C.J. CRON

Freddie Freeman reached base three times and scored a run in his Dodgers debut, helping Walker Buehler and Los Angeles beat the Colorado Rockies 5-3 in a season opener.

Former Detroit Tigers’ first baseman C.J. Cron recently testified at the trial surrounding Skaggs’ death and has since opened up to the public about his opioid usage. Cron signed a two-year, $14.5 million contract in October with the Rockies and thanked the organization for its belief and support. He signed a one-year, $6.1 million deal with the Detroit Tigers in December of 2019 but struggled from the plate, hitting just .190 with four home runs and eight RBI in 13 games before undergoing season-ending knee surgery. ---MORE DETROIT TIGERS COVERAGE FROM MLIVEFormer Tigers star Nick Castellanos signs $100 million deal with RedsEx-Tigers pitcher posts goodbye note to Detroit fans after signing with GiantsEx-Tigers pitcher signs with Boston Red SoxEx-Tigers left-hander signs to join San Diego bullpen

Kris Bryant and the Colorado Rockies finalized their $182 million, seven-year contract.

Four Major League Baseball players, including former Detroit Tigers first baseman C.J. Cron, testified this week that they were supplied with oxycontin by former Los Angeles Angels staffer Eric Kay. Kay is on trial for supplying the drugs that caused the overdose death of Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs in 2019. Cron, currently a member of the Colorado Rockies, testified along with pitchers Matt Harvey, Mike Morin and Cam Bedrosian that Kay supplied them with the powerful painkiller. Prosecutors argue that Kay gave Skaggs counterfeit oxycontin laced with fentanyl, causing his death after a road game against the Texas Rangers.

4 former teammates say they received drugs and Skaggs' widow testifies about the last text she received from him before he was found dead.

Four major league players have testified they received oxycodone pills from a former Los Angeles Angels employee accused of providing Tyler Skaggs the drugs that led to the pitcher’s overdose death.

Prosecutors say a former Los Angeles Angels employee accused of providing Tyler Skaggs the drugs that caused the pitcher's overdose death lied to police about seeing Skaggs the night before he was found dead.

A former Los Angeles Angels employee accused of providing Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs with the drugs that caused his overdose death is set to go on trial.

All of them were free agents when they first joined the Tigers, although they weren’t traditional free agents. The Tigers loved shopping the non-tender market during their rebuilding years. The other issue is that the non-tender market isn’t terribly appealing. That’s why teams sometimes decline to offer contracts to those players -- “non-tender” them -- and they become free agents. Boyd might be the most intriguing option on the non-tender market.

The 106-win Los Angeles Dodgers put their season on the line in the NL wild-card game against the red-hot St. Louis Cardinals.

The 106-win Los Angeles Dodgers put their season on the line in the NL wild-card game against the red-hot St. Louis Cardinals.

Brandon Crawford homered to cap a four-run ninth inning and the San Francisco Giants held their lead in the NL West, beating the Colorado Rockies 6-2 on Sunday. The Giants, who have won 15 of 19, began the day with a two-game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers. San Francisco now heads home to Oracle Park with a chance to clinch their first division title since 2012.

Jake Arrieta got clobbered by Colorado and left with an injury in his Padres debut, and the Rockies beat San Diego 7-5.

Aledmys Díaz had three hits and drove in three runs to lead the Houston Astros to 5-1 win over the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday.

Shohei Ohtani continued his power display Wednesday, crushing a three-run home run, and Phil Gosselin had a go-ahead RBI single in the eighth inning for the Los Angeles Angels, who rallied for an 8-7 victory over the Colorado Rockies.

The second half of the major league baseball season begins with one game Thursday night when Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers and the AL East-leading Red Sox visit Yankee Stadium.

The San Diego Padres already were minus star Fernando Tatis Jr. and two backups before the first pitch at Colorado because of COVID-19 concerns.

Jacob deGrom of the Mets is 1-1 with a 0.45 ERA, 35 strikeouts and three walks in 20 innings going into a homestand opener against Washington and Erick Fedde.

Jacob deGrom struck out nine straight batters against Colorado, falling one shy of matching Tom Seaver’s major league record.

