David Ross is headed back to the Worldwide Leader.
ESPN announced Tuesday that the longtime MLB catcher and ex-Cubs manager is coming back to the network on a multiyear deal after having previously been on its airwaves from 2017-19.
Ross, 48, joined his former broadcast partner, Jon “Boog” Sciambi, during Tuesday’s Team USA exhibition game against the Giants on ESPN to break the news of his return.
Chicago Cubs manager David Ross in the third inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Friday, May 12, 2023, in Minneapolis. AP
“I’m so fired up,” Ross, who is serving as Team USA’s bullpen coach during the World Baseball Classic, said during the broadcast.
“Pumped to be back. The ESPN family has been special to me, and I can’t wait to watch some more baseball and be more involved.”
Ross will serve as an MLB analyst for both the network’s game and studio coverage, ESPN added.
A seventh-round pick by the Dodgers in 1998, Ross went on to play 15 big league seasons with seven different teams largely as a backup catcher, retiring after the 2016 season.
Former Cubs manager and current Team USA WBC bullpen coach David Ross is returning to ESPN as an MLB analyst. #MLBpic.twitter.com/stmEO9p0az
He won two World Series titles during his career in 2013 with the Red Sox and in 2016 with the curse-breaking Cubs.
Ross was especially key during Chicago’s 2016 run, hitting two postseason home runs, including a solo shot — in the last official at-bat of his career — during the epic World Series Game 7 against Cleveland.
Manager David Rossof the Chicago Cubs looks on prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field on September 19, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. Getty Images
In October 2019, Ross signed a three-year deal to take over as the Cubs’ manager.
Rennie succeeds Scott Robertson in one of biggest jobs in rugby
‘I’m really clear on the way I want the All Blacks to play,’ says coach
Dave Rennie has been named the new coach of the All Blacks and charged with taking New Zealand to a fourth World Cup triumph in Australia next year.
The 62-year-old former Wallabies coach beat out Jamie Joseph for one of the biggest jobs in world rugby after an extensive recruitment process that started when Scott Robertson stepped down in mid January after a critical review.
STRASBOURG, France (AP) — Strasbourg advanced to the semifinals of the French Cup with a 2-1 win over Reims on Tuesday.
In an eventful finish at Stade de la Meinau, Strasbourg converted two penalties in the space of four minutes and then conceded in stoppage time as Reims fought back.
Joaquin Panichelli's spot kick broke the deadlock in the 83rd and when David Datro Fofana was brought down in the box moments later, Strasbourg was awarded a second penalty.
Panichelli had already gone off, so Julio Enciso converted from the spot to double the home team's lead.
Abdoul Ouattara was close to making it 3-0 when he hit the bar in added time, but it was Reims that got the next goal — from Patrick Zabi in the 94th.
MESA, Arizona — The Cubs wore their white pinstripe home jerseys for the exhibition game against Team Italy, and that was more than just a pleasant view. Before the game started I saw a few Cubs minor leaguers enter Sloan Park wearing the blue alternates and wondered why.
“Why” was because several of them played for Team Italy, and that had them match Italy’s blue jerseys. And a couple of the Cubs prospects hit Cubs pitching pretty hard. Owen Ayers, a catching prospect who did well in the Arizona Fall League, smashed a two-run homer and also singled, and Parker Chavers was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.
While Cubs major leaguers were in the game, though, things went quite well. Cade Horton threw three strong innings, allowing a walk and single and striking out three. Here are the three K’s [VIDEO].
That ball was up and out right in the middle of the zone and was hit a long way:
The Cubs scored three more times in the fourth. Matt Shaw led off with a double and Pedro Ramirez walked. Both runners moved up on a fly ball by Jefferson Rojas and both scored on an infield hit by Nico Hoerner, after the ball was thrown away by Italy shortstop Thomas Saggese, who you’ll remember as a member of the Cardinals.
