The Texas Rangers will give Gold Glove-winning third baseman Isiah Kiner-Falefa the opportunity to be their starting shortstop next season and have told Elvis Andrus to prepare to play all infield positions. Andrus, at 32 the longest-tenured Ranger after 12 seasons, is the only player remaining from their back-to-back World Series appearances in 2010 and 2011. Manager Chris Woodward said Tuesday that the Rangers wanted to give both Kiner-Falefa and Andrus clarity on the plans so they would know how to approach their offseason workouts. “This wasn’t an easy decision based on what Elvis has done for the organization. We’ve had many discussions about this. But I think it comes down to, do we believe in Kiner as a shortstop? I want to see it. I want to answer that question,” Woodward said. “Can he handle the position? I believe he can.” Woodward said Kiner-Falefa still had to earn the starting spot at shortstop, and has told Andrus he would have the opportunity to “prove us wrong." Andrus played... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — General manager Brodie Van Wagenen and many of his top aides left the New York Mets on Friday less than an hour after hedge fund manager Steve Cohen announced he completed his $2.4 billion purchase of the team. Special assistant to the general manager Omar Minaya, assistant general managers Allard Baird and Adam Guttridge and executive director of player development Jared Banner also departed. The status of senior vice president and senior strategy officer John Ricco was not mentioned. Cohen ended the Wilpon family's control of the franchise after 34 mostly frustrating years and took the title of chief executive officer. He hired former Mets general manager Sandy Alderson as team president in his first move and ended Jeff Wilpon's tenure as chief operating officer. Alderson, not Cohen, announced the baseball staff departures and said he had started the process of building a leadership staff. “This is a significant milestone in the history of this storied franchise," Cohen... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — New York Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen and many of his top aides are out, moves announced less than an hour after hedge fund manager Steve Cohen completed his $2.4 billion purchase of the team Friday. Special Assistant to the general manager Omar Minaya, assistant general managers Allard Baird and Adam Guttridge and executive director of player development Jared Banner also are leaving. The status of senior vice president and senior strategy office John Ricco was not mentioned. Cohen ended the Wilpon family's control of the franchise after 34 mostly frustrating years and took the title of chief executive officer. He hired former Mets general manager Sandy Alderson as team president in his first move and ended Jeff Wilpon's tenure as chief operating officer. Alderson, not Cohen, announced the baseball staff departures and said he had started the process of building a leadership staff. “This is a significant milestone in the history of this storied franchise," Cohen... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — New York Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen and many of his top aides are out, moves announced less than an hour after hedge fund manager Steve Cohen completed his $2.4 billion purchase of the team Friday. Special Assistant to the general manager Omar Minaya, assistant general managers Allard Baird and Adam Guttridge and executive director of player development Jared Banner also are leaving. The status of senior vice president and senior strategy office John Ricco was not mentioned. Cohen ended the Wilpon family's control of the franchise after 34 mostly frustrating years and took the title of chief executive officer. He hired former Mets general manager Sandy Alderson as team president in his first move and ended Jeff Wilpon's tenure as chief operating officer. Alderson, not Cohen, announced the baseball staff departures and said he had started the process of building a leadership staff. “This is a significant milestone in the history of this storied franchise," Cohen... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — What figures to be a down and perhaps brutal market for baseball free agents in the offseason following the pandemic began Wednesday when a dozen players were told their contract options had been declined, among them St. Louis Cardinals Gold Glove second baseman Kolten Wong. The 30-year-old Wong will receive a $1 million buyout. Wong, a first-round pick in the 2011 draft, made his big league debut in 2013 and spent his first eight seasons with St. Louis. Wong hit. 265 with a homer and 16 RBIs in 53 games during the pandemic-shortened season, helping the Cardinals make the playoffs for the second straight year. They were eliminated by San Diego in the first round. “STL will always have a special place in my heart and I will never forget all the amazing people who impacted me along the way! Much love,” Wong said Wednesday in an Instagram post. Many teams are cutting costs following a shortened regular season played with no fans in attendance due to the novel coronavirus.... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — What figures to be a down and perhaps brutal market for baseball free agents in the offseason following the pandemic began Wednesday when a dozen players were told their contract options had been declined, among them St. Louis Cardinals Gold Glove second baseman Kolten Wong. The 30-year-old Wong will receive a $1 million buyout. Wong, a first-round pick in the 2011 draft, made his big league debut in 2013 and spent his first eight seasons with St. Louis. Wong hit. 265 with a homer and 16 RBIs in 53 games during the pandemic-shortened season, helping the Cardinals make the playoffs for the second straight year. They were eliminated by San Diego in the first round. “STL will always have a special place in my heart and I will never forget all the amazing people who impacted me along the way! Much love,” Wong said Wednesday in an Instagram post. Many teams are cutting costs following a shortened regular season played with no fans in attendance due to the novel coronavirus.... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The Mets declined 2021 options Wednesday on catchers Wilson Ramos and Robinson Chirinos and on infielder Todd Frazier, allowing all three to become eligible for free agency. Ramos gets a $1.5 million buyout rather than a $10 million salary for next year, completing a contract that guaranteed him $19 million for two seasons. Chirinos gets a $1 million buyout rather than a $6.5 million salary for next year, completing contract he originally signed with Texas that guaranteed him $6.75 million. Frazier gets a $1.5 million buyout rather than a $5.75 million salary for next year, completing a contract he originally signed with Texas that guaranteed him $5 million. Ramos, 33, hit .239 for his lowest average since 2015 with five homers and 15 RBIs in the pandemic-shortened season. The two-time All-Star signed with the Mets in 2018. Chirinos was acquired Aug. 31 from Texas and the 36-year-old batted .162 with one homer and seven RBIs this year, including .219 with one homer and five RBIs for the Mets. Frazier also was obtained Aug. 31 from the Rangers after spending 2018 and 2019 with the Mets. The former two-time All-Star batted .236 with four homers and 12 RBIs, including .224 with two homers and five RBIs for the Mets. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Phillies second. Jean Segura doubles to right center field. Andrew Knapp doubles, advances to 3rd. Jean Segura scores. Fielding error by Andres Gimenez. Scott Kingery walks. Adam Haseley out on a sacrifice fly to deep left field to Jeff McNeil. Andrew Knapp scores. Roman Quinn singles to right field. Scott Kingery to third. Andrew McCutchen reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Roman Quinn to third. Scott Kingery scores. Bryce Harper strikes out swinging. Andrew McCutchen picked off.3 runs, 3 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Phillies 3, Mets 0.Phillies third. Alec Bohm grounds out to shortstop, Andres Gimenez to Dominic Smith. Didi Gregorius flies out to center field to Brandon Nimmo. Jean Segura homers to left field. Andrew Knapp grounds out to shallow infield, Robinson Cano to Dominic Smith.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Phillies 4, Mets 0.Mets fourth. J.D. Davis doubles to deep center field. Dominic Smith grounds out to second base, Scott Kingery to Alec Bohm. J.D. Davis to... [More]

Mets first. Jeff McNeil singles to shallow right field. J.D. Davis lines out to deep left center field to Lourdes Gurriel Jr.. Michael Conforto called out on strikes. Todd Frazier singles to shallow center field. Jeff McNeil to second. Dominic Smith singles to left center field. Todd Frazier out at home. Jeff McNeil scores.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Mets 1, Blue jays 0.Blue jays second. Randal Grichuk singles to deep right field. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. homers to left field. Randal Grichuk scores. Jonathan Villar pops out to shallow infield to Todd Frazier. Jonathan Davis walks. Santiago Espinal pops out to shallow infield to David Peterson. Danny Jansen lines out to deep right field to Michael Conforto.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Blue jays 2, Mets 1.Blue jays sixth. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. walks. Randal Grichuk walks. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to second. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. walks. Randal Grichuk to second. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to third. Jonathan Villar walks. Lourdes Gurriel Jr.... [More]

