MLB

On a busy opening day, every team is in action. Between M.L.B.'s new rules and some intriguing player movement, you might want to get caught up.

history to qualify for both the batting title and the E.R.A. Earlier in the day, the Yankees put Gerrit Cole up against a major breakout candidate in Logan Webb of the San Francisco Giants. If Ohtani plays the way he did in the last two seasons, he might make that Judge contract look tiny by comparison. He has made it clear he will walk away to find a chance to win. He’s a 55-60 runner but it plays up on the bases because he has great instincts both for reading pitchers and reading situations. Here’s a look at some of the [new rules](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/02/24/sports/baseball/mlb-rule-changes.html?action=click&pgtype=Article&state=default&module=styln-mlb-season&variant=show®ion=MAIN_CONTENT_1&block=storyline_levelup_swipe_recirc) taking effect this season: The Yankees, whose games averaged a major league-high 3 hours 13 minutes last season, beat the San Francisco Giants, 5-0, in the first game of the day. While at shortstop, he’s got great hands and gets himself into the right position to make plays more than most shortstops I see. So it’s safe to say the team thinks Volpe, 21, has a bright future. After months of speculation about how new rules will change the game and a spring training filled with fast games and plenty of flubs, opening day of the 2023 Major League Baseball season is finally here. As for the effects of that clock on the game? (Switching to overhand pitching in the late 19th century was probably more extreme, but let’s put that aside.)

When top prospects Jordan Walker and Anthony Volpe make their MLB debuts on Opening Day, they'll be two of the first players to usher in a new era in the ...

