INSIDER
Being an MLB catcher is grueling work. That's not slowing this year's best on offense
Read full article: Being an MLB catcher is grueling work. That's not slowing this year's best on offenseCatchers are finding a way to contribute as much at the plate as behind it while withstanding the challenges that come from playing the gameās most taxing position.
Contreras' injury highlights the danger of big league catchers moving closer to home plate
Read full article: Contreras' injury highlights the danger of big league catchers moving closer to home plateWhen Willson Contreras was struck on his left arm by a swing, it was felt by former and current catchers all over the major leagues.
Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras breaks left forearm when hit by J.D. Martinez's bat
Read full article: Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras breaks left forearm when hit by J.D. Martinez's batCardinals catcher Willson Contreras broke his left forearm when he was hit by a swing during their game against the New York Mets.
Wainwright gets 200th win as the Cardinals blank the Brewers 1-0
Read full article: Wainwright gets 200th win as the Cardinals blank the Brewers 1-0Adam Wainwright earned his 200th win, pitching seven innings of four-hit ball in a vintage performance as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Milwaukee Brewers 1-0.
Cardinals' Mikolas suspended 5 games and fined for intentionally throwing at Cubs' Happ
Read full article: Cardinals' Mikolas suspended 5 games and fined for intentionally throwing at Cubs' HappSt. Louis Cardinals pitcher Miles Mikolas was suspended for five games and fined an undisclosed amount by Major League Baseball on Friday for intentionally throwing at Ian Happ of the Chicago Cubs.
Cubs' Happ hits Cardinals catcher Contreras in head with follow-through, then gets hit by pitch
Read full article: Cubs' Happ hits Cardinals catcher Contreras in head with follow-through, then gets hit by pitchChicago Cubs outfielder Ian Happ hit St. Louis catcher Willson Contreras in the head with a long follow-through on a swing, then was soon hit himself by a pitch from Cardinals starter Miles Mikolas.
Cardinals rally for 7-5 win over the Cubs to split London series
Read full article: Cardinals rally for 7-5 win over the Cubs to split London seriesPaul Goldschmidt hit a go-ahead RBI single that chased Chicago starter Marcus Stroman in the fourth inning and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Cubs 7-5 to earn a split of their weekend series at London Stadium.
Cardinals hit 7 home runs at home for first time in 83 years, power past Dodgers 16-8
Read full article: Cardinals hit 7 home runs at home for first time in 83 years, power past Dodgers 16-8Willson Contreras hit two three-run homers, Nolan Gorman also homered twice and the St. Louis Cardinals went deep seven times in a home game for the first time in 83 years to power past the Los Angeles Dodgers 16-8.
MLB warns teams that batters may not try to trick pitchers into clock violations
Read full article: MLB warns teams that batters may not try to trick pitchers into clock violationsTeams have been warned by Major League Baseball that batters may not attempt to deceive pitchers into quick-pitch violations.
Astros celebrate, Cubs-Cardinals in London mark schedule
Read full article: Astros celebrate, Cubs-Cardinals in London mark scheduleBaseball's 2023 season begins with another celebration for the Houston Astros, and Jacob deGrom returns to New York on another big day on this year's major league schedule.
Cards' Wainwright, Molina make record 325th start as battery
Read full article: Cards' Wainwright, Molina make record 325th start as batterySt. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright and catcher Yadier Molina have made their 325th career start together, setting a major league record for most as a battery.
Pujols reaches 695 HRs, Mikolas goes 8 in Cards' win vs Cubs
Read full article: Pujols reaches 695 HRs, Mikolas goes 8 in Cards' win vs CubsAlbert Pujols hit his 695th career home run in the eighth inning and Miles Mikolas tossed eight scoreless innings to help the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Chicago Cubs 2-0.
Cardinals' Goldschmidt has 2 HR, 5 RBIs in 8-3 win over Cubs
Read full article: Cardinals' Goldschmidt has 2 HR, 5 RBIs in 8-3 win over CubsPaul Goldschmidt slugged his 32nd and 33rd homers and had five RBIs, Corey Dickerson set a franchise record for consecutive hits and the St. Louis Cardinals rolled to an 8-3 win over the Chicago Cubs.
Contreras salutes fans, helps Cubs win 6th in row, top Bucs
Read full article: Contreras salutes fans, helps Cubs win 6th in row, top BucsWillson Contreras drew a standing ovation in perhaps his last home game at Wrigley Field, then keyed an early burst as the Chicago Cubs beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-2 for their season-high sixth straight win.
