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

What makes Shohei Ohtani different from other star sluggers? It's not just the amount of home runs, or even the explosiveness of the home runs. It's also how he hits them. The mantra of the modern-day MLB power hitter is to "hit the ball out in front" -- in other

NORTH PORT, Fla. -- What does it feel like when you conclude the first inning you've pitched in nearly a full calendar year with consecutive strikeouts, the second of which was registered with a 98 mph fastball? “After the first inning, it was a rare emotional moment for me on

BRADENTON, Fla. -- Of all the pitches in Paul Skenes’ arsenal, he happened upon his best by accident. The “splinker” -- his hybrid splitter/sinker -- was born during catch play last year and refined into one of the best offerings in the game. Skenes is a tinkerer, and that natural

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Jac Caglianone did everything he could this spring to show the Royals the impact he could bring to the big leagues, but it won’t be on Opening Day. The club sent its top prospect and MLB’s No. 22 prospect to Minor League camp on Monday morning, ending

TAMPA, Fla. -- It looked like a run-of-the-mill throwing session, but in a Spring Training where little has gone as expected for the Yankees’ starting rotation, they have learned to take little for granted. That’s why, as Andy Pettitte greeted a familiar face outside the bullpens at George M. Steinbrenner

Fifteen games, several jersey swaps and countless highlights later, the second edition of Spring Breakout has officially concluded – and it lived up to its billing. Of the 16 contests sprinkled across four days, only one game (Dodgers vs. Cubs) was rained out. Coincidentally, the Cubs were one of two

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

DUNEDIN, Fla. -- Max Scherzer's right thumb just became one of the most important things in Blue Jays camp. Scherzer has been dealing with soreness recently, and while he was able to face some Minor League hitters in a simulated game at the Blue Jays’ complex on Monday, the real

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- It is that point of Spring Training when the regulars fill out the starting lineup. For the Red Sox on Monday afternoon, eight of the nine starters against the Orioles are all but certain to be in the lineup on March 27 when the season opens

DUNEDIN, Fla. -- A sore back prompted Paul Goldschmidt to exit the Yankees’ 6-5 loss against the Blue Jays after two at-bats on Monday, but the veteran first baseman says he has “zero” concerns about being ready for Opening Day. Goldschmidt went 0-for-1 with a walk and made a sprawling

NORTH PORT, Fla. -- As top prospect Drake Baldwin prepares to serve as the Braves primary catcher while Sean Murphy is on the injured list, James McCann will be preparing to bolster the organization’s catching depth. McCann agreed to a Minor League deal with the Braves, a source told MLB.com

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz -- Torey Lovullo remembers a time when he had much bigger problems than a difficult decision about which starting pitcher would take the mound on Opening Day. “I like that we have these problems,” the D-backs’ manager said of the Opening Day starter question and the decision on

The last time a rookie claimed the Cubs’ third-base job, he was a first-round pick who reached Wrigley Field after just one full season in the Minors. Kris Bryant worked out pretty well, winning National League Rookie of the Year honors in 2015 followed by the NL MVP Award and

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Tigers legend Kirk Gibson will not be returning to the broadcast booth this season, but he will remain a part of the team’s front office as a special assistant while working with his foundation to continue the fight against Parkinson’s disease. The Tigers made the announcement in

JUPITER, Fla. -- Down in a crouched position and bouncing on the balls of his feet, Willson Contreras aggressively charged a high-hopper and deftly picked the baseball near his left hip as teammates around him cheered his glovework.

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

PEORIA, Ariz. -- The start to Yu Darvish’s 2025 season is in jeopardy of being delayed, after the Padres recently paused his throwing program while he deals with what manager Mike Shildt called “general fatigue.” It’s unclear when Darvish will resume throwing, Shildt said. As such, it’s also unclear whether

In a recent interview with MLB.com, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza discussed the state of the 2025 Mets, from Juan Soto’s all-around game to the injuries suffered during Spring Training. MLB.com: Ever since you became the manager of the Mets, you said your biggest concern will always be the team’s health.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Center fielder Jung Hoo Lee will undergo an MRI exam on his tight back on Monday, a concerning development for the Giants as they enter the final week of Cactus League play. Lee was slated to start Saturday’s game against the Mariners, but he was scratched from

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

BRADENTON, Fla. -- The Twins confirmed Monday what had been widely feared: Royce Lewis will open the 2025 season on the injured list due to a moderate left hamstring strain. It’s unclear at this time how long Lewis will be out, but the word “moderate” indicates that it is a

MESA, Ariz. -- The Athletics’ selection for their Opening Day starter was the worst-kept secret in baseball. In December, when the A’s held a press conference in Sacramento to officially introduce Luis Severino after signing him to a three-year, $67 million contract, general manager David Forst let the cat out

PEORIA, Ariz. -- How good was Michael King in his transition to the rotation last season? Good enough that he’s the Padres’ Opening Day starter in 2025. Manager Mike Shildt officially tabbed King as the Padres’ starting pitcher when they open their 2025 season on March 27 at Petco Park.

PEORIA, Ariz. -- The Mariners are one week away from departing the desert and returning to Seattle ahead of Opening Day and still face a few pressing questions before leaving camp.