What would the dominant baseball narratives be if this season were 17 games long.

Major League Baseball’s average salary broke the $5 million barrier on opening day for the first time, according to a study by The Associated Press.

Juan Soto hit his first home run with the New York Mets when he connected in the third inning against the Houston Astros.

Framber Valdez pitched seven scoreless innings and Josh Hader struck out Juan Soto with two on to save the Houston Astros' 3-1 win over the New York Mets.

With a chance to make a late splash in his New York Mets debut, Juan Soto came up empty.

Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson will begin the season on the injured list because of a mild right intercostal strain.

Shohei Ohtani begins his second season with the Los Angeles Dodgers in his native Japan, taking on the Chicago Cubs in a pair of games at the Tokyo Dome.

Baseball and barbeque have been cherished American traditions for centuries, and their collaboration in creating fun memorabilia and hosting promotional events adds an extra layer of enjoyment.

Juan Soto has homered in his first spring training at-bat for his new team, hitting a solo shot to left-center field in the first inning for the New York Mets against Houston.

Alex Bregman and the Boston Red Sox have agreed to a $120 million, three-year contract, a person familiar with the deal tells The Associated Press.

Houston Astros all-time saves leader Billy Wagner will have his jersey number retired.

The Chicago Cubs are finalizing a trade for Ryan Pressly, adding the right-hander to the back end of their bullpen in their second major offseason deal with the Houston Astros.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Toronto Blue Jays avoided a salary arbitration hearing when the first baseman agreed to a $28.5 million, one-year contract on the day players and teams exchanged proposed figures.

Justin Verlander and the San Francisco Giants have agreed to a $15 million, one-year contract, according to a person with direct knowledge of the negotiations.

The Chicago Cubs have acquired All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker in a trade with the Houston Astros, paying a big price for one of baseball’s best hitters.

A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press left-hander Yusei Kikuchi and the Los Angeles Angels have agreed to a $63 million, three-year contract.

The AL Central was overlooked to the point of mockery before opening day.

Andy Ibáñez hit a tiebreaking three-run double in Detroit’s four-run eighth inning, and the Tigers swept the Houston Astros with a 5-2 victory in Game 2 of their AL Wild Card Series.

Tarik Skubal kept up his stellar season with a sensational playoff debut and the Detroit Tigers got to Framber Valdez early in a 3-1 win over the Houston Astros in their AL Wild Card Series opener.

The Houston Astros left three-time Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander off the roster for their AL Wild Card Series against Detroit but did include injured slugger Yordan Alvarez.

Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani has put up some of the best regular season numbers in baseball history over the past six months.

The Houston Astros have clinched their fourth straight AL West title with a 4-3 win over the Seattle Mariners, overcoming a terrible start to reach the playoffs for an eighth consecutive year.

Ronel Blanco threw six scoreless innings, Jason Heyward had a home run among his three hits and the Houston Astros finished off a three-game sweep of the Los Angeles Angels with a 6-4 victory on Sunday afternoon.

Pavin Smith homered in first three at-bats for his first multi-home run game and drove in a career-high eight runs, helping the Arizona Diamondbacks rout the Houston Astros 12-6 on Sunday night to end a three-game losing streak.

Framber Valdez pitched seven no-hit innings and Jose Altuve hit a game-ending RBI double in the ninth to lift the Houston Astros to a 3-2 win over the Kansas City Royals.

Houston’s Framber Valdez has not allowed a hit through seven innings Friday night against the Kansas City Royals.

Yordan Alvarez hit three home runs and rookie Spencer Arrighetti carried a no-hit bid into the eighth inning as the Houston Astros routed the Philadelphia Phillies and Taijuan Walker 10-0 on Wednesday.

Framber Valdez threw seven sharp innings for his eighth straight win and Yainer Diaz and Jose Altuve homered to help the Houston Astros to a 2-0 victory over the Chicago White Sox.

Mauricio Dubón drove in the go-ahead run with a 10th-inning single, closer Josh Hader worked two scoreless innings and the AL West-leading Houston Astros won their season-high eighth straight game by beating the Tampa Bay Rays 2-1 on Wednesday night.

Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran has apologized for directing a homophobic slur at a heckling fan during a 10-2 loss to the Houston Astros.

Alex Bregman hit a three-run homer to key a five-run fifth inning, Yordan Alvarez followed with his third homer in two games and the Houston Astros beat the Boston Red Sox 10-2 to complete a three-game series sweep.

Framber Valdez just missed his second career no-hitter, barely a year after his first.

