RONALD BLUM

AP Baseball Writer

New York Yankees outfielder Jasson Domínguez makes a leaping catch during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Monday, April 14, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Yankees rookie Jasson Domínguez shows improvement in left field and then delivers at the plate, too

Maligned for dubious defense when the New York Yankees first moved him to left field last year, Jasson Domínguez made their best catch of the early season when he robbed Salvador Perez of an extra-base hit in a 4-1 win over the Kansas City Royals.

New York Yankees' Jazz Chisholm Jr. reacts after hitting a solo home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Monday, April 14, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Jazz session: Chisholm has bragging rights over Judge in `home runs plus stolen bases’

Jazz Chisholm Jr. was jazzed up: He tied New York Yankees teammate Aaron Judge for the major league home run lead and was going to assert some bragging rights.

U.S. captain Aaron Judge and U.S. manager Mark DeRosa attend a news conference Monday, April 14, 2025, at Yankee Stadium, in New York. (AP Photo/Ron Blum)

Yankees’ Aaron Judge to be US captain at 2026 World Baseball Classic

Aaron Judge will be the U.S. captain at next year’s World Baseball Classic, the same role the two-time American League Most Valuable Player fills with the New York Yankees.

New York Yankees pitcher Marcus Stroman reacts after San Francisco Giants' Tyler Fitzgerald hit a single during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, April 11, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Marcus Stroman goes to hospital for tests on knee after getting chased in 5-run first inning

New York Yankees pitcher Marcus Stroman went to a hospital for tests on his left knee after he gave up five runs before getting chased in the first inning of a 9-1 loss to the San Francisco Giants on a cold and rainy night.

New York Mets relief pitcher Matt Allan throws during a spring training baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Monday, March 8, 2021, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)

After 6 year hiatus, Mets prospect Matt Allan is back on the mound chasing big league dreams

New York Mets pitching prospect Matt Allan returned last week from a nearly six-year layoff to pitch for Class A St. Lucie.

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. returns to the dugout following eighth-inning baseball game action against the Baltimore Orioles in Toronto, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. salaries front-loaded in $500 million, 14-year contract with Blue Jays

Vladimir Guerrero’s yearly salaries are front-loaded under the $500 million, 14-year contract he agreed to this week with the Toronto Blue Jays, a deal that covers 2026-39.

Cincinnati Reds' Elly De La Cruz strikes out swinging during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

MLB batting average drops again to .239, near record low in 1968’s Year of the Pitcher

Offense is down again at the start of the big league season, with hits even harder to come by. The big league batting average was .239 through the first full week of play, down from .240 through the first full week of 2024.

Toronto Blue Jays first base Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) looks on prior to MLB baseball action against the Washington Nationals, in Toronto, Monday, March 31, 2025. (Thomas Skrlj/The Canadian Press via AP)

Guerrero, Blue Jays agree to a $500 million, 14-year deal that starts in 2026, AP source says

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Toronto Blue Jays agreed to a $500 million, 14-year contract that starts in 2026, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press, a deal that removes what would have been the biggest star from next offseason’s free-agent market.

New York Mets pitcher David Peterson throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Peterson’s outing interrupted by nausea in Mets’ 2-1 win over Blue Jays

David Peterson’s outing for the New York Mets against the Toronto Blue Jays was interrupted by nausea. He grimaced after walking Vladimir Guerrero Jr. with a full-count curveball in the fifth.

New York Yankees' J.C. Escarra reacts after doubling on a line drive during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Thursday, April 3, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

After career detours as Uber driver and substitute teacher, J.C. Escarra gets first big league hit

After a meandering minor league career that took detours to Mexico and Puerto Rico and included a release that led to part-time work as an Uber driver and substitute teacher, J.C.

New York Yankees' Aaron Judge homers on a fly ball to right center field, his 500th extra base hit, during the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Thursday, April 3, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Judge gets 500th extra-base hit, 3rd-fastest Yankee to reach mark behind DiMaggio, Gehrig

Aaron Judge became the third-fastest New York Yankees player to reach 500 extra-base hits with a three-run homer in the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks, trailing only Joe DiMaggio and Lou Gehrig.

