MLB Baseball News, Scores, Standings, Rumors, Fantasy Games – Page 398

March 14, 2025

Tokyo Series will showcase the depth of Japanese talent in Major League Baseball

TOKYO — The spotlight will be on slugger Shohei Ohtani when the superstar returns to Japan and leads the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers against the Chicago Cubs in the first two games of the Major League Baseball season at the Tokyo Dome.

He won’t be the only one playing in front of his home country.

Four other Japanese players — LA’s Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki, along with Chicago’s Seiya Suzuki and Shota Imanaga — will be on the field in a display of how deep the talent pool is in the country.

The outsized attention on Ohtani is understandable: He’s coming off one of the best seasons in MLB history and won his third MVP award after becoming the first player to hit at least 50 homers and steal at least 50 bases in the same season.

Ohtani had offseason surgery on his left shoulder following the World Series but is expected to start at designated hitter for the Dodgers in Japan after hitting .353 with two doubles and a homer in spring training.

The other four Japanese players are all accomplished in their own right. Here’s a look at each player as the opener approaches on March 18.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dodgers, RHP

Yamamoto came to the Dodgers before last season, signing a 12-year, $325 million deal that was somewhat overshadowed by Ohtani’s monster 10-year, $700 million deal.

When healthy, Yamamoto was very good in his first big league season, finishing with a 7-2 record, a 3.00 ERA and 105 strikeouts over 90 innings. He was also solid in the postseason with a 2-0 record and a 3.86 ERA.

Yamamoto missed about three months last season with a shoulder injury. The 26-year-old has been healthy so far this spring and will be the starting pitcher for the season opener.

He played seven seasons for the Orix Buffaloes in Japan before coming to the U.S., where he had a 70-29 record along with a miniscule 1.82 ERA.

Seiya Suzuki, Cubs, OF/DH

The 30-year-old Suzuki has been an important part of the Cubs lineup for the past three seasons. He just finished his best season in the big leagues, batting .283 with 21 homers, 73 RBIs, 16 stolen bases and 27 doubles.

Suzuki has played most of his games in right field for the Cubs, but is just an average fielder. Manager Craig Counsell says Suzuki might be utilized more as a designated hitter this season after the addition of All-Star Kyle Tucker, who the team acquired in a trade with the Houston Astros.

He played nine seasons for the Hiroshima Carp before signing with the Cubs, batting .309 with 189 career homers.

Roki Sasaki, Dodgers, RHP

Sasaki is the youngest of the Japanese players in Tokyo for the series at 23 years old.

This is the lanky 6-foot-2 right-hander’s first season in the U.S. after playing four seasons for the Chiba Lotte Mariners, where he had an overpowering fastball that could touch 100 mph. He’s dealt with injuries over the past few years, which has limited his time on the mound.

Even so, Sasaki was electric in his spring training debut, striking out five over three scoreless innings. His fastball was clocked in the high 90s and he has a devastating splitter that coaxes plenty of swing-and-miss.

Sasaki signed a minor league contract that had a signing bonus of $6.5 million, though he’s expected to be on the big league roster. Because he’s under 25 and did not have six years of service time in Japan, Sasaki was considered an international amateur by MLB’s rules and was limited to a minor league deal with a limited signing bonus.

Shota Imanaga, Cubs, LHP

The 31-year-old Imanaga made an immediate impact last season with the Cubs, making the National League All-Star team and finishing with a 15-3 record and 2.91 ERA. He’s expected to be the team’s ace in 2025 and will pitch against Yamamoto in the first game in Tokyo.

Imanaga doesn’t have an overpowering fastball, with the pitch usually sitting in the low 90s, but the left-hander has a quality splitter and mixes his pitches well. Before coming to the U.S., he pitched eight seasons for the Yokohoma BayStars and was 64-50 with a 3.18 ERA.

March 14, 2025

Mets vs. Cardinals spring training: How to watch on SNY on March 14, 2025

The Mets continue their spring training slate against the Cardinals on Friday on SNY at 6:10 p.m.

Here's what to know about the game and how to watch...

Mets Notes

Kodai Senga is making his second start of the spring
Brett Batyhas a 1.110 OPS this spring
The Mets break camp 10 days from today ahead of Opening Day on March 27 against the Astros in Houston

CARDINALS	METS
-	Francisco Lindor, SS
-	Juan Soto, RF
-	Starling Marte, DH
-	Mark Vientos, 3B
-	Brett Baty, 2B
-	Luis Torrens, C
-	Jose Siri, CF
-	Joey Meneses, 1B
-	Tyrone Taylor, LF

What channel is SNY?

Check your TV or streaming provider's website or channel finder to find your local listings.

How can I stream the game?

