GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — With a hop off his feet turning a double play and by driving a ball nearly over the fence, Indians three-time All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor moved closer to returning from a right calf strain.Yet his status for opening day on March 28 at Minnesota remains uncertain.Batting every inning in a modified intrasquad minor league game, Lindor made eight plate appearances, going 0-for-6 with two walks.Eager to hit, Lindor swung on a 3-0 count during his sixth plate appearance, extending it to nine pitches and drawing a walk. Out of caution and because of his morning base running, he was replaced by a pinch runner.On a 3-0 count on his next plate appearance, he ripped a ball to the right field fence where prospect Oscar Gonzalez made a leaping catch, preventing a home run.Lindor was asked if he needs to appear in a Cactus League game to be ready for the season opener."I don't think so. I can play in the minor leagues or B games to be ready," he said."Baseball's such a... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Mike Trout and the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday night announced their 12-year contract, a record deal that ties baseball's top player to the Orange County club for what likely will be the rest of his career.A person with knowledge of the contract told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the deal is worth $432 million, shattering baseball's previous high set when Bryce Harper and Philadelphia struck a $330 million, 13-year agreement earlier in spring training. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal had not yet been finalized.The Angels will celebrate with a public appearance by Trout outside Angel Stadium on Sunday when the team returns from spring training for the first of three exhibitions against the Dodgers. Fans are invited to welcome home the two-time AL MVP, who already ranks among the most accomplished players of his generation."This is where I wanted to be all along," Trout said in a statement. "I have enjoyed my time as an Angel and... [More]

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Don't expect AL MVP Mookie Betts to agree to a long-term contract with the Boston Red Sox before he can become a free agent in late 2020.Despite Mike Trout's $432 million, 12-year agreement with the Los Angeles Angels, Nolan Arenado's $260 million, eight-year deal with the Colorado Rockies and Alex Bregman's pending $100 million, six-year contract with the Houston Astros, Betts is content to remain on track for testing the market."That's exactly what I expect," he said Wednesday, the day after Trout's deal became widely known. "Didn't expect anything to happen until I'm a free agent. So, it's just one of those things where you just got to go out and play. Can't worry about the economics of the game right now. They have to take care of what they have to take care of. I'm going to take care of what I have to take care of. But the common thing is to win a World Series, and I think that's definitely what we both want to do."Manny Machado joined the San Diego Padres as... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — With a hop off his feet turning a double play and by driving a ball nearly over the fence, Indians three-time All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor moved closer to returning from a right calf strain.Yet his status for opening day on March 28 at Minnesota remains uncertain.Batting every inning in a modified intrasquad minor league game, Lindor made eight plate appearances, going 0-for-6 with two walks.Eager to hit, Lindor swung on a 3-0 count during his sixth plate appearance, extending it to nine pitches and drawing a walk. Out of caution and because of his morning base running, he was replaced by a pinch runner.On a 3-0 count on his next plate appearance, he ripped a ball to the right field fence where prospect Oscar Gonzalez made a leaping catch, preventing a home run.Lindor was asked if he needs to appear in a Cactus League game to be ready for the season opener."I don't think so. I can play in the minor leagues or B games to be ready," he said."Baseball's such a... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — With a hop off his feet turning a double play and by driving a ball nearly over the fence, Indians three-time All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor moved closer to returning from a right calf strain.Yet his status for opening day on March 28 at Minnesota remains uncertain.Batting every inning in a modified intrasquad minor league game, Lindor made eight plate appearances, going 0-for-6 with two walks.Eager to hit, Lindor swung on a 3-0 count during his sixth plate appearance, extending it to nine pitches and drawing a walk. Out of caution and because of his morning base running, he was replaced by a pinch runner.On a 3-0 count on his next plate appearance, he ripped a ball to the right field fence where prospect Oscar Gonzalez made a leaping catch, preventing a home run.Lindor was asked if he needs to appear in a Cactus League game to be ready for the season opener."I don't think so. I can play in the minor leagues or B games to be ready," he said."Baseball's such a... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Mike Trout and the Angels announced their 12-year contract, a record deal that ties baseball's top player to Los Angeles for what likely will be the rest of his career.A person with knowledge of the contract told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the deal is worth $432 million, shattering baseball's previous high set when Bryce Harper and Philadelphia struck a $330 million, 13-year agreement earlier in spring training. The person spoke on condition of anonymity the deal had not yet been finalized.Angels owner Arte Moreno says in a statement Wednesday he is thrilled Trout "has agreed to wear an Angels uniform for his entire career."Trout had been due $66.5 million over the next two seasons under his previous deal, a $144.5 million, six-year agreement.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox are nearing a $43 million, six-year contract with highly regarded outfield prospect Eloy Jimenez, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.The person spoke on the condition of anonymity Wednesday because the deal had not been agreed to. The contract would include team options for 2025 and 2026 that if exercised would make the agreement worth $77.5 million over eight years.Jimenez's deal would nearly double the previous high for a player with no major league service: Scott Kingery's $24 million, six-year contract with Philadelphia before 2018 season.Jimenez was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte on March 13. Ifthe 22-year-old is kept in the minor leagues for the first 20 days of the season, it would push back his free agent eligibility by one year until after the 2025 season.Jimenez was a key part of the trade that sent pitcher Jose Quintana to the crosstown Cubs during the 2017 season. Jimenez hit .337 with 22 homers and 75 RBIs at Double-A and Triple-A last season.___AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Bryce Harper got his first hit of spring training.Harper lined a 97-mph fastball to center in the fourth inning of Wednesday's game against Detroit his first spring training hit with the Philadelphia Phillies after a 0-for-9 start.Harper jokingly gestured toward the dugout that he wanted to keep the ball.It was Harper's 16th plate appearance over six exhibition games. Spencer Turnbull struck him out swinging in the first.In his final at-bat, Harper walked against Reed Garrett to lead off the seventh. Harper has struck out six times and drawn five walks."Took great swings on pitches that he just missed and fouled back," Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said after the 3-1 loss to the Tigers."And one swing, a foul ball (down the third-base side) that was a real near-miss. You could see with just a little bit better timing that ball is in the seats in left field. So, a lot to get excited about there with Bryce."Harper played seven innings in right field.Kapler plans to hit Harper third regularly... [More]

