TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Five years after claiming the Yankees were trying to run him out of baseball, Alex Rodriguez is remaining with New York as a revered elder statesman.New York said Sunday that A-Rod will be a special adviser."I think he has a lot to offer," new Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. "Hopefully it's an opportunity for him to impact our team. I think everyone understands just how smart of a baseball mind he is and his ability I think to communicate that sometimes is really something he's special at, especially with the younger guys."When Rodriguez retired in August 2016 during a season-long slump, he agreed to serve as an adviser and instructor for the remainder of his $275 million, 10-year contract. Rodriguez spent a few days each year working with prospects, and when that deal expired at the end of last season he spoke with owner Hal Steinbrenner about remaining in some role.Nick Swisher also was added as a special adviser, joining Reggie Jackson and Hideki Matsui.Jackson says... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Aaron Boone walked to home plate for his first game as a manager at any level and was greeted by Detroit's Ron Gardenhire, a 60-year-old baseball lifer back in charge of a big league team for the first time in four years."I told him to go easy on me," Boone said. "I didn't want to look him in the eye — like Jedi mind trick on me or something."Hired to replace Joe Girardi, the former ESPN broadcaster managed the Yankees over the Tigers 3-1 on a warm and sunny Friday afternoon in their spring training opener.Boone arrived at Steinbrenner Field at about 7 a.m., his usual time, six hours before the first pitch. He got in an early morning workout, was in the famous pinstriped uniform more than an hour before game time and wore his cap high on his forehead, like Joe Torre did when Boone helped the 2003 Yankees reach the World Series with a pennant-winning home run.Boone watched the game from a folding chair on the home plate-side of the Yankees dugout, with new bench coach... [More]

Spring training got off to a solemn start as MLB teams wore hats to honor Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, where 17 people were fatally shot nine days ago.Stoneman Douglas baseball coach Todd Fitz-Gerald and his two sons were guests of the Houston Astros for their spring opener against the Washington Nationals. Members of the school's baseball and softball teams were guests of the Marlins and mingled on the field with players, coaches and CEO Derek Jeter.Teams had the option of wearing he caps, which are black with "SD" in block letters, during the games or only during warmups. Both the Astros and Nationals wore them during Friday's games.MLB ordered more than 2,500 of the caps from New Era, league spokesman Steven Arrocho said. Many teams will have players sign them, and they will be auctioned to benefit the victims and families affected by the shooting.Fitz-Gerald said it was a "relief" to get back to the sport he loves and to stop thinking, at least for a moment,... [More]

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — The Boston Red Sox have still yet to finalize their contract with prized free agent J.D. Martinez.Manager Alex Cora said after Boston's Grapefruit League exhibition opener against Minnesota on Friday that he's not bothered by the delay and is simply focused on preparing the players he already has in camp."We're still working and getting ready, you know? That's all we can do," Cora said after the Red Sox beat the Twins 4-3 at JetBlue Park.Martinez agreed to terms on Monday to a deal that's as long as five years and worth as much as $110 million, according to a person familiar with the negotiations who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the contract is subject to a successful physical exam and has not been announced by the club.Nine-figure deals like this one need due diligence, and teams usually take out insurance policies on fully guaranteed big-money contracts in case a player is injured and unable to play out the balance of the deal.... [More]