New York Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom struck out nine straight batters against Colorado, falling one shy of matching the major league record set 51 years earlier by Mets great Tom Seaver.

Trevor Bauer took a no-hit bid into the seventh inning in his Los Angeles debut before allowing a pair of two-run homers, and the Dodgers held on after building a big lead to beat the Colorado Rockies 11-6.

Trevor Bauer lost his no-hit bid and his shutout during the seventh inning in his Los Angeles Dodgers debut against the Colorado Rockies.

DETROIT -- Most of the players who made up last year’s Opening Day roster are still in the Detroit Tigers’ organization, although a good chunk of them are no longer in the big leagues. That’s probably good news, although it’s worth remembering that last year’s “Opening Day” was only eight months ago and the expanded roster included 30 players, not the current 26. In any case, the Tigers are still doing better than last year, when more than half of their 2019 Opening Day roster was no longer under contract to any big-league club by the time the 2020 season finally started. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)AP2020 OPENING DAY ROSTERStarting pitchers (6)Matthew Boyd, Ivan Nova, Spencer Turnbull, Michael Fulmer, Tyler Alexander, Dario Agrazal. Still in Tigers’ system: 6Five members of last year’s Opening Day bullpen are still around.

In the final spring training game of the year, Betts hit two home runs Tuesday night and the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Los Angeles Angels 6-4. GOOD SIGNOn the final day of spring training, former All-Star pitcher Mike Soroka took a big step toward getting back on a regular-season mound. Ad“It was a perfect way to end a really good spring training on a positive note,” manager Brian Snitker said. Kolten Wong hit a two-run homer and Christian Yelich singled to finish spring training with a .393 batting average. AdDIAMONDBACKS 3, INDIANS 2At Phoenix, Diamondbacks starter Taylor Widener struck out seven over 5 2/3 innings, allowing four hits.

“I don’t even think I’ve had a 13 pitch at-bat in my career.”Hicks was scheduled to pitch one inning. Carlos Martínez worked four innings in the start for St. Louis, allowing two runs and five hits. Pittsburgh starter Steven Brault allowed three runs on five hits and a walk in three innings. YANKEES 5, BLUE JAYS 1New York starter Deivi García gave up one hit and an unearned run in three innings. Dean Kremer allowed a run on three hits, walked two and struck out four in the start for Baltimore.

TWINS 1, ORIOLES 0 (7 INNINGS)Minnesota ace Kenta Maeda allowed one hit in three innings, striking out four in his second start. Baltimore's Dean Kremer fared better in his second start, allowing a hit and a walk in three scoreless innings. Deivi García pitched three shutout innings in his second start for the Yankees. Nick Pivetta made his second start for Boston, allowing a run on three hits with three strikeouts in three innings. Alex Wood worked two innings in the start for San Francisco and gave up a home run to Omar Narvaez.

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Robbie Grossman has been a semi-regular player for the last three seasons, but he’s never been in a situation like this. And he’s never been relied upon as much as the Detroit Tigers plan to count on him in 2021. “I have things expected of me, and it’s a privilege to have things expected of you,” Grossman said Monday after the Tigers’ first full-squad workout of the spring. It’s an honor, and I feel really blessed that I’m here.”Grossman signed a two-year, $10 million deal during the winter. Grossman, who grew up in Texas, was originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates out of high school in 2018.

Cron, whose 2020 season with the Detroit Tigers was ended prematurely by a knee injury, has signed a minor-league deal with the Colorado Rockies. The Tigers signed former Baltimore Orioles first baseman Renato Nunez to a minor-league deal two weeks ago, effectively ending any chance of a reunion with Cron. Cron signed a one-year, $6.1 million contract with the Tigers prior to the 2020 season but was forced to settle for a minor-league deal in what has been a chilly free-agent market, especially for mid-tier players. Cron is the last of five Tigers’ Major League free agents to sign a deal. Catcher Austin Romine signed a big-league deal with the Chicago Cubs, while right-handed pitcher Ivan Nova signed a minor-league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies and Jordan Zimmermann signed a minor-league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Jordan Zimmermann will try to write another ending to his career after a disappointing five-year tenure with the Detroit Tigers. Zimmermann battled injuries for most of 2020, the final season of the five-year, $110 million deal he signed with Detroit prior to the 2016 season. “Everybody in that locker room loves him.”In five seasons with Detroit, Zimmermann went 25-41 with a 5.63 ERA (4.83 FIP) in 99 games (514 innings). Zimmermann is the fourth of five Tigers’ free agents to find a new home this winter. Catcher Austin Romine signed a big-league deal with the Chicago Cubs, while right-handed pitcher Ivan Nova signed a minor-league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.