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (AP) — Rookie Brandon Lowe, who made his big league debut last August, has agreed to a $24 million, six-year contract with the Tampa Bay Rays.Lowe's deal, announced Wednesday, includes club options for 2025 and 2026 with escalators based on MVP voting that could make the agreement worth $49 million over eight seasons.The 24-year-old infielder and outfielder has just 58 days of major league service.Lowe joins Evan Longoria, Matt Moore and Chris Archer as players with less than one year of major league service when they long-term deals with Tampa Bay.Lowe joined the Rays on Aug. 4 and appeared in 43 games. From Aug. 15 on, he hit .273 with six homers and 25 RBIs in 37 games.He gets $1 million this year, $1.5 million in 2020, $2.5 million in 2021, $4 million in 2022, $5.25 million in 2023 and $8.75 million in 2024. Tampa Bay has a $10.5 million option for 2025 with a $1 million buyout, and if that is exercised the Rays have an $11.5 million option for 2026 with a $500,000 buyout.His option salaries would escalate by $1 million for each top five finish in MVP voting in any earlier season, up to a $2 million maximum for each option.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.comMLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Mike Trout was back on the baseball field Wednesday, getting at-bats during an intrasquad minor league game against other Los Angeles Angels players. He finished his six plate appearances at Field 4 with a home run, signed some autographs, and chatted with former Angels outfielder Torii Hunter.Trout didn't speak to the media but Angels teammate Shohei Ohtani did, touting the two-time Most Valuable Player as being worthy of a new contract extension."I'm really happy and excited to play with such a great player for a long time," Ohtani said through an interpreter. "If anyone deserved such a big contract, it's Mike, and I think he surely deserves it."Trout, 27, and the Angels are close to finalizing a $432 million, 12-year contract. The deal was disclosed Tuesday by a person familiar with the negotiations who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. The contract was likely to be announced by the end of the week, the person said.Ohtani first met Trout during... [More]

