MLB Opening Day live updates: Yoenis Cespedes homers in first game since 2018  —  Major League Baseball's 2020 season officially began Thursday night but with 14 games on the schedule Friday, we'll call this Opening Day proper.  —  And with a 60-game season and expanded playoffs, it's going to be a year unlike any other.

Toronto Blue Jays reject plan to play 2020 season in Hartford, opting for Buffalo  —  The Toronto Blue Jays will not be playing their home games in Hartford this year.  —  The Blue Jays, displaced from their home field and Canada altogether due to the coronavirus, will play the shortened season in Buffalo …

Mets' Marcus Stroman confident in quick recovery from calf tear  —  Marcus Stroman was optimistic Friday that he will make a speedy return from the torn muscle in his left calf, but he didn't want to provide even a loose outline for when he might pitch again.

Mike Moustakas homers, drives in 4 runs to lift Cincinnati Reds to Opening Day rout  —  Mike Moustakas launched a 91-mph fastball halfway up the right-field seats in the seventh inning for his first home run of the season.  —  The ball landed near advertising tarps for Tide and MSA Design.

Latest On Padres' Jorge Mateo  —  Padres infielder/outfielder Jorge Mateo, who tested positive for the coronavirus July 8, has been cleared to return, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune tweets.  Mateo worked out Friday, per Acee, though he'll begin the season on the COVID-19 injured list.

Cleveland Indians wear 'End Racism, It's Time' t-shirts prior to Opening Day game against the Kansas City Royals  —  The Indians are continuing to focus on social justice.  —  CLEVELAND — In the weeks prior to Opening Day, the topic of social justice has been a huge story around the Cleveland Indians.

The MLB Announces Expanded Playoffs for 2020; Will it Help the Indians Reach October Baseball?  —  While Friday is opening day for the Cleveland Indians, they may have gotten some of the best news of the offseason on Thursday when Major League Baseball announced an expanded playoffs starting this season.

Know Your Enemy, Season Opener: Minnesota Twins  —  Some people are fans of the Minnesota Twins.  We here at SSHP are not.  This is our series preview to the 2020 series so White Sox fans can know their enemy.  —  Your Enemy  —  The heroes of Little Big League: Minnesota Twins.

What you need to know about the Rays' season opener  —  Who is pitching, where to watch and listen, what's ahead — and what's different — about this opening day and season.  —  Tonight: vs. Blue Jays  —  6:40, Tropicana Field  —  TV/radio: Fox Sports Sun; 95.3-FM, 96.1-FM (Spanish), 620-AM

MLB players' union OKs playoff expansion for 2020, sources say  —  The Major League Baseball Players Association has agreed to a plan to expand the playoffs to 16 teams for the 2020 season, sources have told ESPN's Marly Rivera.  —  A playoff expansion still needs the final approval of MLB owners, sources said.

Yankees To Sign Fernando Abad  —  The Yankees have agreed to a deal with left-hander Fernando Abad, MLB Network's Jon Heyman reports (via Twitter).  The veteran reliever was recently cut loose by the Nationals.  It's likely a minor league pact for Abad, who missed Summer Camp with the Nats …

Reds Finalize Opening Day Roster  —  The Reds announced this morning that they've filled the final two spots on their 30-man roster by selecting the contracts of infielders Christian Colon and Matt Davidson.  In order to make room on the 40-man roster, right-hander Justin Shafer …

Cubs Sign Ryan LaMarre  —  The Cubs announced Friday that they've signed outfielder Ryan LaMarre to a minor league deal.  Chicago also confirmed its previously reported minor league deal with infielder Derek Dietrich and added 2020 draftee Burl Carraway to its 60-man player pool.

Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw (back) goes on IL; Dustin May to start vs. Giants  —  Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw was put on the 10-day injured list because of stiffness in his back and will not make his scheduled start in Thursday's Opening Day game against the San Francisco Giants, the team announced.