MLB

On a busy opening day, every team is in action. Between M.L.B.'s new rules and some intriguing player movement, you might want to get caught up.

history to qualify for both the batting title and the E.R.A. Earlier in the day, the Yankees put Gerrit Cole up against a major breakout candidate in Logan Webb of the San Francisco Giants. If Ohtani plays the way he did in the last two seasons, he might make that Judge contract look tiny by comparison. He has made it clear he will walk away to find a chance to win. He’s a 55-60 runner but it plays up on the bases because he has great instincts both for reading pitchers and reading situations. Here’s a look at some of the [new rules](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/02/24/sports/baseball/mlb-rule-changes.html?action=click&pgtype=Article&state=default&module=styln-mlb-season&variant=show®ion=MAIN_CONTENT_1&block=storyline_levelup_swipe_recirc) taking effect this season: The Yankees, whose games averaged a major league-high 3 hours 13 minutes last season, beat the San Francisco Giants, 5-0, in the first game of the day. While at shortstop, he’s got great hands and gets himself into the right position to make plays more than most shortstops I see. So it’s safe to say the team thinks Volpe, 21, has a bright future. After months of speculation about how new rules will change the game and a spring training filled with fast games and plenty of flubs, opening day of the 2023 Major League Baseball season is finally here. As for the effects of that clock on the game? (Switching to overhand pitching in the late 19th century was probably more extreme, but let’s put that aside.)

The Sporting News will be tracking scores and highlights from the first day of the 2023 MLB season. Follow along for updates and results from the games.

[Fubo](http://www.fubo.tv/lp/mlb/?irad=377812&irmp=1131770&sharedid=editorial), which will carry local broadcasts of the games as well as MLB Network and ESPN. 1:10 p.m.: Acuna takes advantage of the new pick-off limit. Abrams at short to bring in another run and make it a 3-0 Atlanta lead in the second. 1:15 p.m.: A special moment for rookie Anthony Volpe in his MLB debut as he receives a roll call from the bleacher creatures. The first pitch Aaron Judge sees in the 2023 season, he sends over the center field wall for a solo home run. 3:13 p.m.: Swanson put his defense to use in the top of the third, and now he's showing off his bat with his new team. 3:20 p.m.: Trey Mancini also makes an impact on his new team, lining a base hit into left to score Swanson and give the Cubs a 3-0 lead. 2:28 p.m.: The Red Sox have also gotten off to a hot start in 2023. 3:17 p.m.: After Cedric Mullins walked to load the bases, a wild pitch scores Adam Frazier and pushes Jorge Mateo and Mullins up into scoring position. Henderson up to bat with the bases loaded. 3:49 p.m.: The Orioles are running wild against the Red Sox and Ryan Brasier in the top of the fifth. But now, it's time for the official start of the 2023 Major League Baseball season.

When top prospects Jordan Walker and Anthony Volpe make their MLB debuts on Opening Day, they'll be two of the first players to usher in a new era in the ...

