The San Francisco Giants signed free-agent outfielder Yusniel Diaz to a minor-league deal on Tuesday. Diaz made his major-league debut in 2022 with the Baltimore Orioles but struck out in his only plate appearance in one game. The 27-year-old Cuban was once an interesting top prospect with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but he hasn't exactly turned out in the big leagues. In 94 games for Double-A Tulsa in 2023, he hit .278 (96-for-345) with 16 home runs, 21 doubles, a triple, 60 RBI, seven stolen bases and 54 runs scored. Diaz is still on the right side of 30 and will be hoping to impress the Giants enough in the minors early in 2024 to eventually get a call-up to the Show.

The Los Angeles Dodgers signed free-agent outfielder Yusniel Diaz to a minor-league deal on Friday that includes an invitation to major-league spring training. Diaz made his major-league debut last year with the Baltimore Orioles, but he struck out in his only plate appearance. The 26-year-old was originally signed out of Cuba by the Dodgers in 2015, so he'll be returning to the organization for 2023. He was sent to Baltimore in the blockbuster trade involving Manny Machado in 2018. In six minor-league seasons, Diaz has hit .261/.340/.410 with a .749 OPS, 54 home runs, 268 RBI, 273 runs scored and 39 stolen bases in 523 games played. Given LA's loaded roster, there's a high likelihood that Diaz opens the year in the minors.

The Arizona Diamondbacks are ready to open the season in familiar fashion: with Mad Bum on the mound. Madison Bumgarner was tabbed by manager Torey Lovullo to make his second straight opening day start for the Diamondbacks on Thursday at San Diego. The 31-year-old four-time All-Star struggled last season — his first in Arizona — going 1-4 with a 6.48 ERA. He was 2-1 with a 6.35 ERA in three spring starts, including allowing six earned runs against Cincinnati on Friday. But Bumgarner, who signed a five-year, $85 million contract before last season, will still lead off a Diamondbacks rotation that includes Merrill Kelly, Caleb Smith, Taylor Widener and Luke Weaver. This will be the seventh opening day start in Bumgarner's career after doing so five times with San Francisco. The Yankees also are setting their rotation, announcing Sunday that Corey Kluber will follow ace Gerrit Cole against Toronto. Kluber, who signed a one-year, $11 million contract with New York, has thrown one inning in... [More]

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Dustin Pedroia's first game in nearly 10 months couldn't have gone much better — even if it lasted just one inning.Pedroia cleanly fielded a two-out grounder by Minnesota's Jake Cave, then singled off Kohl Stewart leading off the bottom half of Boston's 12-1 loss Thursday."It made me happy to run around the bases," Pedroia said. "It was really fun out there."A four-time All-Star and the 2008 AL MVP, Pedroia's knee problems began with a spikes-up takeout slide at second by Baltimore's Manny Machado on April 21, 2017. Pedroia went on the disabled list three times that season, twice because of knee inflammation, and had left knee surgery that Oct. 25.He played in five injury rehabilitation games at Triple-A Pawtucket last May 14-24, appeared in three games for the Red Sox from May 26-29, then went back on the disabled list for the rest of the season."I just need to keep building on this. I hadn't seen a pitch since May 29. Everything went well," Pedroia said.Cave and... [More]

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Dustin Pedroia's first game in nearly 10 months couldn't have gone much better — even if it lasted just one inning.Pedroia cleanly fielded a two-out grounder by Minnesota's Jake Cave, then singled off Kohl Stewart leading off the bottom half of Boston's 12-1 loss Thursday."It made me happy to run around the bases," Pedroia said. "It was really fun out there."A four-time All-Star and the 2008 AL MVP, Pedroia's knee problems began with a spikes-up takeout slide at second by Baltimore's Manny Machado on April 21, 2017. Pedroia went on the disabled list three times that season, twice because of knee inflammation, and had left knee surgery that Oct. 25.He played in five injury rehabilitation games at Triple-A Pawtucket last May 14-24, appeared in three games for the Red Sox from May 26-29, then went back on the disabled list for the rest of the season."I just need to keep building on this. I hadn't seen a pitch since May 29. Everything went well," Pedroia said.Cave and... [More]

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman left Wednesday's 11-5 victory over the Miami Marlins because of back stiffness.Bregman walked in the first inning and was replaced after the second. He was playing his third spring training game following arthroscopic elbow surgery on Jan. 11.Astros manager A.J. Hinch said Bregman probably will be held out a day and return to the lineup on Friday.AROUND THE GRAPEFRUIT AND CACTUS LEAGUESBLUE JAYS 9, PHILLIES 7Cavan Biggio, the son of Astros Hall of Famer Craig Biggio, and Anthony Alford both homered for the first time for the Blue Jays. Dalton Pompey hit two doubles and drove in three runs for Toronto. Aaron Sanchez made his second start, allowing a hit and two walks in 2 2/3 scoreless innings.Vince Velasquez made his first start for Philadelphia, allowing one run, one hit and two walks in one inning. Aaron Althier went 0 for 3, striking out twice and lowering his average to .143.ORIOLES 9, RAYS 6Mike Yastrzemski, a grandson... [More]

