Phillies sweep Marlins to earn NL Division Series rematch with MLB-best Braves
Bryson Stott crushed the second grand slam in Philadelphia Phillies postseason history and Aaron Nola tossed seven shutout innings in a performance worthy of a postseason ace that led to a 7-1 win and a two-game sweep over the Miami Marlins in their NL Wild Card Series.
MLB game time drops 24 minutes to 2:40 with pitch clock. Players steal most bases since 1987
The average time of a nine-inning major league game dropped to 2 hours, 40 minutes in the first year of the pitch clock, a 24-minute decrease in a season of change that resulted in a spike in batting average and the most stolen bases in nearly 40 years.
Harper's HR powers Phillies past Padres, into World Series
Bryce Harper slugged his fifth homer of the postseason, a two-run blast in the eighth inning that turned Citizens Bank Park into a madhouse, and the $330 million slugger powered the Philadelphia Phillies past the San Diego Padres 4-3 on Sunday and into the World Series for the first the time since 2009.
Harper, Schwarber HR as Wheeler, Phils top Pads to open NLCS
Bryce Harper homered again, Kyle Schwarber hit a jaw-dropping, 488-foot drive and Zack Wheeler was brilliant in throwing one-hit ball for seven innings to lead the Philadelphia Phillies over the San Diego Padres 2-0 in the opening game of the all-wild card NL Championship Series.
Phillies rally late to hand Angels 11th straight loss
Bryson Stott hit a game-winning, three-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning after Bryce Harper tied it with a grand slam in the eighth, and the Philadelphia Phillies rallied for a 9-7 victory that sent slumping Mike Trout and the Los Angeles Angels to their 11th straight defeat.
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Chisox star Jiménez out 5-6 months, Rays' Anderson ailing
Sixto Sánchez made his third start, yielding a run on three hits and a walk in 3 1/3 innings. Austin Gomber gave up five runs on eight hits, four of them home runs, 5 1/3 innings. Arizona starter Luke Weaver struck out eight over 5 1/3 innings. Right-hander Adbert Alzolay continued to struggle for Chicago, allowing two runs in 3 1/3 innings. BREWERS 2, GIANTS 2Brett Anderson pitched two-run ball over 5 2/3 innings, allowing five hits and striking out three for Milwaukee.
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Padres star Tatis has shoulder problem, to be re-evaluated
The Padres said Tatis had discomfort in his non-throwing left shoulder and would be re-evaluated on Wednesday. Corbin Burnes turned in 4 2/3 innings, striking out six while allowing two runs on three hits. Jon Lester allowed one run and three hits in 3 2/3 innings in his second start of the spring for Washington. He gave up five hits, hit two batters and struck out three. PADRES 5, REDS 4MacKenzie Gore worked 3 2/3 innings in his third start for San Diego, allowing two runs on three hits.
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Scherzer faces deGrom in spring game, rematch on opening day
Scherzer will make his Nationals-record sixth opening day start April 1, facing the New York Mets in Washington. The original lineup released by Washington before the game featured a designated hitter; that was revised to include Scherzer batting for himself. DeGrom struck him out, part of his 4 2/3 scoreless innings with three hits and five Ks. YANKEES 8, BLUE JAYS 3Gerritt Cole struck out eight in five innings, allowing one run in his fourth spring start for New York. BRAVES 11, RAYS 1Atlanta starter Max Fried gave up three hits and struck out five over six innings.
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Hospital job make Marlins prospect grateful for baseball
FILE - This is a 2021 file photo showing Will Stewart of the Miami Marlins baseball team. Miami Marlins pitching prospect Will Stewart landed a $10-an-hour offseason hospital job in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic and said the experience made him more grateful for baseball. (Adam Glanzman/MLB Photos via AP, FIle)MIAMI – Miami Marlins pitching prospect Will Stewart landed a $10-an-hour offseason hospital job in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic and said the experience made him more grateful for baseball. Now 23, Stewart has yet to advance beyond Single-A, and the pandemic wiped out the 2020 season for him. Needing the money, he landed the job through a girlfriend even though he had no experience in medicine, and worked at the hospital for six months.
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Rays OF Arozarena, Pirates 3B Hayes among MLB's top rookies
—INF Ke'Bryan Hayes, Pittsburgh Pirates: Hayes, 24, provided some hope for lowly Pittsburgh in September, batting .376 with five homers in 24 games. The slick-fielding son of former big league infielder Charlie Hayes was selected by the Pirates in the first round of the 2015 amateur draft. 6 pick in the 2018 amateur draft batted .291 with 23 homers over three minor league stops in 2019. —OF Ryan Mountcastle, Baltimore Orioles: Mountcastle made his major league debut on Aug. 21 and batted .333 with five homers and 23 RBIs in 35 games. Kim batted .306 with 30 homers, 109 RBIs and 23 steals for the KBO League's Kiwoom Heroes last season.
