Four-man outfields. High-tech anti-spying rules. A starting pitcher facing just one batter in a playoff game.
But beyond all the shifts, analytics and social media outreach, here's the best...
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Texas Rangers right-hander Bartolo Colon has been put on the 10-day disabled list because of a strained lower back.
The 45-year-old Colon is 7-11 with a 5.45 ERA. The Rangers made the move before Friday night's game at San Francisco.
Colon was scratched from a start last Sunday against the Angels because of back stiffness. He pitched Monday at Oakland and was tagged for seven runs and 10 hits in five innings. Colon had won two starts in a row after losing five straight.
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Khris Davis hit a long home run after letting a young fan from the Make-A-Wish Foundation sign his jersey, Ramon Laureano hit the first two homers of his career, and the Oakland Athletics beat the Texas Rangers 9-0 on Monday night.
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Bartolo Colon kept the Texas Rangers close after a rough first inning in his first start since setting the record for victories by a Latin American pitcher.
His catcher helped the 45-year-old right-hander extend that mark.
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Bartolo Colon still has another lofty goal after becoming the top winning pitcher from Latin America.
"This year is almost getting close to the end. But there is one thing that I will look for, is Juan Marichal has more innings than me," Colon said through a translator. "For the Dominicans, I want to beat him also."
But there likely won't be enough time left in his 21st big league season for the 45-year-old Texas Rangers right-hander to do that.
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Bartolo Colon became the top-winning pitcher born in Latin America, punctuating his 246th career victory with a nifty snag as the Texas Rangers roughed up Felix Hernandez and the Seattle Mariners 11-4 on Tuesday night.
The 45-year-old Colon, from the Dominican Republic, made his sixth start since earning his 245th win on June 30 that matched the mark held by Dennis Martinez from Nicaragua.
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Bartolo Colon reached out and snagged the comeback liner while slipping into a squat on the mound.
The portly 45-year-old pitcher managed to stay upright, with a smile on his face and a ball from his milestone victory secured firmly in his glove.
Power drives upside in daily fantasy baseball. While home runs are difficult to project on a daily basis, we can target hitters in matchups against pitchers who allow hard-hit aerial contact.
Two stats in particular help inform how often pitchers give up home runs. Hard-hit rates and fly ball rates help inform how often pitchers give up home runs beyond measuring directly with home runs per 9 innings (HR/9).
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Bartolo Colon has agreed to a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers, and the 44-year-old right-hander will attend big league spring training.
Colon would get a $1.75 million, one-year contract if added to the 40-man roster under the terms of the deal agreed to Sunday and could make an additional $1.3 million in performance bonuses based on innings.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — After losing 103 games last season, the most in the franchise's 57 years in Minnesota, the Twins have reached the final stretch with a spot in the playoffs in plain sight.
That's almost as remarkable as, well, a 44-year-old starting pitcher helping lead the push.
Yes, Bartolo Colon has managed to top himself once again.
"I stopped being surprised about 10 years ago," Cleveland manager Terry Francona said.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins knew Arizona spot starter T.J. McFarland would be on a pitch count, so they hoped to get into the Diamondbacks' bullpen early.
After a 52-pitch first inning Sunday, the Twins had a 9-0 lead and McFarland was out of the game.
That was plenty for Bartolo Colon, who became the 18th pitcher in major league history to beat all 30 teams. He led Minnesota to a 12-5 win that completed a three-game sweep of the Diamondbacks.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins knew Arizona spot starter T.J. McFarland would be on a pitch count, so they hoped to get into the Diamondbacks' bullpen early.
After a 52-pitch first inning Sunday, the Twins had a 9-0 lead and McFarland was out of the game.
That was plenty for Bartolo Colon, who became the 18th pitcher in major league history to beat all 30 teams. He led Minnesota to a 12-5 win that completed a three-game sweep of the Diamondbacks.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A performance like Bartolo Colon's hasn't occurred in more than 25 years.
Colon threw his first complete game in almost two years to earn his first win with Minnesota, Brian Dozier homered twice and the Twins beat the Texas Rangers 8-4 on Friday night.
At 44 years and 72 days, Colon is the oldest American League player to win a complete game since Nolan Ryan (45 years and 155 days) on July 4, 1992.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The crowd was buzzing in Minnesota for Bartolo Colon's debut, a decent start by the burly 44-year-old that drew him a standing ovation despite a departure with no outs in the fifth inning after a breakthrough by New York.
Having overcome Colon, the Yankees found even more to celebrate afterward.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The New York Mets say they wanted a reunion with Bartolo Colon, but Big Sexy has opted for a new home.
The 44-year-old Colon agreed to terms Friday on a minor league deal with the Minnesota Twins, who would be his 10th major league team over a 20-year career.