The new way to stream SNY games is via the MLB App or MLB.tv. Streaming on the SNY App and SNY.tv will be discontinued by Opening Day.

In order to stream games in SNY’s regional territory, you will need to have SNY as part of your TV package (cable or streaming), or you can now purchase an in-market SNY subscription package. Both ways will allow fans to watch the Mets on their computer, tablet or mobile phone.

How can I watch the game on my computer via MLB?

To get started on your computer, click here and then follow these steps:

Link your provider credentials with a new or existing MLB.com account.

Select the SNY Mets game you wish to view from the Multimedia Center.

How can I watch the game on the MLB App?

MLB App access is included for FREE with SNY. To access SNY on your favorite supported Apple or Android mobile device, please follow the steps below.

Download the free MLB App.

Open “MLB” and tap on “Subscriber Login” for Apple Devices or “Sign in with MLB.com” for Android Devices.

Type in your MLB.com credentials and tap “Log In.”

To access live or on-demand content, tap on the "Watch" tab from the bottom navigation bar. Select the "Games" sub-tab to see a listing of available games. You can scroll to previous dates using the left and right arrows. Tap on a game to select from the game feeds available.

For more information on how to stream Mets games on SNY, please click here.

March 14, 2025

Hernández: Tokyo Series atmosphere shows Shohei Ohtani is more than 'a representative of Japan'

They screamed.

They screamed and made that noise that crowds make when thousands of people scream at the same time, that sound that is heard when the home team takes a lead late in a playoff game.

Shohei Ohtani had taken the field — for a workout.

“That,” Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy said, “was a pretty cool moment for all of us to witness.”

Imagine if Ohtani had actually taken batting practice Friday like most of the other Dodgers hitters. Imagine the reaction of the 10,507 fans who packed the lower-bowl seats behind home plate and the two foul lines at the Tokyo Dome.

The Dodgers are World Series champions. They have two high-profile Japanese players other than Ohtani in opening-day starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto and rookie fireballer Roki Sasaki. They have other signature players in the likes of Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts.

The crowd’s response to Ohtani, however, reestablished a longstanding truth about the Dodgers: In Japan’s view, there is Ohtani and then there is everyone else.

The Dodgers are the Rolling Stones and Ohtani is Mick Jagger.

“If not for Ohtani, I don’t think all of Japan would be in a frenzy like this,” said Taka Hattori, a 51-year-old fan who wore a custom-made No. 17 jersey with “SHOTIME” embroidered across the back.

Fans cramped into a nearby 30,000-square-foot hall that was transformed into a temporary souvenir store. Hundreds showed up the previous day at Haneda Airport to catch a glimpse of the Dodgers, who arrived for the Tokyo Series, their season-opening, two-game set against the Chicago Cubs that starts on Tuesday.

More than 1,000 media credentials were issued for the games, which are sold out. The asking price on the secondary market for the least-expensive tickets are in the neighborhood of $1,500.

Hattori paid 18,000 yen, or about $120, to join the Dodgers’ fan club, which entered him into a lottery for Japan Series tickets.

He didn’t win.

Hattori settled for the workout on Friday, as he was able to purchase tickets from a friend at their face value of 2,000 yen, or about $13.

“I personally really like Ichiro [Suzuki],” Hattori said. “I was able to watch Ichiro play here on opening day. But it wasn’t like this.”

Hattori described Ohtani as being “from another universe.”

“Of course, Ohtani is a representative of Japan,” Hattori said. “But it doesn’t matter any more whether he’s Japanese, American or Korean. I feel he’s reached the level at which he is not a representative of any particular country but is rather a representative of baseball.”

Runa Misaki traveled from her hometown of Osaka to watch the workout with her friend Yuko Hanashima.

Fans try on Dodgers caps at a souvenir store at the Tokyo Dome on Friday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

They said they were drawn to Ohtani as much by his personality as his performances.

“I think he really likes baseball,” Hanashima said. “I think he likes baseball more than anyone. I think that’s why children like him so much.”

Misaki said she would return to Tokyo on Sunday for an exhibition game against the Hanshin Tigers. Tickets for that game, as well as for a game on Saturday against the Yomiuri Giants, are being sold on the secondary market for more than $600.

“I would like them to open here every season,” Misaki said.

Ohtani’s popularity here is such that other Dodgers have also become famous by association.

Fans waved en masse at manager Dave Roberts, who waved back. They shouted the names of Teoscar Hernández and Miguel Rojas. They shrieked with delight when Freeman acknowledged them with an affectionate wave of the glove.

They also watched batting practice with the same focus with which they would watch a game. Binoculars and mobile phone cameras were pointed at the batter’s box. Some fans observed the action while clutching sleeping babies. The conclusion of every round of batting practice was followed by applause.

