Konnor Griffin, Trey Yesavage and JJ Wetherholt among MLB’s most intriguing rookies
CHICAGO — Nick Kurtz and Drake Baldwin made a smooth transition to the major leagues last season. Kurtz was rewarded with the AL Rookie of the Year award, and Baldwin took home the NL honor. Here is a closer look at a group of rookies looking to have a similar...
NL Central preview: Loaded Cubs going for division title, but Brewers, Reds lurking
CHICAGO — Alex Bregman, welcome to the NL Central. Welcome back, Eugenio Suarez. Bregman is hoping to lead the Chicago Cubs to their first Central title since 2020 after signing a $175 million, five-year contract with the North Siders in free agency. But the competition is tough in a division...
NL East Preview: Phillies bring back core as they try to hold off new-look Mets, banged-up Braves
NEW YORK — Still powered by Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper, the Philadelphia Phillies are bringing back mostly the same team that won its second consecutive NL East title last season and made a fourth straight playoff appearance. Time to take yet another run at that elusive World Series championship....
AL West Preview: Cal Raleigh and Mariners look to defend their first division title since 2001
Cal Raleigh and the Seattle Mariners switched things up in the American League West last season, and got as close as they ever have to making a World Series. After winning their first division title since 2001, the Mariners are looking to do it again this year with slugging switch-hitting...
AL Central Preview: Tigers open as favorites while the White Sox try to climb out of the basement
The Detroit Tigers and two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal have their sights set on winning the AL Central for the first time since 2014. The Chicago White Sox would love to simply get out of the division’s basement. As for the AL Central’s other three teams — the...
MLB might consider moving thriving World Baseball Classic to midseason
MIAMI — Having set attendance and broadcast viewer records, the World Baseball Classic will return in 2029 or 2030 and at some future point could be moved to midseason, when clubs would be less likely to restrict players. Since the WBC’s inception in 2006, it has been played during spring...
Cup of Joe: Oh well, at least Team USA honored the Padres
Cup of Joe: Starkey on sports in 350 words or less Yes, Team USA choked away the overrated World Baseball Classic, its vaunted lineup again coming up small in a 3-2 loss to Venezuela and journeyman pitcher Eduardo Rodríguez in the championship game. But at least they honored the San...
Venezuela beats U.S. on Eugenio Suárez’s 9th-inning double to win first World Baseball Classic title
MIAMI — Venezuela won the World Baseball Classic for the first time, rebounding from a blown eighth-inning lead to beat the United States 3-2 Tuesday night on Eugenio Suárez’s tiebreaking double in the ninth. Maikel Garcia’s third-inning sacrifice fly and Wilyer Abreu’s fifth-inning homer off rookie Nolan McLean built a...
Ball or strike? Bethel Park product Mason Miller seals U.S. victory over Dominican Republic on controversial call
MIAMI — Ten days later, the United States and the Dominican Republic would have kept on playing. Geraldo Perdomo watched Mason Miller’s full-count slider appear to drop just under the strike zone and took a step toward his team’s dugout on the third-base side, thinking he walked to put runners...
Pirates’ Paul Skenes to pitch in WBC semifinals after refocused U.S. beats Canada
HOUSTON — The United States is heading to the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic after a “different level of focus” helped this All-Star-studded team rebound from a shocking loss. The U.S. beat Canada, 5-3, on Friday night for a spot in the semifinals Sunday against the Dominican Republic. The...
Mark DeRosa owns ‘overly confident’ WBC remark before Team USA’s loss to Italy
HOUSTON — Manager Mark DeRosa says his premature comment about the United States having already punched its ticket to the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals before facing Italy was just an “overly confident statement” and reiterated Thursday he knew nothing was guaranteed at that point. DeRosa had made that remark on...
U.S. advances in WBC thanks to 3-HR game by Italy’s Vinnie Pasquantino in win over Mexico
Vinnie Pasquantino had the World Baseball Classic’s first three-homer game, leading Italy over Mexico, 9-1, on Wednesday night to win Pool B and advance the United States to the quarterfinals as group’s second-place team. Italy’s victory ended a day of uncertainty for the Americans, who needed help to reach the...
Joe Starkey: Did Team USA manager Mark DeRosa just make the biggest coaching blunder in sports history?