Houston pitcher Framber Valdez lost a no-hitter with two outs in the ninth inning when Texas slugger Corey Seager hit a two-run homer in the Astros’ 4-2 victory over the Rangers.

Framber Valdez has not allowed a hit through eight innings for the Houston Astros against the Texas Rangers.

How low can the Chicago White Sox go.

Oakland Athletics All-Star closer Mason Miller broke the pinky finger on his non-pitching hand when he pounded a table in frustration after he was reminded he had to do postgame lifting following Monday night’s game against Houston.

Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez hit for the cycle against the Seattle Mariners on Sunday, becoming the 10th player in Houston history to accomplish the feat.

Marcus Semien hit a leadoff homer and Nathaniel Lowe’s RBI single with two outs in the 10th inning lifted the Texas Rangers to a 2-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday.

Marcus Semien of the host Texas Rangers will replace Houston’s Jose Altuve as the American League’s starting second baseman for the All-Star Game on Tuesday night.

Pete Alonso will participate in his fifth straight Home Run Derby, with the New York Mets first baseman trying to win for the third time.

Jose Miranda of the Minnesota Twins singled in the fourth inning for his 12th straight hit in an at-bat.

Minnesota Twins designated hitter José Miranda has set a team record with hits in 10 consecutive plate appearances.

Mauricio Dubón hit a tiebreaking single in the fifth inning, Jeremy Peña added a solo home run and the Houston Astros beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-3 on Thursday for their 12th win in 14 games.

Baseball fans have spoken: the shortest and tallest Astros are heading to another Midsummer Classic.

The Houston Astros moved over.

Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña misplayed a fly ball Friday night in a game against the New York Mets while participating in an in-game interview.

Ronel Blanco pitched seven strong innings and Chas McCormick homered twice to lead the Houston Astros to a 5-1 win over the Baltimore Orioles.

Ronel Blanco of the Houston Astros was pulled after seven hitless innings Sunday against the Tigers, and Ryan Pressly allowed Detroit’s first hit, a single by Wenceel Pérez with two outs in the eighth.

Ronel Blanco of the Houston Astros hasn’t allowed a hit through seven innings Sunday against the Detroit Tigers.

Houston Astros ace Justin Verlander was scratched from his scheduled start against the Detroit Tigers because of neck discomfort.

The Houston Astros have released José Abreu, cutting ties with the former AL MVP less than halfway through a three-year, $58.5 million contract.

Kyle Tucker homered twice to tie for the major league lead with 15 and drove in four runs, leading the Houston Astros over the Milwaukee Brewers 9-4 for their ninth win in 11 games.

William Contreras hit a go-ahead three-run homer off Justin Verlander in the fifth inning to give the Milwaukee Brewers a 4-2 win over the Houston Astros.

Houston Astros pitcher Ronel Blanco has received a 10-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball rules prohibiting foreign substances.

Comcast has blacked out 15 regional sports networks offered by Bally Sports, escalating a contract dispute with their distributor.

The Houston Astros will option slumping first baseman José Abreu to their spring training facility to try and help the 2020 AL MVP get back on track.

Cody Bellinger has two fractured ribs on his right side, sidelining another key player for the Chicago Cubs.

The New York Mets have won 12 of 16 after beginning the season with five straight losses.

The Houston Astros are calling up right-handed pitcher Forrest Whitley.

Texas Rangers reliever Brock Burke broke his non-throwing hand while punching a wall following a poor outing Friday night against the Houston Astros.

Yordan Alvarez and Victor Caratini homered as Houston rallied from an early deficit to beat the Texas Rangers 10-5 after Astros scheduled starter Framber Valdez was scratched because of elbow soreness.

Ronel Blanco’s brilliant start to the season is about the only thing going right for the Houston Astros.

Houston right-hander Ronel Blanco followed his no-hitter with one-hit ball over six scoreless innings, and the Astros beat the Texas Rangers 3-1.

Adolis García homered and drove in four runs, Texas left-hander Cody Bradford allowed only two singles pitching into the eighth inning and the World Series champion Rangers beat the Houston Astros 10-2.

Right-hander Jonathan Loáisiga was put on the 60-day injured list by the New York Yankees because of a strained right flexor muscle.

Houston ace Justin Verlander is scheduled to make his first rehabilitation start at Triple-A Sugar Land Sunday.

Yordan Alvarez homered twice and matched his career high with four hits, Cristian Javier and four relievers combined on a one-hitter and the Houston Astros beat the Toronto Blue Jays 8-0 on Wednesday night.

