ZACH EFLIN

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — (AP) — Former Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zach Eflin has agreed to join the Tampa Bay Rays on a three-year, $40 million contract that’s the largest the club has ever awarded in free agency, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity Thursday night because the agreement was subject to a successful physical and had not been announced. Overall, he has a 36-45 career record with a 4.49 ERA over 127 games, including 115 starts. He appeared in 10 games as a reliever during Philadelphia’s postseason run this year, going 0-0 with a 3.38 ERA over 10 2/3 innings. The $40 million commitment to Eflin is the largest the budget-minded Rays have made to a free agent, surpassing the five-year, $35 million contract pitcher Wilson Alvarez signed in 1998, and the two-year, $30 million deal right-hander Charlie Morton received in 2019.

A person familiar with the deals tells the Associated Press that former Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zach Eflin has agreed to join the Tampa Bay Rays on a three-year, $40 million contract that’s the largest the club has ever awarded in free agency.

First baseman Anthony Rizzo became a free agent again when he declined his $16 million option with the New York Yankees for 2023.

The Philadelphia Phillies hope their run to the World Series is just the start of a championship window.

With their win over the San Diego Padres in Game 3 on Friday night, the Philadelphia Phillies are two wins away from making it to the World Series.

Kyle Schwarber homered and Jean Segura hit a two-run single to lead the Philadelphia Phillies to a 4-2 win over the San Diego Padres for a 2-1 lead in the National League Championship Series.

Nick Castellanos drove in three runs and made a potentially game-saving catch in the ninth inning, lifting the Philadelphia Phillies over the reigning World Series champion Atlanta Braves 7-6 in the opener of their NL Division Series.

Philadelphia Phillies reliever David Robertson will miss the NL Division Series after injuring his right calf jumping to celebrate Bryce Harper’s home run in their clinching wild-card victory at St. Louis.

Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina have played their final games with the Cardinals, who were eliminated by the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League wild-card series.

Aaron Nola pitched four-hit ball into the seventh inning, Bryce Harper’s homer gave Philadelphia an early lead, and the Phillies held off the St. Louis Cardinals 2-0 to sweep their National League wild-card series.

But after struggling all afternoon against José Quintana and the St. Louis bullpen, the Phillies finally got their powerful offense going against Ryan Helsley. By the time Kyle Schwarber added a sacrifice fly, Phillies reliever Zach Eflin had plenty of wiggle room in the ninth. After all, some familiar faces were in the lineup from the last time St. Louis and Philadelphia met in the playoffs. Just like that night in Philadelphia, pitching dominated most of Friday's series opener. Then it came down to the bullpens, and the Phillies managed to overcome one of the best in the game.

The Phillies scored six times in the ninth inning off the stingy St. Louis bullpen, highlighted by a bases-loaded single by Jean Segura, and Philadelphia beat the NL Central champion Cardinals 6-3 in the opening game of their National League wild-card series.

Aaron Nola took a perfect game into the seventh inning and Kyle Schwarber homered twice as the Philadelphia Phillies clinched their first playoff berth in 11 years with a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros Monday night.

Ranger Suárez pitched six sparkling innings, and the Philadelphia Phillies continued their push toward the club’s first playoff berth in a decade with a 1-0 victory over the Atlanta Braves.

Bryce Harper will be sidelined indefinitely with a broken left thumb after he was hit by a pitch from Blake Snell in the Philadelphia Phillies’ 4-2 victory over the San Diego Padres.

Austin Nola hit an RBI single off younger brother Aaron in the sixth inning and the San Diego Padres beat the Philadelphia Phillies 1-0.

Rhys Hoskins raised his arms in celebration on his game-ending RBI double in the ninth inning that led the Philadelphia Phillies over the Miami Marlins 3-2.

(AP Photo/Morry Gash) (Morry Gash)MILWAUKEE — (AP) — Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber and Odúbel Herrera homered as interim manager Rob Thomson and the streaking Philadelphia Phillies won their season-high seventh straight game, beating the sagging Milwaukee Brewers 8-3 on Thursday. It was the second consecutive three-game sweep for the Phillies under Thomson. He took over last Friday after manager Joe Girardi was fired, and Philadelphia swept the Los Angeles Angels before heading to Milwaukee. Harper homered for the second straight day, connecting off Brad Boxberger for his 15th of the season, a solo drive in the seventh for a 4-2 lead. Brewers: Adames started at short for the second straight game after being reinstated Friday from the 10-day injured list (high left ankle sprain).

Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber and Odúbel Herrera homered as interim manager Rob Thomson and the streaking Philadelphia Phillies won their season-high seventh straight game, beating the sagging Milwaukee Brewers 8-3.