The free agent pitcher signed a minor-league deal with the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday. The Tigers signed Nova to a one-year deal worth $1.5 million last January, hoping he could serve as a reliable innings-eating. Nova is the second of five Tigers’ free agents to find a new home. Cron, second baseman Jonathan Schoop and pitcher Jordan Zimmermann remain unsigned. Catcher Austin Romine recently signed a big-league deal with the Chicago Cubs.

Austin Romine’s tenure in Detroit is over after one abbreviated season. The veteran catcher reportedly signed a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the Chicago Cubs on Friday. Romine, 32, signed a one-year, $4.1 million contract with the Tigers before the 2020 season, getting his first opportunity as a No. But after a hot start, Romine hit just .238 with a .582 OPS in 135 plate appearances. If the Tigers opt to sign a catcher, veterans Alex Avila and Robinson Chirinos appear to be the likeliest options.

The Tigers liked Cron a lot, both as a player and a person, even though he played just 13 games for them in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. But Kolten Wong, Tommy La Stella, Cesar Hernandez, Jonathan Villar and Jonathan Schoop are all potentially viable options. Schoop, like Cron, was signed prior to the 2020 season to a one-year deal. Both Cron and Schoop were due to earn about $6.1 million in a full season in 2020. And don’t be surprised if Cron and Schoop are among the names they consider.

The Detroit Tigers needed a first baseman and, three weeks later, signed Cron to a one-year contract. Outfielder Eddie Rosario, 29, was placed on outright waivers this week, The Athletic reported, after the Twins were unable to trade him. Would the Tigers be interested in Rosario at, say, one year and $7.5 million? It would certainly be enticing, especially since the Tigers need a left fielder, the position at which Rosario is most comfortable. Even if Rosario isn’t a game-changer, he would certainly be an upgrade for the Tigers, who have no viable options in left field at the moment.

Next week’s Baseball Winter Meetings -- held virtually, of course -- might get the ball rolling on a few more deals. The Kansas City Royals signed 32-year-old Mike Minor to a two-year deal worth a guaranteed $18 million earlier this week. * Robbie Ray, who like Smyly is an ex-Tigers, signed a one-year, $8 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays. It’s unclear if next week’s Winter Meetings will bring any relief to the winter doldrums. The Tigers signed two other position players -- first baseman C.J.

Even so, the offseason marches on, and more than 100 Major League players were declared free agents on Wednesday, the day after the completion of the World Series. The Tigers have five players in that group: Right-handed pitchers Jordan Zimmermann and Ivan Nova; catcher Austin Romine; first baseman C.J. Here’s how it stands now:Left-handed pitchers (5): Tyler Alexander, Matthew Boyd, Daniel Norris, Tarik Skubal, Gregory Soto. Infielders (9): Sergio Alcantara, Miguel Cabrera, Jeimer Candelario, Harold Castro, Willi Castro, Brandon Dixon, Niko Goodrum, Isaac Paredes, Zack Short. The next five days are a “quiet period,” meaning teams can negotiate only with their own free agents.

Nov. 1: Last day to extend qualifying offer to free agents. By extending a qualifying offer -- a one-year deal for $18.9 million -- teams are entitled to draft pick compensation if the player ultimately signs with another team. Jan. 15, 2021: Teams and unsigned arbitration-eligible players exchange proposed salaries. Feb. 26, 2021: Tigers play Southeastern University in an exhibition game in Lakeland. Feb. 27, 2021: Tigers open up Grapefruit League schedule with exhibition game at Tampa against the Yankees.

