CINCINNATI (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers wrapped up their second straight postseason appearance Wednesday night, with Ryan Braun's grand slam sparking a 9-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds that also tightened the NL Central race.The Brewers have won six in a row and 17 of 19 despite losing MVP Christian Yelich to a broken kneecap, vaulting from also-ran to at least a wild card. There's more at their fingertips — the division-leading Cardinals lost again, slicing their lead over the Brewers to 1 1/2 games.Milwaukee trails Washington by one game for the wild card lead.The Brewers jogged onto the field and formed a scrum by second base after when Junior Guerra got Christian Colon on a grounder for the final out.Braun had a solo shot in a 4-2 win in the series opener, and got the celebration started early Wednesday with his eighth career grand slam in the first inning. Teammates were on their feet, leaning against the dugout railing in anticipation of a big night, when he connected off Tyler... [More]

Clayton Kershaw might not be on the mound when the two-time NL champion Los Angeles Dodgers start the season.The lefty ace is working his way back from shoulder soreness that caused him to shut down his spring training.Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said "that's fair" when asked Monday whether Kershaw might miss the opener March 28 against Arizona at Dodger Stadium."There's just way too much importance put on the opening-day roster. The No. 1 thing is for him to be ready and to feel confident physically and mentally," Roberts said, "and when that is, it is."Kershaw has made a franchise-record eight consecutive opening day starts, and was tabbed to do so again when the Dodgers arrived in Arizona.But a couple days later, the three-time Cy Young Award winner had some shoulder soreness that caused him to halt his throwing program. He's taking anti-inflammatory medication.Kershaw began throwing against last week, slowly building up the amount of work and the distance of his throws. He threw on... [More]

A team-by-team look at the American League Central 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:___Cleveland IndiansManager: Terry Francona (seventh season).2018: 91-71, first place, lost to Houston in Division Series.Training Town: Goodyear, Arizona.Park: Goodyear Ballpark.First Workout: Feb. 14/18.He's Here: 1B-DH Carlos Santana, 1B Jake Bauers, C Kevin Plawecki, OF Jordan Luplow, RHP Chih-Wei Hu, RHP Nick Wittgren, LHP Oliver Perez, INF Ryan Flaherty, C Dioner Navarro.He's Outta Here: OF Michael Brantley, DH Edwin Encarnacion, LHP Andrew Miller, RHP Cody Allen, C Yan Gomes, 1B Yonder Alonso, 3B Yandy Diaz, 2B Erik Gonzalez.Going campin': The Indians followed up a third straight AL Central title with another postseason disappointment, getting swept in the Division Series by Houston. The offseason goal was to reduce payroll, and the Indians went at their roster with a wrecking ball.... [More]

A team-by-team look at the American League Central 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:___Cleveland IndiansManager: Terry Francona (seventh season).2018: 91-71, first place, lost to Houston in Division Series.Training Town: Goodyear, Arizona.Park: Goodyear Ballpark.First Workout: Feb. 14/18.He's Here: 1B-DH Carlos Santana, 1B Jake Bauers, C Kevin Plawecki, OF Jordan Luplow, RHP Chih-Wei Hu, RHP Nick Wittgren, LHP Oliver Perez, INF Ryan Flaherty, C Dioner Navarro.He's Outta Here: OF Michael Brantley, DH Edwin Encarnacion, LHP Andrew Miller, RHP Cody Allen, C Yan Gomes, 1B Yonder Alonso, 3B Yandy Diaz, 2B Erik Gonzalez.Going campin': The Indians followed up a third straight AL Central title with another postseason disappointment, getting swept in the Division Series by Houston. The offseason goal was to reduce payroll, and the Indians went at their roster with a wrecking ball.... [More]

A team-by-team look at the American League Central 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:___Cleveland IndiansManager: Terry Francona (seventh season).2018: 91-71, first place, lost to Houston in Division Series.Training Town: Goodyear, Arizona.Park: Goodyear Ballpark.First Workout: Feb. 14/18.He's Here: 1B-DH Carlos Santana, 1B Jake Bauers, C Kevin Plawecki, OF Jordan Luplow, RHP Chih-Wei Hu, RHP Nick Wittgren, LHP Oliver Perez, INF Ryan Flaherty, C Dioner Navarro.He's Outta Here: OF Michael Brantley, DH Edwin Encarnacion, LHP Andrew Miller, RHP Cody Allen, C Yan Gomes, 1B Yonder Alonso, 3B Yandy Diaz, 2B Erik Gonzalez.Going campin': The Indians followed up a third straight AL Central title with another postseason disappointment, getting swept in the Division Series by Houston. The offseason goal was to reduce payroll, and the Indians went at their roster with a wrecking ball.... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Miguel Cabrera and Michael Fulmer expect to be ready for the start of spring training.The two Detroit standouts sound pleased with their progress after injuries interrupted the 2018 season. Cabrera played only 38 games before season-ending biceps surgery. Fulmer has dealt with knee issues.The Tigers are holding their annual winter caravan this week, and both Cabrera and Fulmer were in attendance Thursday. The 35-year-old Cabrera says he's feeling great and hopes he can stay healthy all season. He's played more than 130 games just once in the past four years.Cabrera, whose massive contract runs through at least 2023, said his time away got him thinking of what he'll do when his playing days are over."I don't know, but I was thinking a lot — this free time I had last year," Cabrera said. "Hopefully I can keep doing baseball, teach baseball. I don't know, working here in Detroit. I still have five years."Fulmer says he's looked into some mechanical issues that may have caused... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Miguel Cabrera and Michael Fulmer expect to be ready for the start of spring training.The two Detroit standouts sound pleased with their progress after injuries interrupted the 2018 season. Cabrera played only 38 games before season-ending biceps surgery. Fulmer has dealt with knee issues.The Tigers are holding their annual winter caravan this week, and both Cabrera and Fulmer were in attendance Thursday. The 35-year-old Cabrera says he's feeling great and hopes he can stay healthy all season. He's played more than 130 games just once in the past four years.Cabrera, whose massive contract runs through at least 2023, said his time away got him thinking of what he'll do when his playing days are over."I don't know, but I was thinking a lot — this free time I had last year," Cabrera said. "Hopefully I can keep doing baseball, teach baseball. I don't know, working here in Detroit. I still have five years."Fulmer says he's looked into some mechanical issues that may have caused... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Deal the New York Yankees in for the Manny Machado tournament. And J.T. Realmuto? A lot of teams already are sitting at that table.The baseball winter meetings began in earnest along the Vegas Strip on Monday, and clubs slowly started to show their cards.Noah Syndergaard and Zack Wheeler are attracting trade interest, the Mets say. Corey Kluber and Madison Bumgarner keep popping up in swap speculation. But still no indication of where hometown slugger Bryce Harper might go.A couple of moves got done — speedy outfielder Billy Hamilton sprinted to the Kansas City Royals, pitcher Tyson Ross went to Detroit.The Yankees, as usual, were on the prowl.Always ramping up the rivalry with the champion Boston Red Sox, the Yankees linked themselves to Machado. General manager Brian Cashman said he's been talking to the infielder's agent."So we are definitely focused in the marketplace on those areas of need and he, obviously, is available and solves that area of need," Cashman said.... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Latest on Major League Baseball's winter meetings (all times local):5:33 p.m.The Texas Rangers have claimed infielder Carlos Asuaje off waivers from San Diego.Asuaje was designated for assignment Friday after spending parts of the past three seasons with the Padres, hitting .240 in 175 games. He also played at Triple-A El Paso last season, hitting .314 in 47 games.The 27-year-old Asuaje has played mostly second base in the major leagues, but has seen time at third base and left field as a pro. He has a .289 career batting average in the minors.Asuaje was an 11th-round pick by Boston in 2013 and was traded to San Diego two years later in the deal involving closer Craig Kimbrel.___4:15 p.m.Harold Baines knows there a lot of fans questioning whether his credentials are worthy of the Hall of Fame. He's not sweating that."Well, they can't take it away from me now, even if they don't think I should be there," he told The Associated Press.Baines was elected to Cooperstown... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Latest on Major League Baseball's winter meetings (all times local):4:15 p.m.Harold Baines knows there a lot of fans questioning whether his credentials are worthy of the Hall of Fame. He's not sweating that."Well, they can't take it away from me now, even if they don't think I should be there," he told The Associated Press.Baines was elected to Cooperstown on Sunday by a Hall-picked panel of 16. The six-time All-Star with 2,866 hits was at the winter meetings Monday for a news conference along with newly chosen Lee Smith."I wasn't out there beating my chest and campaigning for this," Baines said. "I'm very honored and humbled."___4:05 p.m.Yankees general manager Brian Cashman says he has been talking about Manny Machado with the infielder's agent.New York shortstop Didi Gregorius is expected to miss at least half of next season while recovering from Tommy John surgery.Cashman says, "I've had several conversations with Dan Lozano about Manny Machado. So we are we are... