MIAMI (AP) — The Miami Marlins have designated for assignment infielder-outfielder Derek Dietrich, who had been with the team since 2013.Dietrich is eligible for arbitration after making $2.9 million this year, when he hit .265 with 16 home runs in 149 games while playing mostly in left field. He's a .254 career hitter with 60 homers.The move takes Dietrich off Miami's 40-man roster, opening a spot for one of seven minor leaguers who were added Tuesday to protect them from next month's Rule 5 draft at the winter meetings. The Marlins have seven days to trade or release Dietrich, or send him outright to the minors. Because he has three years of major league service, he could refuse an outright assignment and elect to become a free agent.Dietrich's departure means All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto has now been with Miami longer than any other player.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Oakland Athletics have acquired right-hander Tanner Anderson from the Pittsburgh Pirates for a player to be named or cash.Oakland also added outfielders Luis Barrera and Skye Bolt, and right-handers Grant Holmes and James Kaprielian to the 40-man roster on Tuesday. Oakland now has 39 players on the roster.The 25-year-old Anderson made his major league debut last season. He went 1-0 with a 6.35 ERA in six outings spanning 11 1/3 innings for the Pirates. In four career minor league seasons, he is 21-13 with a 3.24 ERA in 120 appearances, including 22 starts.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs will have different hitting and pitching coaches for the second straight season after they announced Jim Hickey's departure Tuesday.Hickey is leaving the organization after one season as pitching coach because of personal reasons, according to the team. Hitting coach Chili Davis was fired last month after one season and replaced by Anthony Iapoce.With Hickey's help, Chicago ranked third in the majors this year with a 3.65 team ERA. The Cubs went 95-68 and lost to Colorado in the NL wild-card game."We thank Jim for his season with the Cubs and his positive impact on our pitchers," president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said in a statement. "Jim has our full support and we all wish him well."Chicago's uncertain situation with its coaching staff could affect its search for a replacement for the respected Hickey. Manager Joe Maddon is entering the final year of his contract, and Epstein has said the club will not be offering an extension before the start... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Catcher Jeff Mathis and the Texas Rangers finalized a $6.25 million, two-year contract Tuesday.Mathis, one of baseball's best defensive catchers, gets $3.25 million next season and $3 million in 2020.The Rangers later Tuesday added four players to their major league roster, protecting them from being available to other teams during the Rule 5 draft at the winter meetings next month. They added right-handed pitcher Edinson Volquez and outfielder Scott Heineman from Triple-A Nashville, along with right-hander Wei-Chieh Huang and lefty Taylor Hearn from Double-A Frisco.Texas also acquired infielder Jack Reinheimer from the Chicago Cubs on a waiver claim, while right-handers Eddie Butler and Ronald Herrera were assigned outright to Triple-A Nashville.The 35-year-old Mathis spent the last two years with Arizona and hit .200 this season with one homer and 20 RBIs in 69 games. He threw out 18 of 53 runners attempting to steal this year, and his 17 defensive runs saved were... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays have designated C.J. Cron for assignment after the slugger hit 30 home runs with an .816 OPS last season.Cron batted .253, slugged .493 and drove in 74 during his first season with Tampa Bay, yet the Rays cut the 28-year-old Tuesday before he entered his second season of arbitration eligibility. He made $2.3 million last season while splitting time between first base and designated hitter.Tampa Bay also added five players to its 40-man roster: left-handers Kyle Bird and Brock Burke, right-hander Ian Gibaut, and outfielders Joe McCarthy and Jesus Sanchez. Right-hander Oliver Drake and left-hander Holby Milner were also designated for assignment, and right-hander Jose Mujica was outrighted to the minor leagues and removed from the 40-man roster.