LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani was about halfway through his home-run trot when Taro Abe stood up from his second-row seat in the Vin Scully Press Box and tucked his green scorebook under his right arm.

"Let's go," Abe said in Japanese.

Abe, a writer for Japan's Chunichi Sports newspaper, was followed into the concourse of Dodger Stadium's ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — In a region where baseball is king, the long-awaited rematch of last year’s World Series between the Dodgers and Yankees unfolded. Ohtani. Judge. Two of the game’s best, faced off once more.

But just down the 5 Freeway in Anaheim, the home of Disney, the hottest ticket in baseball this past weekend belongs to a stilted ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — What can we say? It’s baseball.

One evening, the Dodgers run it up against the Yankees, 18-2, and look like World Series champions. The next night, with their ace on the mound and with a series sweep over last October’s opponents within reach, they go down meekly, about as futilely as superagent Scott Boras looked when he ...Read more

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The wait is over. Jac Caglianone is headed to Kauffman Stadium.

On Sunday, the Kansas City Royals promoted Caglianone from Triple-A Omaha after a torrid start in the minor leagues. ESPN insider Jeff Passan first reported the news.

Caglianone showcased his elite power across two different levels, beginning with Double-A.

...Read more

LOS ANGELES – As the New York Yankees prepared for Friday’s series-opener at Dodger Stadium, Ryan Yarbrough walked off the field carrying a glossy blue box.

Inside sat a 2024 World Series ring, loaded with diamonds and Dodger-blue sapphires. The jewelry was Yarbrough’s reward for appearing in 32 games for Los Angeles last season. While ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — Rob Thomson will spend the Phillies’ day off at home — as in, his actual house.

Thomson resides in Ontario, driving distance from Toronto, where the Phillies will play this week. He has a favorite chair in the living room and a pool out back, ideal spots to ponder what went wrong this weekend at Citizens Bank Park.

“...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Dave Roberts downplayed the easy narrative on Sunday afternoon.

“No,” he said when asked if his Dodgers had the New York Yankees’ proverbial number, having followed up their defeat of the Bronx Bombers in last year’s World Series with two impressive wins to start this weekend’s rematch at Dodger Stadium.

“I think we...Read more

SAN DIEGO — Following a familiar path to what seemed a practically inevitable loss, the Padres’ dormant offense woke up on Sunday.

Suddenly, it all looked familiar in a different way.

Just as they had done so often over the season’s first five weeks, the Padres constructed a big inning by manufacturing runs. They overcame a multi-run ...Read more

TAMPA, Fla. — After a nearly six-month delay, Wander Franco’s trial on multiple charges is set to begin Monday in the Dominican Republic with his freedom and baseball future on the line, as well as a significant impact on the Rays franchise.

Franco faces charges of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation of a minor and human trafficking stemming ...Read more

SEATTLE — It was the spark the Mariners needed, at the moment they needed it most.

One inning after losing their grasp on a seemingly sure-bet victory when lockdown closer Andrés Muñoz blew the save on a sacrifice fly from Twins center fielder Harrison Bader, Julio Rodríguez and Randy Arozarena combined to bring some magic to the 39,003 ...Read more

Maybe the Rays need to find some middle ground.

Thursday, they scored 13 runs and rapped 14 hits to beat the Astros to open a four-game series. Friday, they were held to three hits and one run and got walked off.

Saturday, they piled up 16 runs and a season-high 18 hits, including five home runs as part of a franchise-record-tying 12 extra-...Read more

BALTIMORE — The Orioles proved this weekend that they’re not the worst team in the American League. They did little to dispel the notion that they’re the AL’s second-worst team.

A 3-2 win over the Chicago White Sox on Sunday featured three blunders on the basepaths, four defensive miscues and another mediocre offensive showing. All ...Read more

NEW YORK — The Mets‘ dynamic trio was out in action on Sunday afternoon.

Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso homered in the fifth inning while Juan Soto added a solo shot of his own in the eighth in the Mets’ 5-3 win over the Colorado Rockies. Lindor’s solo shot was his 13th of the season, while Soto added his tenth.

Alonso’s three-run ...Read more

CLEVELAND — Jack Kochanowicz continues to tease Los Angeles Angels fans with his potential and torture them with his inconsistency.

The 24-year-old right-hander did both during what turned out to be a rough outing in the Angels’ 4-2 loss to the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday afternoon.

After getting through the first two innings with ease, ...Read more

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Detroit Tigers managed one lonely run in the final two games against the Kansas City Royals.

But it was good enough to secure another series win.

After losing 1-0 on Saturday, the Tigers returned the favor, taking the rubber match Sunday, 1-0 at Kauffman Stadium.

Royals lefty Kris Bubic struck out nine over seven ...Read more

The San Francisco Giants are returning home following their second three-city road trip of the season. Their cross-country flight from South Beach, Fla., will be of the happy variety.

Luis Matos hit his fourth home run of the season, Hayden Birdsong allowed one run over 5 1/3 innings and the bullpen worked out of several high-pressure jams as ...Read more

It’s been a miserable month for Trevor Story, but Sunday was the latest sign that the shortstop’s long dormant bat may be coming to life.

Two days after hitting a towering home run to help the Boston Red Sox win their series opener, Story made the difference again in Sunday’s 3-1 win over the Atlanta Braves, going 2 for 3 with a three-run...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — I’m not a fan of headhunting. I understand hitters are going to get hit by pitches.

But when your best player gets hit in the first inning of a three-game series and misses the rest of that game, at least the next three, and probably the next six, a message needs to be sent. It needs to be sent whether the pitcher meant to ...Read more