MLB

Trout, Bregman, Semien AL MVP award finalistsNEW YORK (AP) Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout, Houston third baseman Alex Bregman and Oakland shortstop Marcus Semien are finalists for the AL MVP award.Trout is seeking his third MVP after winning in 2014 and `16. He finished second in 2012,...

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...

Andrus stays with Rangers, passing 2nd chance to opt outARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Elvis Andrus is staying with the Rangers after the shortstop passed up on a second chance to opt out of his contract and become a free agent.Andrus has $43 million and three years left on his...

AP Sports WriterBraves re-sign Markakis, Flowers, decline Teheran optionBy PAUL NEWBERRYATLANTA (AP) The Braves have re-signed outfielder Nick Markakis and catcher Tyler Flowers to $4 million, one-year contracts for 2020 after declining their team options.The team also declined a club option for longtime starting pitcher Julio Teheran, likely...

Associated PressVenezuelan baseball league starts amid sanctionsBy JORGE RUEDACARACAS, Venezuela (AP) The Venezuelan baseball league will start on Tuesday amid uncertainty because of Washington's sanctions against the administration of President Nicolas Maduro.Players affiliated to Major League Baseball are forbidden to join in.Venezuela's economic crisis forced the coming season...

Cubs decline $5 million option on reliever David PhelpsCHICAGO (AP) The Cubs have declined their $5 million option on reliever David Phelps.The 33-year-old right-hander was 2-1 with one save and a 3.18 ERA in 24 appearances with the Cubs after he was acquired from Toronto at the trade...

AP Sports WriterIndians let All-Star pitcher Salazar & 3 others go freeBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) The Indians have given up on former All-Star Danny Salazar, whose career has been sidetracked by injuries.Salazar was reinstated from the 60-day disabled list Monday and refused an outright assignment to Triple-A Columbus,...

Evans, Munson, Whitaker added to Hall of Fame panel ballotCOOPERSTOWN, N.Y. (AP) Dwight Evans, Thurman Munson and Lou Whitaker have been added to the ballot for the baseball Hall of Fame's modern era committee to consider next month, and Luis Tiant has been dropped.Former players' association head Marvin...