New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge is confident in his ability to play right field despite appe...

New York Yankees captain <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4773" href="/mlb/players/4773">Aaron Judge</a> is confident in his ability to play right field despite appearing hesitant to throw during Friday's 7-1 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays.Judge, who was making his first start in the outfield since July 25 due to a flexor strain in his right elbow, gently lobbed a ball back to the cutoff man in the first inning instead of trying to get Toronto's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9524" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9524">Daulton Varsho</a> at home plate.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Here's a look at Aaron Judge's first throw in a game since late July: <a href="https://t.co/5TuwjTls57">pic.twitter.com/5TuwjTls57</a>— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) <a href="https://twitter.com/BryanHoch/status/1964109218555777436?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 5, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>"I wouldn't be in the outfield if I wasn't able to make that throw," Judge said postgame, according to <a href="https://x.com/GaryHPhillips/status/1964158745996374202">Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News</a>.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>He added: "My first thought was to get it in to <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9520" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9520">Jazz (Chisholm Jr.)</a>, get it in to whoever, just for them to make that throw. Because my first thought was trying to make the play, and (the ball) just kind of died before it got to me. So, my next thought is, 'Hey, try to get it in as soon as you can and see what happens.'"Yankees manager Aaron Boone was also questioned about Judge's throw."He's in position to make the throw," Boone <a href="https://x.com/GaryHPhillips/status/1964155977940222034">said</a>.Pressed further, Boone responded: "We're handling it how we handle it, okay?"Boone said before the contest that Judge and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/1388" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/1388">Giancarlo Stanton</a> will split time in the outfield moving forward.The skipper acknowledged in mid-August that Judge is unlikely to throw like he "normally does" for rest of the year. However, the two-time AL MVP seemed to take issue with the comment at the time, responding that he didn't know why Boone would say that. Boone subsequently walked back the initial remark.The Yankees and Blue Jays will continue their pivotal three-game series Saturday. Toronto has a four-game lead for top spot in the AL East.

BRONX, NY - SEPTEMBER 05: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees in right field during the fifth inning of the game against the Toronto Blue Jays on September 5, 2025 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York.

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Judge downplays injury concern after soft throw vs. Blue Jays

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A federal judge on Wednesday denied two teams — one owned by NBA Hall of F...

<div>
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A federal judge on Wednesday denied two teams — one owned by NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan — a preliminary injunction in their antitrust suit against NASCAR to be recognized as chartered teams for the remainder of the season. 
Judge Kenneth Bell of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina said there was no reason to issue 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports the injunction because <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nascar-lawsuit-charters-jordan-playoffs-8364f8bde0a15a7b9792b2f49f6905da">NASCAR last Friday vowed not to sell the six charters</a> the teams previously held until the end of the legal battle. 
Bell has repeatedly said he doesn't want to rule on the likelihood of one side prevailing over the other, and reiterated that Wednesday. 
<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>
“As the Court noted at the hearing on this motion, the Court believes that it is best not to provide its forecast of the Plaintiffs' likelihood of success on the merits, and thereby potentially bias the jury pool, unless it is necessary to do so, which is not here,” Bell wrote.
He also cautioned on what the landscape of NASCAR may look like if the case is not settled before trial.
“The uncertainty about what the 2026 season will look like unfortunately exists not just for the Parties, but for the other teams, drivers, crews, sponsors, broadcasters, and most regrettably, the fans,” he wrote.
NASCAR in a statement said the ruling "brings much-needed clarity to the remainder of the 2025 NASCAR season. 
“For nearly 80 years, NASCAR and the France family have championed a bold vision by taking many personal and financial risks to build a sport that fuels livelihoods, inspires generations, and delivers world-class competition,” NASCAR said. "That commitment remains unwavering, and we will continue to defend the integrity of NASCAR and preserve the values that have guided its growth.
"To the fans: We won’t let this lawsuit distract from what matters most — delivering the unforgettable moments you’ve come to expect from our great sport and crowning the next NASCAR Cup Series champion on November 2.”
Trial is set for Dec. 1. 
“With trial in this matter now less than three months away and the season on its proverbial last laps, NASCAR has agreed to extend those representations, in material effect,” Bell wrote in denying the motion for a preliminary injunction. 
“This will effectively maintain the status quo pending a final decision on the merits and any permanent injunctive relief following trial (that is, Plaintiffs will be able to race and disputed Charters will not be sold or otherwise transferred.”
Jeffrey Kessler, attorney for the teams suing NASCAR, wasn't necessarily disappointed by the ruling. 
“We are grateful that Judge Bell has made clear that the status quo is being maintained — protecting my clients’ rights to regain their charters if they prevail at trial and ensuring their ability to continue racing through the 2025 season based on NASCAR’s commitments," Kessler said. "Equally important, Judge Bell reaffirmed his broad power to order meaningful changes in NASCAR should we succeed, so that teams, drivers, sponsors, and fans can benefit from a sport positioned for long-term growth and restored competition. 
"We are ready to present our case at trial in December.”
23XI Racing, the team owned by Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin, and Front Row Motorsports, owned by entrepreneur Bob Jenkins, are suing NASCAR over antitrust claims regarding the charter system. A charter is the equivalent of a franchise and guarantees chartered cars both a spot in the 40-car field each week, as well as a significantly larger chunk of payouts.
NASCAR last September, after more than two years of contentious negotiations, presented teams with its final offer on charter extensions; 13 organization signed the agreements, but 23XI and Front Row refused.
The two teams initially won a preliminary injunction to be recognized as chartered for this season until a jury verdict on the antitrust allegations. That was overturned, and 23XI and FRM are currently competing as “open” teams. NASCAR wants the money back the teams were paid during the portion of the season they were chartered.
The teams also have appealed to have the chartered status reinstated, but NASCAR argued in court last week it has an interested buyer for one of the six charters previously held by 23XI and FRM, and it plans to immediately begin redistributing the charters. NASCAR backtracked after Thursday’s hearing, and a ruling on the preliminary injunction is expected to come from Bell this week.
NASCAR maintains that in holding off on redistributing charters, 23XI and FRM are no longer in danger of suffering irreparable harm. The teams countered Tuesday <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nascar-antitrust-lawsuit-charters-jordan-23xi-3d271a1b1e013f5f1605f682f4b8aef4">the threat still exists “because of the risk of breach claims from their irreplaceable drivers and loss of sponsors in the absence of charter rights.”</a>
Tyler Reddick of 23XI has a clause in his contract that says the team would be in breach if his Toyota is not chartered. Jeffrey Kessler, the attorney for the two teams, indicated in court that Reddick has notified 23XI it is in breach.
Bell wrote in his Wednesday decision that “the loss of the ‘fixed’ Charter payouts and the uncertainty of ongoing relationships with drivers and sponsors can either be compensated with money damages at trial or is simply inherent in the risks associated with the lawsuit.”
___
AP auto racing: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing">https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing</a>
</div>

