Sources: MLB makes first labor proposal since lockout, awaits union's counter as threat of postponed spring training looms  —  MLB, Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Guardians, Colorado Rockies …

EXCLUSIVE: Joe Judge breaks silence after firing as Giants coach with heartfelt farewell  —  Joe Judge made his first public comments since his firing as head coach of the New York Giants on Thursday night in an exclusive statement to NorthJersey.com, part of the USA TODAY Network.

Rays bullpen catcher Jean Ramirez died by suicide, per medical examiner  —  His family issues a statement: “Struggling in silence is not OK.”  —  Updated Earlier today  —  Rays bullpen catcher Jean Ramirez died by suicide, the Tarrant County (Texas) Medical Examiner's office said Thursday.

Jon Lester announces retirement after 16 seasons, three World Series titles  —  Three-time World Series champion and 200-game winner Jon Lester is retiring after a 16-year career.  —  Lester, 38, told ESPN that his body just isn't up for the rigors of a major league season anymore.

Buster Olney's Top 10s for 2022: Ranking MLB's best outfielders  —  About 15 minutes before first pitch of a Nationals-Braves game last summer, one of Juan Soto's sprints took him into the outfield, out behind second base, and he paused to say hi to Ozzie Albies, who talks to everyone …

2 years into retirement, Eric Weddle eagerly answers call from Rams  —  Eric Weddle did not retire to the couch.  He did not spend his idle time plundering the pantry.  —  He retired to the weight room and the basketball court, and to a car that took his kids to various games and practices across the sporting spectrum.

Ducks' John Gibson selected to All-Star team; Troy Terry snubbed  —  Goaltender John Gibson was selected Thursday to represent the Ducks at the All-Star Game on Feb. 5 in Las Vegas, which wasn't a surprise given his stellar play for an upstart team that was in second place in the Pacific Division nearing …

‘A lot of teams hit my heart’: A superstar in Japan, Seiya Suzuki craves a new challenge in MLB  —  Seiya Suzuki covered every topic.  —  He discussed the journey he took to become arguably the best all-around baseball player in Nippon Professional Baseball, the pride he felt while lifting …

Latest NBA Trade Intel: How Will Dame Lillard Surgery Impact Ben Simmons Market?  —  With less than a month before the NBA's trade deadline, teams have shifted focus to trade discussions after the distractions caused by the COVID-19 omicron variant.  —  Like many of the league's trade windows …

Baltimore Orioles to move back left-field wall at Camden Yards, say ‘it will no longer be an outlier’ among ballparks  —  BALTIMORE — The Orioles are moving the wall in left field back as much as 30 feet in an effort to make Oriole Park at Camden Yards a bit easier on pitchers.

Keith Hernandez reacts to NY Mets retiring his No. 17 and hints at an Old Timers Day  —  On Tuesday afternoon, Keith Hernandez received a call from Mets owner Steve Cohen.  —  Oh OK, maybe he wants to talk about the team, Hernandez thought.  So he picked up the phone and the two discussed the club for around 10 minutes.