Major League Baseball

Soto slams 426-foot HR in 1st at-bat with Mets

Juan Soto homered in his first spring training at-bat for his new team, hitting a solo shot to left-center field in the first inning for the Mets.

'It was time': Yanks welcome new facial-hair rule

New closer Devin Williams and several former Yankees stars helped nudge owner Hal Steinbrenner into changing the franchise's decades-old policy on facial hair.

Reds' Francona tells vets to skip ABS challenges

Reds manager Terry Francona plans to opt out of elective participation in the automated ball-strike challenge trial during spring training but is willing to let Cincinnati's minor league players accustomed to the procedure use challenges.

Steinbrenner: No edict for Yankees to spend less

Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner said Friday that he has not ordered his front office to drop the team's player payroll, adding, "We know what our fans expect."

Fisher, All-Star reliever, World Series champ, dies

Eddie Fisher, whose 15-year major league career included an All-Star selection as a reliever for the White Sox and a World Series title with Orioles, has died at the age of 88.

Brewers OF Perkins (shin) to miss start of season

Brewers outfielder Blake Perkins is expected to miss the first month of the season after fracturing his right shin during batting practice.

Dodgers' Miller has no fracture after liner scare

One day after he was struck in the head by a line drive, Dodgers pitcher Bobby Miller has no fracture and is in "good spirits," according to manager Dave Roberts.

Tigers' Baddoo to miss start of regular season

Tigers outfielder Akil Baddoo had surgery to repair a broken bone in his right hand and will miss the start of the regular season.

Way-Too-Early All-Star predictions

Who could be representing both squads in Atlanta this summer? We make our (very) early roster picks.