INSIDER
White Sox fire manager Pedro Grifol after end of 21-game losing streak that tied AL record
Read full article: White Sox fire manager Pedro Grifol after end of 21-game losing streak that tied AL recordThe Chicago White Sox have fired manager Pedro Grifol, two days after the team ended a 21-game losing streak that tied the American League record.
Royals fire manager Mike Matheny after 65-97 end to season
Read full article: Royals fire manager Mike Matheny after 65-97 end to seasonThe Kansas City Royals fired manager Mike Matheny and pitching coach Cal Eldred on Wednesday night, shortly after the struggling franchise finished the season 65-97 with a listless 9-2 loss to the Cleveland Guardians.
LEADING OFF: Royals down 10 unvaccinated players in Toronto
Read full article: LEADING OFF: Royals down 10 unvaccinated players in TorontoThe Royals will be without 10 of the 26 players on their active roster for their upcoming trip to Toronto due to Canadian restrictions on travelers who aren’t vaccinated against COVID-19.
Royals' bats awaken in 8-4 win over Blue Jays to avoid sweep
Read full article: Royals' bats awaken in 8-4 win over Blue Jays to avoid sweepMJ Melendez and Emmanuel Rivera drove in two runs apiece, leading Brady Singer and the Kansas City Royals over the Toronto Blue Jays 8-4 to end a three-game losing streak.
Judge hits 3-run HR in 9th to give Yanks 6-5 win over Jays
Read full article: Judge hits 3-run HR in 9th to give Yanks 6-5 win over JaysAaron Judge hit a mammoth three-run drive in the ninth inning for his first walk-off home run in the major leagues to give the New York Yankees a 6-5 comeback victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.
Guerrero slugs 3 HRs despite gash on hand, Jays beat Yankees
Read full article: Guerrero slugs 3 HRs despite gash on hand, Jays beat YankeesVladimir Guerrero Jr. shook off a bloody gash on his right ring finger to hit three home runs against the rival Yankees, including two off ace Gerrit Cole, and the Toronto Blue Jays beat New York 6-4.
Kiermaier hit in apparent retribution, Rays clinch playoffs
Read full article: Kiermaier hit in apparent retribution, Rays clinch playoffsKevin Kiermaier was hit by a pitch, apparent retribution for scooping up a Toronto scouting report two days earlier, and the Tampa Bay Rays clinched a postseason berth with a 7-1 victory over the Blue Jays.
Rays' Cash apologizes after Kiermaier takes, keeps data card
Read full article: Rays' Cash apologizes after Kiermaier takes, keeps data cardTampa Bay manager Kevin Cash apologized to Blue Jays management a day after Rays veteran Kevin Kiermaier scooped up a scouting data card that fell out of Toronto catcher Alejandro Kirk’s wristband and refused to give it back.
Jays beat Yanks for 8th straight, 1/2 game back in wild card
Read full article: Jays beat Yanks for 8th straight, 1/2 game back in wild cardBo Bichette thumped a leadoff homer in the first inning and singled in the tiebreaking run in the seventh, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his 42nd homer, and the Toronto Blue Jays held off the skidding New York Yankees 6-4 for their eighth straight win.
Guerrero, streaking Jays drop sliding Yanks from top WC spot
Read full article: Guerrero, streaking Jays drop sliding Yanks from top WC spotVladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his 41st home run and the streaking Toronto Blue Jays knocked the slumping Yankees out of the AL’s top wild-card spot, beating New York 6-3.
LEADING OFF: Ohtani, Schwarber staging own home run derby
Read full article: LEADING OFF: Ohtani, Schwarber staging own home run derbyLos Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani is expected to become the second player and first since Babe Ruth to start on the mound and hit in the top half of the batting order in the Bronx.
LEADING OFF: Bieber ailing, Braves rookie Davidson excels
Read full article: LEADING OFF: Bieber ailing, Braves rookie Davidson excelsReigning AL Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber won’t throw for at least two weeks because of a right shoulder strain, an injury that will further test Cleveland’s pitching depth.