The Detroit Tigers cut four players this week to begin their annual post-season roster adjustments. The rest were outrighted to Triple-A Toledo and can become minor-league free agents after the World Series. The Tigers may ultimately re-sign one or more of the released players on minor-league deals. TIGERS' CURRENT 40-MAN ROSTER (37)ADD PLAYERS RETURNING FROM 45-DAY INJURED LIST (5): Right-handed pitcher Ivan Nova; first baseman C.J. PROJECTED TIGERS' 40-MAN ROSTER (37)Left-handed pitchers (5): Tyler Alexander, Matthew Boyd, Daniel Norris, Tarik Skubal, Gregory Soto.

It’s an inevitable -- and, for players on the bubble, unfortunate -- consequence of the year-end roster juggling that all teams must do. TIGERS' CURRENT 40-MAN ROSTER (40)ADD PLAYERS RETURNING FROM 45-DAY INJURED LIST (6): Right-handed pitchers Dario Agrazal and Ivan Nova; first baseman C.J. PROSPECTIVE TIGERS' 40-MAN ROSTER (41)Left-handed pitchers (6): Tyler Alexander, Matthew Boyd, Daniel Norris, Nick Ramirez, Tarik Skubal, Gregory Soto. Infielders (9): Sergio Alcantara, Miguel Cabrera, Jeimer Candelario, Harold Castro, Willi Castro, Brandon Dixon, Niko Goodrum, Isaac Paredes, Zack Short. In other words, some players might survive the roster pruning now, only to get cut later in the winter.

Some things didn’t change: The Tigers' strikeout percentage (27.3 percent of plate appearances) was highest in baseball, their walk percentage (7.1 percent) was worst in baseball. Numbers: 57 G, 231 PA, .250 BA/.329 OBP/.417 SLG, 102 OPS+, 10 HR, 35 RBI, -0.2 bWAR, 0.3 fWAR. The Tigers and other MLB teams are working out in effort to start their 2020 season in late July. The Tigers and other MLB teams are working out in effort to start their 2020 season in late July. Infielders Sergio Alcantara (10 G, 23 PA, .143/.217/.381) and Dawel Lugo (9 G, 11 PA, .200/.273/.200) got brief opportunities as utility men.

DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers are finally looking to build toward contending this offseason, and there are three players they should consider extending, even though the deals would be controversial. It’s unrealistic to think the Tigers are going to take that salary cap space and spend like crazy this offseason. Cron #26 of the Detroit Tigers bats during game one of a doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds at Comerica Park on August 2, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. RP Daniel NorrisDaniel Norris #44 of the Detroit Tigers delivers a pitch against the Minnesota Twins during the game at Target Field on September 22, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. After dominating in nine three-inning appearances as an opener to finish 2019, Norris' 2020 was delayed by a positive coronavirus (COVID-19) test during summer camp.

DETROIT Tuesday should have been a celebratory night for the Detroit Tigers. But it was also a costly one, because they lost starting center fielder JaCoby Jones for the rest of the season. But bad luck struck again Tuesday, when Milwaukee Brewers reliever Phil Bickford made his MLB debut and hit Jones in the hand. Derek Hill #29 of the Detroit Tigers runs the bases during the Detroit Tigers Summer Workouts at Comerica Park on July 11, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. During the Tigers recent 8-2 run, Jones was slashing just .250/.313/.321 with two doubles, two walks and 11 strikeouts.

His comments Wednesday morning make it sound like the Detroit Tigers could be without him for a long time. Free agentsThere arent many free agents to choose from in the middle of the season, and the ones who are out there are free agents for a reason. The San Francisco Giants are buried behind the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres and Colorado Rockies in the NL West and dont expect to compete in the near future. Brandon Belt #9 of the San Francisco Giants fields during the game against the Colorado Rockies at Oracle Park on September 24, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (2019 Getty Images)Belt has won two World Series titles in San Francisco, which could be attractive to the Tigers.

