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 …

Boston's Blunder: How the Dodgers Landed Mookie Betts for the Next 13 Seasons  —  The Dodgers signed Mookie Betts to a 12-year, $365 million deal, beginning in 2021, making him the highest-paid player on a World Series contender.  —  Twenty-one months ago, Mookie Betts shot through the outfield …

MLB, MLBPA Reach Agreement On Expanded Playoffs For 2020 Season  —  3:27pm: ESPN's Buster Olney reports that the top two teams in each division will qualify for the postseason under this format.  The seventh and eighth teams in each league will be chosen based on the best overall records of the remaining teams.

Marcus Stroman “Week To Week” With Calf Injury  —  The Mets announced that they've placed right-handers Marcus Stroman and Robert Gsellman on the injured list.  Stroman, who was said to be experiencing tightness in his calf earlier today, has been now diagnosed with a tear of some extent in that ailing calf muscles.

Rays down to final roster decisions after adding reliever Ryan Thompson  —  With a 30-man roster due at noon Thursday, the final call seems to be whether to carry 16 or 17 pitchers.  —  ST. PETERSBURG — Rays officials plan to keep talking over the lingering decisions in setting …

Sneak peek: Fox to use virtual fans for MLB broadcasts  —  Fox will utilize virtual fans for its MLB game broadcasts beginning Saturday.  —  The use of augmented reality is designed to make viewers feel as if telecasts are as normal as possible, despite the ongoing pandemic that has left ballparks empty.

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 …

Giants' 2020 MLB Opening Day roster: 16 pitchers, plenty of newcomers  —  By subscribing, you are agreeing to Yahoo's  —  There were a lot of newcomers and a few big surprises when the Giants announced their 30-man opening day roster on Thursday morning.

Indians owner Paul Dolan provides update on potential name change  —  Cleveland Indians owner Paul Dolan has issued a statement regarding the team's potential plans to change its name.  —  CLEVELAND — On the eve of the start of the 2020 season, Cleveland Indians owner Paul Dolan provided …