Arizona Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte runs to first base after lining out during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Ketel Marte on $116.5 million deal with Diamondbacks: `I just want to be here forever’

Second baseman Ketel Marte and the Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a contract guaranteeing $116.5 million through 2031 that made him among the first players to negotiate a lower salary for 2027 ahead of a possible work stoppage.

New York Mets' Juan Soto (22) hits a home run as Houston Astros catcher Yainer Diaz reaches for the pitch during the third inning of a baseball game Friday, March 28, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

MLB’s average salary tops $5 million for first time, AP study shows

Major League Baseball’s average salary broke the $5 million barrier on opening day for the first time, according to a study by The Associated Press. Juan Soto’s record $61.9 million pay from the New York Mets led the way.

FILE -Tony Clark, executive director of the baseball players' union, talks to reporters before a spring training baseball game between the Detroit Tigers and the Washington Nationals in Lakeland, Fla. on Tuesday, March 17, 2015. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)

Baseball players’ union head Tony Clark earned $3.41 million last year

Baseball players’ union head Tony Clark earned $3.41 million last year, down from $4.25 million in 2023 when he received a $1 million bonus that followed collective bargaining.

New York Yankees' Aaron Judge (99) hits a grand slam during the third inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)

Judge homers 3 times as Yanks go deep on Cortes’ first 3 pitches and hit 9 HRs vs. Brewers

Aaron Judge combined with Paul Goldschmidt and Cody Bellinger to go deep on the first three pitches from Nestor Cortes, then hit two more homers as the New York Yankees set a team record with nine home runs against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Tampa Bay Rays' Kameron Misner reacts after his walk-off home run off Colorado Rockies pitcher Victor Vodnik during the ninth inning of a baseball game Friday, March 28, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Rays’ Kameron Misner becomes first player to hit first big league homer as walk-off on opening day

Kameron Misner gave the Tampa Bay Rays the perfect housewarming gift: a game-ending home run. Forced from Tropicana Field by Hurricane Milton, the Rays are playing home games across the bay this season at Steinbrenner Field, the New York Yankees’ spring training headquarters.

Tampa Bay Rays' Josh Lowe, right, winces in pain as he talks to first base coach Michael Johns (9) after his single during the fifth inning of a baseball game Friday, March 28, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Rays’ Josh Lowe gets hurt on opening day, injures oblique for third time in 13 months

Josh Lowe hurt his right oblique in the Tampa Bay Rays opener, one year after the injury caused him to miss 46 games.

A look inside the Tampa Bay Rays’ 120-hour makeover of the Yankees’ Steinbrenner Field

Left homeless after Hurricane Milton destroyed the Tropicana Field roof on Oct. 9, the Tampa Bay Rays began their season as renters at Steinbrenner Field, the spring training headquarters for the Yankees, playing the Colorado Rockies in the final major league opener.

New York Yankees' Austin Wells celebrates his solo home run in the dugout during the first inning of an opening-day baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Yankee Stadium, Thursday, March 27, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Austin Wells becomes 1st catcher in MLB history to hit opening day leadoff homer

Austin Wells drove Freddy Peralta’s fastball into the first row of Yankee Stadium’s right-field short porch and landed in the history books: the first catcher in a century and a half of Major League Baseball to hit a leadoff home run on opening day.

New York Yankees pitcher Devin Williams reacts during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Yankee Stadium, Thursday, March 27, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Devin Williams saves first game with New York Yankees by a whisker

Devin Williams saved his first game with the New York Yankees by a whisker. Acquired from Milwaukee in December, the bearded All-Star closer loaded the bases with no outs against his former team and allowed a sacrifice fly, then struck out Jackson Chourio and Christian Yelich to preserve a 4-2 win o

New York Yankees' J.C. Escarra speaks during a press conference before an opening-day baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Thursday, March 27, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Ronald Blum)

Once a ride-share driver, J.C. Escarra takes an Uber to Yankee Stadium for his first game in MLB

J.C. Escarra’s winding path through professional baseball included a detour to gig work as a ride-share driver.

