ST. LOUIS — With the snapping of offensive skids from Masyn Winn and Willson Contreras and an eighth-inning rally sparked by the bottom third of their lineup, the Cardinals avoided a sweep of the Angels with a 12-5 win Wednesday at Busch Stadium.

After Winn scored following his single and Contreras’ double in the seventh inning, Jordan ...Read more

SAN DIEGO — The Padres have locked up another young player they believe will be a cornerstone of a championship club for years to come.

And they have done it at a wholly reasonable price.

Jackson Merrill, their 21-year-old center fielder who just began his second big league season, has agreed to a nine-year contract extension that begins in ...Read more

MILWAUKEE — The Kansas City Royals hit the road for their first trip of the 2025 season. KC stopped in Milwaukee to face the Brewers for a three-game midweek series.

A few early-season issues traveled along.

The Royals continued to produce inconsistent offense. In Monday’s game, KC scored 11 runs and picked up its second victory. Tuesday�...Read more

The Red Sox didn’t waste any time securing rookie Kristian Campbell for the long haul.

Less than a week after the versatile top prospect made his major league debut on Opening Day, the team announced that they were in agreement on an eight-year extension through 2032, with club options for ’33 and ’34.

Campbell, 22, is guaranteed $60 ...Read more

TAMPA, Fla. — From injuries to poor performances, few things have gone right so far this season for manager Derek Shelton’s club. But luckily for the Pirates, Paul Skenes decided enough was enough. Taking the mound after watching his team lose five of its first six games of the season, the 2024 National League Rookie of the Year took it upon...Read more

Dustin May closed his eyes, took a breath and held his head suspended toward the heavens.

For a brief moment, shortly before he began warming up for the first inning on Tuesday night, the Dodgers pitcher seemed to absorb the significance of his milestone moment — reflecting one last time on the 685-day journey that brought him there.

Not ...Read more

The Padres waited. Not exactly patiently, but effectively.

Then they pounced. Then their bullpen took over again.

And now they are 6-0.

They beat the Guardians 7-0 on Tuesday night at Petco Park, their third shutout in four games, to extend the best beginning to a season in club history.

After they squandered their lead-off batter reaching ...Read more

It’s been a running joke between Casey Mize and his skipper the last two years, whether Mize would be the 26 th and final player on the roster to enter a game.

He was the 26 th last year and AJ Hinch did him one better (or one worse) this year.

“He reminded me that he was the 27 th player to play this year,” Hinch said with a smile. “...Read more

ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Cardinals intentionally walked Mike Trout to get to Kyren Paris.

Clearly, they haven’t been paying attention.

Paris, suddenly the Angels’ best hitter, delivered a two-out, run-scoring single to put the Angels on top in the 11th inning. Yoán Moncada followed with a two-run double and the Angels held on for a ...Read more

TAMPA, Fla. — Last week, on the final day of spring training, Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed prospect Thomas Harrington was asked for his biggest takeaway of the preseason.

"I figured out that making the opening day roster is really hard,” Harrington said with a smile. “That's for sure. I also learned that these hitters are really good. ...Read more

NEW YORK — The Yankees’ hot start to the season has been all about power.

But on Tuesday night, it was the Arizona Diamondbacks who delivered a back-breaking blast.

Eugenio Suárez’s eighth-inning grand slam against reliever Mark Leiter Jr. proved to be the game-winner in the D-Backs’ 7-5 victory in the Bronx, dealing the Yankees (3-1)...Read more

MILWAUKEE — After scoring 11 runs in Monday’s series opener, the Kansas City Royals went dormant offensively against the Milwaukee Brewers.

A big piece of the Royals offense was missing. First baseman Vinnie Pasquantino received the night off as he continues to nurse a right hamstring strain.

Pasquantino’s absence shifted the Royals ...Read more

HOUSTON — Logan Webb is a different pitcher now than he was last year. He’s tweaked his mechanics. He’s upped his cutter usage. He’s altered his changeup.

At his core, he remains the San Francisco Giants’ ace of staff.

Webb turned in the first of many quality starts as the Giants (4-1) beat the Houston Astros (2-3) on Tuesday night ...Read more

CHICAGO — Jose Miranda dropped a bloop single into right field in the sixth inning Tuesday, and the Twins dugout erupted in a way it hasn’t for days, what felt like an eternity in the early part of the season.

There were the high-five lines. Players shouted in celebration and smacked the top of the dugout railing for more noise.

Who knew ...Read more

SAN DIEGO — Jurickson Profar, a Padres fan favorite whose career-best season last year at age 31 paid off in a huge contract with the Atlanta Braves, said Monday he did not knowingly use a banned performance-enhancing substance for which Major League Baseball this week suspended him 80 games.

Profar tested positive for a hormone that helps in...Read more

NEW YORK — Giancarlo Stanton embraced the torpedo bats long before they became the talk of MLB.

The Yankees slugger used the bowling-pin-shaped bats last season, including during a torrid playoff run in which he struck seven home runs in 14 games.

“It’s something that makes a lot of sense, but why hasn’t anyone thought of it in 100-...Read more

NEW YORK — Carbon monoxide poisoning may have led to the death of the 14-year-old son of former Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner, Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Department (OIJ) said in an update.

Investigators detected high emissions of carbon monoxide contamination in the hotel room where Miller Gardner and his family were staying, ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — As Evan Phillips stood in front of his locker before the Dodgers' home opener Thursday, answering questions about the team's upcoming World Series celebration that night and the gold jersey they would wear to mark the occasion, his new neighbor in the Dodgers clubhouse interjected from one stall over.

"What'd you say to Tanner ...Read more

Kyle Hart returned to the major leagues on a misty evening at Petco Park and helped the Padres to a bit of history.

Five games into the season, the Padres have not lost.

Monday’s 7-2 victory over the Guardians made them the first team in the franchise’s 57-year history to begin a season with five victories.

Hart allowed two runs – on ...Read more