MILWAUKEE (AP) — The rebuilding plan for the Milwaukee Brewers is a smashing success, so much so that they're not really rebuilding anymore.Bold moves to trade for Christian Yelich and sign free agent Lorenzo Cain sent a message."We decided winning in 2018 was as important as to win in 2020," owner Mark Attanasio said.A surprising 2017 season that left Milwaukee a win short of the playoffs raised hopes in what was supposed to be just the second full season of a rebuild. Rising expectations accompanied the acquisitions of Yelich and Cain.Those NL Central meetings with the two-time division champion Chicago Cubs should be fun this year."Last year, I got asked where we were and if we were ahead of schedule," Attanasio said at the team's winter fan event in downtown Milwaukee. "I think we can say now we're ahead of schedule."Some things to watch ahead of the start of spring training:NEW LOOK: The slick-fielding Cain and Yelich improve the outfield defense, which should help the pitching staff... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — Can Cincinnati's rotation make it through spring training intact for once?The Reds' starting pitchers haven't done well in Arizona lately. Last year, Homer Bailey needed elbow surgery before camp even opened, and it just got worse as it went along. Anthony DeSclafani developed a sore pitching elbow and never threw an inning.Left-hander Brandon Finnegan actually made it to the season, but wound up limited to four games because of a strained back and a dislocated shoulder. Together, the Reds' top three starters managed a total of 22 starts, the biggest factor in Cincinnati's third straight 90-loss season.All three are back and healthy — for the moment — as the last-place team opens training camp hoping to finally make up some ground in the NL Central."Having a fully healthy Homer Bailey, Brandon Finnegan and Anthony DeSclafani, there's a lot of reason to believe we've finally got there," manager Bryan Price said. "The young guys are going to continue to work hard and get... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Boston minor league catcher Jake Romanski has been suspended 100 games following a positive amphetamine test. It is his second ban for a stimulant under the minor league drug program.In another minor league suspension Thursday, free-agent pitcher Landon Hughes was suspended 68 games. He tested positive for a chemical compound in Turinabol, a steroid used by East German athletes in the 1960s and weightlifters in recent years.Twelve players have been suspended this year under the minor league program and three under the major league program: Houston pitcher Dean Deetz, Washington catcher Raudy Read and Pittsburgh pitcher Nik Turley.Romanski was suspended for 50 games in December 2016 following a positive amphetamine test. The 27-year-old player hit .250 with one homer and 11 RBIs in 48 games last year for Double-A Portland of the Eastern League and Triple-A Pawtucket of the International League.Hughes was selected by Atlanta in the seventh round of the 2013 amateur draft. The 23-year-old right-hander was released by the Braves on Jan. 24.___More MLB baseball: https://apnews.com/tags/MLBbaseball

PHOENIX (AP) — Right-hander Zack Wheeler beat the New York Mets in salary arbitration and reliever Justin Grimm lost to the Chicago Cubs, leaving players with a 7-4 record about halfway through this year's hearings.Wheeler gets a raise from $800,000 to $1.9 million instead of New York's $1.5 million offer. Arbitrators John Skonier, Andrew Strongin and Phillip LaPorte made the decision Thursday, a day after hearing arguments.Grimm was given a hike from $1,825,000 to $2.2 million by Mark Burstein, Gary Kendellen and James Darby. He had asked for $2,475,000.A 27-year-old right-hander, Wheeler had Tommy John surgery on March 25, 2016, made one minor league appearance that August and returned to the Mets last spring. He went 3-7 with a 5.21 ERA in 17 starts.Wheeler was sidelined by biceps tendinitis in June, went 0-2 in four starts when he returned while allowing 24 hits and 11 walks in 20 innings, then went on the DL for the rest of the season with what the team said was a stress reaction in his right arm.Grimm, a 29-year-old right-hander, was 1-2 with a 5.53 ERA in 50 relief appearances, striking out 59 and walking 27 in 55 1/3 innings.Twelve players remain scheduled for hearings through Feb. 16.___More MLB baseball: https://apnews.com/tags/MLBbaseball