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Latest on Major League Baseball's winter meetings (all times local):4:05 p.m.Yankees general manager Brian Cashman says he has been talking about Manny Machado with the infielder's agent.New York shortstop Didi Gregorius is expected to miss at least half of next season while recovering from Tommy John surgery.Cashman says, "I've had several conversations with Dan Lozano about Manny Machado. So we are we are definitely focused in the marketplace on those areas of need and he obviously is available and solves that area of need. So, not going to deny we've had a conversation. Or two."___12:15 p.m.New Reds manager David Bell says he's talked to pitcher Homer Bailey about his role in the future. Bell says it was a good conversation and nothing has been finalized.Bailey went 1-14 with a 6.09 ERA last season, losing his last nine decisions and his spot in the rotation. The Reds went 1-19 in the games he started.The 32-year-old right-hander, who has pitched two no-hitters for... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Latest on Major League Baseball's winter meetings (all times local):12:15 p.m.New Reds manager David Bell says he's talked to pitcher Homer Bailey about his role in the future. Bell says it was a good conversation and nothing has been finalized.Bailey went 1-14 with a 6.09 ERA last season, losing his last nine decisions and his spot in the rotation. The Reds went 1-19 in the games he started.The 32-year-old right-hander, who has pitched two no-hitters for the Reds, has been beset by serious injuries in recent years, including Tommy John surgery.The Reds gave Bailey a six-year, $105 million contract in 2014. He has one year left on his contract for $23 million, with an option for 2020 that includes a $5 million buyout."He's had such a great career. My focus and our focus is how can we maximize who he is, not only for us but who he is, and how he can feel great about the career he's had and be able to contribute. That's really the focus there," Bell said."Try to put him... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Latest on Major League Baseball's winter meetings (all times local):12:05 p.m.The Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers and San Francisco Giants have added players on waiver claims.The Mariners made the most interesting move, taking Kaleb Cowart from the Los Angeles Angels and announcing him as an infielder and right-handed pitcher.A prep star on the mound and at the plate, the 26-year-old Cowart has not pitched since the Angels drafted in the first round in 2010. He hit .134 with 10 RBIs in 47 games with Los Angeles last season.Texas acquired infielder Carlos Asuaje after he was cut by San Diego last week. The 27-year-old hit .240 in parts of the last three seasons with the Padres, and did well in the field at second base.The Giants got outfielder Mike Gerber from Detroit. The 26-year-old made his big league debut last season and went 4 for 42 in 18 games for the Tigers.___11:30 a.m.Phillies manager Gabe Kapler intends to be publicly critical of his players more in his second... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers clinched baseball's final playoff berth and gave themselves a chance to still win the NL West, getting a go-ahead triple from Manny Machado in the eighth inning Saturday and beating the San Francisco Giants 10-6.The defending NL champions locked up their sixth straight trip to the postseason, assuring at least a spot in the wild-card game. The Dodgers joined Colorado, Atlanta, the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee in the NL playoff field.Los Angeles began the day one game behind Colorado for the division lead, and the Rockies hosted Washington later in the day. The regular season is scheduled to end Sunday — if Los Angeles and Colorado finish even, there will be a one-game tiebreaker for the West title Monday at Dodger Stadium.Machado, the star infielder acquired from Baltimore during the All-Star break, hit a two-out triple off Mark Melancon (1-4) for a 6-5 lead. Max Muncy added a two-run double during a four-run ninth.Alex Wood (9-7) pitched the seventh... [More]

TORONTO (AP) — The Houston Astros clinched another AL West title and reached 100 wins for the second straight season, beating the Toronto Blue Jays 4-1 Tuesday night behind Alex Bregman's two-run homer.Houston improved to 100-57 and was assured of first place hours later when second-place Oakland (95-63) lost at Seattle. The Astros will open the Division Series at home against Cleveland on Oct. 5.The Astros need three wins in their final five games to break the franchise record for victories in a season, set in 1998.Houston is 18-4 in September and 54-22 on the road, both best in the major leagues.Roberto Osuna needed just six pitches in the ninth for his 20th save in 21 chances. Earlier Tuesday, assault charges against Osuna were dropped because the complainant, who lives in Mexico, made clear she would not travel to Toronto to testify.Josh James (2-0) allowed one run and four hits in five innings in his third big league start.Bregman went 2 for 5 and extended his club-record streak of... [More]