Mind you, this was for a workout. The first official game was still four days away.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

March 14, 2025

ICYMI in Mets Land: Brandon Nimmo returns; key injury updates

Here's what happened in Mets Land on Thursday, in case you missed it...

After missing over a week due to a knee issue, Brandon Nimmo returned to the lineup and ripped a single in his first at-bat
Jeff McNeil has a mild oblique injury that will keep him out for Opening Day and beyond
McNeil's absence could open the door for Brett Baty to step in as the regular second baseman
Sean Manaea was cleared following a clean MRI on his oblique and has started throwing again as he works toward a return
Edwin Diaz bounced back and Baty reached base twice in the Mets' game against the Red Sox
After the game, Carlos Mendoza discussed Diaz's outing
The Mets' wave of rapidly approaching pitching prospects is tantalizing -- and a potential 2025 X-factor
Here's the Mets' regular season broadcast schedule on SNY
WATCH: What is David Peterson's ceiling?

March 14, 2025

Dodgers' Tokyo Series trip confirms the team's 'overwhelming' hold on Japan

For much of the last two years, the Dodgers have felt like Major League Baseball’s Team of Japan.

They signed Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki. They struck advertising deal after advertising deal with some of the country’s biggest companies. All of their games are now shown on Japanese television. Team officials have stated their mission to “paint Japan blue” and become the nation’s most popular MLB team.

But this week, over their first 24 hours in Tokyo for a season-opening trip, they got to actually feel what being Japan’s team is like.

On Thursday hundreds of people decked out in Dodgers gear flocked to the arrival hall at Tokyo Haneda Airport, hoping to catch a glimpse of the team as it exited its flight from Phoenix. (Unfortunately for them, partitions had been erected that kept players and staff shielded from view.)

On Friday thousands roamed the streets around the Tokyo Dome ahead of the team’s first official workout — with Dodgers hats, jerseys and T-shirts again dominating the scene.

Nothing, however, compared to what the players witnessed once they got inside: 10,507 fans, in a nearly universal sea of white and blue, packed into the lower bowl of the historic ballpark.

All to watch a mundane, routine, run-of-the-mill workout.

“This is crazy, amazing,” manager Dave Roberts said, his eyes wide as he walked out of the dugout and surveyed the sprawling scene.

“It’s been overwhelming,” added shortstop Miguel Rojas, who was loudly applauded after a rudimentary round of batting of practice. “To say the least.”

Fans waving at Shohei Ohtani as he leaves the field following a workout with the Dodgers in Tokyo — Fans wave at Shohei Ohtani as he leaves the field following a workout with the Dodgers at the Tokyo Dome on Friday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

The Dodgers knew their popularity in Japan had skyrocketed. It was evident last year in the increased Japanese media attention around the team. The spike of foreign fans at games. The videos splashed across social media of Japanese supporters celebrating the World Series title as their own.

“We know that every morning, in the middle of the morning, the Dodger games are broadcast here in Japan,” Roberts said. “We can tell by the Japanese enthusiasm at games, whether it be at Dodger Stadium or on the road.”

But, Roberts noted Friday, in an afternoon news conference before hundreds of reporters at the Tokyo Dome Hotel, “this is our first opportunity to come to the country of Japan, the city of Tokyo, and actually see Japanese people come support us in their home country.”

And even for him — someone of Japanese heritage, who still has family in Japan and who spent time in the country this offseason — it didn’t take long to be unexpectedly impressed.

While out in the Tokyo neighborhood of Shibuya after the Dodgers got into town, Roberts said he instantly was struck by sight of the team’s brand on city streets.

“I saw a lot of Dodger hats,” he said.

With the Dodgers scheduled to play a Saturday exhibition against the Tokyo Dome’s normal tenant, the Yomuiri Giants of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league, Roberts wondered whether there might actually be more Dodgers gear in the crowd.

“There’s going to be a lot of representation,” he said.

Almost all such attention has been generated by the acquisitions of Sasaki, Yamamoto and, most of all, Ohtani over the last two offseasons. Ohtani didn’t spend much time on the field Friday, appearing for a little more than 10 minutes and doing no more than stretches and baserunning drills. But his mere appearance triggered a roar inside the domed stadium. And when he exited the field, photographers scrambled to capture his every step.

The Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani entering the field at the Tokyo Dome — The Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani enters the field at the Tokyo Dome for a team workout Friday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

“When Sho came running out of the dugout,” infielder Max Muncy said, “that was a pretty cool moment for all of us to witness.”

Fans right behind the dugout called out almost every player by name — right down to minor-league reliever Jack Dreyer, who has yet to make his MLB debut. In addition to the applause that accompanied each and every round of batting practice, the crowd cheered for strong throws from outfielders, pitchers making catches in foul territory and every deep drive hit to or over the tall outfield wall.

