Ryan Minor, Orioles 3B who replaced Cal Ripken at the end of his record-setting streak, dies at 49
Ryan Minor, the Baltimore Orioles infielder who became part of baseball history when he replaced Cal Ripken at the end of his record-setting consecutive games streak in 1998, has died. He was 49. The University of Oklahoma — where Minor starred in baseball and basketball — said he died of...
Yoshinobu Yamamoto the next Dodgers ace? Scouts praise his skill, question durability.
LOS ANGELES — As the center fielder for Team Japan in last spring’s World Baseball Classic, Lars Nootbaar had a unique view of the jaw-dropping four-pitch repertoire of Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Japanese right-hander who agreed to a 12-year, $325 million deal with the Dodgers on Thursday. Nootbaar, the St. Louis...
Dodgers agree to sign prized pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto to $325 million deal
LOS ANGELES — Prized free-agent pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto and the Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to a $325 million, 12-year contract, according to multiple reports. Yamamoto is set to join Japanese countryman Shohei Ohtani with the Dodgers, who signed the two-way superstar to a record $700 million, 10-year deal last...
MLB is widening the runner’s lane to first, changing a rule that has caused World Series controversyVideo
NEW YORK — Major League Baseball is widening the runner’s lane approaching first base to include a portion of fair territory, changing a more than century-old rule that caused World Series controversy over interference calls. MLB also is shortening the pitch clock with runners on base by 2 seconds to...
Shohei Ohtani is the AP Male Athlete of the Year for the 2nd time in 3 years
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Before Shohei Ohtani stepped into the bright lights of Hollywood and signed the most lucrative contract in professional sports history, baseball’s two-way superstar put together yet another season of unparalleled brilliance from Tokyo to Anaheim. What can this singular talent possibly do next? The Los Angeles Dodgers...
Pitcher Jack Flaherty, Tigers finalize $14M, 1-year contract
DETROIT — Right-hander Jack Flaherty and the Detroit Tigers have finalized a $14 million, one-year contract in a deal that allows the 28-year-old right-hander to earn an additional $1 million in performances bonuses with a franchise that has invested a lot in improving next season. “There’s a lot of belief...
Dodgers, Shoei Ohtani got creative with $700M deal; both still have risk
PHOENIX — Once the initial shock wore off on the price tag of Shohei Ohtani’s record-shattering $700 million, 10-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, details about the contract emerged that were nearly as stunning. A total of $680 million — 97% of the money — was deferred until 2034-43...
Matt Carpenter acquired by Braves in multiplayer trade with Padres
SAN DIEGO — First baseman Matt Carpenter was acquired by the Atlanta Braves along with left-hander Ray Kerr and cash from the San Diego Padres on Friday for outfielder Drew Campbell. A three-time All-Star with St. Louis, the 38-year-old Carpenter revived his career with the New York Yankees in 2022...
Catcher Austin Hedges, Cleveland Guardians finalize $4 million, 1-year contract
CLEVELAND — Catcher Austin Hedges and the Cleveland Guardians finalized their $4 million, one-year contract on Friday. Hedges, who played in Cleveland from 2020-22, is solid defensively and, perhaps most importantly, he’s a clubhouse leader. The Guardians missed his presence last season and especially having him as an influence for...
Rangers’ Max Scherzer has back surgery, will miss start of 2024 season
ARLINGTON, Texas — Max Scherzer had surgery for a herniated disk in his lower back and will miss a significant portion of next season. The 39-year-old right-hander, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, had surgery Thursday after injections and other less evasive treatments didn’t relieve the pain. He is due...
Shohei Ohtani dodges Tommy John questions in 1st Dodgers news conference
LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani opened his first news conference with the Los Angeles Dodgers by dodging questions about whether he had a second Tommy John surgery. “It was a procedure. I’m not sure what it was called,” Ohtani said Thursday. Speaking to media for the first time since Aug....
Mark Madden: Shohei Ohtani is a phenomenon, but $700 million baseball return is unlikely
Shohei Ohtani’s 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers is the biggest expenditure on an athlete in sports history. But there will, ultimately, be a bigger one. There always is. It’s hardly shocking. You could have predicted his destination and (roughly) the amount even before Ohtani hit free...
