Top News:
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
MLB, players agree to expanded 2020 playoffs with 16 teams — CHICAGO — The Major League Baseball postseason will be expanded from 10 teams to 16 teams in 2020 once the owners officially ratify the deal before Thursday night's season-opener, according to three high-ranking officials with knowledge of the agreement.
Discussion:
Forbes, MLB Baseball News …, Bleed Cubbie Blue and Amazin' Avenue
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ESPN:
MLB players' union OKs playoff expansion for 2020, sources say — The Major League Baseball Players Association has agreed to a plan to expand the playoffs to 16 teams for the 2020 season, sources have told ESPN's Marly Rivera. — A playoff expansion still needs the final approval of MLB owners, sources said.
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, baseballmusings.com and MLB Baseball News …
Michael Shapiro / Sports Illustrated:
Report: Juan Soto Tests Positive for COVID-19, Will Miss Opening Night vs. Yankees — The Nationals will host the Yankees in the 2020 season opener on Thursday night. — Nationals outfielder Juan Soto will miss the season opener against the Yankees on Thursday after testing positive for COVID-19, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan.
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, Yahoo! Sports, MLB Baseball News …, Lone Star Ball and Federal Baseball
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
MLB Playoff Field Expands To 16 Teams For 2020 Season — 6:58pm: MLB has officially announced the 16-team playoff format and best-of-three Wild Card Series for 2020. — 4:36pm: The league's owners have ratified the agreement, Sherman tweets. Sixteen teams will make the playoffs this season.
Discussion:
Red Reporter, Halos Heaven, MLB Baseball News … and Lone Star Ball
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
M.L.B. Expands Playoffs for 2020 Season — The new playoff format, which increases the postseason to 16 teams instead of 10, will help the league add broadcast revenue as it loses out on ticket sales. — Just as they began a season unlike any other, Major League Baseball …
Discussion:
True Blue LA
Jesse Yomtov / USA Today:
MLB preseason power rankings: Yankees start 2020 season on top — How do you improve on a 103-win season? For the Yankees, the answer was simple: sign one of the best pitchers in a game. — Seeking their long-awaited 28th title, the Yankees signed Gerrit Cole to a record-breaking nine-year …
Discussion:
Royals Review, Twinkie Town and MLB Baseball News …
ESPN:
Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw (back) goes on IL; Dustin May to start vs. Giants — Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw was put on the 10-day injured list because of stiffness in his back and will not make his scheduled start in Thursday's Opening Day game against the San Francisco Giants, the team announced.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
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Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Dodgers Place Clayton Kershaw On Injured List, Recall Dustin May — The Dodgers announced that they've placed scheduled Opening Day starter Clayton Kershaw on the injured list and recalled right-hander Dustin May from their alternate training site. The team has termed Kershaw's injury as …
Discussion:
True Blue LA
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
Phils' Andrew McCutchen unites with Yanks, Nats for pregame ceremony acknowledging injustice — WASHINGTON, D.C. — After he saw the video of a Minneapolis police officer killing George Floyd, Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Andrew McCutchen felt compelled to do something.
Discussion:
NBCSports.com and MLB Baseball News …
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MLB Baseball News, Scores, Standings …:
Twins place Odorizzi on injured list with back soreness — By subscribing, you are agreeing to Yahoo's — Minnesota Twins set their opening day roster on Thursday, with right-hander — Jake Odorizzi on the 10-day injured list due to mild soreness in his upper back.
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Phillies Designate Robert Stock For Assignment, Set Opening Day Roster — The Phillies set their Opening Day roster this morning, announcing within their press release that righty Robert Stock was designated for assignment. The club has selected the contracts of veteran infielder Neil Walker …
Discussion:
The Good Phight and Phillies Nation
Bill Baer / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Yankees-Nationals Opening Day game enters rain delay — By subscribing, you are agreeing to Yahoo's — Opening Day of the 2020 regular season was delayed four months. It is only fitting that the first game would also see a rain delay. Thursday night's Opening Day matchup between …
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, Los Angeles Dodgers News … and baseballmusings.com
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
Mookie Betts agrees to 12-year, $365 million extension with Dodgers — Star outfielder Mookie Betts and the Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed on a 12-year, $365 million extension that keeps the former American League MVP from reaching free agency this winter, sources told ESPN on Wednesday.
Discussion:
Los Angeles Dodgers News …, Surviving Grady, MLB Baseball News …, Talking Chop and baseballmusings.com
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Stephanie Apstein / Sports Illustrated:
Boston's Blunder: How the Dodgers Landed Mookie Betts for the Next 13 Seasons
Discussion:
True Blue LA, MLB Baseball News … and Over the Monster
