MLB

Hader loses to Brewers in arbitration, players drop to 1-6PHOENIX (AP) Baseball's arbitration model for relief pitchers is broken, Milwaukee closer Josh Hader said Friday after losing his case against the Milwaukee Brewers.Hader will earn $4.1 million rather than his $6.4 million request, a decision that dropped players...

AP Sports WriterWith Betts gone, Red Sox fill holes in OF and at leadoffBy JIMMY GOLENFORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) Win. Dance. Delete.When the Boston Red Sox traded Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers on the eve of spring training, they broke up the ''Killer B's'' who patrolled...

Pounders, McGuire agree to minor league deals with RaysPORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (AP) Relief pitchers Brooks Pounders and Deck McGuire have agreed to minor league contracts with the Tampa Bay Rays.The Rays announced the agreements Friday and expect the right-handers in spring training on Saturday.Pounders split last season between...

Associated PressTommy Milone, Orioles complete minor league dealBy RICH DUBROFFSARASOTA, Fla. (AP) Left-hander Tommy Milone completed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles on Friday and will try to earn a roster spot at big league spring training.Milone, who turns 33 on Sunday, is 50-47 with a...

AP Baseball WriterFulmer making progress in return from Tommy John surgeryBy NOAH TRISTERLAKELAND, Fla. (AP) At this time last year, Michael Fulmer was hoping for a healthier 2019. Instead, his injury woes went from bad to worse.Fulmer needed Tommy John surgery and did not pitch at all last...

AP Sports WriterMickey Callaway focused on Halos' pitchers after Mets tenureBy GREG BEACHAMTEMPE, Ariz. (AP) Mickey Callaway says his baseball knowledge expanded tremendously during his two seasons as the New York Mets' manager, and the Los Angeles Angels will benefit from his Queens education as he returns to...

MacPhail says Phillies expect to pay luxury tax this seasonCLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) Philadelphia Phillies president Andy MacPhail reiterated that team ownership is willing to go over the luxury tax threshold to make the playoffs.The Phillies have made several high-profile free-agent signings over the past few seasons, including a...

Associated PressBellinger: Altuve stole MVP from Yankees' JudgeBy NORM FRAUENHEIMGLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) Cody Bellinger thinks Houston's Jose Altuve stole the 2017 AL MVP award from the Yankees' Aaron Judge and the Astros swiped that year's World Series title from the Los Angeles Dodgers.''These guys were cheating for three...

AP Sports WriterSecond helping of Marte gives D-backs lineup another boostBy DAVID BRANDTSCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) Starling Marte has fond memories of his eight seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, especially the stretch from 2013 to 2015 when the franchise made it to the playoffs three straight seasons.A few minutes...

Associated PressYankees GM Cashman suspected Astros were stealing signs.By MARK DIDTLERTAMPA. Fla. (AP) New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman had suspected that the Houston Astros had been breaking rules against electronic sign stealing long before Commissioner Rob Manfred released his report in January that resulted in three...

AP Baseball WriterBuster Posey feeling healthy at last, power stroke returningBy JANIE McCAULEYSCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) Buster Posey caught a pair of bullpens on Day 1 and his body recovered beautifully.Sure, that's hardly his full workload or even close to comparable to a long regular season of travel and...

AP Sports WriterScherzer, Nationals start quietly for World Series championsBy HOWARD FENDRICHWEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) Max Scherzer grunted and cursed his way to 56 pitches during his first formal bullpen session of spring training -- about 20 more throws than other Washington Nationals starters Thursday, but ''standard''...