Twins' Max Kepler retraces steps in trip back to Germany

BERLIN (AP) — When Max Kepler makes an acrobatic catch for the Minnesota Twins, perhaps he owes a bit to his parents. Back in his hometown of Berlin, the 26-year-old outfielder paid tribute to his parents, professional ballet dancers Kathy Kepler and Marek Rozycki. “I used to sit in the wings and...

Twins prospect Ryan Costello found dead in New Zealand hotel

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Minnesota Twins prospect Ryan Costello was found dead in his New Zealand hotel room Monday, days after joining his team in the Australian Baseball League. The 23-year-old third baseman died in his sleep, the Auckland Tuatara said. No cause was given. Concerns were raised when...

Betting on himself: Odorizzi accepts offer for Twins' return

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Jake Odorizzi watched Dallas Keuchel remain on the free-agent market until June and didn’t want to take a chance of lingering without a contract. So he accepted the Minnesota Twins’ $17.8 million qualifying offer for a one-year contact and put himself in position to become...

Odorizzi, Abreu accept $17.8M offers to stay with teams

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Pitcher Jake Odorizzi accepted a $17.8 million qualifying offer to stay with the Minnesota Twins and first baseman José Abreu took the same amount to remain with the Chicago White Sox as general managers headed home Thursday following their four-day annual meeting. Using the...

Rebecca Veeck, daughter of St. Paul Saints owner, dies at 27

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The life of Rebecca Veeck, daughter of St. Paul Saints owner and president Mike Veeck, will be celebrated next month in Charleston, South Carolina. Rebecca Veeck died Sept. 30 in Charleston after being diagnosed years ago with Batten disease, a rare genetic condition. She was 27. Her...

Shildt wins NL Manager of the Year days after mom's death

NEW YORK (AP) — Mike Shildt began his life in baseball at his mom's side, tagging along with her to work at a Double-A ballpark and picking up odd jobs around the clubhouse. When Shildt was recognized Tuesday night for the career that has followed, the late Lib Shildt was the first thing on his mind. "My...

White Sox hire Coolbaugh as assistant hitting coach

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox have hired Scott Coolbaugh as their assistant hitting coach. The White Sox announced the move Tuesday. He will work with new hitting coach Frank Menechino. The 53-year-old Coolbaugh spent last season as the hitting coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers' Triple-A Oklahoma...

Rocco Baldelli of Minnesota Twins wins AL Manager of the Year award

Mets' Alonso, Astros' Álvarez named Rookies of the Year

NEW YORK (AP) — Young sluggers known for their prodigious power, Pete Alonso and Yordan Álvarez knocked the Rookie of the Year voting out of the park. In a rarity for the major league home run leader, Alonso didn't land the biggest blow. Alonso, a star first baseman with the New York Mets, got 29 of...

Indians Carrasco, Perez honored for strong 2019 seasons

CLEVELAND (AP) — Carlos Carrasco's courage while fighting cancer and community service earned him another postseason honor. Carrasco won the Frank Gibbons-Steve Olin Good Guy Award, given annually by the Cleveland chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America, for being accommodating with media...