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland Indians outfielder Leonys Martin has been cleared to resume physical activities after a major health scare.The 30-year-old became extremely ill this summer shortly after he was acquired in a trade from the Detroit Tigers. Martin contracted a bacterial virus that affected his organs and jeopardized his life. Doctors were able to eradicate the infection and Martin was eventually released from the hospital.The Indians said Martin underwent a scheduled checkup Tuesday at the Cleveland Clinic and was told he could begin an unrestricted offseason strength and conditioning program.The team anticipates him being ready for the start of the 2019 season.Cleveland had traded for Martin to address its pressing need for a center fielder following a slew of other injuries. But he ended up playing in only six games, and the Indians moved second baseman Jason Kipnis to center.Martin has a career .248 average with 49 home runs in five plus-seasons with Texas, Seattle, the Cubs, Tigers and Indians. He agreed to a $3 million, one-year deal with Cleveland last month to avoid salary arbitration.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Catcher Jeff Mathis and the Texas Rangers have finalized a $6.25 million, two-year contract.He gets $3.25 million next year and $3 million in 2020 under the deal announced Tuesday.The 35-year-old is among baseball's top defensive catchers. He spent the last two years with Arizona and hit .200 this season with one homer and 20 RBIs in 69 games. He threw out 18 of 53 runners attempting to steal this year, and his 17 defensive runs saved were five more than any other catcher.Mathis is a .198 hitter in 13 seasons with the Los Angeles Angels (2005-11), Toronto (2012), Miami (2013-16) and Arizona (2017-18).___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Mariners have hired veteran coach Perry Hill as their new first base and infield coach after Scott Brosius decided not to return to the coaching staff in 2019.Hill has spent the past six seasons with Miami and worked extensively with Seattle's Dee Gordon during his time there. Hill has spent 23 years coaching in the majors and 32 years overall in pro ball.Brosius had spent the past two seasons on the staff of manager Scott Servais and was invited back for 2019 but declined his contract offer. Brosius joined the team in 2017 as an assistant coach and was Seattle's third-base coach last year.Seattle will move Chris Prieto to third-base coach.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Adrian Beltre had a sometimes-imposing stare and plenty of quirky habits. He also had a genuine love for the game, and a lot of fun in a Hall of Fame-caliber career.After 21 big league seasons in which Beltre hit 477 home runs and became the first player from the Dominican Republic to have 3,000 hits, the slick-fielding third baseman for the Texas Rangers retired Tuesday at age 39."After careful consideration and many sleepless nights, I have made the decision to retire from what I've been doing my whole life, which is playing baseball, the game I love," Beltre said in a statement. "I have thought about it a lot and although I appreciate all the opportunities and everything that baseball has given me, it's time to call it a career."Beltre, who will be eligible for the Hall of Fame ballot in five years, was a .286 hitter with 1,707 RBIs in 2,933 career games. His 3,166 hits rank 16th on the career list, with his homers total 30th and RBIs 24th. He played 2,759 games... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Boston pitcher David Price has won the AL Comeback Player of the Year award and Atlanta reliever Jonny Venters has earned the NL honor.Price, a 33-year-old left-hander, was 16-7 with a 3.58 ERA in 30 starts for the Red Sox, who won their fourth World Series title in 15 seasons. He was 6-3 with a 3.38 ERA in 11 starts and five relief appearances in 2017, when he was slowed by left elbow inflammation.The 33-year-old Venters was 5-2 with three saves and a 3.67 ERA for Tampa Bay and Atlanta, which reacquired him on July 26. He had not appeared in the major leagues since 2012, undergoing Tommy John surgery for the second and third times.The awards, announced Tuesday, are voted on by beat writers for MLB.com.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

