MLB could skip 2020 draftVideo
NEW YORK — MLB is considering skipping its amateur draft this year and putting off the next international signing period as a way to preserve cash while games are affected by the coronavirus, people familiar with the discussions told the Associated Press. Talks between management and the players’ association are...
How fantasy sports, gambling are affected by coronavirus; odd team surfaces for Tom Brady
Sports is a multibillion-dollar business. So is sports gambling. So is the fantasy sports industry. And a lot of people in those lines of work are being impacted by the absence of sports because of the coronavirus outbreak. Much like the casual players and big-money investors. Our friend Jeff Erickson...
MLB cancels spring games, delays openers
NEW YORK — Major League Baseball is delaying the start of its season by at least two weeks because of the coronavirus outbreak and suspended the rest of its spring training game schedule. Opening day had been scheduled for March 26. Statement from Major League Baseball: pic.twitter.com/0bWS5VTRPu— MLB (@MLB) March...
AP source: MLB prefers teams flip sites if virus shuts parks
NEW YORK — If Major League Baseball can’t play in front of fans at a team’s home ballpark because of the virus outbreak, the sport’s first preference likely would be to switch games to the visiting team’s stadium if possible, a person familiar with the deliberations told The Associated Press....
Astros’ Justin Verlander has lat strain, unlikely to be ready for openerVideo
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Houston Astros ace Justin Verlander has a mild strain of a back muscle and said it would “probably take a miracle” for him to pitch on Opening Day against the Los Angeles Angels on March 26. In an effort to remain positive, Verlander quickly added,...
NHL, MLB, NBA, MLS close locker room access amid coronavirus outbreakVideo
MIAMI — The NBA, NHL, Major League Baseball and Major League Soccer are closing access to locker rooms and clubhouses to all non-essential personnel in response to the coronavirus crisis, the leagues announced in a joint statement Monday night. The leagues said they made the decision “after consultation with infectious...
Jose Bautista attempting an MLB comeback as a 2-way player
Former slugger Jose Bautista is eyeing a comeback to the major leagues albeit in a different way. Bautista, 39, who once was a promising third base prospect for the Pittsburgh Pirates, has been trying to return to baseball as a two-way player, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported. The Dominican Republic native,...
Little Leagues organizations weigh use of ‘Astros’ as team name
More than a decade ago, Little League Baseball Inc. introduced “I won’t cheat” patches to be worn during the Little League World Series. Some Western Pennsylvania Little League districts are asking themselves, then, if it sends the wrong message if some in-house teams still are named after a franchise sanctioned...
Phillies OF Andrew McCutchen to open season on injured listVideo
CLEARWATER, Fla. — Andrew McCutchen’s quest to be ready for Opening Day will be unsuccessful, as Joe Girardi said Friday afternoon the Phillies outfielder requires more time in his recovery from last summer’s season-ending knee injury. The Phillies expect McCutchen, who had surgery last June to repair the torn ACL...
Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Ted Simmons awestruck of all-time greatsVideo
COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. — Ted Simmons had to stop and soak it all in. “It’s totally overwhelming and humbling, to say the very least,” Simmons said Thursday as he gazed at the Baseball Hall of Fame’s plaque gallery after a tour of the sport’s shrine. “You’re asking yourself every five seconds:...
MLB appoints 1st black umpire crew chief
NEW YORK — Kerwin Danley became the first African American umpire crew chief in Major League Baseball when a series of promotions, additions and retirements were announced Thursday. The moves included Alfonso Marquez being elevated to the first Hispanic crew chief in MLB history born outside the United States and...
First Call: Deontay Wilder blames outfit for loss, Conor Sheary proves his point, Astros’ Jose Altuve hit by pitch
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” we look at the predictive powers of Conor Sheary. Deontay Wilder has a wild excuse for his loss to Tyson Fury. And Jose Altuve already got hit by a pitch. Premonition? Maybe Conor Sheary was right all along. The former Penguin was traded to the Buffalo...
Phanatic mascot gets new look as Phillies, creators tangleVideo
CLEARWATER, Fla. — He’s 42 years old, a little out of shape and clearly no spring chicken. But there’s no one more popular on the field for the Philadelphia Phillies than the Phanatic. Which is why all eyes at the ballpark were on the furry mascot Sunday for the big...
