MLB futures betting 2025: Odds, expert picks, predictions including Aaron Judge AL home run leader  —  After dropping a handful of best bets for the futures market ahead of Opening Day, here is another player prop in the futures market worth adding to your bet slip.

Red Sox' surprise deal has different ‘risk;’ ‘Best days are ahead of him’  —  BALTIMORE — The Red Sox gave Garrett Crochet a six-year, $170 million extension despite him logging only 151 innings total as a major league starting pitcher to date.  —  Most contracts this lucrative are given based on past production.

Jokes abound as Dodgers' Freddie Freeman misses 2nd game while recovering from shower slip and fall  —  LOS ANGELES — Freddie Freeman is hearing it after he slipped and fell in the shower, injuring his surgically repaired right ankle and missing his second straight game for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

What are the ‘torpedo’ bats in MLB that have everyone talking?  —  Baseball season is back, and it didn't take long for the New York Yankees to start crushing records and dominating conversation.  And at the center of it all?  “Torpedo” bats.  —  The Bronx Bombers tied an MLB record …

Mets pitcher Sean Manaea shut down from throwing after setback in recovery from oblique injury  —  MIAMI — New York Mets left-hander Sean Manaea had a setback in his recovery from a right oblique strain and won't throw for two weeks.  —  “He experienced some discomfort a couple of days ago …

Lance Lynn, World Series champion and 2-time All-Star pitcher, says he's retiring  —  World Series champion and two-time All-Star pitcher Lance Lynn is retiring from Major League Baseball.  —  Lynn announced his decision on the “Dymin in the Rough” podcast.  —  He was 7-4 with a 3.84 ERA in 23 starts last season with St. Louis.

Adam Ottavino returns to the Yankees, agrees to a 1-year contract  —  NEW YORK — Right-hander reliever Adam Ottavino is returning to the New York Yankees, agreeing to a one-year contract.  —  A 39-year-old sidearmer, Ottavino agreed to a minor league contract with Boston on Feb. 18 …

Athletics' Sacramento Era Begins With Minor-League Feel  —  WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Major League Baseball arrived at the California state capital area Monday night, and everyone was on their best behavior trying to deal with a less-than-ideal situation for the Athletics.

Braves' Jurickson Profar gets an 80-game ban for performance-enhancing drug use  —  NEW YORK — Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar has been suspended for 80 games without pay for performance-enhancing drug use.  —  Major League Baseball announced Monday that Profar tested positive …

Red Sox takeaways: Offense struggles in key spots; Abreu, Campbell provide sparks  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — In a 162-game marathon, early-season results tend to get magnified.  It's too early to read much into a four-game series, and yet, having dropped three straight after winning the opener …