Spring training got off to a solemn start as MLB teams wore hats to honor Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, where 17 people were fatally shot nine days ago.Stoneman Douglas baseball coach Todd Fitz-Gerald and his two sons were guests of the Houston Astros for their spring opener against the Washington Nationals. Members of the school's baseball and softball teams were guests of the Marlins and mingled on the field with players, coaches and CEO Derek Jeter.Teams had the option of wearing he caps, which are black with "SD" in block letters, during the games or only during warmups. Both the Astros and Nationals wore them during Friday's games.MLB ordered more than 2,500 of the caps from New Era, league spokesman Steven Arrocho said. Many teams will have players sign them, and they will be auctioned to benefit the victims and families affected by the shooting.Fitz-Gerald said it was a "relief" to get back to the sport he loves and to stop thinking, at least for a moment,... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Aaron Boone was a winner in his first game as a baseball manager at any level.Hired to replace Joe Girardi in the New York dugout, Boone managed the Yankees to a 3-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Friday in their spring training opener.Giancarlo Stanton played in the Yankees' pinstripes for the first time since he was acquired from Miami in December. The major league home run champion and NL MVP walked and grounded into a double play.AL home run champion and Rookie of the Year Aaron Judge hit on a back field and likely won't play in an exhibition game until next week.Ron Gardenhire managed Detroit for the first time after replacing Brad Ausmus.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — After watching J.D. Martinez transform into one of baseball's most powerful sluggers, Brandon Drury decided his career could lift off with some of that long-ball technique.So Drury commuted from his Las Vegas home to Southern California a half-dozen times during the offseason to work with the coaches who rebuilt the swings of Martinez and Chris Taylor. Launch angle is baseball's in vogue buzzword, and Drury wants some buzz."I don't feel like I've done anything like what I'm capable of the last couple years. They've both been kind of a grind," Drury said Thursday after his first workout with the New York Yankees. "The numbers are OK, I would say, but I don't think that those last two seasons is half of where I am."A 25-year-old who made his big league debut three years ago, Drury hit .267 with 13 homers and 63 RBIs last year in his second full season with the Diamondbacks, a year after batting .282 with 16 homers and 53 RBIs.New York acquired him from Arizona on Tuesday... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks sent infielder Brandon Drury to the New York Yankees and received outfielder Steven Souza Jr. from the Tampa Bay Rays in a three-team trade Tuesday that included five players plus two to be named later.The deal was announced one day after former Diamondbacks slugger J.D. Martinez agreed to a $110 million, five-year contract with Boston, pending a physical. Arizona has moved quickly to fill that hole in the outfield, signing speedy Jarrod Dyson to a $7.5 million, two-year contract on Monday before trading for Souza.Souza will be the starter at one corner outfield position, with Dyson subbing at all three spots.Drury gives the Yankees a new option at third base or second base, where New York was projected to start a pair of rookies.Top pitching prospect Anthony Banda goes from Arizona to the Rays, who also get minor league second baseman Nick Solak from the Yankees and two players to be named from the Diamondbacks. Minor league right-hander... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks sent infielder Brandon Drury to the New York Yankees and received outfielder Steven Souza Jr. from the Tampa Bay Rays in a three-team trade Tuesday that included five players.The deal was announced one day after former Diamondbacks outfielder J.D. Martinez agreed to a $110 million, five-year contract with Boston, pending a physical.Drury gives the Yankees a new option at third base and second base, where New York was projected to start a pair of rookies.Arizona pitching prospect Anthony Banda goes to the Rays, who also get minor league second baseman Nick Solak from the Yankees and two players to be named from the Diamondbacks. Minor league right-hander Taylor Widener goes from New York to Arizona.Drury played mostly second base for Arizona but came through the minors as a third baseman and could fill that spot for the Yankees, who have top prospect Gleyber Torres penciled in at second. Another prospect, Miguel Andujar, was a leading candidate... [More]

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — The Boston Red Sox didn't commit $110 million for J.D. Martinez to be a part-timer.When he lands in the middle of the order, some of the everyday hitters will have to get used to fewer at-bats each week. New manager Alex Cora must navigate the complexities of lineup construction and defensive arrangements while watching for streaks and slumps and maintaining a harmonious and engaged clubhouse.Ah, what good problems to have. The Red Sox were more than ready for the arrival of Martinez and his 45 home runs in 119 games last season, no matter the minor complications of making room for him."He's definitely a force," first baseman Mitch Moreland said, "and it's good to have him on our side."After reaching a long-awaited five-year agreement with Martinez on Monday afternoon, the Red Sox took the field on Tuesday morning under picturesque blue skies with the temperature surging into the high 80s. The atmosphere at the beginning of spring training is always sunny, of course,... [More]