“I don’t normally try to hit home runs in batting practice,” first baseman Freddie Freeman said. “But I felt like I had to today.”

Muncy described the day as a boost of energy for the team, which will play another exhibition against a Japanese opponent Sunday before beginning its season with two games against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday and Wednesday.

“It was good for us to have that,” Muncy said. “The long flight, everyone’s still feeling tired from that. So I think that kind of gave everyone a little bit of a boost, just to have fun with it.”

The other thing it provided the Dodgers: perspective — on their popularity in Japan, ascendant place on the world stage and ever-growing prevalence even 5,000 miles from home.

“It’s all over the world,” Rojas said. “I think the Dodgers are trying to get right there with the biggest organizations in the world. I’m talking about Real Madrid, Barcelona, all the teams that are worldwide. And I think the Dodgers are really close to that.”

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

March 14, 2025

Dodgers boast best MLB team. But in fantasy baseball, is it smart to draft them?

Bronx, New York, Monday, October 26, 2024 - Dodgers in the dugout stand during the seventh inning stretch as "God Bless America," is played during game three of the World Series at Yankee Stadium. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times) — Dodgers players stand in the dugout while "God Bless America" plays during the seventh-inning stretch of Game 3 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium on Oct. 26. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Poring over fantasy baseball player rankings can be jarring for diehard fans of a specific team who don't pay much attention to the other 29 clubs.

That might be especially true for the legions of devoted, deliriously satiated Dodgers followers this year.

Isn't this the most talented roster in history? Don't the Dodgers have a star at nearly every position? Isn't their pitching staff stocked with more premium stuff than the renowned Thunderbolt bar a few blocks from Dodger Stadium?

Everyone knows the Dodgers' World Series championship was followed by lavish spending for talent during the offseason. With the Dodgers opening the season Tuesday in Tokyo against the Chicago Cubs, it's time for fantasy players to prepare.

Dodgers fans might be tempted to simply pick as many Boys in Blue as they can. But a team of all or even mostly Dodgers would be hard-pressed to win a fantasy league, which usually consists of 10 to 12 teams. Players from all 30 MLB teams are available in "mixed" leagues, the most common format, meaning that even a slap-dash fantasy team should have more talent than the best team of living, breathing humans.

Scott Pianowski, a Yahoo fantasy analyst since 2008 and member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Hall of Fame, brought up another reason not to load up on Dodgers: Their best players might be rested frequently, the baseball equivalent of load management. Players need to be in the lineup to accumulate fantasy points.

"I've never seen a team so assured of a playoff spot than the 2025 Dodgers," he said. "They want their healthiest team ready for October. They might decide they used their regulars too much last year. They might back off on workloads, and not just with pitchers.

"My advice: Draft a Dodger, don't draft five Dodgers."

Fantasy gurus assign a number to where a player is projected to be taken, calling it his Average Draft Position. Regardless of whether league scoring uses old-fashioned rotisserie categories or head-to-head points, the ADP of the two most desirable Dodgers establish that it would be nearly impossible to draft both.

Shohei Ohtani is a near-consensus first overall fantasy pick because he's expected to add starting pitching to his prodigious offensive output as a designated hitter. However, a smattering of experts consider Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. a viable first pick as well. Pianowski points out that Ohtani likely will log far fewer than the 59 stolen bases he had last season to reduce the wear and tear on his body, especially if he is also in the starting rotation.

Mookie Betts is a consensus top-10 pick because he qualifies as a shortstop as well as an outfielder (a player is eligible at a position he played in 20 or more games the previous season). In his fifth Dodgers season, Betts played 65 games at shortstop and 43 in the outfield. He also played 18 at second base, nearly becoming eligible at a third position.

Most drafts use a snake format in which the order of picks reverses each round. Whoever gets the top pick — say Ohtani — in a 10-team league wouldn't pick again until the Nos. 20 and 21 picks. Betts would be long gone and Dodgers first baseman and World Series hero Freddie Freeman — whose ADP is 19 with Yahoo and 22 with ESPN — also might be taken.

So let's say you had the No. 1 pick and landed Ohtani, missed out on Betts and took Freeman with the 20th pick to end the second round. Now you have the first pick of the third round and quickly realize that no other Dodger makes sense this early.

Among position players, outfielder Teoscar Hernández is projected as a sixth-round pick and catcher Will Smith a 10th-rounder by numerous fantasy prognosticators. Tommy Edman is draftable late because of his versatility. Same with Max Muncy because of his power. But that's it unless — like Pianowski — you consider new Dodgers outfielder Michael Conforto a sleeper whose home run production dipped during two years in the San Francisco Giants' cavernous AT&T Park, but last season he hit 17 homers on the road.

