ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Houston Astros owner Jim Crane declined comment Wednesday on Major League Baseball’s investigation into allegations of sign stealing against his team.While walking through the lobby of the luxury hotel where MLB owners were meeting, Crane stopped briefly when …

NEW YORK (AP) — The Yankees have given up on Jacoby Ellsbury, cutting the oft-injured outfielder with more than $26 million left in his $153 million, seven-year contract.Ellsbury, who has not played since 2017, was released Wednesday to clear a 40-man roster spot as New York added seven …

Patrick Corbin was an exception last offseason.Amid a slow free agent market — some stars didn’t sign until after the start of spring training — Corbin’s search for a new home was over in December when he received a $140 million, six-year contract from Washington.That …

NEW YORK (AP) — Mike Shildt began his life in baseball at his mom's side, tagging along with her to work at a Double-A ballpark and picking up odd jobs around the clubhouse.When Shildt was recognized Tuesday night for the career that has followed, the late Lib Shildt was the first thing on …

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — After falling short of reaching the World Series for the 10th straight year, the New York Yankees intend to have conversations with top free agent pitchers Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg."It's a good time to be them," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said …

NEW YORK (AP) — Young sluggers known for their prodigious power, Pete Alonso and Yordan Álvarez knocked the Rookie of the Year voting out of the park.In a rarity for the major league home run leader, Alonso didn't land the biggest blow.Alonso, a star first baseman with the New York …

NEW YORK (AP) — Washington pitcher Stephen Strasburg and Nationals outfielder Juan Soto have been selected as joint winners of the Babe Ruth award as postseason MVP in voting by the New York chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America.They will be honored at the chapter's 97th …

NEW YORK (AP) — The Yankees failed to make a $17.8 million qualifying offer to Didi Gregorius and will not receive draft-pick compensation if the free-agent shortstop signs with another team.Gregorius, who turns 30 in February, came back from Tommy John surgery in early June and hit .238 …

NEW YORK (AP) — Carlos Beltrán was back in familiar blue pinstripes Monday, buttoning up a New York Mets uniform while standing next to his new boss, Brodie Van Wagenen.The first-time manager is taking over following a tenuous season at Citi Field, and his plan to calm the clubhouse …

NEW YORK (AP) — Aroldis Chapman is staying with the New York Yankees, amending his contract to a $48 million, three-year deal.The 31-year-old All-Star closer had been owed $15 million in each of the next two seasons as part of an $86 million, five-year contract, and he had the right to opt …

NEW YORK (AP) — Carlos Beltrán, two years removed from his playing career and with no managerial experience, has been picked by the New York Mets to replace Mickey Callaway.Beltrán received a three-year contract that includes a club option for 2023. The Mets announced the move …

NEW YORK (AP) — Washington third baseman Anthony Rendon became a free agent Thursday, a day after homering to spark Washington's seventh-inning comeback in Game 7 of the World Series.Houston pitcher Gerrit Cole also went free after warming up in the bullpen but never getting into the season …

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Yankees have declined their 2020 option for Edwin Encarnación, making the veteran slugger a free agent.New York announced the move Thursday. Encarnación was due $25 million in 2020, but the Yankees bought out the remaining year of his contract for $5 …

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Nelson Cruz's $12 million option for next season has been exercised by the Minnesota Twins.The 39-year-old designated hitter agreed in January to a contract with a $14 million salary for 2019 and the club option.He hit .311 with a team-high 41 homers and had 108 RBIs in …

Larry Rothschild has been fired as the Yankees' pitching coach after nine seasons.New York announced his departure Monday, nine days after the team was eliminated by Houston in the AL Championship Series. The Yankees decided it was time for a new voice in the role, a person familiar the decision …

HOUSTON (AP) — Justin Verlander, Joe Smith and Will Harris tossed the ball at Minute Maid Park as slanting light from the late-afternoon sun streaked through the large glass panels and across right field.After arriving home at 4:30 a.m., they were back in familiar surroundings, yes, but …

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joe Girardi hit a grand slam after putting on the red pinstripes for the first time.Girardi was charming, engaging and entertaining in his introductory news conference as the 55th manager of the Philadelphia Phillies. Already popular among fans, Girardi said all the …

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on Game 5 of the World Series (all times local):11:27 p.m.The Houston Astros handed the ball to Gerrit Cole, and he gave them a firm grip on the World Series.Cole looked exactly like the stud who dominated baseball most of this season, bouncing back from a Game …

WASHINGTON (AP) — Not bad for a TBA.Unheralded rookie José Urquidy outpitched all those big-name aces who preceded him, quieting Washington's bats and the Nationals Park crowd, too.Alex Bregman busted out of his slump with a go-ahead single in the first inning and a grand slam in the …

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on Game 4 of the World Series (all times local):11:57 p.m.Houston and Washington are all even in a World Series that has been one big road show.Alex Bregman busted out of his slump with a go-ahead single in the first inning and grand slam in the seventh, and the …