MARCUS SEMIEN

Ben Verlander continues his offseason positional tiers by ranking the best second basemen in baseball.

The past few years have certainly made it seem like we're living in a golden age of shortstops. Even though money isn't a perfect barometer for production, it's significant that eight of the top 30 contracts in MLB currently (ranked by total guaranteed value) belong to shortstops; that's nearly one-third for one of the nine positions. Last season, 10 teams — that’s one-third of the league — had a shortstop as their highest position player by WAR. The trend, as it were, toward middle-of-the-lineup shortstops has undoubtedly been made possible and preferable by improvements to defensive positioning. The more salient question is whether the current crop of super-productive shortstops will give way to yet another wave of stars at the position or this is truly a unique golden age of shortstops.

Bruce Bochy is coming out of a short retirement in hopes to get a title for the home team.

Yankees slugger Aaron Judge is still at 61 home runs with two games left.

New York Yankees right-hander Luis Severino has not allowed a hit and has faced the minimum 21 batters through seven innings against Texas.

ANAHEIM Calif. — (AP) — José Suarez of the Los Angeles Angels lost a perfect game in the seventh inning when the Texas Rangers' Marcus Semien led off with a single. Suarez ran into more trouble in the inning when Nathaniel Lowe hit a two-run homer to right field to give the Rangers a 2-1 lead. His previous low in hits allowed at this point of a game was two, which has happened twice this season. There hasn't been a perfect game in the majors since Seattle's Felix Hernandez on Aug. 5, 2012, against the Tampa Bay Rays. Suarez was trying for the Angels’ second no-hitter of the season.

The young Cleveland Guardians finished what they started.

The Texas Rangers are looking to build some momentum and find a new manager heading into 2023.

The Texas Rangers have fired manager Chris Woodward with the team on pace for its sixth consecutive losing season.

White Sox Rangers Baseball Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson throw to first to complete the double play after forcing Texas Rangers' Marcus Semien at second in the first inning of a baseball game, Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) (Tony Gutierrez)ARLINGTON, Texas — (AP) — Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson had his suspension for making contact with an umpire late last month cut from three to two games. Anderson sat out the afternoon game at the Texas Rangers to begin the suspension, which will end with the first game of a doubleheader at Kansas City on Tuesday. Major League Baseball suspended the All-Star shortstop Anderson for three games initially (and fined him an undisclosed amount) for making contact on July 29 with plate umpire Nick Mahrley during an argument. In other roster moves, the White Sox recalled infielder Lenyn Sosa from Triple-A Charlotte and optioned RHP reliever Tanner Banks.

Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson had his suspension for making contact with an umpire late last month cut from three to two games.

When Juan Soto turned down a $440 million, 15-year deal to stay with the Washington Nationals, it ensured Tuesday’s trade deadline would have a little juice.

Jon Gray pitched six innings of four-hit ball, Adolis García homered and the Texas Rangers beat the reeling Miami Marlins 8-0.

The Seattle Mariners won their 14th straight game when rookie All-Star Julio Rodríguez hit a two-run double and Ty France homered after joining him on the AL team to beat the Texas Rangers 6-2.

That includes three who, like Scherzer, were All-Star starters last year with their old teams: Freddie Freeman, Nick Castellanos and Marcus Semien. There is another full week of games to play before the All-Star Game. When was the last time brothers started in the same All-Star Game? TRIVIA ANSWERSandy Alomar Jr. was the AL starting catcher in the 1992 All-Star Game, in the same lineup with second baseman Roberto Alomar. The last brothers to appear in the same All-Star Game were the Boones in 2003, with Aaron a reserve infielder for the NL and Bret the same for the AL.

There were 15 MLB players who signed new contracts worth $100 million or more before this season.

Max Scherzer was back on the mound, striking out 11 in six scoreless innings of two-hit ball. The NL starter in last year's game, Scherzer was 5-1 with a 2.26 ERA through his comeback Tuesday night in Cincinnati, only his ninth start this year. Scherzer is making a season-record $43.3 million in the first of his $130 million, three-year deal.

Loud chants of “Fire Tony!”.