Mets first. Jeff McNeil pops out to shallow center field to Andrew Velazquez. J.D. Davis singles to shortstop. Michael Conforto homers to left field. J.D. Davis scores. Todd Frazier called out on strikes. Robinson Cano grounds out to shallow infield, Pat Valaika to Renato Nunez.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Mets 2, Orioles 0.Orioles second. Renato Nunez grounds out to third base, Todd Frazier to Pete Alonso. Pedro Severino triples to deep center field. Ryan Mountcastle singles to deep left field. Pedro Severino scores. Rio Ruiz flies out to center field to Jake Marisnick. Pat Valaika singles to deep right field. Ryan Mountcastle to second. Andrew Velazquez walks. Pat Valaika to second. Cedric Mullins hit by pitch. Andrew Velazquez to second. Pat Valaika to third. Ryan Mountcastle scores. Anthony Santander flies out to shallow right field to Michael Conforto.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Mets 2, Orioles 2.Mets fifth. Amed Rosario walks. Jeff McNeil pops out to shortstop to... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets aren't playing well at the moment, and they're five games under .500 with about a month left in the regular season.In 2020, that means they're still very much in the postseason hunt, so they went ahead and added some help at the trade deadline.The Mets acquired infielder Todd Frazier and catcher Robinson Chirinos from the Texas Rangers on Monday, and they also made a trade with Baltimore for right-hander Miguel Castro. Texas receives two players to be named, and New York also will get $358,209 in the deal involving Texas plus $1 million if Frazier's $5,575,000 option for 2021 is declined, which would cover the cost of his $1 million buyout. The cash is due Jan. 10.The Orioles acquired minor league left-hander Kevin Smith and a player to be named or cash from the Mets.“We're not playing great baseball right now and we need to boost ourselves,” Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said. “So hopefully these players can give us that opportunity.”The Rangers... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — San Diego acted boldly once again. Miami actually strengthened its roster. Mike Clevinger, Starling Marte, Archie Bradley and Todd Frazier were on the move. Lance Lynn and Dylan Bundy stayed put.Baseball's pandemic-delayed trade deadline was quite a day.The contending Padres got Clevinger in a multiplayer trade with Cleveland, bolstering their rotation Monday in a rare deadline deal between contenders. The surprising Marlins reeled in the dynamic Marte for their outfield. There was a lot of talk about pitchers Lynn and Bundy, but Lynn stayed in Texas and the Angels held onto Bundy.The trade deadline is normally July 31, but it was pushed back when the start of the season was delayed because of the coronavirus. With the shortened season and financial uncertainty brought on by the pandemic, there was talk that it might be an unusually quiet day. But there was plenty of activity instead, spurred in part by the expanded playoff format for this year.“It felt like a normal deadline... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — San Diego acted boldly once again. Miami actually strengthened its roster. Mike Clevinger, Starling Marte, Archie Bradley and Todd Frazier were on the move. Lance Lynn and Dylan Bundy stayed put.Baseball's pandemic-delayed trade deadline was quite a day.The contending Padres got Clevinger in a multiplayer trade with Cleveland, bolstering their rotation Monday in a rare deadline deal between contenders. The surprising Marlins reeled in the dynamic Marte for their outfield. There was a lot of talk about pitchers Lynn and Bundy, but Lynn stayed in Texas and the Angels held onto Bundy.The trade deadline is normally July 31, but it was pushed back when the start of the season was delayed because of the coronavirus. With the shortened season and financial uncertainty brought on by the pandemic, there was talk that it might be an unusually quiet day. But there was plenty of activity instead, spurred in part by the 16-team playoff format for this year.“It felt like a normal deadline... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets acquired infielder Todd Frazier and catcher Robinson Chirinos from the Texas Rangers.The teams announced the trades Monday. Texas receives two players to be named. New York also receives cash in the deal involving Chirinos.The Mets also announced a deal with Baltimore in which they acquired right-hander Miguel Castro for minor league left-hander Kevin Smith and a player to be named or cash.The Rangers (12-21) and Mets (15-20) are both under .500, but the postseason race looks more forgiving in the National League. New York is bringing Frazier back after he hit 39 home runs for the Mets over two seasons in 2018 and 2019. He hit .241 with two homers in 31 games for Texas this year after signing with the Rangers in January.Chirinos has hit .119 in 14 games this season and recently spent time on the injured list because of a sprained ankle.The 25-year-old Castro has a strong fastball but has long struggled with his control. Castro is 1-0 with a 4.02 ERA in 16 games this season. His career record is 7-16 over 220 games, with all but two of those appearances out of the bullpen.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Dodgers first. Mookie Betts strikes out on a foul tip. Corey Seager homers to center field. Max Muncy walks. Cody Bellinger grounds out to first base, Nick Solak to Ronald Guzman. Max Muncy to second. AJ Pollock strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Dodgers 1, Rangers 0.Dodgers second. Joc Pederson grounds out to second base, Isiah Kiner-Falefa to Ronald Guzman. Chris Taylor called out on strikes. Will Smith homers to left field. Gavin Lux flies out to right field to Joey Gallo.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Dodgers 2, Rangers 0.Dodgers third. Mookie Betts walks. Corey Seager strikes out swinging. Mookie Betts caught stealing second. Max Muncy hit by pitch. Cody Bellinger homers to right field. Max Muncy scores. AJ Pollock strikes out swinging.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Dodgers 4, Rangers 0.Rangers third. Leody Taveras singles to deep right field. Jeff Mathis singles to left field. Leody Taveras to second. Shin-Soo Choo walks. Jeff Mathis to second. Leody... [More]

Dodgers second. Joc Pederson strikes out swinging. Matt Beaty singles to shallow infield. AJ Pollock doubles to shallow left field. Matt Beaty scores. Fielding error by Shin-Soo Choo. Gavin Lux called out on strikes. Austin Barnes flies out to right field to Joey Gallo.1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Dodgers 1, Rangers 0.Dodgers third. Mookie Betts lines out to third base to Todd Frazier. Corey Seager strikes out swinging. Max Muncy doubles to right field. Cody Bellinger homers. Max Muncy scores. Joc Pederson grounds out to shallow infield, Lance Lynn to Ronald Guzman.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Dodgers 3, Rangers 0.Rangers third. Ronald Guzman homers to center field. Leody Taveras homers to left field. Shin-Soo Choo called out on strikes. Nick Solak lines out to deep left field to AJ Pollock. Todd Frazier triples to deep center field. Joey Gallo pops out to shallow left field to Max Muncy.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Dodgers 3, Rangers 2.Dodgers fifth. Austin Barnes... [More]

Rangers third. Scott Heineman grounds out to shortstop, Justin Turner to Max Muncy. Leody Taveras singles to second base. Shin-Soo Choo doubles to left field. Leody Taveras scores. Nick Solak singles to right field. Shin-Soo Choo scores. Jose Trevino flies out to deep right center field to Mookie Betts.2 runs, 3 hits, 1 error, 0 left on. Rangers 2, Dodgers 0.Dodgers seventh. Will Smith doubles to deep left field. Kike Hernandez grounds out to shallow infield, Isiah Kiner-Falefa to Derek Dietrich. Mookie Betts strikes out swinging. Corey Seager doubles to deep center field. Will Smith scores. Justin Turner singles to left field. Corey Seager scores. Cody Bellinger strikes out swinging.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Dodgers 2, Rangers 2.Rangers seventh. Derek Dietrich homers to left field. Isiah Kiner-Falefa singles to right center field. Scott Heineman singles to shallow right field. Isiah Kiner-Falefa to second. Leody Taveras strikes out swinging. Shin-Soo Choo singles to shallow center field. Scott Heineman to third. Isiah Kiner-Falefa scores. Nick Solak doubles to deep right center field. Shin-Soo Choo to third. Scott Heineman scores. Jose Trevino out on a sacrifice fly to right field to Mookie Betts. Shin-Soo Choo scores. Joey Gallo is intentionally walked. Todd Frazier flies out to deep right field to Mookie Betts.4 runs, 5 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Rangers 6, Dodgers 2.