Part of me relates to Mark DeRosa, the MLB Network host who doubles as manager of Team USA at the World Baseball Classic. I’m a travel sports parent, you see, and the tournament brackets always leave me far beyond befuddled. I’ve been at softball or volleyball tournaments with my daughter,...
Stunned by Italy, U.S. could be bounced from World Baseball Classic
Kyle Teel, Sam Antonacci and Jac Caglianone homered as Italy built a big lead and held on to stun the United States, 8-6, on Tuesday night in the World Baseball Classic. The U.S. is done with pool play at Houston’s Daikin Park and needs the Italians to beat Mexico on...
Cal Raleigh says there’s no beef with Seattle teammate Randy Arozarena after WBC handshake snub
HOUSTON — Cal Raleigh insisted Tuesday he has no beef with Randy Arozarena even though his Seattle teammate lashed out with a vulgar rant after Raleigh left him hanging for a handshake at the World Baseball Classic. The kerfuffle went viral when Arozarena, a two-time All-Star outfielder playing for Mexico,...
Reds’ ace Hunter Greene could miss up to 4 months following right elbow surgery
GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Cincinnati Reds’ ace Hunter Greene is scheduled to undergo surgery Wednesday on his right elbow and could miss up to the first four months of the season. The Reds said Greene was diagnosed with bone chips and loose bodies in his elbow. Greene needed an MRI last...
Paul Skenes shines, Aaron Judge homers as U.S. tops Mexico in World Baseball Classic
Aaron Judge hit a two-run homer and Roman Anthony added a three-run drive in a big third inning to lead the United States over Mexico, 5-3, in the World Baseball Classic at Houston’s Daikin Park on Monday night. The U.S. improved to 3-0 and will meet Italy (2-0) on Tuesday...
Aaron Judge crushes 453-foot HR as U.S. dominates again in WBC exhibition game
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Aaron Judge looks ready for his first World Baseball Classic. Alex Bregman does, too. As for the recently retired Clayton Kershaw? Understandably a little rust. Judge crushed a 453-foot solo homer in the first inning of the team’s exhibition game against the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday, the...
First Call: High profile training partner with Will Howard; huge money coming in on Pirates win totalVideo
Wednesday’s “First Call” has a big name training partner (and tutor) for Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Will Howard. Gambling money is pouring in on the Pirates. Pitt needs to close the college basketball season strong, as Robert Morris is ready to start tournament play. Plus, postseason accolades for Duquesne women’s basketball,...
Atlanta Braves’ Jurickson Profar suspended for 2026 season following second positive drug test
NEW YORK — Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar was suspended for the 2026 season by Major League Baseball on Tuesday following his second positive test for a performance-enhancing drug. Profar tested positive for exogenous testosterone and its metabolites, the commissioner’s office said, which means testosterone that was not produced by...
Pirates’ Paul Skenes solid as U.S. cruises past Giants in tuneup for World Baseball Classic
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The United States wasted little time showing how potent its roster could be at the upcoming World Baseball Classic. The Americans needed just three batters to take a 2-0 lead in the first inning of their exhibition game against the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday after Bobby...
Judge relishes opportunity as U.S. captain in WBC
PHOENIX — New York Yankees star Aaron Judge said putting on a Team USA jersey Monday carried special significance, especially considering the conflict raging across the Middle East after the U.S-Israel joint strikes on Iran that started three days ago. The three-time American League MVP is the U.S. captain heading...
It’s an OPS world in today’s major leagues with batting average in the background
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Batting average was a priority for Andrew Benintendi when he broke into the major leagues in 2016. He batted .312 in the minors on the way to his debut. Going into his fourth season with the Chicago White Sox and 11th overall, he is more focused on...
Cardinals extend manager Oliver Marmol through 2028, with club option for 2029
JUPITER, Fla. — St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol signed a two-year contract extension through at least the 2028 season, the Cardinals announced Sunday. The deal includes a club option for 2029, the club said. “As I’ve gotten to know Oli, I’ve seen someone who cares about this organization and knows...
Reports: 3-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer, Blue Jays agree to 1-year, $3M deal
NEW YORK — Max Scherzer is returning to the Toronto Blue Jays. Two weeks into spring training, the three-time Cy Young Award winner has agreed with the reigning American League champions on a $3 million, one-year contract, according to multiple reports Thursday. The 41-year-old Scherzer can earn another $10 million...
