MLB

Associated PressKopech hits triple digits in return to mound for White SoxBy JACK THOMPSONGLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) Michael Kopech didn't have any trouble getting back up to speed after 18 months away from the mound.''Yeah, I might have been a little geeked,'' the Chicago White Sox right-hander said Tuesday.Kopech...

NEW YORK (AP) This much is certain: Anyone who bemoans that baseball's gone soft never covered second base with Chase Utley bearing down on a potential double play.What's not so clear is whether Utley's takeout slide Saturday night, the one that broke the right leg of New York...

AP Sports WriterBaby Braves blanked in Atlanta's 1st playoff game since 2013By JOE REEDYLOS ANGELES (AP) Rather than pop, Ronald Acuna Jr. started the game with a popup. The big-hitting rookie never got into the swing at Dodger Stadium, and neither did the rest of the Atlanta Braves.Hoping...

Angels mourn death of P Aaron Cox, Trout's brother-in-lawANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) Aaron Cox, a former Los Angeles Angels pitching prospect and the brother-in-law of Mike Trout, has died. He was 24.The Angels disclosed no further details Wednesday in a statement issued on behalf of Trout and his wife,...

Associated PressHal Steinbrenner pleased with injury-decimated team's playBy MARK DIDTLERTAMPA, Fla. (AP) New York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner is pleased with the performance of his injury-decimated team.''Considering the adversity we've faced in the first two months of the season, it's phenomenal the job these guys have done,'' Steinbrenner...

AP Baseball WriterCleveland's bullpen blues keeping AL Central in playBy NOAH TRISTERTwo years ago, the Cleveland bullpen led the way when the Indians overcame significant injuries in their starting rotation and won the American League pennant.Now, the fickle nature of relief pitching is holding the AL Central favorites back.After...

LEADING OFF: Indians play home opener, Red Sox fight fluBy The Associated PressA look at what's happening all around the majors today:---HELLO AGAINThe Indians play their first game in Cleveland since losing an epic Game 7 to the Chicago Cubs in the World Series last season. Most of the...

Rendon's shot lifts Nats over Rockies in doubleheader openerWASHINGTON (AP) The Nationals dug a daunting hole for themselves in the first 50 games of the season. Fifty games later, they're right where they expected to be - in contention for a playoff berth.Adam Eaton and Anthony Rendon homered,...

Former major league pitcher Ed Sprague dies at 74OAKAND, Calif. (AP) Former major league pitcher Ed Sprague Sr., a right-hander who played eight seasons with four different teams, has died. He was 74.The Oakland Athletics announced Friday that Sprague had died but didn't provide further details. He spent...

Rajai Davis cracks Indians' roster for ALDS vs AstrosHOUSTON (AP) Rajai Davis is getting the chance to further his October legacy.Indians manager Terry Francona said Thursday the speedy outfielder will get his team's final spot on the 25-man roster for the AL Division Series against the Houston Astros.Davis...

Sugano fails to sign with major league team by deadlineNEW YORK (AP) Japanese star pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano failed to agree to a contract with a major league team by Thursday's 5 p.m. EST deadline.A right-hander who turned 31 on Oct. 11, Sugano had been posted by the Yomiuri...

Pitcher Michael Wacha goes on Cardinals' injured listST. LOUIS (AP) Cardinals right-hander Michael Wacha was placed on the 10-day injured list because of patellar tendinitis in his left knee and will miss his scheduled start Tuesday against NL Central rival Milwaukee.St. Louis said the move was retroactive to...