Royals’ Perez injured during Venezuela’s WBC win

Venezuela’s Jose Altuve scores a run in the fifth inning of a World Baseball Classic game against Italy, in Guadalajara, Mexico, Saturday, March 11, 2017. Venezuela’s Jose Altuve scores a run in the fifth inning of a World Baseball Classic game against Italy, in Guadalajara, Mexico, Saturday, March 11, 2017.

Royals begin reworking roster to expand window to compete

Kansas City Royals’ Eric Hosmer celebrates his two-run home run against the Colorado Rockies during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Thursday, March 2, 2017, in Surprise, Ariz. less Kansas City Royals’ Eric Hosmer celebrates his two-run home run against the Colorado Rockies during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Thursday, March 2, 2017, in Surprise, Ariz.

Cubs get RHP Alec Mills from Royals for OF Donnie Dewees

Mills was designated for assignment earlier Wednesday after the Royals signed free agent pitcher Jason Hammel, who played last season for the World Series champion Cubs. The 25-year-old Mills made his major league debut last year, going 0-0 in three games and giving up five runs in 3 1/3 innings.

Royals will report to spring training with new key additions

The Royals’ pitchers and catchers report to spring training in nearly one week, and the team is headed to Surprise, AZ with some new key additions. When the offseason began, Kansas City Royals general manager Dayton Moore explained how the team would attempt to get better in 2017 while openly admitting the organization was in no way going to overspend.

Royals Top Prospects

With baseball season upon us, lets take a look at some future Royals that could make an impact in 2017 or beyond. Flaming fastball, two good second pitches, sometimes great, usually equals a surefire top prospect.

Holland can make $35M over 2 years under Rockies contract

In this April 8, 2015, file photo, Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Greg Holland throws during a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. A person familiar with the deal tells The Associated Press that reliever Greg Holland has agreed to a contract with the Colorado Rockies The deal is pending a physical, the person said Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017, speaking on condition of anonymity because the agreement was not announced.

Baseball hitting, pitching sapped by jet lag

Researchers say they’ve documented an unseen drag on major league baseball players that can wipe out home field advantage, make pitchers give up more home runs, and take some punch out of a team’s bats. For baseball players, they say the problem is so bad it can affect everything from the number of home runs to the number of bases stolen.

Family, fans mourn for Dominican pitcher Yordano Ventura

Junior Ventura, the brother of Kansas City Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura, receives condolences during his brother’s wake in Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic, Monday, Jan. 23, 2017. Yordano Ventura and former major leaguer Andy Marte died in separate traffic accidents early Sunday in their native Dominican Republic.

Current, former major leaguers die in Dominican crashes

This photo released by Dominican Republic Highway Police and Military Commission shows the fatal crash site of Kansas City Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura near Juan Adrian, Dominican Republic, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017. Ventura, whose electric arm and confident demeanor helped lead Kansas City to a long-awaited World Series championship in 2015, died in the car crash in his native Dominican Republic early Sunday.

Royals’ Ventura killed in car crash in Dominican Republic

Yordano Ventura quit school as a teenager so he could begin working a construction job to help his family make ends meet, laboring day after day in the hot sun of the Dominican Republic. Yordano wowed scouts with an electrifying fastball, the best they had seen in years, and a confident demeanor that bordered on brash and arrogant.

BC-OH-Ohio News Digest 2 pm, OH

Hello! Here’s a look at how AP’s general news coverage is shaping up in Ohio. Questions about coverage plans are welcome and should be directed to the AP Columbus bureau at 614-885-2727 or APColumbus@ap.org.

Royals’ Ventura killed in car crash in Dominican Republic

Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura, whose electric arm helped his team win the 2015 World Series title, was killed in a car crash in his native Dominican Republic early Sunday. With the fitting nickname of “Ace,” Ventura burst onto the baseball scene with a 100 mph fastball and an explosive attitude to match.

Ozzie Guillen: No big leaguer should play winter ball

Former star shortstop Ozzie Guillen has a word of advice for big leaguers who want to play winter ball in Venezuela: Don’t. Now guiding the Tiburones in his native country, the first Latino manager to win a World Series says any major leaguer who wants protect himself from getting hurt should avoid taking part.

Royals, Hosmer agree to $12.25M deal to avoid arbitration

The Royals and All-Star first baseman Eric Hosmer have agreed on a $12.25 million contract for next season, avoiding arbitration with a deal that could take him to free agency. General manager Dayton Moore has long been optimistic that the Royals will be able to sign their homegrown star to a long-term deal, but the price has risen considerably.