GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Corey Kluber will start on opening day for the Cleveland Indians for the fifth consecutive season, matching a franchise record.The two-time AL Cy Young Award winner was given the nod Saturday by manager Terry Francona.Stan Coveleski is the only other Cleveland pitcher to start five straight openers. Bob Feller holds the franchise mark with seven opening-day starts overall. Kluber is the first to earn five opening-day assignments with the Indians since CC Sabathia from 2003-08.Kluber was 20-7 with a 2.89 ERA last season, finishing third in Cy Young voting behind Tampa Bay's Blake Snell and Houston's Justin Verlander. He'll take the ball Thursday at Minnesota.Kluber will lead a stacked rotation that also includes Trevor Bauer, Carlos Carrasco, Mike Clevinger and Shane Bieber.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — The Chicago Cubs have optioned versatile youngster Ian Happ to the minor leagues.Manager Joe Maddon announced the decision Saturday.The 24-year-old Happ appeared in 142 games with Chicago last season, hitting .233 with 15 homers and a .761 OPS while playing second base, third base and all three outfield spots. He finished eighth in NL Rookie of the Year voting in 2017 after hitting .253 with 24 homers in 115 games.The 2015 first-round pick is batting .135 this spring with a .389 OPS. The demotion will allow the switch hitter to get regular playing time at Triple-A instead of being limited on Chicago's deep major league roster.Right-hander Alec Mills was also optioned to Triple-A, and righty Junichi Tazawa was granted his release.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Justin Verlander and the Houston Astros are going to continue their successful partnership for a while longer.Verlander and the Astros have agreed to a contract adding an additional $66 million in guaranteed money for 2020 and '21, a person with direct knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press.The person spoke Saturday on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced. The agreement was first reported by KRIV-FOX 26.A 36-year-old right-hander, Verlander is due $28 million in 2019, the final guaranteed season of a $180 million, seven-year deal he signed with Detroit before the 2013 season. That contract included a $22 million option for 2020 that would have become guaranteed if Verlander finished among the top five in Cy Young Award voting this year.Verlander was traded from Detroit to Houston on Aug. 31, 2017, and helped the Astros win their first World Series that season. The 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young Award winner, he finished second in Cy Young voting last season... [More]

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — The New York Mets cut five players from major league camp Saturday and informed catcher Devin Mesoraco that he won't be on the opening day roster.The Mets re-assigned outfielders Carlos Gomez and Rajai Davis, infielder Adeiny Hechavarria, and pitchers Ryan O'Rourke and Hector Santiago to minor league camp. All six players were offered $100,000 retention bonuses.The moves trimmed New York's spring roster to 30, with five days to get that number to 25. The toughest calls appear to be at the catching and pitching positions.Catcher Travis d'Arnaud and infielders Todd Frazier and Jed Lowrie could be placed on the injured list prior to the Mets' season opener at Washington.D'Arnaud is working back from Tommy John surgery last April, and it's uncertain if he or Tomas Nido will break camp as the backup to Wilson Ramos. New York has been careful with the 30-year-old d'Arnaud, who caught eight innings over two games Thursday and Friday and has played eight spring games."We... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — All-Star second baseman Scooter Gennett will miss the opening months of the season with a severe groin strain, costing the Cincinnati Reds one of their top hitters less than a week before opening day.Gennett injured the right side of his groin Friday while making a play on a groundball hit by Milwaukee's Yasmani Grandal. He had an MRI, and the Reds said Saturday that he's expected to miss two to three months."He is in a lot of pain," said manager David Bell, who was with Gennett when the medical staff read his MRI. "He wants to play so bad. That makes it tough, but he's already thinking positive."The injury forces the Reds to rearrange their infield — which had been one set area of the team — heading into the season opener Thursday against Pittsburgh at Great American Ball Park. Bell plans to move shortstop Jose Peraza to second base and use newcomer Jose Iglesias at shortstop.The injury is unlikely to alter the team's plan to start top prospect Nick Senzel at Triple-A.... [More]

