MLB

Associated PressKeuchel says he's back following spring debutBy CHUCK KINGWEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) Houston manager A.J. Hinch wasn't pleased to lose an hour of sleep to daylight saving time on Saturday night, but there was a silver lining.He was giving the ball to Dallas Keuchel for his...

Seattle options Nori Aoki as part of rash of roster movesSEATTLE (AP) The Seattle Mariners optioned starting outfielder Nori Aoki and relief pitcher Tom Wilhelmsen to Triple-A Tacoma to clear space for pitching reinforcements.The Mariners made seven roster moves Friday before starting a homestand against St. Louis. The...

Royals put reliever Hochevar on 15-day disabled listARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Kansas City Royals reliever Luke Hochevar has been placed on the 15-day disabled list because of swelling and numbness in his hand when trying to pitch.The Royals made the move before Thursday night's game at Texas. The team...

AP Baseball WriterBlue Jays drawing support from all over CanadaBy NOAH TRISTERTORONTO (AP) Michael Saunders was born in Victoria, British Columbia - about as close to Seattle as you can get without being in the United States.Yet when it came to his baseball allegiance growing up, nationality mattered...

Mariners ace Hernandez focuses on fastball in spring debutGLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) Felix Hernandez pitching in February is an aberration.But there was the Seattle ace on Tuesday, making his spring debut as the Mariners beat the Chicago White Sox split squad 8-1.Hernandez gave up one run and three hits...

Harper, Nationals reach $21.6 million deal for 2018 seasonWASHINGTON (AP) Bryce Harper put up another big number Saturday without taking another swing.Harper and the Washington Nationals reached a $21,625,000 deal for the 2018 season, a contact that covers the slugging outfielder through his last year before he can...

Kurt Suzuki and Braves complete $1.5 million, 1-year dealATLANTA (AP) Kurt Suzuki and the Atlanta Braves finalized their $1.5 million, one-year contract, giving the team another experienced catcher to share time with Tyler Flowers.The agreement was announced by the team on Monday after Suzuki passed his physical. Suzuki...

AP Baseball WriterGreene picked for arm, McKay for bat near top of MLB draftBy MIKE FITZPATRICKSECAUCUS, N.J. (AP) Hunter Greene was selected by Cincinnati as a pitcher, while Brendan McKay's bat attracted Tampa Bay.And in a Major League Baseball draft stocked with several two-way talents at the top,...

AP Sports Writer"All Lives Matter": Canadian singer causes stir at All-StarsBy GREG BEACHAMSAN DIEGO (AP) A member of a Canadian singing quartet changed a lyric in his country's national anthem and held up a sign proclaiming ''All Lives Matter'' during a pregame performance at the 87th All-Star Game...

Nationals C Ramos has knee surgery; rehab to take 6-8 monthsWASHINGTON (AP) Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos had surgery on his right knee and his rehabilitation is expected to take six-to- eight months.Washington says Ramos had the operation on Friday, hours after the team's season ended with a 4-3...

AP Baseball WriterYankees closer Aroldis Chapman returns from disabled listBy JANIE McCAULEYOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Aroldis Chapman rejoined his New York teammates Sunday ready to pitch again after more than a month on the disabled list, and the struggling Yankees couldn't wait to have their flame-throwing closer back in...

Rangers sign slugger Josh Hamilton to minor league contractARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Slugger Josh Hamilton is getting another shot with the Texas Rangers.The Rangers said Tuesday they have agreed to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training for the oft-injured 2010 AL MVP.The 35-year-old Hamilton had...