"You know he's been around a long time if I've faced him," Twins manager Paul Molitor joked, adding he vaguely remembers getting a hit off Colon in his final game in 1998.
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Right-hander Bartolo Colon was designated for assignment by the Atlanta Braves on Thursday, one day after the 44-year-old right-hander's record dropped to 2-8.
Pitching for the first time since going on the disabled list with a strained left oblique on June 6, Colon allowed six runs, eight hits and three walks in four innings in during Wednesday night's 7-4 loss at San Diego.
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Rookie Sean Newcomb is making believers of his Atlanta Braves teammates and manager.
"Nasty," Ender Inciarte said following the left-hander's latest gem.
Newcomb struck out eight over six innings for his first major league victory, lifting Atlanta over the San Diego Padres 3-0 on Tuesday night.
"Just a real impressive outing," Braves manager Brian Snitker.
ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves placed struggling right-hander Bartolo Colon on the 10-day disabled list on Tuesday with a strain in his left side.
The move came one day after Colon allowed eight runs in 3 2/3 innings in an 11-4 loss to Philadelphia. Following the game, the 44-year-old Colon said, "Physically and mentally I still feel good."
ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves placed struggling right-hander Bartolo Colon on the 10-day disabled list on Tuesday with a strain in his left side.
The move came one day after Colon allowed eight runs in 3 2/3 innings in an 11-4 loss to Philadelphia. Following the game, the 44-year-old Colon said, "Physically and mentally I still feel good."
ATLANTA (AP) — Odubel Herrera extended his hitting tear and had so much offensive support in Philadelphia's lopsided win over Atlanta that the Braves couldn't commit to Bartolo Colon's next scheduled start.
Herrera continued his power surge with a two-run homer and two doubles, Tommy Joseph homered and drove in three runs, and the Phillies beat the Braves 11-4 on Monday night.
A look at what's happening all around the majors today:
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SWEET 600
Albert Pujols is one big fly from becoming the ninth member of the 600-homer club. The 37-year-old slugger hit No. 599 off 44-year-old Atlanta starter Bartolo Colon on Tuesday night. Pujols has homered in consecutive games for the first time this season. He and the Angels are set to face Braves left-hander Jaime Garcia.
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Albert Pujols was only moderately excited when he looked up at the scoreboard and learned he had tied Babe Ruth's career hits total with his 599th home run.
The slugger always prefers to see less attention focused on his milestones and more on the Angels' victories — particularly when a first-time starter plays a major role.
Pujols connected during Los Angeles' nine-run third inning in a 9-3 victory over struggling Bartolo Colon and the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night.
ATLANTA (AP) — Ivan Nova was ticked off.
He really wanted another complete game.
Nova pitched into the ninth inning before tiring, local favorite Adam Frazier hit a three-run homer and the Pittsburgh Pirates pounded Bartolo Colon for a 9-4 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Thursday.
After breezing through the first six innings, facing only three over the minimum, Nova (5-3) came up short in his bid to become the first pitcher in the big leagues this season with three complete games.
TORONTO (AP) — Bartolo Colon gave Atlanta five innings. That was enough on a tough night for the big right-hander.
Colon brushed off an illness and got his first victory in a month, and the Braves snapped Toronto's five-game win streak with a 10-6 victory over the Blue Jays on Monday.
Freddie Freeman hit his 13th homer and Nick Markakis had three RBIs for Atlanta, which has won three of four. Matt Kemp had four hits and scored three times.
HOUSTON (AP) — Carlos Correa, Carlos Beltran and the Houston Astros got aggressive early against Bartolo Colon, then cruised while matching the best start in franchise history.
Correa and Beltran hit consecutive homers off Colon during a five-run first inning and the Astros beat the Atlanta Braves 8-3 on Tuesday night.
Houston is 22-11 and tied with Baltimore for the most wins in the majors. The last time Houston won 22 of its first 33 games was 1973.
ATLANTA (AP) — Bartolo Colon was having too much fun in his home debut with the Braves to be bothered by a home run in the second inning.
He had no reason to worry.
Colon allowed only a hit in seven dominant innings, Brandon Phillips drove in three runs with three hits and Atlanta beat the San Diego Padres 9-2 on Sunday for its fourth straight win.
NEW YORK (AP) — Bartolo Colon enjoyed the whole evening — the nods and taps from former teammates, the tributes from the crowd.
He liked the result, too. Long after he exited, his Atlanta Braves earned their first win of the season.
Colon returned to Citi Field and made a sharp debut for his new club, and Matt Kemp's third double of the game in the 12th inning lifted the Braves over the New York Mets 3-1 on Wednesday night.
A look at what's happening all around the majors today:
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FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Chris Sale makes his much-anticipated Boston debut when the Red Sox host Pittsburgh at Fenway Park. Sale, an All-Star each of the past five seasons, was acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Chicago White Sox. Jameson Taillon, drafted No. 2 overall in 2010, pitches for the Pirates. Taillon is 5-4 with a 3.38 ERA in 18 major league starts.
