MLB

CHICAGO (AP) Cubs rookie slugger Kyle Schwarber is expected to miss three to five days because of a mild rib cage strain.He hurt himself on a checked swing during batting practice before Wednesday's game against Cincinnati. The left-handed hitter hopes to be in the lineup Monday when Chicago...

NEW YORK (AP) Joe Maddon and Jeff Banister were a huge hit in their new jobs. Now, immediate team success has reaped individual rewards.Maddon won his third Manager of the Year award Tuesday and Banister his first after each guided an unexpected run to the playoffs.In his initial...

MLB raises money for field in memory of Shannon FordeNEW YORK (AP) Major League Baseball and its affiliates raised more than $235,000 to fund Shannon Forde Field in Little Falls, New Jersey, in memory of the late New York Mets public relations executive.MLB Advanced Media, the MLB Network...

SEATTLE (AP) The Seattle Mariners didn't wait long to go after Japanese pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma after his agreement with the Los Angeles Dodgers was never finalized.The Mariners re-signed Iwakuma late Thursday night, locking up the right-hander for 2016 with options for the 2017 and 2018 seasons - financial...

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) The Minnesota Twins are without rookie slugger Miguel Sano and closer Glen Perkins for the game against the Chicago White Sox on Thursday.Sano is dealing with a hamstring injury that doesn't allow him to run. Perkins is bothered by back spasms for the second time in...

LOS ANGELES (AP) Dave Roberts overcame long odds during his playing days in the major leagues and survived a bout with cancer in recent years. He had no managerial experience when he went after the vacant Los Angeles Dodgers' job.Fittingly, the personable Roberts beat the odds again, impressing...

LOS ANGELES (AP) California lawmakers have taken the first step toward accomplishing something Major League Baseball could never do: Stop players from stuffing those big wads of chewing tobacco into their mouths during games.With Gov. Jerry Brown signing a bill earlier this week banning the use of smokeless...

World Series win has relieved Cubs fans heading to ClevelandCHICAGO (AP) One thing that isn't dead on Halloween is Chicago Cubs' fans hope that the team can still win it all.Some are planning trips to Cleveland for World Series Game 6 Tuesday after the Cubs survived elimination Sunday...

A look at the National League wild-card playoff between the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates:---Schedule: Wednesday, at Pittsburgh, 8:08 p.m. EDT (TBS).---Season Series: Cubs won 11-8.---Projected Lineups:Cubs: CF Dexter Fowler (.250, 17 HRs, 46 RBIs), LF Kyle Schwarber (.246, 16, 43), 3B Kyle Bryant (.275, 26, 99), 1B Anthony...

AP Baseball WriterAP source: Mets agree to re-sign Blevins, Salas in bullpenBy MIKE FITZPATRICKNEW YORK (AP) Aiming to fill out their bullpen, the New York Mets are set to bring back a pair of important pieces from last year's playoff team.A person familiar with the deals says free-agent...

The Latest: Series ace Jon Lester to start Game 1 for CubsBy The Associated PressThe Latest on the World Series (all times Eastern):4:50 p.m.World Series ace Jon Lester is all set to start Game 1 for the Chicago Cubs.Lester will be fully rested when he pitches Tuesday night at...

SAPPORO, Japan (AP) Shohei Otani struck out 10 batters over six scoreless innings as Japan beat South Korea 5-0 in the opening game of the Premier12 baseball tournament on Sunday.Otani, billed as Japan's ace, lived up to expectations in the game played at Sapporo Dome. The 21-year-old right-hander...