MLB

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Infielder Trevor Plouffe has agreed to a one-year contract with the Oakland Athletics and is expected to be the primary third baseman if he can stay healthy. The team announced the move Wednesday. Plouffe went on the disabled list for three different injuries last season with Minnesota. He...

Rockies, Alexi Amarista agree to 1-year dealDENVER (AP) The Colorado Rockies have agreed to a one-year deal with utility player Alexi Amarista.Amarista hit .257 with 11 RBIs and nine stolen bases last season for the San Diego Padres. He played all over the field, too, seeing time at...

A-Rod takes swing at new TV show for cash-strapped jocksNEW YORK (AP) Alex Rodriguez is no stranger to big money. Now the former New York Yankees slugger will host a new CNBC show in which he guides financially distressed athletes.The network said Tuesday it ordered a pilot. The...

AP Baseball WriterCloud of steroids hovers above Hall of Fame votingBy RONALD BLUMNEW YORK (AP) The cloud of steroids hovers above Hall of Fame voting, much like it shrouded baseball in the 1990s and early 2000s.Tim Raines, in his 10th and final year of eligibility, appears likely to...

Longtime baseball executive Dan O'Brien Sr. dies at 87ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Longtime major league executive Dan O'Brien Sr. has died at 87.The Texas Rangers said he died Monday in Dallas. The Rangers were one of four major league teams with whom O'Brien held front-office jobs over 45 years...

Rangers' Diekman out at least half season because of colitisARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Texas Rangers reliever Jake Diekman is expected to miss at least half the season after upcoming surgery to treat colitis, a digestive condition.Diekman, the top left-hander in the Texas bullpen, has battled the condition throughout his...

Longtime baseball executive Dan O'Brien Sr. dies at 87ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Longtime major league executive Dan O'Brien Sr. has died at 87.The Texas Rangers said he died Monday in Dallas. The Rangers were one of four major league teams with whom O'Brien held front-office jobs over 45 years...

Rangers sign slugger Josh Hamilton to minor league contractARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Slugger Josh Hamilton is getting another shot with the Texas Rangers.The Rangers said Tuesday they have agreed to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training for the oft-injured 2010 AL MVP.The 35-year-old Hamilton had...

AP Sports WriterSt. Louis Cardinals expect to add speed this seasonBy KURT VOIGTST. LOUIS (AP) A year after St. Louis finished last in the National League in stolen bases, the Cardinals are putting an emphasis on becoming more athletic and aggressive on the base paths.The arrival of newly...

AP Sports WriterRoyals, left-hander Duffy agree to $65M, 5-year contractBy DAVE SKRETTAKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) Perhaps the Royals and Danny Duffy thought Kansas City sports fans could use some good news.The team announced a $65 million, five-year contract with the popular left-hander on Monday, ensuring he will remain...

Associated PressObama celebrates World Series champion Chicago CubsBy DARLENE SUPERVILLEWASHINGTON (AP) President Barack Obama is celebrating the World Series champion Chicago Cubs before he leaves office.On what usually is a sleepy federal holiday at the White House, Cubs players filed into the White House East Room on Martin...

AP Sports WriterRoyals, left-hander Duffy agree to $65M, 5-year contractBy DAVE SKRETTAKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) Perhaps the Royals and Danny Duffy thought Kansas City sports fans could use some good news.The team announced a $65 million, five-year contract with the popular left-hander on Monday, ensuring he will remain...