4:55 PM ET SCOTTSDALE — Chicago Cubs infielder Addison Russell played in his first game, on Sunday, since being suspended for 40 games last September for violating baseball’s domestic abuse policy. Russell, 25, was met with little reaction from the home crowd at Scottsdale Stadium, when he was introduced before batting in the second inning
MLB
5:04 PM ET ESPN News Services BRADENTON, Fla. — Miami Marlins outfield prospect Victor Victor Mesa suffered a right hamstring strain in a spring training game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Mesa pulled up and grabbed his hamstring while trying to beat out a ground ball in the sixth inning Sunday. The Marlins told reporters that
3:12 PM ET TAMPA, Fla. — Danny Farquhar’s inspirational return to the pitching mound took another step Sunday, going in what he called “a positive direction,” as the New York Yankees relief pitcher faced live hitters during a simulated game at George M. Steinbrenner Field. With his wife and children watching from the stands, this
1:41 PM ET Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that ace left-hander Clayton Kershaw took a step back from throwing because of inflammation in his throwing shoulder but does not need an MRI and is taking anti-inflammatory medication to treat his ailment. The team had not previously given a specific reason why Kershaw
10:36 AM ET The easy way out for Bryce Harper would’ve been to work out something with the Nationals and return to Washington, where he was most comfortable. He could insist on staying closer to his Las Vegas home, and sign a deal for fewer years with the Giants or some other club. But it
8:42 AM ET Negotations between the Philadelphia Phillies and Bryce Harper could be resolved by Tuesday, sources told ESPN’s Buster Olney. The Phillies remain confident that they are going to sign Harper, but sources told Olney that the sides are nearing a crossroad in their negotiations. Phillies owner John Middleton is meeting with free agent
11:59 PM ET Jeff PassanESPN Close ESPN MLB insiderAuthor of “The Arm: Inside the Billion-Dollar Mystery of the Most Valuable Commodity in Sports” Hanley Ramirez agreed to a minor league deal with the Cleveland Indians on Saturday in hopes of making a comeback after the Boston Red Sox released him in the middle of last
10:10 PM ET Associated Press WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — If three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer has his way, Major League Baseball’s pitch clock will die in the South Florida humidity. “I know as players that’s something that MLB is trying to negotiate,” the Washington Nationals ace said Saturday night. “I don’t think
10:01 PM ET A group of Pittsburgh Pirates players are wearing T-shirts that read, “Freedom for Venezuela” amid the country’s battle over humanitarian aid. Catcher Francisco Cervelli is leading the effort to raise awareness for the crisis in his native country. “There have been 20 years of dictatorship in my country, and it’s time for
8:12 PM ET Bad weather chased me around Texas — or so I choose to believe — but I did manage to see my main target for the trip, Colleyville Heritage shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., for one game on Saturday before leaving town (his team’s Friday doubleheader was washed out). Witt, the presumptive top high