Bryce Harper drops appeal, will sit out tonight's game

Bryce Harper drops appeal, will sit out tonight's game
Bryce Harper has dropped the appeal of his one-game suspension and will sit out tonight's game against the Marlins, a decision that allows the reigning league MVP to play in next week's showdown between the Nationals and Mets at Citi Field. Harper had initially appealed Major League Baseball's suspension, which was handed down Wednesday in the wake of his ninth-inning ejection two nights earlier, subsequent return to the field and cursing at plate umpire Brian Knight seconds after teammate...

Bryce Harper suspended one game, playing tonight after appeal

Bryce Harper suspended one game, playing tonight after appeal
Bryce Harper has been suspended one game and fined an undisclosed amount by Major League Baseball for his actions following his ninth-inning ejection Monday night, but the reigning National League MVP is appealing the decision and remains eligible to play for the Nationals tonight against former teammate Jordan Zimmermann. Harper was suspended by Joe Garagiola Jr., MLB's senior vice president of standards and on-field operations, who in a news release announcing the punishment said it was...

MLB partners with D.C. Grays to bring RBI program to town

MLB partners with D.C. Grays to bring RBI program to town
It's Jackie Robinson Day, which means every player and every coach in the major leagues today is wearing a nameless No. 42 jersey. All sorts of other honors are planned to commemorate the 69th anniversary of Robinson breaking baseball's color barrier, and all of them will deservedly receive plenty of attention. This annual occasion, though, also serves as a reminder that for all the progress baseball (and society as a whole) has made since April 15, 1947, there still is so much more progress...

Netting expanding to far edge of dugouts at Nationals Park

Netting expanding to far edge of dugouts at Nationals Park
VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals are expanding the netting behind the plate at their ballpark this season in response to Major League Baseball's recent push for better fan safety. The netting at Nationals Park, which previously sat between the two dugouts, now will extend to the far end of each dugout. "In December, Major League Baseball released new guidelines regarding field netting," said Jennifer Giglio, Nationals vice president of communications. "An internal review of those guidelines led...

A look at MLB commissioner Rob Manfred one year into the job

A look at MLB commissioner Rob Manfred one year into the job
On Jan. 25, Rob Manfred celebrated his one-year anniversary as commissioner of Major League Baseball. He started a five-year term last year as Bud Selig's successor. Manfred served as MLB's vice president of labor relations before being named the league's chief operating officer in 2013. A Harvard Law graduate, he had served as the head of labor negotiations for 19 years since the 1994 strike and he was a key component in implementing baseball's current drug testing system. Manfred has a...

Cal Ripken Jr. named MLB youth programs advisor (updated with quotes)

Cal Ripken Jr. named MLB youth programs advisor (updated with quotes)
NASHVILLE - Cal Ripken Jr. has been named the new senior advisor to the commissioner on youth programs and outreach. Commissioner Rob Manfred will make the announcement later this afternoon at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. Ripken stays busy with his youth baseball complex, ownership of the Aberdeen IronBirds, analyst duties with TBS, overseeing the charitable foundation named after his late father and sorted other endeavors. What's one more job for baseball's Iron...

MLB's next labor contract could address the schedule, roster size and more

MLB's next labor contract could address the schedule, roster size and more
There is labor peace in Major League Baseball. There was a time when that was not close to true, but now it is. Since April, 1995 there has been one work stoppage in the National Football League, two in the National Hockey League and three in the National Basketball Association. During that time span, there were none in MLB. The players and owners obviously don't always see eye-to-eye on everything, but they both realize that the sport overall is incredibly healthy and it is now a business...

With three weeks left in regular season, exciting storylines developing around MLB

With three weeks left in regular season, exciting storylines developing around MLB
With three weeks left in the season, the Mets, Dodgers, Blue Jays and Royals have wrapped up division championships even though official the clinch is yet to come. Still, there are good storylines: - The Yankees beat the Blue Jays 5-0 to avoid a sweep Sunday, but they are still in a free-fall in the American League East, considering they had a seven-game lead on July 28. A title looks remote, and it could be that the wild card lead they have is shaky as well. Texas and Houston, leaders in the...

Handicapping the major awards at the midpoint of the season

Handicapping the major awards at the midpoint of the season
As the All-Star Game approaches, here are candidates for baseball's major awards based on the the first half of play: * AL Manager of the Year: A.J. Hinch, Houston; Joe Girardi, New York, Paul Molitor, Minnesota. ... Any of these could win the award, but Hinch is leading Houston's turnaround with two starters, Dallas Keuchel and Collin McHugh, and a lineup that doesn't have a .300 hitter. Jose Altuve was hitting .298 going into Friday. ... Girardi has a dominating bullpen, but there are...

