Baseball

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Infielder Taylor Walls and the Tampa Bay Rays avoided arbitration, agreeing Wednesday to a $1.4 million, one-year contract. Wells gets a $1.35 million salary this year, and the Rays have a $2.

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Former World Series MVP Dave Stewart is returning to the Athletics in a front office role. The A's announced Wednesday that Stewart will be a special assistant to player development this season.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Sluggball , a 4-on-4 baseball competition co-founded by former Philadelphia Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr., is expected to debut in May and tour minor league stadiums this season.

NEW YORK (AP) — Used to leading off, Ichiro Suzuki got antsy when he had to wait. Considered a no-doubt pick for baseball's Hall of Fame and possibly the second unanimous selection, he waited by the phone for the expected call Tuesday.

It now appears it's a question of when, not if, Carlos Beltrán will be voted into the Hall of Fame. In fact, next year could be his time, with the ballot wide open.

TORONTO (AP) — General manager Ross Atkins said a Toronto Blue Jays jersey with Anthony Santander’s name on it was “floating around our office” throughout the offseason.

General manager Ross Atkins said a Blue Jays jersey with Anthony Santander's name on it was "floating around our office" throughout the off-season. The veteran slugger finally put on a Toronto uniform on Tuesday afternoon.

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox and veteran left-hander Martín Pérez have finalized a $5 million, one-year contract that includes a mutual option for 2026. The sides agreed to the deal about two weeks ago , and the team announced it on Tuesday.

An 11-year-old collector in Los Angeles has scooped up a one-of-a-kind baseball card featuring National League Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes.

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Left-hander José Quijada and the Los Angeles Angels avoided arbitration when they agreed Tuesday to a one-year contract for $1,075,000, a deal that includes a $3.75 million team option for 2026. Quijada, 29, was 2-2 with a 3.