World Baseball Classic features more stars after 6-year absenceVideo
Nolan Arenado wants the World Baseball Classic to grow into a global event with stature approaching soccer’s World Cup. “I feel like the hype is a little bit higher this time around than it was in 2017. There’s more guys that want to do it,” the St. Louis third baseman...
Boston’s Justin Turner hit in face by pitch, leaves gameVideo
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Boston Red Sox infielder Justin Turner was taken to a hospital after leaving Monday’s game against the Detroit Tigers when he was hit on the face with a pitch. The 38-year-old fell to the ground after getting hit by right-hander Matt Manning. Medical personnel rushed to...
MLB says White Sox’s Mike Clevinger won’t face discipline in investigationVideo
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Major League Baseball said Sunday it will not discipline Chicago White Sox right-hander Mike Clevinger after completing its investigation of domestic abuse allegations. In a statement, the commissioner’s office said its investigation included interviews of more than 15 people, including Clevinger and a woman who said she...
MLB average salary rose 14.8% to record $4.22M last season
NEW YORK — Major League Baseball’s average salary rose 14.8% to a record $4.22 million last year after the end of the lockout, boosted by big deals for Max Scherzer, Francisco Lindor, Marcus Semien and Corey Seager. The rate of increase was the highest since a 17.7% increase in 2000...
Reports: Manny Machado, Padres agree to new $350M, 11-year dealVideo
All-Star slugger Manny Machado agreed to a new $350 million, 11-year contract that will keep him with the San Diego Padres through 2033, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. The person spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because Machado must pass a physical before...
MLB catchers wary of looming robo umps amid rules changes
Seattle Mariners manager Scott Servais spent parts of 11 seasons and nearly 800 games behind home plate as a catcher with four franchises, mostly in the 1990s. During that era — one dominated by Hall of Famers Mike Piazza and Ivan Rodriguez — the skills needed at backstop were clearly...
MLB’s bigger bases could lead to more steals, fewer injuries
PEORIA, Ariz. — Like a violin virtuoso using a new music stand, San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado noticed a difference right away. Not only are the bases bigger, but they feel different, too. “It’s definitely different, for sure,” said Machado, a two-time Gold Glove winner. “They look better....
U mad, bro?: Frustration around Mike Tomlin’s ‘standard,’ slumping Penguins, Pitt being unranked, Gerrit Cole’s quip
One thing that is wonderful about Pittsburgh sports fans is that they do not discriminate when it comes to their angst. The Steelers, Pirates, Penguins, Pitt, college basketball … even the XFL! This week’s “U mad, bro?” illustrates how all-encompassing of a community we truly have in this great city....
Report: Former Pirates OF Ben Gamel, Rays agree to minor-league dealVideo
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Free-agent outfielder Ben Gamel has agreed to a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. The person spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the team had not announced the agreement, which...
MLB curtails infield shift, hopes for more singles, speed
PHOENIX — Milwaukee manager Craig Counsell needed to add some pop to his lineup a couple years ago, so he put a few more big bodies in his four-man infield, sacrificing defensive range for offensive thump. “They combined for a weight of over 1,000 pounds,” Counsell said, laughing. “I don’t...
On the clock: New timer will affect more than just pitchers
SARASOTA, Fla. — As one of the game’s top prospects, Grayson Rodriguez will probably make his debut for the Baltimore Orioles pretty soon, and then the 23-year-old right-hander can begin adjusting to the big leagues. In one respect, he has a critical head start: Rodriguez has plenty of experience with...
Corey Seager’s 2nd spring with Texas already ‘world of difference’Video
Within hours after Corey Seager was introduced by the Rangers with his $325 million, 10-year contract in December 2021, a lockout prevented him from contacting Texas for more than three months. After a late and rushed spring training, the Rangers never had a winning record while skidding to a 94-loss...
