MLB

Associated PressAddison Russell returns to Cubs following MLB inquiryBy JOHN JACKSONCHICAGO (AP) Addison Russell returned to the Chicago Cubs on Friday, one day after Major League Baseball began an investigation of the shortstop.He had been accused of hitting his wife in a social media post that has since...

Associated PressTop Reds starter DeSclafani could miss beginning of seasonBy GARY SCHATZGOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) Top Cincinnati Reds starter Anthony DeSclafani could miss the start of the season for a second straight year because of a sore pitching elbow.The right-hander has been sidelined during spring training because of the...

SEATTLE (AP) The Seattle Mariners didn't wait long to go after Japanese pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma after his agreement with the Los Angeles Dodgers was never finalized.The Mariners re-signed Iwakuma late Thursday night, locking up the right-hander for 2016 with options for the 2017 and 2018 seasons - financial...

AP Baseball WriterCleveland's Bauer says stitches should be no issue in Game 3By NOAH TRISTERTORONTO (AP) Cleveland right-hander Trevor Bauer has pronounced himself ready to pitch Game 3 of the AL Championship Series, saying the stitches he needed after cutting his finger repairing a drone shouldn't be an...

Longtime baseball executive Dan O'Brien Sr. dies at 87ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Longtime major league executive Dan O'Brien Sr. has died at 87.The Texas Rangers said he died Monday in Dallas. The Rangers were one of four major league teams with whom O'Brien held front-office jobs over 45 years...

Cardinals sign Cuban league MVP to minor league contractJUPITER, Fla. (AP) The St. Louis Cardinals have signed Cuban outfielder Jose Adolis Garcia to a minor league contract and invited him to their big league spring training camp.Garcia, the younger brother of Atlanta Braves third baseman Adonis Garcia, was...

Associated PressFreeman returns to lineup 3 weeks earlier than expectedBy GEORGE HENRYATLANTA (AP) Braves slugger Freddie Freeman has returned earlier than expected from a broken left wrist and he's back as the starting third baseman.His return is the latest stage in a surprising turnaround since he was hit...

AP Sports WriterPowerful presence: Encarnacion gives Indians booming batBy TOM WITHERSGOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) As fans lining the chain-linked fence next to Cleveland's main practice field jockeyed for better position to snatch an autograph or selfie with the team's newest star, Edwin Encarnacion showed no emotion.With his glove balanced...

AP Sports WriterCubs, Indians hope to celebrate championship in ClevelandBy ANDREW SELIGMANCHICAGO (AP) One way or another, there will be a championship celebration in Cleveland.Still to be determined? Whether the Indians or Cubs will be popping the champagne.The Cubs won a World Series game at Wrigley Field for...

AP Sports WriterRob Manfred says Diamondbacks' Chase Field 'needs work'By BOB BAUMPHOENIX (AP) Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred came down solidly on the side of the Arizona Diamondbacks' ownership in the team's court battle with Maricopa County.The Diamondbacks have sued the county, seeking to remove a clause from their...

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Adrian Beltre was excused from the Texas Rangers' workout at the ballpark Saturday to rest his back in the AL Division Series.Beltre missed Game 2 on Friday because of a lower back strain that also forced the third baseman's early exit from the series opener...

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) The Minnesota Twins have won the bidding for negotiating rights to slugger Byung Ho Park, a 29-year-old first baseman who hit a total of 105 home runs over the past two seasons in the Korea Baseball Organization.Major League Baseball announced Monday the notice from Park's team...