Box 4100","city":"Seattle","state":"Washington","stateAbbrev":"WA","postalCode":"98104","defaultCoordinates":{"latitude":47.591333,"longitude":-122.33251},"country":"USA","phone":"(206) 346-4000"},"timeZone":{"id":"America/Los_Angeles","offset":-7,"offsetAtGameTime":-7,"tz":"PDT"},"active":true,"season":"2023"},"springVenue":{"id":2530,"link":"/api/v1/venues/2530"},"teamCode":"sea","fileCode":"sea","abbreviation":"SEA","teamName":"Mariners","locationName":"Seattle","firstYearOfPlay":"1977","league":{"id":103,"name":"American League","link":"/api/v1/league/103"},"division":{"id":200,"name":"American League West","link":"/api/v1/divisions/200"},"sport":{"id":1,"link":"/api/v1/sports/1","name":"Major League Baseball"},"shortName":"Seattle","franchiseName":"Seattle","clubName":"Mariners","active":true},{"springLeague":{"id":114,"name":"Cactus League","link":"/api/v1/league/114","abbreviation":"CL"},"allStarStatus":"N","id":137,"name":"San Francisco Giants","link":"/api/v1/teams/137","season":2023,"venue":{"id":2395,"name":"Oracle Park","link":"/api/v1/venues/2395","location":{"address1":"24 Willie Mays Plaza","city":"San Francisco","state":"California","stateAbbrev":"CA","postalCode":"94107","defaultCoordinates":{"latitude":37.778383,"longitude":-122.389448},"country":"USA","phone":"(415) 972-2000"},"timeZone":{"id":"America/Los_Angeles","offset":-7,"offsetAtGameTime":-7,"tz":"PDT"},"active":true,"season":"2023"},"springVenue":{"id":2532,"link":"/api/v1/venues/2532"},"teamCode":"sfn","fileCode":"sf","abbreviation":"SF","teamName":"Giants","locationName":"San Francisco","firstYearOfPlay":"1883","league":{"id":104,"name":"National League","link":"/api/v1/league/104"},"division":{"id":203,"name":"National League West","link":"/api/v1/divisions/203"},"sport":{"id":1,"link":"/api/v1/sports/1","name":"Major League Baseball"},"shortName":"San Francisco","franchiseName":"San Francisco","clubName":"Giants","active":true},{"springLeague":{"id":115,"name":"Grapefruit League","link":"/api/v1/league/115","abbreviation":"GL"},"allStarStatus":"N","id":138,"name":"St. Louis","clubName":"Cardinals","active":true},{"springLeague":{"id":115,"name":"Grapefruit League","link":"/api/v1/league/115","abbreviation":"GL"},"allStarStatus":"N","id":139,"name":"Tampa Bay Rays","link":"/api/v1/teams/139","season":2023,"venue":{"id":12,"name":"Tropicana Field","link":"/api/v1/venues/12","location":{"address1":"One Tropicana Drive","city":"St. Petersburg","state":"Florida","stateAbbrev":"FL","postalCode":"33705","defaultCoordinates":{"latitude":27.767778,"longitude":-82.6525},"country":"USA","phone":"(727) 825-3137"},"timeZone":{"id":"America/New_York","offset":-4,"offsetAtGameTime":-4,"tz":"EDT"},"active":true,"season":"2023"},"springVenue":{"id":2534,"link":"/api/v1/venues/2534"},"teamCode":"tba","fileCode":"tb","abbreviation":"TB","teamName":"Rays","locationName":"St. Louis","state":"Missouri","stateAbbrev":"MO","postalCode":"63102","defaultCoordinates":{"latitude":38.62256667,"longitude":-90.19286667},"country":"USA","phone":"(314) 345-9600"},"timeZone":{"id":"America/Chicago","offset":-5,"offsetAtGameTime":-5,"tz":"CDT"},"active":true,"season":"2023"},"springVenue":{"id":2520,"link":"/api/v1/venues/2520"},"teamCode":"sln","fileCode":"stl","abbreviation":"STL","teamName":"Cardinals","locationName":"St. Louis","firstYearOfPlay":"1892","league":{"id":104,"name":"National League","link":"/api/v1/league/104"},"division":{"id":205,"name":"National League Central","link":"/api/v1/divisions/205"},"sport":{"id":1,"link":"/api/v1/sports/1","name":"Major League Baseball"},"shortName":"St. “Debut Patches represent one of the first steps that Fanatics Collectibles is taking to bring the players and leagues closer to the products, and ultimately fans,” Fanatics Collectibles CEO Mike Mahan said in a release. “For a player, there is no bigger moment than the first time they step onto a field for their Major League debut,” MLBPA executive director Tony Clark said. The presence of the Debut Patch just adds to the significance of the debuts of Walker and Volpe, who are the No. “A Major League player’s debut day is a cause for great celebration and the culmination of many years of hard work,” MLB Commissioner Robert D. Louis Cardinals","link":"/api/v1/teams/138","season":2023,"venue":{"id":2889,"name":"Busch Stadium","link":"/api/v1/venues/2889","location":{"address1":"700 Clark Street","city":"St. After that, the patch will be removed, secured and authenticated through the MLB Authentication Program, allowing it to be included in an upcoming Topps product. Starting today, every player making their @MLB debut will wear an "MLB Debut" patch on their uniform for their first game.

MLB, Fanatics and Topps have created a new patch that players will wear when they make their debut in the majors.

Anthony Volpe will make his big league debut at shortstop with the Louis Cardinals host the Toronto Blue Jays. “Topps has been a great partner to baseball for decades, and I think this particular initiative is crucial to the development of deeper fan engagement.” [New York Yankees](https://www.nbcnewyork.com/tag/new-york-yankees) against the [San Francisco Giants](https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/giants?chrcontext=WVIT) and Jordan Walker will step onto a major league outfield for the first time when the St. That figure has since been beaten out by a 1952 Mickey Mantle card, which sold for Rookie cards are among the most coveted items in the sports memorabilia industry.

Just as the sports events we like to call March Madness are winding down, the 2023 Major League Baseball season is starting up with Opening Day.

As for the championship rounds, I think the Astros are the number one team in baseball, but it's a bit boring to pick a repeat champ and I have the Padres as number two. Dayn Perry: I still default to the Astros being the best team in the AL in absence of additional major injuries. Beyond that, I think the NL East is by far the most interesting division and I think it's going to come down to the wire again, but I'm seeing Edwin Díaz make a triumphant return to the mound to finish out the season with the Mets on top. Mike Axisa: I think the Astros are the best team in the AL but, honestly, I'm bored of picking them to go to the World Series every year, so I'm going with Toronto. I'm also intrigued by the American League West -- not because I think the Astros are in real danger, but because this is the best this group has been after them in a while. (Amusingly, I still end up looking stupid.) I think this is as wide open a field in the National League as we've had in some time, and I'm excited to watch that three-team race in the East play out.