Want to mix in an Angel? How about Mike Trout? It wasn't so long ago that he was the no-brainer first overall selection in thousands of fantasy drafts. But after several injury-riddled seasons, the future Hall of Famer checks in as the 41st-best outfielder by ESPN. His Yahoo ADP is 93, an indication he'll be available in the ninth round.

Other Angels? In the 20th round or so, go ahead and choose between outfielders Taylor Ward and Jorge Soler or infielders Zach Neto, Luis Rengifo and Nolan Schanuel. In a 10-team league, they all might be available.

Drafting starting pitchers is just as eye-opening. The Dodgers' acquisitions of two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell and Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki combined with the renewed health of Yoshinabu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Clayton Kershaw and Dustin May give them undeniable depth and experience.

Yet the top Dodgers pitcher in the projections is Snell, whom ESPN ranks as only the 12th-best MLB starter with an ADP of 44. Next are Yamamoto with an ADP of 51 and Glasnow at 91. Sasaki is projected as a 10th-rounder. Kershaw, May, Tony Gonsolin and Bobby Miller? All are either recently recovered or still recovering from an injury. It's buyer beware.

Dodgers relievers are modestly valued as well because it's unclear who will accumulate the bulk of the saves. Newcomer Tanner Scott has an ADP of 166, despite notching 22 saves and a 1.75 earned-run average last season with two teams. Kirby Yates has an ADP of 193, despite posting 33 saves and a 1.17 ERA with the Texas Rangers.

Decorated Dodgers bullpen pieces Michael Kopech, Evan Phillips, Blake Treinen and Alex Vesia? Your choice in the final rounds. Or you could grab former Dodger and new Angels closer Kenley Jansen, whose Yahoo ADP is 236 even though his ninth-inning role is a given.

The usage of pitchers has evolved in recent years, impacting fantasy values. Starters pitcher fewer innings, no longer accumulating wins and strikeouts in abundance. More than one reliever will be trusted in save situations, depending on matchups. Catastrophic injuries to pitchers are commonplace.

"The Dodgers probably will use a six-man rotation, so the sneaky value might be their relievers," Pianowski said. "Non-closing relievers are much more valuable. More wins are distributed to the bullpen. If I'm an owner in a deep mixed league, I would draft any of those Dodgers relievers."

Crunching these numbers unearths one irrefutable truth about drafting a fantasy team: Don't be a homer. See more than Blue.

Miss out on the first pick and Ohtani? Fantasy experts say stick with hitters in the first round: Witt, Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, Elly De La Cruz, José Ramírez and Gunnar Henderson are solid picks.

Or, diehard Dodgers fans, go ahead and grab Betts.

Angling for a starting pitcher in the second round? The ADP's of Paul Skenes, Tarik Skubal and Zack Wheeler merit a pick that high. Otherwise, the numbers point to grabbing another hitter.

Everybody wants to identify sleepers late in the draft. Some leagues even allow drafting minor league players. If that's the case, revisit your Dodgers devotion by taking Dalton Rushing. Then smile.

Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

March 14, 2025

Rangers left-hander Cody Bradford to open season on injured list with sore elbow

SURPRISE, Ariz. — Texas Rangers left-hander Cody Bradford will start the season on the injured list because of soreness in his throwing elbow.

Bradford had an MRI this week that came back clean, but Rangers manager Bruce Bochy told reporters on Thursday the club will shut him down for 10 days to see how he responds. Bradford was scratched from a scheduled start on Wednesday.

Bradford is the second Texas starter to get hurt this week after Tyler Mahle was scratched from a start with forearm soreness. The right-hander expected to start throwing again in a few days.

The 27-year-old Bradford went 6-3 with a 3.54 ERA in 13 starts last season after appearing eight times the year before. He also pitched in five playoff games during the Rangers’ 2023 World Series run.

March 13, 2025

Rangers 0-2 Fenerbahce (3-2 pens): Analysis

Tension, drama, nerves, this Europa League second leg tie wasn't for the faint hearted.

At the end of the second half, it looked like there was only going to be one winner as Fenerbache headed into extra time on top. But Rangers dug deep and they found a renewed energy for much of extra time.

The nerves during the spot kicks were something else but Rangers and Jack Butland were equal to the pressurised task.

Rangers did make life hard for themselves though, given their lead from the first leg, and how they played for the majority of the first half of this one, they allowed Fenerbahce back into this tie and the visitors' confidence only grew.

Their goal just before half-time gave them a huge boost, there's no question about that. It had the opposite effect on Rangers.

The visitors came out for the second 45 firing on all cylinders, piling on the pressure. Rangers, on the other hand, lost their confidence and their dominance. For the majority of the first half they played with energy and intent, their failure to score from decent positions though was an issue, and it almost came back to haunt them.

