Make no bones about it, cracking the Major Leagues on Opening Day is a big deal. But sometimes we get so wrapped up in that initial roster that we lose sight of the fact that early-season callups can be just as effective whenever they occur. We’ve already seen notable prospects

A little over a month ago, we polled a panel of MLB.com experts about the best hitters in baseball headed into the 2025 season. Now, though? We have actual 2025 results in the mix. That’s not to say that roughly three weeks' worth of games is going to completely change

Ask the average baseball fan what they know about Mariners star catcher Cal Raleigh, and they might bring up his playoff-drought-ending walk-off homer from 2022. They might know he won a Platinum Glove last season, or if they're particularly plugged in, that he just hit his 100th career homer on

The Braves on Thursday called up outfielder Alex Verdugo from Triple-A Gwinnett as the team looks to generate more offense from a lineup that has struggled in the early going. Atlanta signed Verdugo to a one-year, $1.5 million big league contract late in Spring Training, then optioned him to Triple-A

BALTIMORE -- Much of Grayson Rodriguez’s MLB career has been marred by injuries. Now, another unfortunate development has occurred for the 25-year-old right-hander. Orioles manager Brandon Hyde announced that Rodriguez underwent imaging on his right shoulder, which started to feel sore while the righty was recovering from the elbow inflammation

CHICAGO – Just when you thought Tyler Soderstrom’s reign atop Major League Baseball’s home run leaderboards might be coming to an end, the Athletics first baseman did it again.

That’s why he’s the top position player prospect in all of baseball.

MILWAUKEE -- Infield prospect Caleb Durbin was on his way to Milwaukee on Thursday as the Brewers moved to generate more production from third base.

PITTSBURGH -- When reliving the greatest sports moments that have happened in the city of Pittsburgh, two near the top of the list are the Immaculate Reception and Roberto Clemente's 3,000th hit. The former is the signature play of the Steelers franchise, and Clemente’s double and triumphant pose at second

CINCINNATI -- Much of the narrative around this era of baseball in Seattle has justifiably centered on the Mariners’ pitching staff constantly picking up the club's bats. Yet on Thursday, it was the complete inverse, with none other than Randy Arozarena being front and center for it all.

MIAMI -- Pavin Smith has been on a heater at the plate lately for the D-backs. He accounted for one-third of the team’s runs in its sweep-clinching 6-4 victory over the Marlins on Thursday afternoon at loanDepot park, hitting his second home run of the series in the first inning

Not every veteran player comes in hot when they come to New York, and you can look that up, all the way back to when Tino Martinez struggled mightily in April 1996 after replacing Don Mattingly at first base for the Yankees. But then Martinez hit a grand slam at

DENVER -- The Rockies, struggling offensively and carrying the Majors’ worst record at 3-15, replaced hitting coach Hensley Meulens with their former manager and long-ago hitting coach, Clint Hurdle, on Thursday. “We haven't produced offensively,” Rockies general manager Bill Schmidt said. “It's been a struggle so far. We’re looking to

PITTSBURGH -- Manager Dave Martinez and reliever Jorge López received suspensions following Wednesday’s game against the Pirates, in which benches cleared. Prior to Thursday's 1-0 loss to Pittsburgh at PNC Park, López received a three-game suspension and an undisclosed fine for “intentionally throwing at Andrew McCutchen.” López elected to appeal

PITTSBURGH -- Sometimes hard contact can result in an out. Those outs usually aren’t made after the ball lands in front of the left fielder, though.

PITTSBURGH -- Andrew Heaney's morning started with a surprise. Thursday marked the day he reached 10 years of Major League service time, a prestigious mark for players and their entryway to a full pension. It’s a cause for celebration, but it was a day game, so does anyone really want

This week, our MLB.com Power Rankings ended up in a pretty strange place: The top six teams in baseball were all from the National League. In this order: Dodgers, Padres, Phillies, Mets, Cubs and Giants. That’s particularly noteworthy because, as you may remember, there are only six teams that make

TORONTO -- The Blue Jays optioned Davis Schneider to Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday, the first of what could be multiple outfield moves as Daulton Varsho nears his return.

This story was excerpted from AJ Cassavell’s Padres Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

BALTIMORE -- Everybody should have known a big hit was coming for Jackson Holliday on Wednesday night. It was Bark at the Park at Camden Yards, and Holliday’s 1-year-old bernedoodle, Coconut, was sitting with Holliday’s wife, Chloe, in the stands.

Wednesday was quite the day for former No. 1 overall Draft picks. Bryce Harper (No. 1 pick in 2010), Jackson Holliday (2022), Spencer Torkelson (2020), Mickey Moniak (2016) and Henry Davis (2021) each hit home runs. If that sounds like it’s rare, it’s because it is.

NEW YORK – There was plenty of discussion after Juan Soto remarked this week that things feel different without Aaron Judge lurking in the on-deck circle. But one piece of that commentary went without debate: The Yankees’ captain really may be, as the Mets’ star said, “the best hitter in

PITTSBURGH -- Benches cleared at PNC Park and Nationals reliever Jorge López was ejected after throwing a ball up and in at Andrew McCutchen in the seventh inning on Wednesday.

SAN DIEGO -- The Padres’ record-setting home winning streak came to an end on Tuesday night. By Wednesday afternoon, they’d already started a new one. San Diego won its series finale against the Cubs on Wednesday, 4-2, improving to 12-1 this season at Petco Park and 15-4 overall, the best

CINCINNATI -- The Reds placed first baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand on the 10-day injured list on Thursday with lower back inflammation. To replace him on the roster, third baseman Noelvi Marte was recalled from Triple-A Louisville. Encarnacion-Strand hit a two-run double in the seventh inning of Wednesday's 5-3 loss to the