NEW YORK — By now one would hope Pete Alonso has finally gotten the memo: The New York Mets never wanted him back. That’s why they never budged off their three-year offer in the $70 million range to him when he and his agent Scott Boras continued to push, first, for six and five-year deals and finally three years with an annual average value...Read more

SAN DIEGO — You can’t hit a home run from the dugout.

The Padres were right to pursue Roki Sasaki, even though, by the time the Japanese pitching ace chose Friday to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers, much of their offseason had come and gone to little effect.

The potential reward was far too great to not recruit Sasaski, who, according to...Read more

CHICAGO — When Sammy Sosa apologized in a statement last month for making “mistakes” over the course of his baseball career, the question of exactly what those mistakes were was left hanging.

After reuniting with the Chicago Cubs on Friday night at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk and being named to their Hall of Fame, Sosa briefly ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — In the wake of Roki Sasaki's announcement Friday that he was signing with the Dodgers, it didn't take long for grumbles about his free agency to emerge.

Over the last year, there had been speculation around the sport that the Dodgers had a possible handshake agreement in place with Sasaki, before the 23-year-old phenom was even ...Read more

SAN DIEGO — In San Diego, news that one-man Powerball ticket Roki Sasaki has decided to join the Los Angeles Dodgers was more than a gut punch. It was a steel-toed boot to the shin, a Clydesdale stomp to the foot, a right hook to the jaw.

This hurt in all kinds of ways, big and bigger than big.

The Dodgers, a team that spent more than $1 ...Read more

SEATTLE — As I looked at my Baseball Hall of Fame ballot that included checkmarks on the boxes next to nine players’ names, I stared at the open box next to another name: Félix Hernández.

Memories of a brilliant career that somehow seems unfulfilled began to play in my mind. In 18 years covering baseball, I’ve written more words about ...Read more

CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs are shaking up their home jersey options and reintroducing a colorway the team has not worn on the field in nearly 45 years.

The Cubs unveiled a new “Blues Alternate” jersey Thursday night featuring baby blue tops that debut April 5 and will be worn for Friday home games this season. Conversely, the Cubs are ...Read more

CHICAGO — The “Sammy! Sammy!” chants started as soon as Chicago Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts teased the slugger’s return on the main stage Friday night at the Cubs Convention.

Sammy Sosa’s journey back to the organization that began with his apology last month for “mistakes” during his career saw him honored in front of hyped Cubs ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — This is not a sad day for baseball. This is a great day for baseball.

Roki Sasaki, arguably the best young pitcher in the world, is a Dodger. Sasaki announced his decision in an Instagram post Friday.

Fifteen years ago, LeBron James announced his big decision on live television, with these memorable words: "I'm going to take my...Read more

LOS ANGELES — He has better control than Shohei Ohtani had at the same stage of his career.

He is more athletic than Hideo Nomo was.

He throws harder than Yu Darvish.

Roki Sasaki is the most talented pitcher Japan has produced, and the 23-year-old with a 6-foot-4 frame and 102.5-mph fastball is now a Dodger.

If Sasaki was born and raised ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — For the third time in the last 13 months, the Dodgers are signing a superstar player from Japan.

And this time, it’s coming at a discount, with the club on Friday striking an agreement to sign 23-year-old pitcher Roki Sasaki, according to an announcement posted on Sasaki’s Instagram account.

A hard-throwing right-hander ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — The Phillies were flying to another city in the late 1960s when Bob Uecker, then the team’s seldom-used backup catcher, told the flight attendant he was sick. Uecker, who died Thursday at 90, asked for a vomit bag.

“She gives him the bag,” wrote Dick Allen, who was seated next to Uecker. “And when she turns her back, he...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — The Milwaukee Brewers had suffered personnel losses due to financial limitations and went into the 2024 season with expectations for mediocrity. They wound up with 93 wins, tied for third in the National League, and won the Central Division by 10 games.

The playoffs came and the fans that jammed Miller Park were ready to ...Read more

CHICAGO — Kyle Tucker’s introduction to the Chicago Cubs organization won’t involve an arbitration hearing during spring training.

The Cubs and their new slugger have agreed to a $16.5 million salary for 2025 to avoid arbitration, a source confirmed to the Chicago Tribune on Thursday. Tucker had filed at $17.5 million while the Cubs were ...Read more

NEW YORK — The Mets are bringing back one favorite while rumors and reports about another seem to be changing by the hour.

Pending a physical, Jesse Winker is coming back to the Mets on a one-year contract, $8 million contract with incentives, the New York Daily News confirmed Thursday. This gives the Mets a left-handed bat to platoon at DH ...Read more

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — In an effort to beat the heat and dodge the summer rain while playing outdoors at Steinbrenner Field, the Rays have pushed back the start of weeknight home games and moved up some weekend games.

In March, April and May, most weeknight home games will be scheduled for a 7:05 first pitch. Starting on June 3, most ...Read more

A jury trial in the high-profile wrongful death lawsuit brought by Tyler Skaggs’ family against the Angels has been delayed until the fall, as a contentious legal clash between attorneys about potential evidence continues.

An Orange County (Calif.) Superior Court judge late last week agreed to push the start of the civil trial from April 7 to...Read more

ATLANTA — Sporting legend Vincent Edward “Bo” Jackson is abandoning a $21 million judgment he won in his civil extortion case against his niece and nephew, whom he accused of relentless harassment and intimidation.

Jackson, a former Heisman Trophy winner who played in both the National Football League and Major League Baseball, has agreed...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Let the waiting game commence.

On Wednesday, Major League Baseball's 2025 international signing period opened, an annual date of significance around the sport in which top international amateur players can begin signing with MLB teams.

For 27 clubs, that meant an afternoon of flurried activity, with top international prospects ...Read more