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Shohei Ohtani: Japanese star agrees to defer majority of Los Angeles Dodgers deal​

Shohei Ohtani has agreed to defer $680m (£541m) of his $700m (£557m) deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to multiple US sources including the MLB, external.

Ohtani joined the Dodgers on a 10-year contract - in the biggest deal in the sport's history - after his contract with the Los Angeles Angels expired.

He has agreed to take home $2m (£1.6m) per year until 2034 when he will be paid $68m (£54m) per year until 2043.

The move gives the Dodgers more freedom to add to their roster.

Ohtani is reported to bring in around $50m (£40m) annually via endorsements and off-the-field ventures.

A two-time MVP, who lifted the trophy with the Angels in 2023, Ohtani has been widely credited with transforming how the sport is played in the modern era and is already well on the way to being considered an all-time great.

Unlike most baseball players who specialise in batting or pitching, Ohtani is equally skilled at both disciplines.

His overall deal is said to make Ohtani one of the world's highest-earning athletes, with the reported value of the contract ranking alongside - or even surpassing - the sort of sums megastars like footballer Lionel Messi or basketball player LeBron James have commanded.

Dodgers owner Mark Walter said: "On behalf of the LA Dodgers and our fans everywhere, we welcome Shohei Ohtani to the Dodgers, the home of Jackie Robinson, Sandy Koufax and Hideo Nomo, three of the sport's most legendary and pathbreaking players.

"We congratulate him on his historic contract with our storied franchise."

As per the MLB's Collective Bargaining Agreement, which was ratified after lengthy negotiations between MLB representatives and the players' association in May: "There shall be no limitations on either the amount of the deferred compensation or the percentage of total compensation attributable to deferred compensation for which a Uniform Player's Contract may provide."

In structuring the deal in this manner, the Dodgers will have greater financial flexibility in the short term as they look to ensure they meet the threshold for the league's Competitive Balance Tax (CBT), which is set at a limit of $237m (£189m) for 2024.

Each team's CBT figure is determined by using the average annual value (AAV) of each player's contract across the 40-man roster, plus additional player benefits.

Had Ohtani not opted to defer the majority of his contract, the AAV on his deal would be $70m (£56m).

The Japanese player is not the first to adopt this approach, with Max Scherzer agreeing to defer half of his $210m (£168m) when he signed a seven-year contract with the Washington Nationals before the 2015 season.

Source: BBC
 

Shohei Ohtani wants to help Los Angeles Dodgers achieve success with historic deal​

Shohei Ohtani says his decision to defer the majority of his record-breaking contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers is to help them achieve Major League Baseball success.

Japan's Ohtani, 29, agreed to carry over $680m (£541m) of his $700m (£557m) 10-year deal.

He will take home $2m (£1.6m) per year until 2034 when he will be paid $68m (£54m) per year until 2043.

The arrangement will give the Dodgers more money under MLB salary cap rules.

Speaking on Thursday, Ohtani said: "I was looking into it and doing some calculations and I figured if I can defer as much money as I can and that's going to help the Dodgers be able to sign better players and make a better team, I felt that was worth it and was willing to go that direction.

"They share the same passion as me and have a vision and history all about winning and I have the same values.

"I will face a lot of new challenges as a Dodger and I'm ready for it."

Ohtani joined the Dodgers in the biggest deal in the sport's history after his contract with the Los Angeles Angels expired.

The two-time American League Most Valuable Player, who lifted the trophy with the Angels in 2023, is reported to bring in around $50m (£40m) annually via endorsements and off-the-field ventures.

While he is skilled in both batting and pitching, Ohtani will not be able to pitch for the Dodgers in 2024 after having surgery to repair a torn right elbow ligament in October.

He underwent tendon replacement surgery in 2018 in his right elbow but said this year's operation was "completely different" to the first.

However, Ohtani believes he will "be fully ready" for the Dodgers' 2024 season opener on 20 March when they face the San Diego Padres in the first regular-season MLB game played in South Korea.

Source: BBC
 
He is a class-act and he should prove a great addition into Los Angeles Dodgers.
 
The Los Angeles Dodgers have signed Japanese right-handed pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto on a 12-year deal worth a reported $325m (£256.2m).

They will also pay a $50.6m (£39.9m) 'posting fee' - designed to compensate Japanese teams - for the 25-year-old, who joins from Orix Buffaloes.

Yamamoto had interest from multiple teams, including the New York Yankees.

Earlier in December, the Dodgers signed his compatriot Shohei Ohtani in a record $700m (£558m) 10-year contract.

Ohtani said last week he was deferring the majority of his record-breaking contract to help them achieve Major League Baseball success.



BBC
 

Statue of baseball icon Jackie Robinson stolen from Kansas park​

A statue of iconic American baseball player Jackie Robinson was stolen from a park in Kansas, police said.

The bronze statue, which stood at a park in Wichita, was cut at the ankles and hauled off in a truck.

"Our community is devastated," said Wichita Police in a statement on the theft, which happened overnight on Thursday.

Police have offered a cash reward for any tip on the statue's whereabouts.

Wichita police chief Joe Sullivan said at a news conference on Friday that he was "frustrated by the actions of those individuals who had the audacity to take the statute" from a park that children and families frequent.

"This should upset all of us," Mr Sullivan said.

The statue was in McAdams Park, home to League 42, a youth baseball league named after Robinson's jersey number.

The park is also known for recognising influential African Americans. It is named after a former black city official, and its community center was renamed in recent years after the city's first elected black mayor.

Robinson, who played for the Brooklyn Dodgers, made history as the first black player in Major League Baseball, paving the way for generations of African American ball players.

"No matter the motivation of those who were involved, they were not only stealing from the community, they're also stealing from the legacy of work that has been put in by the members of League 42," said Brandon Johnson, a member of the Wichita city council.

"More importantly, they're stealing from the kids."

Officials are offering a $2,500 (£1,970) for any tip that leads to an arrest, and an additional $5,000 to anyone with information on where the statue might be.

The value of the stolen statue is more than $75,000, city officials said, but they added the value of what was lost is much bigger.

"The value is much more than that. It's Jackie Robinson. And I'll just leave it at that," said Troy Houtman, Wichita's parks and recreation director.

Source: BBC
 

Billy Eppler: MLB suspends ex-New York Mets general manager for fabricating injuries​

Major League Baseball has suspended ex-New York Mets general manager Billy Eppler after an investigation found he had fabricated injuries.

MLB said Eppler's improper use of the injured list included the "deliberate fabrication of injuries".

Placing players on the injured list allows teams to open roster spots, while also keeping those players under club control.

Eppler has been suspended until the end of the 2024 World Series.

The 48-year-old was the Mets general manager from November 2021 until he resigned in October following the announcement of the MLB investigation.

MLB said Eppler had also submitted documents to justify improper placements on the injured list during the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

The Mets and Eppler "fully cooperated" with the investigation, which determined Eppler was not acting under the direction of the team's owners.

In a statement, the Mets said they "consider the matter closed and will have no further comment".

Source: BBC
 

Shohei Ohtani: Baseball superstar announces marriage to Japanese woman​

Baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani, one of Japan's most eligible bachelors, has announced that he is married, stirring a frenzy on social media.

The Los Angeles Dodgers star's announcement came as a shock as he has closely guarded his private life.

"I wanted everyone to know I am now married," the 29-year-old said on Thursday in an Instagram post.

Ohtani described his Japanese bride as someone "who is very special to me" but did not disclose her identity.

"Two people (plus one dog), we'll grow together," he told his seven million Instagram followers.

At a press conference on Friday, he did not give many more details, but said: "She is Japanese. I don't think I need to announce the date we got married. She is a typical, ordinary person."

He said there wasn't a "particular reason" to decide to get married, but said: "When I'm with her, I have fun. So I'm able to envision a future with her."

And Ohtani added she had "absolutely no influence on my decision" where to play, adding: "She said she will go wherever I go. So my decision was based on where I want to play baseball."

Last year, Ohtani made history when he signed a record-breaking 10-year, $700m (£552m) contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers - making him one of the world's highest-earning athletes.

Unlike most players who specialise in batting or pitching, Ohtani is equally skilled at both disciplines, drawing comparisons with American baseball legend Babe Ruth.

He has been given the nickname "Shotime" and has been described as among the world's best players.

On social media, congratulatory messages poured in after Ohtani made the announcement in his post on Instagram, which got one million likes in less than an hour.

But quite a few were also heartbroken that the Japanese nation's sweetheart was no longer available.

"Shohei Ohtani is married. This is the worst day of my life," one post read.

"I am so happy for him and congrats to him and his wife. I love that he was able to announce it on his own and on his own terms," another post read.

Ohtani, who is in the US for training, also received well wishes from his team.

"When you have a baseball game and a wedding to get to on the same day. Congratulations to Shohei Ohtani on his new marriage," the LA Dodgers said in a post on X, accompanied by a video of him in action during a game.

Ohtani left fans guessing over who his bride could be.

"Isn't it amazing that this woman was able to get in his strict schedule and successfully got married?" one social media user wrote.

Baseball is hugely popular in Japan and Ohtani is part of a long line of Japanese players to see action in the American league.

Shortly after his announcement, Ohtani occupied the entire top five topics on X's Japan trending topics.

One thing his wife will have to navigate is Ohtani's need for large amounts of high quality sleep - this is said to be a key factor underpinning his success.

"Sleep is my top priority," says the star, who has special custom-made pillows, and fits in naps on planes and buses and in changing rooms before and after games, Kyodo News reports.

Source: BBC
 

Shohei Ohtani: Baseball star shares first photo with new wife Mamiko Tanaka​


Japanese baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani has unveiled the identity of his new wife after weeks of speculation.

The Los Angeles Dodgers star shared a photo of Mamiko Tanaka, a former basketball player, for the first time on his Instagram on Thursday.

The newlyweds are seen in front of an aeroplane as the team makes its way to South Korea as part of the Major League Baseball (MLB) World Tour.

Ohtani did not reveal her identity when he announced their marriage last month.

The 29-year-old also gave no details about their wedding at that time, only describing his Japanese bride as someone "who is very special to me".

The announcement came as a shock to many and caused a stir on social media, leaving many of his fans guessing who she might be.

That mystery has now been solved.

Tanaka, 27, played for the Fujitsu Red Wave in the Women's Japanese Basketball League for four seasons before retiring last year, according to CBS News.

www.bbc.com

Shohei Ohtani: Baseball star shares first photo with new wife Mamiko Tanaka

Shohei Ohtani shares a photo with Mamiko Tanaka for the first time as his team heads to South Korea.
www.bbc.com www.bbc.com
 

Shohei Ohtani to address theft and gambling claims surrounding fired translator Ippei Mizuhara​


Baseball sensation Shohei Ohtani will speak to the media later to address allegations of theft connected to illegal gambling surrounding his former interpreter.

The translator, Ippei Mizuhara, was fired by the Los Angeles Dodgers last week after the claims emerged.

Ohtani's legal representatives have accused Mr Mizuhara of "massive theft".

At least $4.5m (£3.5m) was reportedly transferred from Ohtani's bank account to a bookmaker.

Sports betting is legal in 38 states in America, but it remains illegal in California.

Ohtani, 29, has not been accused of any crime or placing any bets. On Monday the Japanese sports hero is expected to publicly address the controversy for the first time.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has backed Ohtani's decision to speak out.

"I'm happy he's going to speak and speak to what he knows and give his thoughts on the whole situation," he told a news conference on Sunday.

"I think it will give us all a little bit more clarity."

ESPN reported last week that a newly hired crisis-communications spokesman for Ohtani had initially told the network that the former Los Angeles Angels star had transferred funds to cover his interpreter's gambling debts. But the spokesman soon recanted this account and said the star's lawyers would issue a statement.

Berk Brettler, a law firm representing Ohtani, said: "In the course of responding to recent media inquiries, we discovered that Shohei has been the victim of a massive theft, and we are turning the matter over to the authorities."

Mr Mizuhara originally told ESPN that Ohtani had been aware of his interpreter's gambling debts. But a day later he was fired and then said Ohtani did not know about the gambling debts and had not transferred the money.

It is not known whether any of Mr Mizuhara's alleged sports gambling involved baseball games.

In his interview with ESPN, Mr Mizuhara said: "I want everyone to know Shohei had zero involvement in betting."

Since the allegations surfaced last week, Major League Baseball and the Internal Revenue Service have announced formal inquiries into the matter.

Mr Ohtani played last week in front of a sell-out crowd during a two-game series between the LA Dodgers and San Diego Padres in Seoul, South Korea.

Last December, Ohtani signed a record 10-year, $700m contract with the Dodgers, becoming the face of the sports franchise. He had just won his second unanimous American League MVP award.

His stint in the US started in 2018, and Mr Mizuhara has been a constant companion.

Mr Mizuhara's record before working with Ohtani has come under scrutiny in recent days.

The University of California, Riverside released a statement saying they had no record of Mr Mizuhara ever attending the university, contrary to the claim of the translator's public biography.

And the Boston Red Sox said Mr Mizuhara was never employed as an interpreter by the franchise, despite news reports and a Los Angeles Angels media guide saying so.

Source: BBC
 
Dave McCarty, a first baseman and outfielder on the 2004 Boston Red Sox team that won the World Series, died Friday in Oakland, California. He was 54.

The Red Sox announced his death and said it was caused by a "cardiac event."

Source: ESPN
 

Padres make trade for Marlins 2B Luis Arraez​

The San Diego Padres have acquired second baseman Luis Arraez in a trade with the Miami Marlins for reliever Woo-Suk Go and prospects Dillon Head, Jakob Marsee and Nathan Martorella, the teams announced Saturday.

The Padres also received nearly $7.9 million in cash considerations, leaving them responsible only for the major league minimum salary for Arraez.

The transaction represents the first significant move for the Marlins since Peter Bendix took over as the team's president of baseball operations in November after Kim Ng departed. It marks the beginning of the Marlins' teardown of an underachieving roster that has produced the third-worst record in the majors at 9-25 with a minus-61 run differential after reaching the postseason in 2023.

On the other side, it's another aggressive deal for A.J. Preller, the leader of the Padres' front office since 2014. Arraez, one of the sport's best contact hitters, will give the Padres a needed left-handed-hitting weapon after Juan Soto was sent to the New York Yankees in December. San Diego is 17-18 with a plus-6 run differential.

"It's really amazing -- that guy is a baller," Fernando Tatis Jr. said about Arraez after the Padres' win Friday night. "He's probably the closest to Tony Gwynn right now, so looking forward to seeing him in our lineup. ... The guy's a pure hitter, and I can't wait for him to help us."

Miami is paying San Diego $7,898,602 of the $8,491,398 remaining for the final 149 days of Arraez's $10.6 million salary. That left his cost to the Padres at $592,796 -- exactly a prorated share of the $740,000 minimum.

Arraez, 27, was the Marlins' best player, an All-Star and batting champion each of the past two seasons. This season, he is batting .299 with a .719 OPS in 33 games, all started at second base. He also has extensive experience at first base.

"When a guy like that is taken out of the lineup or potentially traded, you feel it, because he's such a good kid and one of the leaders in that clubhouse," Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said, "so there's definitely a shock value."

Arraez is expected to start games as the Padres' designated hitter, but the club plans to cycle through the DH spot. Jake Cronenworth, Xander Bogaerts and Manny Machado could also get at-bats there. Bogaerts has been the club's starting second baseman.

Go spent seven seasons in the Korean Baseball Organization before signing a two-year deal with a mutual option worth $4.5 million guaranteed during the offseason. The 25-year-old right-hander appeared in 10 games for Double-A San Antonio, posting a 4.38 ERA across 12⅓ innings after failing to make the Padres' bullpen out of spring training.

Head was the Padres' first-round pick (25th overall) last year out of high school. The 19-year-old center fielder is batting .237 with a .683 OPS and three stolen bases in 21 games in low-Class A.

Martorella is batting .294 with an .820 OPS in 23 games in San Antonio. The Padres selected the 23-year-old first baseman in the fifth round of the 2022 draft. Marsee, a 22-year-old outfielder, has spent the season in San Antonio batting .185 with two home runs. He was a sixth-round pick in 2022 out of Central Michigan.

www.espn.com

Padres trade for Marlins batting champ Arraez

The Padres have acquired second baseman Luis Arraez in a trade with the Marlins for a package of three prospects and a relief pitcher.
www.espn.com www.espn.com
 
Japanese baseball great Shohei Ohtani's former interpreter has agreed to plead guilty to federal charges he fraudulently wired nearly $17 million stolen from the athlete's bank account to pay off his own gambling debts, court records showed on Wednesday.

The plea agreement between federal prosecutors and Ippei Mizuhara, the onetime translator and de facto manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers' power-hitting pitcher, was announced by the U.S. Attorney's Office in L.A., where the case was first brought last month.

reuters
 

Kansas man pleads guilty to stealing Jackie Robinson statue​


A man accused of helping steal a statue of baseball player Jackie Robinson from a park in Kansas has pleaded guilty.

Ricky Alderete, a 45-year-old man from Wichita, told court that he helped swipe the statue from the park and loaded it in a pickup truck.

The bronze statue was cut off at the ankles before it was hauled away by the burglars in January.

Its theft was met with outcry from community members, who have since raised money to replace it.

Mr Alderete is facing multiple charges including aggravated burglary, aggravated damage to property and theft, according to prosecutors.

He pleaded guilty to the charges on Thursday in the Sedgwick County District Court in Wichita, Kansas.

District Judge Tyler Roush told Mr Alderete that he faces a maximum prison sentence of over 19 years.

He also faces a fine of $41,500 (£33,126) that would be paid to League 42, a youth baseball league that plays in McAdams Park, where the statue was stolen from. The league was named after Robinson's jersey number.

Surveillance footage of the theft shows at least two people entering the park around midnight and stealing the statue, police had previously said.

Mr Alderete is the first to be arrested. He is scheduled to be sentenced on 1 July.

Robinson, who played for the Brooklyn Dodgers, made history as the first black player in MLB, paving the way for generations of African American ball players.

Earlier, authorities said there was no evidence to suggest the theft of the statue was a hate crime. Rather, the perpetrators were likely looking to make money.

"We believe this theft was motivated by the financial gain of scrapping common metal," Police lieutenant Aaron Moses said in February.

Authorities also said they believe the statue is no longer intact, and that it has been taken apart by the burglars and would need to be fully replaced.

Since its theft, nearly $200,000 (£159,650) was raised by community members through an online fundraiser, and Major League Baseball (MLB), North America's professional baseball league, has since offered to replace it.

The new statue is expected to be erected by the summer, city officials have said.

Source: BBC
 

Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani progressing in recovery from TJ surgery​

NEW YORK -- While Shohei Ohtani has remained one of the most productive hitters in the majors this season, he continues making progress in his recovery to getting back on the mound after Tommy John surgery.

The Los Angeles Dodgers superstar said he started throwing from 60 feet last week and reached 80 mph.

"Just progressively increasing the distance," Ohtani said through an interpreter Monday before the Dodgers' series opener against the New York Mets was postponed. "Usually anywhere from 60-70 pitches, in that distance. Just continuing to increase the distance and the pitches, and just seeing where that goes. I'm not quite sure how far I'm going to go out there, but that's the progression."
www.espn.com

Ohtani progressing in recovery from TJ surgery

While Shohei Ohtani has remained one of the most productive hitters in the majors this season, he continues making progress in his recovery to getting back on the mound after Tommy John surgery.
www.espn.com www.espn.com
 

MLB umpire Ángel Hernández retiring after 3 decades​

MLB umpire Ángel Hernández is retiring effective immediately, ending a controversial three-decade-long career that in recent years turned Hernández into a source of consternation with players and a punching bag among fans on social media.

The 62-year-old Hernández, who in a statement confirmed earlier reports he would be retiring, reached a settlement to leave Major League Baseball, according to a source, and will leave after umpiring thousands of games since his debut in 1991.

Hernández, who worked his last game May 9 and was replaced on Lance Barksdale's crew by Jacob Metz, sued MLB in 2017, alleging the league had engaged in racial discrimination. The lawsuit was thrown out by a district court judge, a decision upheld by an appeals court last year.

With a penchant for bad calls -- during a 2018 playoff game, he had three calls reversed by replay in the first four innings -- Hernández received a disproportionate amount of odium from fans. The lawsuit only added to the animus Hernández generated, and the groundswell grew to the point that Hernández retired after missing much of the 2023 season with a back injury.

www.espn.com

MLB ump Ángel Hernández retiring after 3 decades

MLB umpire Ángel Hernández is retiring effective immediately, ending a controversial three-decade-long career that in recent years turned Hernández into a source of consternation with players and a punching bag among fans on social media.
www.espn.com www.espn.com
 

Report: Padres' Marcano facing lifetime ban for betting on baseball​

San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano is facing a potential lifetime ban from MLB for betting on baseball, sources told Jared Diamond and Lindsey Adler of The Wall Street Journal.

The league is investigating the 24-year-old Venezuelan, who's reportedly accused of betting on Pittsburgh Pirates games last season when he was on their injured list.

Four other players also face potential league discipline for betting on baseball while in the minor leagues, sources told Diamond and Adler.

"We are aware of an active investigation by Major League Baseball regarding a matter that occurred when the player in question was a member of another organization and not affiliated with the San Diego Padres. We will not have any further comment until the investigative process has been completed," the Padres said in a statement, per Diamond and Adler.

The Pirates stated they "were aware of the matter" and are "fully cooperating" but will refrain from any further comments, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Noah Hiles.

The Padres claimed Marcano off waivers in November, but he hasn't played a game for their organization since being acquired. He suited up in 25 games for San Diego in 2021 before he was traded to Pittsburgh. He hasn't appeared in an MLB game since tearing his ACL with the Pirates in July 2023.

Marcano's investigation follows other recent sports gambling scandals, including one involving Shohei Ohtani's former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara, who allegedly stole nearly $17 million from the Japanese baseball star.

Ohtani's former Los Angeles Angels teammate, David Fletcher, is also being investigated by the league for allegedly betting on sports with the same illegal bookmaker connected to Mizuhara.

www.thescore.com

Report: Padres' Marcano facing lifetime ban for betting on baseball

San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano is facing a potential lifetime ban from MLB for betting on baseball, sources told Jared Diamond and Lindsey Adler of The Wall Street Journal.The league is investigating the 24-year-old Venezuelan, who's reportedly accused of betting on Pittsburgh...
www.thescore.com www.thescore.com
 

Ohtani's ex-interpreter pleads guilty to fraud charges​

The former interpreter of Japanese baseball star Shohei Ohtani pleaded guilty to tax and bank fraud charges at a courthouse south of Los Angeles on Tuesday.

Ippei Mizuhara, 39, is accused of stealing nearly $17m (£13.3m) from Mr Ohtani - who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers - during the years he was employed by the top athlete.

Mr Ohtani is one of the biggest names in modern baseball. He signed a record 10-year, $700m contract with the Dodgers before the 2024 season, becoming a face of the franchise and Major League Baseball.

Prosecutors have said that Mizuhara used the baseball player's money to pay off his mounting gambling debts.

The guilty plea is part of a deal the ex-interpreter entered with prosecutors in exchange for a reduced sentence.

The case has been the subject of much attention from baseball fans in Japan and America since news of the allegations first broke in March.

At Tuesday’s hearing at a federal court in Orange County, Mizhuara reportedly said that he fell into major gambling debt. He said that the only way out was to use money he wired from Mr Ohtani’s account.

Prosecutors allege the ex-interpreter had called bank officials and falsely identified himself as Mr Ohtani "to trick employees into authorizing wire transfers from [Mr] Ohtani's bank account to associates of the illegal gambling operation”.

They have also accused him of tax fraud.

“The extent of this defendant's deception and theft is massive,” US Attorney Martin Estrada said last month when laying out the charges.

“He took advantage of his position of trust to take advantage of Mr Ohtani and fuel a dangerous gambling habit.”

The bank fraud charge is punishable by up to 30 years in prison, and he could face up to three years for the tax fraud charge.

Mizhuara pleaded guilty to both.

A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for 25 October.

Mizhuara was fired in March as news of the allegations emerged. At the time, Mr Ohtani, 29, said he was “saddened and shocked” that someone he had trusted had “done this”.

Mizuhara had been a constant companion since the baseball star - now a two-time winner of the American League MVP award - began playing in the US in 2018.

Mr Ohtani, who does not speak English, has relied heavily on his interpreter, from help with media interviews to banking and working with his financial advisors.

Source: BBC
 

Mets' Kodai Senga won't be back before All-Star break​

LONDON -- New York Mets pitcher Kodai Senga won't make his season debut until after the All-Star break, manager Carlos Mendoza said Saturday.

"That's fair to say," Mendoza said in response to a question about the right-hander's rehab timeline.

The Mets are in London for a two-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Senga, 31, has been sidelined by a capsule strain in his pitching shoulder. But he has started long-tossing.

"Hopefully he can start throwing bullpens at some point at the beginning of next week," Mendoza said.

Senga went 12-7 with a 2.98 ERA in 29 starts for the Mets last year, making the NL All-Star team during his first season in the majors after arriving from Japan. He struck out 202 batters in 166⅓ innings, finishing runner-up for NL Rookie of the Year and seventh in Cy Young Award voting.

www.espn.com

Mets' Senga won't be back before All-Star break

New York Mets pitcher Kodai Senga won't make his season debut until after the All-Star break, manager Carlos Mendoza said Saturday.
www.espn.com www.espn.com
 

Mets beat Phillies to draw two-game London Series​

The New York Mets produced a thrilling 6-5 comeback win over rivals the Philadelphia Phillies to level Major League Baseball's two-game London Series.

The Phillies cruised to a 7-2 victory in the opening game at London Stadium on Saturday, but their second meeting less than 24 hours later was a closer contest.

New York recovered from a 3-0 deficit to tie the game in the sixth inning, before Phillies retook the lead with an impressive David Dahl solo home run.

It looked as if the Phillies would hold on and claim the series with a ninth win in eight games, but the Mets took advantage of Jose Alvarado's inaccuracy to take a 6-4 lead in the final inning.

The Phillies pulled one back with their final three outs and could have forced an extra inning, but their fightback ended when Nick Castellanos grounded into a dramatic game-ending double play.

The Phillies were classed as the home team, with Wrexham co-owner and Philadelphia native Rob McElhenney throwing the ceremonial first pitch.

This is the third MLB series to take place in London, following the New York Yankees v the Boston Red Sox in 2019 and the Chicago Cubs against the St Louis Cardinals in 2023.

Source: BBC
 

ABS challenge system set to fully be used in Triple-A​

Major League Baseball sent a memo to farm directors Tuesday indicating that beginning on June 25, all Triple-A games will use the automated ball-strike (ABS) challenge system as opposed to full ABS, which was previously used for half the week.

The move is another indication that the league is inching toward implementing the challenge system at the major league level, though commissioner Rob Manfred has said that move is still at least another season away from happening.

The memo, obtained by ESPN, says the league's research indicates that both in-uniform personnel (players and coaches) and fans prefer a challenge system over full ABS.

In the challenge system, challenges to calls on balls and strikes are made by the hitter or catcher in real time with the umpire receiving an answer to the challenge via an earpiece. In full ABS, every call is made for the umpire.

For the first half of this season at Triple-A, full ABS was used for Tuesday-Thursday games while the challenge system was used for weekend contests. Now, all games will have the challenge system.

Additionally, the International League will experiment with teams only receiving two challenges per game instead of three, which has been the norm. That change is being implemented in an effort to reduce the frequency of high-challenge games. The league memo indicates that 89% of fans believe the optimal number of challenges per game is six or fewer; however, almost 40% of Triple-A games featured more than six. In all cases, teams retain the challenge if they are successful.

Interestingly, in surveys with fans and players, the league found that not only do they prefer the challenge system over full ABS, they also prefer the current system -- umpires making all calls -- over full ABS:
  • 61% of team personnel, including players, and 47% of fans prefer the challenge system.
  • 28% of personnel and 30% of fans prefer human umpires making all calls.
  • Only 11% of personnel and 23% of fans want full ABS.
According to sources familiar with the experimentation in the minor leagues, the earliest any system could be implemented at the major league level is 2026.

Source: ESPN
 
Baseball great Willie Mays dies at 93

Baseball legend Willie Mays, widely considered one of the best players in the sport's history, has died, according to the San Francisco Giants.

"It is with great sadness that we announce that San Francisco Giants Legend and Hall of Famer Willie Mays passed away peacefully this afternoon at the age of 93," the team posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday.

A statement from Major League Baseball (MLB) said it was "heartbroken" over the death of "one of the most exciting all-around players in the history of our sport".

Mays was twice declared the league's Most Valuable Player (MVP) and won the World Series with the Giants in 1954.

Nicknamed the “Say Hey Kid”, the center fielder was baseball’s oldest living Hall of Famer.

His famous catch during the 1954 World Series remains one of the most iconic plays in the history of America’s so-called “National Pastime”.

In addition to his two MVP awards, he also finished in the top 10 runner-ups for MVP 10 other times.

Mays' son, Michael, told the Associated Press that his father died in the presence of his family and wished to thank his fans for their years of support.

"My father has passed away peacefully and among loved ones. I want to thank you all from the bottom of my broken heart for the unwavering love you have shown him over the years,” he said.

“You have been his life's blood."

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred also released a statement describing his impact on the game.

"His incredible achievements and statistics do not begin to describe the awe that came with watching Willie Mays dominate the game in every way imaginable,” he wrote.

“We will never forget this true Giant on and off the field."

San Francisco Mayor London Breed said in a statement that to people that grew up in the city, "some things just go without question... Willie Mays is the best there ever was".

California Governor Gavin Newsom also praised Mays as "more than just a baseball icon".

"He broke barriers and inspired millions of Americans — setting records, bringing joy to countless fans, and becoming a role model for a generation of future athletes."

Despite having not played professional sports for over 50 years, the MLB added 10 more hits to his career record earlier this month, after deciding to incorporate statistics from the Negro League.

His record now stands at 3,293 hits, including the 10 he hit for the Birmingham Black Barons in 1948.

On Monday, Mays said he would not be able to attend a game in his honour that was scheduled for Thursday.

“I’m not able to get to Birmingham this year but will follow the game back here in the Bay Area,” Mays said in a statement to the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper.

“My heart will be with all of you who are honoring the Negro League ballplayers, who should always be remembered, including all my teammates on the Black Barons.

“It’ll be a special day, and I hope the kids will enjoy it and be inspired by it."

Mays was born and raised in Westfield, Alabama, and began his professional baseball career while still in high school in 1948.

He joined the New York Giants in 1950, and in 1951 hit 20 home runs for the team as a 20-year-old.

After the 1951 season Mays was drafted into the US Army to serve in the Korean War.

After missing the 1952 and 1953 seasons due to his military service, he returned in 1954 to earn his first MVP award.

After the Giants moved from New York to San Francisco in 1954, he helped the team defeat Cleveland in the World Series.

The over-the-shoulder catch he made during the game helped the team cinch the win with a score of 5-2 after 10 innings.

In 1972 he was traded to the New York Mets at the age of 41 where he played for two more seasons before retiring.

BBC
 

Scherzer to make season debut Sunday vs. Royals​

Texas Rangers right-hander Max Scherzer announced he'll make his season debut Sunday against the Kansas City Royals, according to Kennedi Landry of MLB.com.

Scherzer has yet to pitch in the majors in 2024 after undergoing back surgery in December. The 39-year-old then dealt with a nerve issue that started in May.

The three-time Cy Young winner said the Rangers were extra cautious with his recovery from the nerve ailment because he showed a loss in grip strength after his second rehab start, according to Jeff Wilson of Rangers Today.

Scherzer helped the Rangers win the 2023 World Series following a deal with the New York Mets at last season's trade deadline.

The eight-time All-Star posted a 3.77 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and 10.3 K/9 over 152 2/3 innings (27 starts) between Texas and New York last year.

www.thescore.com

Scherzer to make season debut Sunday vs. Royals

Texas Rangers right-hander Max Scherzer announced he'll make his season debut Sunday against the Kansas City Royals, according to Kennedi Landry of MLB.com.Scherzer has yet to pitch in the majors in 2024 after undergoing back surgery in December. The 39-year-old then dealt with a nerve issue...
www.thescore.com www.thescore.com
 
Martinez given 80-game ban two days after MLB debut

Toronto Blue Jays infielder Orelvis Martinez has been suspended for 80 games for violating Major League Baseball's doping policy.

The 22-year-old from the Dominican Republic only made his Major League debut on Friday but has tested positive for clomiphene, a fertility drug on MLB's banned performance-enhancing drugs list.

Martinez said in a statement he was prescribed Rejun 50, which contains clomiphene, by a fertility clinic in his homeland after trying unsuccessfully since 2020 to start a family with his girlfriend.

"In my attempt to start a family, I made a mistake," he said in a statement.

"With that said, I took full responsibility for my negligence and accepted my suspension."

Martinez signed with the Blue Jays in 2018 for $3.5m (£2.8m) and established himself as one of the best power-hitting prospects in the minor leagues.

"We were both surprised and disappointed to learn of Orelvis Martinez's suspension," said Blue Jays executive vice president and general manager Ross Atkins.

"We will do everything in our power to ensure Orelvis has learned from his mistake. Orelvis has our support and we know he will get through this."

Martinez will be eligible to return in September for Toronto, who are last in the American League East division with 35 wins and 41 losses.


BBC
 
‘I’m in shock’: Reigning Cy Young winner Blake Snell pitches first career no-hitter

Blake Snell was one out away from pitching the first no-hit game in his illustrious career and had to get power-hitting Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz out one more time.

Cruz jumped on Snell’s first pitch, a 97.8 mph fastball in the middle of the zone, ripping it hard to the gap in right-center field. Giants right fielder Mike Yastrzemski – inserted for defensive purposes in the eighth inning – ran it down, leaping to make the catch and preserve Snell’s gem and 3-0 win.

The 31-year-old lefty, the league’s reigning Cy Young Award winner, was mobbed his teammates. It was the third no-hitter in the majors this season.

“You’re so amped up in the last inning there, to be able to make that throw when you are trying to throw it as hard as you can to the plate,” Snell said.

“I’m still kind of in shock,” he said. “I need to go home and let it sink in. I haven’t really processed the game.”

Snell (1-3) struck out 10 and threw 114 pitches, 78 of them strikes. He said he came into the ninth inning throwing strikes because he feared Giants manager Bob Melvin would remove him at 120 pitches. He wanted the complete game, something he’d never done in 202 major league starts.

“I knew in my head I had to get it over the plate,” he said. It took him 10 pitches to strike out Santiago Espinal and get Jonathan India on a comebacker before De La Cruz swung at the 11th.

Actually, Melvin said he was ready to pull Snell if he had allowed a hit in the ninth. He was watching Snell closely because the pitcher started developing a blister around the seventh inning.

“That’s as nervous as I had been in a long time,” Melvin said. “I wanted that for him so bad. If anybody has the stuff to throw a no-hitter, it’s Blake Snell.”

Snell was especially effective against the top of Cincinnati’s order, striking out India three times, and De La Cruz and Spencer Steer twice each.

Snell recorded the 18th no-hitter in Giants’ franchise history. Houston’s Ronal Blanco no-hit Toronto on 1 April, and San Diego’s Dylan Cease pitched a no-hitter against Washington on 25 July.

“I don’t think it will be his only one,” said Reds pitcher Nick Martinez, who played with Snell in San Diego last season. “He was commanding the ball very well. It seemed like he didn’t miss a spot all night. He has some electric stuff.”

Casey Schmitt and Tyler Fitzgerald homered for the Giants on Friday.

Snell threw six perfect innings against Minnesota on 14 July, before the Twins’ Manuel Margot singled leading off the seventh inning. He struck out 15 in his last outing on 27 July, yielding two hits through six innings.

He won the Cy Young Award while playing for San Diego last season after winning it in 2018 as a Tampa Bay Ray. He became the seventh player in major league history to win the award in both leagues. He signed a two-year, $62m deal with the Giants before the season.

Snell became the fifth reigning Cy Young Award winner to throw a no-hitter, along with Jake Arrieta (2016), Clayton Kershaw (2014), Bob Gibson (1971) and Sandy Koufax (1964), according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

The last no-hitter for the Giants was by Chris Heston on 19 June 2015, as San Francisco beat the New York Mets 5-0.

The Reds were last no-hit on 17 May 2019, by Mike Fiers of the Oakland A’s in a 2-0 loss.

Reds starter Andrew Abbott lasted just 4 1/3 innings in Friday’s game, allowing two runs and seven hits. He struck out eight.

SOURCE:https://www.theguardian.com/sport/a...er-blake-snell-pitches-first-career-no-hitter
 
Red Sox's Duran suspended for homophobic slur

Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran has been suspended for two matches after directing a homophobic slur towards a supporter during a match on Sunday.

Duran made the comment, which was picked up by broadcaster New England Sports Network, to a heckling fan during his team's 10-2 loss to the Houston Astros.

The 27-year-old's fee for the suspended matches will be donated to the Greater PFLAG Boston - an organisation dedicated to supporting the LGBTQ+ community.

Duran, who will be required to take part in sensitivity training, says he will learn from the incident.

“I just wanted to say that I've had some fans reach out to me and tell me that they're disappointed in me and I just wanted to let them know that I'm sorry for my actions and I'm going to work on being better for them,” Duran said on Monday.

“There was no intent behind the word that was used - it was just the heat of the moment and just happened to be said.

"It's on me for that word coming out. But there was no intent behind that word being used.”

On Sunday, Duran released an official statement in which he apologised for his actions.

“Our young fans are supposed to be able to look up to me as a role model, but tonight I fell far short of that responsibility," he said.

BBC
 
Dodgers star Ohtani makes MLB 50-50 history

Shohei Ohtani created baseball history by becoming the first player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a season.

The Los Angeles Dodgers superstar needed one stolen base and two home runs to achieve the feat and ended the night with 51 home runs and 51 steals in a 20-4 win over the Miami Marlins.

Ohtani stole third base in the first inning to hit the first part of the record.

He then recorded his 51st steal before smashing a 49th home run of the season in the sixth inning, tying a Dodgers' record for most home runs in a season set by Shawn Green in 2001.

Ohtani then made it 50 home runs in the next inning to become the first player to record the 50-50 feat.

"To be honest, I'm the one probably most surprised," Ohtani said.

"I have no idea where this came from, but I'm glad that I performed well today."

The 30-year-old Japanese player joined the Dodgers on a 10-year $700m (£527m) contract in December - the biggest deal in the sport's history - which made him one of the highest-earning athletes in the world.

Ohtani has played 866 MLB games, the most among all active players to have never played in the post-season until now, after the Dodgers made the play-offs for a 12th straight year.

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said: "While Shohei Ohtani has been a groundbreaking player for many years, his latest feat as the first 50-50 player in the history of Major League Baseball reflects not just his amazing power-and-speed talent, but his character, his drive, and his commitment to all-around excellence.

"On behalf of Major League Baseball, I congratulate Shohei on this remarkable achievement. We are proud that he continues to take our game to new heights."

BBC
 
Ball for Ohtani's historic 50th home run - yours for $4.5m

The ball that Shohei Ohtani hit to claim his historic 50th home run of the current MLB season has been put up for auction.

The Los Angeles Dodgers superstar, 30, made baseball history last Thursday by becoming the first player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a season.

The starting bid for the ball is $500,000 (£375,000) but there is an option to purchase it privately, external for $4.5m (£3.4m).

That would set a new record for a baseball, which is currently $3.05m (£1.9m) - for Mark McGwire's 70th home run ball of 1998.

Not only did Japan's Ohtani reach the milestone during the Dodgers' 20-4 win over the Miami Marlins, he did so during arguably the best batting performance ever., external

The American League's two-time Most Valuable Player, Ohtani had six hits from six at-bats, driving in 10 runs including three homers. He also had two stolen bases, taking his season tally to 51 with 51 homers.

Ohtani's 50th homer - a team record - came in the seventh innings and the fan who caught it reportedly turned down the Dodgers' offer to purchase the ball for $300,000 (£225,000).

The fan reached out to Goldin auction house the following day and has opted to remain anonymous.

"This was one of the easiest [consignments] ever," Goldin's founder and chief executive Ken Goldin told ESPN.

"Literally Friday we heard from the guy, he contacted Goldin on his own through social media, flew a security guard down to Miami on Monday with a representative from Goldin, met him, flew back Monday."

Ohtani has since extended his mark to 53 home runs and 55 stolen bases, with five games of the regular season remaining.

He will then play in the MLB play-offs for the first time as the Dodgers have already secured a spot in the post-season.

BBC
 

Royals clinch playoff berth: Kansas City becomes second MLB team ever to go from 100 losses to postseason​

The Kansas City Royals clinched a playoff berth on Friday night by virtue of the Twins' 7-2 loss to the Orioles. The Royals failed to get the job done on their own earlier in the night with a 3-0 loss to the Braves, but it doesn't matter now. The Royals will make their first trip to the postseason since 2015, when they defeated the New York Mets to win their most recent World Series title.

The Royals authored an impressive year-to-year turnaround, reaching the playoffs after losing 106 games in 2023. According to MLB's research, the Royals are just the second team to ever appear in the postseason in a full season a year after losing 100 or more games. The other team to accomplish that feat? The 2017 Minnesota Twins. (The Miami Marlins also did it in the COVID-shortened 2020 season.)

Kansas City can credit an aggressive winter that saw the team sign veteran starters Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha. Those two combined for nearly nine Wins Above Replacement, according to Baseball Reference's calculations. The Royals paid them $31 million combined this year and have likely had precisely zero qualms about it.

Of course, the Royals benefitted from the continued maturation of young star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. and starting pitcher Cole Ragans. Witt cleared the 9 WAR threshold -- a feat accomplished only once prior in franchise history, by George Brett back in 1980 -- and recorded his second consecutive 30-30 season. Meanwhile, Ragans solidified himself as one of the league's top lefty starters by posting a 3.14 ERA (135 ERA+) and a 3.33 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 186 innings.

The Royals join a now-complete American League playoff field that includes the New York Yankees, Cleveland Guardians, Houston Astros, Baltimore Orioles and Detroit Tigers. We don't yet exactly know the seeding, but we do have the six AL teams.

Source: CBS SPORTS
 
BouncerGuy said:
Ball for Ohtani's historic 50th home run - yours for $4.5m

The ball that Shohei Ohtani hit to claim his historic 50th home run of the current MLB season has been put up for auction.

The Los Angeles Dodgers superstar, 30, made baseball history last Thursday by becoming the first player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a season.

The starting bid for the ball is $500,000 (£375,000) but there is an option to purchase it privately, external for $4.5m (£3.4m).

That would set a new record for a baseball, which is currently $3.05m (£1.9m) - for Mark McGwire's 70th home run ball of 1998.

Not only did Japan's Ohtani reach the milestone during the Dodgers' 20-4 win over the Miami Marlins, he did so during arguably the best batting performance ever., external

The American League's two-time Most Valuable Player, Ohtani had six hits from six at-bats, driving in 10 runs including three homers. He also had two stolen bases, taking his season tally to 51 with 51 homers.

Ohtani's 50th homer - a team record - came in the seventh innings and the fan who caught it reportedly turned down the Dodgers' offer to purchase the ball for $300,000 (£225,000).

The fan reached out to Goldin auction house the following day and has opted to remain anonymous.

"This was one of the easiest [consignments] ever," Goldin's founder and chief executive Ken Goldin told ESPN.

"Literally Friday we heard from the guy, he contacted Goldin on his own through social media, flew a security guard down to Miami on Monday with a representative from Goldin, met him, flew back Monday."

Ohtani has since extended his mark to 53 home runs and 55 stolen bases, with five games of the regular season remaining.

He will then play in the MLB play-offs for the first time as the Dodgers have already secured a spot in the post-season.

BBC
Click to expand...

18-year-old files lawsuit over ownership of Shohei Ohtani’s historic 50-50 ball, seeks to prevent auction
​

An 18-year-old has filed a lawsuit over the ownership of the ball Shohei Ohtani made baseball history with when he became the inaugural member of the 50-50 club.

On September 19, the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar went where no player has gone before, hitting his 50th homer and stealing his 50th base of the season in a 20-4 win against the Miami Marlins.

The ball had been put up for auction by auctioneers Goldin, with bids starting at $500,000 and collectors able to purchase it privately outright for $4.5 million. The auction is set to begin on Friday at noon ET and end October 16.

However, in a lawsuit filed Wednesday in Florida’s 11th Judicial Circuit Court, 18-year-old Max Matus has claimed that he is in fact the rightful owner of the ball and is seeking “a temporary injunction” to prevent the “concealing, absconding with or selling” of it.

Matus claims that he went to the Dodgers vs. Marlins game for his 18th birthday and caught the ball, according to the filing.

However, a few seconds later, the filing claims, Chris Belanski – one of three named defendants in the lawsuit as well as Goldin and Kelvin Ramirez trapped Matus’ “arm in between his legs and wrangled the 50/50 Ball out of Max’s left hand.”

The filing adds: “In so doing, Belanski wrongfully and forcefully obtained control of the ball and was escorted out of the stands by security, with the 50/50 Ball Plaintiff had possessed now in Belanski’s (wrongful) possession.”

The lawsuit includes screenshots from what it claims is video evidence from multiple fans of Belanski ripping the ball from Matus’ grasp before lifting the ball aloft.

Both Belanski and Kelvin Ramirez indicated on social media that they intended to sell the ball, per the filing.

When contacted for comment, Matus’ representatives told CNN that the 18-year-old said: “I had the ball in my hand.”

John Uustal, founding partner in the law firm representing Matus, added: “This is not some scrum on a football field where the law doesn’t apply because the players have voluntarily agreed that they are allowed to hit each other. In the stands, once someone has the ball, it’s not legal for someone to take it. Max is a high school kid, it was his birthday. A bigger stronger adult can’t take the ball away and pretend it’s his.”

 

White Sox suffer record 121st defeat of season​

The Chicago White Sox broke the modern-day record for most losses in a Major League Baseball season with their 121st defeat of 2024.

They claimed the unwanted landmark with a 4-1 defeat at the Detroit Tigers.

"It's not the year we wanted," said Grady Sizemore, who took over as interim manager after Pedro Grifol was sacked in August.

Pitcher Garrett Crochet said: "Obviously it sucks."

The White Sox equalled the New York Mets' record from 1962 with their 120th loss of the season on Sunday.

Fans flocked to Chicago's Guaranteed Rate Field this week to see the White Sox break the record, but they won three successive games against the Los Angeles Angels.

Victory for Detroit at Comerica Park secured their first American League play-off berth since 2014.

After the game the White Sox posted a picture on social media of a computer with a list of "Things we'd rather do than read comments" and a photo of the team mascot sitting against a wall with the caption "slams laptop shut 'til tomorrow".

