Top News:
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
RELATED:
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:
Fox News, MLB Baseball News …, Purple Row, Beyond the Box Score, MLB Trade Rumors, Baseball Prospectus and NESN.com
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
With pregnant wife, Angels star Mike Trout unsure if he'll play in 2020: ‘Playing it by ear’ — Mike Trout, the Los Angeles Angels' three-time MVP and widely regarded as baseball's greatest player, is wary about starting the 2020 season with his wife expecting their first baby in August.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Sports Illustrated, MLB Trade Rumors, Sportsnet.ca and Fox News
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
The 2020 MLB season is a series of tests — and the first big one comes today — Training camps around Major League Baseball officially open Friday, marking another step toward the game's return. As momentous as that might sound, as positive as that might seem, Friday is a vital day to MLB for an entirely different reason.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
RELATED:
Kevin Stevens / Press & Sun-Bulletin:
Minor League Baseball cancels 2020 season, possibly ending Binghamton Rumble Ponies era
Minor League Baseball cancels 2020 season, possibly ending Binghamton Rumble Ponies era
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Amazin' Avenue
Gabriel Burns / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Braves hold first team workouts Friday — The Braves' season begins Friday when the team holds its first formal workout at Truist Park. It comes 113 days after they played their last game, a 5-3 exhibition win over the Tigers in Lakeland, Fla. — Much has changed since …
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
RELATED:
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:
Bluebird Banter, baseballmusings.com and Phillies Nation
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, AZ Snake Pit, Purple Row, New York Post, NESN.com and MLB Baseball News …
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:
NBCSports.com, MLB Trade Rumors, Halos Heaven and Los Angeles Times
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:
NBCSports.com, Chicago Cubs News … and Bleed Cubbie Blue
John Tomase / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
As MLB teams report, let's count the ways the Red Sox will be worse in 2020 — By subscribing, you are agreeing to Yahoo's — Red Sox reality check. They were never, ever meant to contend in 2020. — This 60-game sprint will probably keep them from plummeting completely out of the playoff race, but let's not kid ourselves.
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, Over the Monster and Boston Red Sox on Yahoo! …
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
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
New Mets manager Luis Rojas is calm, but the storm is coming — Managing a 60-game baseball season against the backdrop of a pandemic might be daunting for some first-year skippers. We wouldn't fault Mets manager Luis Rojas if he felt a little overwhelmed with the delicate balancing act …
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:
MLB Baseball News … and NBCSports.com
RELATED: