For MLB teams chasing October glory, building a bullpen is a vital — and confounding — exercise

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — For a World Series that was supposed to feature an epic battle between sluggers Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani, guys like Mark Leiter Jr., Luke Weaver, Alex Vesia and Anthony Banda sure got a lot of face time. This year's Fall Classic provided further proof that a...

Alex Bregman has elbow surgery to remove a bone chip

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Third baseman Alex Bregman had surgery to remove a bone chip from his right elbow. Agent Scott Boras revealed the operation during a news conference Wednesday at the general managers meetings. “He’s had his procedure. He’s going to be back...

Dodgers' World Series-ending win averages 18.6 million; series averages 15.81 million for 5 games

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Dodgers' 7-6 victory over the Yankees in Game 5 for their eighth World Series title and second in five years averaged 18.6 million viewers on Fox, Fox Deportes and streaming, according to Nielsen. That is the most-watched game in the Fall Classic since Game 7...

Soto, Burnes, Buehler, Fried among 136 who become free agents with 64 more awaiting pending options

NEW YORK (AP) — Outfielder Juan Soto, pitchers Corbin Burnes, Walker Buehler and Max Fried and first baseman Pete Alonso were among 136 players who became free agents Thursday morning. Third baseman Alex Bregman, outfielder Anthony Santander and shortstop Willy Adames also went...

Game 4 of World Series averages 16.28 million for its most-viewed game since 2019

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The World Series had its most-watched game in five years Tuesday night as the New York Yankees avoided a sweep. The Yankees' 11-4 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 4 averaged 16.28 million viewers on Fox, Fox Deportes and streaming, according to...

Houston utility player Dubón has surgery to repair thumb ligament

HOUSTON (AP) — Houston utility player Mauricio Dubón had surgery Wednesday to repair a ligament in his left thumb. General manager Dana Brown made the announcement about the procedure to repair the ulnar collateral ligament. The team said Dubón played through the...

Houston Astros determined to bounce back after being swept by Detroit Tigers in AL Wild Card Series

HOUSTON (AP) — For the first time since 2016, the Houston Astros failed to win a playoff game. And that’s not OK with general manager Dana Brown. A day after the Astros were swept by the Detroit Tigers in their AL Wild Card Series, stopping a streak of seven straight trips to the...

Gritty Tigers close out playoff sweep of Astros with 5-2 victory in Game 2 of Wild Card Series

HOUSTON (AP) — Manager A.J. Hinch wanted his Detroit Tigers to embody their home city. Hard-working with a never-give-up attitude, but most of all a team that had grit. That's how they stormed into October — and just kept going. Andy Ibáñez hit a tiebreaking...

Astros face uncertain future with Bregman and Verlander after early playoff exit

HOUSTON (AP) — Houston’s early playoff exit means Alex Bregman and Justin Verlander might have played their last games for the Astros. The AL West champions were swept by the Detroit Tigers in their Wild Card series, losing 5-2 in Game 2 on Wednesday. Houston had made seven...

The Detroit Tigers sweep the Houston Astros in their AL Wild Card Series with a 5-2 victory in Game 2