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Neal Huntington has a problem with the word "rebuild." To the Pittsburgh Pirates general manager, the connotation hints at raising a white flag on the present."Rebuild implies you're looking five years down the road," Huntington said.Which, Huntington insists, his team is not doing. Even after a three-day span in January in which the Pirates sent pitcher Gerrit Cole to Houston and franchise cornerstone Andrew McCutchen to San Francisco for younger, less proven and less expensive players. Even after an offseason in which Pittsburgh spent nothing on the open market in an effort to close the gap on NL Central rivals St. Louis and Chicago (and Milwaukee for that matter)."We lot of young talented players that are going to be entertaining," Huntington said. "We scratch our heads at times but they're going to be entertaining."Will they be competitive in one of baseball's most challenging divisions is another matter. Manager Clint Hurdle begins his eighth season very much like... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The baseball players' union will open its own spring training camp for the first time since the end of the 1994-95 strike, inviting free agents to work out at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.Union head Tony Clark said Thursday the camp will open Tuesday and workouts will start the following day under Bo Porter, the Houston Astros' manager in 2013-14. The camp is scheduled to run through March 4, and the union has the option to extend the camp through the end of the month.More than 100 players who exercised their right to become free agents last November are without final agreements. Teams start spring training workouts next Wednesday.Agent Scott Boras represents 15 free agents seeking jobs, a group that includes J.D. Martinez, Mike Moustakas, Eric Hosmer and Jake Arrieta. His company has its own training facilities in North Miami, Florida, and Newport Beach, California, and he is not sure whether his clients will work out at his facilities or IMG."They certainly will... [More]

DENVER (AP) — Nolan Arenado didn't travel home with the team after the Colorado Rockies lost at Arizona in last October's wild-card game.He needed some time to himself, to reflect on a season in which the Rockies made it back to the postseason for the first time since 2009 only to have the run abruptly end with an 11-8 loss to the Diamondbacks.The Gold Glove third baseman played some golf, went to a concert all by himself — Post Malone — and then made a vow to work even harder .This from a player who hit 37 homers and drove in 130 runs a season ago."A little depression after that wild-card game," Arenado said. "I was so upset. I wanted to play more baseball.Colorado went 87-75 in manager Bud Black's first season and was looking for a deeper playoff run."It hurt, but it can only make us better. I talked to some of the guys, and they still talk about it to this day. It's like, 'Dang, what happened? How did that game go crazy like that?" Arenado said. "That's a good thing to have. It makes... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Bruce Bochy's first glimpse at his overhauled roster gives him hope the Giants will feature a lineup much like the ones of several seasons ago — back when his club was capturing World Series championships every other year.He will be managing a new outfield. Well, with Hunter Pence moving from left to right to make room for Andrew McCutchen. And a new third baseman in Evan Longoria. And that's not to mention all the reliable returners such as Gold Glove shortstop Brandon Crawford, aces Madison Bumgarner and Johnny Cueto, and closer Mark Melancon eager to have a bounce-back year.Bochy is confident he has the roster, depth and talent to rebound right away."We feel like we can play with anybody," he said.Longoria isn't sugar-coating anything as the Giants try to rebound from a 64-98 season and overtake the World Series runner-up Los Angeles Dodgers, who have won the past five NL West crowns."It's tough to win only 64 games, it really is. That's a tough year," Longoria said.... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The young core of the Chicago Cubs is learning with each long playoff run.Coming off their first World Series title since 1908, the Cubs got off to a slow start last year and had to push themselves in the second half to overcome Milwaukee and win the NL Central. But they lined up with Washington in the first round of the playoffs and the grueling series with the Nationals took its toll, sending the Cubs on to a lopsided loss to rested Los Angeles in the next round.The grind of a third straight trip to the NL Championship Series left an impression."I think it just teaches you how every year is so different," pitcher Kyle Hendricks said, "not just the season, but the offseason too, and how you get your body ready. For a lot of us young guys, I think we learned a lot between the 16-17 year and that offseason and I think we're using it to our advantage this year; just how much to rest, how much to work out, what you need to get ready."The division is much improved, but the Cubs... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Right-hander Zack Wheeler beat the Mets in salary arbitration and will get a raise from $800,000 to $1.9 million instead of New York's $1.5 million offer.Arbitrators John Skonier, Andrew Strongin and Phillip LaPorte made the decision Thursday, a day after hearing arguments.A 27-year-old right-hander, Wheeler had Tommy John surgery on March 25, 2016, made one minor league appearance that August and returned to the Mets last spring. He went 3-7 with a 5.21 ERA in 17 starts.Wheeler was sidelined by biceps tendinitis in June, went 0-2 in four starts when he returned while allowing 24 hits and 11 walks in 20 innings, then went on the DL for the rest of the season with what the team said was a stress reaction in his right arm.___More MLB baseball: https://apnews.com/tags/MLBbaseball

ATLANTA (AP) — Brian Snitker is hoping to face some tough decisions at the end of March.That would mean such top prospects as Ronald Acuna and Austin Riley have made such good impressions in Florida that it would be difficult to leave them off the Braves' opening day roster.For Snitker, the third-year manager, that'd be great news for Atlanta's future.Acuna, 20, an outfielder with power, speed and strong defense, is Atlanta's player to watch. He was the most valuable player of the Arizona Fall League, the youngest ever to earn that honor, and Baseball America's No. 1 prospect.The young native of Venezuela impressed the Braves last spring on his visits from the minor league camp. Even at 19, he looked ready for the major leagues."If you want to get right down to it, he probably made our club as a fence-jumper last year, really," Snitker said. "... It's going to be even more fun this year to have him in camp every day and see what the kid brings."The Braves would gain a seventh year of contractual... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — There will be one very important question hovering over Bryce Harper and the Washington Nationals throughout spring training and the entire 2018 season: Will this be his last year with the club?Sure, there are plenty of other story lines to keep an eye on, from Dave Martinez's debut as a manager in the majors, to the pursuit of a third consecutive NL East title, to Max Scherzer's bid for a fourth Cy Young Award.Nothing will generate as much interest, or will have as profound an effect on the team, as what happens with Harper, who can become a free agent after the coming season.The 25-year-old Harper's representative, Scott Boras, already has been talking about his guy as an iconic player with iconic value , and it's hard to argue. Which is why, after making a little more than $13.5 million last year and a little more than $21.5 million this year, the 2012 NL Rookie of the Year, 2015 NL MVP and five-time All-Star is sparking conversation about deals worth a half-billion... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Dodgers' bid to win their first World Series in 29 years came up short in a Game 7 loss to Houston. They seek to take the final step to an elusive championship this season with the roster mostly intact and an eye on the future.Certainly, Los Angeles has to be considered the favorite to win a sixth consecutive NL West title.The Dodgers' farm system remains deep and the team has the talent and depth to withstand injuries during a 162-game season. Their $243 million payroll was baseball's biggest last year and they made a move this winter to dump salary in preparation for 2019, when the free agent market will be loaded.___Some things to watch for as the Dodgers open spring training in Glendale, Arizona:NEW LOOKThe Dodgers sent 1B Adrian Gonzalez, pitchers Scott Kazmir and Brandon McCarthy, and utility man Charlie Culberson, along with $4.5 million, to Atlanta for OF Matt Kemp, a former Dodger who could be traded or released. The move freed up a huge amount of salary,... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Infielder Yolmer Sanchez beat the Chicago White Sox in salary arbitration and will get a raise from $546,000 to $2.35 million rather than the team's $2.1 million offer.New York Mets pitcher Zack Wheeler and Chicago Cubs reliever Justin Grimm argued their cases Wednesday.Players have a 6-3 advantage over teams this offseason and 12 remain scheduled for hearings through Feb. 16 in what could be the busiest year in arbitration since 1990.Sanchez set career bests last year with a .267 average, 12 homers and 59 RBIs and .319 on-base percentage. He appeared in 78 games at second, 52 at third, four and shortstop and one in right field.Arbitrators Robert Herzog, Sylvia Skratek and Walt De Treux made the decision, a day after hearing arguments.Wheeler asked John Skonier, Andrew Strongin and Phillip LaPorte for a raise from $800,000 to $1.9 million, and the Mets argued he should be paid $1.5 million.A 27-year-old right-hander, Wheeler had elbow ligament-replacement surgery on March... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Todd Frazier stood a few feet away, wearing the No. 21 Mets jersey of Cleon Jones, Carlos Delgado and Lucas Duda. New York general manager Sandy Alderson smiled.In a depressed free-agent market, Alderson added the third baseman to New York's offseason haul with a $17 million, two-year contract. For a commitment of just $72 million, the Mets brought in Frazier, outfielder Jay Bruce and reliever Anthony Swarzak while retaining shortstop Jose Reyes."Profligate," Alderson said wryly."I think we've tried to be opportunistic," he went on during a news conference at Citi Field. "Some opportunities arose for us that probably would not have been expected right after the end of the World Series."New York hunted the free-agent market for bargains like savvy shoppers at a season closeout. The ever-chatty Frazier, from Toms River, New Jersey, preferred to stay in the area after an enjoyable stay with the New York Yankees last summer.Peripatetic at calm times, Frazier's was even more... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Washington catcher Raudy Read has been suspended for the first 80 games of the season following a positive test for Boldenone under Major League Baseball's drug-testing program.The commissioner's office announced the discipline Wednesday, after it was upheld by arbitrator Mark Irvings.Read signed with the Nationals in 2011 and made his big league debut last September, going 3 for 11 (.273) in eight games. He said he was tested seven times last year."I have never in my life knowingly used a banned substance," he said in a statement released by the players' association. "I don't take supplements or anything else on top of my regular diet, which consists simply of chicken, beef, rice and vegetables. So when I heard I tested positive during a routine drug test this winter, I was shocked. I was convinced there had to be a mistake."Boldenone is known for its use in horses and is a banned performance-enhancing substance under baseball's drug program."Without being able to identify... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Masahiro Tanaka went with his heart when deciding not to opt out of the final three seasons of his $155 million, seven-year contract signed in January 2014 with the New York Yankees."We went into battle with these guys, last year especially," Tanaka said Wednesday through a translator after a bullpen session at the Yankees' minor league complex."My thought was I want to go out and battle with these guys again and try to really get to where we want to get."New York came within one game of reaching the World Series last season, losing in Game 7 of the ALCS to Houston.It turns out if Tanaka would have decided for free agency last fall, the right-hander might have found himself trapped in a slow-moving market with few big deals being completed a week from the start of spring training."You want to be here or you want to be wherever and get ready for the season," Tanaka said."On that note I think it was good for me to know where I'm going. You would never know that after the... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Todd Frazier and the New York Mets have finalized a $17 million, two-year contract after the third baseman passed his physical.Frazier, who turns 32 next week, gets $8 million this year and $9 million in 2019, and the agreement includes a $500,000 assignment bonus if traded."This is my home. I belong here. I belong in New York," Frazier said during a Citi Field news conference Wednesday.He was a 1998 Little League World Series champion in Toms River, New Jersey, and starred at Rutgers. He hit .213 with 27 home runs, 76 RBIs and a .344 on-base percentage last year for the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees, who acquired him on July 19.Frazier hit 35 homers for Cincinnati in 2015 and set career highs with 40 homers and 98 RBIs for the White Sox in 2016."A big personality," Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said.Asdrubal Cabrera becomes New York's projected starter at second base.Third baseman David Wright has been limited to 75 regular-season games during the past three... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Masahiro Tanaka went with his heart when deciding not to opt out of the final three seasons of his $155 million, seven-year contract signed in January 2014 with the New York Yankees."We went into battle with these guys, last year especially," Tanaka said Wednesday through a translator after a bullpen session at the Yankees' minor league complex."My thought was I want to go out and battle with these guys again and try to really get to where we want to get."New York came within one game of reaching the World Series last season, losing in Game 7 of the ALCS to Houston.___More MLB baseball: https://apnews.com/tags/MLBbaseball

PHOENIX (AP) — Infielder Yolmer Sanchez beat the Chicago White Sox in salary arbitration and will get a raise from $546,000 to $2.35 million rather than the team's $2.1 million offer.Sanchez set career bests last year with a .267 average, 12 homers and 59 RBIs and .319 on-base percentage. He appeared in 78 games at second, 52 at third, four and shortstop and one in right field.Arbitrators Robert Herzog, Sylvia Skratek and Walt De Treux made the decision Wednesday, a day after hearing arguments.Players have a 6-3 advantage over teams in decisions this year.___More MLB baseball: https://apnews.com/tags/MLBbaseball