18+ min ago (172+ words) Shohei Ohtani plans to play for Japan in next year's World Baseball Classic LOS ANGELES -- Shohei Ohtani plans to play for Japan in next year's World Baseball Classic, the two-way Los Angeles Dodgers star announced on social media Monday night. Ohtani helped Japan win the 2023 WBC, striking out then-Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout for the final out of the championship game against the United States. He was named MVP of the tournament. Ohtani won his fourth MVP award this month, shortly after he helped the Dodgers win their second straight World Series title. He returned to the mound this season after not pitching in 2024 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. In the postseason, he had arguably the best game in major league history, striking out 10 batters and hitting three homers as the Dodgers completed a four-game NL Championship Series…...

1+ hour, 43+ min ago (205+ words) The Iowa Hawkeyes take on the Ole Miss Rebels at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, California Ole Miss Rebels (5-0) vs. Iowa Hawkeyes (5-0) Palm Desert, California; Tuesday, 9:30 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Hawkeyes -2.5; over/under is 146.5 BOTTOM LINE: Iowa faces Ole Miss in Palm Desert, California. The Hawkeyes are 5-0 in non-conference play. Iowa ranks fourth in the Big Ten with 20.2 assists per game led by Bennett Stirtz averaging 6.2. The Rebels are 5-0 in non-conference play. Ole Miss ranks third in the SEC allowing 65.0 points while holding opponents to 39.2% shooting. Iowa makes 57.6% of its shots from the field this season, which is 18.4 percentage points higher than Ole Miss has allowed to its opponents (39.2%). Ole Miss averages 8.4 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.0 more made shots on average than the 6.4 per game Iowa allows. TOP PERFORMERS: Stirtz is shooting 57.4% and averaging 17.6 points for the Hawkeyes....

17+ hour, 50+ min ago (143+ words) The Colorado Rockies have made Warren Schaeffer the club's full-time manager DENVER -- The Colorado Rockies announced Monday they've promoted Warren Schaeffer to full-time manager. Schaeffer assumed the role on an interim basis after the Rockies fired Bud Black, the winningest manager in franchise history, in May following a 7-33 start. The Rockies finished the season 43-119 and last place in the NL West. Schaeffer becomes the eighth full-time manager in club history. The 40-year-old has been a member of the Rockies organization for over a decade. "We're confident Warren is the right person to lead our club moving forward," said Rockies President of Baseball Operations Paul DePodesta. "He has established strong relationships with our players, understands the culture of this franchise and embodies the energy and work ethic we want on and off the field."...

18+ hour, 58+ min ago (447+ words) A person with direct knowledge of the deal says the Texas Rangers and the Mets have agreed on a trade that will send Gold Glove second baseman Marcus Semien to New York in exchange for outfielder Brandon Nimmo Semien has three seasons and $72 million remaining on the $175 million, seven-year contract he signed with the Rangers in December 2021. That was at the same time they, also in free agency, added World Series MVP shortstop Corey Seager on a $325 million, 10-year contract. That half-billion dollar middle infield helped the Rangers win their only World Series title in 2023. But that was the only winning record the past nine seasons for the team that this year finished .500 (81-81) for the first time in franchise history. Slugging outfielder Adolis Garc'a, switch-hitting catcher Jonah Heim and right-handed reliever Josh Sborz, three other players who had significant roles…...

1+ day, 9+ hour ago (663+ words) Former New York Mets star Darryl Strawberry says God set him free when he was pardoned by President Donald Trump TULSA, Okla. -- Former New York Mets great Darryl Strawberry praised Jesus and thanked President Donald Trump for pardoning his past tax evasion and drug charges as he preached Sunday at a Tulsa church. Jackson Lahmeyer, founder of Pastors for Trump, welcomed the eight-time All-Star to the pulpit of Sheridan Church, where more than 400 worshippers cheered when Strawberry mentioned Trump's decision earlier this month to issue the pardon. "God just completely set me free when he gave me a pardon from President Donald J. Trump," said the 1983 National League Rookie of the Year. "Other presidents had opportunities, but they didn't do it." Strawberry hit 335 homers and had 1,000 RBIs and 221 stolen bases in 17 seasons with the Mets, San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers…...