When Fenerbahce grabbed their second goal of the night, it was deserved, they were the better side and left Rangers' Europa League hopes hanging by a thread.

The equaliser set up a tense watch for the Rangers fans, the Turkish side were oozing confidence, Rangers were sloppy when they did see the ball.

In extra time, Rangers offered more. Vaclav Cerny forced a brilliant save, and suddenly there was some hope.

When it went to penalties you fancied Rangers, and Jack Butland more than played his part to cap a brilliant night for the Ibrox side.

A great achievement as they march on in Europe.

March 13, 2025

Gerrit Cole's UCL surgery includes internal bracing, but typical recovery timeframe stands for Yankees ace

Yankees ace Gerrit Cole is missing the 2025 season due to Tommy John surgery but the procedure also includes an internal brace.

Now, while there is a UCL procedure that uses an internal brace instead of the traditional Tommy John surgery, a Yankees spokesman told The Athletic's Brendan Kuty that Cole had full UCL reconstruction surgery in addition to the internal brace.

In this case, the internal brace is being used to fortify the elbow and the typical recovery timeframe stands.

The recovery time for Tommy Johns is typically 14-18 months. If Cole had the internal brace procedure and not the traditional UCL surgery, it would have shortened his recovery to around 12 months.

So, as of now, Cole's return could be held off until a few months into the 2026 season.

If Cole were to miss the start of the 2026 season, the ace and Yankees are accustomed to that as well. Cole misseed roughly the first three months of the 2024 season with inflammation in his right elbow but returned to pitch with a 3.41 ERA across 95 innings over 17 starts when he returned in June. However, the Yankees will have to find a way to navigate this year without their ace and Luis Gil for a stretch as the reigning AL Rookie of the Year deals with an oblique strain.

Without Cole and Gil, the Yankees' starting rotation will include Max Fried, Carlos Rodon, Clarke Schmidt, and Marcus Stroman, with the No. 5 spot on the starting staff likely coming down to Will Warren, Allan Winans, or Carlos Carrasco.

March 13, 2025

Mets' Edwin Diaz has 'better' spring outing against Red Sox: 'From the first pitch, there was conviction'

It's been an inconsistent spring for Edwin Diaz, but he bounced back in a big way for the Mets on Thursday.

Although it came in a losing effort, Diaz was sharp making his third spring training outing. After the Mets closer gave up a leadoff double, he retired the next three batters on a fly out, swinging strikeout and another fly out -- he threw 18 pitches (12 strikes).

"Better," Mets skipper Carlos Mendoza said of Diaz's outing. "From the first pitch, there was conviction. It’s spring training. The first couple of outings, you felt like after a couple of guys got on, that was when he was letting the ball go. Today, we saw it from the first pitch. Even though he gave up that double, he had to work today, make pitches and there was much more conviction behind it."

Diaz's first outing came back on March 6 against the Astros, where he allowed two runs on two hits and one walk, recording just one out. The All-Star closer was unfazed by his performance, calling it just "part of the game."

His next time out (March 9 against the Nationals), Diaz struck out three batters but walked two in his inning of work. It took him 27 pitches to retire the side.

Thursday was a different story. Diaz was efficient and attacked the zone. However, his fastball saw a dip in velocity. The 30-year-old's fastball averaged 95 mph and topped out around 96 mph. His final heater was clocked at 92 mph.

Mendoza was asked about Diaz's velocity and whether he was concerned.

"Nah, it’ll come up," he said. "I’m not worried about that."

If all is right with Diaz, the Mets should have a formidable backend of the bullpen with A.J. Minter making his impressive spring debut on Wednesday. The left-hander, who signed a two-year deal, pitched a perfect inning on just 10 pitches.

Minter had a delayed start to camp after recovering from offseason hip surgery.

Dedniel Núñez, who was impressive out of the Mets' bullpen last season, got through a two inning live BP session earlier this week "ok," per Mendoza. The skipper added that Núñez's next step will be making his spring debut on Monday against the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Mets' next game is hosting the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday night.

March 13, 2025

Mets’ Jeff McNeil to open season on injured list with oblique strain

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — New York Mets All-Star infielder Jeff McNeil will open the season on the injured list because of a strained right oblique.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Thursday that the 2022 big league batting champion has a low grade strain. McNeil won’t participate in baseball activities for a week to 10 days and likely will be sidelined for three to four weeks.

“It’s low-grade, he felt it after playing a couple of days ago,” Mendoza said. “He came in sore, we gave him 24 hours and yesterday same thing so we decided to have imaging and it shows that strain.”

The 32-year-old McNeil hit .238 with 12 homers and 44 RBIs last year. His right wrist was broken on Sept. 6 when hit by a pitch from Cincinnati’s Brandon Williamson, and McNeil returned for the NL Championship Series.