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Easy does it: MLB pitchers prepare for usual 162-game grind
Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021, that Strasburg is in preparation mode not in rehabilitation mode at spring training after having surgery in 2020. So the familiar feel of February spring training has pitchers eager to unleash fastballs, spin a few breaking balls and get ready for the 162-game long haul. “Spring training is 50 days long,” Seattle Mariners manager Scott Servais said. But young pitchers — many of whom didn't throw many innings last season — will have to be watched closely. He practiced on the first day of spring training Wednesday but an MRI later revealed the break.
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Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto has fracture in right thumb
FILE - Philadelphia Phillies' J.T. The Philadelphia Phillies and two-time All-Star catcher J.T. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)Philadelphia Phillies two-time All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto has a small fracture in his right thumb and will be evaluated again in two weeks. “I’m not very worried about my thumb, so if I was a Phillies fan, I wouldn’t be too worried," Realmuto said Thursday.
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AP source: Phillies, SS Didi Gregorius agree on 2-year deal
Philadelphia Phillies' Didi Gregorius celebrates his three-run home run during the ninth inning of the team's baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Phillies and shortstop Didi Gregorius have agreed on a two-year, $28 million contract, according to a person familiar with the deal. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Saturday because the deal is pending Gregorius passing a physical. Gregorius hit .274 and averaged 20 homers and 75 RBIs over four seasons with the Yankees between 2015-18. The Phillies finished 28-32 in a pandemic-shortenened 2020 season, missing a wild-card berth by one game in the expanded playoff format.
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Phillies make it official, sign J.T. Realmuto to 5-year deal
FILE - Philadelphia Phillies' J.T. The Philadelphia Phillies and two-time All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto agreed on a $115.5 million, five-year contract, two people familiar with the deal told The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)PHILADELPHIA – two-time All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto and the Philadelphia Phillies finalized their $115.5 million, five-year contract on Friday.
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AP sources: Phillies, Realmuto agree on $115.5 million deal
All rights reserved)FILE - Philadelphia Phillies' J.T. Realmuto agreed on a $115.5 million, five-year contract, two people familiar with the deal told The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Phillies and two-time All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto agreed on a $115.5 million, five-year contract, two people familiar with the deal told The Associated Press. Realmuto gets $20 million next season, of which $10 million is deferred, with $5 million each payable in 2026 and 2027.
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AP source: Catcher James McCann, Mets near $40M, 4-yr deal
Free agent catcher James McCann and the New York Mets were close to completing a $40 million, four-year contract Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, as the team continues to upgrade its roster under new owner Steve Cohen. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)NEW YORK – Free agent catcher James McCann and the New York Mets were close to completing a $40 million, four-year contract Saturday as the team continues to upgrade its roster under new owner Steve Cohen. McCann was an All-Star with the White Sox in 2019 when he hit .273 with 18 home runs and 60 RBIs. Last week, the Mets signed free agent reliever Trevor May to a $15.5 million, two-year deal. He was regarded as the second-best catcher on the free agent market behind J.T.
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Freeman among trio of Braves on All-MLB first team
Freeman easily won the NL MVP award Thursday, Nov. 12, topping off a trying year that saw him become so ill with COVID-19 he prayed please dont take me. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)NEW YORK – National League MVP Freddie Freeman was one of three Atlanta Braves selected to the All-MLB first team on Wednesday night. San Diego had two players on the top team: shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. and third baseman Manny Machado. AL MVP José Abreu of the Chicago White Sox was the first baseman on the second team, which also included Philadelphia catcher J.T. Realmuto, Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe, Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager and Indians third baseman José Ramírez.
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Stroman, Gausman take $18.9M; Springer, LeMahieu reject
Gausman and Mets pitcher Marcus Stroman accepted $18.9 million qualifying offers Wednesday, Nov. 11, receiving one-year deals to stay with their teams rather than test what they could get in free agency. Qualifying offers began after the 2012 season, and only 10 of 96 offers have been accepted. Stroman was acquired by the Mets from Toronto in July 2019 for left-hander Anthony Kay and minor league right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson. Gausman has a 50-66 record and 4.26 ERA in nine seasons with Baltimore, Atlanta and San Francisco. Tomlin gets a $1 million salary next season, and the deal includes a $1.25 million club option with a $250,000 buyout.
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Springer, LeMahieu, Realmuto among 6 given qualifying offers
Springer, New York Yankees second baseman DJ LeMahieu and Philadelphia catcher J.T. Realmuto were among just six free agents who received $18.9 million qualifying offers on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, from their former teams. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)NEW YORK – Houston outfielder George Springer, New York Yankees second baseman DJ LeMahieu and Philadelphia catcher J.T. Realmuto were among just six free agents who received $18.9 million qualifying offers on Sunday from their former teams. Arizona exercised a $4.25 million option on pitcher Merrill Kelly rather than pay a $500,000 buyout, and Baltiore exercised a $3.5 million option on shortstop José Iglesias rather than pay a $500,000 buyout.