Astros name barred by Little Leagues near WilliamsportVideo
Just 60 miles east of Williamsport,one Little League director is sending a clear message to his 4,000 players about the Houston Astros and their sign-stealing scam. José Altuve? Alex Bregman? Carlos Correa? They’re all out. “Right now, in our leagues, the Astros are suspended,” said Bob Bertoni, head of District...
Kris Bryant to hit leadoff for CubsVideo
MESA, Ariz. — A few days ago, the big question was whether Kris Bryant would make it through spring training in a Chicago Cubs uniform. After Bryant met with manager David Ross on Wednesday morning, the question was whether Bryant would be the Cubs’ next leadoff man. The answer, Ross...
Padres beef up bullpen with Drew Pomeranz, Emilio PaganVideo
PEORIA, Ariz. — The San Diego Padres are not taking their long tradition of bullpen excellence for granted this season. Newcomers Drew Pomeranz and Emilio Pagan were added to join defending major league saves leader Kirby Yates and reigning NL holds leader Craig Stammen after Padres’ relievers had an uncharacteristic...
Yankees’ Aaron Judge says Astros should be stripped of 2017 titleVideo
TAMPA, Fla. — New York Yankees star Aaron Judge — who did not hit or throw during the team’s first full squad workout on Tuesday because of what the team said was a minor right shoulder issue — feels the Houston Astros should be stripped of their 2017 World Series...
Braves’ Nick Markakis: Everyone on Astros ‘deserves a beating’Video
NORTH PORT, Fla. — Before taking batting practice, Atlanta Braves outfielder Nick Markakis teed off on the scam-ridden Houston Astros. “I feel every single guy over there deserves a beating,” he said Tuesday. Markakis wasn’t happy with commissioner Rob Manfred, either. “I think the commissioner completely handled it the wrong...
First Call: Mason Rudolph responds to Mike Tomlin’s interview, ex-Browns GM backs Myles Garrett, Andrew McCutchen update
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” Mason Rudolph responds to Mike Tomlin’s support. Myles Garrett’s corner is rallying, too. And Andrew McCutchen is trying to make a comeback in Philadelphia. Thanks, Coach Steelers coach Mike Tomlin publicly supported quarterback Mason Rudolph Monday. He vehemently refuted Myles Garrett’s reiterated claim that Rudolph used...
MLB commish Rob Manfred: No beanball tolerance in wake of Astros scamVideo
NORTH PORT, Fla. — With baseball ablaze over the Houston Astros’ cheating scandal, commissioner Rob Manfred met with nearly half of the major league managers Sunday and told them to knock off any notion of get-even beanballs. “I hope that I made it extremely clear to them that retaliation in-game...
World Series MVP Strasburg doesn’t want to be asked how he is feelingVideo
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Stephen Strasburg has no interest in engaging in the typical spring training chatter between a pitcher and his manager or coaching staff or GM. How did it go out there today? How’s the arm after that bullpen session? How do you feel? “I kind of...
Ex-Pirates outfielder Starling Marte says Diamondbacks can ‘win it’Video
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Starling Marte has fond memories of his eight seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, especially the stretch from 2013 to 2015 when the franchise made it to the playoffs three straight seasons. A few minutes of research revealed his new team has a great chance to get him...
New A’s infielder Tony Kemp chose not to be part of Astros’ sign stealingVideo
MESA, Ariz. — Called up in September 2017 by Houston, Tony Kemp immediately got asked by teammates whether he wanted to be a part of the Astros’ sign-stealing scheme. His answer was a firm no, and Kemp didn’t feel further pressure to do it. “That stood,” the second baseman said...
MLB to raise salaries for minor leaguers in 2021Video
NEW YORK — MLB is raising the minimum salary for minor league players in 2021, according to a memo sent Friday from the commissioner’s office to all 30 teams and obtained by the Associated Press. Two years after successfully lobbying Congress to exempt minor leaguers from federal minimum wage laws,...
Mark Madden: Players must be punished in Astros sign-stealing fiasco
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred gave Houston’s players immunity from punishment in return for cooperation in the sign-stealing investigation. That deal needs to be revisited, then reneged upon. Astros players from that 2017 world championship team need to be suspended for a year. (That includes those now with other teams.) If...