Rays win 11th in a row, score 7 in 11th to beat Toronto 14-8
Read full article: Rays win 11th in a row, score 7 in 11th to beat Toronto 14-8Francisco Mejía hit a tiebreaking, two-run single during a seven-run burst in the 11th inning and the Tampa Bay Rays won their 11th straight game, outlasting the Toronto Blue Jays 14-8.
LEADING OFF: D-backs keep pitching amid no-hitter debate
Read full article: LEADING OFF: D-backs keep pitching amid no-hitter debateMerrill Kelly starts for the Arizona Diamondbacks when they host Fernando Tatis Jr. and the Padres following a dominant pitching performance in a doubleheader at Atlanta.
Angels win 7-5 in home opener for Florida-based Blue Jays
Read full article: Angels win 7-5 in home opener for Florida-based Blue JaysDavid Fletcher had a two-run single in the 11th inning and the Los Angeles Angels beat Toronto 7-5 in the first regular-season game played at the Blue Jays’ spring training ballpark.
LEADING OFF: Blue Jays play home opener in new Florida nest
Read full article: LEADING OFF: Blue Jays play home opener in new Florida nestThe Toronto Blue Jays are set to become the first team in Major League Baseball history to play home openers in three different cities over three consecutive seasons.
Lindor, Mets talk about new deal; Rosario struggles in CF
Read full article: Lindor, Mets talk about new deal; Rosario struggles in CF“We’re just talking.”The Mets obtained Lindor from Cleveland in January, and he's signed for this season at $22.3 million. Canning now has 13 strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings. The two-time Cy Young Award winner has permitted three hits in 8 2/3 innings with 16 strikeouts and a walk. Nola has given up 15 hits in 8 2/3 innings, seeing his ERA rise to 10.38. Kyle Wright made his fourth start, giving up two runs on three hits and two walks in 2 2/3 innings.
New Jays OF Springer sees echoes of Astros in Toronto's core
Read full article: New Jays OF Springer sees echoes of Astros in Toronto's coreSpringer and the Blue Jays agreed last week to a team-record $150 million, six-year contract. The Blue Jays swept in two games during a first-round series by the eventual AL champion Rays. Besides Springer, Toronto also has signed right-handers Kirby Yates and Tyler Chatwood in the past week. Shapiro insisted the Blue Jays still have flexibility to add payroll, likely to strengthen the rotation, but said “the bulk of our heavy lifting is done.”Springer split time between center field and right with the Astros, but is expected to become a fixture in center for the Blue Jays. “This is about the Blue Jays,” Springer said.
Mookie Betts, Jacob deGrom in the mix for historic NL awards
Read full article: Mookie Betts, Jacob deGrom in the mix for historic NL awards(AP Photo/Eric Gay)Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts could become the second player to win the MVP award in each league, and New York Mets ace Jacob deGrom is in the running for his third consecutive NL Cy Young Award. Betts, Freddie Freeman and Manny Machado are the top finishers for NL MVP in balloting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. DeGrom, Trevor Bauer and Yu Darvish are the finalists in the NL Cy Young race. Betts, who won the 2018 AL MVP award with Boston, helped the Dodgers win the World Series last week for the first time since 1988. Frank Robinson is the only player to win the MVP award in both leagues, accomplishing the feat in 1961 with Cincinnati and 1966 for Baltimore.
Renfroe slam helps Rays sweep young Blue Jays in 1st round
Read full article: Renfroe slam helps Rays sweep young Blue Jays in 1st roundHunter Renfroe hit a grand slam and the top-seeded Rays won a postseason series for the first time in 12 years, overpowering the young Toronto Blue Jays 8-2 Wednesday to finish a two-game sweep of their wild-card matchup. Mike Zunino hit a two-run homer off Blue Jays ace Hyun Jin Ryu during Tampa Bay's big inning. Ryu was rocked for a season-high seven runs in 1 2/3 innings, the lefty's shortest outing of the season for the wild-card Blue Jays. I’m proud of my kids to make it to this point," second-year Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said. Ryu signed with the Blue Jays in free agency last winter after being an All-Star with the Los Angeles Dodgers and finishing second in NL Cy Young Award balloting in 2019.
Garca 1st MLB win, Yankees end 5-game skid, top Blue Jays
Read full article: Garca 1st MLB win, Yankees end 5-game skid, top Blue JaysNew York Yankees starting pitcher Deivi Garcia throws to a Toronto Blue Jays batter during the first inning of a baseball game in Buffalo, N.Y., Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)BUFFALO, N.Y. Deivi Garca earned his first major league win, Gleyber Torres drove in four runs and the New York Yankees snapped a five-game losing streak, beating the Toronto Blue Jays 7-2 on Wednesday night. The Yankees had lost 15 of 20 and fallen to the edge of the expanded playoff field. Luke Voit hit an RBI single that put the Yankees ahead 3-2 in the fifth and Torres added a two-run double. UP NEXTNew York RHP Gerrit Cole (4-3, 3.63 ERA) will start Thursday against Baltimore LHP Keegan Akin (0-0, 2.08) in the opener of the Yankees four-game weekend series against the Orioles.
LEADING OFF: Bumgarner faces former Giants teammates in SF
Read full article: LEADING OFF: Bumgarner faces former Giants teammates in SFArizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner throws a pitch against the San Diego Padres in the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Derrick Tuskan)A look at what's happening around the majors on Saturday:HERE COMES MADBUMFormer Giants ace Madison Bumgarner will face his former club at last when he takes the mound for the Arizona Diamondbacks in San Francisco. I feel like Im pretty good at pushing all that stuff aside, the 2014 World Series MVP said. He had a 2.90 ERA in 411 appearances with the Cubs over seven years, mostly in a setup role. He was a key member of the 2016 team that won the franchises first World Series title since 1908.
Wingin' it: Blue Jays win Buffalo debut, top Marlins in 10th
Read full article: Wingin' it: Blue Jays win Buffalo debut, top Marlins in 10thToronto Blue Jays and the Miami Marlins play during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)BUFFALO, N.Y. In the first major league game in Buffalo since 1915, Travis Shaw hit an RBI single in the 10th inning and the Toronto Blue Jays settled into their new nest with a 5-4 win over the Miami Marlins on Tuesday night. The Blue Jays loaded the bases with one out in the 10th and Shaw singled to right field for his first RBI in 25 at-bats with the Blue Jays. There had not been a major league game in Buffalo since Sept. 8, 1915, when the Blues swept a doubleheader from the Baltimore Terrapins at Federal League Park. Those walls, which have been green for 32 years, are now blue, a color which now dominates much of the stadium, along with the omnipresent presence of the Blue Jays logo. Blue Jays: Nate Pearson (0-0, 2.70 ERA) will make his third career start when Toronto wraps up the two-game series against Miami.
LEADING OFF: Blue Jays debut in Buffalo; Clevinger out
Read full article: LEADING OFF: Blue Jays debut in Buffalo; Clevinger outFILE - In this July 24, 2020, file photo, the entrance to Sahlen Field, home of the Toronto Blue Jays' Triple-A affiliate, in Buffalo, N.Y., is viewed. The Blue Jays will walk onto the field Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020, as the host team for the first time in 2020. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes, File)A look at whats happening around the majors Tuesday:___NEW DIGSBaseball's nomads, the Toronto Blue Jays, finally move into their new home at Sahlen Field in Buffalo, New York, when they play the Miami Marlins. It'll be the first time this year the Blue Jays are the host team. Pittsburgh offered to let the Blue Jays play at PNC Park when the Pirates were on the road, but Pennsylvania Gov.
LEADING OFF: Blue Jays debut in Buffalo; Clevinger out
Read full article: LEADING OFF: Blue Jays debut in Buffalo; Clevinger outFILE - In this July 24, 2020, file photo, the entrance to Sahlen Field, home of the Toronto Blue Jays' Triple-A affiliate, in Buffalo, N.Y., is viewed. The Blue Jays will walk onto the field Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020, as the host team for the first time in 2020. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes, File)A look at whats happening around the majors today:___NEW DIGSBaseball's nomads, the Toronto Blue Jays, finally move into their new home at Sahlen Field in Buffalo, New York, when they play the Miami Marlins. It'll be the first time this year the Blue Jays are the host team. Pittsburgh offered to let the Blue Jays play at PNC Park when the Pirates were on the road, but Pennsylvania Gov.
Safe at home? Blue Jays end nomadic journey in Buffalo
Read full article: Safe at home? Blue Jays end nomadic journey in BuffaloFILE - In this July 24, 2020, file photo, signage at Sahlen Field, home of the Toronto Blue Jays' Triple-A affiliate, in Buffalo, N.Y., is viewed. Pittsburgh offered to let the Blue Jays play at PNC Park when the Pirates were on the road, but Pennsylvania Gov. All of them are designed to help the Blue Jays relax and exhale, however briefly, about 100 miles south of the Rogers Centre. We want to make this feel like home for our guys, Blue Jays vice president Marnie Starkman said. The view will be even better for the Blue Jays, home at last.
LEADING OFF: A's try for 10th win in row, wait for MLB word
Read full article: LEADING OFF: A's try for 10th win in row, wait for MLB wordLaureano charged toward Houston bench coach lex Cintrn after being hit by a pitch Sunday at the Coliseum. The skirmish came months after Houstons sign-stealing scandal was brought to light by Oakland pitcher Mike Fiers. Less than two weeks ago, Dodgers reliever Joe Kelly was suspended by MLB for eight game after throwing two pitches near the heads of Houston hitter. NEW NESTVladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Blue Jays might take a look around their new home for the rest of the season -- thatll be Sahlen Field in Buffalo. There have been 27 games postponed by Major League Baseball because of the coronavirus, 13 of them involving the Cardinals.
Braves' Markakis hits walkoff HR after opting into season
Read full article: Braves' Markakis hits walkoff HR after opting into seasonAtlanta Braves' Nick Markakis, left, celebrates with Adeiny Hechavarria (24) after hitting a game-winning home run in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020, in Atlanta. Markakis was added to the active roster on Wednesday after changing his mind about sitting out the year. Following the homer, Braves players circled home plate with plenty of distance, waving their hands in the air as Markakis finished his trot. Manager Charlie Montoyo said before the game Waguespack was recalled when right-hander Trent Thornton was placed on the 10-day injured list. Following a chat with home plate umpire Alan Porter, Waguespack left the field without making a pitch and Montoyo instead brought in Rafael Dolis.
4-run 10th for Nats spoils Blue Jays' 'home opener' in DC
Read full article: 4-run 10th for Nats spoils Blue Jays' 'home opener' in DCThe Blue Jays are the home team in the game. They love to win and they love to celebrate.Toronto batted in the bottom of each inning, wore its white uniforms, played its walk-up music and blared OK Blue Jays, the club's traditional seventh-inning stretch staple. The Blue Jays will be using a minor league ballpark Buffalo, but thats still being upgraded to host major league games. Blue Jays: SS Bo Bichette (left hamstring) and OF Randal Grichuk (back tightness) sat out again. UP NEXTWith Stephen Strasburg out, RHP Erick Fedde (0-0, 2.25) will fill in again Thursday, facing Blue Jays LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu (0-0, 5.79).
MLB postpones Blue Jays-Phillies series after more positives
Read full article: MLB postpones Blue Jays-Phillies series after more positives(AP Photo/Nick Wass)NEW YORK Major League Baseball has postponed this weekend's scheduled series between Toronto and Philadelphia because of concerns about the coronavirus after two Phillies staffers tested positive. Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo revealed news of the postponed series Thursday, saying his club was not going to Philadelphia," where the series was scheduled to take place. Eventually, the Blue Jays are supposed to play home games at a minor league ballpark in Buffalo, but it isnt ready. The Blue Jays were then supposed to start a three-game series at the Phillies on Friday. First, MLB shifted Friday's game to part of a doubleheader Saturday, with the series finale Sunday and now all three games are scrapped, leaving Toronto in limbo.
