CHRIS ANTONETTI

Major league hitters are working with the sport's brightest minds to close the gap on a technology-driven pitching renaissance.

The only certainty about Major League Baseball's new rules for the 2023 season is that everyone is going to push and pull on them in search of an edge.

Cleveland Guardians manager Terry Francona has agreed to return for an 11th season after leading the majors’ youngest team to a division title and the AL Division Series in 2022.

The Philadelphia Phillies grabbed baseball’s last playoff ticket, and Bryce Harper and company partied into the night.

The young Cleveland Guardians finished what they started.

A sturdy pair of goggles was mandatory attire Sunday in Cleveland's clubhouse, where impromptu showers of Champagne and beer broke out inside a thick haze of cigar smoke. The Guardians, baseball's youngest team, finished an unexpected run to the top of the AL Central. Rookie Steven Kwan hit a grand slam and drove in a season-high five runs as the Guardians clinched a division championship no one thought possible six months ago with a 10-4 win over the Texas Rangers.

Elvis Andrus hit one of Chicago’s five home runs off rookie Hunter Gaddis and the White Sox cut into Cleveland’s lead in the AL Central with an 8-2 win.

Cleveland Guardians first baseman Josh Naylor has been added to the team’s COVID-19 injured list, marking the first player to be sidelined by the team’s recent outbreak.

The Cleveland Guardians reported no new COVID-19 cases after an outbreak inside their clubhouse on Wednesday in Chicago caused a postponement and sent manager Terry Francona and five coaches home from a road trip.

The scripted name atop the giant scoreboard at Progressive Field is new. No longer known as the Indians for the first time in 107 years, the Guardians enter this season with expectations nearly as low as their payroll. Cleveland didn't throw money at free agents — the club rarely does — like the big-market clubs or make any substantial trades, so the Guardians will again count on a strong starting rotation led by Shane Bieber, third baseman José Ramírez's perennially productive bat and hope some young players develop quickly to be competitive in the AL Central.

After two difficult years, Terry Francona finally feels like himself.

Despite an offseason that figures to be different than any since baseball’s last labor stoppage in 1994-95, the general manger meetings went on as planned in Southern California.

Alex Anthopoulos and his family settled on unusual ways to be festive after the Braves' general manager was forced to quarantine at home with COVID-19 as his team ended Atlanta’s 26-year championship drought in the big four major sports.

Eddie Rosario's hot bat led the Atlanta Braves to a World Series matchup with the Houston Astros and earned him the NL Championship Series MVP award.

Two septuagenarians will be on the bench when 77-year-old Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa and the Chicago White Sox face the Houston Astros and 72-year-old skipper Dusty Baker in their playoff opener Thursday.

Cleveland will play its final home game as the Indians, the team’s nickname since 1915.

Now this truly was an All-Star trade deadline day.

Indians manager Terry Francona remains away from the team and missed his second straight game with a head cold.

Former New York Mets manager Mickey Callaway was placed on the ineligible list by Major League Baseball through at least the end of the 2022 season following an investigation of sexual harassment allegations.

Jordan Luplow hit a two-run homer in the 10th inning off Alex Colomé, giving the Cleveland Indians a 5-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins in their series opener.

Giancarlo Stanton busted out of his slump with two rocketed home runs — one with the highest exit velocity this season — and New York connected four times, sending the Yankees to a 5-3 win over the Cleveland Indians.

FILE - Cleveland Indians pitching coach Mickey Callaway, left, watches with manager Terry Francona during the first inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, in Detroit, in this May 3, 2017, file photo. Indians manager Terry Francona said no one in the Cleveland organization covered up for former pitching coach Mickey Callaway, who is under investigation by Major League Baseball following allegations of sexual harassment. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)CLEVELAND – Indians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said Wednesday he couldn't comment on his previous remarks about Mickey Callaway's conduct due to Major League Baseball's ongoing investigation into sexual harassment allegations against the team's former pitching coach. Callaway has been suspended as the Los Angeles Angels pitching coach, pending the outcome of MLB's investigation. He reiterated the team is “fully cooperating with the investigation.”In the most recent story, the husband of a woman who had an extramarital affair with Callaway contacted the Indians multiple times to complain about his behavior in 2017.

FILE - Cleveland Indians pitching coach Mickey Callaway, left, watches with manager Terry Francona during the first inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, in Detroit, in this May 3, 2017, file photo. Indians manager Terry Francona said no one in the Cleveland organization covered up for former pitching coach Mickey Callaway, who is under investigation by Major League Baseball following allegations of sexual harassment. Callaway is currently suspended as the Los Angeles Angels pitching coach, pending the MLB inquiry. Callaway was Cleveland's pitching coach from 2013-17 before he was hired to manage the New York Mets. The Angels already promoted bullpen coach Matt Wise to serve as interim pitching coach last month.