McNeil played the majority of the season at second base, but also spent time in both corner outfield positions.

New York has had a series of injuries during spring training.

Catcher Francisco Alvarez broke his left hand during batting practice on Saturday and is expected to be out six to eight weeks. Left-hander Sean Manaea (oblique), right-hander Frankie Montas (lat) and infielder Nick Madrigal (fractured shoulder) also will miss the start of the season. Madrigal could be out all year.

March 13, 2025

Tampa Bay Rays withdraw from planned $1.3 billion ballpark in St. Petersburg, citing storms, delays

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays withdrew Thursday from a $1.3 billion project to construct a new ballpark adjacent to Tropicana Field, citing a hurricane and delays that likely drove up the proposal’s cost.

The team issued a statement by principal owner Stuart Sternberg saying “a series of events” in October, which included severe damage to the the Trop and financing delays, led to what he called “this difficult decision.”

“After careful deliberation, we have concluded we cannot move forward with the new ballpark and development project at this moment,” Sternberg said.

Displaced from the Trop in St. Petersburg, the Rays are set to play their home games this season across Tampa Bay at the New York Yankees’ spring training home, 11,000-seat Steinbrenner Field. Meanwhile, repairs are envisioned to the Trop, including replacing its roof shredded by Hurricane Milton, that would have it ready for the 2026 season.

“Major League Baseball remains committed to finding a permanent home for the club in the Tampa Bay region for their fans and the local community,” MLB said in a statement. “Commissioner (Rob) Manfred understands the disappointment of the St. Petersburg community from today’s announcement, but he will continue to work with elected officials, community leaders, and Rays officials to secure the club’s future in the Tampa Bay region.”

The Trop opened in 1990 and has been the Rays’ home since they took the field in 1998. St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch, a driving force behind what was dubbed the “Here To Stay” initiative aimed at keeping the Rays in the city for another 30 years, said the decision was disappointing but “it is not unexpected.” It is also possible the Rays could be sold, he noted.

“If in the coming months a new owner, who demonstrates a commitment to honoring their agreements and our community priorities emerges, we will consider a partnership to keep baseball in St. Pete. But we will not put our city’s progress on hold as we await a collaborative and community-focused baseball partner,” Welch said.

Under their current contract with the city of St. Petersburg, the Rays would play three more seasons at their existing ballpark after it is repaired. Beyond that, the team’s future in the Tampa Bay area is uncertain. MLB and the Rays could evaluate attendance and fan interest during the team’s season at Steinbrenner Field as they consider alternate sites.

“The opportunity to play on the Tampa side could give insights into the Tampa Bay market as a whole that could be useful for the club moving forward,” Manfred said during a Wednesday interview with The Associated Press.

For now, the Rays are set to return to the Trop after a year across the bay.

“The City of St. Petersburg is currently advancing plans to restore Tropicana Field for the 2026 season,” Sternberg said. “We are thankful for their efforts and are excited to return to our home field next spring.”

The proposed 30,000-seat stadium is a signature piece of a broader $6.5 billion revitalization project known as the Historic Gas Plant District, which refers to a predominantly Black neighborhood that was forced out by construction of the Trop and an interstate highway spur.

Supporters say the development would transform an 86-acre (34-hectare) tract in the city’s downtown, with plans for a Black history museum, affordable housing, entertainment venues, plus office and retail space — and the promise of thousands of jobs.

That broader project, counting on the Rays ballpark to be an anchor, is also in limbo with this decision.

The Rays had faced a March 31 deadline to decide whether to continue with the new ballpark project. Under the agreement previously approved by the city and Pinellas County, the governments would cover about half the cost of the $1.3 billion stadium, with the Rays and their development partner Hines covering the rest, including any cost overruns.

The Rays previously said a delayed vote in October on the final financing plan by the Pinellas County Commission was a factor increasing projected costs beyond the team’s funding ability. The city already has approved its financing.

March 13, 2025

Red Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito to open season on injured list with strained left hamstring

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — The Boston Red Sox will open the season with three starting pitchers on the injured list after right-hander Lucas Giolito strained his left hamstring.

Giolito left his first spring training start against Philadelphia on Tuesday after one inning when his hamstring tightened. Giolito told reporters the strain was low-grade.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said the right-hander will start the season on the injured list.

Giolito will join fellow starters Brayan Bello (shoulder) and Kutter Crawford (knee) on the injured list ahead of Boston’s March 27 opener at Texas.

The 30-year-old Giolito signed a $38.5 million. two-year contract with Boston before last season, but didn’t pitch all year after a partial tear in his right ulnar collateral ligament. He was 8-15 with a 4.88 ERA in 2023 with the Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels and Cleveland Guardians.

