FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — It's early in spring training, time to get the new mitt ready.Or is it?For the World Series champion Boston Red Sox, some like the feel of new leather, some like it old. Some are superstitious and don't like change and others don't worry about that even after a great …

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Forget about this bullpen obsession for a moment. Believe it or not, plenty of big league teams are still anchored by well-armed rotations.In this age of openers and closers, with relievers starting games and starters rarely finishing them, it might seem …

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Mookie Betts won a World Series in October, became a first-time dad nine days later, earned his first AL MVP award and was part of a team that won a professional bowling event.What can the 26-year-old do for an encore with the Boston Red Sox?"He can do whatever he …

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Aaron Boone kept tuning into postseason games, even after his New York Yankees were eliminated by Boston, and he watched the Red Sox win the World Series."I don't know if it was to torture myself or what," the New York manager said Wednesday as pitchers and catchers …

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Boston expects its new closer to emerge from the current Red Sox roster.All-Star Craig Kimbrel turned down a $17.9 million qualifying offer from the World Series champions, and the seven-time All-Star remains a free agent."Any time you say you're going to replace a …

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Major League Baseball is considering one of two matchups for its 2020 series in London: New York Mets vs. Washington Nationals or Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals.Two people familiar with the discussions told The Associated Press of the potential matchups. They …

BOSTON (AP) — The goal is the same for the Boston Red Sox in 2019: finish the season flopping around on the pitcher's mound, celebrating another World Series title.All that's left is for them to figure out who's at the bottom of the pile.The defending champions head to spring training …

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays have a knack for defying the odds.The budget-minded franchise proved it doesn't necessarily have to have the largest payroll in baseball to win by thriving against big spenders in the challenging AL East from 2008 to 2013, earning four playoff …

BOSTON (AP) — With cheers of "We want seven!" and "Next year, right here!" hundreds of thousands of jubilant fans jammed downtown Boston on Tuesday for a parade celebrating the New England Patriots' sixth Super Bowl title.A party atmosphere enveloped the city on the unseasonably mild day. …

BOSTON (AP) — The Latest on a parade in Boston to celebrate the New England Patriots' sixth Super Bowl title (all times local):5:55 p.m.Authorities say a dozen people were arrested at the New England Patriots' championship parade through Boston.Police Sgt. John Boyle says that seven of …

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. (AP) — Baseball Hall of Fame president Jeff Idelson plans to retire after the annual induction ceremony in July.The Hall made the announcement Monday. The 54-year-old Idelson succeeded Dale Petroskey as Hall president in 2008. Idelson joined the staff in 1994 as director …

BOSTON (AP) — Relief pitcher Jenrry Mejia, allowed back into baseball after a lifetime ban caused by three positive drug tests, has agreed to a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox.If added to the 40-man roster, the 29-year-old Dominican right-hander would receive a one-year …

BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox are postponing their White House visit because of the partial government shutdown.The team says it consulted with Major League Baseball and the White House and rescheduled the trip to May 9, an off-day after a three-game series in Baltimore.The team had …

BOSTON (AP) — Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora, a Puerto Rico native who has been outspoken about its need for hurricane relief, indicated on Thursday that he may skip the World Series celebration at the White House over President Donald Trump's policies toward the island.Cora previously …

BOSTON (AP) — Mookie Betts keeps putting up big numbers.The AL MVP and the World Series champion Boston Red Sox agreed to a $20 million, one-year contract Friday, a raise of $9.5 million that was for a few hours the highest for an arbitration-eligible player.Betts was later surpassed by New …

NEW YORK (AP) — AL MVP Mookie Betts, NL Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom and major league home run champion Khris Davis reached high-priced one-year deals to avoid salary arbitration, while slugger Nolan Arenado and pitchers Gerrit Cole, Luis Severino and Aaron Nola were among 15 players …

BOSTON (AP) — Knuckleballer Steven Wright and the Boston Red Sox agreed to a one-year contract for $1,375,000, a raise of $275,000, in a deal that avoided arbitration.An All-Star in 2016, the 34-year-old right-hander started the 2018 season late following left knee surgery and a 15-game …

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — The Securities and Exchange Commission and Wells Fargo Securities said in a joint court filing Thursday that they have agreed in principle to settle a lawsuit over Rhode Island's failed $75 million deal with former Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling's videogame …

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Yankees host Baltimore and Washington is at home against the New York Mets on March 28, the first games of the earliest regular major league opening day.The commissioner's office announced games times Wednesday for the schedule, which was released in August. The …

NEW YORK (AP) — Spending on Major League Baseball payrolls dropped last season for the first time since 2010, an $18 million decrease attributable to drug and domestic violence suspensions and a player retiring at midseason.Still, even a year with flat payrolls is unusual for MLB. The only …