Kershaw to start All-Star Game for NL, McClanahan for AL
Read full article: Kershaw to start All-Star Game for NL, McClanahan for ALLos Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw will start for the National League on Tuesday night in the first All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium since 1980, and Tampa Bayās Shane McClanahan will be on the mound for the American League.
Orioles beat Cubs 7-1, extend winning streak to 10 games
Read full article: Orioles beat Cubs 7-1, extend winning streak to 10 gamesAnthony Santander hit a two-run double to spark Baltimoreās three-run first inning, Spenser Watkins and four relievers scattered six hits and the Orioles extended their winning streak to 10 games with a 7-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs.
Willson, William Contreras 5th brothers to start All-Star
Read full article: Willson, William Contreras 5th brothers to start All-StarAtlanta Braves designated hitter William Contreras joined Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras as just the fifth brothers to start together in baseballās All-Star Game.
Ohtani a 2-way All-Star again; 6 Yankees, 5 Braves, Astros
Read full article: Ohtani a 2-way All-Star again; 6 Yankees, 5 Braves, AstrosLos Angeles Angels sensation Shohei Ohtani repeated as a two-way All-Star when he was picked for the AL pitching staff, two days after he was elected to start at designated hitter.
Trout, Ohtani, Betts, Turner to start All-Star Game in LA
Read full article: Trout, Ohtani, Betts, Turner to start All-Star Game in LAMike Trout and Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels were elected Friday to start in the July 19 All-Star Game along with Mookie Betts and Trea Turner of the host Dodgers.
Boston's Xander Bogaerts out for Monday's game vs Rays
Read full article: Boston's Xander Bogaerts out for Monday's game vs RaysRed Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts will not be in the starting lineup for a game against Tampa Bay after leaving a day earlier with a cut on his left thigh that required seven stitches.
Newly promoted Cruz, Madris spark Pirates, rout Cubs 12-1
Read full article: Newly promoted Cruz, Madris spark Pirates, rout Cubs 12-1Newly promoted Oneil Cruz drove in four runs and Bligh Madris got three hits in his major league debut, sparking the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 12-1 romp over the Chicago Cubs.
Braves' 14-game win streak, Cubs' 10-game skid both end
Read full article: Braves' 14-game win streak, Cubs' 10-game skid both endThe Chicago Cubs became the first team in 23 years to stop a losing streak of 10 or more game while ending an opponentās winning streak of at least 10 games, beating the Braves 1-0 to end the Bravesā 14-game run.
AcuƱa returns, Wright dominant again, Braves beat Cubs 5-1
Read full article: AcuƱa returns, Wright dominant again, Braves beat Cubs 5-1Ronald AcuƱa Jr. went 1 for 5 with two stolen bases in his return to the Braves lineup, but it was Kyle Wright who claimed a starring role, pitching three-hit ball over a career-high seven innings to give Atlanta a 5-1 win over the Cubs.
Cardinals set team record with 15th straight win, beat Cubs
Read full article: Cardinals set team record with 15th straight win, beat CubsThe St. Louis Cardinals set a franchise record with their 15th straight win, boosted when catcher Yadier Molina and center fielder Harrison Bader helped pull off a wild double play in an 8-5 win over the Chicago Cubs.
Cards match record with 14th straight win, rip Cubs 12-4
Read full article: Cards match record with 14th straight win, rip Cubs 12-4The surging St. Louis Cardinals emphatically matched a team record with their 14th straight win, pounding the Chicago Cubs 12-4 in the second game of a doubleheader behind Tyler OāNeillās three-run homer and a pair of solo shots by Lars Nootbaar.
UrĆas 5 extra-base hits, PiƱa 6 RBIs, Brewers rout Cubs 17-4
Read full article: UrĆas 5 extra-base hits, PiƱa 6 RBIs, Brewers rout Cubs 17-4Luis UrĆas tied a major league record with five extra-base hits and Manny PiƱa drove in six runs, leading the Milwaukee Brewers to a 17-4 romp over the Chicago Cubs.
Ashby tagged, but Brewers sweep Cubs for 8th straight win
Read full article: Ashby tagged, but Brewers sweep Cubs for 8th straight winHighly touted Milwaukee prospect Aaron Ashby got roughed up for seven runs in the first inning of his big league debut, but Luis Urias homered twice as the Brewers rallied to rout the Chicago Cubs 15-7 for their eighth straight win.
