SONNY GRAY

The Twins unexpectedly landed their top free-agent target. But do they have enough pitching for it to matter in 2023?

MINNEAPOLIS — (AP) — Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa formally opted out of his contract to become a free agent, the MLB Players' Association announced Monday. Correa made $35.1 million in 2022, the highest annual average salary for an infielder in Major League Baseball history. The Twins also announced Monday they will decline contract options on starting pitchers Chris Archer ($10 million) and Dylan Bundy ($11 million) and first baseman Miguel Sanó ($14 million). They have the following buyouts: $750,000 for Archer, $1 million for Bundy and $2.75 million for Sanó. Joining Correa, Archer, Bundy and Sanó on the open market after the expiration of their contracts with the Twins are relief pitcher Michael Fulmer, outfielder Billy Hamilton, catchers Sandy Léon and Gary Sánchez and starting pitcher Aaron Sanchez.

Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa has formally opted out of his contract to become a free agent.

Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa formally opted out of his contract to become a free agent, the MLB Players' Association announced Monday. Correa was one of nine major leaguers who exercised options to join the pool of players eligible to sign this offseason with any team. The decision was widely expected since the day Correa surprised the baseball world by signing with the Twins coming out of the lockout, in lieu of the longer-term deal he'd been seeking.

CHICAGO — (AP) — Dylan Cease came within one out of his first career no-hitter, and the streaking Chicago White Sox pounded the Minnesota Twins 13-0 on Saturday night. Eloy Jiménez, Romy Gonzalez and Elvis Andrus homered as the White Sox rolled to their fourth straight win after losing 10 of 12. White Sox: Cairo said CF Luis Robert was expected to rejoin the team in time for Sunday’s game after traveling to Florida for the birth of his second child — a boy. UP NEXTThe series wraps up with White Sox RHP Lucas Giolito (10-8, 5.27 ERA) opposing Minnesota RHP Dylan Bundy (7-6, 4.53 ERA). Bundy has dominated the White Sox, with a career 6-0 record and 3.47 ERA in eight starts and nine appearances.

Dylan Cease came within one out of his first career no-hitter, and the streaking Chicago White Sox pounded the Minnesota Twins 13-0.

Ron Guidry, Bernie Williams and Tino Martinez highlight the Yankees alumni set to appear at Old-Timers’ Day in the Bronx prior to a matchup with the Kansas City Royals.

The last time Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Kyle Gibson faced the St. Louis Cardinals, they hit four consecutive home runs off him in the first inning.

Guardians Twins Baseball Cleveland Guardians' Steven Kwan runs to third base on an RBI triple against the Minnesota Twins during the third inning of a baseball game Wednesday, June 22, 2022, in Minneapolis. Carlos Correa hit two home runs for the Twins, who have lost four of five and are 8-11 in June. Gonzalez hit a two-run homer to give the Guardians a 7-6 lead in the seventh. Urshela, who was a double shy of the cycle, hit a three-run homer as part of a four-run seventh for a 10-7 Minnesota lead. Spotted a 5-1 lead, Twins starter Sonny Gray gave up a home run to Austin Hedges to start the fifth.

Oscar Gonzalez tied the game with a two-run single and scored on Owen Miller’s go-ahead sacrifice fly as the Cleveland Guardians rallied for four runs in the ninth inning to stun the Minnesota Twins 11-10.

Philadelphia slugger Bryce Harper could return to the lineup Wednesday for the finale of a two-game series at Texas after an infected blister on his left index finger sidelined him for two games last weekend at Washington.

The AL Central-leading Twins start a home series against the AL East-leading Yankees with their rotation in a dire situation.

The struggling Minnesota Twins have arrived in Toronto without regular right fielder Max Kepler and relief pitchers Emilio Pagán, Caleb Thielbar and Trevor Megill.

Twins Red Sox Baseball Minnesota Twins' Joe Ryan pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Friday, April 15, 2022, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer) (Michael Dwyer)BOSTON — (AP) — Miguel Sanó hit a two-run homer, rookie Joe Ryan allowed one run over six innings, and the Minnesota Twins beat the Red Sox 8-4 Friday in Boston's home opener. Trailing 6-1 in the eighth, Boston pulled within 6-4 when Kiké Hernández hit an RBI double off Jhoan Durant and Rafael Devers followed with a two-run homer. Verdugo’s second homer of the season got Boston on the board in the second. The Twins got two more runs in the fifth when Sánchez dropped in a two-run single off reliever Hirokazu Sawamura.

