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MLB News

Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.

Thursday, August 14, 2025

Mookie Betts Teams Up with Corona for MLB Postseason Soundtrack Campaign

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Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts is the focal point of a new Corona Beer campaign, which debuted with a press release detailing a unique MLB Postseason soundtrack blending ballpark sounds with beach ambiance. Betts helped curate the seven-minute, 54-second mix, which is tuned to 432hz and includes home run blasts and crowd waves from his memorable postseason moments. The campaign highlights Betts' calm demeanor, with the star having batted .290 with four home runs and 14 runs in 16 games during last year's postseason.

Kyle Schwarber Highlighted as Top Home Run Bet for Thursday's MLB Slate

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Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber is listed among the top home run picks for Thursday, with odds at +240 to go deep against the Nationals. Although he hasn't homered in his last two games, Schwarber has a strong track record of hitting home runs after short slumps, having hit 17 in his last 35 games. He boasts 26 of his 42 total home runs this season against right-handed pitchers, aligning with his matchup against Nationals' pitcher Brad Lord.

Mike Trout Struck Out Twice by Former Teammate Shohei Ohtani

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Mike Trout was fanned twice by his former Angels teammate Shohei Ohtani during Wednesday's game, with one strikeout coming on a 101 mph fastball. The two players acknowledged each other before their first meeting since Ohtani famously struck out Trout to end the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Trout was one of seven former teammates Ohtani faced in the Angels' starting lineup.

Matthew Boyd Projected for Strong Strikeout Performance Against Blue Jays

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Matthew Boyd, 34, is having a career year with a 2.45 ERA and 121 strikeouts over 135 2/3 innings. Ahead of his Thursday start against the Blue Jays, he is projected to exceed 4.5 strikeouts, with an average of 5.86 expected. Boyd has achieved at least five strikeouts in 15 of his 25 starts this season, making him an intriguing betting option despite Toronto's low strikeout rate.

Paul Blackburn Provides Bullpen Relief in Unexpected Return to Mets

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Paul Blackburn made an unexpected return to the New York Mets, being activated from the IL earlier than anticipated. The right-hander immediately contributed by throwing five innings in relief, allowing only two runs on one hit and a walk, effectively saving the bullpen after an early Mets' implosion. This return marks a 'weird' season for Blackburn, who holds a 6.85 ERA over seven appearances and had been dealing with a right shoulder impingement, with his long-term roster spot potentially uncertain due to Nolan McLean's upcoming debut.

Nick Kurtz Shows Superstar Potential as Rookie First Baseman

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Rookie first baseman Nick Kurtz has quickly established himself as one of the best all-around hitters in the majors, displaying significant power and on-base ability. Despite some swing-and-miss issues and below-average contact rates, his top-tier hard-hit ability positions him as a potential superstar in the league. Experts are impressed by his offensive output, which has surpassed that of other notable rookies in their first seasons.

Rookie Catcher Drake Baldwin Impresses with Braves

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Rookie catcher Drake Baldwin of the Atlanta Braves has made a significant impact in the majors, showcasing excellent exit velocity and strong offensive performance. While an adequate defender at his demanding position, experts note his less volatile offensive skill set compared to other rookies. Baldwin is considered a very good player, though there is some debate about the future of catching and potential timeshare arrangements impacting his workload and overall value.

Mike Yastrzemski Defends Former Teammate Rafael Devers on 'Foul Territory'

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Mike Yastrzemski, who was traded to the Kansas City Royals on July 31, recently appeared on “Foul Territory” to defend his former San Francisco Giants teammate Rafael Devers. Yastrzemski, who played alongside Devers for nearly two months, characterized him as an "awesome teammate" who works hard, is intelligent, and is deeply committed to winning. He expressed confusion over the criticism Devers has been receiving.

Rafael Devers Defended by Former Teammate Mike Yastrzemski Amid Criticism

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Rafael Devers, currently with the San Francisco Giants, has been defended by his former teammate Mike Yastrzemski regarding recent criticism. Devers' tenure with the Boston Red Sox concluded controversially after he reportedly refused to play first base following the team's signing of Alex Bregman. Yastrzemski, who played with Devers for nearly two months, praised him as an "awesome teammate" who works tirelessly and deeply cares about winning, noting Devers' subsequent successful transition to first base for the Giants after a June trade.

Wednesday, August 13, 2025

Yankees' Paul Goldschmidt dealing with low-grade knee sprain, IL stint possible

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Yankees first baseman Paul Goldschmidt is facing a potential injured list stint due to a low-grade right knee sprain. The veteran sustained the injury during Tuesday's game when he slipped chasing a foul pop, and manager Aaron Boone indicated a decision on his IL placement will be made before Friday's game against the Cardinals. Goldschmidt, who is hitting .276 with 10 homers and 40 RBIs this season and .404 against left-handed pitching, was sore after the incident but is reportedly feeling better.

