Shohei Ohtani put on a giant show in batting practice hours before he hit a grand slam in the second inning as Japan hammered Taiwan 13-0 in Pool C at the World Baseball Classic. It was Japan’s first game of four in pool play. Ohtani spoke to the crowd after the game, bowing and tipping his cap. “It was a good game and we got off to a good start, so I think it was all because of your support,” he said to rising applause as he spoke in Japanese. Ohtani’s batting practice thrilled many who had traveled from afar to see him. Ohtani drew major Western star power to Japan for the game, with actor Timothée Chalamet and pop singer Bad Bunny in the stands.
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The number of doubles and triples in the major leagues went down again last year. There were 7,745 doubles, down from 7,771 in 2024 and 8,254 a decade ago in 2016, according to Sportradar. Triples dropped to 628, compared to 697 in 2024 and 873 in 2016. In an effort to create more action on the basepaths, Major League Baseball made the bases bigger when it changed some of its rules before the 2023 season. There was an increase in doubles, triples and steals that same year before doubles and triples resumed their downward trend. Defensive positioning and ballpark dimensions are two of the biggest factors in the decline.
Right-hander Hunter Greene has left the Cincinnati Reds camp due to right elbow stiffness. Manager Terry Francona and president of baseball operations Nick Krall told reporters Greene would have an MRI in Cincinnati and would be examined by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Timothy Kremchek. Greene also will consult with Los Angeles-based Dr. Neal ElAttrache. Greene is the Reds' ace. He went 7-4 with a 2.76 ERA last year. He helped Cincinnati earn an NL wild card for its first playoff appearance since 2020. The hard-throwing Greene was limited to a career-low 19 starts.
Aaron Judge will captain a loaded U.S. roster at the World Baseball Classic. The Americans are chasing their first title since 2017. The tournament opens Thursday at the Tokyo Dome, then moves into games in Houston, Miami, and San Juan, Puerto Rico. The U.S. plans to lean on stronger pitching, with Logan Webb, Tarik Skubal, Paul Skenes, and Nolan McLean lined up to start. Japan, led by Shohei Ohtani. enters as defending champion with Yoshinobu Yamamoto starting Friday. The Dominican Republic brings a star-heavy lineup. Australia debuts top amateur draft pick Travis Bazzana.
Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar has been suspended for the 2026 season by Major League Baseball following his second positive test for a performance-enhancing drug. Profar tested positive for exogenous testosterone and its metabolites, the commissioner’s office said, which means testosterone that was not produced by his body. Because it was a second offense, the length of Profar’s suspension was 162 games. An All-Star in 2024, Profar was suspended for 80 games last March 31 following a positive test for Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG), a hormone that helps production of testosterone. He issued a statement then saying: “I would never willingly take a banned substance."
When Andrew Benintendi first broke into the major leagues in 2016, batting average was a priority for the outfielder. Going into his fourth season with the White Sox and No. 11 overall, he is more focused on his OPS and power numbers. Benintendi says, “The game kind of changes where the money is, I guess.” The significance of batting average has been in decline for years. But its diminished importance was thrown into sharp relief by the free agency of Luis Arraez over the winter. Arraez, a three-time batting champion, waited until right before spring training before agreeing to a $12 million, one-year deal with San Francisco.
Spring training exhibition games have begun in Major League Baseball. Here's a selection of photos curated by AP photo editors.
The Cincinnati Reds like their chances when Hunter Greene is on the mound. The 6-foot-5 right-hander has one of baseball’s best fastballs, to go along with a nasty slider. But keeping him on the mound has been a challenge. Going into his fifth year in the majors, Greene added more lower-half strengthening exercises to his offseason routine. He says he wants to pile up more innings and make all his starts. The end result of Greene’s pursuit of increased durability could go a long way to determining the course of the Reds’ season.