MLB Announces 2021 Schedule  —  In what amounts to a statement of optimism, Major League Baseball has decided to announce the schedule for the 2021 season much earlier than is usual — and before the current campaign has even begun.  Each team's Twitter account has provided the relevant schedule, for those that want a closer look.

The exile of Oakland A's Bruce Maxwell and the birth of MLB's Black player movement  —  To find Bruce Maxwell's America, you first have to leave it, as he did, by crossing over into another country, into an exile both self-imposed and voluntary.  It is to journey 165 miles southwest …

Dodgers' Mookie Betts fully prepared but has doubts on start of season  —  Major League Baseball released its schedule for an unprecedented 60-game season Monday, on a day when the sport's return felt particularly far-fetched.  The Houston Astros, Washington Nationals and St. Louis Cardinals canceled …

Detroit Tigers' Daniel Norris tests positive for COVID-19, but feels ‘healthy and ready’  —  Daniel Norris is currently in protocol for coronavirus recovery, he said.  —  Norris, the Detroit Tigers' left-handed starter, has not been at the team's training camp since it began on Friday.

Angels Claim Jacob Rhame  —  The Angels announced Wednesday that they've claimed right-handed reliever Jacob Rhame off waivers from the Mets.  Rhame was in the Mets' 60-man player pool, and the Mets have already announced that his spot will be filled by right-hander Ryley Gilliam.

MLB's Easiest and Hardest Schedules in 2020  —  Not all schedules are created equal, especially this year.  —  Geography has never held more significance in a Major League Baseball season than this year.  —  Teams will only play clubs in their division—which are already structured based …

Cubs Release Brandon Morrow  —  The Cubs have released right-handed hurler Brandon Morrow, according to the latest transactions report from Baseball America's Chris Hilburn-Trenkle.  He had been with the organization on a minor-league deal.  —  This would appear to bring an end to the saga of Morrow's tenure with the Cubs.

Astros' Alex Bregman misses workout after COVID-19 test snafu  —  Astros third baseman Alex Bregman missed Wednesday's workout at Minute Maid Park after a COVID-19 test result tied to his participation did not arrive in time.  The test result that prevented his participation was described as “required” for his presence in the ballpark.

Giants Add Three To 60-Man Player Pool  —  The Giants announced Wednesday that they've added lefty Caleb Baragar, outfielder Alexander Canario and right-hander Sam Wolff to their 60-man player pool.  They still have one vacancy if they wish to make another addition.

Giants 2020 MLB schedule release: Dates, times for 60-game season  —  By subscribing, you are agreeing to Yahoo's  —  The Giants hope to be under-the-radar contenders in a shortened season.  They'll get a chance right away to prove they'll be right in the mix in the National League West.

Yoenis Cespedes practices at first base, but Mets manager Luis Rojas says not to read anything into that  —  On a mostly empty field, Yoenis Cespedes' presence was striking.  During a pickoff drill for pitchers, and then again during infield practice, the hobbled leftfielder and maybe DH was manning first base.

Cubs' Kris Bryant says coronavirus testing delays a safety issue  —  Chicago Cubs star Kris Bryant has issues with MLB's coronavirus testing protocols, saying his team gets tested too infrequently.  —  “I don't want to be insensitive to people who haven't been able to get tests …