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — San Diego Padres catcher Austin Hedges expected to see Manny Machado make acrobatic plays at third base and hit clutch home runs. What Hedges has learned this spring about his new teammate is just how smart he is."Everybody knows he can do that," Hedges said of Machado's Gold Glove-caliber defense at third base. "I think people notice the things that are God-given but they don't get to see what we get to see and that's the work that he puts in and the way he studies the game, which is taking a very talented player and turning him into arguably the greatest player in this game right now."This is Machado's first spring with the Padres after signing a $300 million, 10-year contract in February. He batted .297 with 37 homers and 107 RBIs last season."I played against him for years and his talent speaks for itself," Padres second baseman Ian Kinsler said. "You understand what he's capable of on the field, that he can impact the game in many different ways offensively, defensively,... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Rehabbing Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia will open the regular season on the 25-man roster so he can serve a five-game suspension stemming from last season before being placed on the injured list.Sabathia, retiring after the season, is expected to miss the first two or three turns through the rotation as he recovers from an offseason that included knee surgery and the insertion of a stent after a blockage was found in an artery from his heart.The Yankees will be short-handed for three games with Baltimore and a pair against Detroit while Sabathia serves the suspension for hitting Tampa Bay's Jesus Sucre with a pitch in his last regular season start of 2018.Jonathan Loaisiga was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilke-Barre on Saturday but will be recalled for the sixth game on April 3 against the Tigers. Loaisiga is expected to start the game or enter after a reliever serves as an opener."We're getting him ready to start," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. "Whether we decide... [More]

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — The New York Mets cut five players from major league camp Saturday and informed catcher Devin Mesoraco that he won't be on the opening day roster.The Mets re-assigned outfielders Carlos Gomez and Rajai Davis, infielder Adeiny Hechavarria, and pitchers Ryan O'Rourke and Hector Santiago to minor league camp. All six players were offered $100,000 retention bonuses.The moves trimmed New York's spring roster to 30, with five days to get that number to 25. The toughest calls appear to be at the catching and pitching positions.Catcher Travis d'Arnaud and infielders Todd Frazier and Jed Lowrie could be placed on the injured list prior to the Mets' season opener at Washington.D'Arnaud is working back from Tommy John surgery last April, and it's uncertain if he or Tomas Nido will break camp as the backup to Wilson Ramos. New York has been careful with the 3-year-old d'Arnaud, who caught eight innings over two games Thursday and Friday and has played eight spring games."We... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Yankees have acquired outfielder Mike Tauchman from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for left-hander Phillip Diehl.The 28-year-old Tauchman made his major league debut in 2017 and hit just .153 in 59 at-bats in 52 career games with Colorado. Tauchman spent the majority of the 2018 season with Triple-A Albuquerque and hit .323 with 20 homers and 81 RBIs in 112 games.Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Tauchman is an option to make the opening day roster."Can play multiple positions out in the outfield," Boone said. "A guy that does have options, so we'll kind of talk through it and see which way we want to go."The 24-year-old Diehl, a 27th-round pick by the Yankees in 2016, attended spring training as a non-roster invitee and posted a 4.50 ERA with 17 strikeouts in nine relief appearances."A lot of emotions going through my mind," Diehl said. "Got another opportunity to potentially pitch in the big leagues with the Rockies and I'm looking forward to it."To make room on the 40-man roster Saturday, the Yankees placed left-hander Jordan Montgomery on the 60-day injured list.New York also re-assigned left-hander Nestor Cortes Jr., outfielder Estevan Florial and right-hander David Hale to the minor league camp.