PITTSBURGH — There’s a few things you need to know about Murf Gray.

To start, his name’s not really Murf. He was born as Triston Allen Gray, giving himself the nickname “Murf” from his childhood favorite movie, “Like Mike.” Most early nicknames don’t have staying power, but even his family calls him Murf — unless, of course, ...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — Twins center fielder Byron Buxton is scheduled to undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right hip next week, putting an end to his All-Star year.

Buxton tried to return once more this season, hoping to help the Twins push for a playoff spot, but his troublesome right hip never improved to the point where he was close to rejoining ...Read more

NEW YORK — Paul O’Neill can remember the roar.

As the then-Yankees star warmed up in the outfield before Game 3 of the 2001 World Series in the Bronx, a palpable energy overtook the stadium as President George W. Bush walked to the mound for the ceremonial first pitch.

“I was standing next to Scott Brosius, and we were so relieved when ...Read more

NEW YORK — George Lombard Jr. was still years away from being born when terrorists attacked the Twins Towers on Sept. 11, 2001.

Only 21 years old, he is one of several Yankees who are too young to have any recollection of that horrific day in New York City. Instead, Lombard’s knowledge of the day came from reading stories, watching videos ...Read more

NEW YORK — Twenty-five years later, the moment still seems surreal to the Mets who witnessed it. It was Sept. 21, 2001 — 10 days after the deadliest act of terrorism in United States history — and heartbreak, anger and fear continued to engulf the country.

Debates had raged over whether it was too soon to resume MLB games, particularly in...Read more

LOS ANGELES — It takes Bryce Harper about four seconds to run from home plate to first base. It took him about the same amount of time to demolish the proposal the commissioner's office made to the players' union in an effort to ensure players participate in the Los Angeles Olympics: If you're picked and you don't play, you have to sit out two...Read more

NEW YORK — As the freshly-promoted Anthony Volpe settled into a new locker inside the Yankees’ clubhouse on Thursday, he said that he felt as if he had been in a “bubble” at Triple-A.

Not because he was stuck in the minors, but because he was focused on trying to improve his game. Volpe said he was so locked in that he didn’t even ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — When it comes to Shohei Ohtani's injury management, it's tempting to dwell on the what-ifs.

What if the Dodgers forced him to give up pitching in July, when he needed a lubricant injection to alleviate irritation in his left knee?

It was clear by then that Ohtani was playing through multiple injuries. A right biceps problem ...Read more

On a day the Pirates lost one of their top young right-handers to injury— at least temporarily — another top young right-hander stepped up.

Jared Jones took a no-hit bid into the seventh inning, allowing a two-out Colson Montgomery double but no other damage to lead the Pirates to a 2-0, sweep-completing victory against the Chicago White ...Read more

SEATTLE — The unmistakable sound of a baseball being impacted by a wood bat at a high rate of speed and with maximum force resonated in an empty T-Mobile Park.

Hours before Thursday afternoon’s first pitch in the series finale versus the Rangers, Julio Rodríguez was on the field taking early batting practice with his close friend Franmy ...Read more

BALTIMORE — Craig Albernaz has never seen anything quite like it.

What Gunnar Henderson accomplished at such a young age warranted the mention of his name alongside some of the sport’s all-time greats. He won the American League Rookie of the Year Award in 2023 and rose to the level of superstar in 2024, placing fourth in AL Most Valuable ...Read more

ATLANTA — Well, one way to look at it is that the Rays now have the opportunity to clinch a playoff berth at Tropicana Field and celebrate with their fans, potentially as soon as Friday night.

That’s the positive spin from a disappointing Thursday afternoon in which they wasted a dominant, though somewhat abbreviated, start from Nick ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — Bring on the Braves?

Sure, why not? But before the Phillies hopped a flight Thursday for a weekend showdown with the division leaders, they squandered an opportunity to set up a true first-place showdown.

Jhoan Duran gave up a tiebreaking solo homer to Cam Smith in the ninth inning of a 2-1 loss to the Astros. And so, instead ...Read more

The Dodgers departed Wednesday for their final multi-city trip of the regular season with their magic number to clinch a fifth straight division title at six, meaning their first champagne shower of the year could come as early as Sunday in Miami.

But the team is limping toward that celebration, with Freddie Freeman, the team’s leading hitter...Read more

The Pirates are back at .500. They showed plenty of fight to get there.

The Pirates beat the Chicago White Sox, 4-2, on Wednesday night at Rate Field in Chicago, winning their fifth consecutive series. A three-run seventh inning proved key in overcoming a shaky bullpen late.

The Pirates are 10-4 since the three-game sweep against the Los ...Read more

KANSAS CITY, Mo.— Kansas City Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. knows what to do with a mistake pitch. And on Wednesday, he made the Arizona Diamondbacks pay.

In the fifth inning, Diamondbacks reliever Michael Soroka left a 94.9 mph sinker over the heart of the plate in a tie game. It seemed like a customary get-me-over fastball after Soroka walked...Read more

NEW YORK — The Yankees finally hit their first grand slam of the season on Wednesday when George Lombard Jr. crushed the first one of his career.

The rookie shortstop’s bases-loaded long ball in the third inning paved the way for a 6-1, series-securing win over the Rockies. The opposite-field blast also ensured that, with just 17 more ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA— His bat was aloft, in his right hand, straight up in the air like an Olympic torch.

Kyle Schwarber’s swing on the 3-2 sweeper had been half with one hand. But there was no doubt, from the moment bat met ball, that he’d done it again. And as he took his first steps out of the batter’s box and chaos erupted in every corner ...Read more

ATLANTA — Much of the Rays’ success that has put them in position to clinch a playoff berth — with a little help — as soon as Thursday evening has, and will continue, to be tied to the hitters at the top of their order.

Yandy Diaz, Jonathan Aranda and Junior Caminero have the big numbers, the cool catchphrase bestowed by baseball ...Read more