Ronel Blanco of the Houston Astros threw the first no-hitter in the major leagues this season, blanking the Toronto Blue Jays 10-0.

The New York Yankees opened 2024 with a four-game sweep at Houston, and their new star outfielder made big plays the whole way.

Juan Soto had three hits capped by an RBI single with two outs in the ninth inning that lifted the New York Yankees to a 4-3 win that completed an opening four-game sweep of the Houston Astros.

Juan Soto threw out the potential tying run at the plate in the ninth inning of his Yankees debut after starting New York’s comeback from a four-run deficit in a season-opening 5-4 win over the Houston Astros.

The Texas Rangers are reigning World Series champions for the first time and have an opportunity to become the first team in a quarter-century to win back-to-back titles.

Joe Espada has worked for an impressive group of managers.

Houston Astros ace Justin Verlander will open the season on the injured list after dealing with right shoulder inflammation during the offseason.

The most important question is: Are San Antonio and Austin natural fits for a Major League Baseball ballclub?

It took eight years but Jen Pawol made the leap from the minors to a major league game spring training contest when she umpired the Grapefruit League opener between the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals at CACTI Park of The Palm Beaches on Saturday.

Houston Astros ace Justin Verlander says he is “a little bit behind schedule” due to offseason shoulder inflammation that could prevent him from being ready to pitch on opening day.

José Altuve and the Houston Astros have agreed to a $125 million, five-year contract that covers 2025-29.

Tuesday night’s announcement of the next inductees to the National Baseball Hall of Fame garnered plenty of interest for fans in the Lone Star State.

Hard-throwing reliever Josh Hader and the Houston Astros have finalized a $95 million, five-year contract.

Houston reliever Kendall Graveman will miss the 2024 season after having surgery on his right shoulder.

Houston reliever Kendall Graveman will miss the 2024 season after having surgery on his right shoulder.

The Houston Astros have agreed with six players on one-year contracts that avoided arbitration, including All-Star lefty Framber Valdez and outfielder Kyle Tucker.

Seattle center fielder Julio Rodríguez will receive the largest amount in the $50 million pool for pre-arbitration players, earning $1,865,349.

Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown says the team isn’t exploring trades for Alex Bregman, even though the All-Star third baseman’s contract is set to expire after the 2024 season.

Joe Espada was introduced as manager of the Houston Astros on Monday, replacing Dusty Baker, who retired last month.

Joe Espada will be introduced as manager of the Houston Astros on Monday, a person familiar with the hiring told The Associated Press.

Texas Rangers slugger Adolis García has passed the MLB postseason record for RBIs.

The Texas Rangers have played only four home games over the past month, and lost all three in the AL Championship Series.

Dusty Baker has retired as manager of the Houston Astros, ending an illustrious 26-year career as a big league skipper highlighted by a World Series win last season.

Nathan Eovaldi will start Game 1 of the World Series for the Rangers against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Coming a win shy of reaching the World Series would be considered a successful season for most teams.

Adolis García homered twice and drove in five runs as the Texas Rangers reached their first World Series in 12 years with an 11-4 blowout of the Houston Astros in Game 7 of the AL Championship Series.

Cristian Javier flopped and the Houston Astros never recovered, losing 11-4 to the Texas Rangers in Game 7 of the AL Championship Series.

Nathan Eovaldi remained perfect this postseason, and Mitch Garver and Jonah Heim homered early before a ninth-inning grand slam by Adolis García helped the Texas Rangers avoid elimination with a 9-2 win over the Houston Astros in Game 6 of the AL Championship Series.

Houston Astros reliever Bryan Abreu has appealed the two-game suspension he was given by Major League Baseball for intentionally throwing at Adolis García of the Texas Rangers during Game 5 of the AL Championship Series.

Houston Astros pitcher Bryan Abreu was suspended for two games and fined by Major League Baseball, which said he intentionally threw at Adolis García of the Texas Rangers during Game 5 of the AL Championship Series.

The Houston Astros return home a win away from their third straight trip to the World Series.

Jose Altuve hit a three-run homer in the ninth inning and the Houston Astros, after getting into another bench-clearing scuffle with the Texas Rangers, rallied for a 5-4 victory in a wild and testy Game 5 of the AL Championship Series.

Houston Astros pitcher Bryan Abreu and manager Dusty Baker were ejected from Game 5 of the AL Championship series after the reliever hit the Texas Rangers’ Adolis García with a pitch in the eighth inning, triggering benches to clear two innings after the slugger’s go-ahead home run.