MLB

Cubs agree to 1-year contract with reliever WinklerCHICAGO (AP) The Chicago Cubs and reliever Dan Winkler agreed Friday to a one-year contract that pays $750,000 in the majors.The 29-year-old right-hander is 8-2 with two saves and a 3.68 ERA in 117 relief appearances over five seasons with Atlanta....

AP Sports WriterAstros ace Verlander resumes throwing after groin surgeryBy KRISTIE RIEKENHouston Astros ace Justin Verlander has resumed throwing as he recovers from March groin surgery.Houston manager Dusty Baker said Wednesday that Verlander, who had surgery on March 17, is “doing great" and is throwing as he continues his...

NEW YORK (AP) Bryce Harper began this season with one personal goal - and it had nothing to do with homers, RBIs or awards.''All I wanted to do was stay healthy and stay on the field every day,'' he said.Harper did that, and a lot more. The Washington...

Sabathia had heart blockage that required stent insertedNEW YORK (AP) Left-hander CC Sabathia had a stent inserted after a blockage was found in an artery from his heart, and the New York Yankees anticipate the 38-year-old pitcher will report to spring training on time.''CC was experiencing some chest...

AP Sports WriterIndians keeping Miller out until after All-Star breakBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) Indians top reliever Andrew Miller is not likely to pitch for Cleveland until after the All-Star break.Miller has been on the disabled list since May 26 with inflammation in his right knee. The left-hander has...

Cubs activate C Victor Caratini, sidelined by hand injuryCINCINNATI (AP) The Chicago Cubs activated backup catcher Victor Caratini off the injury list for the final game of their series against the Reds.Caratini started at first base Thursday, filling in while Anthony Rizzo got another day to recover from...

Braves, D-backs, Dodgers fail to sign top draft picksNEW YORK (AP) The top draft picks of the Atlanta Braves, Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers failed to sign before Friday's deadline, giving each of those teams an extra selection in the first round of next June's amateur draft.Atlanta...

Braves give Duvall 1st start in Game 5 against CardinalsATLANTA (AP) The Atlanta Braves are giving Adam Duvall his first start in the decisive game of the NL Division Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.Braves manager Brian Snitker is starting Duvall instead of Matt Joyce in right field...

MLB players honor Florida shooting victims, wear school hatsGLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) Major League Baseball players will honor victims of last week's shooting in Florida by wearing Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School hats at spring training games this week.Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred said Tuesday all 30 teams will wear...

AP Baseball WriterAstros formidable, but great rotations can still fall shortBy NOAH TRISTERYes, the Houston Astros can still be beat, even after assembling baseball's newest super rotation.The Astros acquired six-time All-Star Zack Greinke from Arizona just before Wednesday's trade deadline, adding him to a pitching staff that already included...

Associated PressYankees GM Cashman suspected Astros were stealing signs.By MARK DIDTLERTAMPA. Fla. (AP) New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman had suspected that the Houston Astros had been breaking rules against electronic sign stealing long before Commissioner Rob Manfred released his report in January that resulted in three...

Lincecum wins in return to MLB, pitches Angels past A'sOAKLAND, California (AP) Tim Lincecum made a winning return to Major League Baseball, restarting his career after nearly a year away with six sharp innings and several ovations as the Los Angeles Angels beat the Oakland Athletics 7-1 Saturday.Lincecum,...