MLB

Strasburg, Soto share postseason MVP from New York writersNEW YORK (AP) Washington pitcher Stephen Strasburg and Nationals outfielder Juan Soto have been selected as joint winners of the Babe Ruth award as postseason MVP in voting by the New York chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America.They...

Associated PressCrisis throws curve ball at opening of Venezuelan baseballBy JORGE RUEDA and SCOTT SMITHCARACAS, Venezuela (AP) Maria Graciela Briceno and her two best friends squeezed into their seats behind home plate at the baseball stadium in Venezuela's capital, knowing this season's opening game wouldn't measure up to...

Associated PressCrisis throws curve ball at opening of Venezuelan baseballBy JORGE RUEDA and SCOTT SMITHCARACAS, Venezuela (AP) Maria Graciela Briceno and her two best friends squeezed into their seats behind home plate at the baseball stadium in Venezuela's capital, knowing this season's opening game wouldn't measure up to...

Associated PressCrisis throws curve ball at opening of Venezuelan baseballBy JORGE RUEDA and SCOTT SMITHCARACAS, Venezuela (AP) Maria Graciela Briceno and her two best friends squeezed into their seats behind home plate at the baseball stadium in Venezuela's capital, knowing this season's opening game wouldn't measure up to...

Cardinals manager Mike Shildt gets new 3-year contractST. LOUIS (AP) Cardinals manager Mike Shildt has a new three-year contract through the 2022 season.Shildt was hired in 2018 and his initial deal ran through 2020.At its end-of-season news conference Tuesday, St. Louis announced president of baseball operations John Mozeliak...

AP Sports WriterTrump honors World Series champion Nationals at White HouseBy STEPHEN WHYNOWASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump mostly stuck to sports Monday while honoring the World Series champion Washington Nationals, who had a handful of players skip the White House visit.Amid an impeachment inquiry on Capitol Hill and...

Cardinals extend contracts of Shildt, Mozeliak and GirschST. LOUIS (AP) Cardinals manager Mike Shildt has been given a new three-year contract through the 2022 season.Shildt was hired in 2018 and his initial deal ran through 2020.At its end-of-season news conference Tuesday, St. Louis announced president of baseball operations...

Martinez keeps contract with Red Sox instead of opting outBOSTON (AP) Red Sox designated hitter J.D. Martinez has decided to keep his contract with the Red Sox instead of becoming a free agent again.Martinez signed a $110 million, five-year deal after teams had started reporting to spring training...

Phillies decline options on Vargas, Hughes, NeshekPHILADELPHIA (AP) The Phillies have declined club options on left-hander Jason Vargas and right-handers Jared Hughes and Pat Neshek.Vargas was 1-4 with a 5.37 ERA in 11 starts with the Phillies, who acquired him on July 29 from the Mets. He gets...

AP Sports WriterBeltrán: Need to be "best friend" to Mets' GM as managerBy JAKE SEINERNEW YORK (AP) Carlos Beltran was back in familiar blue pinstripes Monday, buttoning up a New York Mets uniform while standing next to his new boss, Brodie Van Wagenen.The first-time manager is taking over...

AP Baseball WriterMadBum gets qualifying offer, Martinez stays with Red SoxBy RONALD BLUMNEW YORK (AP) Madison Bumgarner was among 10 free agents who received $17.8 million qualifying offers from their former teams on Monday, a move that likely will decrease demand for the 30-year-old left-hander.Bumgarner, the 2014 World...

Yankees' Tyler Lyons elects to become free agentNEW YORK (AP) Tyler Lyons, who earned a spot on the New York Yankees' postseason roster as a left-handed reliever, refused an outright assignment to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and elected to become a free agent.The 31-year-old was released by Pittsburgh in August...