Top News:
David Schoenfield / ESPN:
Houston Astros' strong opening statement and other observations from MLB's first weekend — We had a lot happen over the first four days of the 2021 MLB season. The Reds and Cardinals had the first bench-clearing incident of the season. The Dodgers' Cody Bellinger lost a home run when he passed Justin Turner on the basepath.
RELATED:
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
Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani's two-way showing was a success and there needs to be more of it — ANAHEIM, Calif. — There was a moment in Sunday's Chicago White Sox-Los Angeles Angels game that would've passed as a nondescript subtlety if not for the obvious constraints that have come to define Major League Baseball.
Discussion:
Associated Press
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.
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 …
RELATED:
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, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Lookout Landing and Fish Stripes
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
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
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
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
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
