Augusta ex-pharmacist pardoned by Trump on health care fraud

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — A former Georgia pharmacist convicted of health care fraud is among 73 people pardoned by outgoing President Donald Trump. John Duncan Fordham of Augusta was convicted in 2005 of one count of health care fraud after an eight-day jury trial. Prosecutors alleged that Fordham kicked back...

Don Sutton, Hall of Fame pitcher for Dodgers, dies at 75

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Don Sutton, a Hall of Fame pitcher who was a stalwart of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ rotation spanning an era from Sandy Koufax to Fernando Valenzuela, died Tuesday. He was 75. The Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, said Sutton died at his home in Rancho Mirage,...

Braves agree to 1-year deals with left-handers Fried, Minter

ATLANTA (AP) — The Braves agreed Friday to one-year deals with left-handers Max Fried and A.J. Minter but have exchanged salary arbitration figures with right-hander Mike Soroka and shortstop Dansby Swanson. Fried gets $3.5 million and Minter $1.3 million. Soroka has asked for $2.8 million and Atlanta has...

Rangers sign IF/OF Charlie Culberson to minor league deal

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Texas Rangers signed utility player Charlie Culberson to a minor league deal Monday and invited the veteran to big league spring training. The 31-year-old Culberson played for Atlanta the past three seasons. He batted .143 in nine games during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season,...

Baseball Hall of Famer, knuckleballer Phil Niekro dies at 81

ATLANTA (AP) — Phil Niekro threw a pitch that baffled hitters and catchers. Heck, he didn’t even know where it was going most of the time. But the knuckleball carried Niekro to more than 300 wins, earned him a spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame and gave him a nickname that stuck for the rest of his...

Atlanta Braves say Hall of Famer Phil Niekro, a knuckleballer who baffled hitters for more than two decades, dies at 81

ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta Braves say Hall of Famer Phil Niekro, a knuckleballer who baffled hitters for more than two decades, dies at 81.

Braves bring back largely same coaching staff for 2021

ATLANTA (AP) — The three-time NL East champion Atlanta Braves will bring back largely the same coaching staff in 2021. Manager Brian Snitker will again be assisted by bench coach Walt Weiss (fourth season with the Braves), hitting coach Kevin Seitzer (seventh season), pitching coach Rick Kranitz (third...

White Sox-Angels open ESPN Sunday night slate on April 4

ESPN will open its “Sunday Night Baseball” schedule on April 4 when the Los Angeles Angels host the Chicago White Sox. The game will feature the last two American League MVPs, with the Angels' Mike Trout facing reigning MVP and White Sox first baseman José Abreu. The following week will feature...

Rays sign pitcher Michael Wacha to $3 million, 1-year deal

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The American League champion Tampa Bay Rays signed right-hander Michael Wacha to a $3 million, one-year contract on Friday to fill a void in the rotation with the departure of Charlie Morton. The 29-year old Wacha has a 60-43 record with a 4.01 ERA over eight seasons. After...

Freeman among trio of Braves on All-MLB first team

NEW YORK (AP) — National League MVP Freddie Freeman was one of three Atlanta Braves selected to the All-MLB first team on Wednesday night. The slugging first baseman was joined by Braves designated hitter Marcell Ozuna and starting pitcher Max Fried. Atlanta outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. was chosen for...