MLB

March 19 (UPI) -- Shohei Ohtani connected with a 99-mph fastball, smashing his bat into spinning seams for his first home run of 2025 against the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday at the Tokyo Dome.

March 17 (UPI) -- All-Star shortstop will miss the MLB's season-opening Tokyo Series because of a lingering illness, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced.

March 13 (UPI) -- The Tampa Bay Rays canceled plans to build a new ballpark and development project, citing impact damage from Hurricane Milton and Hurricane Helene, the MLB franchise announced Thursday.

March 7 (UPI) -- Right fielder Lawrence Butler agreed to a seven-year, $65.5 million contract extension with the Oakland Athletics.

March 7 (UPI) -- All-Star first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. requested less than $600 million during extension talks this off-season with the Toronto Blue Jays, he revealed during a recent interview.

March 6 (UPI) -- Bryce Harper told the Philadelphia Phillies he would approve of a position switch back into the outfield if the team acquires another slugger to play first base.

March 5 (UPI) -- Roki Sasaki rolled 99-mph fastballs off his fingers, while mixing in splitters and sliders to keep Cincinnati Reds batters baffled in his Los Angeles Dodgers spring training debut in Phoenix.

Feb. 26 (UPI) -- Luka Doncic stared down the Dallas Mavericks bench, looking at several former teammates, epitomizing an emotional matchup while leading the Los Angeles Lakers to victory with his first triple-double for the franchise.

Feb. 25 (UPI) -- The New York Mets added some depth to their injury-riddled roster by trading for Chicago Cubs outfielder Alexander Canario.

Feb. 24 (UPI) -- New York Mets pitcher Sean Manaea was diagnosed with an oblique strain and will likely start the season on the injured list, manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters Monday.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Feb. 21 (UPI) -- Jose Altuve's unmistakable 5-foot-6 frame was an MLB fixture behind second base for over the last decade, but the Houston Astros icon is embracing a move to the outfield in the latest chapter of his book on leadership.

Feb. 21 (UPI) -- The once clean-shaven New York Yankees will now allow "well-groomed" beards on players, as the franchise announced an end to a longstanding anti-facial hair policy Monday.

Feb. 19 (UPI) -- Juan Soto used a small slice of his $765 million contract to surprise New York Mets teammate Brett Baty with a new SUV on Thursday as a reward for giving up his No. 22 jersey number.

Feb. 20 (UPI) -- The New York Yankees signed manager Aaron Boone to a two-year contract extension, the team announced Thursday. Boone is now under contract through the 2027 season.

Feb. 18 (UPI) -- The Chicago Cubs are finalizing a contract with free agent infielder Justin Turner, who spent last season with the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners.

Feb. 18 (UPI) -- The Toronto Blue Jays failed to agree on a contract extension with Vladimir Guerrero Jr., before his personal deadline for the deal, clearing the path for potential free agency for the All-Star infielder.