Before all the self-proclaimed purists forecasting the destruction of baseball strategy and the very sanctity of the sport as we know it go berserk bemoaning the inclusion of a designated hitter in the National League this season, remember this:In a most remarkable October full of huge momentum swings, the pivotal blow that decided last year’s World Series was delivered by, yep, the NL DH.OK, that clang resonating off the right field foul screen at Minute Maid Park — courtesy of Howie Kendrick’s home run in Game 7 for the visiting Washington Nationals — probably won’t drown out the wailing of longtime National League fans over the plan to play this virus-delayed season with a (gasp!) DH in both circuits.And it certainly won’t quell the debate that’s raged since April 6, 1973, when Ron Blomberg of the New York Yankees stepped to the plate at Fenway Park as Major League Baseball’s first DH (and drew a bases-loaded walk from Luis Tiant).To many NL fans, the simple scribble of “DH” on the lineup... [More]

Before all the self-proclaimed purists forecasting the destruction of baseball strategy and the very sanctity of the sport as we know it go berserk bemoaning the inclusion of a designated hitter in the National League this season, remember this:In a most remarkable October full of huge momentum swings, the pivotal blow that decided last year’s World Series was delivered by, yep, the NL DH.OK, that clang resonating off the right field foul screen at Minute Maid Park — courtesy of Howie Kendrick’s home run in Game 7 for the visiting Washington Nationals — probably won’t drown out the wailing of longtime National League fans over the plan to play this virus-delayed season with a (gasp!) DH in both circuits.And it certainly won’t quell the debate that’s raged since April 6, 1973, when Ron Blomberg of the New York Yankees stepped to the plate at Fenway Park as Major League Baseball’s first DH (and drew a bases-loaded walk from Luis Tiant).To many NL fans, the scribble of “DH” on the lineup card... [More]

Before all the self-proclaimed purists forecasting the destruction of baseball strategy and the very sanctity of the sport as we know it go berserk bemoaning the inclusion of a designated hitter in the National League this season, remember this:In a most remarkable October full of huge momentum swings, the pivotal blow that decided last year’s World Series was delivered by, yep, the NL DH.OK, that clang resonating off the right field foul screen at Minute Maid Park — courtesy of Howie Kendrick’s home run in Game 7 for the visiting Washington Nationals — probably won’t drown out the wailing of longtime National League fans over the plan to play this virus-delayed season with a (gasp!) DH in both circuits.And it certainly won’t quell the debate that’s raged since April 6, 1973, when Ron Blomberg of the New York Yankees stepped to the plate at Fenway Park as Major League Baseball’s first DH (and drew a bases-loaded walk from Luis Tiant).To many NL fans, the scribble of “DH” on the lineup card... [More]

Before all the self-proclaimed purists forecasting the destruction of baseball strategy and the very sanctity of the sport as we know it go berserk bemoaning the inclusion of a designated hitter in the National League this season, remember this:In a most remarkable October full of huge momentum swings, the pivotal blow that decided last year’s World Series was delivered by, yep, the NL DH.OK, that clang resonating off the right field foul screen at Minute Maid Park — courtesy of Howie Kendrick’s home run in Game 7 for the visiting Washington Nationals — probably won’t drown out the wailing of longtime National League fans over the plan to play this virus-delayed season (gasp!) with a DH in both circuits.And it certainly won’t quell the debate that’s raged since April 6, 1973, when Ron Blomberg of the New York Yankees stepped to the plate at Fenway Park as Major League Baseball’s first DH (and drew a bases-loaded walk from Luis Tiant).To many NL fans, the scribble of “DH” on the lineup card... [More]

