Sports
/ArcaMax
Marcus Hayes: Selfish, insubordinate Nick Castellanos is released by Phillies then issues a wild manifesto on Instagram
PHILADELPHIA — This is a make-or-break season for the Phillies, so they aren’t taking any chances with any clubhouse cancers.
A fading talent who will be 34 in less than a month, malcontent right fielder Nick Castellanos was released by the club on Thursday afternoon. That was one day after pitchers and catchers reported and four days ...Read more
A beer in the dugout, a benching, and a rift with his manager: Inside the final Phillies season for Nick Castellanos
CLEARWATER, Fla. — After getting replaced for defense late in a close game, the worst defensive outfielder in baseball since 2022 based on defensive runs saved brought a beer into the dugout and lectured his manager.
Brought a beer into the dugout.
Let those words wash over you. They belong, incidentally, to the player himself. The Phillies ...Read more
Unable to trade him, Phillies release Nick Castellanos with $20 million left on his contract
CLEARWATER, Fla. — The Phillies have released Nick Castellanos, the team announced on Thursday.
The drawn-out saga reached its conclusion three days before position players were set to report to the Phillies' facilities for spring training. This winter, the Phillies had repeatedly indicated their interest in finding a change of scenery for ...Read more
'Our dealings are not with Casey.' Rob Manfred distances MLB from LA28's Casey Wasserman.
PALM BEACH, Fla. — As Major League Baseball closes in on an agreement for its players to participate in the 2028 Olympics, Commissioner Rob Manfred said the controversy surrounding LA28 chief Casey Wasserman would not impact the league's final decision.
"Our dealings are not with Casey," Manfred said Thursday at the MLB owners' meetings. "Our...Read more
Noah Hiles: The best way the Pirates can honor Andrew McCutchen? Win.
PITTSBURGH — It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon. The Pittsburgh Pirates led the Athletics, 11-0, in the bottom of the eighth inning in a game that couldn't have been more inconsequential.
With two outs and a runner on second, Andrew McCutchen walked toward the plate to face right-hander Scott McGough. Time was called before he could dig in. ...Read more
John Niyo: As Justin Verlander returns home, stars aligning for Tigers
DETROIT — Scott Harris has a pretty good poker face. But it’s not as if the Tigers’ president was bluffing all this time.
No, Harris just knew that, even with the cards he’d been dealt, he still had a hand that was better than most. And perhaps that he had another ace — or two — up his sleeve.
Tuesday was just the latest tell, as ...Read more
Orioles to sign pitcher Chris Bassitt to 1-year, $18.5 million contract
SARASOTA, Fla. — Over the past two days, Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias defended the rotation that he built this offseason.
Wednesday night, a few hours after the end of the Orioles’ first spring training workout, Elias struck a deal to bolster his rotation with one of the many pitchers remaining in free agency.
The ...Read more
Bill Shaikin: MLB owners: A salary cap will save teams in small markets. Sacramento: Nope.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — In less than 300 days, baseball's collective bargaining agreement expires. As major league owners meet this week to plot strategy, the powers that be will consider the probable push for a salary cap. The argument in favor: If teams are limited in how much they can pay players — that is, if the Dodgers cannot spend ...Read more
Tigers bringing back former ace Justin Verlander
LAKELAND, Fla. — It always seemed like a pipe dream. Justin Verlander coming back to Detroit, a storybook, full-circle ending to his first-ballot, Hall of Fame-worthy career. Too good to be true.
Until now.
The Tigers shocked the baseball world for the second time in as many weeks Tuesday, signing Verlander to a one-year deal worth $13 ...Read more
Craig Stammen's transition from player to manager takes big step with start of spring training
PEORIA, Ariz. — Craig Stammen threw off the mound in the Petco Park bullpen for the final time on an August day in 2023.
He had known almost beyond any doubt since spring training that his big-league career was finished. But he had not ruled out another attempt to continue doing the job he loved so much and had done for almost two decades.
...Read more
Jason Mackey: Pirates' offseason directive has been clear. Now, the push for more offense better work.
PITTSBURGH — Sitting in a coffee shop with Paul Skenes while discussing his addiction to winning, the thought is hard to ignore.
The same for a conversation with Don Kelly at the Clemente Museum about managing his hometown team, or the rare time Bryan Reynolds' voice rose above a monotone drawl during a phone conversation we had while he was ...Read more
Vahe Gregorian: Mourning the joyous Terrance Gore, who had unique, cherished role in Royals lore
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — For all the Chiefs have achieved in the Patrick Mahomes era, I’m not sure any of that has eclipsed the sheer euphoria of the Royals’ back-to-back World Series seasons in 2014 and 2015 after not so much as appearing in the playoffs since 1985.
The implausibility of it all was part of the exhilaration, to be sure. But it ...Read more
Royals mourn loss of beloved former outfielder Terrance Gore at 34
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Former Kansas City Royals outfielder Terrance Gore died on Friday from complications following a medical procedure, according to multiple reports.
He was 34.
Gore began his Major League Baseball career with the Royals. He was selected in the 20th round of the 2011 MLB draft out of Gulf Coast State College.
In 2014, Gore ...Read more
Vahe Gregorian: Why Royals' biggest change could help club that hasn't 'traditionally won a ton'
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — When Royals general manager J.J. Picollo and the club’s research and development staff over the offseason approached owner John Sherman about compressing the cavernous confines of Kauffman Stadium, Sherman initially was uncertain what to think. Perhaps he was even skeptical.
Even after being persuaded and granting the go-...Read more
Yankees re-sign Paul Goldschmidt to one-year deal: reports
NEW YORK — The Yankees are bolstering their bench with a familiar face.
Paul Goldschmidt is returning to the Yanks on a one-year deal, according to multiple reports.
The first baseman spent the 2025 season with the Bombers and slashed .274/.328/.403 with 10 homers and 45 RBIs. The Yankees are running it back as the 38-year-old is the latest ...Read more
Bill Plaschke: Just say no! Dodgers players should decline White House visit.
LOS ANGELES — During their recent magical World Series run, the champion Dodgers had many heroes, but one constant.
Whenever they needed a leader, they found one.
No matter how dire the circumstances, whenever they needed a hero, somebody stepped up.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto won a game on zero day's rest. Will Smith won a game with one hand.
...Read more
Yasiel Puig found guilty of obstructing justice and making false statements in gambling case
LOS ANGELES — A jury found former Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig guilty of obstruction of justice and making false statements to investigators Friday in Los Angeles federal court.
The two-week trial concluded with the jury deliberating for nearly two days. Puig, 35, could face up to 20 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for May 26.
...Read more
Bob Wojnowski: Serious money, elite talent put Tigers in win-now mode
DETROIT — With one stunning, blockbuster move, the Tigers delivered a compelling answer to a persistent question.
Are they truly committed to winning now and winning it all? Two consecutive playoff appearances say something. So does their loss in Tarik Skubal’s arbitration case Thursday. And this says plenty too — the Tigers just landed ...Read more
Dodgers plan to visit White House following latest World Series championship
The Dodgers will make a return trip to the White House in recognition of their latest World Series title.
President Trump is planning to host the team but no date has been set for the ceremony, a White House official confirmed Thursday morning.
The Dodgers went to the White House following their two previous World Series championships, being ...Read more
Tarik Skubal wins record arbitration case vs. Tigers, will earn $32M
DETROIT — Tarik Skubal, the Tigers' ace lefty, has been awarded the largest salary ever in the history of Major League Baseball's arbitration process.
A three-member panel Thursday ruled in favor of Skubal, awarding him $32 million for the 2026 season. It tops the $31 million awarded to Juan Soto in 2023. The previous high award for a pitcher...Read more
Popular Stories
- Noah Hiles: The best way the Pirates can honor Andrew McCutchen? Win.
- Orioles to sign pitcher Chris Bassitt to 1-year, $18.5 million contract
- John Niyo: As Justin Verlander returns home, stars aligning for Tigers
- 'Our dealings are not with Casey.' Rob Manfred distances MLB from LA28's Casey Wasserman.
- Unable to trade him, Phillies release Nick Castellanos with $20 million left on his contract
Comics