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman left Wednesday's 11-5 victory over the Miami Marlins because of back stiffness.Bregman walked in the first inning and was replaced after the second. He was playing his third spring training game following arthroscopic elbow surgery on Jan. 11.Astros manager A.J. Hinch said Bregman probably will be held out a day and return to the lineup on Friday.AROUND THE GRAPEFRUIT AND CACTUS LEAGUESBLUE JAYS 9, PHILLIES 7Cavan Biggio, the son of Astros Hall of Famer Craig Biggio, and Anthony Alford both homered for the first time for the Blue Jays. Dalton Pompey hit two doubles and drove in three runs for Toronto. Aaron Sanchez made his second start, allowing a hit and two walks in 2 2/3 scoreless innings.Vince Velasquez made his first start for Philadelphia, allowing one run, one hit and two walks in one inning. Aaron Althier went 0 for 3, striking out twice and lowering his average to .143.ORIOLES 9, RAYS 6Mike Yastrzemski, a grandson... [More]

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — The biggest play from the Phillies' spring training game Thursday: great communication behind the home dugout.Philadelphia fans with an eye on their smartphones cried out when reports emerged that Bryce Harper had agreed to a deal with the Phillies, breaking the news to manager Gabe Kapler and his players during a 5-5 split-squad tie with the Orioles. Harper agreed to a $330 million, 13-year deal with the club, the largest contract in baseball history. Harper's agent, Scott Boras, said the deal was agreed to shortly before noon, subject to a successful physical."If the reports are true, it's a huge moment for our baseball team," Kapler said. "Certainly I think that the city of Philadelphia would embrace Bryce Harper. I think he would be very happy in this city because our fans care deeply about winning."A 26-year-old All-Star who had spent his entire big league career with the Washington Nationals, Harper topped the $325 million, 13-year agreement outfielder Giancarlo... [More]

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — The biggest play from the Phillies' spring training game Thursday: great communication behind the home dugout.Philadelphia fans with an eye on their smartphones cried out when reports emerged that Bryce Harper had agreed to a deal with the Phillies, breaking the news to manager Gabe Kapler and his players during a 5-5 split-squad tie with the Orioles. Harper agreed to a $330 million, 13-year deal with the club, the largest contract in baseball history. Harper's agent, Scott Boras, said the deal was agreed to shortly before noon, subject to a successful physical."If the reports are true, it's a huge moment for our baseball team," Kapler said. "Certainly I think that the city of Philadelphia would embrace Bryce Harper. I think he would be very happy in this city because our fans care deeply about winning."A 26-year-old All-Star who had spent his entire big league career with the Washington Nationals, Harper topped the $325 million, 13-year agreement outfielder Giancarlo... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Adam Jones chose to stay with the Baltimore Orioles, using his contractual right to block a trade from a team dealing veterans and going into a rebuilding mode."It's my decision. It's my life," Jones said following Tuesday night's 6-3 loss to the New York Yankees. "No one's going to tell me what to do. I earned every single bit of it. People before me fought vigorously, tirelessly, to get rights like this."Infielder Jonathan Schoop, and pitchers Kevin Gausman and Darren O'Day were the latest departures in the payroll purge ahead of Tuesday's deadline for trades without waivers, joining Manny Machado, Zach Britton and Brad Brach among the jettisoned from a team that dropped to a major league-worst 32-75.A five-time All-Star who can become a free agent after the season, Jones for now chose to remain with the club where he's spent the past 11 seasons. He said he doesn't care about criticism of his decision."Well here's the thing about society, everyone thinks that they know... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Baltimore infielder Jonathan Schoop strolled into the visiting clubhouse at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday afternoon, unsure whether he should suit up or stay in his street clothes.As it turned out, there was no longer a need for the Curacao native to put on his Orioles uniform.Schoop joined the exodus from the Orioles along with pitchers Kevin Gausman and Darren O'Day, part of a payroll purge by an underperforming team that has cut nearly $29 million in payroll obligations for this year and next while acquiring 14 prospects, one major leaguer and $2.75 million in international signing bonus allotment in exchange for six veterans.Signed by Baltimore at just 16 years old, Schoop played parts of six seasons with the club and was an All-Star last year, when he hit .293 with a career-high 32 home runs and 105 RBIs. He had regressed a bit this season, hitting .244 with 17 homers."It's difficult," Schoop reflected. "This is the team that gave me the chance."The Orioles obtained $2.5... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Pitchers Kevin Gausman and Darren O'Day and infielder Jonathan Schoop joined the exodus from the Baltimore Orioles, who have cut nearly $29 million in payroll obligations for this year and next while acquiring 14 prospects, one major leaguer and $2.75 million in international signing bonus allotment in exchange for six veterans.The Orioles obtained $2.5 million in allotment from Atlanta on Tuesday for the pitchers and also got four prospects: right-hander Evan Phillips, infielder Jean Carlos Encarnacion, catcher Brett Cumberland and left-hander Bruce Zimmerman. They acquired infielder Jonathan Villar along with a pair of minor leaguers from Milwaukee for Schoop, getting right-hander Luis Ortiz and infielder Jean Carmona.Baltimore began the day a major league-worst 32-74. The Orioles began the sell-off on July 18 by sending Machado, a four-time All-Star, to the Los Angeles Dodgers for outfielder Yusniel Diaz, infielders Rylan Bannon and Breyvic Valera, and right-handers Dean... [More]