WASHINGTON (AP) — Even after his last trip to free agency dragged into January, Kurt Suzuki wanted to go the open market again.This time, the catcher found a home much quicker.Suzuki on Tuesday finalized a $10 million, two-year contract to return to the Washington Nationals. The 35-year-old gets $4 million next year and $6 million in 2020, up from $3.5 million last season, his second with the Atlanta Braves.Suzuki is the first player of the 164 who hit free agency after the World Series to switch teams and the ninth with a finalized agreement."Obviously the last time I went to free agency wasn't as fun," Suzuki said during a conference call. "It's a lot nicer, more peace of mind knowing where you're going to be, especially for the next two years. I'm 35 years old. I feel like I've been getting better as a player. I feel like I have a lot to offer for younger players, as well. I just try to go with it."He hit .271 with 12 homers and 50 RBIs in 2018 as Atlanta won the NL East ahead of the... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Adrian Beltre of the Texas Rangers retired Tuesday after 21 seasons in a career in which he hit 477 home runs and became the first player from the Dominican Republic to have 3,000 hits.The 39-year-old third baseman announced his decision in a statement released by the Rangers, saying it is time for the "next chapter of my life.""After careful consideration and many sleepless nights, I have made the decision to retire from what I've been doing my whole life, which is playing baseball, the game I love," Beltre said. "I have thought about it a lot and although I appreciate all the opportunities and everything that baseball has given me, it's time to call it a career."Beltre was a .286 hitter with 1,707 RBIs in 2,933 career games. His 3,166 hits rank 16th on baseball's career list, with his homers total 30th and RBIs 24th. He played 2,759 games at third base — only Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson had more.The four-time All-Star and five-time Gold Glove winner was 19 when... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Catcher Kurt Suzuki is heading back to the Washington Nationals after finalizing a $10 million, two-year contractThe 35-year-old gets $4 million next year and $6 million in 2020, up from $3.5 million last season, his second with the Atlanta Braves.He became a free agent after batting .271 with 12 homers and 50 RBIs in 2018 as Atlanta won the NL East ahead of the second-place Nationals. The agreement was finalized Tuesday, after he passed a physical.Suzuki played for Washington in 2012 and 2013, part of a 12-year major league career in which he has been with four clubs and batted .258 with 114 home runs and 619 RBIs.He made the AL All-Star team in 2014 while with the Minnesota Twins.A right-handed hitter, Suzuki could wind up as part of a platoon at catcher for the Nationals, who have been in the market for help at that position after Matt Wieters batted under .240 in each of the past two seasons there.Washington is coming off an 82-80 season, its first under manager Dave... [More]

Adrian Beltre of the Texas Rangers retired Tuesday after 21 seasons in a career in which he hit 477 home runs and became the first player from the Dominican Republic to have 3,000 hits.The 39-year-old third baseman announced his decision in a statement released by the Rangers, saying it is time for the "next chapter of my life.""After careful consideration and many sleepless nights, I have made the decision to retire from what I've been doing my whole life, which is playing baseball, the game I love," Beltre said. "I have thought about it a lot and although I appreciate all the opportunities and everything that baseball has given me, it's time to call it a career."Beltre was a .286 hitter with 1,707 RBIs in 2,933 career games. His 3,166 hits rank 16th on baseball's career list, with his homers total 30th and RBIs 24th. He played 2,759 games at third base — only Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson had more.The four-time All-Star and five-time Gold Glove winner made his big league debut at 19 with... [More]

Adrian Beltre of the Texas Rangers is retiring after 21 seasons and 3,166 hits.The 39-year-old third baseman announced his decision Tuesday in a statement released by the Rangers.The four-time All-Star and five-time Gold Glove winner says his decision came after "careful consideration and many sleepless nights."Beltre made his big league debut at 19 with the Dodgers in 1998. He played with Los Angeles until 2004, then was with the Seattle Mariners from 2005-09 and the Boston Red Sox in 2010. He joined the Rangers as a free agent in 2011 and appeared in his only World Series in his first season with Texas.In 2,933 career games, Beltre hit .286 with 477 home runs and 1,707 RBIs.