DARLINGTON, SC - AUGUST 31: 23Xi co-owner Michael Jordan stands in the pit box during the running of the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out Southern 500 on August 31, 2025 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington S.C.

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Judge denies injunction for Michael Jordan's race team in antitrust case

San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman received a one-game suspension for his role in Tu...

San Francisco Giants third baseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5380" href="/mlb/players/5380">Matt Chapman</a> received a one-game suspension for his role in Tuesday's benches-clearing altercation with the Colorado Rockies, MLB announced Wednesday.Chapman was also fined an undisclosed amount. The 32-year-old is appealing his punishment.Chapman's teammates <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4784" href="/mlb/players/4784">Willy Adames</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5400" href="/mlb/players/5400">Rafael Devers</a> were fined as well. Rockies left-hander <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4762" href="/mlb/players/4762">Kyle Freeland</a> was the only Rockies player given a fine.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Devers <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3337228" href="https://thescore.com/news/3337228">sparked the brawl</a> by admiring a long home run before getting into a heated verbal exchange with Freeland, who said postgame that Chapman, Adames, and Devers shoved the pitcher.Freeland called Devers' reaction to the homer "pure disrespect."Meanwhile, Giants ace <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/10606" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/10606">Logan Webb</a> said he's surprised Freeland hasn't been involved in a tussle before because he "runs his mouth a lot."The Giants and Rockies conclude their three-game series Wednesday.

DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 2: The San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies fight on the field after a verbal altercation between Kyle Freeland #21 of the Colorado Rockies and Rafael Devers #16 of the San Francisco Giants after Devers hit a two run home run in the first inning at Coors Field on September 2, 2025 in Denver, Colorado.

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Giants' Chapman gets 1-game ban for brawl with Rockies

Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez said he didn't hit catcher César Salazar on purpose wit...

Houston Astros left-hander <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8938" href="/mlb/players/8938">Framber Valdez</a> said he didn't hit catcher <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/14052" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/14052">César Salazar</a> on purpose with a pitch when the batterymates got crossed up in the fifth inning of Tuesday's 7-1 loss to the New York Yankees.The incident came two pitches after Salazar signalled Valdez to step off the mound, which the southpaw ignored. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8203" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8203">Trent Grisham</a> wound up hitting that offering for a grand slam.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Framber Valdez did not step off the mound when César Salazar motioned for him to moments before Trent Grisham’s grand slam. Framber Valdez and César Salazar then got crossed up two pitches after the grand slam. 🎥: Space City Home Network <a href="https://t.co/GqUOdxm59k">pic.twitter.com/GqUOdxm59k</a>— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBONFOX/status/1963084458002940333?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 3, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>"It was a pitch I wanted to throw," Valdez said postgame through an interpreter, according to <a href="https://x.com/KPRC2RandyMc/status/1963092593568252319">Randy McIlvoy of KPRC 2 Houston</a>. "I called for that pitch. ... I wasn't able to locate it. Then afterwards, what happened to us is we just got crossed up. ... When we went to the dugout, I said sorry to him and I take full responsibility for that."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Valdez also added "it was not intentional."Valdez and Salazar were pulled into manager Joe Espada's office to discuss the play, according to <a href="https://x.com/Chandler_Rome/status/1963086621223346641">Chandler Rome of The Athletic</a>.Salazar, meanwhile, said the issue was caused by a PitchCom error."Heat of the moment," Salazar told reporters. "Obviously it was a big spot for the Yankees, the stadium was loud. I thought I pressed the (right) button but I pressed the wrong button. I was expecting another pitch. But that wasn't it. But I pressed the wrong button, and yeah. That's what it was."Salazar, who's made 14 career starts in the majors as a catcher, doesn't believe Valdez threw at him intentionally."Me and Framber actually have a really good relationship," the 29-year-old added. "We talked, we've been talking for, mainly for three years now, especially ... last year we talked a lot too, and we have a really good relationship."

HOUSTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 02: Framber Valdez #59 of the Houston Astros waves at the crowd after the third inning against the New York Yankees at Daikin Park on September 02, 2025 in Houston, Texas.

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San Francisco Giants first baseman Rafael Devers sparked a benches-clearing fracas with a home ru...

San Francisco Giants first baseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5400" href="/mlb/players/5400">Rafael Devers</a> sparked a benches-clearing fracas with a home run during the first inning of Tuesday's 7-4 win against the Colorado Rockies.Devers and Rockies left-hander <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4762" href="/mlb/players/4762">Kyle Freeland</a> engaged in a heated verbal exchange after the slugger admired the long blast, leading players from both teams to rush the field.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Something you don't see every day in the Giants vs. Rockies game. Rafael Devers hits a home run off of Kyle Freeland. Freeland yells at Devers for staring at the home run and the benches cleared as Devers was running the bases. Dave Flemming and Javier Lopez had the call. <a href="https://t.co/wn6JudUYTE">pic.twitter.com/wn6JudUYTE</a>— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) <a href="https://twitter.com/awfulannouncing/status/1963042028138160472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 3, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Freeland, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5380" href="/mlb/players/5380">Matt Chapman</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4784" href="/mlb/players/4784">Willy Adames</a> were ejected because of the tussle.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Devers, meanwhile, remained in the game to play third base. Following the game, Giants righty <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/10606" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/10606">Logan Webb</a> was asked about the general feeling of the brawl and took a shot at Rockies starter Freeland."(I'm) surprised it hasn't happened before with that guy," Webb said. "Just kind of runs his mouth a lot of times and (Devers) got him good."<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
"Surprised it hasn't happened before with that guy. Just kind of runs his mouth ..." Logan Webb reacts to tonight's altercation involving Rockies pitcher Kyle Freeland <a href="https://t.co/VUEfq1lhJK">pic.twitter.com/VUEfq1lhJK</a>— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCSGiants/status/1963090835953877053?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 3, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Freeland said he was upset by Devers' reaction to the long ball."It was the pure disrespect of a first inning, home run - standing there watching it. It felt like it took 15 seconds for him to get to first base," Freeland said, according to <a href="https://x.com/susanslusser/status/1963102616269017358">Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle</a>.The pitcher added that he believes Chapman and Adames were ejected for shoving him, and that Devers was also physical during the altercation.Devers' homer marked the 16th straight contest the Giants hit a round-tripper, which tied a San Francisco-era team record set in 1962 and 1963.The Giants and Rockies conclude their three-game series Wednesday.

DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 2: Rafael Devers #16 and Manager Bob Melvin of the San Francisco Giants stand on the field during an altercation with the Colorado Rockies after Starting pitcher Kyle Freeland #21 of the Colorado Rockies took exception with Devers following a two-run home run by Devers in the first inning at Coors Field on September 2, 2025 in Denver, Colorado.

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Devers' HR ignites brawl between Giants, Rockies

The final month of the 2025 MLB season is upon us and the American League MVP race is far from se...

The final month of the 2025 MLB season is upon us and the American League MVP race is far from settled. In one corner, we have New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge searching for his third AL MVP. In the other, it's Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, who's never finished in the top 10 of voting.The <a href="https://thescore.bet/sport/baseball/organization/united-states/competition/mlb/section/player-awards">betting odds</a> are tight. Judge, who seemed like a slam dunk at the All-Star break, is the favorite at -240. Meanwhile, Raleigh sits at +170 amid an unprecedented offensive campaign for a catcher.The margins should be razor-thin. Are we heading toward the first tie in MVP voting since Willie Stargell and Keith Hernandez shared the NL honor back in 1979? Let's break down the race.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>Who has the better bat? 💪</h3>Judge is having another otherworldly offensive season. The 33-year-old leads the majors in batting average (.324), on-base percentage (.443), slugging percentage (.674), OPS (1.117), wRC+ (196), and fWAR (7.9). He's also scored an AL-high 110 runs and leads that league with 97 walks. Judge missed some time due to a flexor strain and fell behind Raleigh in the homer chase as a result, but he's still projected to record 50-plus long balls in back-to-back seasons and for the fourth time in his 10-year career.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799624/Screenshot_2025-09-01_at_10.55.47_AM.jpg?ts=1756738591" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799624/Screenshot_2025-09-01_at_10.55.47_AM.jpg?ts=1756738591 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799624/Screenshot_2025-09-01_at_10.55.47_AM.jpg?ts=1756738591 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799624/Screenshot_2025-09-01_at_10.55.47_AM.jpg?ts=1756738591 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799624/Screenshot_2025-09-01_at_10.55.47_AM.jpg?ts=1756738591 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799624/Screenshot_2025-09-01_at_10.55.47_AM.jpg?ts=1756738591 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> </figcaption></figure>What Raleigh is doing with his lumber as a backstop has never been seen before. The 28-year-old is the first catcher with a 50-homer season after breaking the single-season record of 48 round-trippers by a primary catcher (Salvador Perez, 2021). Raleigh's nine multi-homer games in 2025 also represent a new franchise mark for the Mariners after passing some guy named Ken Griffey Jr. Raleigh needs five more blasts to topple Mickey Mantle's record 54 long balls by a switch-hitter in a single season. The catcher is also on pace to make a serious run at Judge's AL record of 62 homers from 2022, which would be the ultimate statement in the MVP race.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799625/Screenshot_2025-09-01_at_10.56.52_AM.jpg?ts=1756738642" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799625/Screenshot_2025-09-01_at_10.56.52_AM.jpg?ts=1756738642 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799625/Screenshot_2025-09-01_at_10.56.52_AM.jpg?ts=1756738642 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799625/Screenshot_2025-09-01_at_10.56.52_AM.jpg?ts=1756738642 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799625/Screenshot_2025-09-01_at_10.56.52_AM.jpg?ts=1756738642 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799625/Screenshot_2025-09-01_at_10.56.52_AM.jpg?ts=1756738642 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> </figcaption></figure>Edge: Judge gets the nod because of his superior slash line, but Raleigh's historic season is hard to ignore. 🧑‍⚖️<h3>Who's better defensively? 🧤</h3>Judge is a solid right fielder, but it remains unclear if he'll return to the outfield this year following the injury to his throwing arm. He continues to prepare to play in the field again, but even his own manager, Aaron Boone, questioned whether the superstar would be able to throw again normally in 2025. Judge disputed the skipper's assessment, but the uncertainty still lingers. This impacts the MVP race because Judge's value decreases if he can only play as a designated hitter.This is where Raleigh has a big advantage. The 2024 Platinum Glove and Gold Glove winner has a 12.9 defensive rating compared to Judge's minus-3.1 mark, according to FanGraphs. He also does a great job of controlling the running game, sitting in the top third in baseball in caught stealing above average. Raleigh's massive power numbers make it easy to forget he plays the most physically demanding position in baseball. He's already logged 103 games behind the plate this season and has made 481 appearances as a catcher since 2022. In addition, he needs to mentally prepare and execute a game plan with a pitcher - which he clearly does well, due to his elite framing.Edge: Raleigh is the clear winner here. 🔱<h3>Does team impact matter? 🤔</h3>There have been plenty of MVP winners from bad teams, but the individual's performance usually has to be head and shoulders above their peers to overshadow the collective's poor results. This isn't the case in 2025. So who wins the award could depend on how the Yankees and Mariners fare down the stretch. Both clubs currently sit in a wild-card position. However, should one team somehow miss the postseason, it could open up a tiny crack for the other MVP candidate. Alternatively, if New York (three games out of the AL East lead) or Seattle (two games out of the AL West lead) ends up winning a division title, that could be the difference.Edge: Too close to call. 🤏<h3>Time to vote ✍️</h3>The 2025 AL MVP is ... still up for major debate. Who do you think will win? Cast your vote below!<figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe width="640px" height="850px" src="https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=lKd39brCKkKoDREoACTP-dM0TzQGPaRKoF_DSHYHIhdUNjg3NDk0Q05RR0pHSkNUM0kzR08zR09LRy4u&amp;embed=true" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" style="border: none; max-width:100%; max-height:100vh" allowfullscreen="" webkitallowfullscreen="" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen=""> </iframe></figure><blockquote><a href="https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=lKd39brCKkKoDREoACTP-dM0TzQGPaRKoF_DSHYHIhdUNjg3NDk0Q05RR0pHSkNUM0kzR08zR09LRy4u">Click here to vote in our poll.</a></blockquote>

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Judge or Raleigh: Who's got the edge in AL MVP race?

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts isn't starting Teoscar Hernández for Sunday's series fin...

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts isn't starting <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4472" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/4472">Teoscar Hernández</a> for Sunday's series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks due to the outfielder's recent hitting slump."Clearly he hasn't handled right-handed pitching," Roberts said pregame, according to <a href="https://x.com/FabianArdaya/status/1962227689085091890">Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic</a>. "I think that a two-day reset could help. He's an everyday guy, but I do think that's where we're at. You've got to perform too."Hernández won't play Monday either, as the Dodgers are off before starting a series against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The 32-year-old is slashing .211/.237/.433 with five homers, three walks, and 30 strikeouts over 24 games in August.Roberts also <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3327582" href="https://thescore.com/news/3327582">called out</a> Hernández on Aug. 19 for his defense in a loss to the MLB-worst Colorado Rockies.Hernández has gone deep 21 times with 77 RBIs and a .732 OPS across 112 games this season. The 2024 All-Star signed a three-year, $66-million contract in the offseason after playing a key role in helping the Dodgers win the World Series.

MIAMI, FL - MAY 05: Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández (37) takes the field before the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Miami Marlins on Tuesday, ay 5, 2025 at LoanDepot Park in Miami, FL.

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The Chicago Cubs added veteran reinforcements for the stretch run.  The Cubs signed veteran first...

The Chicago Cubs added veteran reinforcements for the stretch run.The Cubs signed veteran first baseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/1370" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/1370">Carlos Santana</a> to a contract for the rest of the season, and claimed right-hander Aaron Civale off waivers from the Chicago White Sox, they announced.The Cleveland Guardians released Santana on Thursday after his third stint with the club over a 16-year career.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The 39-year-old has gone deep 11 times with 52 RBIs and a substandard .650 OPS over 116 games this year. However, he was productive in 2024 with the Minnesota Twins, recording 23 homers, 71 RBIs, and a .749 OPS across 150 contests to go along with his first Gold Glove.Santana will likely be a bench piece for the Cubs, with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12484" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/12484">Michael Busch</a> manning first. The former can also be used as a designated hitter.Civale, meanwhile, owns a 5.26 ERA with 1.37 WHIP and 7.5 K/9 over a combined 89 innings (18 starts) between the White Sox and Milwaukee Brewers in 2025.

CLEVELAND, OH - JULY 21: Carlos Santana #41 of the Cleveland Guardians runs to first base during the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on Monday, July 21, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio.

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Cubs sign Santana for rest of season, add Civale off waivers

The Toronto Blue Jays claimed utility man Isiah Kiner-Falefa off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pira...

The Toronto Blue Jays claimed utility man <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4693" href="/mlb/players/4693">Isiah Kiner-Falefa</a> off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates, the clubs announced Sunday.The Blue Jays traded Kiner-Falefa to the Pirates at last year's trade deadline for infield prospect Charles McAdoo.The 30-year-old Kiner-Falefa will be eligible for the playoffs because he'll join the Blue Jays before Sept. 1.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Kiner-Falefa has slashed .264/.300/.332 with one homer, 35 RBIs, and 15 stolen bases over 119 games this season. However, he put up the best offensive numbers of his eight-year career in 2024 with Toronto, recording seven long balls with a .758 OPS across 83 contests.The 2020 Gold Glover is also in the 69th percentile for outs above average.

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 27: Isiah Kiner-Falefa #7 of the Pittsburgh Pirates throws to first in the seventh inning during the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Friday, September 27, 2024 in New York, New York.

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NASCAR has promised a federal court it will not re-distribute any charters pending the conclusion...

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NASCAR has promised a federal court it will not re-distribute any charters pending the conclusion of the antitrust suit filed against the stock-car series by two race teams, one owned by Michael Jordan.
The Friday filing in the Western District of North Carolina comes one day after <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nascar-lawsuit-23xi-front-row-jordan-antitrust-texts-c9b3d22223672bf59b4decc3413c530d">a heated hearing in which 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports</a> argued for a preliminary injunction to have six charters restored to them until the jury trial, scheduled to begin Dec. 1.
NASCAR in multiple filings has indicated it immediately planned to re-distribute charters and has one interested party it could negotiate with right now. A charter is the equivalent of a franchise in other sports, and 23XI and FRM refused to sign the agreements last September and instead sued NASCAR, accusing the motorsports series owned and operated by the Florida-based France family as being bullies and monopolizing the stock-car racing market.
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There are 36 charters for a 40-car field and U.S. District Judge Kenneth Bell on Thursday repeatedly asked NASCAR why it couldn't take one of the four “open” ones to sell to an interested buyer, or come up with a contingency plan that would leave room to return charters to 23XI and FRM if NASCAR loses at trial.
The original four “open” charters are set aside for any potential new manufacturer to enter the sport. With the six from the two teams suing, there are technically 10 “open” charters right now. 23XI, which is owned by Basketball Hall of Famer Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin, and Front Row, owned by entrepreneur Bob Jenkins, want to be recognized as chartered for 2025 to receive significantly larger payouts than what they receive as “open” teams.
Bell said he would rule on the injunction next week although NASCAR's filing Friday calms some of the urgency in that the France family has promised not to sell the charters, a move the teams claim would put them out of business.
NASCAR said its commitment was voluntary and done for “NASCAR’s desire to focus both on growing the sport for the 2026 Cup Series season and preparing for the trial.”
NASCAR said in the filing it won't "issue, sell, convey, or lease any additional Charters for the 2025 Cup Series season," a declaration that covers all six charters.
NASCAR also said “it will not issue, sell, convey, or lease more than four additional Charters for the 2026 Cup Series season.”
Thursday's hearing revealed just how acrimonious it has become between NASCAR and the two teams through the disclosure of expletive-laden emails and text messages from Jordan and other high-profile litigants.
Of the 15 chartered organizations in NASCAR, only 23XI and FRM refused to sign the charter extensions. Many teams have said they felt cornered by NASCAR's final offer, which came with a deadline and a threat to revoke the charters if they did not sign within a day.
The teams used texts and emails to attempt to show how NASCAR bullied its way into a final charter agreement.
One, from Commissioner Steve Phelps, said: "Give them the charters, pick a date and they can sign or they can lose their charters — it is that simple.'
Scott Prime, vice president of strategic development, wrote: “We have all the leverage and the teams will almost have to sign whatever charter terms we put in front of them.”
Jordan and 23XI did not sign, and Jenkins and Front Row joined the NBA great in the lawsuit. Jordan said outside court Thursday he had been open to a settlement but is willing to see the case go to jury trial.
NASCAR halting any potential sale of charters does not technically stop Bell from issuing the preliminary injunction to the teams, which are trying to show the irreparable harm it will face if they don't have charters. 23XI driver Tyler Reddick has a clause in his contract that says he can leave the team if his car is not chartered and the team indicated in court Thursday that both Reddick and sponsors have notified them they are currently in breach.
The playoffs begin Sunday at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina and among the drivers in the 16-driver playoff field are Reddick and Bubba Wallace of 23XI and Hamlin, who drives for Joe Gibbs Racing. All three said they believe they can <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nascar-lawsuit-23xi-front-row-jordan-antitrust-texts-c9b3d22223672bf59b4decc3413c530d">fairly compete for the Cup Series title while the lawsuit is ongoing.</a>
___
AP auto racing: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing">https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing</a>
</div>

AUSTIN, TX - MARCH 02 a 23XI logo is on the front of Tyler Reddick (#45 23XI Racing The Beast Toyota) during the NASCAR Cup Series Echopark Texas Grand Prix on March 02,2025 at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, TX.

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NASCAR promises not to redistribute charters amid antitrust suit

The Boston Red Sox released struggling right-hander Walker Buehler on Friday.  Buehler, who signe...

The Boston Red Sox released struggling right-hander <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8193" href="/mlb/players/8193">Walker Buehler</a> on Friday.Buehler, who signed a one-year, $21.05-million contract last offseason, lost his spot in the Red Sox rotation after posting a 5.40 ERA, 5.83 FIP, and 4.4 BB/9 over 110 innings (22 starts).The former two-time All-Star allowed two earned runs on two hits (one homer) over 2 1/3 innings in his only relief appearance Sunday in a loss to the New York Yankees. The game marked the first time he pitched out of the bullpen since his 2018 rookie campaign with the Los Angeles Dodgers.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The 31-year-old recorded the final out of the 2024 season to win his second World Series with the Dodgers before joining the Red Sox. Buehler hasn't reached his previous form since returning from Tommy John surgery in May 2024. He authored a 5.38 ERA over 75 1/3 innings (16 starts) with Los Angeles during the 2024 regular season after recording a 2.95 ERA across a combined 629 innings (106 starts) from 2018-22.Boston selected top pitching prospect Payton Tolle to make his MLB debut Friday against Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes. The team also optioned outfielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/16328" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/16328">Jhostynxon Garcia</a> and recalled infielder Nick Sogard.Tolle, 22, is the No. 2-ranked prospect in the Red Sox system and No. 28 overall, according to <a href="https://www.mlb.com/milb/prospects">MLB Pipeline</a>. The left-hander owns a 3.44 ERA with 133 strikeouts in 91 2/3 innings (18 starts) between three minor-league levels in 2025.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 06: Walker Buehler #0 of the Boston Red Sox reacts against the New York Yankees during the first inning at Yankee Stadium on June 06, 2025 in the Bronx borough of New York City.

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Red Sox release Buehler, promote top pitching prospect Tolle

Seattle Mariners outfielder Victor Robles will serve a seven-game suspension starting Friday for ...

Seattle Mariners outfielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5395" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/5395">Victor Robles</a> will serve a seven-game suspension starting Friday for throwing his bat in the direction of a pitcher during a minor-league rehab game.Robles was <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3327891" href="https://thescore.com/news/3327891">initially banned</a> for 10 games after the Aug. 17 incident but saw his punishment reduced following an appeal.The 28-year-old will be eligible to return Sept. 6 against the Atlanta Braves.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The Mariners activated Robles off the injured list last Sunday. He went 2-for-13 with two RBIs over four games while appealing his suspension.Robles has played in just 14 contests this season. He's missed the majority of the 2025 campaign while recovering from a dislocated shoulder sustained in early April.

SEATTLE, WA - AUGUST 02: Victor Robles #10 of the Seattle Mariners rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at T-Mobile Park on August 2, 2024 in Seattle, Washington.

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Mariners' Robles to serve 7-game ban for throwing bat at pitcher

The Toronto Blue Jays and designated hitter Eloy Jiménez have agreed to a minor-league contract, ...

The Toronto Blue Jays and designated hitter <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wbc/players/8146" href="https://thescore.com/wbc/players/8146">Eloy Jiménez</a> have agreed to a minor-league contract, a source told <a href="https://x.com/bnicholsonsmith/status/1961418758200660343">Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet</a>.Jiménez hasn't played in the majors this season. He recorded a .278/.335/.397 slash line with three homers and 29 RBIs over 40 Triple-A games in the Tampa Bay Rays' minor-league system, but hasn't played since July 1.The 28-year-old was one of the best prospects in baseball before debuting with the Chicago White Sox during the 2019 campaign, going deep 31 times with 79 RBIs and an .828 OPS across 122 games en route to finishing fourth in AL Rookie of the Year voting. He was also named a Silver Slugger during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Jiménez famously signed a six-year, $43-million contract before playing a single MLB game.However, Jiménez's career has been derailed by injuries, as he logged just 412 games over the next five seasons following his rookie year. He was traded to the Baltimore Orioles in July 2024 before signing a minors pact with the Rays last offseason.

DENVER, COLORADO - SEPTEMBER 1: Eloy Jiménez #72 bats in the ninth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on September 1, 2024 in Denver, Colorado.

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Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager is undergoing surgery Thursday for an appendectomy after fee...

Texas Rangers shortstop <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/3924" href="/mlb/players/3924">Corey Seager</a> is undergoing surgery Thursday for an appendectomy after feeling pain in his appendix before Wednesday's game, president of baseball operations Chris Young said, according to <a href="https://x.com/JeffWilsonTXR/status/1961159547478774054">Jeff Wilson of DLLS Sports</a>.Young <a href="https://x.com/JeffWilsonTXR/status/1961159788198322222">added</a> that the Rangers aren't sure of Seager's recovery timetable but haven't ruled out his potential return this season.The two-time World Series MVP has 21 homers with 50 RBIs and an .860 OPS over 102 games in 2025.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Texas is planning to use <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/13856" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/13856">Josh Smith</a> for the majority of the time at shortstop with Seager sidelined, according to <a href="https://x.com/JeffWilsonTXR/status/1961161999922122846">Wilson</a>.Utility man <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5688" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/5688">Dylan Moore</a>, who signed a minor-league deal Tuesday, will join the team Friday. He's started 93 games at short over his seven-year career.The Rangers have been hit with significant injuries over the last two weeks, losing <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/2345" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/2345">Nathan Eovaldi</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/3420" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/3420">Marcus Semien</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/14466" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/14466">Evan Carter</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4229" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/4229">Jon Gray</a> either long term or for the rest of the season.Texas enters Thursday's action 4.5 games out of the AL's final wild-card spot.

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 10: Corey Seager #5 of the Texas Rangers reacts after his home run was robbed in the fifth inning during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Globe Life Field on August 10, 2025 in Arlington, Texas.

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Rangers' Seager to undergo appendectomy, return uncertain

The Milwaukee Brewers placed reliever Trevor Megill on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a f...

The Milwaukee Brewers placed reliever <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9872" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9872">Trevor Megill</a> on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a flexor strain in his right pitching arm.Megill said he underwent imaging Tuesday that revealed the Grade 1 strain."Nothing too serious. No damage to the ligament," Megill told reporters, including <a href="https://x.com/Todd_Rosiak/status/1960794826473160924">Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel</a>. "(I've) kind of been grinding through it over the last week, and 34 pitches (Sunday versus the San Francisco Giants) wasn't it."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>He added, "My intentions are to be off for 15 (days), and I'm going to do everything in my power to make that happen."The All-Star closer owns a 2.54 ERA with 30 saves and 11.3 K/9 over 49 appearances for the MLB-leading Brewers this season.Milwaukee signed veteran starter <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5396" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/5396">Erick Fedde</a> for the rest of the season to take Megill's spot on the active roster.The Atlanta Braves released Fedde on Sunday after acquiring the right-hander from the St. Louis Cardinals at the end of July.The 32-year-old authored a 5.76 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, and 76 strikeouts across a combined 125 innings (24 starts) between the Braves and Cardinals in 2025.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 21: Trevor Megill #29 of the Milwaukee Brewers pitches in a game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on August 21, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The legal fight between NASCAR and two race teams, one owned by Basketball...

<div>
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nascar-antitrust-lawsuit-michael-jordan-68a39df51b963a1e1be6ba37d6cf02c3">legal fight between NASCAR and two race teams</a>, one owned by Basketball Hall of Famer Michael Jordan, heated up Monday ahead of a critical court hearing as both sides filed new motions over antitrust claims.
NASCAR said in its filing in the Western District of North Carolina that it plans to issue one of the charters held by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports to a team whose name is redacted in the document. It said it would do so ahead of the 2026 season.
Front Row and 23XI counterclaimed that selling charters will put them out of business. Additionally, 23XI says driver Tyler Reddick has given it a notice of breach of contract because his car is not chartered, and sponsors have begun scaling back their partnerships.
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Both sides are due in court Thursday before U.S. District Judge Kenneth Bell as 23XI and Front Row seek an injunction to prevent NASCAR from selling the charters until the case has been settled. The case is scheduled to go to trial Dec. 1.
A charter is the equivalent of a franchise tag in other sports and the status guarantees an entry a spot in each 40-car field, as well as financial incentives. NASCAR and its teams went through more than two years of bitter negotiations on charter extensions, with the teams fighting to have them made permanent.
When a final offer was presented to the teams last year — days before the playoff-opening race — the deal was a seven-year extension with an additional seven-year option beyond that. NASCAR got 13 organizations to sign, but <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nascar-charters-michael-jordan-423f18857461af57fc7da7bd7f2dd130">23XI and Front Row did not</a> and instead filed the federal antitrust suit.
The two teams have six entries between them and initially won a temporary injunction to be recognized as chartered as the case heads to trial. That has <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nascar-lawsuit-44fc9653750ff8ec44d2e9a08c2644ee">since been overturned</a> and the teams have appealed, but NASCAR has notified the court it plans to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nascar-antitrust-lawsuit-jordan-charters-760a5df70db595d5c40b75b12cdf7845">start issuing the six charters to others</a> and wants back the money that 23XI and Front Row were paid when they were recognized as chartered earlier this season.
The <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nascar-playoffs-darlington-larson-bowman-blaney-byron-6daf81d62b055a4642ff2cb1e188f541">playoffs begin Sunday</a> at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina. Among the 16 championship contenders are 23XI Racing drivers Reddick and Bubba Wallace, as well as team co-owner Denny Hamlin, who drives for Joe Gibbs Racing.
In Monday's filing, the teams say they have “smoking-gun documents” that show NASCAR wants to force competitors to sign “one-sided” charter deals. The teams also allege NASCAR acted illegally in trying to exclude competition.
The teams also accused NASCAR of “bullying and retaliatory behavior” and said “teams were forced to accept below competitive market prices, and have the same standing as college athletes or UFC athletes who also were forced to accept below market prices.”
Because the six charters held between 23XI and Front Row have been returned, NASCAR is arguing the teams never really had them, never signed charter agreements and it has enough interest in them to begin reissuing them. NASCAR also says it cannot be forced to do business with parties it does not want to do business with.
The counterclaim argues NASCAR issued a “retaliatory threat” to sell the charters and doing so will put them out of business and NASCAR has so far done little to disprove the antitrust allegations.
“Much of <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nascar-lawsuit-antitrust-michael-jordan-3c3e3f184ac062b44231528cfad51d5e">NASCAR’s Opposition</a> is filled with personal attacks on Plaintiffs, the racing teams, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nascar-antitrust-lawsuit-9cc1f778f63e357cbba1f274eb98a2f7">Curtis Polk</a> and anyone else who has dared to challenge NASCAR’s monopoly,” the teams said. “None of these attacks have anything to do with the merits of Plaintiff’s antitrust claims against NASCAR or Plaintiff’s pressing need for a preliminary injunction. This should be disregarded by the Court as yet another effort by NASCAR to distract from it’s unlawful conduct.”
___
AP auto racing: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing">https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing</a>
</div>

HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 27: Michael Jordan, NBA Hall of Famer and co-owner of 23XI Racing looks on from the grid during the NASCAR Cup Series Straight Talk Wireless 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on October 27, 2024 in Homestead, Florida.

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Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. batted third and served as the designated h...

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8267" href="/mlb/players/8267">Vladimir Guerrero Jr.</a> batted third and served as the designated hitter in his return to the lineup Monday against the Minnesota Twins after missing four games with hamstring inflammation.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
A six-game homestand starts tonight 😃 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/lightsupletsgo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#lightsupletsgo</a> <a href="https://t.co/PfguIDGIhR">pic.twitter.com/PfguIDGIhR</a>— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) <a href="https://twitter.com/BlueJays/status/1960054808074977448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Guerrero had one pinch-hit plate appearance during Sunday's loss to the Miami Marlins. He popped out with two runners on and the Blue Jays down by two in the eighth inning.The 26-year-old hurt his left hamstring last Monday after doing the splits at first base on a defensive play versus the Pittsburgh Pirates.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Guerrero's hit 21 homers to go along with 69 RBIs and an .892 OPS over 125 games for the AL East-leading Blue Jays this season.

TORONTO, ON - JULY 22 - Toronto Blue Jays first base Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) celebrates hitting a lead off single in the ninth inning as the Toronto Blue Jays fall to the New York Yankees 5-4 at Rogers Centre in Toronto. July 22, 2025.

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Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh is the first backstop in MLB history to hit 49 home runs in ...

Seattle Mariners catcher <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/10827" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/10827">Cal Raleigh</a> is the first backstop in MLB history to hit 49 home runs in a single season.Raleigh swatted his second homer in the second inning of Sunday's 11-4 win over the Athletics to break <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/2082" href="/mlb/players/2082">Salvador Perez</a>'s 2021 record for a primary catcher.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
SECOND OF THE DAY AND NO. 49 ON THE YEAR! Cal Raleigh has now hit the most home runs in a season by a primary catcher (min. 75% of games caught)! <a href="https://t.co/O6cmvva4bC">pic.twitter.com/O6cmvva4bC</a>— MLB (@MLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1959719874806300973?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Raleigh tied Perez in the first inning with blast No. 48.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
No. 48 for Big Dumper! Cal Raleigh matches Salvador Perez (2021) for the most homers in a season by a primary catcher (min. 75% of games at the position)! <a href="https://t.co/8zoYumXlM5">pic.twitter.com/8zoYumXlM5</a>— MLB (@MLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1959713220123673087?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>"I'd say the hardest part is just trying to stay focused on the main goal, and that's winning baseball games and helping this team get to where we need to get to," Raleigh said postgame, according to <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/cal-raleigh-most-homers-in-a-season-by-primary-catcher">Daniel Kramer of MLB.com</a>. The win, combined with the Astros' loss Sunday, moved the Mariners within two games of AL West leader Houston."And obviously, doing this stuff has been awesome and amazing, but at the same time it's more focusing on the other guys in that room, focusing on the pitchers, focusing on the team goals, rather than myself."The 28-year-old All-Star collected his ninth multi-homer game of 2025, which is a new Mariners record after breaking a tie with Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. from 1997.Raleigh now has the most multi-homer games by a switch-hitter in a single season, passing Mickey Mantle's mark from 1961.Raleigh's compiled 7.3 fWAR this season, which is tied with New York Yankees captain <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4773" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/4773">Aaron Judge</a> for the highest total in the majors this year. The two players are favorites for AL MVP with just over a month left in the regular season in what could end up being a very tight race for the award.

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - AUGUST 24: Julio Rodríguez #44 of the Seattle Mariners tries to dump ice water on Cal Raleigh #29 of the Seattle Mariners as he runs away after the game at T-Mobile Park on August 24, 2025 in Seattle, Washington.

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The Baltimore Orioles signed top catching prospect Samuel Basallo to an eight-year contract exten...