Miguel Sanó hit a two-run homer, rookie Joe Ryan allowed one run over six innings, and the Minnesota Twins beat the Red Sox 8-4 in Boston’s home opener.

Justin Verlander will pitch for Houston for the first time since having Tommy John surgery late in 2020.

Justin Verlander is one of the greatest pitchers of his generation with eight All-Star appearances, two Cy Young Awards, one MVP, one Rookie of the Year and a World Series title.

Patience is often rewarded for both free agents and general managers during most Major League Baseball offseasons.

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

Reds Twins Trade Baseball FILE - Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Sonny Gray delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021, in Chicago. The Minnesota Twins took their first significant step toward restocking their starting pitching by acquiring right-hander Gray in a trade with the Reds. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File) (Charles Rex Arbogast)The Minnesota Twins took their first significant step toward restocking their starting pitching, acquiring right-hander Sonny Gray in a trade on Sunday with the Cincinnati Reds. The Reds included minor league right-hander Francis Peguero in the deal for Twins pitching prospect Chase Petty, who was their first-round draft pick last year. Over nine years in the majors with the Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees and Reds, Gray has a career record of 82-72 with a 3.61 ERA.

The Minnesota Twins took their first significant step toward restocking their starting pitching by acquiring right-hander Sonny Gray in a trade with the Cincinnati Reds.

Baseball negotiations have resumed with new intensity in an effort to salvage opening day.

Dodgers Reds Baseball Los Angeles Dodgers' Max Scherzer throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds in Cincinnati, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. Scherzer (15-4) improved to 7-0 in nine starts since being traded from Washington to the Dodgers on July 30. Just about the only thing Scherzer hasn't done for the Dodgers is deliver at the plate. The Dodgers took advantage of two Reds errors to score three times in the fifth, breaking open a scoreless game. UP NEXTClayton Kershaw (9-7, 3.33 ERA) will be opposed by Wade Miley (12-6, 3.09 ERA) in Sunday's series finale.

Max Scherzer pitched seven shutout innings in another dominant performance for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who kept up their push in the NL West with a 5-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.

Max Scherzer has dominated since being traded to the Dodgers, and tries to extend his success streak when he pitches at Cincinnati on Saturday in a matchup with playoff implications.

Mets fans get their say after it was revealed stars Francisco Lindor and Javier Báez were among the New York players making derogatory hand gestures at Citi Field crowds.

The storied Yankees haven't won 12 straight since Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris powered a 13-game run in September 1961. Scherzer (11-4, 2.65) makes his fifth start since Los Angeles acquired him from Washington at the July 30 trade deadline. AJ Pollock's two-run homer in the 16th sent Los Angeles to a 5-3 victory early Thursday in by far the longest major league game since pandemic rules were implemented last year. WINNERS AT LASTOne day after ending their 19-game losing streak, the Baltimore Orioles try to make it two in a row against the Los Angeles Angels. Baltimore finally stopped its slide Wednesday night, rallying to beat Los Angeles 10-6 after a shaky start by Shohei Ohtani left the Angels’ bullpen with too much to do.

The storied New York Yankees try for their longest winning streak in 60 years when they open a four-game series Thursday night in Oakland.

Max Scherzer faces a familiar NL East foe when his Dodgers go for a three-game sweep of the Mets in prime time.

Reds Mets Baseball Cincinnati Reds' Joey Votto (19), Eugenio Suarez, second from left, Kyle Farmer, second from right, and Jonathan India (6) celebrate after defeating the New York Mets in a baseball game, Friday, July 30, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) (Mary Altaffer)NEW YORK — (AP) — Joey Votto homered for the seventh straight game, one shy of a major league record, and the Cincinnati Reds beat the New York Mets 6-2 on Friday night. Aristides Aquino lofted a pinch-hit sacrifice fly in the eighth before India followed with his second homer, a two-run shot. It’s the second straight month in which he’s reached base at least 50 times. Mets: Lindor (right oblique) took grounders for a second straight day.

Joey Votto homered for the seventh straight game, one shy of a major league record, and the Cincinnati Reds beat the New York Mets 6-2.

Both the Yankees and Mets are set to host doubleheaders in New York on Thursday after their games were postponed by lousy weather Wednesday night.