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Trea Turner led the National League in stolen bases last season, and Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez wants him to run even more.Turner was successful on 43 of 52 attempts last year. He had a career-high 46 steals in 2017. Martinez wants the speedy shortstop to attempt close to 100 this year.Turner got his third steal of the spring during Saturday's 4-4 tie against St. Louis."He's kind of challenged me with going more," said Turner, who is admittedly hesitant to make outs on the basepaths. "I haven't ran too much in spring training try to save them for the season, but when the season comes around try to push it a little bit."After Bryce Harper left Washington for Philadelphia in free agency, Martinez wants the Nationals to make better use of their speed rather than wait for big home runs."This year as a team we have a chance to steal a lot of bases and run the bases really well, put a lot of pressure on teams," Turner said. "I think we should take... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The San Francisco Giants acquired outfielder Michael Reed from Minnesota on Saturday while sending outfielder John Andreoli and cash to the Twins.In addition, San Francisco dealt Matt Joyce to Atlanta for cash. The Giants, under new president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi, have been searching all offseason for an impact outfielder.Joyce had reached agreement on a minor league deal Wednesday following his release by Cleveland. Yet the Giants were looking to balance their lineup and had an abundance of left-handed hitters. Joyce played just 83 games last season for Oakland while dealing with a lingering back injury, batting .208 with seven home runs and 15 RBIs.Reed has played in 22 major league games, with Milwaukee in 2015-16 and the Braves last year. He batted .342 with a .453 on-base percentage between Triple-A Gwinnett and Double-A Mississippi in 2018.On Friday, San Francisco released Cameron Maybin, arrested on suspicion of DUI during spring training. Left-hander Steven Okert was designated for assignment Saturday to clear room on the 40-man roster for Reed, who will join the major league team.Andreoli, claimed off waivers by San Francisco on Feb. 1, appeared in 26 games between Seattle and Baltimore last season.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Veteran right-hander Jason Hammel is retiring even though he had been told by the Texas Rangers that he had made the team.The Rangers announced Hammel's decision on Saturday, a day after the 36-year-old pitcher was informed he would be on the 25-man roster as a long reliever. He had gone to spring training on a minor league deal.Hammel said he wants to be home with his family.He was 96-114 with a 4.62 ERA while starting 298 of his 377 games over 13 seasons for six teams. He was 15-10 in 2016 for the World Series champion Chicago Cubs, but went 12-27 the past two years with the Royals.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — The Atlanta Braves have purchased outfielder Matt Joyce from the San Francisco Giants, bringing in another option for their fourth outfielder spot.The 34-year-old Joyce joins his third team this spring. He signed a minor league deal with the Giants on Wednesday after opening spring training with the Cleveland Indians.Adam Duvall is hitting only .171 in his bid to make the Braves' roster as a backup outfielder.Joyce hit .200 in a combined 14 games with Cleveland and San Francisco this spring. He hit .208 with seven homers in 83 games with Oakland in 2018.The lefty-hitting Joyce batted .243 with 25 homers and 68 RBIs for the Athletics in 2017.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Yankees have acquired outfielder Mike Tauchman (TOCK-min) from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for left-hander Phillip Diehl.The 28-year-old Tauchman made his major league debut in 2017 and hit just .153 in 59 at-bats in 52 career games with Colorado. Tauchman spent the majority of the 2018 season with Triple-A Albuquerque and hit .323 with 84 runs, 26 doubles, 20 homers and 81 RBIs in 112 games.The 24-year-old Diehl, a 27th-round pick by the Yankees in 2016, attended spring training as a non-roster invitee and posted a 4.50 ERA with 17 strikeouts in nine relief appearances.To make room on the 40-man roster on Saturday, the Yankees placed left-hander Jordan Montgomery on the 60-day injured list.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — After winning a World Series with the Red Sox, Chris Sale preferred to stay in Boston rather than find out what he would be worth as a free agent after this season."When half the league isn't trying to win anything, and we have a team that's trying to win every year? That says a lot. As players, you can't not respect it," Sale said Saturday after Boston announced a deal that guarantees an additional $145 million from 2020 to 2024.Sale, who turns 30 on March 30, is guaranteed $15 million this year under the second option year of the contract he signed with the Chicago White Sox before the 2013 season. The deal wound up being worth $59 million over seven years plus award bonuses.The new contract raises his guarantee to $160 million over the next six seasons.He gets $30 million salaries annually from 2020-22 and $27.5 million a year in 2023 and 2024. His salary can escalate by up to $2 million per season from 2021-24 based on finish in Cy Young Award voting.His new... [More]

