MLB

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) - Yordano Ventura has been picked to pitch on opening day for the AL champion Kansas City Royals against the Chicago White Sox.The 23-year-old right-hander went 14-10 with a 3.20 ERA as a rookie last season and tossed seven scoreless innings to beat San Francisco in...

Associated PressVerlander has lat strain, unlikely to be ready for openerBy CHUCK KINGWEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) Houston ace Justin Verlander has a mild strain of a back muscle and said it would “probably take a miracle” for him to pitch in the Astros' opener at Oakland on...

Orioles recall top pitching prospect Harvey to aid bullpenBALTIMORE (AP) The Orioles have recalled 2013 first-round pick Hunter Harvey from Double-A Bowie to bolster their weary bullpen.Harvey, the son of former big league pitcher Bryan Harvey, has never pitched above Class A. The 23-year-old right-hander missed the 2015...

Associated PressFlores, Giants finalize $6.25M, 2-year deal; Cahill agreesBy JOSE M. ROMEROSCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) Versatile infielder Wilmer Flores and the San Francisco Giants finalized a $6.25 million, two-year contract Wednesday as spring training began, giving the club a proven hitter against left-handed pitching.Flores will earn $3 million each...

Reds activate Turner, recall BonillaCINCINNATI (AP) The Cincinnati Reds reinstated catcher Stuart Turner from the 10-day disabled list and recalled right-hander Lisalverto Bonilla from Triple-A Louisville on Sunday.The Reds optioned right-hander Jake Buchanan to Louisville and designated pitcher Asher Wojciechowski for assignment.Turner, a Rule Five draft pick out...

Fantasy Sports NetworkFANTASY PLAYS: What's wrong with Machado and Quintana?By JAKE CIELYOne of the best hitters in the game is having a rough season. The same goes for one of baseball's most consistent pitchers.Meanwhile, two players with poor Aprils turned it around for strong Mays. Find out who is...

Japan baseball delayed again, no date set for resumptionTOKYO (AP) Nippon Professional Baseball’s season openers will not take place in May due to the new coronavirus pandemic, with no firm date set for the start.Representatives of the 12 teams decided Friday to also scrap interleague play. The removal...

Associated PressAddison Russell returns to Cubs following MLB inquiryBy JOHN JACKSONCHICAGO (AP) Addison Russell returned to the Chicago Cubs on Friday, one day after Major League Baseball began an investigation of the shortstop.He had been accused of hitting his wife in a social media post that has since...

TOKYO (AP) Seattle Mariners starter Hisashi Iwakuma's feat of becoming the second Japanese-born pitcher after Hideo Nomo to throw a no-hitter in the U.S. major leagues was splashed on the home pages of sports newspapers and other media websites in his home country, greeting people as they were...

AP Sports WriterWait continues for hundreds of undrafted baseball playersBy DENNIS WASZAK Jr.NEW YORK (AP) They sat anxiously by their phones, computers and TVs, hoping to hear their names called by big league teams.Instead, the waiting continues for hundreds of young baseball players.Major League Baseball's amateur draft wrapped...

Associated PressNats' Ryan Zimmerman sick, delaying spring training debutBy by CHUCK KINGWEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) Washington first baseman Ryan Zimmerman is feeling sick, delaying his debut in exhibition games.''He came in today to see a doctor but I sent him home,'' manager Dave Martinez said Wednesday. ''I'm...

Hall of Fame voter who snubbed Jeter keeps ballot privateNEW YORK (AP) The lone baseball writer who did not vote for Derek Jeter for the Hall of Fame chose to keep his or her ballot private.The Baseball Writers' Association of America released the ballots of 315 Hall voters...