CHICAGO — Jason Heyward’s career with the Chicago Cubs is coming to a close, ending with one year and $22 million remaining on his eight-year, $184 million contract.

It didn’t pan out the way former President Theo Epstein envisioned in 2015 when he gave Heyward the long-term deal, and current President Jed Hoyer decided in August to cut ...Read more

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Shohei Ohtani made a run at history in his final home start of the season.

The Angels’ two-way star was just four outs away from a no-hitter in a 4-2 victory over the Oakland A’s on Thursday night, working amid chants of “M-V-P! M-V-P!” from the Angel Stadium crowd.

Oakland outfielder Connor Capel hit a bouncer that...Read more

SAN DIEGO — Developments in the Midwest went the San Diego Padres’ way Thursday.

A playoff berth is creeping up on them.

But the plastic and champagne and goggles will remain in storage at least one more day, as the Padres could not beat the team they will eventually need to win a series against if their season is to be truly successful.

...Read more

SAN FRANCISCO — Two grand slams, separated by about 10 minutes but thousands of miles, could change the course of baseball’s playoff race. What’s crazy isn’t the coincidence; it’s the fact that it matters at all.

On the cusp of elimination seemingly since the All-Star break, the San Francisco Giants are hanging by a thread to the ...Read more

CLEVELAND — The Rays let a chance to clinch a playoff spot slip away Thursday when they let a one-run lead get away in the eighth inning.

The 2-1 loss to the Guardians ruined plans for a party to celebrate earning a spot in the postseason, but the Rays will have another chance Friday night in Houston and, if necessary, five more after that.

...Read more

Where are all the people who wanted to know why nobody was going to Phillies games this summer?

This.

This is why.

This is why Citizens Bank Park had all the energy of a larvae convention. This is why a Friday night in the upper deck looked like a Tuesday night at the zoning board. This is why the Phillies couldn’t attract a crowd if they ...Read more

CLEVELAND, Fla. — Rays officials are in the process of assessing the extent of the damage to their Port Charlotte training facility in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.

Some was obvious from the outside.

Metal roofing wrapped around leaning palm trees. Letters were missing off of the welcoming Home Plate main fan entrance. Fences hovered feet ...Read more

NEW YORK — Aaron Judge will surely get a hero’s welcome when he returns home to the Bronx on Friday night. And further history may be in the making as No. 99 needs just one more — as John Sterling would say — “Judgian blast” to break the American League all-time single-season home run record of 61.

Fans lucky enough to have tickets ...Read more

BOSTON — Kyle Stowers threaded the needle earlier this series when asked for his thoughts on his opportunities to face left-handed pitching — or lack thereof. He walked a diplomatic line, acknowledging how the Orioles have ample right-handed hitters who can face southpaws.

“I think it’s less about what I’ve done against lefties in the...Read more

CHICAGO — The Phillies-Nationals doubleheader scheduled for Saturday has been moved up to Friday with rain expected to hit Washington as a byproduct of Hurricane Ian’s path up the East Coast.

The 7:05 p.m. game scheduled for Saturday was moved to 1:05 p.m. on Friday with Bailey Falter getting the start, and will be followed by a 7:05 p.m. ...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — The Twins home season ended Thursday with the lowest total yearly attendance in Target Field history, with the exception of the pandemic-impacted years.

Just 23,397 came out Thursday to see the Twins — officially eliminated late Wednesday from the postseason — lose to the also-eliminated White Sox 4-3. And there were plenty ...Read more

NEW YORK — Fans and players quickly jumped to their feet when Aaron Judge swung and connected on a 3-2 sinker in the seventh inning at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Wednesday night.

The line drive record-tying home run grazed past the several gloves in the front row and landed in the Toronto Blue Jays’ bullpen. Pitching coach Matt Buschmann ...Read more

That Aaron Judge’s 61st home run of the season, surpassing The Babe and tying Roger Maris, came against division rivals Toronto was so fitting. He carries on the legacy of Yankee lore of dominating the major leagues and especially the American League. And this is the magical hitting stat that matters. It mattered when Ruth achieved it in 1927 ...Read more

Maybe it was the “show-and-go” philosophy of their Little League days that helped them remember that no matter the grind and pressure of the marathon season, baseball is still supposed to be fun.

Maybe it was the calming presence of 1,089 dogs in attendance for the last “bark in the park” night of the season. The Mariners by in-large ...Read more

SAN FRANCISCO — It has been more than a month since the Giants’ wins last equaled their losses, but continuing their hot stretch to end the season Thursday, they moved one step closer to finishing the season at .500.

The Giants deployed a bullpen game for the 10th time this month and, in an increasingly common outcome, got stellar showings ...Read more

Logan O'Hoppe, the Angels' No. 1 prospect, made his major league debut Wednesday in a 4-1 win over the Oakland Athletics. After dominating with the Angels' Double-A team this summer, he was put on the taxi squad early Tuesday and called up not even 24 hours later.

The highly touted catcher was tested immediately.

Behind the plate for starting ...Read more