After a player appears in his first MLB game, the patch will go on his rookie card in a future Topps set.

In a couple of years, the company will re-assume the trading card licenses for the [NBA](https://theathletic.com/nba/) and NFL that are currently with Panini America. [NHL’s official jersey maker](https://theathletic.com/4331932/2023/03/21/nhl-fanatics-jersey-deal/) and has plans to get into sports gambling and other areas. But speculation is a big part of the collectibles and card business, and the manufacturers and sports leagues (and their player unions) are keenly aware of that. The debut patch cards are part of that. And if Benny Montgomery somehow makes his debut this season, expect fireworks — that man has figured out how to [win card-collecting fans.](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/34249685/this-colorado-rockies-prospect-turning-autographed-card-1-1-work-art) — Di Fino The white-hot sports collectibles market has been surging for years and went into overdrive after the pandemic began. It reminds me of that year Topps inserted 1952 cards in the line and you had a chance to find a Mantle rookie. [Major League Baseball](https://theathletic.com/mlb/) and Fanatics Collectibles unveiled Thursday “Debut Patches” to be worn by rookies making their MLB debut this season. [@MLB]debut will wear an "MLB Debut" patch on their uniform for their first game. A piece of someone’s jersey is just “meh” to me as a collector (although there are plenty of people who love them). It will appear on jerseys starting on Opening Day and be used throughout the 2023 season as players make their MLB debuts. “For a player, there is no bigger moment than the first time they step onto a field for their major-league debut,” MLBPA executive director Tony Clark said in a statement.

The Sporting News will be tracking scores and highlights from the first day of the 2023 MLB season. Follow along for updates and results from the games.

[Fubo](http://www.fubo.tv/lp/mlb/?irad=377812&irmp=1131770&sharedid=editorial), which will carry local broadcasts of the games as well as MLB Network and ESPN. [https://t.co/HhDxScbmEV]// [https://t.co/vgbMhIMsON] [pic.twitter.com/93XiK1BNwJ] [March 30, 2023] 1:15 p.m.: A special moment for rookie Anthony Volpe in his MLB debut as he receives a roll call from the bleacher creatures. The first pitch Aaron Judge sees in the 2023 season, he sends over the center field wall for a solo home run. 1:28 p.m.: Logan Webb and Cole each strike out three in the first inning. 1:10 p.m.: Acuna takes advantage of the new pick-off limit. Abrams at short to bring in another run and make it a 3-0 Atlanta lead in the second. 1:47 p.m.: The Nationals are on the board. Follow along for updates and results from all the games throughout Opening Day. But now, it's time for the official start of the 2023 Major League Baseball season. College baseball has already delivered some incredible moments and star performances. Fans have had their baseball appetite whetted for some time now.

Every year hundreds of young players make the Major League Baseball (MLB) debut. This year their debut will be marked with game-worn MLB Debut Patches, ...

And though it’s not known what set these cards are going to be included in (it could very well be a supplemental set with a smaller production run), the gist is that these cards are going to be super sought after. While the production run of Topps cards are not public knowledge, it must be in the hundreds of thousands just to stock the shelves of all those Walmarts. “Debut Patches represent one of the first steps that Fanatics Collectibles is taking to bring the players and leagues closer to the products, and ultimately fans,” said Mike Mahan, CEO, Fanatics Collectibles via press release. It’s a great way to connect players to fans, and create a valuable get within the collectibles marketplace. While game-worn materials have made their way onto trading cards before, this is the first time a major sports league has directly partnered with a sports trading card brand to create game-worn memorabilia. “For a Player there is no bigger moment than the first time they step onto a field for their Major League debut,” MLBPA Executive Director Tony Clark said.