Box 4100","city":"Seattle","state":"Washington","stateAbbrev":"WA","postalCode":"98104","defaultCoordinates":{"latitude":47.591333,"longitude":-122.33251},"country":"USA","phone":"(206) 346-4000"},"timeZone":{"id":"America/Los_Angeles","offset":-7,"offsetAtGameTime":-7,"tz":"PDT"},"active":true,"season":"2023"},"springVenue":{"id":2530,"link":"/api/v1/venues/2530"},"teamCode":"sea","fileCode":"sea","abbreviation":"SEA","teamName":"Mariners","locationName":"Seattle","firstYearOfPlay":"1977","league":{"id":103,"name":"American League","link":"/api/v1/league/103"},"division":{"id":200,"name":"American League West","link":"/api/v1/divisions/200"},"sport":{"id":1,"link":"/api/v1/sports/1","name":"Major League Baseball"},"shortName":"Seattle","franchiseName":"Seattle","clubName":"Mariners","active":true},{"springLeague":{"id":114,"name":"Cactus League","link":"/api/v1/league/114","abbreviation":"CL"},"allStarStatus":"N","id":137,"name":"San Francisco Giants","link":"/api/v1/teams/137","season":2023,"venue":{"id":2395,"name":"Oracle Park","link":"/api/v1/venues/2395","location":{"address1":"24 Willie Mays Plaza","city":"San Francisco","state":"California","stateAbbrev":"CA","postalCode":"94107","defaultCoordinates":{"latitude":37.778383,"longitude":-122.389448},"country":"USA","phone":"(415) 972-2000"},"timeZone":{"id":"America/Los_Angeles","offset":-7,"offsetAtGameTime":-7,"tz":"PDT"},"active":true,"season":"2023"},"springVenue":{"id":2532,"link":"/api/v1/venues/2532"},"teamCode":"sfn","fileCode":"sf","abbreviation":"SF","teamName":"Giants","locationName":"San Francisco","firstYearOfPlay":"1883","league":{"id":104,"name":"National League","link":"/api/v1/league/104"},"division":{"id":203,"name":"National League West","link":"/api/v1/divisions/203"},"sport":{"id":1,"link":"/api/v1/sports/1","name":"Major League Baseball"},"shortName":"San Francisco","franchiseName":"San Francisco","clubName":"Giants","active":true},{"springLeague":{"id":115,"name":"Grapefruit League","link":"/api/v1/league/115","abbreviation":"GL"},"allStarStatus":"N","id":138,"name":"St. Louis","clubName":"Cardinals","active":true},{"springLeague":{"id":115,"name":"Grapefruit League","link":"/api/v1/league/115","abbreviation":"GL"},"allStarStatus":"N","id":139,"name":"Tampa Bay Rays","link":"/api/v1/teams/139","season":2023,"venue":{"id":12,"name":"Tropicana Field","link":"/api/v1/venues/12","location":{"address1":"One Tropicana Drive","city":"St. Petersburg","state":"Florida","stateAbbrev":"FL","postalCode":"33705","defaultCoordinates":{"latitude":27.767778,"longitude":-82.6525},"country":"USA","phone":"(727) 825-3137"},"timeZone":{"id":"America/New_York","offset":-4,"offsetAtGameTime":-4,"tz":"EDT"},"active":true,"season":"2023"},"springVenue":{"id":2534,"link":"/api/v1/venues/2534"},"teamCode":"tba","fileCode":"tb","abbreviation":"TB","teamName":"Rays","locationName":"St. Louis","state":"Missouri","stateAbbrev":"MO","postalCode":"63102","defaultCoordinates":{"latitude":38.62256667,"longitude":-90.19286667},"country":"USA","phone":"(314) 345-9600"},"timeZone":{"id":"America/Chicago","offset":-5,"offsetAtGameTime":-5,"tz":"CDT"},"active":true,"season":"2023"},"springVenue":{"id":2520,"link":"/api/v1/venues/2520"},"teamCode":"sln","fileCode":"stl","abbreviation":"STL","teamName":"Cardinals","locationName":"St. Louis","firstYearOfPlay":"1892","league":{"id":104,"name":"National League","link":"/api/v1/league/104"},"division":{"id":205,"name":"National League Central","link":"/api/v1/divisions/205"},"sport":{"id":1,"link":"/api/v1/sports/1","name":"Major League Baseball"},"shortName":"St. “Debut Patches represent one of the first steps that Fanatics Collectibles is taking to bring the players and leagues closer to the products, and ultimately fans,” Fanatics Collectibles CEO Mike Mahan said in a release. “For a player, there is no bigger moment than the first time they step onto a field for their Major League debut,” MLBPA executive director Tony Clark said. The presence of the Debut Patch just adds to the significance of the debuts of Walker and Volpe, who are the No. “A Major League player’s debut day is a cause for great celebration and the culmination of many years of hard work,” MLB Commissioner Robert D. Louis Cardinals","link":"/api/v1/teams/138","season":2023,"venue":{"id":2889,"name":"Busch Stadium","link":"/api/v1/venues/2889","location":{"address1":"700 Clark Street","city":"St. After that, the patch will be removed, secured and authenticated through the MLB Authentication Program, allowing it to be included in an upcoming Topps product. Starting today, every player making their @MLB debut will wear an "MLB Debut" patch on their uniform for their first game.