DENVER (AP) — David Dahl homered for a second straight night, a three-run shot in the third, and the Colorado Rockies vaulted into the final NL wild-card spot by beating the Philadelphia Phillies 10-3 on Tuesday night.The Rockies' fifth straight win moved them a half-game in front of St. Louis for the second wild-card after the Cardinals lost 12-4 to Milwaukee. Colorado trailed the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers by 1½ games entering the night and still has a chance to win its first division title. The Rockies have five games remaining.The game-changing hit was delivered by Dahl, who lined a fastball from Vince Velasquez (9-12) to left for his 12th homer — nearly to the same spot where Dahl hit a two-run homer the previous night. Dahl also added a run-scoring single as part of a 3-for-5, 4-RBI evening.The Rockies used seven relievers, with DJ Johnson (1-0) getting one out in the third to earn his first big league win.BREWERS 12, CARDINALS 4ST. LOUIS (AP) — Christian Yelich homered and... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Neil Walker hit a three-run homer, Zach Britton started a game-ending double play on New York's third try in the ninth inning and the Yankees kept the Boston Red Sox from a bubbly celebration in the Bronx for at least another night with a 3-2 victory Tuesday.Batting from the left side, Walker launched a no-doubter in the seventh inning off Ryan Brasier for the Yankees' third hit of the game and a 3-1 lead.Aaron Judge returned to New York's lineup for the first time since breaking his right wrist July 26, while AL MVP candidate Mookie Betts got a day off for Boston after injuring his left side Sunday. Judge hit a pop fly to the warning track but finished 0 for 4.New York moved 2½ games ahead of Oakland for the top AL wild card. The A's lost at home to the Angels.Boston is trying to clinch the AL East at Yankee Stadium for the second time in three years. The Red Sox lead the Yankees by 10 1/2 games and entered the night with a magic number of four over the Astros to lock up... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:SAME NAME GAMECole Hamels (3-5) pitches for Texas against Gerrit Cole and the visiting Astros in the opener of a four-game series. Hamels, with a 2.89 ERA in his last seven starts, threw six shutout innings vs. Houston on May 11. Cole (6-1, 2.20 ERA), who leads the AL with 116 strikeouts, has a four-game winning streak. The defending World Series champions are hoping for positive news on star shortstop Carlos Correa, who will be re-evaluated after leaving Wednesday's game. Correa experienced discomfort on his right side when he swung the bat in the seventh inning.BIG MOMENT IN BOSTONJalen Beeks makes his major league debut for the Red Sox (43-19) when baseball's top team, looking for its fifth straight victory, hosts Detroit. The 24-year-old lefty allowed two or fewer runs in eight of his 10 starts for Triple-A Pawtucket. He said he expects his wife, two kids and "I'm guessing like 15 others" to be in the stands. Before the game, Boston... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Los Angeles Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons was placed on the 10-day disabled list Wednesday because of a right ankle sprain.Simmons was hurt Tuesday when he slipped coming down the dugout stairs before the 1-0 win over the Kansas City Royals. He left the game after the second inning.Angels manager Mike Scioscia said there is no timeline yet for Simmons' return, but added "it's certainly going to take a little bit of time" to recover.Simmons was batting .330, which ranked fourth in the American League, with 34 RBIs. A three-time Gold Glove winner, Simmons has been the lynchpin of the Angels' infield defense since joining the team in 2015.Zack Cozart will replace Simmons at shortstop, with Kaleb Cowart set to start at third base in the series finale against the Royals after being recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake Wednesday.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels are trying to fill a hole at second base that's dragged down their offense the past couple of years.Enter Ian Kinsler.Kinsler is part of a revamped Angels' infield that will include Zack Cozart, an All-Star last year in Cincinnati, at third base while usual designated hitter Albert Pujols is expected to get more time in the field at first base.The Angels' second base position has been one of the least productive in baseball the past two years.In 2016, the Angels went with Johnny Giavotella and Cliff Pennington; the pair combined for a minus-1.6 WAR, among the worst in baseball.In 2017, the Angels went with slick-fielding Danny Espinosa at second. But he hit just .162 in 77 games and had 91 strikeouts in 228 at-bats. They also tried Pennington and Kaleb Cowart.The position produced such miniscule combined numbers as a .206 average, 14 homers and a .274 OBP. They acquired veteran Brandon Phillips late to try to push them to a wild-card spot but fell... [More]