Bryce Harper got his first hit of spring training.Harper lined a 97-mph fastball to center in the fourth inning of Wednesday's game against Detroit his first spring training hit with the Philadelphia Phillies after a 0-for-9 start.Harper jokingly gestured toward the dugout that he wanted to keep the ball.It was Harper's 16th plate appearance over six exhibition games. Spencer Turnbull struck him out swinging in the first.In his final at-bat, Harper walked against Reed Garrett to lead off the seventh. Harper has struck out six times and drawn five walks."Took great swings on pitches that he just missed and fouled back," Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said after the 3-1 loss to the Tigers."And one swing, a foul ball (down the third-base side) that was a real near-miss. You could see with just a little bit better timing that ball is in the seats in left field. So, a lot to get excited about there with Bryce."Harper played seven innings in right field.Kapler plans to hit Harper third regularly... [More]

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — When they started spring training, the Atlanta Braves had one opening in their pitching rotation. With a week to go before opening day, they may have three.The Braves are holding out some hope that Kevin Gausman will work through his shoulder soreness in time to pitch a game in the first turn through their rotation.However, that appears unlikely. Gausman, who has pitched only two innings in games this spring, threw a 58-pitch bullpen session on Tuesday."You'd like to get him up to 90 before you'd pitch him in a major league game," said manager Brian Snitker.Mike Foltynewicz, who last pitched Feb. 24 before elbow soreness set in, is throwing again but will need a month buildup before starting a regular-season game.That leaves Julio Teheran and Sean Newcomb as the only named members of the rotation, with Teheran expected to start the Braves' opener at Philadelphia on March 28.Snitker doesn't expect to announce any additions in the next few days."We've got a week left... [More]

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Don't expect AL MVP Mookie Betts to agree to a long-term contract with the Boston Red Sox before he can become a free agent in late 2020.Despite Mike Trout's pending $432 million, 12-year agreement with the Los Angeles Angels, Nolan Arenado's $260 million, eight-year deal with the Colorado Rockies and Alex Bregman's pending $100 million, six-year contract with the Houston Astros, Betts is content to remain on track for testing the market."That's exactly what I expect," he said Wednesday, the day after Trout's deal became widely known. "Didn't expect anything to happen until I'm a free agent. So, it's just one of those things where you just got to go out and play. Can't worry about the economics of the game right now. They have to take care of what they have to take care of. I'm going to take care of what I have to take care of. But the common thing is to win a World Series, and I think that's definitely what we both want to do."Manny Machado joined the San Diego... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that the Chicago White Sox are nearing a $43 million, six-year contract with highly regarded outfield prospect Eloy Jimenez.The person spoke on the condition of anonymity Wednesday because the deal had not been agreed to. The contract would include team options for 2025 and 2026 that if exercised would make the agreement worth $77.5 million over eight years.Jimenez's deal would nearly double the previous high for a player with no major league service: Scott Kingery's $24 million, six-year contract with Philadelphia before 2018 season.Jimenez was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte on March 13. If he the 22-year-old is kept in the minor leagues for the first 20 days of the season, it would push back his free agent eligibility by one year until after the 2025 season.Jimenez was a key part of the trade that sent pitcher Jose Quintana to the crosstown Cubs during the 2017 season. Jimenez hit .337 with 22 homers and 75 RBIs at Double-A and Triple-A last season.___AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Outfielder Matt Joyce has reached agreement on a minor league deal with the San Francisco Giants following his release by Cleveland.The Giants announced Wednesday the non-roster addition of Joyce, who is 34 and spent the past two seasons across the bay with Oakland. He played in just 83 games last season while dealing with a lingering back injury, batting .208 with seven home runs and 15 RBIs.The Indians signed Carlos Gonzalez to a minor league deal Tuesday, making Joyce expendable. He was released from his minor league contract, making him a free agent.Joyce, a left-handed hitter, had 25 homers and 68 RBIs while batting .243 in 141 games for the Athletics in 2017. He gives manager Bruce Bochy more depth for now in an outfield that is expected to feature Steven Duggar, Gerardo Parra and Mac Williamson. Cameron Maybin also joined the Giants on a minor league deal this spring.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Bryce Harper finally got his first spring training hit with the Philadelphia Phillies after a 0-for-9 start.The slugger lined a 97-mph fastball to center on a 2-1 pitch from Detroit Tigers right-hander Spencer Turnbull in the fourth inning of Wednesday's game. He jokingly gestured toward the dugout that he wanted to keep the ball.It was Harper's 16th plate appearance over six exhibition games. Turnbull struck him out swinging in the first.In his final at-bat, Harper walked against Reed Garrett to lead off the seventh. Harper has struck out six times and drawn five walks."Took great swings on pitches that he just missed and fouled back," Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said after the 3-1 loss to the Tigers. "And one swing, a foul ball (down the third-base side) that was a real near-miss. You could see with just a little bit better timing that ball is in the seats in left field. So, a lot to get excited about there with Bryce."Harper played seven innings in right field.Kapler... [More]

