Two games on the MLB schedule today for Opening Day have the world champion Washington Nationals at the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers meet the San Francisco Giants.
The Toronto Blue Jays won’t be playing home games at PNC Park this season. The Pennsylvania Department of Health rejected a plan for the Toronto team to play 30 ‘home’ games in Pittsburgh this season amid the coronavirus pandemic. A source familiar with the matter told The Associated Press the Blue Jays are now engaged in talks with the Baltimore Orioles about playing ”home games” at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Canadian federal government has already nixed a proposal for the Jays to play games at Rogers Centre. That leaves the Jays scrambling for a home site with the season starting tomorrow.
Mookie Betts and the Los Angeles Dodgers struck baseball’s first big-money deal since the coronavirus pandemic decimated the sport’s economics, a $365 million, 12-year contract through 2032 that removes the top offensive player from next off season’s free-agent class. The Nashville native was acquired by the Dodgers in the off season from the Boston Red Sox.
Mike Trout has decided to play for the Los Angeles Angels in the shortened baseball season, although his year will be paused in a few weeks by the birth of his first child. The three-time AL MVP confirmed his decision Wednesday before the Angels’ final exhibition game against the San Diego Padres. Trout expressed uncertainty this month about the safety of this unique major league campaign, saying he wouldn’t risk his growing family’s health to participate.