White Sox Reds Baseball Chicago White Sox Dylan Cease hits for a single during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Tuesday, May 4, 2021 in Cincinnati. He is the first White Sox pitcher with three hits in a game since Tom Bradley on May 14, 1972, against Baltimore, a year before the designated hitter came into play. After the first pitch was delayed more than an hour by rain, the White Sox roughed up Jeff Hoffman (2-2) for three runs in the first. Abreu had a pair of hits and three RBIs as the White Sox for the eighth time in 11 games. Gray is 4-0 with a 3.55 ERA in four career starts against the White Sox.

Dylan Cease pitched one-hit ball for six innings, struck out 11 and amazingly got three hits in his first pro plate appearances as the Chicago White Sox routed the Cincinnati Reds 9-0.

Jacob deGrom of the Mets is 1-1 with a 0.45 ERA, 35 strikeouts and three walks in 20 innings going into a homestand opener against Washington and Erick Fedde.

David Peralta hit a three-run triple in a six-run 10th inning to finish with five hits and a career-best seven RBIs, and the Arizona Diamondbacks overcame six Cincinnati home runs to beat the Reds 14-11.

Josh Naylor lined into a triple play in the eighth inning, then let a routine grounder roll through his legs at first base with two outs in the ninth that led to Cincinnati’s tying run as the Reds beat the Cleveland Indians 3-2 in 10 innings.

Nick Castellanos stood over, flexed and jawed at St. Louis pitcher Jake Woodford after scoring, stetting off a series of scuffles that included relievers shoving in the outfield as the Cincinnati Reds beat the Cardinals 9-6.

If St. Louis loses and San Francisco wins, the Cardinals would make up two games against Detroit on Monday that were postponed this season due to St. Louis' coronavirus outbreak. Brewers (29-30) — Qualify with a victory over St. Louis, or with losses by the Giants and Phillies. If the Giants and Cardinals win, San Francisco needs St. Louis to lose both games against the Tigers on Monday. A career .279 hitter, he had 244 home runs and 942 RBIs for Houston, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Texas. “He had a tremendous career, did a ton for the community in San Francisco and obviously for the San Francisco Giants,” Kapler said.

Tampa Bay Rays' Peter Fairbanks delivers a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets Monday, Sept. 21, 2020, in New York. HE'S BACKCincinnati right-hander Sonny Gray is expected to come off the injured list and start the second game of the Reds' critical series against Milwaukee. Gray (5-3, 3.94 ERA) hasn’t appeared in a game since Sept. 10 because of a strained back. Brewers left-hander Brett Anderson (3-3, 4.38 ERA) makes his second start since he was scratched because of hip tightness. Quintana has been limited to a pair of relief appearances due to issues with his left thumb and a lat problem.

A look at what’s happening around the majors Tuesday:HE'S BACKCincinnati right-hander Sonny Gray is expected to come off the injured list and start the second game of the Reds' series against Milwaukee. Gray (5-3, 3.94 ERA) hasn’t appeared in a game since Sept. 10 because of a strained back. Brewers left-hander Brett Anderson (3-3, 4.38 ERA) makes his second start since he was scratched because of hip tightness. LAST LUNEUPGerrit Cole (6-3, 3.00 ERA) makes his final regular-season start in his first season for the New York Yankees, taking the mound against Toronto’s Tanner Roark (2-2, 6.41 ERA) in Buffalo, New York. Quintana has been limited to a pair of relief appearances due to issues with his left thumb and a lat problem.

Los Angeles ace Clayton Kershaw (5-1, 1.98) faces emerging Padres right-hander Dinelson Lamet (2-1, 2.24) in the first of three games at Petco Park. WINDY WEEKThe Minnesota Twins begin a weeklong stay in Chicago, taking on a pair of first-place teams. José Berríos (4-3, 4.40 ERA) starts the opener of a four-game series at Guaranteed Rate Field, trailing the White Sox by one game in the AL Central. The White Sox have won four in a row. After finishing on the South Side, the Twins will move to Wrigley Field next weekend to play the NL Central-leading Cubs.

Vintage Javier Bez, in time to keep the Cubs' surge going. Bez took it from there, emerging from a slow start that included only a pair of singles in the first four games. Mills, who made four spot starts last season, held the Reds to two hits in six innings. Bez had a solo shot and a two-run homer as the Cubs pulled away, loudly cheering each hit and celebrating each run in the dugout. Reds: Sonny Gray (1-0) tries to extend his major league record streak of 34 consecutive starts without allowing more than six hits.