Anthony Rizzo
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Kwang Hyun Kim throws during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Saturday, July 17, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)
LEADING OFF: Alvarez carries U.S. flag, big rivalries abound

By The Associated Press Jul. 22, 2021 02:34 AM EDT

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler follows through on a delivery to a Colorado Rockies batter during the fifth inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 17, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
LEADING OFF: Alvarez carries U.S. flag, big rivalries abound

By The Associated Press Jul. 21, 2021 10:50 PM EDT

San Diego Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) celebrates with manager Jayce Tingler, left, at the dugout after scoring on a Wil Myers single during the second inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs on Monday, May 31, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
Báez goes deep twice as Stewart, Cubs beat Padres 7-2

By Jay Cohen May. 31, 2021 05:30 PM EDT

Washington Nationals' Juan Soto, left, celebrates after hitting a solo home run as Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras looks to the field during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Chicago, Wednesday, May 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Soto hits scoreboard, Scherzer wins again, Nats top Cubs 4-3

By Matt Carlson May. 19, 2021 11:51 PM EDT

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani throws against the Houston Astros during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, May 11, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
LEADING OFF: Ohtani pitches, Kluber vs Rangers, Sox-Twins

By The Associated Press May. 19, 2021 04:17 AM EDT

New York Yankees shortstop Gleyber Torres (25) records put out during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles on Monday, April 26, 2021, in Baltimore, Md. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
LEADING OFF: Trout out, Kluber vs Rangers, Sox-Twins trouble

By The Associated Press May. 18, 2021 10:43 PM EDT

Colorado Rockies catcher Dom Nunez, left, reaches out to recover the ball after a wild pitch from reliever Jordan Sheffield (not shown) allowed Cincinnati Reds' Nick Senzel, right, to score from third base in the ninth inning of a baseball game Sunday, May 16, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Still with the Cubs, Bryant back to his slugging ways

By Noah Trister May. 17, 2021 02:45 AM EDT

Pittsburgh Pirates' Ke'Bryan Hayes (13) watches his two-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs Thursday, April 1, 2021, on opening day at Wrigley Field in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
Hayes homers, Pirates 2-hit Cubs 5-3 on chilly opening day

By Jay Cohen Apr. 01, 2021 06:34 PM EDT

Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo throws to Manager David Ross at second, during the team's last baseball workout Wednesday, March 31, 2021, before the home opener Thursday, April 1, 2021, against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Cubs' Hoyer confident deal with Rizzo will be worked out

By Andrew Seligman Mar. 31, 2021 07:01 PM EDT

Cincinnati Reds' Tucker Barnhart, right, watches a single hit by Reds' Mark Payton get past Seattle Mariners third baseman Jantzen Witte (67) during the fifth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 29, 2021, in Goodyear, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Rizzo ends talks; Odor getting cut; restrictions to loosen

Mar. 29, 2021 07:00 PM EDT

Chicago Cubs' Anthony Rizzo, left, reacts after being tagged out by San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey, right, at home plate during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Wednesday, March 10, 2021, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Rizzo cuts off talks with Cubs as free agency looms

Mar. 29, 2021 05:06 PM EDT

New York Yankees' Jay Bruce waits on deck during the during the second inning of a spring training exhibition baseball game against the Detroit Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Fla., Tuesday, March 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Bruce, Sandoval on big league rosters, Maybin, Frazier cut

By The Associated Press Mar. 27, 2021 06:20 PM EDT

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Joe Ross throws during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the New York Mets, Monday, March 8, 2021, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Arihara settles into 2nd start for Rangers, 3 solid innings

By The Associated Press Mar. 09, 2021 02:19 AM EST

Chicago Cubs' Anthony Rizzo, left, and Kris Bryant stand on the field during a spring training baseball workout in Mesa, Ariz., Monday, Feb. 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Bryant open to new deal, knows time as Cub could wind down

By Andrew Seligman Feb. 25, 2021 06:48 PM EST

FILE - Chicago Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer speaks during a media availability during the Major League Baseball general managers annual meetings in Scottsdale, Ariz., in this Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019, file photo. Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer indicated the team might conduct more thorough background checks when deciding who to hire in the wake of sexual harassment accusations against former director of pro scouting Jared Porter. Hoyer called the alleged incidents “disturbing" on Monday, Feb. 8, 2021. He said there's “no place for them in the game," and it's his job to make sure Wrigley Field is a workplace where women can thrive. (AP Photo/Matt York, File)
Cubs' Hoyer to discuss futures with Bryant, Baez, Rizzo

By Andrew Seligman Feb. 16, 2021 06:36 PM EST

FILE - In this Dec. 7, 2016, file photo, Chicago Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer smiles during a press conference in Oxon Hill, Md. Theo Epstein, who transformed the long-suffering Chicago Cubs and helped bring home a drought-busting championship in 2016, is stepping down after nine seasons as the club's president of baseball operations. The team announced Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, Epstein is leaving the organization, and general manager Jed Hoyer is being promoted to take his place. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen, File)
New Cubs prez Hoyer's goal: Retool team but stay competitive

By Ben Nuckols Nov. 23, 2020 04:14 PM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 13, 2019, file photo, Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein speaks at a media availability during the Major League Baseball general managers annual meetings in Scottsdale, Ariz. Theo Epstein, who transformed the long-suffering Chicago Cubs and helped bring home a drought-busting championship in 2016, is stepping down after nine seasons as the club's president of baseball operations. The team announced Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, Epstein is leaving the organization, and general manager Jed Hoyer is being promoted to take his place. (AP Photo/Matt York, File)
Theo Epstein steps down after 9 seasons leading Cubs

By Andrew Seligman Nov. 17, 2020 05:17 PM EST

Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado picks up a ground ball in the fifth inning of a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Arenado, Gordon each win 8th Gold Glove; Betts gets 5th

Nov. 03, 2020 09:37 PM EST

FILE - In this Aug. 3, 2020, file photo, Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo, right, catches a popup by Kansas City Royals' Adalberto Mondesi near Royals' Franchy Cordero, left, on first during the ninth inning of a baseball game in Chicago. The Cubs picked up their $16.5 million option for Rizzo on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, bringing back the popular first baseman after he struggled during the pandemic-shortened season. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)
Cubs pick up $16.5M option on 1B Anthony Rizzo for 2021

Oct. 31, 2020 04:13 PM EDT

Dozen MLB players have options turned down, go free

Oct. 28, 2020 09:31 PM EDT
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — What figures to be a down and perhaps brutal market for baseball free agents in the offseason following the pandemic began Wednesday...