Outfielder Matt Szczur officially announced his retirement on his Twitter page earlier this week. The 32-year-old played in five big league seasons from 2014-18. Four of those seasons came playing for the Chicago Cubs, and he finished up with two seasons for the San Diego Padres. In 667 career plate appearances, Szczur hit .231/.312/.355 with 2 home runs, 61 RBI, seven stolen bases and 80 runs scored over 363 games. The Cubs selected him in the fifth round of the 2010 draft out of Villanova, and he made his MLB debut in August of 2014. Szczur was a part of the Cubs World Series team in 2016.

A team-by-team look at the National League East entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad:___Atlanta Braves Manager: Brian Snitker (fifth season). 2019: 97-65, first place, lost to Cardinals in Division Series.Training Town: North Port, Florida.Park: CoolToday Park. First Workout: Feb. 13/18. He's Here: LF Marcell Ozuna, C Travis d'Arnaud, LHP Cole Hamels, LHP Will Smith, RHP Félix Hernández.He's Outta Here: 3B Josh Donaldson, LHP Dallas Keuchel, RHP Julio Teheran, C Brian McCann, OF Matt Joyce, RHP Anthony Swarzak, RHP Josh Tomlin, LHP Jerry Blevins, OF Billy Hamilton, C Francisco Cervelli. Going campin': The Braves are coming off their second straight NL East title, led by one of baseball's brightest young stars. In his first full season in the big leagues, 22-year-old OF Ronald Acuña Jr. hit 41 homers, led the league with 127 runs and tallied 37 stolen bases to become the second-youngest... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — All rise — again. Aaron Judge is back.Judge hit his first two homers of spring training, helping the New York Yankees to a 7-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers in a split-squad game on Sunday.Brett Gardner also connected twice and Gary Sanchez had a solo drive as New York went deep six times. The Yankees set a major league record with 267 homers last season.Gardner and Judge hit consecutive homers off Daniel Norris in the first. Judge went deep again in the fifth, belting a two-run drive to right that went off the glove of a leaping Victor Reyes and just over the wall.Norris allowed three runs and four hits in 1 2/3 innings. The 25-year-old left-hander is trying to win a spot in Detroit's rotation."Just trying to throw strikes and stay out of the middle of the zone, which I didn't do very good today," Norris said.Masahiro Tanaka tossed three scoreless innings for the Yankees in his first spring start. Traditionally one of baseball's most deliberate workers, the right-hander... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Jon Lester combined with two relievers on a one-hitter, and the Cubs took advantage of a first-inning slip by center fielder Starling Marte in a 2-0 victory Saturday over the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago's 11th win in 13 games.Lester (7-2) allowed a two-out triple in the third to Austin Meadows, then retired Starling Marte on a groundout. Lester struck out five and walked two in seven innings, improving to 5-1 in his past six starts.Justin Wilson and Steve Cishek each pitched a perfect inning. Cishek got his second save as the Cubs remained a half-game behind NL Central-leading Milwaukee.Nick Kingham (2-3) allowed both runs and four hits in 6 1/3 innings. Pittsburgh lost for the sixth time in seven games and is 5-16 following a 26-17 start, losing seven straight series.YANKEES 4, METS 3NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Judge hit a tiebreaking drive in the eighth inning and the Yankees won a game of home run derby, beating the Mets for their sixth straight victory in the Subway Series.Rookies... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Jon Lester combined with two relievers on a one-hitter, and the Cubs took advantage of a first-inning slip by center fielder Starling Marte in a 2-0 victory Saturday over the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago's 11th win in 13 games.Lester (7-2) allowed a two-out triple in the third to Austin Meadows, then retired Starling Marte on a groundout. Lester struck out five and walked two in seven innings, improving to 5-1 in his past six starts.Justin Wilson and Steve Cishek each pitched a perfect inning. Cishek got his second save as the Cubs remained a half-game behind NL Central-leading Milwaukee.Nick Kingham (2-3) allowed both runs and four hits in 6 1/3 innings. Pittsburgh lost for the sixth time in seven games and is 5-16 following a 26-17 start, losing seven straight series.YANKEES 4, METS 3NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Judge hit a tiebreaking drive in the eighth inning and the Yankees won a game of home run derby, beating the Mets for their sixth straight victory in the Subway Series.Rookies... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Brett Gardner capped a slump-busting performance with a go-ahead, two-run triple off Craig Kimbrel in the eighth inning, Aaron Judge followed with a homer and the New York Yankees rallied to beat the Boston Red Sox 9-6 Wednesday night for their 17th victory in 18 games.Kimbrel entered with two on and one out to face Gardner seeking the first five-out save of his career. Gardner drilled a full-count pitch into left-center field, well over the head of center fielder Mookie Betts, who was playing shallow. Neil Walker scored easily from third and rookie Gleyber Torres raced from first and slid past a lunging tag attempted by catcher Christian Vazquez.Judge followed with a line drive to center measured at 117 mph off the bat, his ninth homer of the season. He had three hits and three RBIs as New York won its eighth straight overall and 11th in a row at home.Kimbrel replaced Matt Barnes (0-1) after a double by Walker and a one-out walk to Torres.Yankees reliever Jonathan Holder... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Brett Gardner capped a slump-busting performance with a go-ahead, two-run triple off Craig Kimbrel in the eighth inning, Aaron Judge followed with a homer and the New York Yankees rallied to beat the Boston Red Sox 9-6 Wednesday night for their 17th victory in 18 games.Kimbrel entered with two on and one out to face Gardner seeking the first five-out save of his career. Gardner drilled a full-count pitch into left-center field, well over the head of center fielder Mookie Betts, who was playing shallow. Neil Walker scored easily from third and rookie Gleyber Torres raced from first and slid past a lunging tag attempted by catcher Christian Vazquez.Judge followed with a line drive to center measured at 117 mph off the bat, his ninth homer of the season. He had three hits and three RBIs as New York won its eighth straight overall and 11th in a row at home.Kimbrel replaced Matt Barnes (0-1) after a double by Walker and a one-out walk to Torres.Yankees reliever Jonathan Holder... [More]