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The Chicago White Sox think Eloy Jimenez is going to be a big-time slugger.They are so sure they gave the young outfielder a record-breaking deal.The 22-year-old Jimenez is looking forward to the upcoming season after finalizing a $43 million, six-year contract with Chicago, nearly double the amount of the previous high for a player under club control yet to make his major league debut."It's something I was dreaming when I was a kid," Jimenez said Saturday at Camelback Ranch. "The dream's come true and I feel really proud and happy for this moment. This is a moment I'm never gonna forget."The agreement announced Friday includes team options for 2025 and 2026 that if exercised would raise the total to $75 million over eight years.Jimenez was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte on March 13. If he stays in the minors for the first 20 days of the season, it would push back his free-agent eligibility by one year until after the 2025 season. If either of the contract options... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — All-Star second baseman Scooter Gennett will miss the opening months of the season with a severe groin strain, costing the Cincinnati Reds their most productive hitter less than a week before opening day.Gennett injured the right side of his groin Friday while making a play on a ground ball hit by Milwaukee's Yasmani Grandal. He had an MRI, and the Reds said Saturday that he's expected to miss two to three months."He is in a lot of pain," said manager David Bell, who was with Gennett when the medical staff read his MRI. "He wants to play so bad. That makes it tough, but he's already thinking positive."The injury forces the Reds to rearrange their infield — which had been one set area of the team — heading into the season opener Thursday against Pittsburgh at Great American Ball Park. Bell plans to move shortstop Jose Peraza to second base and use newcomer Jose Iglesias at shortstop.Peraza has played second, a major factor in Bell's decision. The Reds signed Iglesias... [More]

Justin Verlander and the Houston Astros have agreed to a contract adding an additional $66 million in guaranteed money for 2020 and '21, a person with direct knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press.The person spoke Saturday on the condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced. The agreement was first reported by KRIV-FOX 26.A 36-year-old right-hander, Verlander is due $28 million in 2019, the final guaranteed season of a $180 million, seven-year deal he signed with Detroit before the 2013 season. That contract included a $22 million for 2020 that would have become guaranteed if Verlander finished among the top five in Cy Young Award voting this year.Verlander was traded from Detroit to Houston on Aug. 31, 2017, and helped the Astros win their first World Series that season. The 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young Award winner, he finished second in Cy Young voting last season after going 16-9 with a 2.52 ERA in 34 starts. He pitched 214 innings and led the AL with 290... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Cincinnati Reds All-Star second baseman Scooter Gennett will miss the opening months of the season with a severe groin strain.Gennett got hurt while making a play on a ground ball hit by Milwaukee's Yasmani Grandal on Friday. He had an MRI, and the Reds said Saturday that he's expected to miss two to three months.The injury forces the Reds to rearrange their infield — which had been one set area of the team — heading into the season opener Thursday against Pittsburgh at Great American Ball Park. Manager David Bell plans to move shortstop Jose Peraza to second base and use newcomer Jose Iglesias at shortstop.Gennett has been the Reds' top hitter the last two seasons.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — The Baltimore Orioles have claimed catcher Pedro Severino off waivers from the Washington Nationals.A 25-year-old right-handed hitter, Severino batted .187 with four home runs and 22 RBIs in 105 games over the last four seasons with the Nationals.To make room for Severino on the 40-man roster, the Orioles designated infielder Stevie Wilkerson for assignment.On Friday, Baltimore released veteran outfielder Eric Young Jr., who had signed a minor league contract last month.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports