PHILADELPHIA — It’s one thing for Phillies officials to say that they believe longtime starter Taijuan Walker can help solidify a shorthanded group of relievers.

But there’s only one way to know for sure.

So, when the bullpen door swung open before the sixth inning Tuesday night, it was Walker who stepped out onto the outfield grass and ...Read more

It’s as if all this is scripted. The moment the Twins’ pitching rotation is diluted by shoulder injuries, they’re facing their former right-hander who would really look good in a Twins uniform right now.

Drama, comedy, tragedy — you decide. All the Twins know is, it kind of hurts to get beat by an old friend.

Tyler Mahle, who pitched ...Read more

ST. LOUIS — Although Willson Contreras provided a three-run jolt that clawed his team back within one run and set fireworks off Tuesday night at Busch Stadium, the threat of a Cardinals comeback ended one pitch later.

A groundout from Alec Burleson in the following at-bat sealed a 10-9 win for the Toronto Blue Jays, who staved off a Cardinals...Read more

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. – As the New York Yankees prepared for their series opener in Kansas City on Tuesday, Giancarlo Stanton readied for a game over 1,100 miles away.

The designated hitter, who missed all of spring training due to tennis elbow injuries, began a rehab assignment with Double-A Somerset. The Patriots had him batting second against ...Read more

PITTSBURGH — His first season back from Tommy John surgery, Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara has had a rough 2025 campaign — excluding his work against the Pirates. After striking out seven in 4 2/3 innings on opening day, the former Cy Young winner was even better Tuesday, tossing six scoreless frames to help hand the Pirates a 3-2 loss...Read more

BALTIMORE — The talk coming into the game was how could the Tigers neutralize the Orioles and their potent crop of left-handed hitters.

Should have been the other way around, because it was the Tigers’ versatile and opportunistic offense that carried the night.

With lefty-swinging Riley Greene and Zach McKinstry providing the spark against...Read more

SAN DIEGO — Fernando Tatis Jr. sat in front of his locker late Monday night, assessing his San Diego Padres in the wake of an extra-inning loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. He did not have much to say, but he did not have to say much.

"We can still play better," he said. "It's that simple."

Tatis reached base three times Monday, but his OPS ...Read more

SAN DIEGO — Rivalries in baseball can sometimes be difficult to define.

There are the obvious ones. Like the Yankees and Red Sox. The Cardinals and Cubs. And for the Dodgers, going all the way back to their founding in New York, a generations-old hatred for the Giants.

“By definition, you can’t just decide to choose your rivalry because...Read more

ANAHEIM — Once they overcame the shock of it all, the Angels were off and running Monday.

Athletics center fielder Denzel Clarke froze time in the first inning with a stunning home-run robbing catch that nearly carried him over the wall. Two innings later, the Angels finally were able to spring forward toward a 7-4 victory.

Nolan Schanuel ...Read more

BOSTON — When Roman Anthony stepped up to the plate for the first time as a big leaguer, he received a rousing standing ovation from a Fenway Park crowd that had been counting down the days to his arrival.

Over the next few hours those fans were treated to a glimpse of Anthony’s immense potential, but also a reminder that baseball’s top ...Read more

PITTSBURGH — The Pirates continued their winning ways Monday, defeating the Miami Marlins, 10-3, at PNC Park. Caleb Ferguson was the game’s winning pitcher, improving to 2-0 on the year. Marlins starter Eury Perez suffered the loss in his first big-league outing of the season.

Similar to what happened twice during the weekend, the Pirates ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — Zack Wheeler blew a fastball past Kyle Tucker for the first out in the sixth inning, and the Citizens Bank Park crowd erupted.

Wheeler, on the other hand, hardly reacted. He stepped back to the rubber, already preparing to attack the next Chicago Cubs hitter, Seiya Suzuki. There would be time later to celebrate his 1,000th ...Read more

ST. LOUIS — It took the Cardinals a span of three pitches to obliterate what the Toronto Blue Jays created in eight innings.

It took Toronto just two innings to seize it all back – and more.

A stirring, sudden comeback in the eighth inning slipped away from the Cardinals in the ninth and 10th. The first home run of the season from the No. ...Read more

TAMPA, Fla. — The prosecution completed its questioning of witnesses and presentation of evidence in Wander Franco’s sexual abuse trial on Monday. The case will resume June 17 when the government will make closing statements, according to various reports from the Dominican Republic.

The Rays shortstop is facing charges of sexual abuse, ...Read more

ST. LOUIS — Growing up on the western tip of Cuba, Andy Pages excelled at every sport he played.

He was good at soccer and volleyball, arguably better at basketball. But he loved baseball for reasons that weren't necessarily limited to the game.

Pages' father, Liban, a carpenter who had a job repairing wooden boats, helped make his son's ...Read more

NEW YORK — With a 39-25, first-place record, the Yankees are one of the best teams in baseball. Certainly, in the American League.

However, an unsuccessful weekend against the fourth-place Red Sox – Boston took 2 of 3 in the Bronx and dropped double digits in the last two games – highlighted the Yankees’ room for improvement ahead of ...Read more

Pete Alonso is now just nine home runs from tying Darryl Strawberry for the New York Mets’ all-time club home run record, and 10 from taking the title.

The first baseman was one of four Mets hitters to homer in a 13-5 win over the Colorado Rockies on Sunday afternoon at Coors Field, with Alonso and Jeff McNeil each hitting two dingers, while ...Read more