The Los Angeles Dodgers might've caught a break with Justin Turner's broken wrist.The All-Star third baseman is expected to heal without surgery, manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday. No definitive word yet on how long Turner will be out.Turner was injured Monday night when he was hit by a pitch from Oakland's Kendall Graveman. The NL champion Dodgers open the regular season a week from Thursday."It's just essentially time," Roberts said. "That's the initial thought. That could change, but that's what I've heard."Turner had cast over his wrist when he arrived at camp in the morning. He was scheduled to see a hand specialist.Turner hit .322 with 21 homers and 71 RBIs last year. He had 14 RBIs in the postseason, including seven against the Chicago Cubs in the NL Championship Series, when he and teammate Chris Taylor shared the MVP award.The Dodgers appear ready to move Logan Forsythe from second base to third in Turner's absence and have Enrique Hernandez and Chase Utley share time at second.ELSEWHERE... [More]

The bullpen cart is back in the big leagues.Nearly a quarter-century since relievers stopped catching rides to the mound, the Arizona Diamondbacks said Tuesday they will use a buggy — topped by the requisite oversized team cap — to transport pitchers from both bullpens at Chase Field."I don't know how it will be getting driven in, but I think it's a cool idea and we'll have some fun with it," Diamondbacks closer candidate Archie Bradley said.With Major League Baseball looking for ways to speed up things, it's hard to tell whether this will save any time. But it's certain to be a hit with fans, especially the kids the game is trying to attract."I love it. I love it. I love," Cleveland manager Terry Francona said. "It brings a little personality. We're probably the only sport that can do something like that."The last known time a team in the majors used a motorized vehicle — some clubs had actual cars — to relay relievers was 1995, when the Milwaukee Brewers shuttled them in a motorcycle... [More]

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Now that San Diego's first base position is in Eric Hosmer's $144 million hands, it seems as if there are 144 million candidates for the one remaining starting spot in the Padres' outfield.Wil Myers will move to one of the corner spots after playing first base the previous two seasons, manager Andy Green said, and Manuel Margot remains a fixture in center field after a notable rookie season in 2017.That leaves the other seven holdovers who made at least 20 starts in the Padres' outfield last year — including power bat and 2013 first-round draft pick Hunter Renfroe — in the mix for final starting position and the reserve roles."He's right in the thick of that competition," manager Andy Green said of Renfroe, adding, "we didn't have to have a (roster) move to cause that to happen."Green mentioned Alex Dickerson, Franchy Cordero, Travis Jankowski, Matt Szczur and Jose Pirela as others in the outfield competition, noting that Pirela also could spend time in the infield.Renfroe... [More]

