Shohei's popularity on display everywhere you look in Japan
TOKYO -- Just about everywhere you look in these bustling streets, there he is: cooking up spaghetti with a flourish, adeptly juggling a soccer ball, angling his wrist to display a high-end watch, staring contemplatively off into the distance in a tea field -- and of course, swinging a bat.
Tokyo Series Game 1 FAQ: Lineups, starting pitchers and more
TOKYO -- Five Japanese stars are back on home soil as Major Leaguers -- among them Shohei Ohtani, coming off a season for the ages -- and the reigning World Series champion Dodgers take the first step in defending their title. That only scratches the surface of the intriguing storylines
Betts will miss both Tokyo Series games with illness
TOKYO -- Mookie Betts will not play in the season-opening Tokyo Series as he continues to recover from an illness, manager Dave Roberts said on Monday. The Dodgers' shortstop is expected to be ready in time for the domestic opener. The team is considering sending Betts home early in order
'P-C-A!': Tokyo Dome's chants 'the coolest' for Cubs outfielder
TOKYO -- As Pete Crow-Armstrong settled into the batter’s box on Sunday night, a familiar chorus surrounded the Cubs’ center fielder. Chants of “P-C-A!” repeated and grew in volume from a contingent of fans within the stadium. The major difference is that Crow-Armstrong is more than 6,000 miles from the
1 player from each team making the biggest impression
There will be regular-season baseball games played this week, which means it’s almost time to bid adieu to Spring Training. As Opening Day nears, dozens of players -- from roster hopefuls to young phenoms to veterans in new places -- will look back on their spring performances fondly. With an
Gallo makes surprising announcement: He's switching to pitching
When you've exhausted the Three True Outcomes as a hitter, perhaps the fourth true outcome is becoming a pitcher. That's apparently how Joey Gallo sees things. Gallo, 31, the longtime slugging outfielder and DH who was released Sunday by the White Sox, said on X that he plans to pursue
Sale's Cy Young defense begins with Opening Day start vs. Padres
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- Chris Sale’s latest reward for his great comeback season will come in the form of his sixth career Opening Day start. The Braves officially announced Sale will be on the mound for their season opener against the Padres on March 27 at Petco Park. The 2024
Complete results and highlights from Spring Breakout
The second edition of MLB Spring Breakout is complete, and there was no shortage of highlights from the future stars of Major League Baseball over the four-day showcase. Here's a complete breakdown of the 16-game exhibition:
Watch 1st trailer for 'Fight For Glory,' an Apple TV+ film on 2024 WS
“Fight For Glory: 2024 World Series,” a three-part documentary coming soon to Apple TV+, promises to take viewers behind the scenes of the most magical and dramatic moments of the Fall Classic between the Dodgers and Yankees.
Most underrated player? Best pitcher? Most surprising team? Players cast their votes
During Spring Training, MLB.com beat writers surveyed their clubhouses, asking players for their opinions on a range of topics. Well over 100 players participated, in exchange for anonymity. As Opening Day approaches, here's a look at the results: Player who would excel most in another sport: Mookie Betts, Dodgers Betts
Schmidt (shoulder) scratched as Yanks' pitching woes mount
TAMPA, Fla. -- The Yankees are dealing with another potential injury concern in their starting rotation, as right-hander Clarke Schmidt was scratched from a scheduled Grapefruit League start against the Blue Jays on Monday due to soreness in his pitching shoulder. Schmidt had initially been announced as the Yanks’ scheduled
Yamamoto, Imanaga primed for Tokyo Series showdown
Two of Japan’s most decorated pitchers will kick off the 2025 MLB season. In the first game of the Tokyo Series between the Dodgers and Cubs (6 a.m. ET Tuesday on FOX), Yoshinobu Yamamoto will toe the rubber for the Dodgers against Chicago’s Shota Imanaga. Plenty of other Japanese stars
Strider set to pitch in first game since UCL surgery
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- Spencer Strider will pitch in a big league game for the first time in nearly a year when he starts against the Red Sox on Monday at CoolToday Park. Strider will be starting for the first time since an internal brace was inserted in his right
2B? Closer? The unsettled roster battles in Boston
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- In one week, the Red Sox will be in Monterrey, Mexico to absorb some culture and get in their final exhibition tuneups against the Sultanes. Before the team charter leaves the night of March 23, there are several key decisions to make for manager Alex Cora
MacKenzie Gore earns first career Opening Day start for Nats
Nationals manager Dave Martinez announced on Monday that MacKenzie Gore will start on Opening Day -- his first career nod -- against Zack Wheeler and the Phillies. First pitch is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. ET on March 27 at Nationals Park. Entering his fourth big league season, the 26-year-old led
O's seeing 'a different Holliday' at plate during his spring surge
LAKELAND, Fla. -- There’s been a lot of talk about Jackson Holliday's improved defense at second base and his ability to fill in at shortstop, if needed. His increased aggressiveness on the basepaths has drawn attention, as well as his desire to add bunting for hits to his skill set.
Rotation, 'pen, backup catcher ... tough decisions loom for Yanks
TAMPA, Fla. -- The decisions will grow more difficult for Aaron Boone and the Yankees over the next week-plus, as the club’s decision-makers huddle to determine the roster they will carry north for the March 27 season opener against the Brewers.
Shaw preps for MLB debut in familiar surroundings ... Tokyo?
TOKYO -- Stepping foot inside the historic Tokyo Dome was a new experience for most of the Cubs’ players this weekend. That was not the case for Matt Shaw, who arrived at the famous ballpark already having witnessed the passionate fans who fill the place and spike the decibel level.
Winds of change? Harper, Phillies find fewer homer totals at CBP
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Bryce Harper has homered enough in his life to know when he hits one. He barreled a few balls the past couple years at Citizens Bank Park that probably should have cleared the fence, but instead they hit the wall or died on the warning track.
Injuries: Strider, Betts, Royce, Astros, Gunnar
Stay up-to-date with all the latest news on injured players across Major League Baseball.
Japan's passion for baseball on full display at Tokyo Series special events
TOKYO -- It is hard to find a block in the heart of Tokyo that does not feature a banner or advertisement featuring Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani. This week, images of Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, along with Cubs stars Shota Imanaga and Seiya Suzuki, have also popped up around the
'Me and Brady on the dirt again': House, King reunite at Spring Breakout
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The 2025 Spring Breakout was a flashback for Brady House and Seaver King. Over 10 years ago, the infielders were travel ball teammates in Georgia who shared the dream of making it to the Major Leagues. Now, they are top prospects in the same organization,
Ragans gets Opening Day nod for 2nd straight year: 'I love it here'
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Cole Ragans helped lead the Royals to the postseason in 2024 and emerged as one of the best starters in baseball. In 2025, he’ll lead the Royals onto the field for Opening Day once again, as manager Matt Quatraro confirmed Sunday what has been expected since spring
150 years of baseball history has led to this historic Opening Day in Tokyo
The story of baseball runs through the United States and Japan. It’s a ribbon threaded through the history of the sport and its greatest players, connecting the two nations for more than 150 years. Not even Nostradamus himself could have envisioned what would happen in the decades since schoolteacher Horace
Sasaki a symbol of hope for people of Japan
TOKYO -- Around the time that Roki Sasaki made his long-awaited decision to sign with the Dodgers, the city of Los Angeles was reeling from a period of grief and devastation. A string of wildfires ripped through the greater L.A. region in January, displacing tens of thousands and going down