Trevor Bauer
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young holds the Heisman Trophy at an award ceremony, Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, in New York. (Todd Van Emst/Heisman Trust via AP, Pool)
Ode to Sports: A year when games and fans came off the bench

By Fred Lief Dec. 23, 2021 12:24 PM EST

New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor reacts after he can't get to a ball hit for a single by St. Louis Cardinals' Yadier Molina during the third inning of a spring training baseball game, Sunday, March 14, 2021, in Port St. Lucie, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Cohen bonded with Lindor, which along with $341M led to deal

By Ronald Blum Apr. 05, 2021 03:27 PM EDT

Washington Nationals' Juan Soto grounds out to second during the third inning of a spring training baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Monday, March 15, 2021, in Jupiter, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Welcome back, fans! MLB openers bring stars, hope and crowds

By Ben Walker Mar. 31, 2021 10:42 AM EDT

Cincinnati Reds' Shogo Akiyama, of Japan, follows through on his swing as he hits an infield grounder against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning of a spring training baseball game Thursday, March 11, 2021, in Goodyear, Ariz. Reds' Akiyama was out at first base on the play. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Akiyama, Gray among hurting Reds who will miss opening day

By Mitch Stacy Mar. 30, 2021 03:25 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

Los Angeles Dodgers' Corey Seager (5) gets a high-five from Mookie Betts (50) after Seager hit a home run during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball against the Colorado Rockies game Monday, March 15, 2021, in Scottdale, Ariz. Betts also scored. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
National League West Preview Capsules

By The Associated Press Mar. 18, 2021 10:36 PM EDT

New York Mets infielder Francisco Lindor throws during spring training baseball practice Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, in Port St. Lucie, Fla. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Lindor, new Mets hope to put World Series practice in play

By Mike Fitzpatrick Mar. 17, 2021 06:24 PM EDT

FILE - In this Friday, March 12, 2021, file photo, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher David Price throws to a Cleveland Indians batter during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game in Goodyear, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)
Dodgers eager to defend World Series title in full season

By Beth Harris Mar. 17, 2021 12:42 PM EDT

FILE - Cincinnati Reds' Sonny Gray (54) throws during a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Cincinnati, in this Friday, Aug. 14, 2020, file photo. The Cincinnati Reds will begin the 2021 season without two of last year’s most important pitchers — National League Cy Young Award winner Trevor Bauer and closer Raisel Iglesias. How manager David Bell will work around those blockbuster departures is a major question as his pitchers begin throwing this week in spring training. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster, File)
Optimistic Reds believe key pieces are in place to win now

By Mitch Stacy Mar. 17, 2021 12:31 PM EDT

New York Mets' Francisco Lindor (12) reacts after hitting a two-run home run during the sixth inning of a spring training baseball game against the Houston Astros, Tuesday, March 16, 2021, in Port St. Lucie, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Lindor, Mets talk about new deal; Rosario struggles in CF

Mar. 16, 2021 06:00 PM EDT

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole delivers to Philadelphia Phillies' Rhys Hoskins during the first inning of a spring training exhibition baseball game in Clearwater, Fla., Thursday, March 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Cole — and his dad — looking forward to return of fans

Mar. 11, 2021 11:13 PM EST

Oakland Athletics' Tony Kemp gestures as he runs toward home plate on a solo home run during the sixth inning of the team's spring training baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Saturday, March 6, 2021, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Seeing is believing: Bauer shuts eye, pitches shutout ball

By The Associated Press Mar. 06, 2021 11:31 PM EST

FILE - In this Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, file photo, Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell talks during the teams' first spring training baseball workout in Goodyear, Ariz. Just when the Cincinnati Reds started to roll last year, the strange, pandemic-shortened season came to an end after 60 games. But manager David Bell saw his team developing cohesiveness and momentum down the stretch he believes can carry over into 2021. (AP Photo/Matt York, File)
Bell says late-season momentum will power 2021 Reds team

By Mitch Stacy Feb. 17, 2021 04:44 PM EST

FKILE - Cincinnati Reds' Trevor Bauer reacts after recording a strikeout against Milwaukee Brewers' Christian Yelich during a baseball game in Cincinnati, in this Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, file photo. The Reds won 6-1. Trevor Bauer is coming home to pitch for the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner announced his decision on Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, in a two-minute video posted to his Twitter account.(AP Photo/Aaron Doster, File)
NL Cy Young winner Bauer joins World Series champion Dodgers

By Beth Harris Feb. 05, 2021 03:26 PM EST

FILE - In this Sept. 9, 2020, file photo, Chicago White Sox's James McCann (33) celebrates as he crosses home plate after hitting a solo home run off Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher JT Brubaker during the third inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh. Free agent catcher James McCann and the New York Mets were close to completing a $40 million, four-year contract Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, as the team continues to upgrade its roster under new owner Steve Cohen. A person close to the deal confirmed the details to The Associated Press under condition of anonymity because there was no official announcement. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
AP source: Catcher James McCann, Mets near $40M, 4-yr deal

By Ben Walker Dec. 12, 2020 01:36 PM EST

FILE - In this Sept. 4, 2020, file photo, Atlanta Braves' Freddie Freeman celebrates as he crosses home plate after hitting a grand slam to center field during the fourth inning of the second baseball game of the team's doubleheader against the Washington Nationals in Atlanta. Freeman easily won the NL MVP award Thursday, Nov. 12, topping off a trying year that saw him become so ill with COVID-19 he prayed “please don’t take me.” (AP Photo/John Amis, File)
Freeman among trio of Braves on All-MLB first team

By Mike Fitzpatrick Dec. 10, 2020 12:30 AM EST

FILE - Cincinnati Reds' Trevor Bauer throws in the third inning during a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox in Cincinnati, in this Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, file photo. Bauer is a free agent. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster, File)
Bauer, LeMahieu, Springer top list of available free agents

By Noah Trister Dec. 04, 2020 04:00 PM EST

FILE - In this Aug. 31, 2020, file photo, Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Shane Bieber throws during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Kansas City Royals in Kansas City, Mo. Bieber won the AL Cy Young Award on Wednesday night, Nov. 11, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
Cleveland's Bieber, Cincinnati's Bauer win Cy Young Awards

By Jay Cohen Nov. 11, 2020 06:19 PM EST

File-This Sept. 26, 2020, file photo shows Miami Marlins' Jon Berti stealing second base as New York Yankees second baseman DJ LeMahieu waits for the throw during the third inning of a baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York. Houston Astros outfielder George Springer, LeMahieu, and Philadelphia catcher J.T. Realmuto were among just six free agents who received $18.9 million qualifying offers on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, from their former teams. Three right-handed pitchers also received the offers, Cincinnati’s Trevor Bauer, the New York Mets’ Marcus Stroman, and San Francisco's Kevin Gausman. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin, File)
Stroman, Gausman take $18.9M; Springer, LeMahieu reject

By Ronald Blum Nov. 11, 2020 05:55 PM EST

File-This Sept. 22, 2020, file photo shows Philadelphia Phillies' J.T. Realmuto batting during the second baseball game of a doubleheader against the Washington Nationals in Washington. Houston outfielder George Springer, New York Yankees second baseman DJ LeMahieu and Realmuto were among just six free agents who received $18.9 million qualifying offers on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, from their former teams. Three right-handed pitchers also received the offers, Cincinnati’s Trevor Bauer, the New York Mets’ Marcus Stroman, and San Francisco's Kevin Gausman. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)
Springer, LeMahieu, Realmuto among 6 given qualifying offers

By Ronald Blum Nov. 01, 2020 06:11 PM EST