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Bryce Harper finally got his first spring training hit with the Philadelphia Phillies after a 0-for-9 start.The slugger lined a 97-mph fastball to center on a 2-1 pitch from Detroit Tigers right-hander Spencer Turnbull in the fourth inning of Wednesday's game. He jokingly gestured toward the dugout that he wanted to keep the ball.It was Harper's 16th plate appearance over six exhibition games. He has struck out six times and drawn four walks. Turnbull struck him out swinging in the first.Harper agreed to a $330 million, 13-year contract in late February, almost two weeks after spring training began. He missed one game after getting hit by a pitch in the ankle on Friday.Phillies infielder Rhys Hoskins didn't play against the Tigers because of mild left shoulder soreness.Philadelphia opens the season on March 28 at home against Atlanta.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.comMLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — When they started spring training, the Atlanta Braves had one opening in their pitching rotation. With a week to go before opening day, they may have three.The Braves are holding out some hope that Kevin Gausman will work through his shoulder soreness in time to pitch a game in the first turn through their rotation.However, that appears unlikely. Gausman, who has pitched only two innings in games this spring, threw a 58-pitch bullpen session on Tuesday."You'd like to get him up to 90 before you'd pitch him in a major league game," said manager Brian Snitker.Mike Foltynewicz, who last pitched Feb. 24 before elbow soreness set in, is throwing again but will need a month buildup before starting a regular-season game.That leaves Julio Teheran and Sean Newcomb as the only named members of the rotation, with Teheran expected to start the Braves opener at Philadelphia on March 28.Snitker doesn't expect to announce any additions in the next few days."We've got a week left... [More]

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Justin Verlander and Kate Upton combined two passions, creating the perfect marriage to help veterans suffering from PTSD.Their program is named Adopt. Rescue. Heal. It trains rescue dogs to become service dogs, then places them with veterans, aiding with the transition to civilian life."We're so excited to finally pair these dogs with their veterans," said the Houston Astros pitcher. "I think we all can agree that animals are so healing — at least in our family they are. I think it's such a great opportunity to help these veterans heal through animals."The first four veterans will receive their dogs, all mixed breeds, this week. The Astros honored the men and their dogs before Wednesday's spring training game against the New York Yankees.For Coy Webb, who served two naval tour on the USS John F. Kennedy in the Persian Gulf, the occasion marked his public debut with new companion Emily."I'm taken aback," Webb said. "It amazes me that there are still people out... [More]

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (AP) — Rookie Brandon Lowe, who made his big league debut last August, has agreed to a $24 million, six-year contract with the Tampa Bay Rays.Lowe's deal, announced Wednesday, includes club options for 2025 and 2026 with escalators that could make the agreement worth $49 million over eight seasons.The 24-year-old infielder and outfielder has just 58 days of major league service.Lowe joins Evan Longoria, Matt Moore and Chris Archer as players with less than one year of major league service when they long-term deals with Tampa Bay.Lowe joined the Rays on Aug. 4 and appeared in 43 games. From Aug. 15 on, he hit .273 with six homers and 25 RBIs in 37 games.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.comMLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports