Top News:
Associated Press:
Tampa Bay Rays withdraw from planned $1.3 billion ballpark in St. Petersburg, citing storms, delays — The Tampa Bay Rays withdrew Thursday from a $1.3 billion project to construct a new ballpark adjacent to Tropicana Field, citing a hurricane and delays that likely drove up the proposal's cost.
RELATED:
ESPN:
Tampa Bay Rays not moving forward with new stadium plans — The Tampa Bay Rays, citing hurricanes and costly delays, will not proceed with the development of a $1.3 billion baseball stadium in St. Petersburg, Florida, principal owner Stuart Sternberg said Thursday.
Jen McCaffrey / New York Times:
Rafael Devers says he's OK to be DH on Opening Day; Lucas Giolito to start on IL — FORT MYER, Fla. — Roughly one month after Rafael Devers was adamant he did not want to serve as designated hitter for the Boston Red Sox, he has changed his stance. — On Thursday with the Red Sox playing …
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Red Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito to open season on injured list with strained left hamstring
Discussion:
audacy.com, Sports Illustrated, Boston.com, MLB Trade Rumors, ESPN, Reuters, Last Word On Baseball, 98.5 The Sports Hub, Boston Herald and NESN.com
John Feinstein / Washington Post:
Tom Izzo is having too much fun to stop coaching now — As his peers step aside, Michigan State's Tom Izzo is still coaching — and still winning basketball games. — Just now — Tom Izzo did it again. — Just when you thought his era of Big Ten dominance might be coming to an end …
Discussion:
Oregonian, Sun-Sentinel, WFAA-TV and Associated Press, more at WeSmirch »
Associated Press:
Tokyo Series will showcase the depth of Japanese talent in Major League Baseball — TOKYO — The spotlight will be on slugger Shohei Ohtani when the superstar returns to Japan and leads the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers against the Chicago Cubs in the first two games …
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Shohei Ohtani and four other Japanese players come home to start the MLB season — TOKYO — It's only two games to start the Major League Baseball season — the World Series-champion Dodgers against the Chicago Cubs at the Tokyo Dome. — For the record, the MLB regular season consists of almost 2,500 games.
Discussion:
Los Angeles Times, New York Times, WKZO, Orange County Register, MLB.com, Chicago Sun Times, The Japan Times, True Blue LA and USA Today
Evan Petzold / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers center fielder Parker Meadows ruled out for Opening Day with nerve injury — The Detroit Tigers will be without their center fielder and leadoff hitter for Opening Day. — Parker Meadows — a key player who sparked last year's 31-11 run to the postseason …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and Bless You Boys
RELATED:
Jon Heyman / New York Post:
Giancarlo Stanton's injury woes not limited to his elbows — Giancarlo Stanton is said to be dealing with a chronic calf issue as well as the elbow injuries, but the arm pain is the bigger problem. — Memorial Day is one optimistic estimate heard for Stanton now. — I think the Yankees would easily take that.
Discussion:
New Jersey Online, Pinstripe Alley, NESN.com and Bleeding Yankee Blue
Associated Press:
Rays pick up 2026 team option on Yandy Díaz, add vesting option for 2027 — PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays have picked up their $12 million team option on Yandy Díaz for the 2026 season. — The Rays announced Friday that they had added a vesting option for 2027, pending 2026 performance thresholds.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Gordon Wittenmyer / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds Spencer Steer: Opening Day lineup ‘still a possibility’ — GOODYEAR, Arizona - Spencer Steer is swinging a bat, feeling no pain in that pesky right shoulder and, yes, keeping his mind on being in the Opening Day lineup and avoiding the injured list.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Red Reporter and Last Word On Baseball
Associated Press:
Rangers left-hander Cody Bradford to open season on injured list with sore elbow — SURPRISE, Ariz. — Texas Rangers left-hander Cody Bradford will start the season on the injured list because of soreness in his throwing elbow. — Bradford had an MRI this week that came back clean …
Discussion:
MLB.com, Dallas Morning News, MLB Trade Rumors and Lone Star Ball
Jon Heyman / New York Post:
These pitching options can help salvage the Yankees' season — Access the Yankees beat like never before — Gerrit Cole, one of the best pitchers of this generation, isn't easily replaceable. But that doesn't mean the Yankees shouldn't try. — There are two aces at least being mentioned …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, New Jersey Online and 98.5 The Sports Hub
