MLB

Average age of major league drops below 29 on opening dayNEW YORK (AP) The average age of a major league player on opening day dropped to 28.91 years from 29.13 at the start of last season.The Philadelphia Phillies are the youngest team at 26.92, according to the commissioner's...

AP Baseball WriterYankees interview Wedge, former Indians, Mariners managerBy RONALD BLUMNEW YORK (AP) Eric Wedge promises a touchy-feely approach if hired as New York Yankees manager, rejecting the old-school method of publicly challenging players to motivate them.''If something like that happens today, especially with social media and everything...

Russell rejoins Cubs after 40-game MLB domestic violence banCHICAGO (AP) Shortstop Addison Russell is rejoining the Chicago Cubs after completing a 40-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball's domestic violence policy and then spending extra time in the minors to get ready.The Cubs recalled Russell from Triple-A Iowa...

AP Sports WriterRed Sox: Cora departure won't force a Mookie Betts tradeBy JIMMY GOLENBOSTON (AP) The Boston Red Sox say the turmoil in the manager's office isn't a reason to give up on this season and trade outfielder Mookie Betts.“The goal remains to be competitive always,” Chief Baseball...

Yolmer Sanchez beats White Sox in salary arbitrationPHOENIX (AP) Infielder Yolmer Sanchez beat the Chicago White Sox in salary arbitration and will get a raise from $546,000 to $2.35 million rather than the team's $2.1 million offer.Sanchez set career bests last year with a .267 average, 12 homers...

Athletics designate Morales, activate Canha from 10-day ILSEATTLE (AP) The Oakland Athletics have designated slugger Kendrys Morales for assignment and activated Mark Canha from the 10-day injured list.Morales was acquired from Toronto on March 27. The 13-year major league veteran appeared in 34 games and hit .204 with...

A position-by-position look at the New York Mets and Kansas City Royals going into the World Series, starting Tuesday night at Kauffman Stadium:---First Base:Mets: Lucas Duda. A streaky slugger with a good eye when he's going well, the quiet Duda was given an everyday job early last season over...

Cuban baseball player smugglers seek lenient sentencesMIAMI (AP) A sports agent and a baseball trainer are seeking lenient prison sentences after their convictions in Miami of smuggling Cuban players to the U.S.Court records filed this week show agent Bartolo Hernandez is asking for a three-year prison term and...

AP Sports WriterIt no longer counts: All-Star result won't matter in OctoberBy TIM REYNOLDSMIAMI (AP) The new All-Star Game rules were picture-perfect for Nelson Cruz.Yadier Molina didn't mind them, either.And come Game 1 of the World Series in October, no one will be harkening back to how a...

AP Sports WriterIndians paying minor leaguers stipends, shut spring complexBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) With no end to the coronavirus shutdown in sight and no certainty about baseball's return this season, the Cleveland Indians will continue to pay minor league players their weekly stipends to help offset any “hardship”...

Astros add RHP McHugh for ALCS against New York YankeesHOUSTON (AP) Right-hander Collin McHugh has been added to the Houston Astros roster for the AL Championship Series against the New York Yankees.The Astros are going with 12 pitchers and 13 position players for the best-of-seven series that starts...

AP Sports WriterDodgers' Machado whiffs on chance to silence Game 6 boosBy GENARO C. ARMASMILWAUKEE (AP) Manny Machado appeared to be egging on the booing crowd as he retreated down the dugout steps following a first-inning strikeout, raising two arms in front of him in the air.The jeers...