March 13, 2025

Max Fried strong, Paul Goldschmidt drives in four runs as Yankees beat Tigers

The Yankees continued Grapefruit League play as they beat the Detroit Tigers, 8-6, on Thursday afternoon.

Here are the takeaways...

- Max Fried fared pretty well making his second start of the spring. Former Yankee Gleyber Torres struck for a solo homer in the bottom of the first, but that was the only serious damage against him in four innings of work. The southpaw allowed just that one hit and struck out four batters while throwing 57 pitches (35 strikes).

Fried now has a 4.26 ERA this spring. His addition on a historic eight-year deal this offseason became even more important to the Yankees this week with Gerrit Cole set to undergo Tommy John surgery and miss the entire 2025 season.

The Yanks will need Fried to stay healthy and pitch like the ace he was during his eight years with the Braves.

- Jasson Dominguez has been having a bit of a rough time both at the plate and in the field thus far this spring, but he put together a strong showing in this one. The youngster finished 1-for-3 with a walk and his second home run to get the Yanks on the board against Jackson Jobe in the fourth.

- Paul Goldschmidt's showing he may have something left in that veteran bat of his. He followed up Dominguez's blast with a solo shot of his own, and then drove in two more runs an inning later with a double down the left field line. The 37-year-old now has four extra base-hits over his last three spring games.

- Austin Wells continues to be a catalyst out of the leadoff spot -- reaching base two more times with a walk and a hit and scoring two runs. The young backstop is now hitting an impressive .360 with a 1.167 OPS through 25 spring at-bats.

- Right-hander Fernando Cruz, who was acquired this offseason from the Reds, continued his rough start to the spring. He allowed back-to-back doubles to Colt Keith and Javier Baez leading off the bottom of the fifth to bring his ERA to 10.13 -- but he did recover nicely, striking out the next three batters.

- Tim Hill also struggled for the first time this spring. The southpaw had put together four scoreless appearances coming into the day, but he allowed two runs on three hits in his lone inning of work.

Upcoming schedule

Allan Winans takes the mound as the Yanks continue their spring slate against the Phillies on Friday at 6:35 p.m.

March 13, 2025

Edwin Diaz bounces back, Brett Baty reaches base twice as Mets fall to Red Sox

The Mets lost to the Red Sox, 3-2, on Thursday afternoon as their spring training slate continued.

Here are the takeaways...

- David Peterson gave up a leadoff homer but limited the damage after that.

It was an uneven start for the left-hander, though, as he allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits while walking two and striking out one in 3.2 innings.

Peterson, who threw 69 pitches (43 strikes), has a 0.84 ERA this spring.

- Brandon Nimmo was back in the lineup for the first time since missing over a week of game action due to a knee issue that required a gel injection.

In his first at-bat, Nimmo smoked a single to right field. He finished 1-for-3 with a strikeout.

- Edwin Diaz allowed a leadoff double before settling in to retire the next three batters on a fly out, strikeout swinging, and a fly out. He threw 18 pitches, with 12 going for strikes.

It was a bounce back effort for Diaz, who was erratic during his first two spring appearances.

Diaz's strikeout came on a slider (which Triston Casas flailed at), while his fastball topped out at 96.3 mph.

- Brett Baty got the start at second base.

He cleanly fielded a liner in the first inning but made an error on a hard grounder hit to his right in the second inning.

Baty made a really nice play to get the second out of the third inning, ranging far to his right before making an off-balance throw to first base for the out. He also assisted on the third out -- a routine grounder he fielded at the edge of the infield dirt and threw to first.

At the plate, Baty drew a walk his first time up. In the fifth inning, he led things off by looping a single to right field. He finished 1-for-2 with a walk, and has a 1.110 OPS this spring.

With Jeff McNeil out for Opening Day due to an oblique injury, Baty -- who is expected to start at second base again on Friday -- could have the inside track to the regular second base job to start the season.

- Francisco Lindor drew a walk and stole second base in the sixth inning.

- Ryne Stanek worked around a two-out walk to toss a scoreless inning. He has yet to allow a run in Grapefruit League play.

Highlights

Brandon Nimmo with a first inning single 💪 pic.twitter.com/9GPJHp1ErL
— SNY (@SNYtv) March 13, 2025

Brett Baty had a couple chances at second base early in today's game

🔸 First inning: Makes a nice diving play up the middle, can't get the runner

🔸 Second inning: Makes an error on a sharply hit ball pic.twitter.com/lmkw6tqcKg
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) March 13, 2025

Brett Baty 🤝 Pete Alonso

Baty makes the impressive play to Alonso to secure the out pic.twitter.com/fkYHMHnloS
— SNY (@SNYtv) March 13, 2025

Upcoming schedule

The Mets host the Cardinals on Friday at 6:10 p.m. on SNY.