NEW YORK — Players making their big league debuts will be especially marked this season. Major League Baseball announced before Thursday's openers that ...

Offseason chaos. A historic World Baseball Classic. New rules. After a wild winter, MLB's regular season starts today with all 30 teams in action.

[Highlights](/mlb/video/_/gameId/401471020) [Highlights](/mlb/video/_/gameId/40147102630) [Box score](/mlb/boxscore/_/gameId/401471030) [Highlights](/mlb/video/_/gameId/401471025) [Box score](/mlb/boxscore/_/gameId/401471025) [Highlights](/mlb/video/_/gameId/401471021) [Box score](/mlb/boxscore/_/gameId/401471021) [Highlights](/mlb/video/_/gameId/401471024) [Box score](/mlb/boxscore/_/gameId/401471026) [Box score](/mlb/boxscore/_/gameId/401471028) [Highlights](/mlb/video/_/gameId/401471022) [Box score](/mlb/boxscore/_/gameId/401471022)

Les cartes de collection sportives prennent de plus en plus de place sur le marché et avec la montée de Fanatics comme fournisseur d'uniformes officiels, ...

Il y a une évidente abondance de cartes et si une seule carte «avec écusson» existe par joueur, la rareté sera instantannée et les collectionneurs pourraient s’arracher le tout pour les joueurs très populaires. En raison de la lente progression de plusieurs dans les rangs mineurs, les premières cartes apparaissent quelques années avant le premier match dans la MLB. Anthony Volpes des Yankees, par exemple, a percé l’alignement partant au camp et fera ses débuts lors du premier match de la saison. Comme il s’agit d’un moment crucial dans la carrière de chaque joueur, on ne sait jamais si le premier match sera le début d’une légendaire carrière ou un bref passage chez les pros. On ne connaît pas la quantité de cartes imprimées par Topps durant une saison, mais le chiffre se compte en centaines de milliers et possiblement en millions quand on considère que les cartes de baseball sont distribuées dans toutes les grandes chaines aux États-Unis comme Walmart. Normalement, la «Bowman’s First Card» est le standard, un peu comme les Young Guns d’Upper Deck au Hockey.

Another season of Major League Baseball is here. Let's rejoice and then gather ourselves before figuring out how to supplement our viewing fun with some ...

He faced the [Phillies](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/teams/PHI/philadelphia-phillies/), [Braves](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/teams/ATL/atlanta-braves/) and [Nationals](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/teams/WAS/washington-nationals/) 11 times combined, but the Fish never saw him. [Max Scherzer](/mlb/players/1225651/max-scherzer/) never faced the [Marlins](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/teams/MIA/miami-marlins/) last season? [Fernando Tatis](/mlb/players/2507363/fernando-tatis/), Jr. Bieber throws well on the road and was dominant the one time he faced the Mariners last season. The Rockies are one of the worst. More simple: The Padres are one of the best teams in baseball. He also allowed just three runs in 12 innings (2.25 ERA) with 16 strikeouts in his two home outings against the Rockies last season. remains suspended while [Joe Musgrove](/mlb/players/2002312/joe-musgrove/) and [Robert Suarez](/mlb/players/26861461/robert-suarez/) open on the injured list. They'll take home the opener on the road. Plus, it'll be chilly (high of 47) and the ball won't be flying much. Something like 4-2 Yankees gets us home for both the Yankees run line and the under. The Giants haven't seen Cole since 2018 and unfamiliarity is a big advantage for the pitcher.

MLB, Fanatics and Topps have created a new patch that players will wear when they make their debut in the majors.

Anthony Volpe will make his big league debut at shortstop with the “Topps has been a great partner to baseball for decades, and I think this particular initiative is crucial to the development of deeper fan engagement.” That figure has since been beaten out by a 1952 Mickey Mantle card, which sold for

Former Tigers on MLB rosters include infielder DJ LeMahieu (Yankees), infielder Alex Bregman (Astros), pitcher Aaron Nola (Phillies), pitcher Kevin Gausman ...

Fraley begins his fifth MLB season and his second with Cincinnati after three years with the Seattle Mariners. Gausman, who pitched at LSU in 2011 and 2012, begins his 11th MLB season and his second with the Blue Jays. Austin Nola, a native of Baton Rouge and Aaron’s older brother, made his MLB debut in 2019 with the Seattle Mariners, and he collected 10 home runs and 31 RBI in 79 games. Bregman, a product of Albuquerque, N.M., made his MLB debut with Houston in July 2016, and he has helped lead the Astros to the 2017 and 2022 World Series titles as the club’s starting third baseman. 2 overall selection by the Astros in the 2015 MLB Draft, Bregman was a two-time first-team all-American at LSU, and he was named the recipient of the 2013 Brooks Wallace Award as the nation’s best shortstop. Aaron Nola, a Baton Rouge native, enters his ninth season in the Philadelphia rotation, and he was instrumental in the Phillies’ drive to the 2022 National League pennant.

Major League Baseball's 2023 regular season gets underway Thursday. That means it's time for players, coaches, and fans across the league to get accustomed ...

For now, MLB has enough new additions to keep everyone on their toes -- and, hopefully, on the right side of the pitch timer and the infield boundaries. Of course, this is baseball, and that means teams are going to try to find ways to work around the new rules. Most notably, MLB will continue to experiment with the automated ball-strike system (aka robot umpires) at the Triple-A level. It's to be seen if those numbers will transfer to the regular season, of course. "Talking to the minor-league coaches and everybody that used the rules last year -- it's not that all of the sudden we're going to steal 100 bags with a guy," Cora said. Namely, they have to be in the box and "alert" to the pitcher with at least eight seconds remaining on the clock. Teams were not only averaging more than 1.15 stolen base attempts per game (after checking in at 0.77 last spring), they were succeeding 81 percent of the time (as opposed to 73 percent last year). On a more serious, informative note, Cora downplayed the chances of the new bases rekindling everyone's desire to run wild whenever they had a player on board. He did concede, though, that it will be on the pitchers to make the needed tweaks in order to comply with the rulebook. [Pressly told the Houston Chronicle](https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/astros/article/ryan-pressly-new-mlb-rules-pitch-clock-not-a-fan-17792904.php#photo-23485258). Positioning violations will result in the opposing team's choice of an automatic ball or the result of the play. How different is the MLB product going to look this year?

The Sporting News will be tracking scores and highlights from the first day of the 2023 MLB season. Follow along for updates and results from the games.

[Fubo](http://www.fubo.tv/lp/mlb/?irad=377812&irmp=1131770&sharedid=editorial), which will carry local broadcasts of the games as well as MLB Network and ESPN. 1:10 p.m.: Acuna takes advantage of the new pick-off limit. Abrams at short to bring in another run and make it a 3-0 Atlanta lead in the second. 1:15 p.m.: A special moment for rookie Anthony Volpe in his MLB debut as he receives a roll call from the bleacher creatures. The first pitch Aaron Judge sees in the 2023 season, he sends over the center field wall for a solo home run. 3:13 p.m.: Swanson put his defense to use in the top of the third, and now he's showing off his bat with his new team. 3:20 p.m.: Trey Mancini also makes an impact on his new team, lining a base hit into left to score Swanson and give the Cubs a 3-0 lead. 2:28 p.m.: The Red Sox have also gotten off to a hot start in 2023. 3:17 p.m.: After Cedric Mullins walked to load the bases, a wild pitch scores Adam Frazier and pushes Jorge Mateo and Mullins up into scoring position. Henderson up to bat with the bases loaded. 3:49 p.m.: The Orioles are running wild against the Red Sox and Ryan Brasier in the top of the fifth. But now, it's time for the official start of the 2023 Major League Baseball season.

More than a dozen Jacksonville-area players are on Opening Day rosters, either active or IL, for the 2023 Major League Baseball season.

Notable: Lawrence has had the movement on his pitches working of late, including the World Baseball Classic with Panama. Notable: After tumultuous off-season, Clevinger returns to AL Central with White Sox; likely to occupy No. 3 or No. Position: Pitcher Position: Catcher Position: Outfielder Position: First baseman Position: Infielder

The 2023 MLB season begins Thursday afternoon. Here are the top plays from all 15 Opening Day games!