MLB, Fanatics and Topps have created a new patch that players will wear when they make their debut in the majors.

Anthony Volpe will make his big league debut at shortstop with the Louis Cardinals host the Toronto Blue Jays. “Topps has been a great partner to baseball for decades, and I think this particular initiative is crucial to the development of deeper fan engagement.” [New York Yankees](https://www.nbcnewyork.com/tag/new-york-yankees) against the [San Francisco Giants](https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/giants?chrcontext=WVIT) and Jordan Walker will step onto a major league outfield for the first time when the St. That figure has since been beaten out by a 1952 Mickey Mantle card, which sold for Rookie cards are among the most coveted items in the sports memorabilia industry.

A major shift in how Major League Baseball is played. About time, too. Aaron Judge aiming at his own home run record, Shohei Ohtani trending with every ...

MLB, Fanatics and Topps have created a new patch that players will wear when they make their debut in the majors.

Anthony Volpe will make his big league debut at shortstop with the “Topps has been a great partner to baseball for decades, and I think this particular initiative is crucial to the development of deeper fan engagement.” That figure has since been beaten out by a 1952 Mickey Mantle card, which sold for

Just as the sports events we like to call March Madness are winding down, the 2023 Major League Baseball season is starting up with Opening Day.

As for the championship rounds, I think the Astros are the number one team in baseball, but it's a bit boring to pick a repeat champ and I have the Padres as number two. Dayn Perry: I still default to the Astros being the best team in the AL in absence of additional major injuries. Beyond that, I think the NL East is by far the most interesting division and I think it's going to come down to the wire again, but I'm seeing Edwin Díaz make a triumphant return to the mound to finish out the season with the Mets on top. Mike Axisa: I think the Astros are the best team in the AL but, honestly, I'm bored of picking them to go to the World Series every year, so I'm going with Toronto. I'm also intrigued by the American League West -- not because I think the Astros are in real danger, but because this is the best this group has been after them in a while. (Amusingly, I still end up looking stupid.) I think this is as wide open a field in the National League as we've had in some time, and I'm excited to watch that three-team race in the East play out.

After a player appears in his first MLB game, the patch will go on his rookie card in a future Topps set.

In a couple of years, the company will re-assume the trading card licenses for the [NBA](https://theathletic.com/nba/) and NFL that are currently with Panini America. [NHL’s official jersey maker](https://theathletic.com/4331932/2023/03/21/nhl-fanatics-jersey-deal/) and has plans to get into sports gambling and other areas. But speculation is a big part of the collectibles and card business, and the manufacturers and sports leagues (and their player unions) are keenly aware of that. The debut patch cards are part of that. And if Benny Montgomery somehow makes his debut this season, expect fireworks — that man has figured out how to [win card-collecting fans.](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/34249685/this-colorado-rockies-prospect-turning-autographed-card-1-1-work-art) — Di Fino The white-hot sports collectibles market has been surging for years and went into overdrive after the pandemic began. It reminds me of that year Topps inserted 1952 cards in the line and you had a chance to find a Mantle rookie. [Major League Baseball](https://theathletic.com/mlb/) and Fanatics Collectibles unveiled Thursday “Debut Patches” to be worn by rookies making their MLB debut this season. [@MLB]debut will wear an "MLB Debut" patch on their uniform for their first game. A piece of someone’s jersey is just “meh” to me as a collector (although there are plenty of people who love them). It will appear on jerseys starting on Opening Day and be used throughout the 2023 season as players make their MLB debuts. “For a player, there is no bigger moment than the first time they step onto a field for their major-league debut,” MLBPA executive director Tony Clark said in a statement.

Another season of Major League Baseball is here. Let's rejoice and then gather ourselves before figuring out how to supplement our viewing fun with some ...

He faced the [Phillies](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/teams/PHI/philadelphia-phillies/), [Braves](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/teams/ATL/atlanta-braves/) and [Nationals](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/teams/WAS/washington-nationals/) 11 times combined, but the Fish never saw him. [Max Scherzer](/mlb/players/1225651/max-scherzer/) never faced the [Marlins](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/teams/MIA/miami-marlins/) last season? [Fernando Tatis](/mlb/players/2507363/fernando-tatis/), Jr. Bieber throws well on the road and was dominant the one time he faced the Mariners last season. The Rockies are one of the worst. More simple: The Padres are one of the best teams in baseball. He also allowed just three runs in 12 innings (2.25 ERA) with 16 strikeouts in his two home outings against the Rockies last season. remains suspended while [Joe Musgrove](/mlb/players/2002312/joe-musgrove/) and [Robert Suarez](/mlb/players/26861461/robert-suarez/) open on the injured list. They'll take home the opener on the road. Plus, it'll be chilly (high of 47) and the ball won't be flying much. Something like 4-2 Yankees gets us home for both the Yankees run line and the under. The Giants haven't seen Cole since 2018 and unfamiliarity is a big advantage for the pitcher.

With Opening Day here, Scott Pianowski ranks all 30 MLB teams to see which squad has the most fantasy juice.

Former Tigers on MLB rosters include infielder DJ LeMahieu (Yankees), infielder Alex Bregman (Astros), pitcher Aaron Nola (Phillies), pitcher Kevin Gausman ...

Fraley begins his fifth MLB season and his second with Cincinnati after three years with the Seattle Mariners. Gausman, who pitched at LSU in 2011 and 2012, begins his 11th MLB season and his second with the Blue Jays. Austin Nola, a native of Baton Rouge and Aaron’s older brother, made his MLB debut in 2019 with the Seattle Mariners, and he collected 10 home runs and 31 RBI in 79 games. Bregman, a product of Albuquerque, N.M., made his MLB debut with Houston in July 2016, and he has helped lead the Astros to the 2017 and 2022 World Series titles as the club’s starting third baseman. 2 overall selection by the Astros in the 2015 MLB Draft, Bregman was a two-time first-team all-American at LSU, and he was named the recipient of the 2013 Brooks Wallace Award as the nation’s best shortstop. Aaron Nola, a Baton Rouge native, enters his ninth season in the Philadelphia rotation, and he was instrumental in the Phillies’ drive to the 2022 National League pennant.

More than a dozen Jacksonville-area players are on Opening Day rosters, either active or IL, for the 2023 Major League Baseball season.

Notable: Lawrence has had the movement on his pitches working of late, including the World Baseball Classic with Panama. Notable: After tumultuous off-season, Clevinger returns to AL Central with White Sox; likely to occupy No. 3 or No. Position: Pitcher Position: Catcher Position: Outfielder Position: First baseman Position: Infielder

Ramón Urías conectó el primer cuadrangular y Joey Meneses impulsó su primera carrera en el 'Opening Day'.

No me queda más que enviarle mis mejores deseos al equipo mexicano, tienen un gran equipo, ojalá tengan un excelente torneo y desde acá los estaré apoyando”, explicó Ramón Urias en un video compartido en redes sociales. El tercera base de los Baltimore Orioles se hizo presente en el marcador en el 'Opening Day' de la MLB. Ramón Urías, de 28 años, venció al "Monstruo Verde" del Fenway Park en el duelo inaugural de los Baltimore Orioles ante los Boston Red Sox.

MLB Opening Day is here, and SI has everything you need to prepare for this season.

The 2023 MLB season begins Thursday afternoon. Here are the top plays from all 15 Opening Day games!

Braves at Nationals, 1:05 p.m., MLB Network · Giants at Yankees, 1:05 p.m., YES · Orioles at Red Sox, 2:10 p.m., NESN · Brewers at Cubs, 2:20 p.m., MARQ · Tigers at ...

](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/fantasy/2023/02/07/fantasy-baseball-updated-top-200-player-rankings-2023-mlb-season/11172314002/) [We ranked the top 250 for 2023](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/fantasy/2023/02/07/fantasy-baseball-updated-top-200-player-rankings-2023-mlb-season/11172314002/). 1 prospect in MLB?](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2023/03/24/mlb-100-names-to-know-2023-gunnar-henderson-top-prospects/11528553002/) [Expectations are high](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2023/03/24/mlb-100-names-to-know-2023-gunnar-henderson-top-prospects/11528553002/) for the favorite to win American League Rookie of the Year. [has shown new life, new energy and gusto](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2023/03/28/low-budget-guardians-have-higher-expectations-2023/11553806002/). [opened the spring with a starting rotation](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2023/03/26/2023-mlb-opening-day-9-questions-entering-season/11544922002/) of Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, Luis Severino, Nestor Cortes and Frankie Montas. [has arrived](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2023/03/27/anthony-volpe-meet-new-york-yankees-opening-day-shortstop/11547643002/), at age 21, and will jog out to his position on Opening Day at Yankee Stadium on Thursday afternoon to hold down one of the most prestigious positions in sports. [it was permanently implementing a provision](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2023/02/27/mlb-rules-2023-shift-pitch-clock-bases/11358317002/) in use since 2020 that every half inning after the ninth begins with a runner on second base. [Larger bases](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2023/02/28/mlb-shift-rule-explained-2023-season/11364513002/): The bases are now 18 inches square (previously 15 inches). [is a Tri-State kid](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2023/03/27/anthony-volpe-meet-new-york-yankees-opening-day-shortstop/11547643002/), pride of Watchung, New Jersey, and Morristown’s Delbarton School, from where you can reach Yankee Stadium in less than an hour, with cooperation from various bridges and thoroughfares. [Pitch clock](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2023/02/28/mlb-shift-rule-explained-2023-season/11364513002/): There is a 30-second timer between batters and a time limit between pitches. (Home plate – which stays the same size – to first base is 3 inches shorter.) [Pickoff limits](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2023/02/28/mlb-shift-rule-explained-2023-season/11364513002/): Pitchers are limited to a maximum of two pickoff attempts per plate appearance. The Oakland A’s ($62.2 million) ranked fifth among teams who made the most money while the Pittsburgh Pirates ($51.5 million) ranked eighth and the Kansas City Royals earned $27.8 million.

FULLERTON, Calif. – Cal State Fullerton baseball is once again well represented in the MLB on opening day. The Titans have seven former players on opening ...

Mike Harkey is the bullpen coach for the New York Yankees in his eighth season with the team while P.J. In addition, the baseball team has established its own Twitter ( [FullertonBSB](https://twitter.com/FullertonBSB)) and Instagram accounts ( [fullertonbsb](https://www.instagram.com/fullertonbsb/)). Mark Kotsay is set for his second season as the manager of the Oakland Athletics while Phil Nevin is in his first full season as the Los Angeles Angels Manager. Los Angeles Dodger, Phil Bickford, returns for his third year with the organization in 2023. Pilittere is in his second season as the assistant hitting coach with the Colorado Rockies. In two years with the Marlins, Floro has 25 saves and a 2.91 ERA. In 49 games with the Giants last season, Davis had a .263 batting average with 20 runs and 14 RBI. In his first season with the Blue Jay's, Chapman hit .229 with 83 runs, 76 RBI and 27 home runs. Davis begins his first full year with the San Francisco Giants after a mid-season trade from the New York Mets last year. Lorenzen had an 8-6 record in 18 starts a year ago with the Angels. Turner earned his first all-star game selection in 2017 with the Dodgers before helping lead the team to a World Series title in 2020, its first since 1988. The Titans have seven former players on opening day rosters along with two managers and three other coaches throughout the league.

El pitcher Daniel Bard iniciará la temporada 2023 de MLB en la lista de lesionados de 15 días de los Colorado Rockies por ansiedad.

Durante su relevo contra Venezuela en la segunda ronda del torneo, el pitcher tuvo problemas al controlar sus lanzamientos. “Es duro admitirlo, pero ya he pasado por esto antes”, dijo el cerrador para el Denver Gazette. La salud mental solía ser un tabú en los deportes profesionales, pero cada vez más atletas del alto rendimiento se abren para hablar sobre ello.

MLB, Fanatics and Topps have created a new patch that players will wear when they make their debut in the majors.

Anthony Volpe will make his big league debut at shortstop with the “Topps has been a great partner to baseball for decades, and I think this particular initiative is crucial to the development of deeper fan engagement.” That figure has since been beaten out by a 1952 Mickey Mantle card, which sold for

Major League Baseball announced that players making their first appearances will wear debut patches on their jerseys. The patch will appear on different ...

