The 2020 Minor League Season Is Canceled.  So What Happens Next?  —  What was long expected will be made official today: There will be no Minor League Baseball in 2020.  —  According to multiple sources, Minor League Baseball is expected to officially announce this afternoon that the season …

Catching On: Athletics Offer Fans Chance to be Part of the Scene as Cardboard Cutouts  —  It's going to be possible to “catch” a foul ball at the Coliseum this year without actually being at the Coliseum.  —  Under current plans being dictated by the fight against the COVID-19 coronavirus …

‘He really needs help’: Family seeks help for Dodgers outfielder Andrew Toles, who is homeless and hospitalized  —  It was a disturbing picture, a police mug shot, spattered across the internet last weekend, revealing a troubled man with a vacant, soulless look.

Focus on the South Side  —  The past few weeks have seen a great awakening in the United States.  African-Americans have been aware, and have been trying to make everyone else aware, of the systematic racism in this country, with particular focus on police brutality.

Ian Desmond Opts Out Of 2020 Season  —  Rockies outfielder Ian Desmond will opt out of playing in the 2020 MLB season.  He provided a thoughtful explanation of his decisionmaking process in an announcement on Instagram.  —  Desmond explains that “the COVID-19 pandemic has made this baseball season …

Inside the rise of MLB's Ivy League culture: Stunning numbers and a question of what's next  —  AT A TIME when industries across America are facing a racial reckoning following the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police and the rising support of the Black Lives Matter movement …

Cashman: Yankees “Optimistic” Judge Will Be Ready For Opening Day  —  After months of uncertainty surrounding the status of Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, general manager Brian Cashman said on a conference call today that the team is optimistic he'll be ready for the rescheduled Opening Day …

Tigers Agree To Terms With Spencer Torkelson  —  The Tigers have agreed to terms with top overall draft choice Spencer Torkelson, according to Jim Callis of MLB.com (Twitter link).  He's set to receive a hefty $8,416,300 bonus.  —  While he only topped the 1-1 draft slot allocation by a nominal amount …

Orioles Sign Heston Kjerstad  —  The Orioles have signed second overall draft pick Heston Kjerstad, per a team announcement.  The University of Arkansas product will receive a $5.2MM bonus, per MLB.com's Jim Callis (Twitter link).  —  Kjerstad was expected to go near the top of the draft, but not with the second selection.

KBO Preparing For Return Of Fans  —  JULY 1: The return of live fans will have to wait at least a bit longer, per Yoo (via Twitter).  Governmental approval still hasn't been issued, though it still seems likely to come before long — except, perhaps, in the Kia Tigers' home city of Gwangju …