MLB

Yankees' Bird scratched because of sore right footLAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) Yankees first baseman Greg Bird was scratched from the starting lineup in a split-squad road game Saturday against Atlanta because of a sore right foot.Bird had an initial examination by team orthopedic surgeon Dr. Daniel Murphy...

Orioles star Machado makes seamless transition to shortstopSARASOTA, Fla. (AP) This spring training has been a glorious one for Manny Machado. The new Baltimore Orioles shortstop has made a seamless transition from third base to his new position and is hitting .373 with three home runs and 16...

U-turn: Twins reclaim Kennys Vargas on waivers from RedsFORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) Kennys Vargas has made a quick U-turn and is headed back to the Minnesota Twins.The Twins reclaimed Vargas off waivers from Cincinnati on Saturday, two days after the Reds plucked him from Minnesota.Cincinnati manager Bryan Price...

Associated PressRoyals' Duffy exits with tight shoulder, feels OK for openerBy JOSE M. ROMEROSCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) Kansas City Royals pitcher Danny Duffy made an early exit in his final spring tuneup Saturday because of shoulder tightness, but said he's certain he will be OK to pitch on opening...

Bumgarner breaks pitching hand when hit by liner driveSCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) San Francisco Giants left-hander Madison Bumgarner is hurt for the second straight year, breaking a bone in his pitching hand when hit by a line drive off the bat of Kansas City's Whit Merrifield during a spring...

Associated PressConforto goes 1 for 4 in 1st game after shoulder surgeryBy BILL WHITEHEADPORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) Michael Conforto received a late-night phone call from New York Mets manager Mickey Callaway, who asked whether he wanted to fill an open spot as Friday's designated hitter.''Absolutely,'' Conforto recalled...

Associated PressHomer Bailey will start Reds' season opener vs NationalsBy GARY SCHATZGOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) Homer Bailey wasn't even thinking about opening day. After years of setbacks with his elbow, the Cincinnati Reds' highest-paid starter just wanted to get through spring training without an issue.Bailey accomplished his goal, and...

4 more minor leaguers suspended for drug violationsNEW YORK (AP) Boston catcher Oscar Hernandez, Chicago Cubs pitcher David Garner, St. Louis pitcher Matt Pearce and Pittsburgh shortstop Andrew Walker have been suspended for 50 games each under baseball's minor league drug program.Hernandez, Garner and Pearce each had second...

4 more minor leaguers suspended for drug violationsNEW YORK (AP) Boston catcher Oscar Hernandez, Chicago Cubs pitcher David Garner, St. Louis pitcher Matt Pearce and Pittsburgh shortstop Andrew Walker have been suspended for 50 games each under baseball's minor league drug program.Hernandez, Garner and Pearce each had second...

Associated PressConforto goes 1 for 4 in 1st game after shoulder surgeryBy BILL WHITEHEADPORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) Michael Conforto received a late-night phone call from New York Mets manager Mickey Callaway, who asked whether he wanted to fill an open spot as Friday's designated hitter.''Absolutely,'' Conforto recalled...

AP Baseball WriterBaseball players in minors to lose minimum wage protectionBy RONALD BLUMMinor league baseball players who make as little as $5,500 a season were stripped of the protection of federal minimum wage laws under a provision in government spending legislation signed Friday.The ''Save America's Pastime Act'' is included...

Giants Bumgarner hit in hand, leaves spring training startSCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) Giants left-hander Madison Bumgarner exited his spring training start in the third inning Friday after taking a line drive off his pitching hand.The comebacker was hit by Kansas City's Whit Merrifield. The Giants had no immediate updates...