Major League Baseball's opening day can offer an occasionally instructive peek under hood, even if it's merely just 1/162nd of the season to come.

[per The Athletic](https://theathletic.com/4365441/2023/03/30/2023-san-francisco-giants-opening-day-roster/), then told his parents to put the kibosh on plans to travel to New York and see his debut. No opening day magic can match that of players who stick on the roster and are set to make their major league debuts, like vaunted prospects Walker and Volpe. Alas, Oakland scrapped out two runs off Aaron Loup in the bottom of the eighth inning to steal Ohtani's win and, more significantly, deal the Angels a setback in their aim to end a near decadelong playoff drought. The result was somewhat predictable: Kluber recorded 10 outs and gave up five runs to the exuberant young Orioles lineup, including a home run to burgeoning star Adley Rutschman. The Yankees won their opener and Volpe’s alma mater, Delbarton School, got a no-decision – the team postponed its game Thursday to show up, jerseys and all, at Volpe’s debut. Petersburg, Florida, Tampa Bay Rays owner Stuart Sternberg made the rounds, expressing a significant amount of confidence a long-awaited deal for a new stadium would come together by year’s end. And of the five games that exceeded the three-hour mark, three could certainly cite extenuating circumstances – final scores of 10-9, 11-7 and 10-9. And now Outman, 25, has an opening day homer to his credit, too. And it will do nothing to expedite or ensure the healthy return of Carlos Rodon, the $162 million lefty whose forearm injury will keep him out until May. The news coming out of spring training – average game time, 2 hours, 35 minutes – seemed too good to be true. Or Gerrit Cole, the $324 million ace, mowing through the San Francisco Giants, striking out 11 in six innings, the highest-paid pitcher in total value teaming with the position player earning more than any other annually to send an immediate message to the American League. Sometimes that uh-oh feeling is quite warranted, as much as some of the oh-wows that might emerge when the sport’s presents are unwrapped, one by one.

Defensive positioning restrictions that require two infielders on each side of the second-base bag, with their feet placed within the infield border;; And ...

[Pete Alonso](/mlb/players/2447476/pete-alonso/) and [Jeff McNeil](/mlb/players/2169895/jeff-mcneil/), as well as home plate umpire Larry Vanover. [Mets](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/teams/NYM/new-york-mets/) committed oddest violation [Orioles](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/teams/BAL/baltimore-orioles/), would end up plating three other runs that inning. [MLB](/mlb/) and the MLB Players Association agreed to these changes with the hope that they would improve the pace of play and incentivize more batted balls and stolen-base attempts -- or, in other words, more action. Devers was not ready to hit, and so he ended up losing a chance for one more swing. We're here to tell you that both measures moved in the intended directions.

By Jayson Stark, Patrick Mooney, Nick Groke, C. Trent Rosecrans and Andy McCullough. MLB's 15 games on Opening Day averaged 2 hours and 45 minutes Thursday, ...

[Padres](https://theathletic.com/mlb/team/padres/) and the [Rockies](https://theathletic.com/mlb/team/rockies/). [Brewers](https://theathletic.com/mlb/team/brewers/) with [Christian Yelich](https://theathletic.com/mlb/player/christian-yelich-S9hSJGPZg4kFYlsm/) at-bat and no outs. The [Dodgers](https://theathletic.com/mlb/team/dodgers/) squashed the [Diamondbacks](https://theathletic.com/mlb/team/diamondbacks/), 8-2, in only 2:35 — and that was a game which featured five different Arizona pitchers and multiple mid-inning pitching changes. Pitchers get 20 seconds to begin their throwing motions with runners on base and 15 seconds to do so with the bases empty. The second is to just embrace it and find ways to use it for our advantage. In the Red Sox game against the Orioles, Devers stepped out of the batter’s box in the eighth inning and wasn’t set within eight seconds after stepping back in, resulting in his violation. “Breathing is very important to aligning the body and putting yourself in a perfect position to deliver the ball to the plate. [Reds](https://theathletic.com/mlb/team/reds/) vs. Thursday, though, both the Pirates and Reds starters had a pitch clock violation and both of those plate appearances ended in home runs for the batter. I am here to report that the clock works on the West Coast, too. [Pirates](https://theathletic.com/mlb/team/pirates/) game went 3 hours and 2 minutes. The shortest of last year’s Opening Day games was 2 hours and 49 minutes.