A replay from the Automated Ball-Strike System plays after a play was challenged is displayed on the scoreboard during the second inning of a spring training baseball game between the Seattle Mariners and the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)

Teams successful on 52.2% of ball/strike challenges during spring training robot umpire test

Teams won 52.2% of their ball/strike challenges during the spring training test of robot umpires, and catchers had a markedly better success rate than pitchers.

New York Mets' Juan Soto rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Houston Astros, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Port St. Lucie, Fla. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)

Opening day is here: Juan Soto debuts, Paul Skenes vs Sandy Alcántara, and more

Juan Soto, Blake Snell and Clay Holmes debut for new teams. Paul Skenes makes his first opening-day start at age 22 and Sandy Alcántara returns from Tommy John surgery.

Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh looks on during a spring training baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Saturday, March 1, 2025, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Catcher Cal Raleigh and Mariners agree to $105 million, 6-year contract

Catcher Cal Raleigh and the Seattle Mariners have finalized a $105 million, six-year contract. Raleigh’s deal supersedes a $5.6 million, one-year agreement on Jan. 9 that avoided salary arbitration.

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani follows through on a solo home run in the third inning of a spring training baseball game against the Yomiuri Giants in Tokyo, Japan, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)

MLB preview: Ohtani and Co. hope to make Dodgers first repeat champs since ’98-'00 Yankees

Shohei Ohtani will be in the batter’s box for the season’s first pitch Tuesday, arriving at the Tokyo Dome coronated a World Series champion.

Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson (2) jogs off the field during a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams, File)

Henderson and De La Cruz among 11 players whose contracts unilaterally renewed by their teams

Baltimore’s Gunnar Henderson and Cincinnati’s Elly De La Cruz were among 11 players whose contracts were unilaterally renewed by their teams, a group that included six Athletics players headed by star closer Mason Miller.

Tottenham Hotspur's Lucas Bergvall is challenged for the ball by Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo, left, and Tyler Adams during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Bournemouth, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, in London, Sunday March 9, 2025. (Bradley Collyer/PA via AP)

Adams, Reyna on US roster for 1st time under Pochettino, picked for CONCACAF Nations League games

Midfielders Tyler Adams and Gio Reyna, and defender Cameron Carter-Vickers have been picked for the U.S. national team for the first time under coach Mauricio Pochettino, among 23 players selected for the CONCACAF Nations League final four matches this month.

Soaking tubs and a spa pool, part of the New York Yankees medical and training room, are seen during a tour of the upgraded team spring training facilities Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Steve Nesius)

The Rays get 120 hours to make the Yankees’ spring stadium their own. Here’s how they’ll do it

When Tampa Bay players leave Steinbrenner Field following the New York Yankees’ spring training home finale on March 23, their staff will launch a 120-hour transformation of the ballpark for the Rays’ season in exile from storm-damaged Tropicana Field.

New York Mets owner Steve Cohen talks to the media during spring training baseball practice, Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, in Port St. Lucie, Fla. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)

The Mets have spent more in Steve Cohen’s 4 years than Marlins, Pirates and Rays over the past 21

The New York Mets led the major leagues in spending for the third straight season in 2024 and have totaled $1.36 billion in payroll and luxury tax over four years under owner Steve Cohen, exceeding what the Marlins, Pirates and Rays each have spent on players in the past 21 seasons.

Antonio Pappano appears at an event celebrating his 22 years as Music Director at the Royal Opera House, in London on May 16, 2024. (Isabel Infantes/Pool Photo via AP, File)

London Symphony Orchestra conductor Antonio Pappano goes underground — he takes the Tube to work

Conductor Antonio Pappano is leading the orchestra on a 13-concert U.S. tour to California, Florida and New York that ends this week with its first Carnegie Hall concerts since 2005.