DETROIT The Detroit Tigers have placed slugging first baseman C.J. Cron on the 10-day injured list with a left knee sprain. Cron left Mondays game against the Chicago White Sox after taking a line drive off his knee in the top of the fourth inning. Cron #26 of the Detroit Tigers bats during game one of a doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds at Comerica Park on August 2, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. Willi Castro #49 of the Detroit Tigers runs the bases during an exhibition game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on July 22, 2020 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Cron and Jeimer Candelario all hit home runs in the first inning against Pittsburghs Derek Holland as the Detroit Tigers drilled the Pirates 11-5 on Saturday. A night after a 17-13 win in 11 innings, Detroit came out swinging and sent the Pirates their ninth loss in their last 10 games. Nine of the Tigers' 16 hits went for extra bases. TRAINER'S ROOMPirates: Closer Keone Kela (COVID-19) pitched an inning of live batting practice but there remains no timetable for his return. Pirates: Joe Musgrove (0-3, 6.75) will attempt to bounce back after getting knocked around in a loss to Minnesota.

PITTSBURGH Niko Goodrum drove in five runs, two on a double in a big 11th inning that sent the Detroit Tigers over the Pittsburgh Pirates 17-13 in a startling slugfest on Friday night. Crazy stuff happened in that game, Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire said. Thats why we love to play it.Erik Gonzalez, batting ninth for the Pirates, drove in six runs. Tigers starter Matthew Boyd was tagged for seven runs and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings. Pirates: LHP Derek Holland (0-0, 4.76) is 1-2 with a 4.26 ERA in seven career starts against Detroit but has not faced the Tigers since 2017.

DETROIT Jonathan Schoop and Christin Stewart each hit a two-run homer in the third inning to lift the Detroit Tigers to a 4-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night. Whit Merrifield launched a three-run shot in the top of the third for Kansas City, but the Tigers answered quickly and held on from there. There were a pair of blunders in the ninth on the same play when Detroit first baseman C.J. 'Kansas City starter Kyle Zimmer pitched two scoreless innings, then hit JaCoby Jones with a pitch to start the Detroit third. Kansas City recalled OF Nick Heath and RHP Jake Newberry.

DETROIT After a troubling opening day Friday, the Tigers offensive switch turned on Saturday. Cron getting the first run with an RBI double allowing the Tigers to get on the board first. With a game that couldve gone either way it was the top of the 9th that showed great adjustment for JaCoby Jones. Romine being able to lead off with a single it seemed the Tigers initial game plan was to play small ball and play it safe with a bunt. Jones sends it over the left field fence for a two-run home run to give the Tigers a 6-4 lead in the top of the 9th.

In this third round against the Reds, it was an impressive display of clutch hitting and impressive itching. Once again, the Tigers were able to strike first courtesy of a solo shot over the right center fence by Niko Goodrum. Spencer Turnbull was the starting pitcher for the Tigers and pitched five innings only allowing one earned run and got eight strikeouts. Cron would send a two-run home run over Nick Castellanos in right field putting the Tigers ahead 3-1. The Tigers would win the contest 3-2 and get the better hand of the series over the Reds winning 2 out of the 3 games.

DETROIT This might be the most exciting time of the year for Detroit Tigers fans. Probability of being in actual Opening Day lineup: Keep dreaming! But the main reason hes included in this version of the Tigers lineup is his continuing ascent up the all-time leaderboards. Miguel Cabrera #24 of the Detroit Tigers looks on during Spring Training workouts at the TigerTown Facility on February 17, 2020 in Lakeland, Florida. Isaac Paredes #19 of the Detroit Tigers looks on during Spring Training workouts at the TigerTown Facility on February 18, 2020 in Lakeland, Florida.

DETROIT (AP) Detroit general manager Al Avila hopes the worst is over for the rebuilding Tigers. I dont think anybody was trying to hide away from the difficult couple years, three years that weve been having, Avila said. The results since then have been predictable, but after 114 losses last year, Avila and the Tigers are hoping this coming season will include some signs of progress. Were looking forward to the competition with some of our young guys, Avila said. Nobody on the Tigers hit more than 15.