Top News:
R.J. Anderson / CBSSports.com:
Rob Manfred: MLB was set on 60-game 2020 season ‘no matter how negotiations with players went’ — Should the spread of the novel coronavirus permit it, Major League Baseball will launch its regular season on July 23, or in about three weeks' time. On Wednesday, commissioner Rob Manfred joined …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Purple Row, MLB Trade Rumors, Beyond the Box Score, Baseball Prospectus, NESN.com and Fox News
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Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
After blowback, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred clarifies comments on 60-game season — While the Twitterverse thought MLB commissioner Rob Manfred accidentally confessed Wednesday on the Dan Patrick Show that it was always MLB's intention to play a 60-game season, Manfred clarified Thursday what he meant.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and New York Post
Bradford William Davis / New York Daily News:
Rob Manfred says that coronavirus, and not feud over player salaries, ensured 2020 season would only be 60 games — If you're frustrated by Major League Baseball just now picking back up, Rob Manfred wants you to blame the coronavirus, not the commissioner.
J.J. Cooper / Baseball America:
MLB Player Pool Salary Will Give Some Minor Leaguers A Pay Bump — For minor leaguers, being named to the 60-man player pool will result in either a minor pay bump or a major one. — Players not on the 40-man roster who are part of the player pool working out at their team's alternate site …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, MLB Baseball News …, Los Angeles Times and Halos Heaven
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Kyle Glaser / Baseball America:
How Each MLB Team Plans To Pay Minor Leaguers In 2020
How Each MLB Team Plans To Pay Minor Leaguers In 2020
Discussion:
Baltimore Sun, NBCSports.com, Bless You Boys, MLB Trade Rumors and Talking Chop
Tim Stebbins / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Cubs' José Quintana undergoes thumb surgery, likely to miss start of season — By subscribing, you are agreeing to Yahoo's — Cubs starter José Quintana will likely start the season on the injured list and his status is in doubt after suffering a thumb injury at home.
Discussion:
Chicago Cubs News …, Bleed Cubbie Blue and NBCSports.com
Brittany Ghiroli / The Athletic:
Prohibition baseball: Inside the biggest All-Star Game no one watched — Luke Jackson had nowhere to throw when baseball shut down. So, the Atlanta Braves right-hander got desperate, watched some YouTube videos, and built a makeshift mound. He was throwing alone in his driveway in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. when he got the fateful text.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports, MLB Baseball News … and NESN.com
Kevin Stevens / Press & Sun-Bulletin:
Minor League Baseball cancels 2020 season, possibly ending Binghamton Rumble Ponies era — The inevitable came to fruition Tuesday. — Major League Baseball will not provide its minor league affiliates with players this season, and so a 2020 Minor League Baseball season that never began is officially scrubbed.
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
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Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Blue Jays Claim Breyvic Valera, Add Three Others To 60-Man Pool — The Blue Jays have claimed infielder Breyvic Valera off waivers from the Padres, per an announcement from both teams. In addition to Valera, the Jays announced that they've added right-hander Bryan Baker …
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter and Sportsnet.ca
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Athletics Add Six Players To 60-Man Pool — The Athletics on Wednesday announced the addition of six players to their 60-man player pool: infielders Eric Campbell and Robert Puason, right-handers Wandisson Charles and Miguel Romero, and outfielders Luis Barrera and Brayan Buelvas will all join the group.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Dan Mullen / ESPN:
It's Bobby Bonilla Day! Why Mets pay him $1.19 million today and every July 1 — The calendar has turned to July 1, and that means one thing: It's time for Mets fans everywhere to wish each other a Happy Bobby Bonilla Day! Why? On Wednesday, 57-year-old Bobby Bonilla will collect a check …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and NESN.com
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Schedule draft has Rays opening at home against Blue Jays — It's subject to change, but the Rays would play 3 games vs. Mets and Phillies, 4 vs. Braves and Nationals, 6 vs. Marlins. — ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays are set to open the 2020 season at home July 24 against the Blue Jays …
Discussion:
Phillies Nation
John Hickey / Sports Illustrated:
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 …
Discussion:
NBCSports.com and MLB Baseball News …
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Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
‘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.
Discussion:
Los Angeles Times, MLB Baseball News …, Los Angeles Dodgers News …, New York Post, Fox News and True Blue LA
Marly Rivera / ESPN:
MLB teams can't identify players who test positive for coronavirus — There are no protocols that can completely eliminate the risk of contracting the coronavirus. — Therefore, despite Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association having developed an extensive manual to aid …
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout, Phillies Nation and Associated Press