Milwaukee will be paying Christian Yelich until 2042, when the All-Star outfielder is 50 years old.Yelich's $215 million, nine-year contract with the team calls for Brewers to defer $4 million each year from his $26 million annual salary from 2022-28. The deal includes a $20 million mutual option for 2029 with a $6.5 million buyout, and $2 million of the buyout would be deferred.If the buyout is owed, the $30 million in deferred money would be paid in 12 installments of $2.5 million each July 1 from 2031-42. If the buyout is not owed, Yelich would receive the $28 million in 11 installments of $2,333,333 each July 1 from 2031-41 and a final payment of $2,333,337 on July 1, 2042.Yelich's new deal includes salaries of $12.5 million for this year and $14 million in 2021, the same as in the last two guaranteed seasons of the nearly $49.6 million, seven-year contract he signed in March 2015 with Miami. None of that money will be deferred.Yelich would get $100,000 for winning the MVP award, $75,000... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Christian Yelich took to Milwaukee so much he staked his long-term future to the Brewers.“I've said many times that I've only been here for two years, but it feels like it's been a lot longer," the two-time NL batting champion said Wednesday after finalizing a $215 million, nine-year contract. “Ever since I came, it's felt like just a natural fit, a place that is great for myself and my family, and formed a connection with the community, my teammates, everyone from ownership and front office on down.”His new deal added $187.25 million over seven seasons to the remaining $27.75 million Yelich was guaranteed as part of the $49.57 million, seven-year contract he signed in March 2015 with Miami. Yelich was dealt to the Brewers in January 2018, and he won the NL batting title and MVP award as the Brewers reached Game 7 of the NL Championship Series. He added another batting championship and finished second in the MVP vote last year, when his season was cut short by a broken kneecap... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Christian Yelich took to Milwaukee so much he staked his long-term future to the Brewers.“I've said many times that I've only been here for two years, but it feels like it's been a lot longer," the two-time NL batting champion said Wednesday after finalizing a $215 million, nine-year contract. “Ever since I came, it's felt like just a natural fit, a place that is great for myself and my family, and formed a connection with the community, my teammates, everyone from ownership and front office on down.”His new deal added $187.25 million over seven seasons to the remaining $27.75 million Yelich was guaranteed as part of the $49.57 million, seven-year contract he signed in March 2015 with Miami. Yelich was dealt to the Brewers in January 2018, and he won the NL batting title and MVP award as the Brewers reached Game 7 of the NL Championship Series. He added another batting championship and finished second in the MVP vote last year, when his season was cut short by a broken kneecap... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Slowed by injuries last year, Milwaukee's Lorenzo Cain appeared in his first game of spring training and went 1 for 3 against Kansas City.The 33-year-old singled in his second at-bat and caught a pair of fly balls in the first inning."It was fun to be out there after just working out and running and training," Cain said. "I felt pretty good with my timing, better than I thought I would as far as timing. But overall it felt good to get out there."Only Ryan Braun and Christian Yelich have yet to play among Milwaukee's regulars. Cain was bothered by a bruised left knee last season, when he hit .268 with 11 homers and 18 stolen bases in 148 games. He batted .320 as the Brewers went 20-7 in September and reached the postseason for the second straight year. He also won his first Gold Glove.Cain is owed $51 million for the final three seasons of his $80 million, five-year contract. He dropped weight during the offseason.“I definitely feel lighter out there,” he said. ”The knees felt good today, body felt really good. I got to keep putting in that work to keep this body as healthy as possible. I'll be doing a lot of work with the trainers and the strength guys this season."___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PHOENIX (AP) — Keston Hiura gave Milwaukee a lift when he was called up in mid-season. His reward is more responsibility in a new-look Brewers offense.Following the departures of Yasmani Grandal and Mike Moustakas as free agents, manager Craig Counsell and the Brewers are counting on a full season from the 23-year-old to help avoid a drop a the plate."I'm excited about this year, I have a lot of stuff to work on and am looking forward to being able to accomplish those goals this year," Hiura said. Hiura debuted May 14 and hit .303 with 19 homers and 49 RBIs in 84 games to help the Brewers return to the postseason for the second straight year.Milwaukee drafted him ninth overall in 2017 out of UC Irvine despite a right elbow injury that prevented Hiura from playing in the field that season. He batted .442 in his junior year.He bounced back with a strong 2018, returning to second base, and was selected MVP of the Arizona Fall League, an award previously won by the New York Yankees' Gleyber... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Ryan Braun spent much of his first morning at spring training looking for equipment.The Milwaukee Brewers' veteran outfielder is expecting to get significant time at first base this season after the team added Avisaíl García to a mix that already included Braun, Christian Yelich, Lorenzo Cain and Ben Gamel.First, he'll need a glove."I'm not sure if my first baseman's glove is still here," Braun joked Monday as Brewers position players reported to camp. "I'll have to dust it off and get it ready for action again."Milwaukee tried a similar move two years ago after acquiring Cain and Yelich during a splashy offseason. Braun spent much of camp getting work at his new position and handled it well enough to get the starting job on opening day that season. The experiment was short-lived; not because of anything Braun did — or didn't — do at the position. Instead, the emergence of Jesús Aguilar into an All-Star left little need for Braun's right-handed bat to share time at the position.Now,... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun acknowledges the possibility this might be his final season."There’s at least a chance this is my last fan fest as a player," the 36-year-old said Sunday during the Brewers’ annual winter fan festival and convention. "You definitely get a little nostalgic and think about how quickly it goes by. I’ve thought about it a little bit, but for me, the goal is always to stay fully present and try to be the best version of myself as a player this year, and then figure out the future when I get through the season."Braun is entering the final year of a five-year, $105 million contract. His 13-year career thus far has has included the highs of winning the National League Most Valuable Player award in 2011 and the lows of serving a 65-game suspension in 2013 when an investigation linked him to the Biogenesis scandal.When Braun returned from that suspension in 2014, a series of issues with his back and thumb plagued Braun of the power he'd flashed... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — After hitting a career-low .134 for Milwaukee in 2018, Eric Sogard is getting a second chance with the Brewers."I'm not afraid to admit that I had some issues going on off the field that kind of took my mind away from the field," Sogard said Friday after Milwaukee finalized his $4.5 million, one-year contract along with a $5 million, one-year deal for first baseman Justin Smoak.Sogard split last season between Toronto and Tampa Bay, which acquired him in late July. He was teammates on the Blue Jays with Smoak, who spent the past five seasons in Toronto.He did not detail his off-field issues from last year but said they had cleared by the time he reported to spring training with Blue Jays. He hit .300 with a career-high 10 homers and 30 RBIs in 323 plate appearances for Toronto, then batted .266 with three homers and 10 RBIs in 119 plate appearances for Tampa Bay.Sogard's deal includes a $4 million salary next season and gives Milwaukee a $4.5 million option for 2021 with... [More]

