SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Giancarlo Stanton's intimidating presence was missing from the middle of the Yankees' lineup for a big chunk of 2019 because of an injury-filled season.As he tries to bounce back, the New York slugger will have his spring at-bats analyzed more than most.Spring …

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees star Giancarlo Stanton imagined having the advantage the Houston Astros gained in their scam."If knew what was coming in '17, I probably would have hit 80-plus home runs," he said Wednesday.Stanton agreed with teammate Aaron Judge that the Astros should …

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees star Aaron Judge feels the Houston Astros should be stripped of their 2017 World Series championship.“You cheated and you didn't earn it,” Judge said Tuesday after the Yankees' first full-squad workout. “That's how I feel. It wasn't …

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Twins right fielder Max Kepler didn’t get to watch a lot of major league baseball growing up in Germany. The games he did did see included many Boston Red Sox-New York Yankees matchups, which caused him to become a big fan of Derek Jeter.“I loved …

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge was not in any batting practice group for the team's first full squad workout on Tuesday because of a minor right shoulder issue.The problem is not considered serious and Judge is expected to take part in other drills.The outfielder hit …

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Los Angeles Angels owner Arte Moreno acknowledges he scrapped the proposed trade that would have landed Joc Pederson and Ross Stripling from the Dodgers.Moreno also says the Angels can make an even bigger trade for an elite starting pitcher if they get a chance this …

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Yankees shortstop Gleyber Torres feels the Houston Astros cheated "for sure" during the 2019 season.Major League Baseball found that the Astros used electronics to illegally steal catcher's signs in 2017 and part of 2018 but not 2019.Houston players have apologized for …

TORONTO (AP) — Tony Fernández, a stylish shortstop who made five All-Star teams during his 17 seasons in the major leagues and helped the Toronto Blue Jays win the 1993 World Series, died Sunday after complications from a kidney disease. He was 57.Fernández was taken off a life …

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Free agent pitcher Chad Bettis signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees on Sunday with an invitation an invitation to big league spring training.The 30-year-old right-hander was 1-6 with one save and a 6.08 ERA in 39 games, including three starts, for …

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Dusty Baker wants action from Major League Baseball: End the criticism of the Astros from across baseball over sign stealing, and take steps to ensure pitchers don't throw at his players.“It's not good for the game, it's not good for kids to see it, so I …

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — The verbal sparring between the Houston Astros and others around the majors over the team's sign-stealing scandal is reaching new levels of absurdity — from accusations of illiteracy to claims about a player's partial tattoo.Yes, really. And spring …

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Yankees manager Aaron Boone is embracing the enhanced high expectations after the addition of ace Gerrit Cole to his 103-win team.Nine-time Stanley Cup-winning coach and baseball fan Scotty Bowman agrees with the approach."He had a good young team last year and they're …

TAMPA. Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman had suspected that the Houston Astros had been breaking rules against electronic sign stealing long before Commissioner Rob Manfred released his report in January that resulted in three big league managers losing their …

NL MVP Cody Bellinger called out José Altuve and the Houston Astros for swiping their trophies and said he suspected they kept scheming last season, too."One hundred percent,'' the Dodgers slugger said. "I don't know why they would stop.''All-Star pitcher Trevor Bauer went even farther."I'm …

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Cody Bellinger thinks Houston's José Altuve stole the 2017 AL MVP award from the Yankees' Aaron Judge and the Astros swiped that year's World Series title from the Los Angeles Dodgers.“These guys were cheating for three years,’’ Bellinger …

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — On the day of his first formal workout with the New York Yankees, Gerrit Cole talked about what he did and did not know about the Houston Astros.Houston was disciplined by Major League Baseball for breaking rules by using a video camera to steal signs during its run to …

LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) — Cameron Maybin is back with the Detroit Tigers.The Tigers and the 32-year-old outfielder agreed Wednesday on a $1.5 million, one-year contract.He can earn $750,000 in performance bonuses for plate appearances: $100,000 each for 250, 300, 350, 400, 450 and 550, and …

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Yankees catcher Gary Sánchez and manager Aaron Boone are not convinced the Houston Astros' use of electronics did not continue into last year's AL Championship Series.Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred found the Astros broke rules against electronic sign stealing in …

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Carrying one of the most hated sports names in Boston is already enough of a burden, so Jeter Downs won’t also try to be the guy who replaces Mookie Betts.The former Dodgers prospect, who was named after Hall of Famer Derek Jeter by his Yankees-loving mother, …

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Masahiro Tanaka feels cheated by the Houston Astros.Tanaka's Yankees lost to the Astros in a seven-game AL Championship Series in 2017. Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred found the Astros broke rules against electronic sign stealing in 2017, including during the postseason. …