No-hitter No. 7: Cubs blank Dodgers, tie MLB season record
Read full article: No-hitter No. 7: Cubs blank Dodgers, tie MLB season recordZach Davies and three Cubs relievers combined for the seventh no-hitter in the majors this year ā matching the most in a season since 1900 ā as Chicago blanked the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-0.
DeGrom pulled with shoulder issue from Mets' 6-3 win vs Cubs
Read full article: DeGrom pulled with shoulder issue from Mets' 6-3 win vs CubsJacob deGrom was pulled from a second straight start with an arm injury, this time leaving after three perfect innings with right shoulder soreness, but the New York Mets bullpen stepped up to finish a three-hitter in a 6-3 win over the Chicago Cubs.
Pederson, Rizzo, Contreras homer as Cubs beat Cardinals 8-5
Read full article: Pederson, Rizzo, Contreras homer as Cubs beat Cardinals 8-5Joc Pederson homered and drove in three runs, Anthony Rizzo and Willson Contreras went deep and the Chicago Cubs beat the St. Louis Cardinals 8-5 on Friday afternoon.
Davies strong, Rizzo, Wisdom homer in Cubs' 7-1 win vs Pads
Read full article: Davies strong, Rizzo, Wisdom homer in Cubs' 7-1 win vs PadsZach Davies allowed just one hit in six scoreless innings, Anthony Rizzo homered and drove in four runs, and Patrick Wisdom went deep again for the Chicago Cubs as they defeated the San Diego Padres 7-1.
Baez, Rizzo lead surging Cubs past Padres 6-1
Read full article: Baez, Rizzo lead surging Cubs past Padres 6-1Javier BƔez lined a two-run homer, Anthony Rizzo had two doubles among three hits and the surging Chicago Cubs beat the San Diego Padres 6-1 on for their third straight win and ninth in 10 games.
Wisdom, Contreras HR as surging Cubs top Padres; Tatis hurt
Read full article: Wisdom, Contreras HR as surging Cubs top Padres; Tatis hurtPatrick Wisdom hit his third homer in two games, Willson Contreras also went deep and the surging Chicago Cubs beat San Diego 4-3 after Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. left with an injury.
14 MLB teams reach 85% vaccinated, relax COVID protocols
Read full article: 14 MLB teams reach 85% vaccinated, relax COVID protocolsTwo more Major League Baseball teams have been able to relax coronavirus protocols after 85% of their players and other on-field personnel completed vaccination, raising the total to 14 of the 30 clubs.
Cubs' Tepera suspended for 3 games, manager Ross 1 by MLB
Read full article: Cubs' Tepera suspended for 3 games, manager Ross 1 by MLBChicago Cubs pitcher Ryan Tepera was suspended for three games by Major League Baseball, which concluded he intentionally threw at Milwaukeeās Brandon Woodruff this week.
Plunked again, Contreras hits back with HR, Cubs beat Brews
Read full article: Plunked again, Contreras hits back with HR, Cubs beat BrewsWillson Contreras struck back after getting plunked again by the Brewers, hitting a two-run homer in the eighth inning as the Chicago Cubs rallied past Milwaukee 3-2 on Tuesday night.
Nats reliever Harris out with blood clot in pitching arm
Read full article: Nats reliever Harris out with blood clot in pitching armHarris has a blood clot in his right arm and is leaving spring training camp to be examined by a specialist, manager Dave Martinez said Friday, March 19, 2021. (Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via AP)Washington Nationals reliever Will Harris has a blood clot in his right arm and the team doesn't expect him to be in the bullpen on opening day. Carlos MartĆnez struggled in his fourth start for St. Louis. DODGERS 7, RANGERS 2Julio UrĆas made his fourth start for Los Angeles, allowing two hits in four shutout innings, striking out three. Adrian Houser made his fourth start.
Indians minus RamĆrez, Reyes after they break virus protocol
Read full article: Indians minus RamĆrez, Reyes after they break virus protocolNew York starter Jordan Montgomery gave up two hits in three scoreless innings. Brubaker allowed two hits over two scoreless innings and Chase De Jong followed with two shutout innings. MARLINS 4, METS 4Miami starter Pablo Lopez gave up a hit and a walk over three scoreless innings. German Marquez scattered three hits and a walk over three scoreless innings for Colorado. Kansas City starter Jakob Junis pitched three innings and gave up one hit, a leadoff homer to Trent Grisham.
