MLB

Associated PressLiriano agrees to $4 million, 1-year deal with TigersBy MARK DIDTLERTAMPA, Fla. (AP) Detroit agreed to a $4 million, one-year contract with left-hander Francisco Liriano, giving the Tigers added pitching depth.The 34-year-old was 6-7 with a 4.62 ERA in 18 starts last season with Toronto and 20...

Royals like hard-throwing Rule 5 pick Burch SmithSURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) Burch Smith was so amped up that he plunked a teammate in batting practice for the Kansas City Royals.Manager Ned Yost was more worried about the follow-up pitch from the Rule 5 draft pick, and he liked what...

Associated PressLiriano agrees to $4 million, 1-year deal with TigersBy MARK DIDTLERTAMPA, Fla. (AP) Detroit agreed to a $4 million, one-year contract with left-hander Francisco Liriano, giving the Tigers added pitching depth.The 34-year-old was 6-7 with a 4.62 ERA in 18 starts last season with Toronto and 20...

Associated PressCallaway scratches Smith for Mets' openerBy BILL WHITEHEADPORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) Mickey Callaway had his first big managerial decision Friday, and it came down way before the New York Mets' first pitch was delivered by starting pitcher Zack Wheeler.A day before when the Mets announced their...

Associated PressOakland found closer in Treinen, part of bullpen revampBy JACK MAGRUDERMESA, Ariz. (AP) Oakland found its closer in Blake Treinen last summer, and its bullpen transformation continued when it acquired offseason targets Yusmeiro Petit and Ryan Buchter this winter.For a team that had 25 blown saves, one...

Associated PressBack tightness delays Carpenter's spring debut for CardsBy CHUCK KINGJUPITER, Fla. (AP) Cardinals manager Mike Matheny isn't sure when first baseman Matt Carpenter will make his Grapefruit League debut.Carpenter is battling back tightness. For the time being, he is in the hands of the Cardinals' medical staff,...

AP Baseball WriterDrury hopes to launch Yankees career after remaking swingBy RONALD BLUMTAMPA, Fla. (AP) After watching J.D. Martinez transform into one of baseball's most powerful sluggers, Brandon Drury decided his career could lift off with some of that long-ball technique.So Drury commuted from his Las Vegas home...

Associated PressWith Cozart joining Angels infield, the defense never restsBy MIKE TULUMELLOTEMPE, Ariz. (AP) The Los Angeles Angels are all about defense.And by signing Zack Cozart, an All-Star shortstop with Cincinnati last year, to a three-year $38 million deal in the offseason they might now have baseball's best...

AP Sports WriterMajor change for oft-injured Rangers pitcher Mike MinorBy STEPHEN HAWKINSSURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) Mike Minor is getting used to starting again, and knows there is some relief if that doesn't work out with the Texas Rangers.The former first-round draft pick for the Atlanta Braves wasn't sure he...

Associated PressCulberson's home runs big on quality, if not quantityBy DICK SCANLONKISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) In two seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Charlie Culberson hit only two home runs. But one clinched a playoff berth and the other came in the 11th inning of a World Series game.''I...

New Padre Eric Hosmer to miss opening spring gamesPEORIA, Ariz. (AP) San Diego Padres manager Andy Green says newly acquired first baseman Eric Hosmer won't play in at least the first two spring games.The Padres open their spring schedule against the Mariners on Friday before visiting the Oakland...

Upper cut: With new swing, Alonso ready to power IndiansBy Gary SchatzGOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) Once he overcame some anxiety, Yonder Alonso started swinging for the fences.And clearing them.Hoping to improve his power statistics, Alonso altered his swing last season and the baseball began to fly. After hitting just...