MLB

Nick Swisher is starting over not far from where his baseball career began. Swisher passed his physical with the Cleveland Indians on Thursday and signed the four-year, $56 million, free-agent contract he agreed to last month. The 32-year-old Swisher, born in Columbus, Ohio, will be introduced at a news conference later...

Former major league pitcher Ugueth Urbina returned to baseball on Friday after serving 7½ years in prison for the attempted murder of five workers on his family's ranch. Before taking the field in his native Venezuela to play for the Lions of Caracas, Urbina described himself as "more mature" and...

Hideki Matsui, a popular outfielder and designated hitter for 20 seasons with Japan's Yomiuri Giants, the New York Yankees and three other major league teams, announced his retirement Thursday. Matsui, known as "Godzilla,'' hit .282 with 175 home runs in 10 big league seasons with the Yankees, Los Angeles Angels,...

Hall of Fame baseball catcher Carlton Fisk pleaded guilty Thursday to a misdemeanor drunken-driving charge, two months after police found him asleep in his pickup truck in a suburban Chicago cornfield. Fisk, 65, was sentenced to one year of court supervision and must pay $1,250 in court costs. He also...

If familiarity breeds contempt, there should be animosity aplenty on Friday when the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Colorado Rockies meet at Coors Field. The Dodgers will give the ball to starter Hiroki Kuroda in this one. Righthander Kuroda is 8-14 this season with a 2.88 ERA. Starting this game for...

The Baltimore Orioles will be fighting to snap a losing streak on Friday when they take on the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. The Orioles will pin their hopes on the pitching of lefthander Jo-Jo Reyes in this game. Reyes has a 6-9 record and a 5.33 ERA this...

The Florida Marlins will be fighting to snap a losing streak on Friday when they take on the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park. The Marlins will trot Chris Volstad out to the mound in this one. Righthander Volstad has a 5-9 record and a 5.60 ERA this season. Volstad's opponent...