Sigh and Cy: Bieber tagged, Bauer sharp in Dodgers debut
Read full article: Sigh and Cy: Bieber tagged, Bauer sharp in Dodgers debutBieber bounced back with a pair of strikeouts, but Nick Heath hit a single to put the Royals up 3-0. DODGERS 10, ROCKIES 0 (6 INNINGS)Trevor Bauer, pitching for the first time since signing a $102 million, three-year contract, debuted in Dodger blue with two scoreless innings. Jameson Taillon followed with a scoreless inning. CUBS 1, PADRES 0 (7)Chicago starter Kyle Hendricks struck out two in two scoreless innings. BREWERS 7, DIAMONDBACKS 1 (8)Corbin Burnes and Freddy Peralta each threw a scoreless inning for Milwaukee before Jordan Zimmermann gave up a run.
Hoyer insists Cubs plan to compete after dealing Darvish
Read full article: Hoyer insists Cubs plan to compete after dealing DarvishHoyer insisted the Chicago Cubs are taking a different approach this time. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)CHICAGO ā Jed Hoyer insists this time won't be like 2011 for the Chicago Cubs. Along the way, Cubs fans endured a painful rebuild that included a 101-loss 2012 season. āWe know that we're coming to the end of this group of players ā a wildly successful, franchise-changing run with this group of players,ā Hoyer said. "We haven't gotten extensions, and as a result, there are contractual realities to how long we control some of these players,ā Hoyer said.
Cubs non-tender OFs Kyle Schwarber, Albert Almora Jr.
Read full article: Cubs non-tender OFs Kyle Schwarber, Albert Almora Jr.FILE - In this Friday, March 15, 2019 file photo, Chicago Cubs' Kyle Schwarber bats during a spring training baseball game against the Chicago White Sox in Glendale, Ariz. Kyle Schwarber and Albert Almora Jr. became free agents Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020 when the Chicago Cubs declined to offer contracts to two key players from their historic 2016 World Series championship. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)CHICAGO ā Kyle Schwarber and Albert Almora Jr. became free agents Wednesday when the Chicago Cubs declined to offer contracts to two key players from their historic 2016 World Series championship. While Schwarber, Almora, slugger JosĆ© MartĆnez and pitcher Ryan Tepera were non-tendered, the Cubs offered 2021 contracts to infielders Kris Bryant and Javier BĆ”ez, catchers Willson Contreras and Victor Caratini, and outfielder Ian Happ. He also played in the 2016 World Series after missing most of the season with a left knee injury. Almora then scored the go-ahead run on Ben Zobrist's double in the Cubs' 8-7 victory over the Indians.
White Sox P Cordero suspended 3 games for hitting Contreras
Read full article: White Sox P Cordero suspended 3 games for hitting ContrerasCHICAGO ā Major League Baseball suspended Chicago White Sox reliever Jimmy Cordero for three games Saturday and fined him an undisclosed amount for hitting the Cubs' Willson Contreras with a pitch. Manager Rick Renteria was suspended for one game, and he and pitching coach Don Cooper were also fined. Contreras hit a three-run shot off Dylan Cease in the third, then exited the batterās box with sky-high bat flip. He also greeted White Sox utilityman Yolmer Sanchez, who pitched the ninth, with a solo shot for his eighth career multihomer game. The playoff-bound White Sox had lost six straight and were tied with Cleveland for second place in the NL Central behind Minnesota entering Saturday's game.
Cubs clinch playoff spot, Pirates win on Stallings HR in 9th
Read full article: Cubs clinch playoff spot, Pirates win on Stallings HR in 9thThe NL Central-leading Cubs were assured a spot in the expanded playoff field when Philadelphia was swept in a doubleheader at Washington. It was Stallingsā third home run of the season and the third game-ending hit of his career. Anthony Rizzoās two-run homer in the eighth inning had pulled the Cubs into a tie at 2-all. The Pirates took a 2-0 lead on RBI doubles by Erik Gonzalez in the second inning and Adam Frazier in the fifth. Pirates: RHP Trevor Williams (1-8, 6.70) has lost five straight decisions since getting his lone win Aug. 13 at Cincinnati.
Twins clinch 2nd straight playoff spot, beat Mills, Cubs 8-1
Read full article: Twins clinch 2nd straight playoff spot, beat Mills, Cubs 8-1Minnesota Twins' Jake Cave (60) runs to score on a single hit by Eddie Rosario against the Chicago Cubs during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)CHICAGO ā Eddie Rosario, Miguel SanĆ³ and Josh Donaldson homered as the Minnesota Twins clinched a second straight postseason berth with an 8-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday night. The Twins, who won the division last year, will make back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time since 2009-10. After Mills struck out the first two batters of the game, Rosario homered on the first pitch he saw for a 1-0 lead. In the sixth, Rosario hit an RBI single for a 2-1 lead.
Drone lands in outfield at Wrigley Field, causing delay
Read full article: Drone lands in outfield at Wrigley Field, causing delayCHICAGO ā Umpires hastily cleared the field during a game between the Cleveland Indians and Chicago Cubs on Wednesday night when a small drone flew into Wrigley Field over the bleachers and landed on the grass in deep left center. As Willson Contreras came to bat with two outs in the bottom of the fifth and the game tied at 2, the device was spotted over the left-center stands. Before the drone landed, umpires rushed players into the dugouts. The blinking drone took off, hovered at about 100 feet, then pulled away and vanished past the vintage center-field scoreboard. Following a 7-minute delay, Contreras resumed his at-bat and grounded out to end the inning.
Jonathan Schoop, Spencer Turnbull lead Tigers past Cubs 7-1
Read full article: Jonathan Schoop, Spencer Turnbull lead Tigers past Cubs 7-1Chicago Cubs' Willson Contreras hits a solo home run in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers in Detroit, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)DETROIT Jonathan Schoop hit a grand slam in a five-run sixth inning as the Detroit Tigers beat the Chicago Cubs 7-1 on Tuesday night. The Tigers have won three of five since a nine-game losing streak dropped them out of serious postseason contention. Turnbull walked the leadoff hitter in the sixth but retired the next two before he was replaced by Bryan Garcia. The Tigers put the game away with five runs in the bottom of the sixth.
Cubs beat Indians 7-2 to match their best start since 1970
Read full article: Cubs beat Indians 7-2 to match their best start since 1970Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks delivers in the first inning in a baseball game against the Cleveland Indians, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020, in Cleveland. The Cubs are 12-3 in their first season under manager David Ross, matching the club's start after 15 games in 1970. Hendricks hadn't faced the Indians since Nov. 2, 2016, when he started the dramatic finale as the Cubs beat the Indians in extra innings to clinch their first Series title since 1908. Indians: C Roberto Perez (shoulder) has been running and throwing at the team's alternate site in Lake County. Indians: Following their second off day in four days, Cleveland opens a three-game series in Detroit on Friday.
Rizzo homers again, Cubs beat virus-unsettled Reds 8-7
Read full article: Rizzo homers again, Cubs beat virus-unsettled Reds 8-7Down 8-1 in the seventh inning, the Reds cut it to 8-5 on Joey Vottos two-run single. Miley hit Kris Bryant with his second pitch, walked Rizzo, and gave up Wilson Contreras' double. Rizzo hit a solo homer in the sixth off Tejay Antone. Jesse Winker got the Reds' first hit an inning later, an RBI single off Rowan Wick. TRAINER'S ROOMCubs: Bryant, Rizzo, Contreras and Albert Almora Jr. were hit by pitches Rizzo twice but stayed in the game.
Ozuna homers off Daz, Braves beat Mets in new extras format
Read full article: Ozuna homers off Daz, Braves beat Mets in new extras formatAtlanta Braves pitcher Max Fried fields a ground ball by New York Mets' Jeff McNeil during the third inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 25, 2020, in New York. Ozuna, signed to an $18 million, one-year free agent deal in January, energized Atlanta's struggling offense with his opposite-field drive against Daz. Ozuna went with a 3-2 fastball just off the outside corner and roped it out to right field for his first home run with the Braves. McNeil countered with a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the fifth, but Daz couldn't make it stand. An All-Star with Seattle in 2018, Daz labored through a brutal 2019 with a 5.59 ERA and seven blown saves.
In pandemic year, Wrigley Rooftops give rare opportunity
Read full article: In pandemic year, Wrigley Rooftops give rare opportunityMilwaukee Brewers players warm up before an opening day baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Chicago, Friday, July 24, 2020, in Chicago. Willson Contreras lines an RBI single against Corbin Burnes to give the Chicago Cubs an early lead over the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday. Fans just beyond the ivy at Wrigley Field, up on the rooftops, are letting loose. While major league ballparks are off limits to the general public, Wrigley Field is one of the few spots where they can look in on the action. In Chicago, tickets to the 16 rooftops come at a hefty price about $300 to $440 compared to the usual $150.