Chicago Cubs right-hander Marcus Stroman committed Major League Baseball's first pitch-clock violation in the third inning of Thursday's Opening Day game ...

When a batter isn’t ready in time, it’s an automatic strike. That prompted an argument with McNeil and Mets manager Buck Showalter, who seemed irritated the pitch clock began before Alonso returned to first. New York Mets All-Star Jeff McNeil was angered by a violation called by plate umpire Larry Vanover in the sixth inning against Miami. Davis of the San Francisco Giants became the first hitter called for a pitch-clock violation in the ninth inning of a game at Yankee Stadium. Davis took too long getting into the box to begin an at-bat against Ron Marinaccio, prompting plate ump Laz Diaz to penalize him with an automatic strike. Kulpa pointed to his wrist in announcing the call, and the automatic ball made it a 2-2 count against Yelich.

After an eventful offseason, Opening Day 2023 is finally here! Will the Houston Astros repeat as World Series champions? Will Aaron Judge continue his ...

Justin Verlander: "The fact that I am going to be able to continue to throw is showing how minor of an injury it is. Michael Grove made the Opening Day roster. Chris Ilitch, chairman and CEO of the Detroit Tigers, was calling. He showed Rob the screen. Padres reliever Robert Suarez, in his estimation, has one of the nastiest changeups in the sport. That’s one of the best pitches you’ve ever seen in your whole career.’” Bryce Harper is sitting there, rewatching the pitch immediately before the swing of his life, and it is a few minutes past 9 a.m. Easily one of the five most talented teams in the game. Yeah, I’m all in on the Dads. Walker’s debut also marks only the eighth time in franchise history a player age 20 or younger appeared on Opening Day for the Cardinals. Last year, the Blue Jays led MLB with a .264 team batting average and 1,464 hits. And how will the new rules change the game?

Baseball is back, which means it's time to make our picks for MVP, Cy Young, the World Series, and more.