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — As soon as Giancarlo Stanton touched down with their main rivals, the Boston Red Sox were eager to take on New York — the Yankees, or maybe even the Jets and Giants."They're fielding a football team out there is kind of what I was thinking," Red Sox first baseman Mitch Moreland said. "They're running a two tight-end set. They've got some big boys over there."The 6-foot-6 Stanton, who topped the majors in home runs and was the NL MVP last team, joins a lineup with 6-7 Aaron Judge, the AL homer leader. The Yankees got Stanton in a trade with the Miami Marlins in December."Job well done," Red Sox owner John Henry said Monday on the first day of full-squad workouts.Entering last season's camp, Boston was tabbed as the AL East favorite after landing one of the biggest prizes in ace lefty Chris Sale during the winter meetings. That prompted Yankees general manager Brian Cashman to reference another sport: "Boston's like the Golden State Warriors now in baseball," he said.The... [More]

J.D. Martinez and the Boston Red Sox have, at long last, come to an agreement.The slow dance between the free agent slugger and the power-deficient team wrapped up Monday when they settled on a $110 million, five-year contract.A person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press about the deal, speaking on condition of anonymity because it was subject to a successful physical and had not been announced. Martinez has the right to opt out of the contract early and become a free agent again.Speculation Martinez and the AL East champions would eventually wind up together had been swirling ever since he became a free agent last November.Boston was seeking to add power to a lineup that hit an AL-low 168 home runs. The 30-year-old Martinez has changed his swing to improve his launch angle and become one of the top home-run threats in the majors.The move helps the Red Sox counter the huge deal their biggest rivals pulled off in December. The New York Yankees, who finished two games... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Giancarlo Stanton homered off the scoreboard in left-center and hit three opposite-field homers to right. Aaron Judge drove a pitch over the left-field walkway and also went deep to right.The New York Yankees' first full-squad batting practice of spring training drew about 2,000 fans Monday. The two sluggers took 30 swings each, and fans reacted whenever the ball was lifted into the air."The moment we touched the dirt, they're buzzing and ready for us to get into the cage and hit," Stanton said afterward, wearing a sleeveless shirt. "That was really cool. Nothing like that (I had) experienced in spring."Brooks Cook and his son Brody from New Port Richey positioned themselves in left field, about 375 feet from the plate."We might be too close," Brooks Cook said.Brooks Cook noted there were more than Yankees' fans in attendance."I have a friend who's a die-hard Red Sox who's coming to see them hit," Brooks Cook said. "A Red Sox fan."Judge set a big league rookie record... [More]

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — As soon as Giancarlo Stanton touched down with their main rivals, the Boston Red Sox were eager to take on New York — the Yankees, or maybe even the Jets and Giants."They're fielding a football team out there is kind of what I was thinking," Red Sox first baseman Mitch Moreland said. "They're running a two tight-end set. They've got some big boys over there."The 6-foot-6 Stanton, who topped the majors in home runs and was the NL MVP last team, joins a lineup with 6-7 Aaron Judge, the AL homer leader. The Yankees got Stanton in a trade with the Miami Marlins in December."Job well done," Red Sox owner John Henry said Monday on the first day of full-squad workouts.Entering last season's camp, Boston was tabbed as the AL East favorite after landing one of the biggest prizes in ace lefty Chris Sale during the winter meetings. That prompted Yankees general manager Brian Cashman to reference another sport: "Boston's like the Golden State Warriors now in baseball," he said.The... [More]