Bryan Abreu Steps Up as Astros' Primary Closer Amid Hader's Injury

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With Josh Hader sidelined, Bryan Abreu is expected to take over as the Houston Astros' primary closer. Abreu has already demonstrated his capability in the role, successfully converting his first save on Wednesday against the Red Sox with a scoreless inning, and boasts a strong 1.64 ERA and 81 strikeouts over 55 innings this season.

Josh Hader Placed on 15-Day Injured List with Shoulder Strain

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Houston Astros closer Josh Hader has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to a left shoulder strain, making him unavailable for recent games. Hader, who previously pitched two scoreless innings for a win on Friday, is reportedly seeking a second opinion on the injury and expects to be sidelined for more than the minimum two weeks.

David Peterson Struggles in Short Outing as Mets Rotation Woes Continue

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Mets southpaw David Peterson allowed six earned runs in just 3.1 innings during Wednesday's 11-6 loss to the Braves, marking his shortest start since August 2023. Peterson issued four walks and two hits in a nine-run fourth inning, losing the strike zone and getting pulled for Reed Garrett. This performance contributes to a frustrating trend where Mets starters have consistently failed to pitch five innings.

Shohei Ohtani Achieves Rare Feat in Return to Mound, Dodgers Fall to Second Place

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Shohei Ohtani returned to the mound at Angel Stadium for the first time since 2023, pitching 4 1/3 innings and allowing four earned runs on five hits with seven strikeouts in the Dodgers' 6-5 loss to the Angels. He accomplished a rare feat, becoming the first starting pitcher since 1900 to hit a leadoff triple and then strike out the first batter he faced. Ohtani also struck out former teammate Mike Trout twice, but the Dodgers' loss dropped them to second place in the NL West for the first time since April.

Marlins Rookie Jakob Marsee Explodes with 7-RBI Night, Continues Aggressive Baserunning

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Miami Marlins rookie Jakob Marsee delivered an impressive performance, hitting two home runs and tying a franchise record with seven RBIs in a recent 13-4 victory. Since his August 1st call-up, Marsee has been on a tear, batting .436 with three homers, 13 RBIs, and six stolen bases in 13 games. He has also been notably aggressive on the base paths, recording five stolen bases over the past seven days, tying him for the league lead.

Twins' Joe Ryan Delivers Dominant Start Against Yankees

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Minnesota Twins ace Joe Ryan delivered a strong performance against the New York Yankees, being named the Game MVP for keeping the Yankees offense in check. Ryan pitched five effective innings, allowing just one run on two hits and two walks while striking out six batters. He was instrumental in limiting the Yankees to only five hits in their 4-1 loss.

Yu Darvish Finds Success with New Arm Slot, Boosts Padres' Rotation

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San Diego Padres pitcher Yu Darvish has significantly improved his performance recently, attributing his turnaround to a new, lower arm slot. This adjustment has led to better movement on his fastballs and increased depth on his breaking pitches. After initially struggling post-elbow inflammation, the veteran right-hander has been a key contributor, allowing only four runs over his last 17 innings.

Brock Stewart's Shoulder Tests Show No Structural Damage

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Dodgers right-handed reliever Brock Stewart, who landed on the injured list with shoulder inflammation, received positive news as follow-up tests showed no structural damage. Manager Dave Roberts described this as a "best-case scenario" for the team's bullpen, despite Stewart being shut down from throwing for a week. He is expected to be out for a few weeks, with a potential return around the early part of September.

Max Muncy Scratched from Dodgers Lineup with Sore Side

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Max Muncy was a late scratch from the Los Angeles Dodgers' lineup on Wednesday after experiencing soreness in his right side during pregame batting practice. This injury prompted Mookie Betts to be placed back into the lineup, with rookie infielder Alex Freeland shifting to third base. The Dodgers hope Muncy will heal during the upcoming off-day and rejoin the team for their highly anticipated series against the San Diego Padres starting Friday.

Reds' Hunter Greene delivers strong performance in return from injury

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Hunter Greene made a successful return to the Cincinnati Reds' rotation Wednesday night, pitching six shutout innings in an 8-0 victory over Philadelphia. The right-hander allowed just three hits, struck out six, and walked none in his first major league start in over two months. Greene, who had been sidelined since June 4 with a right groin strain, threw 85 pitches and now holds a 5-3 record with a 2.47 ERA in 12 starts this season.