Kyle Seager will be absent next week when the Seattle Mariners play the major league opener in Japan. Mike Foltynewicz will miss opening day for Atlanta, too.Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw, meanwhile, is on the mend.The Mariners said Monday that Seager needs surgery on his left hand, sidelining the third baseman through at least April. The former All-Star and Gold Glove winner rolled his glove going for a grounder in a spring training game last week.Seattle is likely to move first baseman Ryon Healy across the diamond to third. The Mariners and Oakland begin the regular season on March 20 in Tokyo.The Braves had hoped Foltynewicz could start on March 28 when the NL East champions open at Philadelphia, but a sore elbow has slowed the All-Star righty.Foltynewicz has yet to make an appearance in an exhibition game because of discomfort that began about two weeks ago."We're just trying to figure out at what point do we get him up to five innings?" general manager Alex Anthopoulos said. "He's not... [More]

Kyle Seager will be absent next week when the Seattle Mariners play the major league opener in Japan. Mike Foltynewicz will miss opening day for Atlanta, too.Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw, meanwhile, is on the mend.The Mariners said Monday that Seager needs surgery on his left hand, sidelining the third baseman through at least April. The former All-Star and Gold Glove winner rolled his glove going for a grounder in a spring training game last week.Seattle is likely to move first baseman Ryon Healy across the diamond to third. The Mariners and Oakland begin the regular season on March 20 in Tokyo.The Braves had hoped Foltynewicz could start on March 28 when the NL East champions open at Philadelphia, but a sore elbow has slowed the All-Star righty.Foltynewicz has yet to make an appearance in an exhibition game because of discomfort that began about two weeks ago."We're just trying to figure out at what point do we get him up to five innings?" general manager Alex Anthopoulos said. "He's not... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Brendon Rodgers has had to wait for an opening in the Colorado Rockies' infield, just like Trevor Story did a few years ago.Selected third overall in the 2015 amateur draft, Rodgers has hit .291 in four minor league seasons. The 22-year-old played at Double-A Hartford and Triple-A Albuquerque last season and is at big league training camp for the second straight year."With Brendan, I think he's confident to start with," Rockies manager Bud Black said Monday. "He's really confident in his abilities. He knows he's a good player and he knows he's talented. The way I see him move around the clubhouse and how he's interacting with the coaches and the players, his personality is more at ease. I think he's showing who he is."Story had to wait for Troy Tulowitzki's departure, then enjoyed a breakout 2016 following the trade of the shortstop to Toronto and became a first-time All-Star last year. That is a path Rodgers is eager to emulate."He wants to get better, and he wants... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Outfielder Adam Jones and the Arizona Diamondbacks have finalized a $3 million, one-year contract.Jones is likely to start in center field between Steven Souza Jr. in right and David Peralta in left, pushing Ketel Marte into a utility infield and outfield role.Jones can earn $2 million in performance bonuses for plate appearances: $250,000 for 250 and each additional 50 through 600. He would get a $250,000 assignment bonus the first time he is traded.To clear a roster spot Monday, Arizona put right-hander Silvino Bracho on the 60-day injured list because of a torn elbow ligament that will require Tommy John surgery.A 33-year-old five-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner, Jones spent the last 11 big league seasons with the Baltimore Orioles after making his debut in 2006 with Seattle.Jones was an All-Star annually from 2012-15 and hit .265 with 29 homers and 83 RBIs in 2016. He batted .285 the following year but slipped to 26 homers and 73 RBIs, then dropped... [More]

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Nonchalantly, Washington manager Dave Martinez made official on Monday what most already assumed — ace Max Scherzer will be the first to get the ball for the Nationals."I'm going to go out on a limb today and tell you that Max will be our opening day starter. How's that?" Martinez said.That sets up a marquee matchup March 28 at Nationals Park: Scherzer vs. Jacob deGrom of the New York Mets.Between them, Scherzer and deGrom own four Cy Young awards, including the three most recent in the National League. Last year, the duo finished 1-2 in the voting, with deGrom claiming his first trophy.Martinez made the announcement after Scherzer surrendered three runs on six hits and a walk while striking out two in 6 1/3 innings against St. Louis. Scherzer advanced his pitch total to 75, facing 23 batters.The Nationals eschewed the designated hitter on Monday, allowing the 34-year-old Scherzer to bat for the second time this spring. This time, it nearly cost the Nationals dearly.In... [More]

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw threw his first bullpen since Feb. 20, an all-fastball session of 20 pitches.The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner has been slowed by left shoulder discomfort."Good day, good step forward, for sure, and just kind of keep going forward from here," Kershaw said after throwing to catcher Russell Martin. "Felt great. It was another good day. I'll take that right now, just keep moving forward from here and start building up."Los Angeles is not sure whether Kershaw will be available for its March 28 opener against Arizona. Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said Kershaw showed command and "the feel for what he was doing with the ball was very Kershaw-esque.""It looked really good, he felt really good," Friedman said. "He executed extremely well. For this step in the progression, it was everything we could have hoped for. "Kershaw will throw another bullpen and start throwing off-speed pitches soon. He has made... [More]