1+ day, 14+ hour ago (663+ words) Former New York Mets star Darryl Strawberry says God set him free when he was pardoned by President Donald Trump TULSA, Okla. -- Former New York Mets great Darryl Strawberry praised Jesus and thanked President Donald Trump for pardoning his past tax evasion and drug charges as he preached Sunday at a Tulsa church. Jackson Lahmeyer, founder of Pastors for Trump, welcomed the eight-time All-Star to the pulpit of Sheridan Church, where more than 400 worshippers cheered when Strawberry mentioned Trump's decision earlier this month to issue the pardon. "God just completely set me free when he gave me a pardon from President Donald J. Trump," said the 1983 National League Rookie of the Year. "Other presidents had opportunities, but they didn't do it." Strawberry hit 335 homers and had 1,000 RBIs and 221 stolen bases in 17 seasons with the Mets, San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers…...

3+ day, 5+ hour ago (594+ words) NEW YORK -- Texas outfielder Adolis Garc'a, catcher Jonah Heim and right-hander Josh Sborz were among 66 players who became free agents Friday when they weren't offered 2026 contracts. New York Yankees relievers Mark Leiter Jr., Ian Hamilton, Scott Effross and Jake Cousins also were cut loose along with Boston first baseman Nathaniel Lowe, Houston infielder/outfielder Ram'n Ur'as and Chicago White Sox outfielder Mike Tauchman. "Regardless of what happens moving forward, Adolis, Jonah and Josh will always be remembered for their contributions to the first World Series title in franchise history," Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young said in a statement. Outfielder JJ Bledey was dropped by the Athletics, outfielder MJ Melendez by Kansas City and right-hander Alek Manoah by Atlanta, which claimed the 2022 All-Star off waivers from Toronto on Sept. 26. Bledey was the fourth overall pick by Miami in the…...

4+ day, 8+ hour ago (452+ words) Pitcher and outfielder Kelsie Whitmore is returning to familiar surroundings after being selected by San Francisco with the first pick in the inaugural Women's Pro Baseball League draft on Thursday night. Mo'ne Davis, meantime, had to wait until the 10th pick before being selected by Los Angeles. The 24-year-old Davis, who's from Philadelphia, competed at the 2014 Little League World Series at age 13 and became the first girl to win a game and pitch a shutout. Whitmore is from San Diego and made her professional debut in the Bay Area with a coed team, the Sonoma Stompers, in 2016. The 27-year-old has won two silver medals representing the United States at the Women's Baseball World Cup and won gold at the 2015 Pan-Am Games in Toronto. "You ask a 6-year-old version of me about this opportunity happening right now, she would, one, probably not…...

4+ day, 10+ hour ago (517+ words) SEATTLE -- Hall of Fame left-hander Randy Johnson will have his No. 51 retired by the Seattle Mariners during a pregame ceremony on May 2, 2026, the club announced Thursday. In June, the Mariners said Johnson's No. 51 would become the fifth number retired by the franchise, joining Ken Griffey Jr. (No. 24), Edgar Martinez (No. 11) and Ichiro Suzuki, who had his No. 51 retired this summer. All MLB teams have retired Jackie Robinson's No. 42. Johnson went 130-74 with a 3.42 ERA across 10 seasons with the Mariners. "I'm happy that my contributions over the 10 years that I was there are being acknowledged now," the 62-year-old Johnson said via Zoom in June. "It's been a long time, that's for sure." Johnson enjoyed more success with the Arizona Diamondbacks, with whom he won four consecutive Cy Young Awards in addition to a World Series in 2001. However, the lanky left-hander nicknamed the…...

5+ day, 3+ hour ago (402+ words) ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Braves have addressed one of their offseason priorities by re-signing closer Raisel Iglesias to a $16 million, one-year contract. Atlanta announced the deal on Wednesday. The 35-year-old right-hander had completed a $58 million, four-year contract that paid him $16 million in each of the last three seasons. The Braves also acquired Mauricio Dub'n from the Houston Astros for Nick Allen in an exchange of infielders. Dub'n, 31, appeared in 133 games with Houston last season and batted .241 while earning his second Gold Glove, each time as a utility infielder. He also won a Gold Glove in 2023. Dub'n had a $5 million salary this year and is eligible for salary arbitration. He can become a free agent after the World Series. Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos said Dub'n can play all over the infield and outfield, and his role will be determined by what…...