MLB

AP Sports Writer"Hard, hard." Cardinals rookie Hicks lighting up radar gunsBy WILL GRAVESJordan Hicks can't explain where the gas comes from. If he's being honest, the St. Louis Cardinals rookie flamethrower doesn't really want to. Best not to overthink it.So the 21-year-old reliever steps on the rubber and lets...

Pedroia returns to DL, played just 3 games after returnHOUSTON (AP) Dustin Pedroia's return from the disabled list lasted three games.The four-time All-Star second baseman was put back on the DL by the Boston Red Sox on Saturday because of left knee inflammation.The 34-year-old had knee surgery in...

LEADING OFF: Red Sox-Yankees, part 3, for MLB leadBy The Associated PressHere's a look at what's happening around the major leagues today:BEASTS OF THE EASTThe Red Sox and Yankees start a three-game series in the Bronx, with the American League East division race as tight as ever. Boston comes...

AP Baseball WriterDetroit Tigers reassign RHP Casey Mize, other top prospectsBy NOAH TRISTERDETROIT (AP) Casey Mize is not starting the season with the Detroit Tigers, who reassigned him and several other top prospects to their alternate training location Monday.Mize, a right-hander who was the top pick in the...

Top negotiator Rick Shapiro leaves baseball players' unionNEW YORK (AP) Rick Shapiro left his job as a top negotiator for the Major League Baseball Players Association on Friday after 9+ years.He worked as a consultant on salary arbitration starting in the 1980s and joined the staff full time...

Associated PressPaxton, Gregorius nearing returns for Yankees; Barrett on ILBy by KOLLIN MILLERKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) Left-hander James Paxton and shortstop Didi Gregorius are closing in on their returns to the New York Yankees while right-hander Jake Barrett is heading to the injured list.The 30-year-old Paxton has had...

AP Sports WriterDarren Baker, Dusty's son, plucked by Nats on draft's Day 3By DENNIS WASZAK Jr.NEW YORK (AP) Darren Baker got scooped up by dad's team again.The son of Washington manager Dusty Baker was drafted by the Nationals in the 27th round of the Major League Baseball draft...

AP Sports WriterAnd this one belongs to Marty: Brennaman calls final gameBy JOE KAYCINCINNATI (AP) And this one belongs to Marty Brennaman.With fans applauding his every mention, the Hall of Fame broadcaster called his final Cincinnati Reds game Thursday, ending a 46-year career that's featured so many big...

Tigers' Cabrera returns, leaves game with hamstring strainKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera has left a game at Kansas City after straining his right hamstring while taking second base in the sixth inning at Kauffman Stadium.Cabrera was back in the lineup Thursday at designated hitter...

Associated PressReds sign reliever Oliver Perez to minor league contractBy GARY SCHATZGOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) The Cincinnati Reds have signed left-handed pitcher Oliver Perez to a minor league contract.Perez spent the past two seasons with the Washington Nationals. He made 50 appearances with the Nationals last year, pitching 33...

AP Sports WriterNationals dance their way from rock bottom to playoff raceBy STEPHEN WHYNOWASHINGTON (AP) Seven weeks ago, the Washington Nationals didn't have much to dance about.They were 12 games below .500 with the fourth-worst record in baseball. They weren't giving ace Max Scherzer and Co. enough run...

AP Baseball WriterMLB offers players 80% of prorated salaries, 72-game seasonBy RONALD BLUMNEW YORK (AP) Major League Baseball and its players are moving closer - to a deal or to Commissioner Rob Manfred ordering a shortened season without an agreement.MLB offered players 80% of their prorated salaries and...