Last year, he hit a [very high percentage](https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/statcast_search?hfPTM=&hfPT=&hfAB=&hfGT=R%7C&hfPR=&hfZ=&hfStadium=&hfBBL=&hfNewZones=&hfPull=&hfC=&hfSea=2022%7C&hfSit=&player_type=batter&hfOuts=&hfOpponent=&pitcher_throws=&batter_stands=&hfSA=&game_date_gt=&game_date_lt=&hfMo=&hfTeam=&home_road=&hfRO=&position=&hfInfield=&hfOutfield=&hfInn=&hfBBT=&hfFlag=is%5C.%5C.hit%5C.%5C.into%5C.%5C.play%5C.%5C.hardhit%7Cis%5C.%5C.launch%5C.%5C.angle%5C.%5C.sweetspot%7C&metric_1=&group_by=name&min_pitches=400&min_results=0&min_pas=0&sort_col=pitch_percent&player_event_sort=api_p_release_speed&sort_order=desc&chk_pa=on#results) of his batted balls (A) hard and (B) in the launch-angle sweet spot, and he made a lot of contact (though his swing decisions were [so-so](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1BkPOI0kRFmhmPnUF-QsDt0zrusKzz77inwoDROG84Zw/edit#gid=477740665)). The Sox are coming off a .500 finish and didn’t do much to upgrade their roster this winter—their biggest batter and pitcher additions were Benintendi and Mike Clevinger, respectively, which may not even make up for the departures of Abreu and Johnny Cueto—but they did make a managerial change, and in their case, that might make a real difference. Davis didn’t spend big on those arms ( [and Bruce Bochy](https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/rangers/2022/10/21/rangers-name-three-time-world-series-champion-bruce-bochy-as-next-manager/)) to end up with another fourth-place team, but that’s where both BP and FanGraphs envision them finishing, which means that the Rangers could qualify as a flop even if they play up to some sources’ expectations. But he’s just so versatile as a player that, now that he’s on an interesting team with designs on the playoffs, if he realizes even just a fraction of the offensive potential in his prospect profile, he’ll be extremely important in Toronto this year. [dared to dream](https://www.theringer.com/mlb/2022/3/25/22995791/shohei-ohtani-mvp-angels-preview-rule-dh) that Ohtani could be better than he was in 2021, despite the difficulty of improving on a unanimous MVP campaign. In my mind, the platonic ideal of a breakout candidate is someone who’s truly obscure and who didn’t end the previous season playing at a level that would make them a star if it was sustained over a full season (see Bryan De La Cruz’s .388/.419/.718 September and October). Burnes may not be in Milwaukee much longer—he’s eligible for free agency after the 2024 season and could be traded before then—but for now, he’ll be trying his hardest to carry the Brewers back to October after his pride was dinged during a Ohtani won’t lead the league in innings pitched, but the gap between him and whoever does shouldn’t be huge, and he’s the best bet to turn in the most effective frames of anyone who qualifies for the ERA title. I was probably an Edwin Díaz patellar tendon tear away from picking the Mets to win the NL East, a Luis Severino [lat strain](https://www.mlb.com/news/luis-severino-has-right-lat-strain) away from picking the Yankees to win the AL East, and a Triston McKenzie [shoulder strain](https://www.mlb.com/news/triston-mckenzie-to-shut-down-with-right-shoulder-injury) away from picking the Guardians to win the AL Central, and I wouldn’t blink if the Brewers, White Sox, Mariners, or Rangers sneaked into the playoff picture. [improved](https://www.theringer.com/mlb/2022/10/6/23390891/american-league-mvp-2022-aaron-judge-shohei-ohtani) as the season went on, increasing his usage of a newly refined slider, debuting a nasty new sinker, and recording a 1.67 ERA and 2.03 FIP over his final 19 starts, a span of 118 2/3 innings. [Ben Lindbergh:](https://www.theringer.com/authors/ben-lindbergh) MLB’s standings have been [lopsided of late](https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/78238/moonshot-mlb-unbalanced-records-100-win-teams-tanking/), leading to [record](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/there-were-a-record-number-of-100-win-and-100-loss-mlb-teams-in-2019-and-it-was-bad-for-baseball/) [numbers](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/100-win-and-100-loss-teams-are-piling-up-as-disparity-between-mlb-teams-grows/) of teams with 100 wins or losses. However, the competitive picture has [tightened at the top](https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-state-of-league-parity/), a [predictable by-product](https://blogs.fangraphs.com/expanded-playoffs-are-probably-coming/) of the 12-team playoff format.

MLB, Fanatics and Topps have created a new patch that players will wear when they make their debut in the majors.

Anthony Volpe will make his big league debut at shortstop with the “Topps has been a great partner to baseball for decades, and I think this particular initiative is crucial to the development of deeper fan engagement.” That figure has since been beaten out by a 1952 Mickey Mantle card, which sold for

Braves at Nationals, 1:05 p.m., MLB Network · Giants at Yankees, 1:05 p.m., YES · Orioles at Red Sox, 2:10 p.m., NESN · Brewers at Cubs, 2:20 p.m., MARQ · Tigers at ...