Cleveland Indians head coach J B.Bickerstaff directs his team in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)CLEVELAND – Trying to strengthen the strained relationship between the community and city police, the Cavaliers hosted dozens of area youth for what the NBA team — in its partnership with the Browns and Indians — hopes leads to permanent change. Soon, they were standing side by side with the exercise designed to shown their commonality and not differences. The images of last summer's unrest flashed across the arena's giant scoreboard, which on most nights shows game highlights. One speaker suggested the possibility of holding an event just to get to know the officers on a more personal level.

FILE - Minnesota Twins' Eddie Rosario hits the ball during a spring training baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals in Fort Myers, Fla., in this Monday, March 9, 2020, file photo. The Indians officially signed free agent outfielder Eddie Rosario, adding a quality player who pounded their pitchers in recent years. Rosario passed his physical on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021, to finalize a one-year, $8 million contract for 2021. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)CLEVELAND – Free agent outfielder Eddie Rosario has joined the Cleveland Indians, adding a quality player who has haunted their pitchers in recent years. Rosario passed his physical on Thursday and finalized the $8 million, one-year contract he agreed to late last week.

FILE - In this Sept. 22, 2019, file photo, Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona talks before a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies in Cleveland. Francona, on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, praised the Cleveland Indians for trying to do the right thing with a name change that was inevitable, and necessary (AP Photo/Phil Long, File)CLEVELAND – Manager Terry Francona praised the Cleveland Indians for trying to “do the right thing” with a name change that was inevitable — and necessary. “I am proud of the fact that we are going to do something that is correct,” Francona said on a Zoom call from his home in Arizona. He's confident Chris Antonetti, the team's president of baseball operations, and general manager Mike Chernoff will do whatever's necessary to keep the Indians competitive. Schilling pitched for Francona in Philadelphia and Boston, where he helped the Red Sox end their long World Series drought.

Kluber gets a $1 million buyout, and the club has said it is interested in re-signing Kluber to a less expensive deal. Lester gets a $10 million buyout from the Chicago Cubs that completes a $155 million, six-year contract rather than a $25 million mutual option. Milwaukee turned down Gyorko and Sogard, a day after declining a $15 million option on 2011 NL MVP Ryan Braun. The White Sox declined a $12 million option for Encarnación and a $7 million option for González, who will receive a $500,000. Kluber gets a $1 million buyout, and the club has said it is interested in re-signing Kluber to a less expensive deal.

The Cleveland Indians have declined contract options on Brad Hand and first baseman Carlos Santana for next season, decisions that will initially cut $27 million from the team's payroll. (AP Photo/Phil Long, File)CLEVELAND – The Cleveland Indians have declined contract options on Brad Hand, first baseman Carlos Santana and outfielder Domingo Santana for next season, moves that cut $30.75 million from the team's projected 2021 payroll. Hand's option was worth $10 million, Carlos Santana's was for $17.5 million and Domingo Santana's $5 million for next season. The team pay buyouts of $1 million to Hand, $500,000 to Carlos Santana and $250,000 to Domingo Santana. Cleveland previewed the hand Hand decision on Thursday, when the club placed him on outright waivers, hoping another team might claim him so they Indians would avoid the buyout.

CLEVELAND – The Cleveland Indians expect manager Terry Francona to return for the 2021 season after he missed 48 games in 2020 due to health reasons. President of Baseball Operations Chris Antonetti said Tuesday that the 61-year Francona is back home in Arizona resting and recovering. Francona was hospitalized during the season after undergoing surgery for a gastrointestinal issue and then dealing with blood clotting complications. Antonetti has been in daily contact with Francona, Cleveland's manager for the past eight seasons. “He's starting to feel better and he's really confident he'll be able to manage right from the start next season,” Antonetti said Tuesday on a Zoom call.

(AP Photo/David Dermer)CLEVELAND – On a night for debates, Aaron Judge, Gerrit Cole and the New York Yankees made quite an opening statement. Staked to an early lead on Judge's homer, Cole showed why the Yankees shelled out $324 million for him in the offseason. Cole's strikeouts were the second-most by a New York pitcher in postseason history. Judge's first homer since coming off the injured list on Sept. 16 — and the first allowed by Bieber at home this season — gave the Yankees a stunning 2-0 lead. He'll face Tanaka, who pitched seven shutout innings in Game 3 of the 2017 ALDS against the Indians.

FILE - In this Sept. 1, 2019, file photo, Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona watches during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg, Fla. Cleveland's three major professional sports franchises--the Browns, Cavaliers and Indians--are teaming up to fight social injustice. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)CLEVELAND Clevelands three major professional sports franchises the Browns, Cavaliers and Indians are teaming up to fight social injustice. Clevelands teams announced an alliance to develop a sustainable and direct strategy to address social injustice facing the city and all Northeast Ohio communities.Kevin Clayton, vice president of diversity, inclusion and engagement for the Cavaliers, hopes the partnership and one-of-a-kind program triggers similar efforts elsewhere. The three-team union will focus on strengthening the relationships between law enforcement and citizens, promote nonpartisan voting activities and provide educational opportunities in the area. For Berry, one of only two Black GM's in the NFL and the youngest at 33, linking with the Cavs and Indians is another effort to promote change.