Yankees’ Aaron Judge: ‘You never know’ if 62 homers are possible againVideo
TAMPA, Fla. — Aaron Judge flashed a big smile when asked if he could repeat his accomplishments of last year, when he hit an American League-record 62 home runs for the New York Yankees. “You never know,” he said after the Yankees’ first full-squad workout Monday. “I don’t really like...
MLB teams searching for advantages with new rulesVideo
PHOENIX — It’s a brand-new day in the major leagues — potentially an even brighter one for base-stealers like Trea Turner and Ronald Acuna Jr., and most definitely a change of pace for veteran aces like Gerrit Cole or Yu Darvish. The bases are bigger, and the pickoff rules are...
Trea Turner settling in for long future in PhiladelphiaVideo
CLEARWATER, Fla. — The past few years have been a bit of a whirlwind for Trea Turner. They included a World Series title in Washington, a trade to Los Angeles — and then an 11-year, $300 million contract that brought him back to the NL East. The one constant amid...
MLB: Bally network troubles could lead to end of blackoutsVideo
DUNEDIN, Fla. — As baseball prepares for a possible local broadcasting crisis, commissioner Rob Manfred sees an opportunity. Manfred said Thursday that MLB can produce games digitally in conjunction with MLB.TV if Bally Sports regional networks are no longer broadcasting them. In fact, he said this is a chance to...
Jameson Taillon working on new slider in Cubs spring training
MESA, Ariz. — Jameson Taillon had been thinking about a new slider for a couple of years. When his new team also brought up the idea, he was more than ready to give it a shot. So Taillon is working on a new sweeper slider in his first spring training...
Tim McCarver, big league catcher and broadcaster, dies at 81
NEW YORK — Tim McCarver, the All-Star catcher and Hall of Fame broadcaster who during 60 years in baseball won two World Series titles with the St. Louis Cardinals and had a long run as the one of the country’s most recognized, incisive and talkative television commentators, died Thursday. He...
MLB’s spring training a test run for new rule changesVideo
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Spring training games might be a little ugly this year, particularly during the first few weeks. For MLB, that’s a feature, not a bug. The Grapefruit and Cactus league games in Florida and Arizona over the next month will be used as a petri dish for the...
‘Ghost runner’ in extra innings made permanent by MLB
NEW YORK — Starting extra innings with a runner on second base during the regular season was made a permanent rules change by Major League Baseball on Monday after three seasons of use during the coronavirus pandemic. Known by some as the “Ghost Runner” and by others as the “Manfred...
Derek Jeter joining Fox Sports’ baseball studio team
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez have been reunited. Fox Sports announced Sunday during its Super Bowl pregame show that Jeter will be part of the network’s studio coverage for the coming season. Rodriguez hugged Jeter as he came on stage and presented him with a Fox Sports...
Recovering Twins welcome Maeda back, seek healthier season
MINNEAPOLIS — When Kenta Maeda first takes the mound for Minnesota in the 2023 season, his wait between appearances will have passed 19 months. The Twins are more than eager to return the right-hander to their rotation, part of a welcome-back theme surrounding this team entering spring training after an...
Spring training’s start brings pitch clocks, shift limits
PALM BEACH, Fla. — Jeff McNeil thinks he’ll adapt quickly to baseball’s big shift — really, an anti-shift. “I’m playing a normal second base now instead of in short right field. I’ve been playing second base my whole life so it shouldn’t be too hard to adjust to,” the New...
MLB prepared to take over local TV broadcasts from SinclairVideo
PALM BEACH, Fla. — About $1 billion of MLB’s revenue is at risk if a cable television company fails to make payments for local broadcasting rights to 14 teams, and the sport is preparing to take over telecasts. “I think you should assume that if Diamond doesn’t broadcast, we’ll be...
AP source: Yu Darvish gets $90M from Padres to stay through ’28
SAN DIEGO — Yu Darvish has agreed to a new contract with the San Diego Padres that guarantees the pitcher an additional $90 million and will keep him with the club through the 2028 season, a person with direct knowledge of the deal said Thursday. The person spoke to The...
