7:12 PM ET ESPN News Services John Smoltz and Al Leiter are not making in-studio appearances for MLB Network after refusing to get the coronavirus vaccine, according to multiple reports. MLB Network’s policy making it mandatory for all employees to be vaccinated took effect Wednesday. Smoltz and Leiter will still do analysis for studio shows,

12:13 AM ET ESPN News Services LOS ANGELES — All-Star second baseman Ozzie Albies of the Atlanta Braves fouled a ball off his left knee in the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers and had to be carried off the field Tuesday night, although X-rays were negative. Manager Brian Snitker said Albies is day-to-day.

6:49 PM ET Associated Press TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays have cut struggling lefty reliever Brad Hand. Hand was reinstated from the bereavement list and designated for assignment before Tuesday’s game against Baltimore. Hand went 0-2 with a 7.27 ERA in 11 games with Toronto after being acquired from Washington on July 29 in

9:06 PM ET Associated Press SEATTLE — The Houston Astros placed starting pitcher Zack Greinke and first baseman Taylor Jones on the injured list Tuesday, citing health and safety protocols. Manager Dusty Baker said he couldn’t give specifics, but the designation is a sign the players have tested positive for or have come in contact

1:00 PM ET Jeff PassanESPN Close ESPN MLB insiderAuthor of “The Arm: Inside the Billion-Dollar Mystery of the Most Valuable Commodity in Sports” Editor’s note: This story contains graphic descriptions of sexual assault allegations. In the two months since Trevor Bauer last appeared in a game for the Los Angeles Dodgers, his future — legally

Aug 29, 2021 NEW YORK — Javier Baez has had enough of New York Mets fans booing him and is taking matters into his own hands. Since his move to the Mets at the trade deadline, the infielder is hitting .207/.258/.414 with three homers and five RBIs in 16 games. Fans have responded to his

11:53 AM ET Associated Press PITTSBURGH — The last-place Pittsburgh Pirates have fired hitting coach Rick Eckstein. The team made the announcement on Monday. The Pirates, who are in the early stages of a reboot under general manager Ben Cherington, have struggled to produce offense all season. Pittsburgh entered Monday last in the majors in

Aug 29, 2021 ESPN News Services NEW YORK — Mets right-hander Noah Syndergaard encountered another hurdle in his recovery from Tommy John surgery Sunday when he was scratched from a rehab start because he tested positive for COVID-19, according to multiple reports. New York manager Luis Rojas said Sunday that Syndergaard had a “non-baseball-related injury.”

5:05 PM ET The Pittsburgh Pirates, mired in last place and about to expand their roster to get extended looks at prospects in their organization, released veteran outfielder Gregory Polanco on Saturday. Pirates manager Derek Shelton, in his availability with reporters before Pittsburgh’s game vs. the St. Louis Cardinals, said that informing Polanco of the

Aug 28, 2021 Associated Press NEW YORK — With Jerry Koosman on the mound, it was never too late for the 1969 New York Mets. More than five decades later, the franchise rewarded the big-game left-hander with its highest distinction. Koosman became the fifth player or coach to have his jersey retired by the Mets