MLB

NEW YORK (AP) Mets second baseman Neil Walker and Philadelphia pitcher Jeremy Hellickson have accepted $17.2 million qualifying offers, giving up free agency to stay with their teams. Eight other free agents did not accept the offers from their former teams by Monday's 5 p.m. EST deadline: outfielders Jose Bautista...

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) One of the best facts about this year's Arizona Diamondbacks: A.J. Pollock is back, healthy, and confident he can exceed the breakout season he put together in 2015. ''I'm not really living two years ago,'' the 29-year-old center fielder said Wednesday after playing one inning in an...

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) Albert Pujols is almost ready to get a running start on the second half of his mega-contract with the Los Angeles Angels. Pujols is making steady progress in his recovery from foot surgery. The three-time NL MVP is doing rehabilitation work at the Angels' spring training complex...

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) Jose Abreu begins his fourth season in the majors in a much different situation than when he first joined the Chicago White Sox. When Abreu arrived in the U.S. from Cuba in 2014, the White Sox were a veteran team with players like Paul Konerko, Adam Dunn,...

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Former major league pitcher and pitching coach Jackie Brown has died. He was 73. Brown pitched and coached for the Texas Rangers, who said Brown died Sunday after a long illness. Brown died in Holdenville, Oklahoma, the community where he was born. Brown was the Rangers' pitching coach...

The Kansas City Royals and the Minnesota Twins will both be gunning for a victory on Monday when they meet at Target Field. Royals at Twins GAME: Kansas City Royals (6-0) at Minnesota Twins (1-5) DATE/TIME: Monday, April 13 - 4:10 PM EST WHERE: Target Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota LINE: -126, 116 TOTAL: 8.5 TV:...

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) All-Star outfielder Ian Desmond has turned down a $17.2 million qualifying offer from the Texas Rangers. The Rangers announced Monday that Desmond had turned down the qualifying offer. The free agent can still negotiate with the AL West champions. If Desmond signs with another club before the amateur...

CHICAGO (AP) Fans gave Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon a rock star's welcome, chanting his name as they greeted him with a standing ovation.They thanked ownership and management. And they welcomed the newcomers in what felt like a big group hug.The atmosphere at the team's annual fan convention...

SEATTLE (AP) The perfect swing that we could never emulate. The diving, leaping catches we only dared to copy with the protection of pillows and couch cushions on the floor. The smile that told us baseball could be fun for even the best player of our generation.For those...

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) Dexter Fowler breezes through the center of St. Louis' clubhouse leaving a trail of handshakes and hellos in his wake before landing at his locker and chatting with a handful of players about the merits of a new album. Fowler is the new guy with the Cardinals,...

Mariners acquire infielder Danny Valencia from OaklandSEATTLE (AP) The Seattle Mariners have acquired utility player Danny Valencia from the Oakland Athletics for minor league pitcher Paul Blackburn.Valencia played four positions for Oakland last season and hit .287 with 17 home runs and 51 RBIs in 130 games.Seattle general...

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates reinstated Travis Ishikawa from the 15-day disabled list, manager Clint Hurdle said before Monday's game in Cincinnati. Ishikawa was sidelined on Aug. 23 with a low back strain. He was 2 for 7 with an RBI while starting one game at first base and...