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — As soon as Giancarlo Stanton touched down with their main rivals, the Boston Red Sox were eager to take on New York — the Yankees, or maybe even the Jets and Giants."They're fielding a football team out there is kind of what I was thinking," Red Sox first baseman Mitch Moreland said. "They're running a two tight-end set. They've got some big boys over there."The 6-foot-6 Stanton, who topped the majors in home runs and was the NL MVP last team, joins a lineup with 6-7 Aaron Judge, the AL homer leader. The Yankees got Stanton in a trade with the Miami Marlins in December."Job well done," Red Sox owner John Henry said Monday on the first day of full-squad workouts.Entering last season's camp, Boston was tabbed as the AL East favorite after landing one of the biggest prizes in ace lefty Chris Sale during the winter meetings. That prompted Yankees general manager Brian Cashman to reference another sport: "Boston's like the Golden State Warriors now in baseball," he said.The... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Yankees outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury says the team has not approached him about waiving his no-trade clause.There has been speculation that the Yankees would like to move some of the money due Ellsbury, who has three years remaining on a $153 million, seven-year contract.Ellsbury, 34, enters spring training as the odd man out in the outfield after losing his center field job last year to Aaron Hicks. Brett Gardner is locked in as the left fielder. Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge will rotate between right field and designated hitter, and could also get time in left when Gardner is rested."There's not a lineup made up yet, that's how I look at it," Ellsbury said Sunday on reporting day for position players. "Every year you come in and compete. One game, one pitch, your role could totally change."Yankees manager Aaron Boone hasn't officially named Hicks as the starter but pointed out the success the 28-year-old had in 2017. Hicks had a .266 average, along with 15 homers... [More]

Justin Verlander is looking forward to a full season with the Houston Astros, while the New York Mets are hoping for a healthier year for their starting staff.The New York Yankees? Well, this season may not be about their pitchers and catchers, but they can still send some pretty impressive arms to the mound.In many ways, Wednesday was the first real day of spring training, with over 20 teams scheduled for their first workouts with pitchers and catchers. The Astros, Mets and Yankees were among that group, and so were the Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs. In both Florida and Arizona, some of the game's biggest stars were back on the field."I'm excited to be here for the whole season," Verlander said. "I'm excited to be here for spring training and to be part of this whole thing from start to finish."Verlander reached the summit last year but missed much of the journey. He was traded to Houston at the end of August and became a key part of the Astros' run to the World... [More]

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Miami Marlins pitchers and catchers were still gathering in the midday sun to begin the first spring training workout Wednesday when someone asked manager Don Mattingly if he had decided on an opening day starter.After all, the Los Angeles Dodgers already announced Clayton Kershaw will start their opener."I didn't see any Kershaws on our roster," Mattingly said with a laugh.So no, Mattingly doesn't have a No. 1 pitcher yet. And three of the five jobs in the rotation are open, with more than a dozen pitchers having a shot to make the starting staff.Mattingly and his coaches will spend spring training evaluating the candidates, including several prospects acquired in trades during the Marlins' offseason payroll purge.Not among the rotation contenders to begin the season: injury-plagued left-hander Wei-Yin Chen, the Marlins' highest-paid pitcher as he enters the third season of an $80 million, five-year contract. He is not expected to be ready for opening day, but the... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Yankees slugger Aaron Judge took batting practice for the first time since left shoulder surgery and said he is on track to play on opening day.Judge hit a rookie record 52 home runs last year and was a unanimous pick for AL Rookie of the Year. He said the shoulder started to bother him around the All-Star break but he did not have any injections of painkiller. He refuses to attribute a lengthy slump to the injury.He is a centerpiece of the Baby Bombers' batting order along with catcher Gary Sanchez, a lineup boosted by the acquisition of major league home run champion Giancarlo Stanton from the Miami Marlins. New manager Aaron Boone plans to have Stanton and Judge — both right fielders — work out in left, and anticipates using the designated hitter spot to rotate players."Being around Stanton so far, he's ready for New York, he's ready to be here," Judge said. "He's going to fit right in with this team. It's going to be a fun thing we've got here."Because he is coming... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — On the day pitchers and catchers reported for his first spring training as New York Yankees manager, Aaron Boone acknowledged the pressure."Embrace that expectation," Boone said Tuesday. "Expect to go out there and be great. It beats the alternative, right. It really does. We're not going to run from that."Boone was hired to replace Joe Girardi, who was fired after a decade — even though the Yankees made an unexpected run to Game 7 of the AL Championship Series before losing to Houston.Led by Baby Bombers Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez, the Yankees face increased demands from their fans — especially after acquiring major league home run leader Giancarlo Stanton from Miami. Fans are likely to be satisfied only with the team's first World Series title since 2009."We understand the expectations and I think one of those things that's exciting for me is to hear some of those comments," Boone said."Last year was great. A lot of these guys came of age and viewed it as a very successful... [More]