Baseball

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Pitcher Michael King and the San Diego Padres avoided an arbitration hearing when they agreed Friday to a one-year deal guaranteeing $7.75 million. King gets a $3 million signing bonus and a $1 million salary this year.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Carlos Estévez joined Kansas City's bullpen on Friday, finalizing a $22 million, two-year contract with the Royals. The deal includes a club option for 2027.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Mickey Moniak defeated the Los Angeles Angels in salary arbitration on Friday when the outfielder was awarded a raise to $2 million instead of the team’s offer of $1.5 million.

NEW YORK (AP) — Free agent pitcher Jeison Pena was suspended for 80 games on Friday under baseball's minor league drug program and Colorado Rockies pitcher Ulises Reyes for 56 games under the program for minor leaguers assigned outside of the United

BALTIMORE (AP) — It was around this time last year that the Baltimore Orioles made their biggest offseason move, trading for right-hander Corbin Burnes.

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs have agreed to a minor league contract with right-hander Brad Keller that includes an invitation to big league camp for spring training. The Cubs announced the deal on Friday.

TORONTO — Chris Bassitt says as good as Max Scherzer is on the mound, the intangibles the pitcher will bring to the Toronto Blue Jays are just as impressive.

Max Scherzer is joining the Toronto Blue Jays, agreeing to a $15.5 million, one-year contract on Thursday, according to a person with direct knowledge of the deal.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers added Kirby Yates to their bullpen on Thursday, agreeing to a $13 million, one-year contract with the veteran right-hander.

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets bolstered their bullpen on Thursday, finalizing a one-year contract with right-hander Ryne Stanek. Stanek was acquired in a trade with Seattle at the deadline last year for minor league outfielder Rhylan Thomas.