The Baltimore Orioles signed top catching prospect <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/17667" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/17667">Samuel Basallo</a> to an eight-year contract extension with a 2034 club option, the club announced Friday.The deal is worth $67 million guaranteed and includes a $5-million signing bonus, a source told <a href="https://x.com/JeffPassan/status/1958951667694514543">Jeff Passan of ESPN</a>.Basallo's new pact, which is the largest pre-arbitration extension for a catcher, will start next season and can max out at $88.5 million with performance bonuses and escalators, according to <a href="https://x.com/JeffPassan/status/1958882531572420837">Passan</a>.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Per source, Samuel Basallo contract by year: 2026: $1 million 2027: $1 m 2028: $1 m 2029: $4 m 2030: $7 m 2031: $11 m 2032: $15 m 2033: $15 m 2034: Club option for $18 m, buyout for $7 m. Signing bonus of $5 million— Andy Kostka (@afkostka) <a href="https://twitter.com/afkostka/status/1958992168112242792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 22, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>"The agreement with Samuel is just a catalyst for the next exciting period of Orioles baseball," team owner David Rubenstein said in a statement. "I thank Mike Elias, Koby Perez, and the entire baseball operations group for their effort and diligence in securing Samuel as a key piece of the future of the organization."The 21-year-old has played in just four games after making his MLB debut Sunday. He's gone 4-for-14 with five RBIs since getting promoted but hit 23 homers with 67 RBIs and a .966 OPS over 76 contests in Triple-A this season.Basallo's deal is also interesting considering the Orioles already have <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12256" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/12256">Adley Rutschman</a> as their starting catcher. The 27-year-old two-time All-Star has struggled during an injury-plagued 2025 campaign but is arbitration-eligible through 2027.However, Orioles manager Tony Mansolino said he believes having strong catching depth is a strength."Any time you have two guys that can catch at a high level, on a big-league team, you have a massive advantage over teams that don't," Mansolino added, according to <a href="https://x.com/ByMattWeyrich/status/1958985753045692436">Matt Weyrich of the Baltimore Sun</a>.

HOUSTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 17: Samuel Basallo #29 of the Baltimore Orioles bats in the seventh inning of his MLB debut against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on August 17, 2025 in Houston, Texas.

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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — NASCAR returns to Daytona International Speedway to finalize its 16-ca...

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — NASCAR returns to Daytona International Speedway to finalize its 16-car playoff lineup, with two spots up for grabs and a win-and-you’re-in opportunity for any driver yet to visit victory lane this season.Tyler Reddick and Alex Bowman hold the final two tenuous positions in the Cup Series points standings heading into Saturday night’s race, but neither is locked into the championship chase. Reddick is last year’s regular-season champion and even made it to the title-deciding finale, and Bowman drives for mighty Hendrick Motorsports, a team expected to have all four drivers in the playoffs every year.Reddick has a 29-point advantage over Bowman and was runner-up to William Byron — this year’s regular-season champion — in the Daytona 500. But there’s no guarantee he will join 23XI Racing teammate Bubba Wallace in the playoff field: a first-time winner Saturday would claim one of the open spots, and if Bowman outpoints Reddick at Daytona, Bowman would get the second shot.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Reddick has an average finish of 23rd at Daytona, which ranks as his worst among active tracks, and he was a season-low 34th at Richmond last week.Bowman, meanwhile, is the only Hendrick driver without a win this season and holds a 60-point lead over Ryan Preece of RFK Motorsports for the final spot in the playoff field. Bowman statistically holds an advantage — he has four top 10s in his last five starts at Daytona and his average finish of 8.6 in the last 10 races is best among full-time drivers — while Preece has finished 31st or worse in four of the last five races at Daytona.It’s no consolation to Bowman, who had to defend himself from constant chatter during 2024 that he wasn’t worthy of his seat at Hendrick.“I am incredibly stressed out. Anyone who knows me knows I stress myself out over every situation. That’s just me. I can’t avoid it,” Bowman said. “I think for me, walking out of there Saturday night, as long as we maximized what we could, did the things that we can control correctly and didn’t mess it up on our side, whatever the result is, I’m sure we’ll have a shot at it.”Bowman has only missed the playoffs once (2023) in eight seasons with Hendrick.Other contendersFront Row Motorsports does not have a driver qualified for the playoffs but has won the pole for six of the last nine races on drafting tracks, which consists of Daytona and Talladega.For Ricky Stenhouse Jr., a win would get him into the playoffs and all four of his Cup Series career victories have come on drafting tracks. He won the 2023 Daytona 500 but has not finished higher than 18th in four Daytona races since.Richard Childress Racing received a boost last week when <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nascar-cup-richmond-dillon-childress-6b3d61f67be3447e3781c0c6a3a7d36c">Austin Dillon won at Richmond to earn a playoff spot</a>, but Kyle Busch is still on the outside. Busch was runner-up at Daytona last August, but he doesn’t return to the track with any momentum: Busch has not led a lap in the last 13 races, the longest streak in his career.Chris Buescher of RFK Racing could be a spoiler Saturday with four top 10s, including a win, in his last five starts at Daytona. But he’s also battling his boss, team co-owner Brad Keselowski, who must win to make the playoffs.Keselowski has seven wins on drafting tracks, none, though, since 2021 at Talladega. And he’s logged an average finish of 23.8 at Daytona since his 2016 victory on the superspeedway.Win and inOnly two times in this playoff format has a driver won the final regular-season race to come from below the cutline to claim the final spot in the playoffs. Dillon did it at Daytona in 2022 and Chase Briscoe did it last year at Darlington.Erik Jones thinks it can be done again. Jones, at 23rd in the standings, has to win to make the playoffs for Legacy Motor Club. He won at Daytona in 2018 when he drove for Joe Gibbs Racing and likes that the finale is back at Daytona, host from 2020 to 2023, before Darlington got it last year. “I think there are some places we could have gone to this weekend that we’d say, ‘Well, this is probably it for us; we’ll just try to do the best we can and finish as high in points as we can,'" Jones said. "But I think there’s honestly a lot of optimism for (Daytona). Our year could change very quickly. There’s no reason why we couldn’t win here. That’s the way I like to look at it. We definitely feel like (Saturday) could be a big night.”___AP auto racing: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing">https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing</a>

ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 28: Alex Bowman (#48 Hendrick Motorsports Ally Chevrolet) and Tyler Reddick (#45 23XI Racing Upper Deck Toyota) race side by side during the running of the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 on June 28, 2025, at EchoPark Speedway in Hampton, GA.

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NASCAR's Daytona race to finalize playoff lineup with 2 spots left

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