All articles tagged with #mlb
Toronto re-signed Max Scherzer to a one-year, $3 million base with up to $10 million in incentives, adding a 60-day IL move for Anthony Santander to clear a roster spot; the future Hall of Famer returns for a second season with the Jays and is expected to begin 2026 in a six-man rotation after a injury-plagued 2025, with CBT payroll around $319 million.
The New York Yankees signed veteran outfielder Randal Grichuk to a minor-league deal with a non-roster invitation to Spring Training, aiming to add a right-handed platoon bat off the bench. Grichuk, 34, slumped to .228/.273/.401 in 293 plate appearances with Kansas City after a Diamondbacks trade, but he has a strong left-handed track record from 2022–24 (.317/.367/.573 with 25 HR in under 500 PAs), making him a potential late-inning option. If he makes the roster, he’d provide depth behind star hitters; Jasson Domínguez is expected to start in Triple-A, and Grichuk would face opt-out dates if he doesn’t break camp. Opening Day decisions could hinge on his Spring Training progress.
Merrill Kelly’s back discomfort has him unlikely to be ready for Opening Day, with tests ruling out a major issue but ongoing evaluation and pain during throwing. An IL stint is possible; if he misses time, Arizona would start with a rotation of Gallen, Nelson, Rodríguez, Pfaadt and Soroka. Kelly indicated openness to returning to Arizona long-term, but the immediate outlook remains uncertain.
In a Fort Myers Grapefruit League clash, home plate umpire Mitch Trzeciak saw five of his calls overturned by ABS, drawing cheers when one was upheld; the Pirates beat the Red Sox 16-7, and Wilyer Abreu briefly broke his bat on a check swing.
In a Pirates–Red Sox Grapefruit League game in Fort Myers, the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system overturned five of home-plate umpire Mitch Trzeciak’s calls before the end of the third inning, including a pitch that was ruled a ball but shown as a strike by ABS; a correct call in the fourth inning drew a cheer, illustrating how ABS will spotlight and challenge umpiring as it debuts.
The Atlanta Braves are launching BravesVision, their own broadcast network for the 2026 season after splitting with Main Street Sports Group and FanDuel Sports Network. BravesVision will produce at least 140 games, with viewing options including a Braves.TV subscription on MLB’s streaming platform for the home market (GA, TN, AL, MS, NC, SC), MLB.TV for out-of-market viewers, and direct-to-distributor partnerships; pricing and packages will be announced in March.
BravesVision will be the Braves' team-owned media home, delivered via cable/satellite, Gray Media over-the-air, and an in-market Braves.TV direct-to-consumer option (no blackouts for Braves.TV); a separate out-of-market MLB.tv option remains for broader access with typical local blackout rules. Availability depends on distributors; pricing hasn’t been announced yet, but MLB.tv-like packages could be around $20/month. The move could boost in-market revenue and sidestep some league revenue-sharing rules, with more details to come ahead of Opening Day.
Atlanta announced a one-year, $27 million extension for left-hander Chris Sale, with a $30 million club option for 2028, binding him to the Braves through at least 2027 as their ace. Sale, 37, has been elite since arriving in 2024 (Cy Young winner) but missed time with a ribcage fracture in 2025. The deal starts in 2027 and does not affect 2026 payroll, though it adds luxury-tax considerations for 2027 and beyond.
In a spring-training game, a Cubs single morphed into a triple play due to baserunning miscues and a third-base blunder, a teachable moment as the team refines fundamentals ahead of the regular season.
St. Louis is nearing a one-year, $2 million guaranteed deal with infielder Ramon Urias, including a $1.5M salary in 2026 and a $500k buyout on a 2027 mutual option, with up to $2M in incentives based on plate appearances. The versatile veteran, who has spent time at multiple infield spots and won a Gold Glove at third in 2022, would provide veteran depth as the Cardinals rebuild and could slot into several infield roles or serve as a trade asset if he performs well in 2026.
Minnesota Twins right-hander Pablo López will undergo Tommy John surgery on his right elbow for the second time after an MRI revealed a significant UCL tear during spring training. The procedure is set for next Wednesday, and López is expected to miss the 2026 season; he previously had Tommy John surgery in 2014.
The Milwaukee Brewers have extended manager Pat Murphy with a three-year contract that adds two guaranteed seasons and a 2029 club option, totaling about $8.95 million in new money. Murphy, who won back-to-back NL Manager of the Year honors in 2024 and 2025, has steered Milwaukee to division titles and deep playoff runs despite roster turnover; going into 2026, the Brewers are positioned as strong contenders in a tougher NL Central.
Tony Clark resigned as MLBPA executive director after an internal investigation found an inappropriate relationship with his sister-in-law, who was hired by the union in 2023. The departure comes as a federal probe into potential misused funds from a licensing deal involving OneTeam expands, raising questions ahead of a looming Dec. 1, 2026 CBA expiration and potential labor talks. Bruce Meyer is a leading candidate for interim leadership as the union faces ongoing scrutiny.
Minnesota right-hander Pablo López was diagnosed with a UCL tear in his right elbow and is seeking a second opinion, with season-ending surgery a possibility. The injury threatens López’s 2026 contribution after a strong prior season, and it creates rotation depth questions for the Twins as they evaluate alternatives and potential upgrades.
San Diego signed ex-Dodger Walker Buehler to a minor-league deal and plugged him into a crowded rotation competition alongside Waldron, McKenzie, Márquez, Sears and Gonzales; at 31 and coming off a second Tommy John surgery, Buehler has battled command and velocity post-injury but flashed in the postseason and will try to rebound for a rotation slot in 2026.