Dodgers gave Shohei Ohtani $700 million to hit and pitch — but also because he can sell
PHOENIX — Shohei Ohtani’s jaw-dropping $700 million, 10-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers has some similarities to other contracts for the world’s biggest sports stars, including soccer icons Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, along with NFL quarterback Patrick Mahomes. In terms of his marketability, experts point to another name....
Shohei Ohtani agrees to record $700 million, 10-year contract with Dodgers
NEW YORK — Shohei Ohtani agreed Saturday to a record $700 million, 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The deal was announced after days of speculation over where the unique, two-way star would continue his career after six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels. “This is a unique, historic...
Braves get David Fletcher, Max Stassi from Angels for Evan White and Tyler Thomas
ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves obtained infielder David Fletcher and catcher Max Stassi from the Los Angeles Angels on Friday for infielder Evan White and left-hander Tyler Thomas. Fletcher, 29, hit .247 with two homers and 12 RBIs in 33 games with the Angels this season and batted .331 with...
Yankees make vintage Steinbrenner move by landing All-Star OF Juan Soto
NEW YORK — Juan Soto’s arrival is a sign the New York Yankees want stars to help them rebound from their worst season in three decades — a move right out of late owner George Steinbrenner’s playbook. “We certainly want to try under the Steinbrenner leadership to make this the...
Juan Soto traded to New York Yankees from San Diego Padres in 7-player blockbuster
NEW YORK — The New York Yankees acquired All-Star slugger Juan Soto in a blockbuster trade with the cost-cutting San Diego Padres on Wednesday night. San Diego received right-handed pitchers Michael King, Jhony Brito, Randy Vásquez and Drew Thorpe along with catcher Kyle Higashioka. In addition to Soto, the Yankees...
Pitchers dominate winter meeting draft with 8 of 10 players taken
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Major-league teams stocked up on pitching Wednesday in the big-league phase of the winter meeting draft of unprotected players, taking pitchers with eight of the 10 selections — including three from the New York Yankees’ system. The Yankees lost a pair of right-handers in first two picks,...
Shohei Ohtani met with the Dodgers in LA for 2-3 hours, manager Dave Roberts saysVideo
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Shohei Ohtani met with the Los Angeles Dodgers a few days ago at Dodger Stadium, manager Dave Roberts revealed Tuesday at the winter meetings. The two-way star is expected to command a record contract of $500 million-plus on the free agent market coming off his second AL...
Wisconsin governor signs off on $500 million plan to fund repairs and upgrades at Brewers stadium
MILWAUKEE — After months of backroom wrangling, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers signed a bill Tuesday that spends half-a-billion dollars in taxpayer money over the next three decades to help the Milwaukee Brewers repair their baseball stadium. The governor signed the bipartisan package at American Family Field, calling the legislation a...
Waiting for Shohei: MLB free-agent market slow as Ohtani mulls big money
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Baseball is waiting for Shohei. Big-name free agents appear in no hurry to strike deals at the winter meetings, biding time until Shohei Ohtani potentially breaks the record for richest contract set 4 1/2 years ago by Mike Trout. And Japanese free agent Yoshinobu Yamamoto could be...
NBA, NHL and MLB unveil a 30-second ad promoting responsible sports bettingVideo
NEW YORK — The NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball have joined forces to produce a 30-second ad promoting responsible sports betting. The “Never Know What’s Next” commercial unveiled Tuesday is a coordination of the three leagues, sportsbook operators DraftKings, Fanatics, FanDuel, PENN Entertainment and the National Council on Problem...
Padres give Mike Shildt another chance to manage 2 years after his Cardinals exit
SAN DIEGO — Mike Shildt has been hired as manager of the San Diego Padres, returning to the dugout two years after he was suddenly fired by the St. Louis Cardinals following a third straight playoff appearance. The Padres announced Tuesday that Shildt had been given a two-year contract. Shildt...
Aaron Nola staying with Phillies after signing 7-year deal
Aaron Nola is staying in Philadelphia, after all. The right-hander signed a seven-year contract to remain with the Phillies after testing the free-agent market, the team said Sunday. ESPN and others reported the 30-year-old’s contract is worth $172 million. “At the outset of this offseason, we made signing Aaron our...
Atlanta’s Ronald Acuña Jr. unanimous NL Most Valuable Player
NEW YORK — Ronald Acuña Jr. had been waiting for this moment. “From the day I got to the league, right away I always knew I wanted to be the MVP,” the Atlanta Braves right fielder said through a translator. “It’s always been a dream of mine, and I’m living...
