3:13 PM ET Associated Press Two Arizona Diamondbacks players have tested positive for COVID-19 and didn’t start practice with the team’s pitchers and catchers Wednesday. Manager Torey Lovullo said veteran catcher Stephen Vogt received a positive result during intake testing and would miss at least the next 10 days. Pitching prospect Luis Frias tested positive
MLB
12:14 PM ET Cody Allen, the career leader in saves and appearances for the Cleveland Indians, has retired, the team said on Twitter on Thursday. “From a 23rd round draft pick to the franchise saves,” the Indians posted on Twitter. “Congrats on a great career, Cody. Happy Retirement.” Allen, who signed a minor league deal
1:08 PM ET Associated Press MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Twins bench coach Mike Bell has taken an indefinite leave from the team because of kidney cancer. The 46-year-old Bell had surgery to remove the growth on Jan. 28, shortly after being diagnosed. He’s been recovering at home with his family in Arizona. “He’s also very, very
10:15 AM ET Associated Press MIAMI — Right-handed reliever John Curtiss was traded Wednesday by the Tampa Bay Rays to the Miami Marlins for minor league first baseman Evan Edwards. The Rays also dealt minor league catcher Ronaldo Hernandez and minor league infielder Nick Sogard to the Boston Red Sox for right-handed pitcher Chris Mazza,
9:30 AM ET Jeff PassanESPN Close ESPN MLB insiderAuthor of “The Arm: Inside the Billion-Dollar Mystery of the Most Valuable Commodity in Sports” Pitchers and catchers have reported to spring training for all 30 teams, and the countdown to Opening Day is on. Between now and April 1, the league and players will contort themselves
5:47 PM ET Left-hander Brett Anderson and the Milwaukee Brewers are in agreement on a one-year, $2.5 million contract, a source familiar with the deal told ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Anderson, 33, returns to Brewers and can make an addition $1 million in incentives. The deal is pending a physical. Anderson signed a one-year deal with
6:21 PM ET Associated Press DETROIT — The Detroit Tigers are considering using a six-man rotation for at least some of this season as they return to a normal schedule with a pitching staff that will likely include some of the team’s top prospects. General manager Al Avila spoke with reporters Tuesday, the day before
3:46 PM ET Associated Press The Atlanta Braves beat Dansby Swanson in salary arbitration, and the shortstop will earn $6 million rather than his request for $6.7 million. Arbitrators Richard Bloch, Walt De Treux and Robert Herman made the decision Tuesday, a day after hearing arguments. The 27-year-old player hit .274 with 10 homers and
3:15 PM ET Associated Press TEMPE, Ariz. — Bullpen coach Matt Wise will serve as the Los Angeles Angels‘ interim pitching coach, replacing the suspended Mickey Callaway. Manager Joe Maddon announced his plan Tuesday as the Angels reported to spring training in Arizona. New Angels executive Dom Chiti will fill in as Maddon’s bullpen coach
2:26 PM ET Associated Press PHILADELPHIA — Former All-Star center fielder Odubel Herrera was among 31 non-roster players the Philadelphia Phillies have invited to spring training. Herrera, who will earn $10 million this season, hasn’t played for the Phillies since 2019 when he was suspended under Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy. The charges against
10:40 AM ET Associated Press NEW YORK — – The New York Yankees are partnering with the City University of New York to identify students and alumni for career and business opportunities with the team. The Yankees said Tuesday they began a diversity and inclusion committee in September that includes Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson,
7:00 AM ET The long trek to the start of the regular season begins this week with training camps opening up on time in Florida and Arizona — although with many of the same COVID-19 protocols in place as during the 2020 season. For now, Opening Day on April 1 is on schedule — the
10:57 PM ET Associated Press ATLANTA — Two-time All-Star second baseman Jason Kipnis is one of 25 non-roster players who have been invited by the Atlanta Braves to spring training. The team announced the list Monday. Kipnis agreed to a minor league contract with Atlanta after hitting .237 in 44 games with his hometown Chicago
9:47 PM ET ESPN News Services The New York Mets are in agreement with free-agent center fielder Kevin Pillar on a one-year deal, a source confirmed to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. MLB Network first reported the news. Pillar, 32, finished the pandemic-shortened 2020 season with the Colorado Rockies after a trade-deadline deal in August from the
8:59 PM ET Associated Press MILWAUKEE — – The Milwaukee Brewers have acquired outfielder Derek Fisher from the Toronto Blue Jays for cash and a player to be named. Both teams announced the trade Monday night. Fisher, 27, batted .226 with one homer and seven RBIs in 16 games last season. He had a .359
7:12 PM ET ESPN News Services NEW YORK — Left-hander Justin Wilson returned to the New York Yankees after two seasons with the Mets, agreeing Monday to a deal, a source confirmed to ESPN. Wilson joins a bullpen headed by closer Aroldis Chapman and Zack Britton, both left-handers. Hard-throwing right-hander Chad Green is joined by
5:50 PM ET ESPN News Services Right-hander Matt Shoemaker and the Minnesota Twins are in agreement on a one-year, $2 million deal, pending a physical, sources tell ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Shoemaker, 34, can earn another $250,000 in performance bonuses, sources said. He made six starts last year in his second season with the Toronto Blue
3:53 PM ET Associated Press MIAMI — Small crowds at Marlins Park will be back this season. The attendance-challenged Miami Marlins plan to allow fans at home games, although crowds will initially be limited to about 25% of capacity. That would mean a maximum of about 9,300 spectators in the 37,446-seat ballpark. “We look forward