MLB

AP Baseball WriterAP source: MLB to cut amateur draft from 40 rounds to 5By RONALD BLUMNEW YORK (AP) Major League Baseball will cut its amateur draft from 40 rounds to five this year, a move that figures to save teams about $30 million.Clubs gained the ability to reduce...

Associated PressPirates' Bell wants fast start after slow rookie finishBy JOHN PERROTTOBRADENTON, Fla. (AP) Overall, Josh Bell had a fine rookie season in 2017.The Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman finished third in the NL Rookie of the Year voting behind unanimous winner Cody Bellinger of the Los Angles Dodgers...

AP Sports ColumnistColumn: First summer camp, then a season like no otherBy TIM DAHLBERGThe big sports news from Los Angeles this week - other than the sensational outfield play of clubhouse attendant Francisco “Chico” Herrera - was that the Dodgers will join some other teams and sell fan cutouts...

AP Sports WriterLHP Brett Anderson, Brewers agree to $5M, 1-year dealBy KEITH JENKINSMILWAUKEE (AP) Left-hander Brett Anderson is the latest addition to the quickly transforming Milwaukee Brewers, agreeing Friday to a $5 million, one-year contract.The 31-year-old left-hander was 13-9 with a 3.89 ERA in 31 starts with Oakland...

Rick Porcello, Mets finalize $10M, 1-year contractNEW YORK (AP) Former AL Cy Young Award winner Rick Porcello and the New York Mets finalized a $10 million, one-year contract on Monday.A right-hander who turns 31 on Dec. 27, Porcello joins a rotation that includes Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Marcus...

Associated PressStanton upset over latest injury, could miss March 26 openerBy MARK DIDTLERTAMPA. Fla. (AP) New York Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton is upset over his latest injury, a strained right calf that could sideline him for opening day.''It makes it seem like I didn't take care of myself....

AP Baseball WriterFrazier homers twice, Mets top Brewers 6-5 to win 9th in rowBy RONALD BLUMNEW YORK (AP) Todd Frazier and the New York Mets are grinding out win after win after win, and he already has devised the team gesture.Frazier hit his first two home runs with...

AP Baseball WriterNobody pulling away yet in log-jammed AL CentralBy NOAH TRISTERDETROIT (AP) At this time last year, the Chicago White Sox were 6 1/2 games out of first place in the AL Central.So although Chicago has played poorly of late, the White Sox are still in...

AP Baseball WriterTraining for a title: Cubs fans take Amtrak through nightBy RONALD BLUMABOARD THE LAKE SHORE LIMITED (AP) As the Amtrak train slowly chugged through the Ohio night, past factories along the Lake Erie shore illuminated by pinkish lights, Marvin Thomas stretched across a pair of seats,...

AP Baseball WriterMets rally in 8th again, beat Yankees 4-2 in Subway SeriesBy MIKE FITZPATRICKNEW YORK (AP) All night long, Michael Conforto had chances to come through. Once he finally did, the New York Mets were riding high at Citi Field.Conforto busted out of his slump in a...

Dodgers add INF Gyorko, LHP Kolarek at trade deadlineLOS ANGELES (AP) The Dodgers acquired infielder Jedd Gyorko, international cap space and cash from the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for pitchers Tony Cingrani and Jeffrey Abreu at Wednesday's trade deadline.Gyorko is currently on the 60-day injured list, although...

LEADING OFF: Bettis back from chemotherapy, Strasburg rehabBy The Associated PressA look at what's happening all around the majors Monday:---WELCOME BACKRockies right-hander Chad Bettis will complete his comeback from chemotherapy for testicular cancer when he starts at Coors Field against Atlanta.The 28-year-old Bettis finished his last round of treatment...