9:05 AM ET After reaching an agreement with Bryce Harper on the biggest contract in big league history, the Philadelphia Phillies still aren’t really favorites to win anything. However, the path for the Phils to reach front-runner status just became a lot more clear, and their ceiling just became a whole lot higher. Harper, at
MLB
8:00 PM ET The Bryce Harper era is over in Washington, D.C. Finally, officially, and with no take-backs. And that’s a good thing. That’s not to say Harper wasn’t valuable during his seven seasons with the Nationals. But by now, you probably know the story: Despite Harper’s best efforts, the Nats went 0-fer in the
6:47 PM ET Well, thank goodness that’s over. The Philadelphia Phillies became the preseason favorites in the National League East — which is worth something, I suppose, until the games begin in earnest — with the signing of Bryce Harper to the largest contract in baseball history by total value, yet one that is also,
6:39 PM ET Free-agent reliever Bud Norris has agreed to a minor league deal with the Toronto Blue Jays, sources confirmed to ESPN. The veteran right-hander will join his eighth organization. He spent 2018 with St. Louis, appearing in 64 games and collecting 28 saves to go with a 3.59 ERA. Norris, who turns 34
6:13 PM ET Associated Press WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Jose Altuve struck out three times in his second game since offseason knee surgery and will return to second base for the Houston Astros on Saturday. Altuve had surgery just after last season ended to repair a broken right kneecap and had two plate appearances
8:21 PM ET With the long wait for Bryce Harper‘s signing over — and the superstar ending up with the Phillies, social media in Philadelphia (and the rest of the Twitterverse) reacted accordingly, with fans, Harper’s new teammates, other Philly athletes and seemingly anyone else with a smartphone weighing in. Here’s a sampling: 👀 pic.twitter.com/qyMpktBGtV
3:00 PM ET He appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated at 16. He became the first overall pick in the draft at 17. He reached the majors and made the All-Star team at 19. He won an MVP award at 22. He became one of the most coveted free agents in history at age
8:23 PM ET ESPN news services TAMPA, Fla. — New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman says he has recovered from the left knee tendinitis that bothered him during much of last season. Chapman threw 21 pitches during a four-batter simulated game appearance on Thursday, his 31st birthday. The left-hander struck out three, including Giancarlo Stanton,
7:03 PM ET Manager Gabe Kapler heard the big news from fans in the stands during the Philadelphia Phillies spring training game. His team won the Bryce Harper sweepstakes, agreeing to a 13-year, $330 million deal with the free-agent outfielder, league sources told ESPN’s Jeff Passan on Thursday. Harper’s deal includes a no-trade clause and
11:39 AM ET Tommy Morrissey, who was born with just one arm, crushed a home run in his first Little League game of the season. Morrissey, 8, who was born with only his left arm, hit an inside-the-park, two-run homer after visiting St. Louis Cardinals spring training and getting hitting lessons from Cy Young winner