Brewers first. Trent Grisham walks. Yasmani Grandal homers to right field. Trent Grisham scores. Mike Moustakas lines out to deep left field to Juan Soto. Keston Hiura strikes out swinging. Ryan Braun grounds out to third base, Anthony Rendon to Howie Kendrick.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Brewers 2, Nationals 0.Brewers second. Eric Thames homers to center field. Lorenzo Cain grounds out to third base, Anthony Rendon to Howie Kendrick. Orlando Arcia singles to right field. Brandon Woodruff out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Howie Kendrick to Asdrubal Cabrera. Orlando Arcia to second. Trent Grisham strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Brewers 3, Nationals 0.Nationals third. Victor Robles called out on strikes. Max Scherzer grounds out to shortstop, Orlando Arcia to Eric Thames. Trea Turner homers to center field. Adam Eaton pops out to shortstop to Orlando Arcia.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Brewers 3, Nationals 1.Nationals eighth. Victor Robles strikes... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Monday:HOT SEATThe day after the regular season can be dicey for managers — a lot of teams like to make changes.A couple of clubs got a head start on their winter plans Sunday, with the Cubs announcing Joe Maddon wouldn't be back and the Pirates firing Clint Hurdle. That makes five openings — San Francisco's Bruce Bochy and Kansas City's Ned Yost stepped away after previously saying they would retire, and San Diego's Andy Green was fired on Sept. 21.Philadelphia's Gabe Kapler and the New York Mets' Mickey Callaway are thought to be in danger of losing their jobs this week.Kapler's Phillies have gone 161-163 over two seasons, including 81-81 this year after signing Bryce Harper to a $330 million, 13-year contract, also adding Andrew McCutchen and David Robertson and trading for star catcher J.T. Realmuto and shortstop Jean Segura.Callaway's Mets are 163-161, including 86-76 this year after first-year general manager Brodie Van Wagenen proclaimed... [More]

DENVER (AP) — Milwaukee outfielder Ryan Braun won't play this weekend because of a mild left calf strain, but hopes to be available after that for the playoff-bound Brewers.The Brewers are set to end regular season Sunday with a game at Colorado. They are still in the NL Central chase with St. Louis, and a tiebreaker might be needed.If Milwaukee doesn't win the division, it would play the wild-card game Tuesday night at Washington."I'm very optimistic that whatever games to be played beyond Sunday, I'll be prepared for," Braun said Saturday. "We'll see if there's a game Monday and we'll try everything in our power to get as close to 100 percent as we can for whatever games we have beyond (Sunday)."An MRI on Braun's calf Saturday morning confirmed the injury, sustained during Friday night's loss to the Rockies. Braun hit an RBI single in the first inning and played left field in the bottom half before he was pulled in the second. He said the strain was at the top of his calf, close to the... [More]