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Marcell Ozuna's surgically repaired right shoulder was given a quick test.Ozuna played the outfield for the first time since arthroscopic shoulder surgery last Oct. 30. Trea Turner, Washington's second batter in Monday's game against St. Louis, lopped a ball down the left-field line, rounded first and didn't slow down.Ozuna made a one-hop throw to second that Turner barely beat."What I like about that throw was that it was strong — no pain," Ozuna said.He had not started throwing from the outfield to bases until Saturday's drills.Ozuna first felt a pop in his shoulder during a throwing session following the 2014 season. By the end of last season, Ozuna struggled to make even routine throws."Already that throw was more representative than a lot of the throws last year," Cardinals' manager Mike Shildt said.Ozuna, a 28-year-old two-time All-Star, began 0 for 14 at the plate before dribbling a ball through the left side of the Houston infield for a single on Saturday."The... [More]

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals have finalized a $2.5 million, one-year deal with Martin Maldonado, giving them a veteran catcher after losing Salvador Perez to a season-ending injury.The deal announced Monday includes up to $1.4 million in performance bonuses for games caught.Maldonado spent last season with the Los Angeles Angels and Houston Astros, hitting .225 with nine homers and 44 RBIs in 119 games. But his biggest strength has been his ability to frame pitches and play defense, and his experience should help what is expected to be a young Royals team this season.Maldonado's Gold Glove in 2017 broke Perez's streak of four straight.Perez underwent Tommy John surgery last Wednesday after tearing a ligament in his throwing arm during a spring training workout.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Seattle Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager needs surgery on his left hand and will be out at least through April.Manager Scott Servais said Seager will have surgery Tuesday to repair the tendon of his middle finger. Seager had an MRI over the weekend that revealed the extent of the injury, which is just above the knuckle.This will be Seager's first time ever on the injured list. It's unclear how long he will be out.Seager is coming off the worst season of his career in 2018, when he hit .221. He changed his offseason training regimen and arrived at spring training slimmed down and in better condition. He was hitting .318 in nine spring training games.With Seager out, the Mariners are likely to move Ryon Healy to third base. Healy played in only two games at third base last season with Seattle, but made 103 starts at third during the 2016 and 2017 seasons with Oakland.___More AP baseball coverage: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Bryce Harper played the outfield for the first time since signing a record $330 million, 13-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.Harper started in right field Monday against Tampa Bay. He took a 96 mph fastball for strike three in the first inning from AL Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell."He's good," Harper said. "I was just happy to go out there and face a guy like him, see some velo, see some offspeed, as well, and just see one of the best in baseball. It's always fun to be able to do that whether it's the third game in spring or the middle of the season. It's good to see."Harper then walked in the fourth after Andrew McCutchen and Jean Segura hit consecutive homers off Jalen Beeks.Harper caught two fly balls. He cleanly played a double high off the wall and then made a strong to third base during four innings of defense."It was nice to see him out there," Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said. "Just kind of take this step by step."Harper was a designated... [More]

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals have finalized a $2.5 million, one-year deal with Martin Maldonado, giving them a veteran catcher after losing Salvador Perez to a season-ending injury.The deal announced Monday includes up to $1.4 million in performance bonuses for games caught.Maldonado spent last season with the Los Angeles Angels and Houston Astros, hitting .225 with nine homers and 44 RBIs in 119 games. But his biggest strength has been his ability to frame pitches and play defense, and his experience should help what is expected to be a young Royals team this season.Maldonado's Gold Glove in 2017 broke Perez's streak of four straight.Perez underwent Tommy John surgery last Wednesday after tearing a ligament in his throwing arm during a spring training workout.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Blake Snell is focused on pitching and not his minuscule salary increase.The AL Cy Young Award winner threw a called third strike past Bryce Harper with a 96 mph fastball in the first inning of the Tampa Bay Rays' 8-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday.Snell's contract was renewed Sunday for a salary while in the majors of $573,700, a raise of $15,500 and a figure $18,700 above the major league minimum, which rose $10,000 to $555,000.The 26-year-old left-hander likely will be eligible for salary arbitration next winter. He declined to discuss his contract.Snell struck out two over two perfect innings."Their lineup is nasty," Snell said. "I really don't key in on a guy. It's a lefty, it's righty, it's what I focus on. I've got to attack the zone. They're going to do what they do. I'm going to do what I do."Snell is slated to start Tampa Bay's March 28 against Justin Verlander and the Houston Astros.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw threw his first bullpen since Feb. 20, an all-fastball session of 20 pitches.The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner has been slowed by left shoulder discomfort."Good day, good step forward, for sure, and just kind of keep going forward from here," Kershaw said after throwing to catcher Russell Martin. "Felt great. It was another good day. I'll take that right now, just keep moving forward from here and start building up."Los Angeles is not sure whether Kershaw will be available for its March 28 opener against Arizona. Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said Kershaw showed command and "the feel for what he was doing with the ball was very Kershaw-esque.""It looked really good, he felt really good," Friedman said. "He executed extremely well. For this step in the progression, it was everything we could have hoped for. "Kershaw will throw another bullpen and start throwing off-speed pitches soon. He has made... [More]