They have two more games against the Tigers in Detroit before the season ends on Monday.

The Cleveland Spiders lost 134 of their 154 matches in 1899, before what is now known as the modern era began the following year.

"It's not the numbers that we want," said Sizemore. "But that doesn't mean it's a total loss. We can build from this. We can learn from this and get better."

White Sox starting pitcher Crochet threw four scoreless innings, striking out six batters and issuing one walk.

"No real emotions," he said. "We put ourselves in this position early on. We are where we are because of the way we played. But that's just all it is."

This season the White Sox set a franchise record by losing 14 games in a row.

They broke that with a 21-game run of defeats that tied the 1988 Baltimore Orioles for the longest in American League history.

Source: BBC
 
Major League Baseball legend Rose dies aged 83

Pete Rose, Major League Baseball's all-time record holder for hits and a three-time World Series winner, has died aged 83.

Rose won the World Series with the Cincinnati Reds in 1975 and 1976 before also claiming it with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1980.

Nicknamed 'Charlie Hustle', he won the 1973 National League MVP award and was the 1975 World Series MVP.

He was also selected for the All-Star Game 17 times in 21 seasons - at an unprecedented five different positions across the infield and outfield.

Rose, who also had a brief stint with the Montreal Expos, went on to take charge of the Reds from 1984-89, with the first three years as player-manager.

However, he was given a lifetime ban in 1989 for betting on baseball games in which he had been involved as player or manager - which, controversially, rendered him permanently ineligible from being chosen for MLB's Hall of Fame.

In his 2004 autobiography, he admitted to gambling on Reds games, but insisted he had never bet against his own team.

"Major League Baseball extends its deepest condolences to Pete Rose's family, his friends across the game, and the fans of his hometown of Cincinnati, Philadelphia and beyond who admired his greatness, grit and determination on the field of play. May he rest in peace," MLB said in a statement.

Rose accumulated a record 4,256 hits - which MLB defines as a batter striking the baseball into fair territory and reaching base without doing so via an error or a fielder's choice - and played 3,562 games during his career, more than any other player.

“Our hearts are deeply saddened by the news of Pete’s passing,” said Bob Castellini, the Reds' principal owner and managing partner.

“He was one of the fiercest competitors the game has ever seen, and every team he played for was better because of him.

"Pete was a Red through and through. No one loved the game more than Pete and no one loved Pete more than Reds Country. We must never forget what he accomplished.”

After being banned from baseball, Rose also took part in professional wrestling, making some memorable appearances at Wrestlemania between 1998 and 2000, and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2004.

BBC
 
Baseball is quite a boring sport. Watched it a few times. Played a few times too.

Cricket wipes the floor with baseball.
 
Dodgers fans throw beer and baseballs at Padres player

The San Diego Padres' play-off match with the Los Angeles Dodgers was stopped for almost 10 minutes when supporters threw baseballs and beer at a player.

Game two of the National League Division Series was delayed in the seventh innings when Padres' Jurickson Profar was subjected to abuse from Dodgers fans.

Profar riled supporters at Dodger Stadium when he caught Mookie Betts' hit by leaning over the advertising boards and celebrating.

The 31-year-old hopped away with the ball in hand and maintained eye-contact with the home crowd.

Tensions had threatened to spill over in the sixth innings when Dodgers pitcher Jack Flaherty and Padres baseman Manny Machado were embroiled in an angry exchange.

Machado accused Flaherty of intentionally body-shotting batter Fernando Tatis with his pitch, known as 'plunking'.

The incident stoked anger among the home crowd and the game was stopped in the seventh inning when a fan hurled a baseball in Profar's direction. As Profar went to notify the umpire, another was thrown at him.

Profar was escorted away from the home fans by security and the Padres outfield players gathered together as one but, after eventually dispersing, Dodgers fans then threw beer at Profar.


www.bbc.com

LA Dodgers-San Diego Padres game delayed as fans throw baseballs and beer at Jurickson Profar

Jurickson Profar of the San Diego Padres is targeted by LA Dodgers fans who throw baseballs and beer at him during a heated game two of the National League Division Series.
www.bbc.com
 
New York Yankees reach first World Series since 2009

The New York Yankees booked their place in the World Series for the first time since 2009 by beating the Cleveland Guardians 4-1 in their best-of-seven American League Championship series final.

The Yankees won game five 5-2, with Juan Soto hitting a three-run home run off a fastball from Cleveland pitcher Hunter Gaddis in the 10th inning.

Earlier on, Giancarlo Stanton had hit a two-run homer in the sixth to level the match at 2-2.

"It's the best feeling in the game whenever you win and take your team to the World Series," said Soto. "It's the best feeling you can ever have. That's what we play for.

"We did a really good job since day one. We've been working hard. Now we're the best team in the American League."

The Yankees will face either the Los Angeles Dodgers or the New York Mets in the World Series.

The Dodgers lead their National League series final 3-2 and will host game six on Sunday.

BBC
 
Ohtani's '50-50' baseball sells for record £3.4m

The ball hit by Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani for his 50th home run of the Major League Baseball season has sold for a record £3.4m ($4.4m) at auction.

The Japanese hitter, 30, became the first player in baseball history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season during his side's match against the Miami Marlins on 19 September.

The £3.4m paid by the unknown buyer is the most a sports ball has ever fetched at auction.

The previous record paid at auction for a baseball was the £2.3m ($3m) paid in 1999 for Mark McGwire's record-breaking ball from the 1998 MLB season.


www.bbc.com

Shohei Ohtani's '50-50' baseball sells for record £3.39m at auction

The ball struck by LA Dodgers hitter Shohei Ohtani when he secured a record-breaking 50th home run sells for £3.39m at auction.
www.bbc.com
 
Im new to baseball - I like the Mets, who just got knocked out...

But looking at merchandise it looks like Yankees and Dodgers are the two most popular teams, which means this final is going to be a record seller?

And is Ohtani the baseball equivalent of Messi? It seems like it
 
Yamamoto helps Dodgers take 2-0 World Series lead

Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto dominated the New York Yankees on his World Series debut as his Los Angeles Dodgers team closed out a 4-2 win to lead the best-of-seven series 2-0.

The hosts also thrilled the raucous Dodger Stadium crowd with three home runs, and survived a last-gasp Yankees rally as the National League champions took charge of the 'Fall Classic'.

In contrast to the scoreless first half of game one, both teams were on the board early as the Dodgers' Tommy Edman and the Yankees' Juan Soto traded solo home runs.

But the hosts then staged a home run derby of their own in the third inning, with Teoscar Hernandez and Friday's walk-off hero Freddie Freeman both going deep to give the Dodgers a 4-1 lead.

Yamamoto, who penned a 12-year contract worth $325m (£251m) - a Major League Baseball record for a pitcher - when he joined the Dodgers from the Japanese league last December, pitched into the seventh inning, with Soto's homer the only hit he allowed.

The Yankees offence, with star batter Aaron Judge hitless and striking out three times, fared no better against the bullpen until they rallied in the ninth inning.

The visitors were in the last chance saloon when Soto led off with a base hit, advanced to second on a wild pitch and was driven in by Giancarlo Stanton to make it 4-2.

Jazz Chisholm Jr singled and Anthony Rizzo was hit by a pitch to load the bases, but Anthony Volpe struck out and, with the Yankees down to their last out, pinch-hitter Jose Trevino flew out to centre field.

A bigger concern for the Dodgers was when designated hitter Shohei Ohtani left the field in some pain after injuring his left shoulder during a failed stolen base attempt in the seventh inning.

The series now moves to New York, with game three at Yankee Stadium on Monday evening.

World Series schedule, results & reports

Game 1: Dodgers 6-3 Yankees

Game 2: Dodgers 4-2 Yankees

Game 3 (in New York): Monday, 28 October

Game 4 (in New York): Tuesday, 29 October

Game 5* (in New York): Wednesday, 30 October

Game 6* (in LA): Friday, 1 November

Game 7* (in LA): Saturday, 2 November

BBC
 
Dodgers on brink of World Series win with 3-0 lead

The Los Angeles Dodgers are one win away from clinching their second World Series in five years, after a 4-2 victory over the New York Yankees in the Bronx gave them a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

There were few home comforts to be found at Yankee Stadium as the Dodgers again proved superior at the plate and on the mound, taking an early lead which they never surrendered.

With the Yankees trailing 4-0 and down to their last strike in the bottom of the ninth inning, Alex Verdugo's two-run homer threatened an incredible comeback - but it was too little, too late.

The Dodgers had sprinted out of the starting gate with a 2-0 advantage in the top of the first as Shohei Ohtani, nursing a shoulder injury from game two, drew a leadoff walk and Freddie Freeman smashed his third home run of this World Series.

And after Mookie Betts drove in Tommy Edman for 3-0, Yankees starting pitcher Clarke Schmidt was pulled before the end of the third inning.

The hosts kept themselves in the contest by stranding five Dodgers baserunners in the next two innings, and finally registered their first hit with a Giancarlo Stanton double in the fourth.

But a terrific throw from Teoscar Hernandez in left field nailed Stanton at the plate when he looked set to score on an Anthony Volpe line drive.

The Dodgers, boosted by five scoreless innings thrown by starter Walker Buehler, added another run in the sixth when Gavin Lux was hit by a pitch, stole second base and was batted in by Enrique Hernandez.

And just as they had in the first two games in California, the Yankees continued to struggle until Verdugo's late effort, with star batter Aaron Judge hitless once again.

The series continues on Tuesday evening, again at Yankee Stadium, with the hosts needing to win to avoid a humiliating 4-0 sweep.

