MLB announces sports betting suspensions for 5 players  —  Marcano on permanently ineligible list; 4 others receive 1-year suspensions  —  Major League Baseball placed Padres infielder/outfielder Tucupita Marcano on the permanently ineligible list Tuesday for violating the league's sports betting rules and policies.

Astros' Cristian Javier to undergo Tommy John surgery: Source  —  HOUSTON — Astros starter Cristian Javier will undergo Tommy John surgery Thursday, a league source said Tuesday, dealing a crippling blow to a Houston rotation that's absorbed too many of them.

Jeff Passan's early 2024 MLB trade deadline preview  —  Nearly two months before the July 30 trade deadline, conversations are already happening, which shouldn't come entirely as a surprise in a baseball environment like the 2024 season.  Not only is there no obvious World Series favorite …

Pedro Grifol is running out of time as White Sox manager.  The only question is when a change will be made  —  In April 1999, the Baltimore Orioles' manager, the late Ray Miller, reacted to a difficult loss by turning on his players.  —  “If you have any more questions, go out into the clubhouse,” Miller said.

Lakers zeroing in on JJ Redick as front-runner to be next coach: Sources  —  The Los Angeles Lakers are zeroing in on JJ Redick as the front-runner to be the franchise's next head coach, league and media industry sources told The Athletic.  —  No final decision has been made yet …

Padres pursuing trade for White Sox's Garrett Crochet to bolster rotation  —  Less than three months after trading for Dylan Cease, the San Diego Padres are eyeing another of the Chicago White Sox's top pitchers.  Only this time, the two sides could have more difficulty reaching a deal, if they ever do.

Ippei Mizuhara, ex-interpreter for Shohei Ohtani, pleads guilty  —  SANTA ANA, Calif. — Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani, pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud charges during a change-of-plea hearing in federal court on Tuesday morning …

Skenes vs. Ohtani duel steals show, but Pirates beat Dodgers  —  PITTSBURGH — Paul Skenes struck out eight over five innings, Aroldis Chapman threw the fastest pitch in the majors this season and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers 10-6 on Wednesday night.

Shota Imanaga is becoming a star.  How did baseball not see this coming?  —  Shota Imanaga stood on the pitcher's mound during a recent bullpen session, and even in that setting he did not look like an emerging star.  He doesn't throw 100 mph.  He doesn't tower over his opponents.

Zach Neto hits 2-run double as Angels finally win a home series this season, beating the Padres 4-2  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — Zach Neto had a tiebreaking two-run double in the seventh inning, and the Los Angeles Angels won their first home series of the season with a 4-2 victory over the San Diego Padres on Tuesday night.

Ranking the top 50 MLB prospects after first two months: Jackson Holliday still tops list  —  We're a third of the way through the minor-league season, more or less, and have seen quite a few promotions and graduations from my pre-season top 100, making it a reasonable point to look at the top 50 prospects still in the minor leagues.