Boog Sciambi joins Buster to discuss, how he’s adjusted to getting up at 3 a.m. calling KBO games, why he loves watching Lee Jung-hoo, the Mets fanbase, pumping music or crowd noise into a stadium during games and ignoring medical professionals (5:59). Plus, Todd Radom on Yankee Stadium and the weekly quiz (29:35).
Who's a traditionalist? Who can't wait to have an extra bat in the lineup? Here's what every NL skipper had to say about MLB's biggest 2020 rule change.
The dates for baseball's 60-game sprint of a season are officially set. Here's what we can't wait to see once the games begin.
The Nationals, Astros and Cardinals have canceled their workouts scheduled for Monday, citing the safety of their players as both clubs await results of COVID-19 testing from Friday.
The Chicago White Sox, Washington Nationals, Pittsburgh Pirates and Arizona Diamondbacks all announced Sunday that two of their players have tested positive for the coronavirus and are in isolation.
Minnesota Twins third baseman Miguel Sano, New York Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu and Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez are among a host of MLB players who have tested positive for the coronavirus, it was revealed Saturday.
ESPN has learned that more than half of all intake testing is almost complete as MLB prepares for preseason workouts to officially resume tomorrow. General information about the results will be released in the next 24-48 hours, but will not have identifying factors in order to protect players' privacy. As previously reported, COVID-19 related information won't be disclosed without players' permission.
Manager Luis Rojas confirms Mets hitting coach Chili Davis will be working remotely. Rojas also said all Mets players have reported to "summer camp" and are currently undergoing the intake and COVID-19 testing process.
In a statement to ESPN, MLB said it wouldn't disclose COVID-19 related information without an individual's permission. MLB does plan to publish general testing information, for example, number of tests and positive results, but with no player names or identifying characteristics.
Last year's Nationals are one of several teams that would have missed out on a title under the format MLB will use this season.
Spring training 2.0 ... or summer camp? No matter what you call it, baseball's road back to the field starts today. Here's what you need to get up to speed.
MLB statement to ESPN regarding teams not naming players that test positive for coronavirus: "Because COVID-19 is not considered an employment-related injury, we will respect the privacy of the players who test positive or who are under evaluation, and we will defer to their wishes regarding public updates about their status. Without their voluntary permission, we will not disclose any COVID-19 related information."
The Yankees are not scheduled to face the White Sox during the 60-game season, so the Cardinals will reportedly be the new opponent for Chicago in the Field of Dreams game Aug. 13 in Dyersville, Iowa.
"Incalculable" is what Chuck Greenberg, owner of 3 MiLB teams (StL/Tex/Cubs affils), told ESPN of the pandemic effect on the minors. "We may be the only industry in the country that goes 19 months without operating its core business." "I have nothing but concern & empathy for what every industry in our country has gone through, but I don't know that there's another industry that is more adversely affected for a longer period of time than minor league baseball, because of our seasonality."
Some of the game's biggest prospects, such as Wander Franco and Jo Adell, will be in MLB camps this week. Here's who to watch on every team.
No one knows what will transpire in this year's unique format, but that didn't keep us from making our picks for MVP, the team to beat and more.
When players report to the second "spring training," they will be required to undergo “intake screenings,” which will include a COVID-19 saliva test and a COVID-19 antibodies blood test. All players will be tested for COVID-19 at least every other day during the season, or more frequently if deemed necessary.
Important MLB deadlines this week: All player transactions that were suspended during the “Transaction Freeze” that was a part of the March agreement will resume tomorrow, Friday, June 26th, at 12pm ET. By 4pm ET on Sunday, June 28th, each club must submit to MLB a list of up to 60 players who will be eligible to play during the 2020 season.
Baseball is about to embark on its shortest season ever, so we look at just how weird 2020's stats could be.
Players have agreed to report by July 1st but MLB understands that some of them may not be able to meet that timeline because of immigration or other travel reasons.
MLB's 60-game schedule will largely feature divisional play (~40 games); rest of games will be against the opposite league's corresponding geographical division (AL East v NL East; AL Central v NL Central; AL West v NL West). Commissioner Manfred: “Major League Baseball is thrilled to announce that the 2020 season is on the horizon. We have provided the Players Association with a schedule to play 60 games and are excited to provide our great fans with Baseball again soon.”
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announced that Major League Baseball anticipates beginning its 2020 regular season approximately one month from today, on July 23rd or July 24th.
Jordan Walker, the power-hitting outfielder from Duke who was drafted by the Cardinals in the first round, signed for $2.9 million on Tuesday.
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | 14 | 5 | .737 | - | W3 |
| Miami | 12 | 6 | .667 | 1.5 | L1 |
| Toronto | 12 | 6 | .667 | 1.5 | W6 |
| New York | 11 | 8 | .579 | 3 | W1 |
| Baltimore | 9 | 7 | .563 | 3.5 | L1 |
| Tampa Bay | 9 | 8 | .529 | 4 | L3 |
| St. Louis | 10 | 9 | .526 | 4 | W1 |
| Boston | 9 | 10 | .474 | 5 | W5 |
| Detroit | 8 | 9 | .471 | 5 | L1 |
| New York | 8 | 9 | .471 | 5 | W3 |
| Minnesota | 7 | 8 | .467 | 5 | L4 |
| Atlanta | 8 | 11 | .421 | 6 | W2 |
| Houston | 7 | 11 | .389 | 6.5 | L2 |
| Washington | 6 | 11 | .353 | 7 | L1 |
| Pittsburgh | 3 | 15 | .167 | 10.5 | L4 |