Phillies Brewers Baseball Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper is congratulated by Kyle Schwarber (12) and Bryson Stott (5) after hitting a three-run home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Wednesday, June 8, 2022, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) (Morry Gash)MILWAUKEE — (AP) — Aaron Nola pitched eight sharp innings and the surging Philadelphia Phillies hit four home runs to rout the scuffling Milwaukee Brewers 10-0 on Wednesday night. The NL Central-leading Brewers have lost a season-worst five straight. Stott and Hoskins hit two-run homers in the third off starter Adrian Houser (3-6) to stake the Phillies to a 4-0 lead. The Brewers got a runner past first base only once, when Christian Yelich singled and stole second in the sixth.

Aaron Nola pitched eight sharp innings and the surging Philadelphia Phillies hit four home runs to rout the scuffling Milwaukee Brewers 10-0.

Angels Phillies Baseball Philadelphia Phillies' Rhys Hoskins, center, and Kyle Schwarber, left, celebrate after Schwarber's home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, June 3, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) (Matt Slocum)PHILADELPHIA — (AP) — Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber each homered twice and the Philadelphia Phillies won in interim manager Rob Thomson's debut, 10-0 over the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night. Thomson, a long-time bench coach under Girardi with the Yankees and Phillies, was charged with turning around the Phillies. “I got to a point where I got to the big leagues, and I’m a big league coach, big league bench coach, big league third base coach. Trout received a warm ovation in his first game in Philadelphia since 2014 and signed autographs before the game for swarms of fans.

Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber each homered twice and the Philadelphia Phillies won in interim manager Rob Thomson’s debut, 10-0 over the Los Angeles Angels.

Jameson Taillon took a perfect game into the eighth inning, then fell behind before the New York Yankees rallied past the Los Angeles Angels 2-1 on a clutch swing by pinch-hitter Anthony Rizzo.

Atlanta Braves reliever Luke Jackson has lost his salary arbitration case.

Pete Alonso homered twice, had three hits and drove in five runs to lead the New York Mets to a 6-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies and a doubleheader split.

Adam Frazier and the Seattle Mariners argued the first of this year’s delayed salary arbitration cases, with the second baseman/outfielder asking for a raise from $4.3 million to $8 million and the team arguing for $6.7 million.

New York Mets ace Max Scherzer starts at night against Bryce Harper and the Phillies at Citi Field.

Athletics Phillies Baseball Oakland Athletics' Billy McKinney follows through on a home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Sunday, April 10, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Laurence Kesterson) (Laurence Kesterson)PHILADELPHIA — (AP) — Billy McKinney homered and Daulton Jefferies and four relievers combined on a three-hitter to lead the Oakland Athletics past the Philadelphia Phillies 4-1 on Sunday and avert a three-game sweep. Sister Jean Dolores-Schmidt has become as much a part of March Madness as the blue bloods that make the Final Four. “Bobby didn’t believe in the power of Sister Jean,” Girardi said with a laugh. The Phillies send LHP Ranger Suarez (8-5, 1.36 ERA in 2021) to the mound against New York RHP Taijuan Walker (7-11, 4.47 ERA in 2021).

Billy McKinney homered and Daulton Jefferies and four relievers combined on a three-hitter to lead the Oakland Athletics past the Philadelphia Phillies 4-1.

Joe Girardi isn’t concerned about managing the Philadelphia Phillies without a contract extension.

A look at what's happening around the majors Saturday:___NEGATIVE NEWSRed Sox infielder Kiké Hernández tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday and will be sidelined indefinitely. He’ll be placed on the COVID-19 list along with second baseman Christian Arroyo, who had close contact with Hernández. WEBB GEMSGiants right-hander Logan Webb takes a 12-start unbeaten streak into an outing against Atlanta in a showdown of division leaders. His best year was 2017, when he hit .303 with 23 homers and 90 RBIs as the scandal-tained Astros won the World Series. His most famous victory came in the clinching Game 5 of the 1969 World Series against Baltimore that gave the Miracle Mets their first championship.

Red Sox infielder Kiké Hernández tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday and will be sidelined indefinitely.

PHILADELPHIA — (AP) — The start of the game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Philadelphia on Friday night was delayed 26 minutes due to contact tracing after the Phillies put three players on the COVID-19 injured list. The game was scheduled to start at 7:05 p.m., but first pitch was at 7:31 p.m.. Earlier in the day, the Phillies put pitcher Zach Eflin, catcher Andrew Knapp and infielder-outfielder Luke Williams on the COVID-19 IL. Pitchers were warming up as they normally would about 25 minutes before the scheduled first pitch but cleared the field about 10 minutes later. Philadelphia scheduled starter Aaron Nola and Diamondbacks' Taylor Widener resumed their warmups around 7:05 when players from both teams returned to the field.