DENVER (AP) — Milwaukee outfielder Ryan Braun will miss the final two scheduled games of the regular season this weekend because of a mild left calf strain but hopes to be available after that for the playoff-bound Brewers.An MRI on Braun's calf Saturday morning confirmed the injury, sustained during Friday night's loss to Colorado. Braun hit an RBI single in the first inning and played left field in the bottom half before he was pulled in the second. He said the strain was at the top of his calf, close to the back of his knee.Braun says he will receive treatment over the next couple of days, but won't test his calf before Monday. Milwaukee has clinched a playoff berth and could end up in a tiebreaker Monday against St. Louis for the NL Central title. If the Brewers don't win the division, they will play Washington in the wild-card game Tuesday night.The 35-year-old Braun has been in and out of the lineup all season because of back issues. He is hitting .284 with 22 home runs and 75 RBIs.Third baseman Mike Moustakas was back in the lineup Saturday. He missed Friday's game with left elbow soreness but says he is feeling better.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Brewers first. Trent Grisham singles to right field. Keston Hiura hit by pitch. Trent Grisham to second. Yasmani Grandal lines out to shortstop to Trevor Story. Keston Hiura doubled off first. Ryan Braun singles to shallow center field. Trent Grisham scores. Eric Thames lines out to first base to Daniel Murphy.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Brewers 1, Rockies 0.Rockies third. Sam Hilliard doubles to deep center field. Tony Wolters singles to center field, advances to 2nd. Sam Hilliard scores. Antonio Senzatela out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Zach Davies to Keston Hiura. Tony Wolters to third. Garrett Hampson flies out to right field to Trent Grisham. Charlie Blackmon lines out to left field to Ben Gamel.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Brewers 1, Rockies 1.Brewers fourth. Eric Thames flies out to deep left center field to Sam Hilliard. Lorenzo Cain homers to left field. Cory Spangenberg grounds out to first base to Daniel Murphy. Orlando Arcia grounds out to shortstop,... [More]

DENVER (AP) — Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun has left Friday night's game at the Colorado Rockies because of left calf discomfort.Braun singled and drove in a run in the first inning and then played the field in the bottom half. He left after Milwaukee batted in the second inning and was replaced by Ben Gamel.The 35-year-old Braun has been in and out of the lineup all season because of back issues. He is hitting .284 with 22 home runs and 75 RBIs.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers wrapped up their second straight postseason appearance Wednesday night, with Ryan Braun's grand slam sparking a 9-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds that also tightened the NL Central race.The Brewers have won six in a row and 17 of 19 despite losing MVP Christian Yelich to a broken kneecap, vaulting from also-ran to at least a wild card. There's more at their fingertips — the division-leading Cardinals lost again, slicing their lead over the Brewers to 1 1/2 games.Milwaukee trails Washington by one game for the wild card lead.The Brewers jogged onto the field and formed a scrum by second base after when Junior Guerra got Christian Colon on a grounder for the final out.Braun had a solo shot in a 4-2 win in the series opener, and got the celebration started early Wednesday with his eighth career grand slam in the first inning. Teammates were on their feet, leaning against the dugout railing in anticipation of a big night, when he connected off Tyler... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers wrapped up their second straight postseason appearance Wednesday night, with Ryan Braun's grand slam sparking a 9-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds that also tightened the NL Central race.The Brewers have won six in a row and 17 of 19 despite losing MVP Christian Yelich to a broken kneecap, vaulting from also-ran to at least a wild card. There's more at their fingertips — the division-leading Cardinals lost again, slicing their lead over the Brewers to 1 1/2 games.Milwaukee trails Washington by one game for the wild card lead.The Brewers jogged onto the field and formed a scrum by second base after when Junior Guerra got Christian Colon on a grounder for the final out.Braun had a solo shot in a 4-2 win in the series opener, and got the celebration started early Wednesday with his eighth career grand slam in the first inning. Teammates were on their feet, leaning against the dugout railing in anticipation of a big night, when he connected off Tyler... [More]