No team has ever come from 3-0 down to win a World Series. Indeed, only once has a team trailed 3-0 and won any MLB seven-game play-off series, when the Boston Red Sox overhauled the Yankees 4-3 in the 2004 American League Championship Series.

BBC
 
Yankees hit back to keep World Series hopes alive

The New York Yankees kept their World Series hopes alive, kick-started by Anthony Volpe's third-inning grand slam at Yankee Stadium, to record an 11-4 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers, who lead the best-of-seven series 3-1.

Despite avoiding a 4-0 sweep, the Yankees must make history if they are to deny the Dodgers as no team has recovered from 3-0 down to win a World Series.

That sweep looked on the cards in the first inning when, in a repeat scenario from game three, the in-form Freddie Freeman - who has homered in each game of this series - fired another two-run shot to right field.

The Yankees tried to hit straight back as Gleyber Torres lifted a fly ball down the right-field foul line. Mookie Betts took a clean catch in front of the wall but a Yankees supporter tried to prise the ball out of Betts' glove - and Torres was ruled out on fan interference.

After a raft of injuries to their starting rotation, the Dodgers opted for a "bullpen game",, external with the pitching workload shared by several relievers.

And it looked like the same old story early on for the Yankees, whose batters had previously struggled with runners in scoring positions.

In the second inning they had men on second and third with only one out, yet only managed to manufacture one run, driven in by Alex Verdugo.

However, Volpe lit up the Bronx with his two-out grand slam over left centre field to give the hosts a 5-2 lead.

Back came the Dodgers as Will Smith's solo homer and another run batted in by Freeman reduced the deficit to 5-4, but Austin Wells extended the Yankees' lead with a home run in the sixth, and the floodgates opened in the eighth.

Volpe sprinted home on an infield hit before Torres launched a three-run homer, and even the struggling Aaron Judge drove in a run to ensure the sides will return to Yankee Stadium for game five on Wednesday.

Freeman of the City

Freeman's impact on the series has been phenomenal, given that there were doubts over whether he would be fit enough to make the World Series roster.

After suffering a sprained ankle in September, the 35-year-old has had intensive treatment, sometimes up to three hours a day, to stay in contention.

Manager Dave Roberts even left him out of three play-off games in a bid to manage the injury.

So when Freeman's grand slam won game one, it evoked memories of game one of the 1988 World Series when the Dodgers sent in a visibly limping Kirk Gibson to pinch-hit, and watched as he hit a walk-off homer and hobbled around the bases to great acclaim.

But that was only the beginning for Freeman, whose home runs in six successive World Series games (including his last two for the Atlanta Braves in 2021) have now surpassed the previous record of five held by ex-Houston Astros outfielder George Springer.

BBC
 
Dodgers win World Series after thrilling comeback

The Los Angeles Dodgers clinched the 2024 World Series after recovering from 5-0 down to beat the New York Yankees 7-6 at Yankee Stadium and seal a 4-1 series victory.

A topsy-turvy game was turned upside down at its halfway point as the Dodgers exploited Yankees fielding errors in the top of the fifth inning to level the scores.

"We just took advantage of every mistake they made in that inning and scored five runs," left fielder Teoscar Hernandez said.

"The bullpen and the pitching staff gave us the chance to stay in the game. It's a dream come true."

It is a second title in five years for the National League champions, who had previously won in the Covid-shortened 2020 season.

Facing elimination, the Yankees came out swinging in the Bronx as back-to-back first-inning home runs by Aaron Judge and Jazz Chisholm Jr put them 3-0 up.

When Alex Verdugo drove in Anthony Volpe in the second, Dodgers starting pitcher Jack Flaherty was hooked, and Giancarlo Stanton's solo shot made it 5-0 in the third.

Yankees starter Gerrit Cole was flawless for four innings, but the Dodgers rallied after Judge fluffed a routine catch in centre field in the fifth, loading the bases with no outs before Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Hernandez all drove in runs to make it 5-5.

Stanton's sacrifice fly in the sixth edged the Yankees in front again, but the Dodgers hit back in the eighth with two sacrifice flies of their own to lead 7-6.

Having burned through six relievers after Flaherty's early exit, the Dodgers turned to game three's starter Walker Buehler to pitch the ninth with a one-run lead, but he retired all three batters he faced to seal the title.

"Who wants a parade?" yelled manager Dave Roberts, referring to the pandemic that had limited their celebrations in 2020.

Dodgers ride Ohtani hype train as supporting cast steps up

Much of the pre-series attention had been on Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani, making his first appearance in the post-season after a stellar first year with the Dodgers.

The 30-year-old is a rare 'two-way' player, able to compete at the highest level as both a hitter and a pitcher, but did not pitch during 2024 after having elbow surgery.

He was further hampered in the World Series after injuring his shoulder sliding into second base in game two, and a series record of two hits from 19 plate appearances as designated hitter was modest by his standards.

But the Dodgers showed their strength in depth as Freeman, carrying an ankle injury, led the offence spectacularly, assisted by Betts who now has three World Series rings to his name.

While the Yankees' fielding and baserunning was occasionally sloppy, the Dodgers gave no quarter, and this final game exemplified how their injury-hit pitching staff collectively pulled together to help deliver the title.

BBC
 

Dodgers' Ohtani wins third MVP award​

Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani has won his third Most Valuable Player award after being unanimously voted the National League's top performer.

The 30-year-old won the American League MVP award in 2021 and 2023 during his time with the Los Angeles Angels.

The American League and National League make up Major League Baseball, with each league awarding a separate MVP award.

Ohtani, who joined the Dodgers in December 2023, is one of 12 players to win three or more MVP awards and the first player to win consecutive awards across the American and National Leagues.

He earned first-place votes from all 30 of the Baseball Writers' Association of America, beating the New York Mets' Francisco Lindor to the prize.

"I wouldn't have been able to receive this award if it weren't for my team-mates," said Ohtani.

"I didn't go into the season trying to strive to get the MVP award. I was more focused on being one of the guys with the new team, with the Dodgers.

"I wanted to obviously embrace the fans as well and kind of let them know who I was, and that was my main focus heading into this season."

His performances helped the Dodgers win the 2024 World Series, their eighth championship and first since 2020.

During that run, Ohtani became the first player in MLB history to hit 50 home runs or more and steal 50 or more bases in a single season.

In the American League, New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge beat team-mate Juan Soto and Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr to the main prize.

Source: BBC
 
Soto set to sign reported £600m deal - biggest in history of sport

Juan Soto is set to sign what is reportedly the biggest contract in the history of sport after agreeing a $765m (£600m) deal over 15 years with Major League Baseball's New York Mets.

Multiple sources in the United States have disclosed details of the deal, although the Mets have yet to confirm it because the 26-year-old Dominican needs to complete a medical.

Soto was set to be MLB's most sought-after free agent this off-season having just had the best season of his career with the New York Yankees, again showcasing his elite ability to get on base.

He has the highest career on-base percentage among active players (0.421), only Yankees team-mate Aaron Judge had a better OBP in 2024 and only three players hit more home runs.

The MLB website said, external Soto would get a $75m signing bonus, with no deferred money, in a deal that could eventually be worth up to $800m (£627m).

The total value of the deal eclipses the $700m (£558m) 10-year contract that Shohei Ohtani signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers last year, with the Japanese star agreeing to defer $680m (£541m) of the amount.

Deferred-money deals are when players agree to be paid some of their cash after the time the contract covers, and are used frequently in American sports., external

Soto's new deal is understood to be the largest in professionals sports in total value.


www.bbc.com

Juan Soto joins New York Mets on £600m ($765m) contract - biggest deal in history of sport

Baseball star Juan Soto signs the biggest contract in the sport's history, agreeing a $765m (£600m) deal over 15 years with the New York Mets.
www.bbc.com
 
'Generational talent' Soto seals £600m Mets deal

Juan Soto has signed a $765m (£600m) deal with Major League Baseball's New York Mets - the biggest contract in the history of the sport.

The 15-year deal was confirmed on Wednesday after the 26-year-old Dominican completed a medical.

"This is a seminal moment in franchise history," Mets owners Steve and Alex Cohen said in a statement.

"Juan Soto is a generational talent. He is not only bringing staggering historical statistics with him but also a championship pedigree."

Soto was set to be MLB's most sought-after free agent this off-season having just had the best season of his career with the New York Yankees, with only three players hitting more home runs.

Soto's contract includes a $75m (£58.7m) signing bonus and it eclipses the $700m (£558m) 10-year contract that Shohei Ohtani signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers last year, with the Japanese star agreeing to defer $680m (£541m) of the amount.

Deferred-money deals are when players agree to be paid some of their cash after the time the contract covers, and are used frequently in American sports., external

Soto's new deal is understood to be the largest in professional sports in total value.

Some of the other biggest include Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott becoming the highest-paid player in NFL history in September by agreeing a four-year contract extension worth $240m (£183m).

In 2020, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes signed a 10-year contract extension worth $450m (£352m), which has the highest overall value in the NFL. Prescott has the highest annual salary though.

In the NBA, the Boston Celtics have tied Jayson Tatum down to a new five-year deal worth a reported $314m (£245m).