Jacob Webb and Ethan Roberts threw scoreless innings in the fourth and fifth and so the game went to the sixth with the Cubs up 4-0 and Italy having only one hit.
Jack Neely should have had a scoreless inning, too, only Ben Cowles, just returned from his waiver sojourn to Toronto, threw a ball away for a throwing error to lead off the sixth. Neely retired the next two hitters, but then Ayers homered, and another single and homer made it a four-run inning, all the runs unearned due to the Cowles error.
Another homer in the seventh, by Saggese off Jeff Brigham, gave Italy the lead and they put the game away with a four-spot off Cubs minor leaguers Ben Heller and Tyler Santana.
So, basically, the Cubs major leaguers did what they needed to do and the loss was all off guys who won’t be on this team, some of the runs produced by their own Cubs minor-league teammates.
As noted, only 8,068 paid to see this one. This is one of the smallest crowds in the history of Sloan Park. It makes the total for seven dates this spring 79,377, or 11,340 per date.
The Cubs head to the west side of Phoenix to play the Brewers Wednesday afternoon. Edward Cabrera will start for the Cubs and Brandon Sproat, one of the two top Mets prospects the Brewers got in the Freddy Peralta deal, will start for Milwaukee. Game time Wednesday is 2:10 p.m. CT. The game will be televised on Marquee Sports Network and also Brewers TV. There will also be a radio broadcast on the Brewers flagship station, WTMJ 620.
He was also ineligible to pitch in the postseason.
Johan Rojas was fighting for a roster spot with the Phillies. Getty Images
Max Kepler, who played with the Phillies last year but became a free agent and is no longer with the team, tested positive in January and was handed an 80-game suspension.
Rojas, 25, was battling for a roster spot with the Phillies.
A strong fielder who has struggled to establish himself at the plate, he played in 71 games last year for the Phillies and hit .224 with a .569 OPS.
He was set to play for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, but did not report with the rest of his teammates over the weekend amid the failed test.
Rojas will still be allowed to play spring training games as his appeal process plays out, though it’s unclear if that’s the Phillies’ plan.
Dodgers right-hander Roki Sasaki throws during the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday. He was lifted after not retiring any of the first five batters he faced, but was re-inserted in the second inning and retired the last six batters he faced. (Mike Christy / Getty Images)
Roki Sasaki’s struggles from his first Cactus League start carried over into Tuesday's game against the Cleveland Guardians at Goodyear Ballpark.
The Dodgers right-hander gave up three walks and two hits, including a grand slam to Guardians slugger Kyle Manzardo, before he was lifted after 23 pitches. He displayed no command, missing arm side repeatedly and throwing only eight strikes. None of the five batters he faced in the first inning saw a first-pitch strike.
But then, he flashed the tantalizing potential that the Dodgers saw when they signed him before last season.
Re-inserted into the game to start the second inning, which is allowed in spring training, the 24-year-old settled down and retired all six batters he faced in his last two innings of work while throwing 22 pitches — 13 for strikes — in the Dodgers' 5-4 win.
Working in a healthy mix of fastballs, cutters and splitters, Sasaki struck out two and was able to limit hard contact, which had been an issue for him in the first inning and in his first start last week against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The home run by Manzardo recorded an exit velocity of 104.6 mph.
"I wasn't overly concerned," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "But it was good to see him bounce back."
Sasaki said through an interpreter after he was lifted from the game that something felt off about his upper-body mechanics. He made a simple adjustment and found success in it.
“It was actually my upper body,” Sasaki said. “My lower half actually felt pretty good. My upper body felt a little off, so I was trying to make an adjustment.”
Said Roberts when asked about Sasaki missing arm side: "Maybe he's trying to be a little too fine and/or just a little bit out of sync with the delivery. That's why you have spring training, you work though it, you've got to be able to make in-game adjustments. As he gets more experienced, you would expect that to happen in the inning rather than sit for 20 minutes, come in and reset."