David Purdum examines how MLB's new rule changes will affect sportsbooks' and bettors' approaches to wagering on baseball this season.

"The shift is huge to me," Fortuna said. "That's one thing [larger bases] that we did adjust our numbers on based on the rule changes, and it seems to be something that the bettors are taking note of also," Blum said. "We don't really see a direct correlation from the pitch clock to more scoring," said Randy Blum, who oversees baseball odds for the SuperBook in Las Vegas. "I think it's going to be a little more offsetting than people realize, almost a wash," Halvor said. Hitters are allowed one timeout per at-bat to reset the pitch clock. Hitters must be in the batter's box with eight seconds on the pitch clock.

A pitch timer that necessitates pitchers start their deliveries within 15 seconds with the bases empty, and within 20 seconds with someone on board;; Defensive ...

[Pete Alonso](/mlb/players/2447476/pete-alonso/) and [Jeff McNeil](/mlb/players/2169895/jeff-mcneil/), as well as home plate umpire Larry Vanover. [Mets](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/teams/NYM/new-york-mets/) committed oddest violation [Orioles](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/teams/BAL/baltimore-orioles/), would end up plating three other runs that inning. [MLB](/mlb/) and the MLB Players Association agreed to these changes with the hope that they would improve the pace of play and incentivize more batted balls and stolen-base attempts -- or, in other words, more action. Devers was not ready to hit, and so he ended up losing a chance for one more swing. We're here to tell you that both measures moved in the intended directions.

Opening Day is such a national holiday, such a relief after months without baseball, that even if every game were an uneventful 6-2 matchup with no ...

(For the record, the first hitter to earn a time violation was Baltimore’s Austin Hays, and later in that game, Boston’s Rafael Devers became the first hitter to strike out on a time violation.) But Opening Day was absolutely not that game, with replacement Robertson -- who, it should be noted, also is on the Top 10 list of active saves leaders -- coming in and shutting down the Marlins in order to finish off a 5-3 victory. Stroman clearly took the violation in stride: He went on to throw six scoreless innings and strike out eight in a 4-0 Cubs victory. Cruz won this round, in an incredible way, by turning on a 101.3 mph heater from Greene in the third inning. He kept hitting the rest of the day, helping the O's score seven runs in the fourth and fifth innings combined to give them a lead they would never relinquish in a 10-9 victory. He is, of course, widely thought to be the long-awaited heir apparent to Derek Jeter at shortstop. Ohtani ended the World Baseball Classic with a dominant inning of relief, and he went back to his customary role as a starting pitcher/DH against the A’s and … The retiring Cardinals veteran has become a staple of Opening Day in St. ,"type":"markdown"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2023-03-30T20:51:46.436Z","description":"Oneil Cruz crushes a solo home run to right field for his first homer of 2023, tying the game at 1 for the Pirates in the top of the 3rd","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:00:26","mp4AvcPlayback":"https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2023/2023-03/30/82fb143b-c08c18f6-0822ffd4-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4","slug":"oneil-cruz-first-homer-of-2023","tags":[{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"season-2023","title":"Season 2023"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"gamepk-718773","title":"2023/03/30 pit@cin"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"playerid-665833","title":"Oneil Cruz"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"teamid-134","title":"Pittsburgh Pirates"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"hitting","title":"hitting"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"highlight","title":"highlight"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"in-game-highlight","title":"in-game highlight"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"game-action-tracking","title":"game action tracking"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"home-run","title":"home run"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"opening-day","title":"Opening Day"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"2-yahoo-mlb-ads-feed","title":"2-Yahoo MLB Ads Feed"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"send-to-news-mlb-feed","title":"Send To News MLB feed"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"yahoo-in-game","title":"Yahoo In-Game"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"greatest-plays","title":"Greatest Plays"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"international-feed","title":"International Partner feed"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"fan-duel","title":"Fan Duel"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"eclat-feed","title":"Eclat feed"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"apple-news","title":"Apple News"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"imagen-feed","title":"Imagen feed"}],"templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/{formatInstructions}/mlb/goufzs7cxv2y5frhmhkq","title":"Oneil Cruz's first homer of 2023","type":"video","url":"/video/oneil-cruz-first-homer-of-2023"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"**8\\. 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Major League Baseball made three notable rule changes this year, and if Opening Day is any indication, they are already working.