ATLANTA (AP) — Bartolo Colon began his career the year Turner Field opened.
Big Sexy wound up outlasting the Ted.
The 43-year-old Colon got in a final tuneup for his 20th big league season in Atlanta's first game at SunTrust Park, going three innings as the Braves opened their new stadium with an 8-5 exhibition victory over the New York Yankees on Friday night.
Freddie Freeman hit a three-run homer, Bartolo Colon got in a final tuneup before his 20th big league season and the Atlanta Braves opened their new stadium with an 8-5 exhibition victory over the New York Yankees on Friday night.
KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — Brandon Phillips was struck by the oddity of being traded to a team that includes 43-year-old pitcher Bartolo Colon.
"It's crazy being on he same team with the guy I got traded for," the new Atlanta Braves second baseman said Friday after his first spring training workout. "I think we're the only two players who played with the Expos that are still playing now."
KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — The Atlanta Braves were ready to add some more experience to their starting rotation — and boy, did they succeed.
Bartolo Colon, the 43-year-old right-hander whose longevity and jovial disposition have turned him into one of the game's fan favorites, joined Atlanta in November. Around the same time, the Braves acquired R.A. Dickey, the 42-year-old knuckleballer who is one of baseball's elder statesmen — but whose big league debut back in 2001 came four years after Colon's.
KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — Eager for a fresh start and armed with a new rotation, the Atlanta Braves started spring training with an air of confidence and optimism, especially for a team coming off a season of 93 losses.
"Hopefully this is not a rebuild," said left fielder Matt Kemp, an early arrival on the day of the first organized workout for pitchers and catchers. "I want to win baseball games. I feel we can go out there and win, especially with these veteran guys we're bringing in."
ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves' long-term plan hasn't changed. The future still rests on young pitching.
For next week's start of spring training, however, the Braves' new kids to watch will be 40-something right-handers Bartolo Colon and R.A. Dickey.
Colon, 43, and Dickey, 42, were signed to one-year deals in November to serve as placeholders for the young pitchers. The team also acquired left-hander Jaime Garcia from St. Louis. The three are expected to join ace Julio Teheran in the rotation.
ATLANTA (AP) — Right-hander Kris Medlen has agreed to a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves as he attempts to revive his career with his original team.
The 31-year-old would get a $1 million, one-year contract if added to the 40-man roster as part of the deal the team confirmed Tuesday.
ATLANTA (AP) — With a new stadium nearing completion right across the street, R.A. Dickey chuckled at the idea of not being the Atlanta Braves' oldest starting pitcher next season.
A mere 42, Dickey will be ceding that honor to 43-year-old Bartolo Colon.
"I gave myself the nickname Little Ugly," Dickey quipped Friday after formally introduced by the Braves in an office tower overlooking SunTrust Park. "Big Sexy and Little Ugly are going to be leading it on."
ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves may not be finished with the dramatic overhaul of their rotation.
General manager John Coppolella told The Associated Press on Wednesday he hopes to add another starting pitcher, even after agreeing to deals with veteran right-handers R.A. Dickey and Bartolo Colon last week.
ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves are getting older in their starting rotation next season.
A lot, lot older.
Not content to add one 40-something starter, the Braves made it two by agreeing to terms with 43-year-old Bartolo Colon, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Friday.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because no announcement is expected from the Braves until next week on the reported $12.5 million, one-year deal with Colon.
NEW YORK (AP) — San Francisco infielder Eduardo Nunez was left off the roster for Tuesday night's NL wild-card game against the New York Mets, and the Giants opted to go with 11 pitchers.
Madison Bumgarner starts for the Giants, and manager Bruce Bochy has 10 bullpen options: right-handers Santiago Casilla, Johnny Cueto, George Kontos, Derek Law, Sergio Romo, Jeff Samardzija and Hunter Strickland, and left-handers Javier Lopez, Steven Okert and Will Smith.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Ryan Howard isn't sure what to expect when he likely plays his final game in a Phillies uniform on Sunday.
"I'll just show up and see what happens," Howard said after getting four standing ovations and being called out of the dugout in the Phillies' 5-3 loss to the Mets on Saturday.
The 36-year-old slugger, the only player remaining from the Phillies' 2008 World Series title team, brought the fans out of their seats when he hit a game-tying, two-run homer in the fifth inning.
A look at what's happening around the majors today:
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GETTING CLOSE
Bartolo Colon, the steadiest part of an injury-depleted rotation, tries to put the Mets back into the playoffs. The 43-year-old righty (14-8, 3.42 ERA) starts at Philadelphia as the defending NL champions aim to lock up a wild-card spot. The Phillies could throw a bunch of relievers, with Phil Klein coming from the bullpen to start.