Rays Angels Baseball Los Angeles Angels' Mike Trout (27) runs to the dugout after scoring off of a single hit by Jared Walsh during the first inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays in Anaheim, Calif., Tuesday, May 10, 2022. Trout is from the South Jersey city of Millville, about an hour's drive from Philadelphia. FLYING JAYSVladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Blue Jays have won eight in a row going into this weekend's series against Minnesota. They lost 2-0 to Tony Gonsolin (6-0) and the Los Angeles Dodgers in the opener of a four-game series between the National League's top two teams. They begin a three-game series at Yankee Stadium with rookie right-hander Elvin Rodriguez facing New York ace Gerrit Cole (4-1, 3.12 ERA).

Angels star Mike Trout is likely to have a big rooting section at Citizens Bank Park all weekend for a series against the Phillies.

Trout is from the South Jersey city of Millville, about an hour's drive from Philadelphia. FLYING JAYSVladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Blue Jays have won eight in a row going into this weekend's series against Minnesota. Left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (2-1, 3.48 ERA) is set to start the opener for Toronto. Marcus Semien has hit two home runs in his last six games after going homerless in his first 43 games this season for Texas. He hit .265 with 102 RBIs for the Blue Jays last season.

Nestor Cortes took a no-hit bid into the eighth inning before Eli White singled, and Anthony Rizzo doubled in a run in the bottom half to lift the New York Yankees over the Texas Rangers 1-0 for their sixth straight series win.

Carlos Correa and the Minnesota Twins dodged a major problem this past week.

The Texas Rangers aren't seeing immediate good returns from that record offseason spending spree.

Angels manager Joe Maddon ordered the second bases-loaded intentional walk of his career and only the third in the majors since at least 1950, and Shohei Ohtani homered twice to lead Los Angeles past the Texas Rangers 9-6.

Angels manager Joe Maddon intentionally walked Texas Rangers star Corey Seager with the bases loaded Friday night, the third time that’s happened in major league history.

There's a lot to catch up on from a bizarre baseball offseason before the 2022 season officially begins with first pitch at Wrigley Field.

Albert Pujols got a good hit and then some good news about his wife’s health.

Many familiar faces with impressive resumes are in new places following one of major league baseball’s wildest free agent frenzies.

The Red Sox have reportedly agreed to terms with Rockies All-Star shortstop Trevor Story on a six-year, $140 million contract that would bring him to Boston to play second base.

All-Star third baseman Matt Chapman was acquired by the Toronto Blue Jays from the payroll-shredding Oakland Athletics for four players.

There are no more bargaining sessions on the calendar.

The reigning World Series champion Atlanta Braves opened spring training Sunday with Ronald Acuña Jr. and Charlie Morton, but no Freddie Freeman.

Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge and the rest of baseball’s biggest stars are due at spring training Sunday for the first official day of preseason training following the end of Major League Baseball’s 99-day labor lockout.

Baseball players maintained unity throughout labor negotiations, yet were divided when it came time to vote on the deal.

It's been three months since Corey Seager, Marcus Semien and Max Scherzer found new homes amid an unprecedented free agent spending spree. Players voted Thursday to halt the sport's lockout and agree to terms with Major League Baseball on a new collective bargaining agreement.

Baseball Lockout Major League Baseball Players Association executive director Tony Clark, left, and chief negotiator Bruce Meyer arrive for contract negotiations at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Fla., Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022. (Greg Lovett/The Palm Beach Post via AP) (Greg Lovett)JUPITER, Fla. — (AP) — Major League Baseball said Wednesday that the 2022 season will be shortened if no labor agreement has been reached by the end of Monday. Management had maintained that was the deadline for a deal that would allow the season to start as scheduled on March 31. Major League Baseball’s only new offer to players Wednesday was to increase the minimum salary by an additional $10,000 a year. MLB upped its proposed minimum for this year to $640,000, with the figure rising by $10,000 in each additional season of a five-year agreement.

Baseball Lockout New York Mets pitcher Max Scherzer gets out of his car as he arrives for baseball labor talks at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Fla., Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022. At far left is Major League Baseball Players Association executive director Tony Clark. Free agent pitcher Andrew Miller and Yankees reliever Zack Britton also joined the negotiations on the 84th day of the lockout and were alongside Houston catcher Jason Castro. Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor, another subcommitee member, was at the talks earlier in the week. Britton, Cole, Lindor, Paxton and Scherzer are represented by Scott Boras, baseball’s most powerful agent.