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Bryce Harper played the outfield for the first time since signing a record $330 million, 13-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.Harper started in right field Monday against Tampa Bay. He took a 96 mph fastball for strike three in the first inning from AL Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell, then walked in the fourth after Andrew McCutchen and Jean Segura hit consecutive homers off Jalen Beeks.Harper caught two fly balls and cleanly played a double high off the wall during four innings of defense.He was a designated hitter Saturday in his spring training debut and walked twice against Toronto. He did not play Sunday.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — Bothered by a sore elbow, Mike Foltynewicz will not be ready to pitch for the Atlanta Braves on opening day.The All-Star right-hander has yet to make an appearance in a spring training game because of discomfort in his elbow that began about two weeks ago. While not believed to be a serious issue, Foltynewicz was forced to push back his throwing schedule.General manager Alex Anthopoulos said Monday the team has been mapping out his routine for the next several weeks, but that won't leave enough to time for him to be ready for the March 28 opener at NL East rival Philadelphia."We're just trying to figure out at what point do we get him up to five innings?" Anthopoulos said. "He's not that far removed from throwing (off the mound), but we still want to be careful how we build him up. If he was going to come back as a reliever, he'd be ready to go that first series. But right now, the way it's trending, it's going to take a little bit of time in the season to get him... [More]

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — The Atlanta Braves say pitcher Mike Foltynewicz will not be ready for opening day.The right-hander hasn't been able to pitch during spring training because of discomfort in his elbow caused by bone spurs. While not believed to be a serious issue, Foltynewicz was forced to push back his throwing schedule.General manager Alex Anthopoulos says the pitcher won't have enough to time to be ready for the March 28 opener at NL East rival Philadelphia.Foltynewicz was expected to get his first opening-day start after an All-Star season in which he went 13-10 with a 2.85 ERA, along with 202 strikeouts in 183 innings.With Foltynewicz out, the Braves could go with Julio Teheran on opening day for the sixth year in a row. Sean Newcomb is another possibility.___For more AP baseball coverage: https://apnews.com/apf-Baseball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Outfielder Adam Jones and the Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a $3 million, one-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.The person spoke on condition of anonymity Sunday because the agreement was subject to a successful physical.Jones is likely to start in center field between Steven Souza Jr. in right and David Peralta in left, pushing Ketel Marte into a utility infield and outfield role.Jones can earn $2 million in performance bonuses for plate appearances: $250,000 for 250 and each additional 50 through 600. He would get a $250,000 assignment bonus the first time he is traded.A 33-year-old five-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner, Jones spent his first 13 big league seasons with the Baltimore Orioles.Jones was an All-Star annually from 2012-15 and hit .265 with 29 homers and 83 RBIs in 2016. He batted .285 the following year but slipped to 26 homers and 73 RBIs, then dropped to .281 with 15 homers and 63 RBIs last year for an Orioles... [More]

Outfielder Adam Jones and the Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a $3 million, one-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.The person spoke on condition of anonymity Sunday because the agreement was subject to a successful physical.Jones is likely to start in center field between Steven Souza Jr. in right and David Peralta in left, pushing Ketel Marte into a utility infield and outfield role.A 33-year-old five-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner, Jones spent his first 13 big league seasons with the Baltimore Orioles.Jones was an All-Star annually from 2012-15 and hit .265 with 29 homers and 83 RBIs in 2016. He batted .285 the following year but slipped to 26 homers and 73 RBIs, then dropped to .281 with 15 homers and 63 RBIs last year for an Orioles team that shed most veterans went a big league-worst 47-115. His streak of seven straight years of 20 or more homers ended last year.He used his contractual right to block a proposed trade... [More]

Outfielder Adam Jones and the Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a one-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.The person spoke on condition of anonymity Sunday because the agreement was subject to a successful physical.Jones is likely to start in center field between Steven Souza Jr. in right and David Peralta in left, pushing Ketel Marte into a utility infield and outfield role.A 33-year-old five-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner, Jones spent his first 13 big league seasons with the Baltimore Orioles.Jones was an All-Star annually from 2012-15 and hit .265 with 29 homers and 83 RBIs in 2016. He batted .285 the following year but slipped to 26 homers and 73 RBIs, then dropped to .281 with 15 homers and 63 RBIs last year for an Orioles team that shed most veterans went a big league-worst 47-115. His streak of seven straight years of 20 or more homers ended last year.He used his contractual right to block a proposed trade to Philadelphia... [More]

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Mike Minor has been tabbed the opening day starter for the Texas Rangers, who last year gave the left-hander the opportunity to start again.New Rangers manager Chris Woodward announced the decision Sunday. Woodward says Minor earned it by how he pitched last season and by now setting a tone in spring training with his attitude and work ethic.Texas opens at home March 28 opener at home against the Chicago Cubs.Minor was 12-8 with a 4.18 ERA last season, when he led the Rangers with his 12 wins and 157 innings, more than doubling his 2017 workload as a full-time reliever in Kansas City. A starter for the Atlanta Braves from 2010-14, he missed the 2015 and 2016 seasons following surgery for a torn labrum in his left shoulder.This will be his first opening day start.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports