put them over the top.Mookie Betts, the 2018 AL MVP, and two-time Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber were shipped out by cash-cutting teams.It's been an active offseason for some of baseball's biggest names. There were a few, like World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg and Red Sox slugger J.D. Martinez, who decided to stick with the same teams. But for those who didn't, here's a scorecard to help you keep track of the offseason comings and goings:—Cole, from Astros to Yankees: The 29-year-old right-hander took a record $36 million per year over nine years to move from Houston to the Bronx. At his introductory news conference, he pulled out a pinstriped poster he waved when he attended the 2001 World Series as an 11-year-old reading: “Yankee Fan Today Tomorrow Forever." Cole was 20-5 with an AL-leading... [More]

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Corey Kluber faced major league hitters for the first time in 10 months — in a new uniform, no less — and said he didn't feel any different. "Maybe a little bit beforehand," the Texas Rangers right-hander said Sunday after throwing three innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers. "But once you get out there and start stretching, playing catch, getting loose in the bullpen, all that stuff kinda goes away. "It just turns into another start, whether it's the regular season or spring training. That's kind of how everything usually goes for me."It was Kluber's first time facing a major league lineup since May 1 with Cleveland, when Miami's Brian Anderson hit a line drive off his pitching arm and broke it. Kluber then injured an oblique during a rehab assignment, which ended his season — and it turned out, his time with Cleveland. The Indians traded him to Texas this offseason. The cool-headed Kluber allowed two runs and two hits Sunday, including a home run to Enrique Hernandez.... [More]

GOODYEAR, Arizona (AP) — Indians reliever Emmanuel Clase could be sidelined three months with a strained back muscle, another blow to Cleveland's pitching staff.The hard-throwing Clase, the centerpiece of an offseason trade that sent two-time Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber to Texas, experienced upper arm discomfort following a bullpen session last week. He continued to have issues this week and the Indians had him undergo imaging tests Wednesday.An MRI confirmed a moderate strain of the teres major muscle in his upper back. The team said he will be re-evaluated weekly, but the 21-year-old is expected to miss 8-to-12 weeks of game activity.Clase was expected to have a role in the back end of Cleveland's bullpen.It's been a tough start to camp for Indians pitchers as starters Mike Clevinger (knee surgery), Carlos Carrasco (hip flexor) and Aaron Civale (sore groin) are all sidelined. Clevinger is making progress but is not expected to be ready for major league games until at least mid-April.Clase's fastball has been clocked over 100 mph. He made 21 appearances for the Rangers last season and recorded 21 strikeouts in 23 1/3 innings.Before being hurt, he had been impressive this spring. Manager Terry Francona noted after a session earlier in camp that Clase was "throwing 100 mph bowling balls. It was heavy. It looked really heavy.”___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sport s

GOODYEAR, Ariz (AP) — Nolan Jones hopes his older brother will now finally stop bugging him.The Indians' top infield prospect received a big surprise when he was invited to training camp on Monday after making a quick recovery following thumb surgery in October. Jones, a left-handed slugging third baseman who has moved quickly through Cleveland's minor league system, doesn't have to hear any more taunts and teasing from his brother, Peyton, a Penn State goaltender likely headed to play in the NHL.“My brother kept telling me I'm soft,” Jones said with a grin shortly after he was called into Indians manager Terry Francona's office and welcomed. “I'm super excited. It is a huge opportunity to learn from the best players in the game. I get to be around a lot of these guys and get to know them.”The thumb injury sustained in the Arizona Fall League marred a season in which Jones, the Indians' second overall draft pick in 2016, was making more progress. The 21-year-old was promoted to Double-A... [More]