mlb – Page 645

Jay Bruce has 'unfinished business' in return to Mets

NEW YORK (AP) Jay Bruce says he has ”unfinished business” with the New York Mets.

Royals hire former big league manager Lamont to help GM

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) Former big league manager Gene Lamont has been hired as a special assistant to Royals general manager Dayton Moore, reuniting him with the organization where he spent nearly a decade coaching prospects.

While Rangers want to add rotation depth, Yu still unlikely

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Rangers general manager Jon Daniels anticipates adding depth to his rotation. It is still unlikely that pitcher will be a front-line starter.

Lefty Wade LeBlanc agrees to a minor league deal with Yanks

NEW YORK (AP) Left-hander Wade LeBlanc has agreed to a minor league contract with the New York Yankees and will report to major league spring training.

Despite doping scandals, Olympic fever grips Russian cinemas

MOSCOW (AP) Russia’s going crazy for the Olympics. The 1972 Olympics.

Morneau to make retirement official with Twins sendoff

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Justin Morneau, the 2006 AL MVP and Minnesota Twins first baseman whose career was derailed by concussion symptoms, is retiring after 1,603 hits and 247 home runs in 14 major league seasons.

Howie Kendrick and National agree to $7M, 2-year contract

WASHINGTON (AP) The Nationals have agreed to a $7 million, two-year contract with outfielder Howie Kendrick, a deal subject to a successful physical.

Blue Jays announce plans for extended protective netting

TORONTO (AP) The Blue Jays will extend the protective netting at Rogers Centre to the outfield end of each dugout this season and increase the height of netting behind home plate by approximately 10 feet to 28 feet.

Hand's $19.75M Padres' deal includes $1.75M signing bonus

SAN DIEGO (AP) All-Star closer Brad Hand’s $19.75 million, three-year contract with the San Diego Padres includes a $1.75 million signing bonus.

Cole fire: Astros heat up hot stove by acquiring Pirates ace

HOUSTON (AP) The World Series champion Houston Astros have boosted their rotation with another big arm, acquiring Gerrit Cole from the Pittsburgh Pirates in a five-player trade.

Van Slyke, 2 pitchers sign minor league deals with Marlins

MIAMI (AP) Outfielder-first baseman Scott Van Slyke has signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins after spending the past six seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Diamondbacks settle with Lamb, Ray, more, avoid arbitration

PHOENIX (AP) The Arizona Diamondbacks have avoided salary arbitration with third baseman Jake Lamb, lefty starter Robbie Ray, righty Taijuan Walker and several other players by reaching deals on one-year contracts.

All's quiet for Cubs at fan convention

CHICAGO (AP) There was no surprise return for Jake Arrieta. No dramatic entrance for Yu Darvish, Alex Cobb or Greg Holland, either.

Pirates agree to terms with Cole, Mercer and Kontos

PITTSBURGH (AP) Gerrit Cole remains a Pittsburgh Pirate. For now, at least.

Derek Dietrich, Miguel Rojas agree to contracts with Marlins

MIAMI (AP) Third baseman Derek Dietrich and shortstop Miguel Rojas have agreed to contracts for 2018 with the Miami Marlins.

Yankees settle with 6, on track to get under tax threshold

NEW YORK (AP) The Yankees reached one-year contracts with their remaining six players eligible for arbitration, leaving their projected luxury tax payroll at $177 million – $20 million below the threshold.

Donaldson, Machado, Bryant, Rendon in arbitration hot corner

NEW YORK (AP) The hot corner figures to be sizzling Friday when players and team swap proposed salaries in arbitration.

Reliever Tommy Kahnle, Yankees agree at $1,312,500

NEW YORK (AP) Reliever Tommy Kahnle and the New York Yankees agreed to a one-year contract for $1,312,500, the first player to reach a deal among the team’s eight who are eligible for salary arbitration.

McCann, Tigers reach 1-year deal for $2,375,000

DETROIT (AP) Catcher James McCann and the Detroit Tigers have agreed to a $2,375,000, one-year contract that avoided arbitration.

Rangers' Ryan Rua avoids arbitration with $870,000 deal

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Texas Rangers outfielder Ryan Rua has agreed to an $870,000, one-year contract to avoid salary arbitration.

Stammen guaranteed $4.5M by Padres in 2-year deal

SAN DIEGO (AP) Right-hander Craig Stammen is guaranteed $4.5 million as part of his two-year contract with the San Diego Padres and can earn an additional $1 million in performance bonuses annually based on pitching appearances.

Wade Davis would get $1million bonus if traded by Rockies

DENVER (AP) All-Star reliever Wade Davis would get a $1 million assignment bonus if traded by the Colorado Rockies under a provision in his $52 million, three-year contract.

Duke guaranteed $2.15M by Twins, can earn $1.5M more

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Left-hander Zach Duke is guaranteed $2.15 million as part of his one-year contract with the Minnesota Twins and can earn an additional $1.5 million based on pitching appearances.

Mejia, Mets agree to contract in formality, despite ban

NEW YORK (AP) Suspended reliever Jenrry Mejia and the New York Mets have agreed to a one-year contract worth $1,729,000, money the pitcher will not receive because of his three positive drug tests.

Sabathia can earn $2M in innings bonuses with Yanks

NEW YORK (AP) CC Sabathia can earn $2 million in performance bonuses based on innings as part of his $10 million, one-year contract with the New York Yankees.

Rangers open baseball, business deal with Japan's Nippon Ham

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) The Texas Rangers and Japan’s Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters are starting a multiyear agreement this year that will involve baseball and business operations.

Cubs sued for better wheelchair access at Wrigley Field

CHICAGO (AP) A 20-year-old Chicago Cubs fan is suing team owners to force them to provide better wheelchair access at Wrigley Field.

Yankees president Levine excited about offseason moves

NEW YORK (AP) Yankees president Randy Levine defended Yankee Stadium as a proper home for the Pinstripe Bowl as he rattled off the list of great college football moments at both versions of the venue. Knute Rockne coached in the old one. Notre Dame played in the new one.

Letters describe slugger Ted Williams' service in Korean War

BIDDEFORD, Maine (AP) Thirty-eight letters penned by Hall of Fame baseball player Ted Williams, including one in which he described crash-landing a fighter jet with ”holes all over” it, are going up for auction.

Astros star Jose Altuve named AP Male Athlete of the Year

HOUSTON (AP) Jose Altuve led the Houston Astros to their first World Series title with a win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in November and picked up the franchise’s first MVP trophy in more than two decades a couple of weeks later.