6:46 PM ET Associated Press PHOENIX — Clayton Kershaw struck out four batters without allowing a hit in his spring training debut Friday, the first step toward a possible Opening Day start for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Kershaw, the Dodgers’ longtime ace, faced a Milwaukee Brewers lineup with five expected regulars, including Brock Holt and
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6:30 PM ET Associated Press PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — After getting cleared to play by a cardiologist, Brandon Nimmo could joke. “I guess I have a little bit larger heart,” the New York Mets outfielder said Friday. “Hey, I’ve got a lot of love to give.” Nimmo was removed from the starting lineup before
5:58 PM ET Associated Press NEW YORK — The U.S. may get some better players for its second attempt to qualify for the Olympic baseball tournament. Major League Baseball and the MLBPA agreed to make players not likely to be on 26-man major league rosters available for the Americas qualifying tournament, to be played in
11:45 AM ET The narrative is spreading rapidly in the early days of spring training, told with a certain taste of glee. The Astros are getting hit by a lot of pitches! The cheaters are getting their comeuppance! They’re already being targeted and it’s not even the regular season! There are Twitter accounts with names
7:03 PM ET Associated Press WASHINGTON — Curt Flood’s widow has a simple explanation for why her late husband, who is revered by players for sacrificing his career to advocate for free agency, has not been enshrined in baseball’s Hall of Fame. “I think the holdup is that he got on a lot of people’s
6:27 PM ET William Weinbaum A judge ruled Thursday that baseball commissioner Rob Manfred, his predecessor, Bud Selig, and his top deputy, Dan Halem, are to be deposed by April 3 in a lawsuit over injuries a fan suffered three years ago when he was hit in the head by a foul ball at Wrigley
6:04 PM ET Associated Press WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Justin Verlander pitched a two-inning simulated game on Thursday in place of what had been scheduled as his spring training debut, a switch made because of groin tightness. “Actually, my dad sent me something last night: An ounce of prevention is better than a pound
7:00 AM ET Just less than three weeks ago, news leaked that MLB was considering a new expanded playoff format that would blow up the bracket from 10 to 14 teams and add a reality-style selection show to the mix. I hated it. Look, I’m not a hot take guy. One of the reasons I
4:21 PM ET Associated Press SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Madison Bumgarner showed the Arizona Diamondbacks he’s more than a rodeo star. The team’s marquee free-agent acquisition of the offseason was solid in his first spring training outing on Thursday. He retired his first five batters, including four on strikeouts, before giving up a solo homer to
3:06 PM ET Los Angeles Angels pitcher Griffin Canning will undergo an MRI on Thursday after experiencing soreness in his elbow, manager Joe Maddon said. Canning pitched two scoreless innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday and had discomfort after coming out of the game, Maddon said. Maddon acknowledged his concern, saying, “He’s had