MLB

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...

Fantasy Sports NetworkFANTASY PLAYS: Analyzing several April baseball surprisesBy JAKE CIELYThere are several fantasy baseball surprises as we head into May, both good and bad. This week, we examine two impressive early season hitters, a struggling starter, a mirage at closer and a player who's better in real life...

Ex-Twins manager Tom Kelly to get Target Field statueMINNEAPOLIS (AP) The Minnesota Twins plan to honor former manager Tom Kelly with a bronze statue outside Target Field.The team made the announcement at TwinsFest on Friday night. The statue will be unveiled this season, although the date is not...

Indians 2B Kipnis unlikely for opener with shoulder injuryGOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) Once again, the Cleveland Indians are minus a significant piece.Second baseman Jason Kipnis is likely to miss opening day because of a sore right shoulder, an injury that could cause the AL champions to re-shape their infield...

Wieters joins Nationals; Judge hits long homer for YankeesBy The Associated PressWEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) Matt Wieters finally has a new team. One crazy accident turned his free agency into a harrowing experience.Wieters cut his left wrist when a five-gallon glass water container broke in his garage...

Indians-Cubs most-watched World Series Game 3 since 2004CHICAGO (AP) Cleveland's 1-0 World Series win over the Chicago Cubs was the most-watched Game 3 in 12 years.Friday night's game drew an 11.0 rating, 20 share and 19.4 million viewers on Fox, the network said Saturday. That was up 39...

AP Sports WriterRockies officially sign reliever Greg HollandBy PAT GRAHAMDENVER (AP) The Colorado Rockies made their deal with Greg Holland official on Saturday, signing the right-handed reliever coming off reconstructive elbow surgery to a one-year, $7 million contract.Holland was the closer for Kansas City through most of 2014...

OF Austin Jackson makes Indians' opening-day rosterGOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) Outfielder Austin Jackson took an opportunity with the Cleveland Indians and ran with it.Jackson was informed on Sunday that he has made Cleveland's opening-day roster, giving the AL champions some outfield depth in case Lonnie Chisenhall and Michael Brantley...

Ex-major leaguer Piersall dies at 87; battled mental illnessBOSTON (AP) Former major leaguer Jim Piersall, who bared his soul about his struggles with mental illness in his book ''Fear Strikes Out,'' has died. He was 87.Piersall died Saturday at a care facility in Wheaton, Illinois, after a monthslong...

AP Sports WriterMany Marlins fans applaud possible ownership changeBy STEVEN WINEMIAMI (AP) One of several long lines at the Miami Marlins' fanfest stretched past the beer and pizza kiosks, beyond a stairwell, an elevator, rest rooms and the team store, as fans waited more than 30 minutes for...

Phillies minor league pitcher gets 80-game drug suspensionNEW YORK (AP) A minor league pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies has been suspended 80 games for a drug violation.Major League Baseball said Friday that Elniery Garcia tested positive for Boldenone, a performance enhancer. The anabolic steroid generally is used by...

Mike Trout sits out for 2nd straight day to rest hamstringANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) Mike Trout is out of the Los Angeles Angels' starting lineup for the second straight day to rest his tight left hamstring.Trout sat out for the third time in four games, but the AL MVP...