Marly Rivera ESPN Writer
The New York Mets resumed their "spring training" workouts at Citi Field today... and here's a preview of what it'll be like with the empty stands...
Now
Marly Rivera ESPN Writer
VIDEO: The Yankees released this footage of Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge taking batting practice at Yankee Stadium today.
Marly Rivera ESPN Writer
Zack Britton: "I feel good. I feel like if we had to play right now I could pitch and be fine, just based on the work that I've done at home. I can definitely benefit from these next couple of weeks, getting back in the competitive atmosphere again. I think that's the biggest thing for guys, being at home and away from Major League stadiums and Major League-caliber players, just getting back in the swing of things"
Marly Rivera ESPN Writer
League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association announced today the first set of results for the COVID-19 testing
Marly Rivera ESPN Writer
Gerritt Cole on deciding with his wife Amy that he'd play this season, even though they just welcomed their first child: "I certainly have confidence in my teammates and the staff, the Yankees, to keep us safe. My gosh, we worked like five months on this protocol, with a lot of outside counsel, so both of us want me to play. If there's obviously something that would that would put us in danger we may adjust, but I have faith that we can get through this and get through it safely."
Marly Rivera ESPN Writer
Gerrit Cole on the Yankees still being considered one of the favorites: "We liked our chances in February, not coming out of the gate 100% healthy, so I gotta say that we really like our chances coming out of the gate 100% healthy. We're bullish on it... 60 games,162 games... when it comes down to it, players just want to compete and get after it."
Marly Rivera ESPN Writer
Gerrit Cole on his preparation during the hiatus: “There's kind of a fine balance of not trying to throw useless bullets, but also trying to maintain some of that stress so that you can keep the tissue activated and keep the body repaired to be able to ramp up really quickly. I've responded really well to the three innings yesterday so I think the work that I put in up to this point has prepared me really well.”
William Weinbaum ESPN
When we spoke two years ago, baseball exec Mike Veeck said he was pleased — and thought his father Bill, the late Cleveland Indians owner, would also be — that the team's controversial "Chief Wahoo" logo was going away. And Veeck said then of the NFL Washington franchise clinging to its nickname: "It's time for a change and I don't get the 'historic meaning' argument," adding, "What's wrong with correcting a bad idea?"
Marly Rivera ESPN Writer
Gerrit Cole: "There is only gonna be one Coronavirus World Series champion; and so that's unique in and of itself. I don't see why you wouldn't want to take that trophy home."
Marly Rivera ESPN Writer
Gerritt Cole announces that he and his wife Amy just welcomed their first child, Caden Gerrit Cole. Caden was born on June 30th. Cole: "Gosh, I can't stop staring at him!"
Alden Gonzalez ESPN Staff Writer
MLB has officially cancelled the All-Star Game and will reward it to the Dodgers for 2022. Here's a statement from Rob Manfred ...
Alden Gonzalez ESPN Staff Writer
Mike Trout, whose wife is scheduled to give birth to their first child this summer, sounds very conflicted about playing. "Honestly I still don't feel comfortable." For now, he's playing. "But I gotta play it by ear."
Marly Rivera ESPN Writer
Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake watched Gerrit Cole throw a sim game at Yankee Stadium yesterday and said he looked about game-ready; his fastball was at 96-99mph.
Marly Rivera ESPN Writer
ESPN has learned that more than half of all intake testing is almost complete as MLB prepares for preseason workouts to officially resume tomorrow. General information about the results will be released in the next 24-48 hours, but will not have identifying factors in order to protect players' privacy. As previously reported, COVID-19 related information won't be disclosed without players' permission.
Marly Rivera ESPN Writer
Yankees managing general partner, Hal Steinbrenner, on an interview with YES Network: “I do expect to see fans in our Stadium at some point to some degree, and that's going to be a great day as well.”
Marly Rivera ESPN Writer
Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake says Gerrit Cole threw three innings today, and Adam Ottavino threw two. Aaron Judge, Aaron Hicks and Luke Voit were the hitters. Blake said that Tanaka will throw on Saturday. Blake on Cole: "He looked really good today. He's in a really good spot."
Marly Rivera ESPN Writer
The Yankees released a picture of outfielder Aaron Judge, who due to a cracked rib and collapsed lung was greatly limited in the spring, but has used this hiatus to return to health. Yankees are optimistic Judge will be an active player on Opening Day, July 23.
Marly Rivera ESPN Writer
Manager Luis Rojas confirms Mets hitting coach Chili Davis will be working remotely. Rojas also said all Mets players have reported to "summer camp" and are currently undergoing the intake and COVID-19 testing process.
Marly Rivera ESPN Writer
In a statement to ESPN, MLB said it wouldn't disclose COVID-19 related information without an individual's permission. MLB does plan to publish general testing information, for example, number of tests and positive results, but with no player names or identifying characteristics.
Marly Rivera ESPN Writer
MLB statement to ESPN regarding teams not naming players that test positive for coronavirus: "Because COVID-19 is not considered an employment-related injury, we will respect the privacy of the players who test positive or who are under evaluation, and we will defer to their wishes regarding public updates about their status. Without their voluntary permission, we will not disclose any COVID-19 related information."
Marly Rivera ESPN Writer
Yankees manager Aaron Boone: "Our goal at the start of spring training, with the team that we've got together here, with a team that's been on the brink, with a team that's knocked on the door now for a few years, with a team with some unfinished business, I do feel like we're still a very hungry group and we want to climb to the top of the mountain."
William Weinbaum ESPN
Lincoln Landis, 97, in a statement to ESPN Tue. night about calls to remove the first commissioner's name from the MVP Award, said his uncle was "fair-minded, totally honest and straightforward" and "there is no case whatever to be made" regarding "any hint of racism." He said his uncle would've celebrated Jackie Robinson's achievement and felt the "entry of blacks in the major leagues promised ‘what's good for baseball,' his signature requirement for the national pastime."
Alden Gonzalez ESPN Staff Writer
Angels GM Billy Eppler, asked if Jo Adell can get enough development in July to be an everyday contributor this season: "That's what we're hopeful for." Totally unrelated note: Teams get an extra year of service time by waiting until July 29 to activate prospects.
William Weinbaum ESPN
In a digital news conf. Tue., an hr after announcing there wouldn't be a 2020 minor lg season, MiLB Pres./CEO Pat O'Conner said of the minors' situation, "We are in dire straits." He said perhaps 1/2 of the minors' 160 teams will have trouble surviving without financial help. "There will be attrition," he added. And MLB is already seeking to contract about 1/4 of the 160 teams — O'Conner said talks with MLB have been at a standstill for 6 weeks, due to the pandemic.
William Weinbaum ESPN
MiLB 5p E press release: "Major League Baseball has informed Minor League Baseball that it will not be providing its affiliated Minor League teams with players for the 2020 season. As a result, there will not be a Minor League Baseball season in 2020." MiLB Pres./CEO Pat O'Conner: "While this is a sad day for many, this announcement removes the uncertainty surrounding the 2020 season and allows our teams to begin planning for an exciting 2021 season of affordable family entertainment."