MLB

AP Baseball WriterAP study: MLB average at around $4.4M for 5th year in rowBy RONALD BLUMNEW YORK (AP) Major League Baseball’s average salary ahead of a postponed opening day remained at around $4.4 million for the fifth straight season, according to a study of contracts by The Associated...

Associated PressYankees set HR record, beat Red Sox 8-5 for 100th winBy DOUG ALDENBOSTON (AP) Gleyber Torres and Giancarlo Stanton connected as the New York Yankees broke the major league record for home runs in a season and reached 100 wins with an 8-5 victory over the Boston...

Bye Bye Birdie for New York Yankees: Bird now a free agentNEW YORK (AP) It’s Bye Bye Birdie for the New York Yankees.First baseman Greg Bird became a free agent Wednesday after he cleared waivers and refused an outright assignment to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.Bird, who turned 27 on Nov....

LEADING OFF: Kershaw faces D-backs; Verlander vs YankeesBy The Associated PressA look at what's happening all around the majors today:---GOT YOUR NUMBERDodgers ace Clayton Kershaw (1-4, 2.84 ERA) tries to slow down A.J. Pollock and the first-place Diamondbacks (20-8) in Arizona. Pollock hit three home runs Monday night during...

Dodgers and Giants resume top of first inning at 10:50 p.m.SAN FRANCISCO (AP) The Los Angeles Dodgers and Giants resumed their series opener at 10:50 p.m. Monday at AT&T Park after two separate delays for lightning and rain.The first pitch Monday night was delayed 42 minutes because of...

Associated PressMachado, Paddack power 1st-place Padres past DiamondbacksBy JOSE M. ROMEROPHOENIX (AP) Manny Machado homered and Chris Paddack limited Arizona to three hits over 5 1/3 innings, leading the San Diego Padres to a 2-1 win over the Diamondbacks on Friday night.In addition to his home run, Machado...

The Latest: Indians ace Corey Kluber set to pitch Game 4CLEVELAND (AP) The Latest on the World Series (all times Eastern):4:05 p.m.The Chicago Cubs are going to see a whole lot of Cleveland ace Corey Kluber.Indians manager Terry Francona says Kluber is ''all set'' to start Game 4...

Judge HRs off Yanks teammate Paxton, returns from stiff neckNEW YORK (AP) Right fielder Aaron Judge homered off James Paxton when the slugger returned to the New York Yankees’ intrasquad lineup on Wednesday after missing five days due to a stiff neck.Judge homered to center on the second...

AP Sports WriterAhmed, D-backs agree to $32.5 million, 4-year dealBy DAVID BRANDTPHOENIX (AP) The Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a $32.5 million, four-year deal with two-time Gold Glove shortstop Nick Ahmed.The 29-year-old Ahmed avoids his final year of salary arbitration with the deal, which keeps him with the...

Associated PressVenezuelan fans in no mood to 'Play Ball' amid crisisBy JORGE RUEDACARACAS, Venezuela (AP) For years, Venezuela's baseball stadiums served as a sporting sanctuary where fans of all classes and political backgrounds set aside their differences to watch some of the nation's top major league players and...

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...

Astros stay with same batting order again for Game 5HOUSTON (AP) The Houston Astros are staying with the same batting order for the third straight World Series game.Center fielder George Springer tops the Astros' order Sunday night, followed by third baseman Alex Bregman, second baseman Jose Altuve, shortstop...