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Now that San Diego's first base position is in Eric Hosmer's $144 million hands, it seems as if there are 144 million candidates for the one remaining starting spot in the Padres' outfield.Wil Myers will move to one of the corner spots after playing first base the previous two seasons, manager Andy Green said, and Manuel Margot remains a fixture in center field after a notable rookie season in 2017.That leaves the other seven holdovers who made at least 20 starts in the Padres' outfield last year — including power bat and 2013 first-round draft pick Hunter Renfoe — in the mix for final starting position and the reserve roles."He's right in the thick of that competition," manager Andy Green said of Renfroe, adding, "we didn't have to have a (roster) move to cause that to happen."Green mentioned Alex Dickerson, Franchy Cordero, Travis Jankowski, Matt Szczur and Joel Pirela as others in the outfield competition, noting that Pirela also could spend time in the infield.Renfroe... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Shortstop Freddy Galvis was one of six players to reach agreement on one-year deals with the San Diego Padres to avoid salary arbitration.Galvis, acquired in a trade from the Phillies last month, will make $6,825,000 in a big bump from his 2017 salary of $4,350,000. He played in all 162 games for Philadelphia last season, the first time he has done so. He batted .255 with 12 homers and 61 RBIs.Left-hander Brad Hand received a $3.6 million contract and a raise from his $1,375,000 last year, when he went 3-4 with a 2.16 ERA in 72 appearances.Also reaching one-year deals Friday to avoid arbitration were right-hander Carter Capps for $1,062,500, up from $987,500; third baseman Cory Spangenberg at $1.7 million, up from $545,500; outfielder Matt Szczur at $950,000 after he made $549,500 and right-hander Kirby Yates for $1,062,500 up, from $545,000.Spangenberg batted .264 with career-bests of 13 homers, 46 RBIs, 11 stolen bases and 129 games.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Right-hander Craig Stammen is guaranteed $4.5 million as part of his two-year contract with the San Diego Padres and can earn an additional $1 million in performance bonuses annually based on pitching appearances.San Diego announced his deal Saturday, when the Padres also said they agreed to a two-year contract with Japanese right-hander Kazuhisa Makita.In addition, the Padres avoided arbitration with pitcher Carter Capps by agreeing to a non-guaranteed one-year deal worth $1,062,500.Stammen has a salary of $2.25 million in each of the next two seasons and can earn $100,000 for 20 pitching appearances and each additional five through 50. He can make $150,000 apiece for 55 and 60.The 33-year-old was 2-3 with a 3.14 ERA with 74 strikeouts and 28 walks in a career-high 60 appearances for the Padres last season. In 289 career appearances with Washington and San Diego, Stammen is 28-27 with a 3.80 ERA.Makita, also 33, was 10-4 with a 1.91 ERA the last two seasons with the Pacific... [More]

OF Matt Szczur was activated from the Family Leave list Tuesday, although he wasn't in the starting lineup. Szczur is batting only .209 with three home runs and 13 RBIs, but he could show up in the lineup at some point in this series. The former Chicago Cub has punished St. Louis pitching in his career for a .353 average with a double and three homers.

INF Matt Szczur was placed on the family leave list. He will likely join the team next week at St. Louis.

OF Matt Szczur nearly became the first major leaguer ever to record a cycle in a game he didn't start in Friday's win over the San Francisco Giants. After entering the game in a double-switch in the fifth inning, Szczur put himself on the doorstep of history with a double, single and triple in his first three at-bats. He then struck out in the ninth inning before capping a four-hit night with an RBI single in a three-run 11th inning. It was the second multiple-hit game of his career.

OF Matt Szczur hit a solo shot on the first pitch of his first game back in Chicago on Friday night to get San Diego rolling to a 6-3 win over the White Sox. Szczur led off and was in center field for the Padres after the crosstown Cubs designated him for assignment and then traded him to San Diego on Monday. The 27-year-old has five hits in 13 at-bats in his first four games for San Diego, where he said he hopes to find steady work after shuttling between the Cubs and Triple-A since 2014. "It's great to have an opportunity to be in the lineup every day," Szczur said. "It's what I needed my whole career and I'm lucky to have it fall into place."

LF Matt Szczur made the most of his first start with his new team Wednesday, going 3-for-3 with an RBI double and two singles as he tied his career high with three hits. Szczur was just 4-for-19 in limited playing time for the Chicago Cubs in 15 games this year. San Diego got him in a trade Monday.

OF Matt Szczur grounded out as a pinch-hitter in his Padres debut Tuesday. He finished the game in left field. The Padres acquired Szczur from the Cubs on Monday night in exchange for Double-A pitcher Justin Hancock.

OF Matt Szczur, 27, was acquired by the Padres from the Chicago Cubs Monday in a trade for Double-A RHP Justin Hancock. Szczur has a .243 career batting average with eight home runs in 338 at-bats. He can play all three outfield positions. "We talked to the Cubs in spring training about Szczur," said Padres general manager A.J. Preller. "He was out of options. We've always liked him. Matt is athletic, a good defender who can play all three outfield positions. We can give (Manuel) Margot a blow in center and he can play both corners." The Padres have two outfielders -- Travis Jankowski and Alex Dickerson -- on the disabled list. Infielder Cory Spangenberg has been playing mostly in left since he was recalled from Triple-A El Paso on April 25.