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
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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 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
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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
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Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Schedule draft has Rays opening at home against Blue Jays
Schedule draft has Rays opening at home against Blue Jays
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter, baseballmusings.com and Phillies Nation
Tim Kurkjian / ESPN:
Tim Kurkjian's Baseball Fix: Major League Baseball gave us plenty of reasons to despise it, but here are 100 reasons it's OK to still love it — The past three months, baseball has given us 1,000 reasons to hate it. — In the middle of the coronavirus pandemic, the players and owners …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
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:
AZ Snake Pit, Purple Row, New York Post, NESN.com, Yahoo! Sports 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
MLB Baseball News, Scores, Standings …:
MLB cancels All-Star Game for first time since 1945 — By subscribing, you are agreeing to Yahoo's — LOS ANGELES (AP) — Dodger Stadium's 40-year wait to host the All-Star Game is going to last even longer. — The game scheduled for July 14 was canceled Friday because of the coronavirus pandemic …
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley and Chicago Sun-Times
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
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