Gavin Stone has shoulder inflammation
Roberts said before Tuesday's game that right-hander Gavin Stone received a scan, which revealed shoulder inflammation. The 27-year-old pitcher, who struck out two in a perfect inning of work in his first Cactus League start last week, will stop all throwing activities for two weeks and be re-evaluated.
“I think we dodged a bullet," Roberts said. "We feel good about it.”
Stone is working his way back from a right shoulder surgery that he underwent in October 2024, which caused him to miss all of last season.
But with him and left-hander Blake Snell sidelined, that opens some spots in the starting rotation — which presents an opportunity for the likes of Emmet Sheehan, who has yet to appear in a Cactus League game, and River Ryan, who looked sharp in two scoreless innings of work Tuesday. Ryan recorded three strikeouts against the Guardians.
Tommy Edman taking batting practice, Kiké Hernández progressing
Roberts revealed Tuesday that utilityman Tommy Edman has started taking batting practice, as he recovers from ankle surgery. He will likely open the season on IL.
“I think he has [taken batting practice] in a cage,” Roberts said. “I don’t think he’s been on the field yet, but he’s swinging from both sides, he’s running, playing catch, and all of that stuff. So, he’s progressing nicely. Still, obviously a ways away from playing in a game, but it’s been really good to see his kind of progression.”
Roberts says that utilityman Kiké Hernández, who is recovering from offseason surgery on his left elbow, is also trending in the right direction.
“He is [making progress],” Roberts said. “I think he’s going to be with us for a few more days, and then he’s going to join Team Puerto Rico down there, but from what I hear every day he’s progressed really well. I’ve seen him running around and doing some movements, but yeah, I don’t know what his progression is with the hitting, but from what I’ve heard, it’s getting better each day.”
Hernández will not participate in the World Baseball Classic.
Kyle Tucker goes home to be with family
Noticeably absent from the Dodgers’ lineup and clubhouse this week is Kyle Tucker. Roberts explained that Tucker has returned to his offseason home as his wife is close to giving birth to the couple’s first son.
“He went home,” Roberts said. “He and his wife are expecting, and so hopefully we have some news here soon, and then once he does, he’ll be back.”
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Johan Rojas, 25, is facing an 80-game suspension following a failed PED test, according to multiple reports.
Rojas is appealing the test results.
He was originally slated to be a part of the Dominican Republic World Baseball Classic team, but dropped off the roster last week. He was not with the team when it made its trip to Miami over the weekend.
This marks the second consecutive year the Phillies have had a player suspended due to PEDs. In 2025, reliever Jose Alvarado received an 80-game suspension of his own, which has kept him off Venezuela's roster for the World Baseball Classic.
Johan Rojas stats
Rojas, lauded mostly for his defensive prowess, was expected to platoon in center field alongside rookie Justin Crawford. The three-year vet struggled offensively in 2025, posting a 57 OPS+ and slashing .224/.280/.289 in 71 games.
When will Johan Rojas return?
If Rojas' appeal fails, he will be eligible to return in late June. That said, Rojas' suspension would make him ineligible to participate in the MLB postseason this year. The Phillies have reached the playoffs in four consecutive seasons.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - JANUARY 04: Sam Merrill #5 of the Cleveland Cavaliers rebounds a shot during the second half against the Detroit Pistons at Rocket Arena on January 04, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers will look to avenge their loss on Friday to the Detroit Pistons. Fortunately for them, they’ll have the services of James Harden this time around.
I’ll be in the comments throughout the game sharing my thoughts. Feel free to join in on the conversation and let your voice be heard in the comments below.
