MLB

AP Baseball WriterManfred on Bryant decision: Roster decisions are club rightBy RONALD BLUMORLANDO, Fla. (AP) Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said roster decisions are a club right and applauded arbitrator Mark Irvings' ruling against Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant.Bryant made his major league debut on April 17, 2015,...

AP Sports WriterAstros reeling from fallout from scandal as spring beginsBy KRISTIE RIEKENHOUSTON (AP) Cheaters. Sign-stealers. A team undeserving of the only World Series championship it has won.This is the prevailing image of the Houston Astros as Dusty Baker takes over, returning to the dugout at 70 years...

Clippers get future draft pick in exchange for guard WaltonLOS ANGELES (AP) The Los Angeles Clippers acquired a future, conditional second-round draft pick from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for guard Derrick Walton Jr. on Thursday.Walton averaged 2.2 points and 1.0 assists in 23 games this season. He's...

AP Sports WriterReds complete 1-year, $1,825,000 deal with Pedro StropBy JOE KAYCINCINNATI (AP) The Reds completed a one-year, $1,825,000 deal with right-hander Pedro Strop on Wednesday, their first move to upgrade the bullpen in an offseason focused on offense.Strop, 34, can earn an additional $1,675,000 in performance bonuses...

AP Sports WriterDonaldson arrival gives Twins extra swagger entering springBy DAVE CAMPBELLMINNEAPOLIS (AP) The Minnesota Twins were squarely focused a year ago on the development of young players and the integration of a new coaching staff, confident in their foundation but not ready to declare themselves contenders.This time,...

Rockies extend Jiménez non-roster invite to spring trainingDENVER (AP) Ubaldo Jimenez will return to the mound for the Colorado Rockies in spring training.The hard-throwing righty with the distinctive delivery was one of 21 players to receive a non-roster invitation to spring training from the Rockies on Wednesday. The...

AP Baseball WriterYankees lefty James Paxton has back surgery, out 3-4 monthsBy RONALD BLUMAll during the offseason, New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman worried about James Paxton's back pain and kept suggesting: “Let's just get the surgery out of the way. We're losing time.”Paxton was examined by three...

Phillies sign Forsythe, 3 pitchers to minor league dealsPHILADELPHIA (AP) The Philadelphia Phillies have signed infielder Logan Forsythe and right-handers Anthony Swarzak, Blake Parker and Trevor Kelley to minor league contracts with invitations to major league spring training.Forsythe hit .227 with seven homers and 39 RBIs in 317...

AP Baseball WriterSteinbrenner wonders 'what if?' Yanks feel cheated by AstrosBy RONALD BLUMORLANDO, Fla. (AP) New York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner understands why his players feel cheated by the Houston Astros.If Houston had not been using a video camera to steal opposing catcher's signs in 2017, maybe the...

Cubs invite former closer Morrow to spring trainingCHICAGO (AP) The Cubs announced former closer Brandon Morrow's minor league contract on Wednesday and said he will report to big league spring training.If added to the 40-man roster, Morrow would get a one-year contract paying a $1.5 million salary while...

Braves beat Shane Greene in salary arbitrationPHOENIX (AP) The Atlanta Braves defeated Shane Greene in the first salary arbitration case this year, and the reliever will be paid $6.25 million instead of his request for $6.75 million.Arbitrators Gary Kendellen, Brian Keller and Allen Ponak made the decision Wednesday,...

AP Baseball WriterSteinbrenner wonders 'what if?' Yanks feel cheated by AstrosBy RONALD BLUMORLANDO, Fla. (AP) New York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner understands why his players feel cheated by the Houston Astros.If Houston had not been using a video camera to steal opposing catcher's signs in 2017, maybe the...