MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins have agreed to five-year contracts with right fielder Max Kepler and shortstop Jorge Polanco. That's according to two people with direct knowledge of the deals. The team has yet to announce the deals, which were reached as pitchers and catchers went through their first workout in Fort Myers, Florida. Kepler's contract is worth $35 million. Polanco's deal is valued at $25.75 million.
GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Indians All-Star pitcher Trevor Bauer says the final 10 minutes of his salary arbitration hearing was "character assassination" against him. Bauer beat Cleveland in arbitration for the second straight year and was awarded $13 million by the three-person panel over the Indians' $11 million offer. Bauer says he views the process very intellectual and is unemotional about it. He says it didn't sour his feelings about the Indians.
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Los Angeles Angels right-hander Matt Harvey will be sidelined for at least a week as a precaution because of a glute strain. But he says he expects to be ready by opening day. Harvey signed a one-year, $11 million deal with the Angels in December, looking to bounce back after last season. He went 7-9 with a 4.94 ERA in 32 games with the Mets and Reds last year.
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina State backup guard Eric Lockett has been charged with assault on a female. According to court records, Lockett was being held without bond in the Wake County Jail following an incident that took place Tuesday. Coach Kevin Keatts says Lockett has been suspended indefinitely from the team. The 23-year-old Georgia native transferred to N.C. State this season after graduating from Florida International.
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — Oregon and defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt have mutually parted ways. Oregon announced that the two sides reached a financial settlement that will pay Leavitt $2.5 million, funded by private sources over multiple years. The settlement would be less if he gets a new job. Leavitt was under contract until 2021. He spent two seasons in Eugene after he was hired by former Ducks coach Willie Taggart