Luis Rey holds a Mexican flag outside of Chase Field before they play Colombia during the World Baseball Classic in Phoenix on March 11, 2023. Baseball World Baseball Classic Opening Day
The tune-up for the World Baseball Classic also gave the D-backs a chance to run out some young players, with the absence of a number of regulars, now off to play for their country. Those actually include Alek Thomas, who was in the opposition dugout here, and went 2-for-3, driving a run against his regular employers. Six of the eight Arizona pitchers used put up a zero today. That included starter Zac Gallen, who worked two innings in his second start of spring. It only took him 22 pitches for Zac to get through his work today, allowing one hit, without a walk or a strikeout.
After that, there were zeroes put up by Taylor Clarke, Joe Ross, Andrew Hoffmann, and in his debut, Grant Homan, of the players expected to be competing seriously for a roster spot. Hoffman looked particularly good, striking out two of the three batters he faced in the sixth. Most of the damage came off Juan Morillo, who was ambushed for four hits in his first handful of pitches, on his way to a four-run fourth for Mexico. Dylan Ray allowed a home-run in the eighth to land mammal Rowdy Tellez, and another in the ninth to Alejandro Osuna. ABS was not in play this afternoon, so nothing to report there.
On offense, both sides notched eleven hits. Tim Tawa and Jordan Lawlar each had a pair of hits among the starters, while LuJames Groover went 2-for-2 off the bench. James McCann had an RBI single and a walk, but the D-backs spurned a number of chances to come back after falling 4-0 down. They were 3-for-15 with runners in scoring position – significantly more chances than the Mexican squad, who were 3-for-9 with RISP. Still, a better performance by the D-backs than the Giants, who were murdered to the tune of 15-1 by ‘Merica. Hey, and the British team beat the Brewers 7-3, Kristin Robinson notching a pair of hits for Blighty.
Normal Cactus League service will be resumed again at Hohokam, with a game against the Athletics. Brandon Pfaadt is your scheduled starter there, in a 1:05 pm first pitch.
Roki Sasaki had his second outing of Spring Training on Tuesday, and it didn’t start very well.
After allowing a single and two walks to the first three batters, Sasaki gave up a grand slam to Kyle Manzardo. He then walked the next batter and then was removed from the inning. Roki re-entered the game in the bottom of the second, looking much better. He struck out two and induced a fly out. He also set down the side in the bottom of the third.
After his outing, Sasaki told reporters that his upper body mechanics felt “off”. He was able to get things more in sync in the second and third innings, saying “Actually, I was able to find something I could really trust. But I still need to work on [it] to produce in the game.” In an interview with Kirsten Watson on SportsNet LA, Sasaki remarked that once he stood up straighter, then everything started going better.
In the first inning, Sasaki was missing everything arm side. In the second, he started the first batter with two balls but then found his groove, recording strikes on seven of his next eight pitches. He struck out two with his splitter.
Those four runs were all the Guardians would be able to score against the Dodgers, however. The rest of the pitchers on the day combined to strike out 11, while allowing two hits and walking four.
World Series hero Will Klein looked especially good, striking out two and retiring the side on just nine pitches.
River Ryan is keeping his name in the starting rotation talk with another good outing. Across two innings and 28 pitches, Ryan didn’t allow a hit or a run, striking out three, including Jose Ramirez, and walking one.
Miguel Rojas continues his hot spring, going 2-for-3 including a two-run homer in the third inning. Rojas is batting .375 with a .952 OPS so far this spring.
Zach Ehrhard tripled in two runs in the fourth, and then scored to give the Dodgers the lead that they would carry to the end of the game.
The Dodgers will face Team Mexico on Wednesday at Camelback Ranch. Tyler Glasnow will pitch for the Dodgers, against a TBD starter for Mexico.