Cleveland Indians' Francisco Lindor reacts as he runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run in the sixth inning in a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020, in Cleveland. Bieber (6-0) allowed two runs and four hits in six innings as the Indians ended a four-game losing streak to the Twins and pulled within 1 1/2 games of the division leaders. Bieber had three walks in the first three innings he came in with just six in 40 2/3 innings all season but regrouped. With the Indians down 2-1, Lindor connected in the sixth off reliever Jorge Alcala (1-1), who replaced starter Rich Hill to start the inning. Carlos Santana followed with a walk, and one out later, pinch-hitter Tyler Naquin delivered an RBI double to put the Indians ahead 4-2.

CLEVELAND The Indians are ready to give starter Mike Clevinger another chance and the ball. President of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said Indians players were consulted before the team decided to bring back Clevinger. When the Indians were informed Plesac had broken curfew, the team had him driven back to Cleveland by a car service. The Indians have dealt with some nagging injuries, an inconsistent offense and the Clevinger-Plesac affair threatened to undermine the season. Afterward, the team optioned Clevinger and Plesac to the club's alternate training site in Eastlake, Ohio.

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Mike Clevinger delivers in the first inning in a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, in Cleveland. Clevinger and Plesac drove to Detroit separately with their baseball equipment on Thursday for an open forum meeting at the team's hotel before the Indians opened a series with the Tigers. So before the opener, the Indians activated Clevinger and Plesac from the restricted list and optioned them to Lake County. While the Indians got a car service to take Plesac back to Cleveland, Clevinger flew home with the team after not telling the Indians he had been out with his teammate. Although both players have twice tested negative for COVID-19 this week, the Indians aren't ready to have them back.

(AP Photo/Jim Mone)CLEVELAND The Cleveland Indians went a step further than just putting Mike Clevinger and Zach Plesac into quarantine. Once they learned about Plesac going out, the Indians immediately got him car service to drive him to Cleveland. They can't be 100 percent certain, but the Indians don't believe Plesac or Clevinger came in contact with anyone who has the virus. I guess I would just say theyre in different stages of acceptance.Antonetti said any further discipline for Clevinger and Plesac would handled internally. The Indians are obviously disappointed in Clevinger and Plesac, who have both pitched well for one of baseball's best staffs.

Indians pitcher Zach Plesac was sent back to Cleveland on Sunday in a rental car after violating team rules and Major League Baseball's coronavirus protocols, a club official told the Associated Press. The official said the 25-year-old Plesac went out with friends in Chicago on Saturday night following his win against the White Sox. Indians team president Chris Antonetti is expected to address Plesac's situation following the team's game in Chicago on Sunday night. The episode with Plesac, the nephew of former big league reliever Dan Plesac, is the most high-profile evidence of baseball's increasing concern about its guidelines. Definitely any time you can maintain social distancing is going to be what we have to focus on, Plesac said July 3.

FILE - In this Friday, July 24, 2020, file photo, St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina, right, celebrates a 5-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates in a baseball game in St. Louis. Molina says hes one of the players on his team who has tested positive for the coronavirus. St. Louis has been out of action since Friday at the onset of an outbreak, postponing series against the Brewers and Tigers. SOTO A GONationals slugger Juan Soto could return to the starting lineup a day after being activated following a stint on the COVID-19 injured list. Cleveland is scheduled to open a two-game series at home with the Reds.

Philadelphia Phillies manager Joe Girardi, left, talks with Bryce Harper, right, prior to a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Friday, July 24, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)A look at what's happening around the majors today:BACK TO WORKThe Philadelphia Phillies face a difficult assignment in their long-awaited return to action. Although the Phillies didnt have any players test positive, their games last week were postponed as a cautionary measure. The Phillies got to work out again Saturday, and now come back from a weeklong layoff to face Gerrit Cole and the AL East-leading New York Yankees on the road. MISSING MANAGERThe Cleveland Indians likely will be missing manager Terry Francona for a second straight game when they visit Cincinnati.

(AP Photo/Tony Dejak)CLEVELAND Cleveland's players met Tuesday with owner Paul Dolan to discuss a potential name change for the team, which has been called the Indians for the past 105 years. I was really, really happy and content to just sit there and let them talk back and forth.Francona stressed that nothing has been resolved over the controversial topic. But I think everybody was so genuinely honest and also respectful in the way they gave their opinions," he said. I don't feel like it's my business to sway our players to feel one way or another about that, he said. I just don't feel right about that.The possible name change wasn't the only topic discussed and the team touched on a little bit of everything with Dolan, Francona said.

He believes the Indians need to change their contentious nickname. I think it's time to move forward, Francona said Sunday. Like Francona, Washington coach Ron Rivera has called for his team to change its name. But I dont think thats a good enough answer today. No one person will replace what MIllsy does and we know that, Francona said.