Rays' Wander Franco taken off 40-man roster  —  The All-Star shortstop, who has not played since mid-August, was placed back on administrative leave and will continue to get paid.  —  ST. PETERSBURG — Wander Franco was taken off the Rays' 40-man roster on Thursday and placed …

Diamondbacks prospect Jordan Lawlar to undergo surgery on injured thumb  —  Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Jordan Lawlar tore a ligament in his right thumb and will require surgery, an injury that likely will sideline the club's top prospect for at least the first two months of the season.

Sources: Diamondbacks, Jordan Montgomery agree on 1-year deal  —  Left-hander Jordan Montgomery and the Arizona Diamondbacks are in agreement on a one-year, $25 million contract that includes a vesting player option for a second season, sources told ESPN on Tuesday night …

Shohei Ohtani's reps decline to say which authorities contacted to report theft  —  Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani's representatives declined again Tuesday to answer ESPN's questions about which authorities they have contacted to report their allegation of theft against Ohtani's former interpreter.

Key Bridge collapses into Patapsco River in Baltimore after vessel hits support column; state of emergency declared  —  In the middle of the night, a massive, driftless container ship traveling 9 mph issued a “mayday” as it traversed toward the iconic Francis Scott Key Bridge.

Boyle named A's fifth starter, locking in Opening Day rotation  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Twenty-four pitchers made at least one start for the A's in 2023, tying a dubious AL/NL record for the most starters used in one season.  Needless to say, the club is planning on getting more stability out of its rotation in '24.

NL MVP  —  Who else got votes?  Ronald Acuna Jr. (6), Fernando Tatis Jr. (3), Freddie Freeman (2), BOF - Betts/Ohtani/Freeman (1)  —  Acuna is not our voters' favorite here, but you were one of six people to pick him to win his second consecutive MVP.  Explain your reasoning.

Dodgers Sign Will Smith To Ten-Year Extension  —  The Dodgers announced today that they have signed catcher Will Smith to a ten-year extension which runs through 2033.  It is reportedly a guarantee of $140MM with no opt-outs for the Apex Baseball client, though with deferrals.

Ohtani says he never bet on sports, ‘shocked’ interpreter stole money  —  LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani said Monday he never bet on sports or knowingly paid any gambling debts accumulated by his longtime interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara.  —  Instead, the Los Angeles Dodgers star claims …

Mets, Yankees aren't sweating their injured aces  —  TAMPA — Other than that, how was the spring Misters Boone and Mendoza?  —  You know besides both of you losing your ace?  —  It wasn't exactly like asking Mrs. Lincoln how the play was, but Aaron Boone, Carlos Mendoza and their clubs …

Chicago White Sox place Max Stassi on 10-day injured list  —  The Chicago White Sox on Monday placed catcher Max Stassi, who missed all of last season, on the 10-day injured list because of left hip inflammation.  —  Stassi, 33, had not played in a spring training game since March 20.

Nick Burdi, Clayton Beeter earn Yankees' final bullpen spots — for now  —  TAMPA — Nick Burdi and Clayton Beeter were told they have won the competition in camp for the final two spots in the Yankees bullpen and will travel with the team to Houston.  —  However, the Yankees defined …

Alcohol ruined Domingo German's Yankees career, but he still drinks because 'I don't have a problem'  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — Domingo German woke up depressed and frustrated.  He was in an unfamiliar bed in a monitored room in a Florida city that wasn't home or vacation.  This was only Day 2 of 30.