Major League Baseball gave locked out players five days to salvage March 31 openers and a full season, telling the union that games would be canceled if a labor contract is not agreed to by the end of Monday.

NEW YORK — (AP) — Before getting locked out, players loaded up Wednesday as big league teams unlocked their coffers for an unprecedented spending spree. It was the first time teams combined to spend over $1 billion in a single day. Players and teams alike may have feared the chaos of a limited free-agency window in the spring if the lockout goes that long. Among the other deals completed Wednesday:— RHP Marcus Stroman to the Chicago Cubs, $71 million over three years. — LHP James Paxton to Boston, $10 million over one year— RHP Corey Knebel to Philadelphia, $10 million for one year.

Major League Baseball teams committed to an unprecedented $1.4 billion in salaries Wednesday, hours before the league locked out players following the 11:59 p.m. expiration of the sport's collective bargaining agreement.

Major League Baseball plunged into its first work stoppage in a quarter-century when the sport’s collective bargaining agreement expired and owners immediately locked out players in a move that threatens spring training and opening day.

Right-hander Max Scherzer agreed to a record-setting $130 million, three-year contract with the New York Mets and shortstop Corey Seager struck a $325 million, 10-year deal with the Texas Rangers as players and teams rushed to reach agreements before an expected lockout.

A person familiar with the deal tells The Associated Press the Texas Rangers have reached an agreement on a $325 million, 10-year deal with free agent shortstop Corey Seager.

The Toronto Blue Jays have reached an agreement with right-hander Kevin Gausman on a five-year, $110 million contract, pending a physical, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press late Sunday.

With a possible lockout on the horizon, it’s been mostly business as usual on the free agent market — so far.

Japan Baseball Ohtani Los Angeles Angels' Shohei Ohtani listens to questions from journalists during a press conference at the Japan National Press Club Monday, Nov. 15, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko) (Eugene Hoshiko)NEW YORK — (AP) — Shohei Ohtani was unanimiously voted American League MVP on Thursday for a two-way season not seen since Babe Ruth, and Bryce Harper earned the National League honor for the second time. Ohtani received all 30 first-place votes and 420 points in voting by members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. It was the first full season on the mound for the 27-year-old right-hander following Tommy John surgery in 2019. Ohtani won AL Rookie of the Year in 2018 after leaving the Pacific League's Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters to sign with the Angels.

New York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner said he voted for Major League Baseball’s proposal to lower the luxury tax threshold, a plan opposed by the players’ union with the sport on the brink of its first work stoppage on 26 years.

Toronto left-hander Robbie Ray bounced back from a dismal season to win the AL Cy Young Award and Milwaukee righty Corbin Burnes returned from a bout of COVID-19 to win the NL’s top pitching prize.

Justin Verlander reached a $25 million deal to remain with the Houston Astros as he comes back from Tommy John surgery, and Brandon Belt accepted an $18.4 million qualifying offer from the San Francisco Giants.

Baseball’s most influential agent said the sport was the victim of a “competitive cancer” caused by teams unloading veterans to accumulate draft picks and said the Atlanta Braves’ World Series title was a direct result of others' tanking.

(AP Photo/John Hefti) (John Hefti)NEW YORK — (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers have extended qualifying offers to free agent All-Stars Corey Seager and Chris Taylor, but not Clayton Kershaw. Seager and Taylor were among 14 players offered $18.4 million, one-year qualifying offer deals before the deadline Sunday night. The Toronto Blue Jays were the only other team with multiple qualifying offers, made to left-hander Robbie Ray and infielder Marcus Semien. The Red Sox declined a $6.25 million option on left-hander Martín Pérez, choosing to pay a $500,00 buyout. and turned down a $10 million option on right-hander Garret Richards, triggering a $1.5 million buyout.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have extended qualifying offers to free agent All-Stars Corey Seager and Chris Taylor, but not Clayton Kershaw.

Los Angeles Angels two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani was voted player of the year and the American League outstanding player by fellow major leaguers in the annual Players Choice Awards from the Major League Baseball Players Association.