Hot-hitting Paredes had long journey to Orioles (with other MLB notes)

Hot-hitting Paredes had long journey to Orioles (with other MLB notes)
Jimmy Paredes' eight-year journey to the Orioles, as well as a spot among the American League's batting leaders, has a Houston Astros connection to it. The New York Yankees signed Paredes in 2004, and when the Yankees needed an experienced bat for their 2010 stretch run to the American League East title, they traded Paredes to the Astros in a deal that brought then designated hitter/first baseman Lance Berkman. The Astros figured Paredes would be their second baseman, but when Jose Altuve...

Quicker pace: Speed-up rules working with minor adjustments

Quicker pace: Speed-up rules working with minor adjustments
For six weeks, baseball's new pick-up-the-pace rules have been in place, and while the average time of game has been cut by nine minutes, the real question is this: Has anyone really noticed the quicker pace? "We don't want our players thinking about it,'' Nationals manager Matt Williams said. "But, there haven't been any issues.'' Toronto outfielder Jose Bautista agreed: "There's been no adjustments.'' And Orioles manager Buck Showalter wondered if a family of four who attends a...

Williams: Accelerated pace of games has not affected quality of play

Williams: Accelerated pace of games has not affected quality of play
Major League Baseball's enhanced pace-of-play initiatives have been in place since spring training, first in the Grapefruit and Cactus leagues and now at ballparks around the American and National leagues. A timer can be seen counting down at the end of each half inning. It is located below the giant video board in right-center field at Nationals Park and is used under these MLB guidelines: "Immediately following the third out of each half-inning, the timer will count down from 2:25 for...

A breakdown of the non-waiver trade deadline

A breakdown of the non-waiver trade deadline
Teams across baseball loaded up on pitching and the final day before the non-waiver deadline didn't disappoint with big-name players going everywhere. Here's a breakdown: * Oakland: The Athletics added lefty John Lester to a rotation that already has Jeff Samardzija, Jason Hammel, Scott Kazmir and Sonny Gray and this should help them correct a trend: Since 2000, they've been to the postseason seven times, but have advanced past the first round just once. A platoon of Jonny Gomes and Sam...

MLB announces change to transfer rule

MLB announces change to transfer rule
Orioles manager Buck Showalter told reporters in Boston over the weekend that Major League Baseball would make a significant adjustment to the controversial transfer rule within the next few weeks. That was the word on the street. It happened today. MLB announced that the Playing Rules Committee has provided its official view of how umpires should apply the rules when a fielder loses possession of a ball when attempting to transfer it to his throwing hand. The change will be implemented...

Guillen's latest remarks have him in hottest water yet

Guillen's latest remarks have him in hottest water yet
Ozzie Guillen's steady stream of inappropriate comments has generally been forgotten, but watching his press conference from Miami on Tuesday, you get the idea that the Cuban community that hates Fidel Castro is not going to be as forgiving. Guillen, the 48-year-old and Miami Marlins manager, spent 50 minutes apologizing in English and Spanish for his remarks in Time magazine about how he loves and respects Castro, the dictator that destroyed thousands of lives after he took over...

Expanded playoffs in 2012? No way!

Expanded playoffs in 2012? No way!
During a meeting with reporters in New York this week, Commissioner Bud Selig said that baseball is considering expanded playoffs for 2012, meaning 10 teams, instead of eight, will be vying for the World Series. The format is undetermined, but the two wild card teams in each league will likely play a one-game playoff or a three-game series to advance. Can't baseball learn from the NHL or NBA, where the playoffs never end, that more is not better, especially trying to play a summer game in...

Examining key questions in the American League East

Examining key questions in the American League East
Over the winter, the Rays, defending American League East champions, saw their roster dismantled. The Yankees were rejected by Cliff Lee and struggled for pitching. The Red Sox reloaded with speed and defense. The Orioles have legitimate buzz and the Blue Jays keep getting better. The Orioles open this evening in Tampa Bay, so let's take a look at some of the questions surrounding the AL East: The best way to watch the Birds this season: Enjoy the offense and hope the young pitchers...

Looking at key questions in the National League East

Looking at key questions in the National League East
For the first time in their seven-year history, the Nationals have a chance to finish better than fourth. The Braves will win the National League East and the Mets will debate trading David Wright. Baseball begins today, so that means a steady stream of questions: The Braves are my pick to beat the Phillies, but there are concerns: Will Chipper Jones' knee hold up and how productive can he be at 38? Outfielder Nate McLouth had a strong spring, but will that give him enough confidence to...