5:19 PM ET ESPN News Services Pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano did not come to an agreement on a contract with a major league team before his posting window expired and he will return to Nippon Professional Baseball for 2021. Sugano will be eligible to come to MLB as a free agent before the 2022 season. The
MLB
3:06 PM ET When the Boston Red Sox announced Bianca Smith, 29, as a new minor league coach, the hiring broke barriers, with Smith becoming the first Black woman to coach in professional baseball. But during her introductory press conference on Thursday, she made it known that her coaching aspirations lie at the highest levels
2:45 PM ET MLB InsidersESPN The New York Mets made their first bold offseason splash since owner Steve Cohen took control of the team in November, acquiring star shortstop Francisco Lindor and veteran starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco from the Cleveland Indians for 22-year-old shortstop Andres Gimenez and two prospects. Who won the deal? How do
12:37 PM ET The New York Mets have acquired star shortstop Francisco Lindor and right-handed pitcher Carlos Carrasco in a blockbuster trade with the Cleveland Indians. In return, Cleveland received shortstops Amed Rosario and Andres Gimenez and two minor-league prospects — right-hander Josh Wolf and outfielder Isaiah Greene. The trade marks the first major move
7:00 AM ET Fingers crossed that the 2021 MLB season will begin on time — and that we get to see some live baseball at the ballpark this year. As we wait, Buster Olney continues his annual ranking of the 10 best players at each position heading into the coming season, based on input from
6:06 AM ET Associated Press TOKYO –The Yomiuri Giants have agreed to a deal with first baseman Justin Smoak. Smoak played last season with the Milwaukee Brewers and the San Francisco Giants. The deal was announced on the Yomiuri Giants website on Thursday and confirmed by a team spokesman. The Yomiuri Giants did not provide
10:02 PM ET Associated Press Tommy John has been battling COVID-19 for at least three weeks, but the former pitching great disputes reports that he is a coronavirus denier. “I’m not a denier. I’ve had it, baby,” John said during a telephone interview with The Associated Press on Wednesday. The 77-year-old John remains hospitalized near
7:00 AM ET Fingers crossed that the 2021 MLB season will begin on time — and that we get to see some live baseball at the ballpark this year. As we wait, Buster Olney continues his annual ranking of the 10 best players at each position heading into the coming season, based on input from
9:41 PM ET The Los Angeles Dodgers announced on Tuesday they’ve re-signed hard-throwing reliever Blake Treinen to a two-year contract, fortifying the back end of their bullpen by bringing back one of the key cogs in their championship run. Treinen’s deal is valued at $17.5 million and includes a 2023 club option worth $8 million,
10:52 PM ET Associated Press SAN DIEGO — South Korean slugger Ha-seong Kim left no doubt how he feels about his new team, the San Diego Padres. “The main reason I joined the Padres is that the Padres are not only a contender but will become the World Series champions this year. I want to
9:46 PM ET Associated Press NEW YORK — Spring training could be delayed for Double-A and Class A players if major leaguers are not vaccinated for the novel coronavirus by the time big league practice is scheduled to start in mid-February. Major League Baseball, which has taken over operation of the minors, gave notice to
8:36 PM ET Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda was discharged from the hospital on Tuesday, returning home for the first time in about seven weeks, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced. Lasorda, 93, was admitted to a hospital in California’s Orange County and placed in intensive care around the middle of November; he was then
6:02 PM ET Associated Press ATLANTA — Baseball Hall of Famer Hank Aaron, former U.N. Ambassador and civil rights leader Andrew Young and former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Louis Sullivan got vaccinated against COVID-19 in Georgia on Tuesday, hoping to send a message to Black Americans that the shots are safe. Getting vaccinated
5:02 PM ET The Detroit Tigers have landed outfielder Robbie Grossman, a source told ESPN’s Jeff Passan. The 31-year-old’s deal, which was first reported by The Athletic, is for two years and $10 million. Grossman, a switch-hitter, entered free agency for the first time after putting up an above average season for him at the
10:34 AM ET The Boston Red Sox announced Monday that they hired Bianca Smith, 29, to be a minor league coach. Smith becomes the first Black woman to coach in professional baseball. Smith has worked as the assistant coach and hitting coordinator at Carroll University in Wisconsin since 2018. With the Red Sox, she will
7:00 AM ET Fingers crossed that the 2021 MLB season will begin on time — and that we get to see some live baseball at the ballpark this year. As we wait, Buster Olney continues his annual ranking of the 10 best players at each position heading into the coming season, based on input from
6:43 PM ET Free agent Corey Kluber, the two-time Cy Young Award winner who has been derailed by injuries over the past two years, is on schedule for a normal spring training and will throw for interested suitors next week. Kluber will conduct a 30-pitch bullpen on the morning of Jan. 13 at Cressey Sports
7:42 PM ET Sandra Scully, the wife of Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully, passed away on Sunday night due to complications from a long bout with ALS, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced. She was 76. Sandra Scully leaves behind a large family that includes six children, 21 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She and Vin