Catcher Sanchez to hit 2nd for Yanks

The New York Yankees probably will bat powerhitting catcher Gary Sanchez second in their lineup at the start of the season.

Manager Joe Girardi said Tuesday he was leaning toward having Brett Gardner bat leadoff, followed by Sanchez, Greg Bird, Matt Holliday and Jacoby Ellsbury.

Girardi said he had been thinking about breaking up the left- handed- hitting Gardner and Ellsbury at the top of the lineup for some time.

‘‘ It makes it harder to navigate through our lineup,’’ Girardi said. ‘‘ We feel like it’s a better situation for all of us. This could very well be similar to our Opening Day lineup.’’

Sanchez hit 20 home runs in 53 games last season after being called up from Class AAA Scranton/ Wilkes- Barre in early August. Bird has shown a power swing during spring training after missing all of last season with a shoulder injury.

Indians, Ramirez sign off on$ 26M deal

The Cleveland Indians and versatile Jose Ramirez completed a five- year, $ 26 million contract that includes team options for 2022 and 2023.

The sides agreed in principle to the deal last week, and Ramirez— who played mostly third base last season but also can play second and the outfield — passed his physical to finalize it. The Indians also have had talks with shortstop Francisco Lindor about a multiyear deal.

Ramirez, 24, had a breakout season in 2016 and helped the Indians win their first American League pennant since 1997. He hit .312 with 46 doubles, 11 homers, 76 RBI and 22 stolen bases.

Reds claim Gennett off waivers from Brewers

The Cincinnati Reds claimed Scooter Gennett off waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers, giving them another option at second base and a utility player off the bench.

Gennett, who grew up in Cincinnati, played four seasons with the Brewers. He batted .263 with a career- high 14 homers and 56 RBI last season, but the Brewers decided to go with Jonathan Villar at second base this season.

President Trump won’t throw out first pitch

The Washington Nationals said President Donald Trump has declined an invitation to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before their Opening Day game Monday against the Miami Marlins.

A spokeswoman for team said the White House indicated Trump wouldn’t be at the game because of a scheduling conflict.

President Barack Obama threw the ceremonial first pitch at the Nationals’ opener in 2010, marking the 100th anniversary of a presidential pitch to start the season. William Howard Taft first did it on April 14, 1910.