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LEADING OFF: Astros making noise, Phillies seeking GM
(AP Photo/Jim Mone)A look at what’s happening around the majors today:___SOUNDING OFFThe Astros are making noise on and off the field in the postseason, and that’s fine with outfielder Josh Reddick. Houston continues to draw the ire of fans across the majors for the sign-stealing scandal that came to light after last season. Former Houston pitcher and current A’s starter Mike Fiers was the one who revealed the Astros’ scam. “That’s what this year was about.”TAKE YOUR TIMEIf it seems baseball is going through an annual playoff slowdown, it’s true. “We’ve made progress but we haven’t made enough progress fast enough,” Phillies managing partner John Middleton said.
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LEADING OFF: Astros making noise, Phillies seeking new GM
(AP Photo/Jim Mone)A look at what’s happening around the majors on Sunday:___SOUNDING OFFThe Astros are making noise on and off the field in the postseason, and that’s fine with outfielder Josh Reddick. Houston continues to draw the ire of fans across the majors for the sign-stealing scandal that came to light after last season. Former Houston pitcher and current A’s starter Mike Fiers was the one who revealed the Astros’ scam. “That’s what this year was about.”TAKE YOUR TIMEIf it seems baseball is going through an annual playoff slowdown, it’s true. “We’ve made progress but we haven’t made enough progress fast enough,” Phillies managing partner John Middleton said.
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Klentak out as Phils GM after 3rd straight September slump
Klentak stepped down after a third straight September collapse left the team out of the postseason for the ninth consecutive season. “We’ve made progress but we haven’t made enough progress fast enough,” Phillies managing partner John Middleton said. Klentak was hired in October 2015 by team President Andy MacPhail after serving as assistant general manager for the Los Angeles Angels for four seasons. The Phillies had the worst bullpen ERA in the majors this season and it didn't improve after Klentak acquired four veterans in trades. The Phillies went 161-163 under Kapler before Middleton overruled Klentak and MacPhail and fired him last year.
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Harper's 2 HRs help Phils top Nats 12-3, eliminate champs
Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper, left, celebrates his home run with third base coach Dusty Wathan during the sixth inning of the team's baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Washington. With Harper leading the way, and homers from Andrew McCutchen, Didi Gregorius and Andrew Knapp, too, the Phillies beat the Nationals 12-3 Wednesday night. “We’re at the part of the season where I need to be on the field," Harper said. TRAINER’S ROOMPhillies: 1B Rhys Hoskins (left elbow) is unlikely to be activated off the injured list before the regular season ends, Girardi said. UP NEXTPhillies: Off on Thursday, then finish the regular season with a three-game series at Tampa Bay that opens Friday.
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LEADING OFF: Glasnow, Rays try to win AL East, Bieber ready
Cincinnati’s Trevor Bauer (1.80) is third and starts at home against the Brewers in a matchup of NL playoff contenders. Atlanta won its third straight NL East title with an 11-1 romp over the contending Marlins. After losses in 10 straight postseason appearances, the Braves are desperate to end the drought. There’s so much to be proud of from my point of view.”STUMBLINGThe Phillies have lost in four, dropping them out of NL playoff position. After getting in a doubleheader in Washington, they’ll try to regain their winning touch when Zach Eflin (3-2, 4.28 ERA) starts against Erick Fedde (2-3, 4.36) at Nationals Park.
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Harper rallies Phils past Blue Jays to sweep doubleheader
Philadelphia Phillies' Andrew Knapp hits a two-run triple off Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Thomas Hatch during the first inning of the fifth baseball game in a doubleheader, Friday, Sept. 18, 2020, in Philadelphia. With a base open, the Blue Jays went after hot-hitting Harper and he delivered. Harper hit a drive high off the wall in left-center, slid into the second and got up pumping his fist. Ray gave up five runs and five hits in 4 1/3 innings in his third start for the Blue Jays after being acquired from Arizona before the trade deadline. UP NEXT:RHP Vince Velasquez (0-1, 6.46 ERA) starts for the Phillies on Saturday night and LHP Hyun-jin Ryu (4-1, 3.00) goes for the Blue Jays.
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AP Exclusive: MLB plan saves big-spending teams $100M each
The Astros drop from $149 million to $46 million and the Dodgers from $147 million to $46 million. Miami is at $33 million under the unions plan and $16 million under MLBs. A player with a $20 million salary, like St. Louis All-Star catcher Yadier Molina, would get be guaranteed just below $4 million under the MLB plan and about $14.1 million under the union plan. Tampa Bay pitcher Charlie Mortons $15 million salary would be cut to a $3.2 million base under the MLB plan and $10.6 million under the MLB proposal. Realmutos $10 million salary would drop to a $2.4 million base as part of the MLB proposal and to $7 million under the union plan.