Top News:
Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
MLB moving 2021 All-Star Game from Atlanta over Georgia voting law — Major League Baseball announced Friday that it is moving the 2021 All-Star Game out of Atlanta in response to a new Georgia law that has civil rights groups concerned about its potential to restrict voting access for people of color.
Discussion:
The Athletic, Los Angeles Times, NBCSports.com, Fish Stripes and Lookout Landing
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Tim Healey / Newsday:
Mets philosophical about their tough luck to start season — WASHINGTON — Even if the initial disappointment about the Mets' Opening Day delay has waned, the unlucky reality remains. — Because four Nationals players tested positive for COVID-19, and five others were quarantined …
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
Washington Nationals have four players positive for COVID-19; series vs. New York Mets postponed — The season-opening series between the Washington Nationals and New York Mets was postponed Friday, with Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo saying a fourth player from the team has tested positive for COVID-19.
Discussion:
Associated Press and Faith and Fear in Flushing
David Schoenfield / ESPN:
Chicago White Sox DH Yermin Mercedes starts season 8-for-8 to set MLB mark — Welcome to the record books, Yermin Mercedes. — The Chicago White Sox rookie got three hits in his first three at-bats Saturday against the Los Angeles Angels to improve to 8-for-8 to start 2021 …
Discussion:
Associated Press, New York Post and baseballmusings.com
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Associated Press:
Shohei Ohtani to bat, pitch in same historic game for Los Angeles Angels vs. Chicago White Sox — ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani is both pitching and hitting for the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday night for the first time since the two-way star moved to the majors.
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Joakim Soria injury another blow to Diamondbacks bullpen — The Diamondbacks bullpen appeared to suffer another blow on Sunday as right-hander Joakim Soria exited his outing early with an apparent calf injury. — Soria will leave the team and return to Phoenix for testing …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Associated Press:
Number of MLB foreign-born players drops slightly for 4th straight year — NEW YORK — More than 28% of Major League Baseball players were born outside the 50 states. That represents a drop for the fourth straight season, although this decrease was particularly small.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
RELATED:
J.J. Cooper / Baseball America:
2021 MLB Draft Will Be 20 Rounds — Major League Baseball has informed its teams that the 2021 MLB Draft will be 20 rounds. — That was expected news, as MLB negotiated with the Major League Baseball Players Association last year an agreement that this year's draft could be cut to as few as 20 rounds.
Discussion:
Twinkie Town, MLB Trade Rumors, Brew Crew Ball, Bleacher Nation, McCovey Chronicles and Talking Chop
David Delgado / Orange County Register:
Corona del Mar barely gets past rival Newport Harbor in ‘Battle of the Bay’ — NEWPORT BEACH - Corona del Mar made it eight consecutive wins over rival Newport Harbor in the “Battle of the Bay” series by pulling out a 10-7 victory on Friday night at Newport Harbor High.
Discussion:
SGV Tribune, Daily Breeze and Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Joe Trezza / MLB.com:
Mancini's ‘surreal’ return reminiscent of debut — Throughout his year away from the field battling — and beating — Stage 3 colon cancer, Trey Mancini consistently said he wouldn't consider his comeback complete until Opening Day. It wouldn't be just the feel of the bat in his hand …
Discussion:
NBCSports.com
ESPN:
Baserunning blunder nullifies home run by Los Angeles Dodgers' Cody Bellinger — DENVER — Cody Bellinger hit a homer — and was called out before he could finish his trot. — It was an honest mistake on a bizarre play for Bellinger, Justin Turner and the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers …
Discussion:
The Good Phight and baseballmusings.com