Bryce Harper homered, Kyle Gibson pitched six strong innings and drove in the go-ahead run, and the streaking Philadelphia Phillies won their sixth straight game to take over first place in the NL East with a 4-2 victory over the slumping New York Mets.

Brad Miller hit three home runs in a game for the first time in his career, and the Philadelphia Phillies routed the sinking Chicago Cubs 8-0.

Anthony Rizzo, Joc Pederson and Nico Hoerner each had two hits and an RBI to help the Chicago Cubs beat the Philadelphia Phillies 8-3, ending an 11-game losing streak.

Mookie Betts hit a go-ahead home run in the seventh inning and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Philadelphia Phillies 5-3 at Dodger Stadium before the largest crowd to attend a professional sports league game in the United States since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole has found himself in a sticky situation.

Tampa Bay has won 15 of its last 16 games and leads the AL East heading into Monday's game against the New York Yankees. Tampa Bay is doing all of this after trading former Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell to San Diego in the offseason. Of course, it's another Tampa Bay catcher who has really turned heads. Tampa Bay traded shortstop Willy Adames to Milwaukee on May 21, and J.P. Feyereisen — one of the pitchers the Rays received — already has two saves since the deal. Tampa Bay has a one-game lead in the division over Boston.

Doubt the Tampa Bay Rays at your own risk.

Corey Kluber goes for his 100th career victory when he starts for the Yankees at home against Detroit.

Zack Wheeler took a one-hit shutout into the ninth inning and Rhys Hoskins homered twice as the Philadelphia Phillies beat the St. Louis Cardinals 2-1.

Andrew Knapp hit the winning single in the ninth inning, Bryce Harper hit a tying solo homer in the seventh and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the San Francisco Giants 6-5.

All players, managers, coaches and umpires will wear No. 42 on Thursday to celebrate Jackie Robinson Day, marking the anniversary of the date the Brooklyn Dodgers Hall of Famer made his Major League Baseball debut and broke the sport’s color barrier in 1947.

Alec Bohm hit a tiebreaking single in the eighth inning, Zach Eflin gave Philadelphia another strong start and the Phillies completed a three-game sweep of the defending NL East champion Atlanta Braves with a 2-1 win Sunday.

Starter Zach Eflin pitched four shutout innings, allowing two hits and striking out four without a walk. ROCKIES 2, MARINERS 1Kyle Freeland allowed three hits in four shutout innings in his second start for Colorado, striking out four. Seattle's Marco Gonzales threw four shutout innings in his second start, allowing two hits while striking out four. Martín Pérez made his second start, allowing two hits and a walk in four scoreless innings. ATHLETICS 5, REDS 2 (7)Oakland lefty Sean Manaea struck out four in three innings, allowing one run and three hits.

I look forward to getting back to work in the next several days.”LESTER SURGERYWashington Nationals left-hander Jon Lester is leaving spring training camp to have surgery for the removal of his thyroid gland. He underwent chemotherapy treatments and returned to the Red Sox at spring training before the following season. Soto’s spring training start was delayed because he fouled a ball off his right foot in live batting practice Sunday. Martinez had two hits for a second straight game, driving in his first two runs of spring training. Jarred Kelenic, Seattle’s top prospect, hit a two-run homer and Taylor Trammell hit a solo homer.

This screengrab from a Zoom call shows David Dombrowski, the Philadelphia Phillies' new president of baseball operations, during a Zoom call Friday, Dec. 11, 2020. (Zoom via AP)Dave Dombrowski wants to win again sooner rather than later. So he finalized a deal Friday to become the Philadelphia Phillies’ president of baseball operations, convinced the team is not far from its first World Series title since 2008. Phillies president Andy MacPhail called again Saturday, and Dombrowski said he was told of the nebulous expansion timetable by MLB on Monday and Tuesday. “It was John reaching out and really trying to make me part of the Phillies organization,” Dombrowski said.

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.

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.

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.

Red Sox catcher Kevin Plawecki, top, looks on. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)NEW YORK Ted Williams was piloting fighter jets in Korea the last time the New York Yankees dominated the Boston Red Sox like this. Luke Voit homered twice, Aroldis Chapman returned from the COVID-19 injured list to pitch the ninth inning and the Yankees beat the Red Sox 6-3 Monday night for their 10th straight victory in the famed rivalry. The tarp was rolled out with the Red Sox rallying in the fourth inning. Yankees: RHP Masahiro Tanaka (0-0, 2.31) opposes Rays LHP Blake Snell (1-0, 2.08) at Yankee Stadium.