Rangers second. Danny Santana called out on strikes. Jose Trevino doubles to deep left center field. Robinson Chirinos grounds out to shortstop, Tony Kemp to Matt Olson. Jose Trevino to third. Isiah Kiner-Falefa singles to center field. Jose Trevino scores.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Rangers 1, Athletics 0.Athletics third. Tony Kemp walks. Jonah Heim walks. Tony Kemp to second. Marcus Semien grounds out to shallow infield. Jonah Heim out at second. Tony Kemp to third. Robbie Grossman grounds out to shortstop, Todd Frazier to Danny Santana.1 run, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Athletics 1, Rangers 1.Athletics fourth. Matt Chapman hit by pitch. Mark Canha reaches on a fielder's choice to third base. Matt Chapman out at second. Stephen Piscotty strikes out swinging. Matt Olson homers to center field. Mark Canha scores. Ramon Laureano grounds out to shallow infield, Isiah Kiner-Falefa to Danny Santana.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Athletics 3, Rangers 1.Athletics fifth. Tony Kemp... [More]

Athletics first. Marcus Semien singles to center field. Ramon Laureano reaches on a fielder's choice to third base. Marcus Semien out at second. Matt Olson walks. Ramon Laureano to second. Matt Chapman strikes out swinging. Mark Canha singles to shallow center field. Matt Olson to second. Ramon Laureano scores. Robbie Grossman lines out to deep right field to Scott Heineman.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Athletics 1, Rangers 0.Rangers first. Leody Taveras strikes out swinging. Nick Solak singles to center field. Danny Santana doubles to deep left field. Nick Solak to third. Todd Frazier singles to center field. Danny Santana scores. Nick Solak scores. Jose Trevino flies out to deep center field to Ramon Laureano. Robinson Chirinos flies out to deep center field to Ramon Laureano.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Rangers 2, Athletics 1.Athletics second. Stephen Piscotty homers to center field. Tony Kemp grounds out to right field to Danny Santana. Sean Murphy strikes out swinging. Marcus Semien walks. Ramon Laureano hit by pitch. Marcus Semien to second. Matt Olson strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on. Athletics 2, Rangers 2.Rangers second. Rougned Odor strikes out swinging. Isiah Kiner-Falefa homers to right field. Scott Heineman strikes out swinging. Leody Taveras singles to left field. Nick Solak reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Leody Taveras out at second.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Rangers 3, Athletics 2.

Mariners first. J.P. Crawford strikes out swinging. Sam Haggerty singles to center field. Kyle Lewis singles to center field. Sam Haggerty to third. Kyle Seager out on a sacrifice fly to deep center field to Scott Heineman. Sam Haggerty scores. Austin Nola singles to shallow center field. Kyle Lewis to third. Evan White doubles. Austin Nola scores. Kyle Lewis scores. Jake Fraley grounds out to second base, Rougned Odor to Danny Santana.3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Mariners 3, Rangers 0.Rangers third. Rob Refsnyder hit by pitch. Scott Heineman lines out to deep right field to Jake Fraley. Nick Solak singles to right field. Rob Refsnyder to third. Danny Santana out on a sacrifice fly to deep left field to Sam Haggerty. Rob Refsnyder scores. Todd Frazier flies out to left field to Sam Haggerty.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Mariners 3, Rangers 1.Mariners third. Kyle Lewis singles to right field. Kyle Seager singles to center field. Kyle Lewis to second. Austin Nola singles to shallow... [More]