Optimistic MLB talks spring
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NEW YORK -- Baseball's spring training schedule will start Feb. 19 -- if there is labor peace.
Major League Baseball said Friday that all 30 teams are scheduled to play exhibition games that day in Florida and Arizona as part of the lead-up to the season's start on March 24.
However, the sport's collective bargaining agreement expires Dec. 1 and management is expected to impose a lockout that would freeze offseason trades and signings. MLB has proposed a salary cap for the first time since the 7 1/2-month strike in 1994-95, and the players' association says it never will agree to a cap system.
Spring training workouts are scheduled to start Feb. 9.
In 2022, an agreement wasn't reached until March 10, causing opening day to be pushed back from March 31 to April 7. Spring training games had been scheduled to start Feb. 25 and wound up beginning on March 17.
This year's exhibition schedule includes several matchups at regular-season ballparks from March 20-23, including Boston at San Francisco, Toronto and Detroit at Tampa Bay, and the Freeway Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Angels.
History made
CLEVELAND -- Brayan Rocchio hit a walk-off homer in the ninth inning, leading the Cleveland Guardians to a 7-6 victory over the Detroit Tigers in the first game of a doubleheader Friday.
Rocchio became the sixth player in MLB history with a grand slam and a walk-off in the same game. The Guardians remain in the final American League wild-card position.
Rocchio's homer to left field off Drew Sommers capped six unanswered runs after trailing 6-1 in the third. Earlier, Rocchio hit a tying grand slam in the fourth. Cade Smith pitched the ninth for the win, marking the Guardians' third victory in seven games.
Ohtani hurting
LOS ANGELES -- Shohei Ohtani is getting a second consecutive day off as he deals with lingering pain in his right biceps, neck and left knee.
He was smiling and laughing in the dugout during Thursday's game, when the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrated a walk-off win over St. Louis. Manager Dave Roberts hasn't ruled out a potential stint on the injured list, although he remains hopeful it won't happen.
Roberts says Ohtani has been agreeable to the team's cautious approach, understanding it's in his best interest. Center fielder Tommy Edman took Ohtani's leadoff spot in the lineup against Washington for the second straight game.
Sale beats Phillies
PHILADELPHIA -- Atlanta's Chris Sale outdueled Cristopher Sanchez in a matchup of two of baseball's best pitchers, and the Braves beat the Philadelphia Phillies 5-2 on Friday night to extend their lead in the NL East to five games.
Ronald Acuna had three hits and drove in a run and Mauricio Dubon homered for the Braves, who won for the ninth time in 11 games.
Alec Bohm homered and doubled and drove in both runs for the Phillies, who lost for just the fourth time in 19 games. Sale (14-9) allowed two runs in six innings with seven strikeouts and a walk.