](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/fantasy/2023/02/07/fantasy-baseball-updated-top-200-player-rankings-2023-mlb-season/11172314002/) [We ranked the top 250 for 2023](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/fantasy/2023/02/07/fantasy-baseball-updated-top-200-player-rankings-2023-mlb-season/11172314002/). 1 prospect in MLB?](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2023/03/24/mlb-100-names-to-know-2023-gunnar-henderson-top-prospects/11528553002/) [Expectations are high](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2023/03/24/mlb-100-names-to-know-2023-gunnar-henderson-top-prospects/11528553002/) for the favorite to win American League Rookie of the Year. [has shown new life, new energy and gusto](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2023/03/28/low-budget-guardians-have-higher-expectations-2023/11553806002/). [opened the spring with a starting rotation](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2023/03/26/2023-mlb-opening-day-9-questions-entering-season/11544922002/) of Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, Luis Severino, Nestor Cortes and Frankie Montas. [has arrived](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2023/03/27/anthony-volpe-meet-new-york-yankees-opening-day-shortstop/11547643002/), at age 21, and will jog out to his position on Opening Day at Yankee Stadium on Thursday afternoon to hold down one of the most prestigious positions in sports. [it was permanently implementing a provision](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2023/02/27/mlb-rules-2023-shift-pitch-clock-bases/11358317002/) in use since 2020 that every half inning after the ninth begins with a runner on second base. [Larger bases](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2023/02/28/mlb-shift-rule-explained-2023-season/11364513002/): The bases are now 18 inches square (previously 15 inches). [is a Tri-State kid](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2023/03/27/anthony-volpe-meet-new-york-yankees-opening-day-shortstop/11547643002/), pride of Watchung, New Jersey, and Morristown’s Delbarton School, from where you can reach Yankee Stadium in less than an hour, with cooperation from various bridges and thoroughfares. [Pitch clock](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2023/02/28/mlb-shift-rule-explained-2023-season/11364513002/): There is a 30-second timer between batters and a time limit between pitches. (Home plate – which stays the same size – to first base is 3 inches shorter.) [Pickoff limits](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2023/02/28/mlb-shift-rule-explained-2023-season/11364513002/): Pitchers are limited to a maximum of two pickoff attempts per plate appearance. The Oakland A’s ($62.2 million) ranked fifth among teams who made the most money while the Pittsburgh Pirates ($51.5 million) ranked eighth and the Kansas City Royals earned $27.8 million.

Major League Baseball announced that players making their first appearances will wear debut patches on their jerseys. The patch will appear on different ...

Defensive positioning restrictions that require two infielders on each side of the second-base bag, with their feet placed within the infield border;; And ...

[Pete Alonso](/mlb/players/2447476/pete-alonso/) and [Jeff McNeil](/mlb/players/2169895/jeff-mcneil/), as well as home plate umpire Larry Vanover. [Mets](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/teams/NYM/new-york-mets/) committed oddest violation [Orioles](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/teams/BAL/baltimore-orioles/), would end up plating three other runs that inning. [MLB](/mlb/) and the MLB Players Association agreed to these changes with the hope that they would improve the pace of play and incentivize more batted balls and stolen-base attempts -- or, in other words, more action. Devers was not ready to hit, and so he ended up losing a chance for one more swing. We're here to tell you that both measures moved in the intended directions.

By Jayson Stark, Patrick Mooney, Nick Groke, C. Trent Rosecrans and Andy McCullough. MLB's 15 games on Opening Day averaged 2 hours and 45 minutes Thursday, ...

[Padres](https://theathletic.com/mlb/team/padres/) and the [Rockies](https://theathletic.com/mlb/team/rockies/). [Brewers](https://theathletic.com/mlb/team/brewers/) with [Christian Yelich](https://theathletic.com/mlb/player/christian-yelich-S9hSJGPZg4kFYlsm/) at-bat and no outs. The [Dodgers](https://theathletic.com/mlb/team/dodgers/) squashed the [Diamondbacks](https://theathletic.com/mlb/team/diamondbacks/), 8-2, in only 2:35 — and that was a game which featured five different Arizona pitchers and multiple mid-inning pitching changes. Pitchers get 20 seconds to begin their throwing motions with runners on base and 15 seconds to do so with the bases empty. The second is to just embrace it and find ways to use it for our advantage. In the Red Sox game against the Orioles, Devers stepped out of the batter’s box in the eighth inning and wasn’t set within eight seconds after stepping back in, resulting in his violation. “Breathing is very important to aligning the body and putting yourself in a perfect position to deliver the ball to the plate. [Reds](https://theathletic.com/mlb/team/reds/) vs. Thursday, though, both the Pirates and Reds starters had a pitch clock violation and both of those plate appearances ended in home runs for the batter. I am here to report that the clock works on the West Coast, too. [Pirates](https://theathletic.com/mlb/team/pirates/) game went 3 hours and 2 minutes. The shortest of last year’s Opening Day games was 2 hours and 49 minutes.