The Los Angeles Dodgers won the Manny Machado sweepstakes, getting the prized All-Star shortstop from the Baltimore Orioles in a trade Wednesday night.The Orioles received five prospects: outfielder Yusniel Diaz, right-handers Dean Kremer and Zach Pop, and third basemen Rylan Bannon and Breyvic Valera.Machado, a 26-year-old power hitter with extraordinary fielding skills, greatly improves the Dodgers' chances of reaching the World Series for a second consecutive year. He led Baltimore in batting average (.315), home runs (24) and RBIs (65).Machado is expected to be introduced in Milwaukee on Friday before the Dodgers open a series against the Brewers."We viewed Manny Machado as a big difference maker," Dodgers general manager Farhan Zaidi said.The Dodgers are in a close race in the NL West, leading Arizona by a half-game going into the second half."Our first hope is we have a division-winning roster," Zaidi said. "Any time you have a chance to add an impact player in a tight division race... [More]

The Los Angeles Dodgers won the Manny Machado sweepstakes, getting the prized All-Star shortstop from the Baltimore Orioles in a trade Wednesday night.The Orioles received five prospects: outfielder Yusniel Diaz, right-hander Dean Kremer, third baseman Rylan Bannon, righty Zach Pop and third baseman Breyvic Valera.Machado, a 26-year-old power hitter with extraordinary fielding skills, greatly improves the Dodgers' chances of reaching the World Series for a second consecutive year. He led Baltimore in batting average (.315), home runs (24) and RBIs (65).Machado is expected to be introduced in Milwaukee on Friday before the Dodgers open a series against the Brewers.Machado's contract expires at the end of the season, and the last-place Orioles decided against negotiating an expensive, multi-year extension because they have too many holes as the team moves into a rebuilding mode."We tried to maintain a competitive club this year, and that's why we resisted the offers we had in the offseason... [More]

The Los Angeles Dodgers have won the Manny Machado sweepstakes, getting the prized All-Star shortstop from the Baltimore Orioles in a trade Wednesday night.The Orioles received five prospects in the deal: outfielder Yusniel Diaz, right-hander Dean Kremer, third baseman Rylan Bannon, righty Zach Pop and third baseman Breyvic Valera.Machado, a 26-year-old power hitter with extraordinary fielding skills, greatly improves the Dodgers' chances of reaching the World Series for a second consecutive year. He led Baltimore in batting average (.315), home runs (24) and RBIs (65).Machado is expected to be introduced in Milwaukee on Friday before the Dodgers open a series against the Brewers.Machado's contract expires at the end of the season, and the last-place Orioles decided against negotiating an expensive, multi-year extension because they have too many holes as the team moves into a rebuilding mode.Though only a summer rental, Machado was coveted by a variety of contenders, including Philadelphia,... [More]

The Los Angeles Dodgers have won the Manny Machado sweepstakes, getting the prized All-Star shortstop from the Baltimore Orioles in a trade Wednesday night.The Orioles received five prospects in the deal: outfielder Yusniel Diaz, right-hander Dean Kremer, third baseman Rylan Bannon, righty Zach Pop and third baseman Breyvic Valera.Machado, a 26-year-old power hitter with extraordinary fielding skills, greatly improves the Dodgers' chances of reaching the World Series for a second consecutive year. He led Baltimore in batting average (.315), home runs (24) and RBIs (65).Machado is expected to be introduced in Milwaukee on Friday before the Dodgers open a series against the Brewers.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have won the Manny Machado sweepstakes, garnering the prized All-Star shortstop from the Baltimore Orioles in a trade Wednesday night.A person with knowledge of the deal confirmed the trade to The Associated Press. Another person with knowledge of the trade said the Orioles will receive five prospects: outfielder Yusniel Diaz, right-hander Dean Kremer, third baseman Rylan Bannon, righty Zach Pop and third baseman Breyvic Valera. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal has not yet been announced.Machado, a power-hitter with extraordinary fielding skills, greatly improves the Dodgers' chances of reaching the World Series for a second consecutive year. He led Baltimore in batting average (.315), home runs (24) and RBIs (65).Machado is expected to be introduced in Milwaukee on Friday before the Dodgers open a series against the Brewers.Machado's contract expires at the end of the season, and the last-place Orioles decided against negotiating an expensive,... [More]