3:34 PM ET The Toronto Blue Jays‘ big-money addition to the lineup will begin the season on the shelf. Manager Charlie Montoyo said Wednesday that outfielder George Springer will start the season on the injured list with a Grade 2 oblique strain. Montoyo added that Springer’s most recent MRI showed improvement, and that they expect
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5:53 PM ET Associated Press NEW YORK — As fans return to major league stadiums for openers Thursday amid pandemic attendance restrictions in most places, baseball commissioner Rob Manfred can envision filled ballparks by midseason. Capacity will be limited to about 12% at the season’s start in Boston and Washington. Twelve teams are at 20%,
4:26 PM ET Associated Press NEW YORK — Mike Trout, the consensus best player in baseball, ranked just 10th on the list of top-selling jerseys released Wednesday by Major League Baseball, behind even Boston Red Sox utility player Kike Hernandez. Trout had the league’s fourth best-selling uniform two years ago, but the three-time MVP has
1:44 PM ET Associated Press KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Oft-injured Royals shortstop Adalberto Mondesi will begin the season on the injured list with a right oblique strain, leaving Kansas City without one of its most exciting players when it opens the season against the Texas Rangers on Thursday. Mondesi was put on the injured list
2:26 PM ET Associated Press NEW YORK — Umpire Angel Hernandez lost his lawsuit against Major League Baseball alleging racial discrimination. The Cuba-born Hernandez sued in 2017 in U.S. District Court in Cincinnati, with the case later moved to New York. Hired as a big league umpire in 1993, he alleged he was discriminated against
9:21 AM ET As the New York Mets‘ contract negotiations with Francisco Lindor approach their Opening Day deadline, one of Lindor’s teammates is going to bat for the star shortstop. “I hope they pay him $400 million,” Mets first baseman Pete Alonso told reporters Tuesday. “He’s worth every penny.” The Mets were widely expected to
8:32 AM ET Associated Press CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Police are asking “Where’s Looie?” after a minor league baseball team in Tennessee reported its team mascot was stolen from its ballpark. The Chattanooga Lookouts told authorities that the costume of its mascot, Looie, was stolen from an office at AT&T Field on Tuesday, according to a
3:12 PM ET Associated Press ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Ji-Man Choi will have arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and is expected to be sidelined at least three to five weeks. Manager Kevin Cash said Tuesday that the AL champions should have a better idea of how long Choi might
2:39 PM ET Associated Press DUNEDIN, Fla. — The Toronto Blue Jays will play their third homestand of the season at their spring training ballpark in Dunedin, Florida, because of COVID-19 restrictions. Toronto announced Feb. 18 that its first two homestands will be at TD Ballpark, and on Tuesday they added 10 games May 14-24
3:56 PM ET Los Angeles Angels slugger Mike Trout is the consensus betting favorite to win the MVP award entering the 2021 season, but dual-threat teammate Shohei Ohtani is attracting the most action at some sportsbooks, including one giant bet that could pay nearly $1 million. At Caesars Sportsbook by William Hill, Trout is the