As if any more proof was needed that White Sox slugger Jose Abreu is a force: According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Abreu is the fourth player ever to hit at least .300 with 40 or more homers and at least 120 RBI in their first 162 career games. The others: Chuck Klein, Rudy York and Ryan Braun. Abreu batted .316 with 41 homers and 121 RBI over his first 162 games.
Central Intelligence
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Cleveland was picked by some to win the division but entered Saturday with the second-worst record in the AL. And the Indians have earned the record with lousy defense and a leaky bullpen. Cleveland on Monday even had a team meeting, rare for April. "Obviously we haven't gotten off to a great start, and to see Detroit and Kansas City with seven guys hitting over .350, that makes it even more frustrating," second baseman Jason Kipnis said. "But we know how long the season is and we know we'll get rolling eventually."
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Detroit closer Joe Nathan, 40, still vows to come back and pitch following his second Tommy John elbow surgery Wednesday. In the meantime, he plans to maintain a presence in the clubhouse as an unofficial coach and mentor to other pitchers. "I talked to him about it," manager Brad Ausmus said. "I think he'd be helpful to some of our guys and I think he's going to be around from time to time working." Nathan has had both reconstructive shoulder and elbow surgeries in his career.
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Greg Holland could return as the Royals closer next week. He has nearly recovered from a pectoral strain. But Kansas City has not missed him thanks to Wade Davis, who entering Saturday had converted his first four five chances since taking over for Holland. He had a 0.500 WHIP and had held batters to a .118 average (4-for-34), with two of those hits coming Friday. Local fans and media voted Davis the Royals pitcher of the month for April.
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Dodgers reach $17M, 1-year deal with Conforto and $22M, 2-year contract with Treinen, AP sources say
The Los Angeles Dodgers agreed to a $17 million, one-year contract to add outfielder Michael Conforto and a $22 million, two-year deal to retain right-hander Blake Treinen, people familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.