SAN DIEGO — There were no theatrics. No showmanship with the umpiring crew. No antics with San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis. Los Angeles Dodgers starter Trevor Bauer, performing for the first time with the foreign substance police keeping close tabs on him, pitched Wednesday night without any commotion. He pitched well with 10 strikeouts in six innings. But he was […]

Josh Donaldson may want to prep for an appearance on “RAW.” The Twins infielder has been waging a one-man war against sticky-substance users since news of MLB’s strict policing of the stuff came down just over a month ago. He set his sights on Yankees’ ace Gerrit Cole, then most recently drew the ire of White Sox No. 1, Lucas Giolito. […]

It’s OK, Max. We’re all mad here. MLB’s worst-kept secret is that pitchers have been using sticky stuff to get a grip on baseballs for almost as long as baseballs have been thrown, and hitters have generally been OK with it. It wasn’t until Rob Manfred and the rest of the braintrust in the MLB offices decided that offense was down […]

One of the best stories in baseball just got better. Major League Baseball has reportedly extended an invitation to the Home Run Derby to Baltimore Orioles slugger Trey Mancini, who missed the entire 2020 season after being diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer. He returned this season after undergoing surgery to treat the cancer. Mancini, 29, is certainly worthy of […]

Senior editor, MLB at ESPN.com The calendar has turned to July 1, and that means one thing: It’s time for Mets fans everywhere to wish each other a Happy Bobby Bonilla Day! Why? On Thursday, 58-year-old Bobby Bonilla will collect a check for $1,193,248.20 from the New York Mets, as he has and will every July 1 from 2011 through […]

The Houston Astros have a major league-best seven finalists to start in the 2021 All-Star Game. The top-three finalists for each position based on fan voting in each league, plus designated hitter for the American League were announced Sunday. Three teams — the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs and Toronto Blue Jays — have five finalists for the Midsummer Classic, […]

The new normal has arrived for Major League Baseball pitchers.  Enforcing a rule that has always been on the book but perpetually ignored, umpires checked New York Mets right-hander Jacob deGrom for foreign substances to aid in gripping the baseball.  The "sticky stuff" controversy reared its head last week, when MLB commissioner Rob Manfred announced the enforcement. The penalty for […]

Earlier in the year, Javier Baez’s wild baserunning — and a mental lapse by the Pirates — helped the Cubs score a run.  On Monday, his baserunning — and a mental lapse by the Cubs shortstop — cost the Cubs an out.  Baez was pulled from Monday’s game against the Indians by manager David Ross after he was doubled off […]

San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. said he will not compete in next month’s Home Run Derby, citing his shoulder and the team’s postseason hopes. Tatis, who entered Friday third in the majors with 22 homers, has been having trouble this season with his left shoulder, which caused him to land on the injured list at the start of […]

SAN DIEGO — San Diego Padres ace Yu Darvish loudly complained it wasn’t right, nor the time, for Major League Baseball to ban illegal foreign substances. He took the mound Monday night in front of a frenzied sellout crowd at Petco Park, and his spin rate was dramatically down on all four of his primary pitches. Guess what? Darvish not […]