And in football, Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo has a contract with Al-Nassr until 2025 that is reportedly worth more than 200m euros (£176.5m) per year, while Lionel Messi's deal at Inter Miami is reportedly worth up to $60m (£47m) a year.


www.bbc.com

Juan Soto joins New York Mets on £600m ($765m) contract - biggest deal in history of sport

Baseball star Juan Soto signs the biggest contract in the sport's history, agreeing a $765m (£600m) deal over 15 years with the New York Mets.
www.bbc.com
 
MLB bans two fans who grabbed LA Dodgers' Betts

Two New York Yankees fans who tried to rip the ball from Los Angeles Dodgers fielder Mookie Betts' glove during game four of the World Series in October have been banned from all Major League Baseball stadiums indefinitely.

Betts, 32, was catching a foul ball hit by ex-Yankee Gleyber Torres at the right field wall when the fans, seated in the first row, grabbed his wrist and prised open his glove to take the ball.

MLB wrote a letter this week to John P Hansen and Austin Capobianco to say their behaviour at Yankee Stadium "went far over the line of acceptable fan behaviour".

The league added if the two men were discovered at any MLB venues or events, they "would be removed from the premises and subject to arrest for trespass".

Both fans were ejected from the game - which the Yankees won 11-4 - and were stopped from attending game five the following night, when the Dodgers sealed a 7-6 victory to clinch the championship.

BBC
 

Sources: Dodgers land closer Tanner Scott with 4-year, $72M deal​

The Los Angeles Dodgers have added left-hander Tanner Scott, arguably the best relief pitcher on the free agent market, agreeing to terms on a four-year, $72 million contract, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan on Sunday.

The addition of Scott likely puts the finishing touches on another busy offseason for the reigning World Series champions.

Before Scott, the Dodgers signed Blake Snell, one of the best starters on the market; brought back Teoscar Hernandez and signed Michael Conforto, solidifying the corner outfield; signed Korean second baseman Hyeseong Kim, freeing up a trade of Gavin Lux; extended Tommy Edman; and, in one of the winter's biggest developments, lured phenom Roki Sasaki.

Now Scott, 30, will slot into the back end of a dominant bullpen alongside Michael Kopech, Blake Treinen, Evan Phillips, Alex Vesia and Ryan Brasier, among other high-leverage arms.

Originally a sixth-round pick in 2014, Scott has established himself as a dominant force over these past two years. With the Miami Marlins and San Diego Padres from 2023 to 2024, Scott posted a 2.04 ERA in 146 appearances, striking out 188 batters and issuing 60 walks in 150 innings.

With Scott, the Dodgers' luxury tax payroll is estimated to be somewhere in the neighborhood of $375 million, about $70 million more than that of the second-place Philadelphia Phillies.

The New York Yankees are the only other team with a competitive balance tax payroll projected to be over $300 million.

Source: ESPN
 

Report: Blue Jays, Santander agree to 5-year, $92.5M deal​

The Toronto Blue Jays and outfielder Anthony Santander are in agreement on a five-year contract worth $92.5 million, a source told The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.

Santander is the Blue Jays' biggest acquisition of the offseason after the club missed out on its pursuits of Juan Soto, Corbin Burnes, and Roki Sasaki.

The Blue Jays will lose their second-highest draft pick in 2025 and $500,000 in international bonus pool space for 2026 since Santander received a qualifying offer from the Orioles, according to Sportsnet's Shi Davidi.

The 30-year-old enjoyed a career season with the Baltimore Orioles in 2024. Santander slashed .235/.308/.506 with 44 home runs, 25 doubles, and 102 RBIs across 155 games.

Santander will look to provide the Blue Jays with a proven middle-of-the-order bat after the club finished the 2024 campaign 26th in home runs (156) and 17th in OPS (.702). He should immediately slot into the cleanup spot and form a potent offensive duo alongside Blue Jays All-Star first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Santander will likely patrol left field alongside Gold Glove winner Daulton Varsho in center field and veteran George Springer in right.

www.thescore.com

Report: Blue Jays, Santander agree to 5-year, $92.5M deal

The Toronto Blue Jays and outfielder Anthony Santander are in agreement on a five-year contract worth $92.5 million, a source told The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal. Santander deal with Blue Jays, per source: Five years, $92.5M with club option for sixth season. Can opt out after third year. Team can...
www.thescore.com www.thescore.com
 

Scott’s $72 million, 4-year contract finalized by Dodgers, who spent $452 million on 8 players​

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Reliever Tanner Scott’s $72 million, four-year contract was finalized Thursday by the Los Angeles Dodgers, raising the World Series champions’ offseason spending to $452 million on eight players.

The left-hander was a first-time All-Star last year, going 9-6 with a 1.75 ERA and 22 saves in 24 chances for Miami and San Diego, which acquired Scott on July 30. He struck out 84 and walked 36 in 72 innings.

The 30-year-old is 31-24 with a 3.56 ERA and 55 saves for Baltimore (2017-21), Miami (2022-24) and San Diego.

After winning their second title in five years, the Dodgers kept utilityman Tommy Edman with a $74 million, five-year contract, outfielder Teoscar Hernández with a $66 million three-year deal and right-hander Blake Treinen for $22 million over two years.

Los Angeles has added Scott, left-hander Blake Snell ($182 million for five years), outfielder Michael Conforto ($17 million for one season) and second baseman Hyeseong Kim ($12.5 million for three years), and also agreed to a minor league contract with right-hander Roki Sasaki for a $6.5 million signing bonus.

apnews.com

Scott's $72 million, 4-year contract finalized by Dodgers, who spent $452 million on 8 players

Reliever Tanner Scott’s $72 million, four-year contract has been finalized by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
apnews.com apnews.com
 
Outfielder Jurickson Profar and the Atlanta Braves agreed on a three-year, $42 million contract Thursday, uniting the veteran coming off a career year with a team that has struggled in recent years to find a suitable left fielder.

ESPN
 

Baseball star Ohtani's interpreter jailed for $17m gambling fraud​


Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter of Los Angeles Dodgers baseball star Shohei Ohtani, has been sentenced to nearly five years in prison for a fraud and gambling scheme.

He was ordered to pay back nearly $17m (£13.6m) that he'd stolen from the star athlete and another $1m to the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in taxes.

Mizuhara, who had been Ohtani's English interpreter since his US Major League Baseball (MLB) debut in 2018, was fired amid media reports last year about his gambling activities, which prompted investigations into Ohtani's finances.

A probe revealed Mizuhara stole nearly $17m from the athlete to pay off debts owed to a southern California bookmaker.


He then lied on tax records to hide his actions. He pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud charges.

"Mr Mizuhara had a unique position of trust that gave him power, brought him fame, and paid him well," said Acting United States Attorney Joseph McNally. "Unfortunately, he exploited this dream job to steal millions of dollars from his friend and confidant."

"This is a sad tale of an American success story gone wrong - so wrong that Mr Mizuhara will be spending years inside a prison cell."

Sitting in a courtroom in Santa Ana, California, Mizuhara was wearing a light black suit with his hands folded in his lap, staring straight ahead at the judge as he delivered his ruling.

When the verdict was announced, he was motionless.

Before being sentenced, he apologised for his actions.

"I am truly sorry to Mr Ohtani for what I have done. I know an apology will not fix the crime I committed," he said. "This mistake will impact me for the rest of my life and I'm prepared to accept the consequences."

The scheme threatened to derail Ohtani's career - currently one of baseball's biggest global stars - as questions swirled about whether he was involved in the gambling scheme.

His translator, at first, claimed the star was aware of his gambling addiction and loaned him funds - a claim that Ohtani initially confirmed. He later clarified that his comments to reporters were not accurate and part of Mizuhara's scheme, saying "all of this has been a complete lie".

The MLB has strict rules against sports betting and it is illegal in California, though it is allowed in 38 other US states.

Ohtani has largely remained silent on the matter but released a statement on the scandal back in March saying: "I am very saddened and shocked that someone who I trusted has done this."

Source: BBC
 

Brewers' Blake Perkins to miss start of season with shin fracture​

PHOENIX -- Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Blake Perkins is expected to miss the first month of the season after fracturing his right shin during batting practice.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy revealed the severity of Perkins' injury before their Cactus League opener Saturday against the Cincinnati Reds.

"They're estimating another three to four weeks to heal and a ramp-up of four to six weeks," Murphy said. "So you're probably looking at May."

Perkins, 28, batted .240 with a .316 on-base percentage, six homers, 43 RBIs and 23 steals in 121 games last season. He also was an NL Gold Glove finalist at center field.

"Perkins is a big part of our team," Murphy said. "The chemistry of the team, the whole thing, Perk's huge. He's one of the most loved guys on the club, and he's a great defender, coming into his own as an offensive player. Yeah, it's going to hurt us."

Murphy also said right-handed pitcher J.B. Bukauskas has what appears to be a serious lat injury and is debating whether to undergo surgery. Bukauskas had a 1.50 ERA in six relief appearances last year but missed much of the season with a lat issue.

Source: ESPN
 
Iconic former White Sox pitcher Jenks dies aged 44

Former Chicago White Sox pitcher Bobby Jenks has died at the age of 44 from a rare form of stomach cancer.

Jenks was a two-time All-Star pitcher for the Chicago White Sox and was part of the team that ended their 88-year wait for a World Series title in 2005.

He threw the final pitch of the match in game four of the series as the White Sox beat the Houston Astros.

"We have lost an iconic member of the White Sox family," White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement.

"None of us will ever forget all that Bobby did for the 2005 World Series champions and for the entire Sox organisation during his time in Chicago."

After six seasons with the White Sox, Jenks finished his career in 2011 with the Boston Red Sox, but played only 19 games because of bone spurs on his spine that hampered nearby nerves and tendons.

Jenks moved to Portugal last year and had been receiving treatment for adenocarcinoma, a form of stomach cancer.

BBC
 
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