MLB

AP Sports WriterKimbrel looking to bounce back after tough debut with CubsBy JAY COHENCHICAGO (AP) With just 60 games this season, the Chicago Cubs need Craig Kimbrel to be better than he was last year.Much, much better.The 32-year-old Kimbrel is looking to bounce back from one of the...

AP Sports WriterYanks schedule exhibition games vs Mets, Phillies July 18-20By JAKE SEINERNEW YORK (AP) The New York Yankees have scheduled preseason exhibitions against the crosstown Mets and Philadelphia Phillies.The Yankees and Mets will play at Citi Field on Friday, July 18 and then at Yankee Stadium the...

AP Sports WriterSafe at home? Off-field behavior will be decisive for MLBBy STEVEN WINEMIAMI (AP) Reliever Nick Vincent signed last week with the Miami Marlins and settled in for two days of quarantine in his hotel room while awaiting clearance to join workouts.''That was a little bit different,''...

AP Sports WriterNats, Astros, Cards cancel workouts over virus testing delayBy STEPHEN WHYNOWASHINGTON (AP) Baseball's two World Series teams canceled workouts Monday because of coronavirus testing delays that one executive worried could endanger the season.The defending champion Washington Nationals and reigning American League champion Houston Astros called off...

AP Sports WriterYanks' Cole learns safety-protocol lesson in 1st intrasquadBy JAKE SEINERNEW YORK (AP) Gerrit Cole couldn't have expected the New York Yankees to take the ball away from him just one batter into his first home start in the Bronx.But the team's new $324 million ace learned...

AP Sports WriterOver the Hill? Recovered lefty on track for Twins rotationBy DAVE CAMPBELLMINNEAPOLIS (AP) When the Minnesota Twins signed Rich Hill from the bargain aisle of free agency last winter, they expected the left-hander to be available around midseason after his recovery from elbow surgery.Now the 40-year-old...

AP Sports WriterSeager looks to be example for younger teammates in SeattleBy TIM BOOTHSEATTLE (AP) When the games start, Kyle Seager doesn’t intend to be wearing a mask all the time.For now, in the early days of summer camp for the Seattle Mariners, the veteran third baseman has...

AP Sports WriterShohei Ohtani back on Big A mound in Angels' intrasquad gameBy GREG BEACHAMANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) Shohei Ohtani threw competitive pitches off the mound at Angel Stadium on Tuesday for the first time in two years.Ohtani struggled with his control in the Los Angeles Angels' intrasquad game,...

AP Sports WriterRed Sox's Bogaerts ready to lead after Betts' departureBy KYLE HIGHTOWERBOSTON (AP) Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts has grown accustomed to being on big stages during his first seven years in the major leagues.He won a World Series ring as a rookie with the Red Sox...

AP Baseball WriterA's lefty Diekman questions whether there will be a seasonBy JANIE McCAULEYOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Jake Diekman has serious questions about Major League Baseball's ability to pull off a season given the issues everywhere getting timely test results, forcing delays and cancellations of workouts.For now, Diekman still...

AP Baseball Writer1st 60: How MLB standouts fared in what will equal full 2020By STEPHEN HAWKINSCody Bellinger was well on his way to becoming the National League MVP only 60 games into last season for the Los Angeles Dodgers, already with 20 homers in that stretch before his 24th...

AP Sports WriterPirates' Keller looks to mesh information, instincts in 2020By WILL GRAVESPITTSBURGH (AP) Mitch Keller's first go-round in the majors was a study in contrasts and a snapshot of where baseball is at in 2020.The traditional numbers for the Pittsburgh Pirates top-ranked pitching prospect weren't great. One...