PITTSBURGH — When it comes to negotiations for the MLB’s next collective bargaining agreement, there are some misconceptions that Paul Skenes would like to clear up.

First and foremost, where do his fellow players stand?

“We are very united. I don’t think people understand how united we are and how on the same page we are,” said the ...Read more

TAMPA, Fla. — When it comes to building a $2.3 billion ballpark surrounded by a massive mixed-use development, there’s one question that applies to everyone but is rarely spoken aloud by anyone:

What’s in it for me?

For the Tampa Bay Rays, the answer is simple. A new ballpark leads to increased revenue, which leads to greater profits and...Read more

The Tampa Bay Rays have lost a lot over the last three weeks, most noticeably 12 of their last 18 games, as well as their standing as the majors’ best team and status as one of the most surprisingly successful.

Saturday’s 8-0 defeat by the Angels in Anaheim, California, cost them something else — their spot atop the American League East. ...Read more

SAN FRANCISCO — Eric Haase picked the slider out of the dirt, leaped out of his crouch and fired an absolute strike to second base.

To absolutely no one.

Willy Adames didn’t cover second, and neither did Luis Arraez. Chicago’s Ian Happ stole second without sliding. Michael Busch, standing on third, took advantage and quickly dashed to ...Read more

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Royals found themselves locked in another slugfest against the Houston Astros on Saturday night at Kauffman Stadium.

A day after combining for 18 runs, the teams put together an encore performance — that is, when they weren’t dodging the inclement weather that descended on the metro late in the game.

...Read more

MILWAUKEE — No offense to Shane Drohan, but after what they faced here Friday night, the Phillies were sure offense would be easier to come by Saturday.

Call it the Jacob Misiorowski effect.

Because although Drohan has a fastball that’s worthy of respect, nobody throws more premium octane than his Brewers teammate. Compared to Misiorowski�...Read more

LOS ANGELES — On the 13th of July, Dave Roberts will reveal his selection for the National League‘s starting pitcher in the All-Star Game.

On the 13th of June, Yoshinobu Yamamoto reminded his manager that he is the Dodgers’ best pitcher.

Is that enough for Yamamoto to start the All-Star Game? Probably not.

Is that enough to force ...Read more

MILWAUKEE — Jacob Misiorowski struck out the Phillies’ first three batters — Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner and Bryce Harper — in the first inning here Friday night on 12 pitches.

Nine registered at least 103 mph.

“I feel like, when we face pitchers, they’re always a tick up or ready to face our lineup, or at least our top three guys,...Read more

CHICAGO — This much-anticipated series between the Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers originally was hyped as a showdown between Shohei Ohtani, the Japanese superstar, and Sox slugger Munteka Murakami, before the budding Japanese star injured his hamstring last month.

As it turned out, it was Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto who ...Read more

WASHINGTON — Two weeks after his 18th birthday, Colt Emerson made his professional debut on Aug. 4, 2023, for the Mariners’ rookie-ball affiliate in Arizona.

His first professional hit that day was an opposite-field home run, a 110-mph blast out to left field.

The following spring, on the very first swing of the first game of his first ...Read more

BOSTON — Roman Anthony hasn’t hit off a tee since late May, when he was shut down after experiencing discomfort attempting the next step in his progression from a sprained hand.

But while the injured Red Sox outfielder remains in a state of limbo, he said he has occasionally continued swinging a light bat just to see how it feels, and to ...Read more

BOSTON — Earlier in his career, Ceddanne Rafaela probably would have struck out on three pitches.

Facing Texas Rangers left-hander Robby Ahlstrom with the game tied and the bases loaded with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, Rafaela took a called strike and then couldn’t check his swing to fall behind 0-2. The next pitch was a high ...Read more

NEW YORK — Making his first start of the season Saturday afternoon against the Atlanta Braves, left-hander Sean Manaea gave the Mets a chance to win. That was a victory in and of itself. A veteran left-hander who struggled so much to start the season that the Mets were practically avoiding pitching him, Manaea scattered two runs over six ...Read more

TORONTO — Trent Grisham and the Yankees hoped that a good night’s rest would keep him off the shelf.

Instead, the club placed the center fielder on the 10-day injured list with a right hamstring strain before Saturday’s series-tying, 3-1 win over the Blue Jays. Jasson Domínguez, in the midst of a rehab assignment for an AC joint sprain, ...Read more

PITTSBURGH — There was surely a less painful way for the Pittsburgh Pirates to plate the go-ahead run, but they got it nonetheless.

With two outs and the bases loaded in a tie game in the bottom of the eighth, Spencer Horwitz took a 97 mph sinker off his right leg as the Pirates beat the Miami Marlins, 3-2, to even the series on Saturday ...Read more

CLEVELAND — There are no magic pills or potions in baseball.

The return of reigning, two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal will provide a shot in the arm for the Tigers over time, but it was unrealistic to think he was going come back after missing 45 days and turn the season around.

There was bound to be rust.

Skubal, back after having a ...Read more

WASHINGTON — At least they got out of this one without losing another key player to injury.

That’s about the only nice thing worth noting about the Seattle Mariners’ ugly 8-3 loss to the Washington Nationals on Saturday afternoon, their fifth loss in nine games on this 10-game East Coast swing.

Sloppy isn’t a strong enough descriptor ...Read more

CHICAGO — Fans around Rate Field rose to their feet as Yoshinobu Yamamoto embraced his teammates before walking off the mound.

Of course, the Dodgers fans stood. But fans clad in White Sox jerseys joined them, waving White Sox hats in the air, acknowledging the brilliance they'd just witnessed.

In the Dodgers' 7-1 win against the White Sox ...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — The Cardinals had misplaced a four-run lead Saturday and maneuvered the game right where they apparently like it this season — close and about to be decided by the bullpens — when they chose an alternate and emphatic tack.

The opted for a show of force.

The Cardinals cranked three home runs in the seventh inning to pull ...Read more