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — James Paxton spent the first two months of the 2016 season in the minor leagues after an awful spring training caused his demotion.When he returned to the majors, he quickly emerged as the Mariners' ace, and now the Yankees hope he can bolster the thin rotation that contributed to New York's loss to Boston in the AL Division Series. New York acquired the 30-year-old left-hander from the rebuilding Seattle Mariners on Monday for top prospect Justus Sheffield and two other minor leaguers."I think I'll be a great fit. They seem very committed to winning, and so am I," Paxton said.New York sent the left-handed Sheffield to the Mariners along with right-hander Erik Swanson and outfielder Dom Thompson-Williams.Paxton turned 30 on Nov. 6 and went 11-6 with a 3.76 ERA in 28 starts last season, including a 16-strikeout start against Oakland on May 2 and a no-hitter at Toronto six days later. He struck out 208 and walked 42 in a career-high 160 1/3 innings, allowing 23 home runs.Paxton... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Left-hander James Paxton was acquired by the Yankees from the Seattle Mariners for a trio of prospects Monday, bolstering the thin starting rotation that contributed to New York's loss to Boston in the AL Division Series.New York sent left-hander Justus Sheffield to the Mariners along with right-hander Erik Swanson and outfielder Dom Thompson-Williams.Paxton turned 30 on Nov. 6 and went 11-6 with a 3.76 ERA in 28 starts last season, including a no-hitter at Toronto on May 8. Paxton, a proud Canadian, is also known for keeping his composure as a bald eagle mistakenly landed on his shoulder prior to a start at Minnesota in April.He joins a rotation projected to include right-handers Luis Severino and Masahiro Tanaka and left-hander CC Sabathia.Paxton made $4.9 million last season and is eligible for salary arbitration. He can become a free agent after the 2020 season.Sheffield is rated among the top minor league prospects, made his big league debut in September and pitched... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Brewers have rounded out manager Craig Counsell's staff, bringing in Steve Karsay as bullpen coach to work with new pitching coach Chris Hook.Hook was promoted from pitching coordinator following 11 seasons in Milwaukee's minor league system as an instructor. He'll be joined by Karsay, an 11-year major league veteran who spent the past three seasons as pitching coach at Triple-A Columbus in Cleveland's system. Karsay worked with Indians starters Michael Clevinger and Shane Bieber.Milwaukee also added Andy Haines as hitting coach. Haines spent one season as assistant hitting coach for the NL Central-rival Chicago Cubs. He was the Cubs' minor league hitting coordinator from 2016-17.Haines also spent eight seasons with the Marlins organization, where he managed Brewers outfielder and NL MVP Christian Yelich in the minors.General manager David Stearns also announced Jason Lane would return as assistant hitting coach. Scott Barringer was named head athletic trainer.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press the New York Yankees have agreed to acquire left-hander James Paxton from the Seattle Mariners for left-hander Justus Sheffield and two other prospects.The person spoke on condition of anonymity Monday because the trade had not yet been announced.Paxton turned 30 on Nov. 6 and went 11-6 with a 3.76 ERA in 28 starts last season, including a no-hitter at Toronto on May 8. He joins a rotation projected to include right-handers Luis Severino and Masahiro Tanaka and left-hander CC Sabathia.Paxton made $4.9 million last season and is eligible for salary arbitration. He can become a free agent after the 2020 season.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

BOSTON (AP) — World Series MVP Steve Pearce says it was a "no-brainer" to return to the Red Sox for another year."This was the place that I wanted to be," he said on a conference call Monday, three days after agreeing to a $6.5 million, one-year deal with the defending champions. "The chemistry we had on and off the field, wanting to defend a title, that's a big deal."A 35-year-old journeyman who has played for seven teams — including the entire AL East — in a 12-year career, Pearce arrived in Boston at the end of June and spent most of this time with the Red Sox platooning at first base with Mitch Moreland.Pearce batted .279 in 50 games for Boston in the regular season, hitting seven homers — five of them against the New York Yankees, including three on Aug. 2. In five World Series games against the Los Angeles Dodgers, he batted .333 with three homers, two of them in the Game 5 clincher, to earn MVP honors."The team I was on, everything that was done there, bringing everybody back, it... [More]