Reds manager David Bell said Wednesday that Sonny Gray will start the season opener with Luis Castillo slotting second in the starting rotation. Trevor Bauer, Wade Miley and Anthony DeSclafani will fill the final three spots.
Tim Kurkjian joins Buster to discuss how refreshing it is to see Terry Francona and Francisco Lindor pulling pranks, the challenge of keeping players focused and the need to hear from Rob Manfred as issues with the restart arise (4:20). Later, ESPN’s senior manager of MLB programming Rick Mace talks about what it’s been like scheduling games for TV (16:19). Plus, Hembo on which teams have scheduling advantages and why he’d take Juan Soto on a 10-year contract (26:00).
The dates for baseball's 60-game sprint of a season are officially set. Here's what we can't wait to see once the games begin.
With so few Black players in the major leagues, Cincinnati Reds reliever Amir Garrett was afraid to talk openly about racial discrimination. He kept his thoughts -- and his stories -- to himself.
Dave Schoenfield joins Eric and Tristan to discuss COVID contingency planning, the value of a few NL East players and answer your finest questions!
Hitters in bright red shirts slapped batting-practice pitches to all parts of the recently mowed field. A mash-up of disco, rap and Motown reverberated through empty Great American Ball Park for background music.
Joon Lee joins Eric to talk optimism about the shortened season, Ivy League culture, the movie Sugar and your best 2020 questions.
ESPN has learned that more than half of all intake testing is almost complete as MLB prepares for preseason workouts to officially resume tomorrow. General information about the results will be released in the next 24-48 hours, but will not have identifying factors in order to protect players' privacy. As previously reported, COVID-19 related information won't be disclosed without players' permission.
Manager Luis Rojas confirms Mets hitting coach Chili Davis will be working remotely. Rojas also said all Mets players have reported to "summer camp" and are currently undergoing the intake and COVID-19 testing process.
In a statement to ESPN, MLB said it wouldn't disclose COVID-19 related information without an individual's permission. MLB does plan to publish general testing information, for example, number of tests and positive results, but with no player names or identifying characteristics.
Spring training 2.0 ... or summer camp? No matter what you call it, baseball's road back to the field starts today. Here's what you need to get up to speed.
MLB statement to ESPN regarding teams not naming players that test positive for coronavirus: "Because COVID-19 is not considered an employment-related injury, we will respect the privacy of the players who test positive or who are under evaluation, and we will defer to their wishes regarding public updates about their status. Without their voluntary permission, we will not disclose any COVID-19 related information."
Teams are coming back for a 60-game sprint of a season. How much has baseball's 100-day interruption shaken up expectations?
Some of the game's biggest prospects, such as Wander Franco and Jo Adell, will be in MLB camps this week. Here's who to watch on every team.
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Vladimir Gutierrez was one of four minor leaguers suspended Sunday for violating the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.
No one knows what will transpire in this year's unique format, but that didn't keep us from making our picks for MVP, the team to beat and more.
When players report to the second "spring training," they will be required to undergo “intake screenings,” which will include a COVID-19 saliva test and a COVID-19 antibodies blood test. All players will be tested for COVID-19 at least every other day during the season, or more frequently if deemed necessary.
Important MLB deadlines this week: All player transactions that were suspended during the “Transaction Freeze” that was a part of the March agreement will resume tomorrow, Friday, June 26th, at 12pm ET. By 4pm ET on Sunday, June 28th, each club must submit to MLB a list of up to 60 players who will be eligible to play during the 2020 season.
Baseball is about to embark on its shortest season ever, so we look at just how weird 2020's stats could be.
Players have agreed to report by July 1st but MLB understands that some of them may not be able to meet that timeline because of immigration or other travel reasons.
MLB's 60-game schedule will largely feature divisional play (~40 games); rest of games will be against the opposite league's corresponding geographical division (AL East v NL East; AL Central v NL Central; AL West v NL West). Commissioner Manfred: “Major League Baseball is thrilled to announce that the 2020 season is on the horizon. We have provided the Players Association with a schedule to play 60 games and are excited to provide our great fans with Baseball again soon.”
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announced that Major League Baseball anticipates beginning its 2020 regular season approximately one month from today, on July 23rd or July 24th.
Mookie Betts wearing Dodger blue, Gerrit Cole in pinstripes. A wild sprint from start to finish. Here's what we're most excited to see when the 2020 season finally begins.
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oakland | 13 | 8 | .619 | - | L1 |
| San Diego | 11 | 7 | .611 | 0.5 | L5 |
| Texas | 12 | 8 | .600 | 0.5 | L1 |
| Chicago | 10 | 7 | .588 | 1 | L1 |
| Milwaukee | 10 | 7 | .588 | 1 | L1 |
| LA Dodgers | 10 | 7 | .588 | 1 | W2 |
| Colorado | 8 | 7 | .533 | 2 | W1 |
| San Francisco | 9 | 9 | .500 | 2.5 | W1 |
| Kansas City | 9 | 9 | .500 | 2.5 | L2 |
| Cincinnati | 7 | 8 | .467 | 3 | L1 |
| Arizona | 6 | 9 | .400 | 4 | W4 |
| Chicago | 8 | 12 | .400 | 4.5 | W2 |
| LA Angels | 6 | 10 | .375 | 4.5 | L4 |
| Cleveland | 7 | 12 | .368 | 5 | W2 |
| Seattle | 6 | 12 | .333 | 5.5 | W2 |