PORT CHARLOTTE, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 28: Kevin McGonigle #85 of the Detroit Tigers hits a triple during the first inning of a spring training game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Charlotte Sports Park on February 28, 2026 in Port Charlotte, Florida. (Photo by Mark Taylor/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Detroit Tigers vs. Dominican Republic
Time/Place: 6:05 p.m., Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal – Santo Domingo, DR Media: MLB Network, Tigers Radio Network
Vanderbilt baseball head coach Tim Corbin congratulates Vanderbilt's Braden Holcomb (26) on a home run during their game against Marist at Vanderbilt’s Hawkins Field Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. | Alan Poizner/For The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
4:30pm CT SECN+
On the Mound
Tuesday @ 4:30pm SECN+
Vanderbilt #77 Jr. RHP Alex “The Kranz” Kranzler (1-1; 13.50 ERA)
vs. Central Arkansas #39 Jr. RHP Patrick “It’s Pat” Fernandez (1-1; 6.75 ERA)
Jul 23, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Johan Rojas (23) hits an RBI single against the Boston Red Sox in the eleventh inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images | Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Yesterday, there was a report that Johan Rojas had been removed from the Dominican Republic WBC roster for “personal decisions” as termed by Nelson Cruz, decisions that have now been given a little more clarification.
Phillies OF Johan Rojas did fail a test for PEDs. He, like Profar, is appealing the positive test. @wilberdata 1st reported Rojas’ failed test.
As said above, Rojas is reportedly appealing said failed test.
This is sad news for a few reasons, number one of which that Rojas would consider taking PEDs. We knew that his place in the organization had slipped quite a bit from being the center fielder of the future to “maybe he’ll make the roster?” Perhaps that fall had led to his apparent decision to partake in PED usage, but now he is facing an 80 game suspension from MLB as well as not being able to participate in this or the next World Baseball Classic.
Mar 3, 2026; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Nathan Lukes (38) singles during the fourth inning against Team Canada at TD Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Canada 7 Blue Jays 10
It looked like a runaway, early, the Jays were up 7-0 after 2 innings. But Team Canada tied things in the top of the eighth. Then the Jays scored three more in the bottom of the inning.
Kevin Gausman cruised through his two innings, allowing a hit and a walk with two strikeouts. He looked good.
Other Jays pitchers:
Angel Bastardo: 1 inning, 1 hit.
Braydon Fisher: 1 inning, 3 strikeouts.
Mason Fluharty: 1 inning, 1 hit, 2 strikeouts.
Lazaro Estrada: Got 2 outs, gave up 3 hits, 2 earned.
Gage Stanifer: Gave up 3 hits, 4 earned, 1 walk, 1 home run, and hit a batter, without getting an out.
Jack Cushing: 2 innings, 1 hit, 2 strikeouts.
Hitting, Jays starters:
George Springer: 0 for 2, walk, RBI, strikeout.
Nathan Lukes: 2 for 2, 2 RBI, 1 walk.
Daulton Varsho: 1 for 3, 2 runs.
Addison Barger: 0 for 2, walk, k.
Davis Schneider: 0 for 2, walk, k.
Jesús Sánchez: 2 for 3, 3 RBI and a caught stealing and picked off.
Brandon Valenzuela: 0 for 2, walk, k.
Arjun Nimmala: 0 for 2, walk, k.
Sean Keys: 0 for 2, walk, 2 k.
Others:
Josh Kasevish: 1 for 2, double.
Yohendrick Pinango: 0 for 3, k.
Jonatan Clase: 0 for 1.
Rafael Lantigua: Walk.
Carlos Mendoza: 0 for 1.
Eloy Jiménez: 1 for 1.
Geovanny Planchart: 0 for 1.
Josh Rivera: Walk.
Riley Tirotta: 1 for 1, home run, 3 RBI.
On the Canada side:
Adam Macko pitched a scoreless inning with a hit against.
Jacob Robson hit a home run.
Josh Naylor: 1 for 2 with a walk and stole a base.
Otto Lopez: 1 for 3, walk.
Tyler Black: 1 for 3, walk.
Denzel Clarke: 1 for 4, double.
The Jays have tomorrow off from spring training games, then a game against the Braves on Thursday, a 1:00 Eastern start time. The Jays will be on MLB TV as their Free Game of the Day
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