(AP Photo/Ashley Landis) (Ashley Landis)NEW YORK — (AP) — Los Angeles Angels two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani was voted player of the year and the American League outstanding player by fellow major leaguers in the annual Players Choice Awards from the Major League Baseball Players Association. Philadelphia outfielder Bryce Harper was voted National League outstanding player, the union said Thursday. Toronto infielder Marcus Semien was selected Marvin Miller man of the year, given to a player whose leadership inspires others. The Blue Jays’ Robbie Ray was selected the AL outstanding pitcher and the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Max Scherzer the NL outstanding pitcher. Baltimore first baseman and outfielder Ryan Mountcastle was picked as outstanding AL rookie and Cincinnati second baseman Jonathan India as outstanding NL rookie.

Baseball’s ninth work stoppage and first in 26 years appears almost certain to start Dec. 2.

Yankees Blue Jays Baseball Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Marcus Semien, right, celebrates his home run against New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole with teammate center fielder George Springer (4) during the first inning of baseball game in Toronto on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP) (Frank Gunn)TORONTO — (AP) — Blue Jays slugger Marcus Semien set a major league record for home runs by a second baseman when he hit his 44th of the season on Wednesday night against Yankees ace Gerrit Cole. But the nine-year veteran, an All-Star for the first time this season, has made 142 of his 157 starts at second base. Semien signed a one-year, $18 million contract with Toronto this season. The 31-year-old Semien had played most of his career at shortstop before leaving the A's to join the Blue Jays.

The surging Cardinals will try for a franchise-record 15th consecutive win in a game at Wrigley Field.

Bo Bichette thumped a leadoff homer in the first inning and singled in the tiebreaking run in the seventh, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his 42nd homer, and the Toronto Blue Jays held off the skidding New York Yankees 6-4 for their eighth straight win.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his 41st home run and the streaking Toronto Blue Jays knocked the slumping Yankees out of the AL’s top wild-card spot, beating New York 6-3.

Blue Jays Yankees Baseball Toronto Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. smiles after hitting a single against the New York Yankees during the eighth inning of a baseball game on Monday, Sept. 6, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) (Adam Hunger)NEW YORK — (AP) — Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his 40th homer, Marcus Semien went deep twice and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the New York Yankees 8-0 on Monday for their fifth straight win. Hyun Jin Ryu (13-8) pitched six effective innings as the Blue Jays won for the eighth time in nine games. Guerrero hit his 40th homer on Jameson Taillon’s 13th pitch. Teoscar Hernández also went deep in the ninth for the Blue Jays.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his 40th homer, Marcus Semien went deep twice and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the New York Yankees 8-0 for their fifth straight win.

The Toronto Blue Jays have won four in a row entering their big series this week in New York against the Yankees.

Toronto's Teoscar Hernández hit a tying two-run homer in the fourth before Oakland pulled away for an 8-2 lead. Blue Jays right-hander Alek Manoah allowed six runs and five hits in five-plus innings. TRAINER’S ROOMBlue Jays: RHP Ross Stripling (strained left oblique) threw live batting practive before the game. ROSTER MOVES:Blue Jays: Toronto claimed INF/OF Jake Lamb on waivers from the Chicago White Sox and recalled LHP Kirby Snead from Triple-A Buffalo. UP NEXTRHP José Berríos (9-7, 3.53) starts for the Blue Jays on Saturday against Oakland RHP Paul Blackburn (0-1, 2.81).

Tigers Blue Jays Baseball Toronto Blue Jays' Randal Grichuk watches his two-run home run, which also scored Santiago Espinal, in the second inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers in Toronto, Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021. (Jon Blacker/The Canadian Press via AP) (Jon Blacker)TORONTO — (AP) — Hyun Jin Ryu cruised through seven innings, Randal Grichuk and Marcus Semien each homered and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Detroit Tigers 3-0 on Saturday. Tim Mayza pitched a perfect eighth and Jordan Romano wrapped it up for his 11th save in 12 chances as the Blue Jays completed their 12th shutout. ROSTER MOVESBlue Jays: RHP Rafael Dolis cleared waivers and was assigned to Triple-A Buffalo. UP NEXTBlue Jays LHP Steven Matz (10-7, 4,08) starts Sunday against Tigers RHP Drew Hutchison (0-1, 10.80).

Shohei Ohtani hit his major league-leading 38th home run this season, but the Toronto Blue Jays hit it out of the park four times, including two from George Springer and a grand slam by Teoscar Hernandez, to defeat the Los Angeles Angels 10-2.

Red Sox Blue Jays Baseball Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Tanner Houck throws in the first inning of the second game of a baseball doubleheader against the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto, Saturday Aug. 7, 2021. (Jon Blacker/The Canadian Press via AP) (Jon Blacker)TORONTO — (AP) — Jonathan Araúz singled home the tiebreaking run in the eighth inning and the Boston Red Sox beat Toronto 2-1 Saturday night to split a doubleheader with the Blue Jays. “We only scored two runs today so I feel good that we split,” Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said. Berríos had pitched 11 consecutive scoreless innings to begin his Blue Jays career but gave up Verdugo’s homer in the sixth. Red Sox: LHP Chris Sale (elbow surgery) allowed two hits over 4 2/3 scoreless innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Worcester.

Red Sox Blue Jays Baseball Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Robbie Ray delivers in the first inning of the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Boston Red Sox in Toronto, Saturday Aug. 7, 2021. The Red Sox have lost eight of nine and have scored five runs or fewer in 14 consecutive games. The Red Sox used a walk and a hit to put runners at the corners with two outs in the sixth, but Xander Bogaerts fouled out to end the threat. Red Sox coaches and manager Alex Cora wore masks on the field and in the dugout, and some Red Sox reserves were also masked. His opponent will be Red Sox RHP Tanner Houck (0-2, 2.45).

The San Diego Padres and Washington will resume their game after it was suspended because of a shooting outside Nationals Park.

A showcase for Shohei Ohtani became a grand stage for Vladimir Guerrero Jr., too.

(AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) (Jack Dempsey)DENVER — (AP) — The Latest on the All-Star Game on Tuesday night at Coors Field (all times local):9 p.m. The right-handed hitter crushed one to the second deck in right field to put the American League ahead 5-1. Like father, like son as he gave the American League a 2-0 lead after three innings in the All-Star Game. There were a pair of late additions to the AL All-Star team: Tampa Bay right-hander Andrew Kittredge and Minnesota left-hander Taylor Rogers. The skies were gray overhead and there was occasional drizzle during batting practice ahead of Tuesday night’s All-Star Game at Coors Field.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. joined his father as an All-Star and Fernando Tatis Jr. accomplished a feat his dad never achieved.

(AP Photo/Steven Senne) (Steven Senne)A look at what's happening around the majors today:___MONSTER MASHVladimir Guerrero Jr. and the bashing Blue Jays try to keep up their power surge at Fenway Park. The Blue Jays have hit 13 homers the past two days in Boston, with nine of them clearing the Monster. Blue Jays rookie Alek Manoah (1-0, 3.14 ERA) starts the series finale against Nathan Eovaldi (7-3, 4.11). WINDY CITY SHOWDOWNThe teams with the best two records in the majors meet in Chicago when the Rays take on the White Sox in a three-game set. Their pitching has been tremendous.”Lance Lynn (7-1, 1.23 ERA) starts for the White Sox against Tyler Glasnow (5-2, 2.57).

(AP Photo/Steven Senne) (Steven Senne)A look at what's happening around the majors Monday:___MONSTER MASHVladimir Guerrero Jr. and the bashing Blue Jays try to keep up their power surge at Fenway Park. The Blue Jays have hit 13 homers the past two days in Boston, with nine of them clearing the Monster. Blue Jays rookie Alek Manoah (1-0, 3.14 ERA) starts the series finale against Nathan Eovaldi (7-3, 4.11). WINDY CITY SHOWDOWNThe teams with the best two records in the majors meet in Chicago when the Rays take on the White Sox in a three-game set. Their pitching has been tremendous.”Lance Lynn (7-1, 1.23 ERA) starts for the White Sox against Tyler Glasnow (5-2, 2.57).

Blue Jays Royals Baseball Kansas City Royals Whit Merrifield, left, steals a base behind Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Marcus Semien, right, during the first inning of a baseball game at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, April 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner) (Orlin Wagner)Whit Merrifield made his big league debut for Kansas City in 2016, the season after the Royals won the World Series. Merrifield already has eight stolen bases, tied for the major league lead. As a team, Kansas City has 22 steals. But even if Kansas City eventually falls from its perch atop the AL Central, the Royals seem to be moving in the right direction — and quickly.