LEADING OFF: Yanks-O's open patchwork series; Marlins off
Read full article: LEADING OFF: Yanks-O's open patchwork series; Marlins offWere drinking out of a fire hose on all this stuff right now, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. The Marlins season has been suspended through Sunday after the club registered at least 15 players with positive coronavirus tests. NOT-QUITE-HOME OPENERThe Blue Jays play their first home game of the season in Washington after officially being the visitors in DC for games Monday and Tuesday. The truth is, theres no place like home, Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said. We feel comfortable playing at home, but thats not going to happen.Nationals ace Max Scherzer is set to face Blue Jays right-hander Nate Pearson, making his major league debut.
LEADING OFF: Yanks-O's open patchwork series; Marlins off
Read full article: LEADING OFF: Yanks-O's open patchwork series; Marlins offWere drinking out of a fire hose on all this stuff right now, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. The Marlins season has been suspended through Sunday after the club registered at least 15 players with positive coronavirus tests. NOT-QUITE-HOME OPENERThe Blue Jays play their first home game of the season in Washington after officially being the visitors in DC for games Monday and Tuesday. The truth is, theres no place like home, Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said. We feel comfortable playing at home, but thats not going to happen.Nationals ace Max Scherzer is set to face Blue Jays right-hander Nate Pearson, making his major league debut.
Biggio HR, Blue Jays begin 2020 odyssey by beating Rays 6-4
Read full article: Biggio HR, Blue Jays begin 2020 odyssey by beating Rays 6-4The Blue Jays were blocked by the Canadian government from hosting this season because of coronavirus concerns, and hopes of shifting home games to other big league cities didn't work out. First of all, this whole year has been crazy, but its been especially crazy for our team, Biggio said. You get an opening day start usually because of what you did the year before," Morton said. Blue Jays starter Hyun-Jin Ryu, second in NL Cy Young voting when he was with the Los Angeles Dodgers last season, allowed three runs and four hits in 4 2/3 innings. Toronto manager Charlie Montoyo said it felt awesome after all the uncertainty the Blue Jays have endured recently.
AP sources: Blue Jays to play in Pittsburgh if Pa. approves
Read full article: AP sources: Blue Jays to play in Pittsburgh if Pa. approvesTORONTO, ONT The Toronto Blue Jays will play at PNC Park in Pittsburgh if the state of Pennsylvania approves it, two officials familiar with the matter told The Associated Press. Canada denied the Blue Jays request to play in Toronto because the regular-season schedule would require frequent travel back and forth from the United States, where COVID-19 cases are surging. Pirates President Travis Williams previously confirmed the talks to host the Blue Jays and sounded ready to welcome them if it could be done safely. Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said he was excited about the PNC Park option and Pirates manager Derek Shelton said he would have no problem with the Blue Jays moving in. Atkins said if the Blue Jays cant find a major league park, their Triple-A affiliate in Buffalo, New York, would be their most likely site for home games.
Blue Jays pitcher says team is looking for major league park
Read full article: Blue Jays pitcher says team is looking for major league parkThe other 29 major league teams plan to play the pandemic-shortened, 60-game season in their home ballparks, without spectators. I just said, Look, we want to play in a major league ballpark. That was pretty much echoed throughout the clubhouse that we want to be in a major league ballpark, wherever that is. Outfielder Teoscar Hernndez also said he would prefer a major league park. I bet every team in this division hopes its a big league park, but if not, they have no choice, Montoyo said.
Posey out for 2020 as MLB teams deal with churning rosters
Read full article: Posey out for 2020 as MLB teams deal with churning rostersPosey a six-time All-Star and 2012 NL MVP said his family finalized the adoption of identical twin girls this week. Holt has a young family and his wife is pregnant, but he decided to leave them at home while he went to Milwaukee for the next three months. First baseman and team leader Freddie Freeman, premier reliever Will Smith, right-hander Touki Toussaint and infielder Pete Kozma tested positive for coronavirus. Epstein said two coaches tested positive prior to the intake process. A front office member tested positive during the intake.