MLB

Associated PressMarlins catcher Ellis is a backup with several major rolesBy CHUCK KINGJUPITER, Fla. (AP) Tom Koehler already understands why A.J. Ellis is considered a pitcher's catcher even though they've only been Marlins teammates for a week.''He seems like he's a guy who's really going to push us,''...

AP Sports WriterAt 61, 'late-bloomer' Snitker savors shot as Braves managerBy PAUL NEWBERRYKISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) Let's face it, Brian Snitker had pretty much given up on his dream.He always wanted to be a big league manager.But with his career in baseball approaching four decades, he figured there wasn't...

AP Baseball WriterGiants' Cueto still in Dominican Republic with ailing fatherBy JANIE McCAULEYSCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) Johnny Cueto remains in his native Dominican Republic helping his ailing father a week after pitchers and catchers reported to spring training.The Giants plan to reach out to him to see how he...

AP Sports WriterFor Werth, 'whole thing kind of hangs' on deal's final yearBy HOWARD FENDRICHWEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) Bryce Harper had not yet turned 10 when Jayson Werth made his major league debut, batting ninth and getting a pair of hits.A decade and a half later, the...

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) Hyun-Jin Ryu believes he is ready to reclaim his long-lost spot in the Los Angeles Dodgers' starting rotation. The left-hander has made just one start in the past two seasons for the Dodgers, his once-promising career sidetracked repeatedly by arm injuries. But Ryu has returned to Camelback Ranch...

PHOENIX (AP) Baseball union chief Tony Clark called the public comments surrounding the salary arbitration hearing involving Yankees reliever Dellin Betances ''unprecedented'' and ''unprofessional.'' On Saturday, New York Yankees President Randy Levine said Betances' representatives had ''over-the-top demands based on very little sense of reality'' seeking a $5 million salary...

GLENDALE, Calif. (AP) Hyun-Jin Ryu believes he is ready to reclaim his long-lost spot in the Los Angeles Dodgers' starting rotation. The left-hander has made just one start in the past two seasons for the Dodgers, his once-promising career sidetracked repeatedly by arm injuries. But Ryu has returned to Camelback Ranch...

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,...

SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) Before he leaves for the World Baseball Classic, Manny Machado is making the most of his short time at Baltimore Orioles camp. Machado, who was born in Miami, will play shortstop for the Dominican Republic in next month's WBC, and with the Orioles' everyday shortstop J.J. Hardy...

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) The words are displayed prominently inside the Seattle Mariners' spring training clubhouse. In two languages. Whatever It Takes. Lo Que Sea Necesario. It's a sign of raised expectations for the Mariners after coming close to a wild-card spot and finishing 86-76 last season. ''We've got to stay on the...

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,...