The number of timer violations dropped from 2.03 per game at the beginning of spring training to 1.48 by the end. When it comes to stolen bases, teams and oddsmakers clearly see the new rules as an enduring advantage. [Spring training games](https://www.mlb.com/news/impact-of-new-rules-during-spring-training-2023) were 26 minutes shorter on average in 2023 compared to 2021 and 2022. The overall batting average on ground balls was .249 in 2023 spring training, up from .233 in 2022. Spring training data saw a notable jump in batting average on ground balls, especially ones pulled and up the middle. It is intended to speed the game up, and it has already proved to be incredibly effective in that respect. Runners went 21 of 23 on stolen bases on Opening Day for an average of 1.53 attempts per game. Average runs per game dropped to 8.56 in 2022, the lowest number for the league since 2015. Stolen bases saw a significant spike both in spring training and on Opening Day. Scoring is a tougher one to gauge. How effectively are they working, and what can teams, fans and even oddsmakers expect for the rest of the season? The average time needed for nine innings is slightly shorter, but it has also floated above three hours each year since 2016.

The number of players born outside the United States that featured on Opening Day rosters dipped 2% to 269 compared to last year, Major League Baseball ...

For the third consecutive season, the Houston Astros have the most internationally-born players with 16, followed by the Minnesota Twins (15), San Diego Padres (15), Miami Marlins (13) and New York Yankees (13). Venezuela (62), Cuba (21) Puerto Rico (19) and Mexico (15) rounded out the top five. The number of internationally-born players represents 28.5% of a total pool of 945 players and trails only the 2020 (291) and 2022 (275) seasons.

En el primer día de acción con las nuevas reglas de MLB para la temporada del 2023, la duración de los partidos de Grandes Ligas se redujo en 21 minutos, ...

El dominicano [Rafael Devers](https://espndeportes.espn.com/beisbol/mlb/jugador/_/id/33859/rafael-devers), de los [Boston Red Sox](/beisbol/mlb/equipo/_/nombre/bos/boston-red-sox), fue ponchado con un tercer strike automático por no entrar a tiempo a la caja de bateo. Pero las limitaciones a los "shifts" defensivos impactaron el juego. [Pete Alonso](https://espndeportes.espn.com/beisbol/mlb/jugador/_/id/37498/pete-alonso), de los [New York Mets](/beisbol/mlb/equipo/_/nombre/nym/new-york-mets), fue amonestado por tardar mucho tiempo en regresar a la primera base luego de un foul. [Jose Siri](https://espndeportes.espn.com/beisbol/mlb/jugador/_/id/33954/jose-siri), quien bateó un jonrón en el triunfo de los Rays 4-0 sobre los Tigers en un encuentro que apenas duró dos horas y 14 minutos, exactamente el mismo tiempo que necesitaron los [Seattle Mariners](/beisbol/mlb/equipo/_/nombre/sea/seattle-mariners) para blanquear 3-0 a los [Cleveland Guardians](/beisbol/mlb/equipo/_/nombre/cle/cleveland-guardians) en el T-Mobile Park. En el primer día de acción con las nuevas reglas que implementó la oficina del comisionado para la temporada del 2023, la duración de los partidos de Grandes Ligas (MLB) se redujo en 21 minutos, sin afectar la ofensiva y el ritmo de juego, que es exactamente lo que pretende el gobierno del béisbol con las regulaciones. [Detroit Tigers](/beisbol/mlb/equipo/_/nombre/det/detroit-tigers) y [Tampa Bay Rays](/beisbol/mlb/equipo/_/nombre/tb/tampa-bay-rays) estaban dando declaraciones a la prensa en los camerinos del Tropicana Field.

We knew coming into the season that we'd see some weird things happen as umps and players got used to these new changes. We also knew we'd see some umps ...

The percentage of Major League Baseball players born outside the 50 states remained relatively stable for the fourth straight opening day.

Puerto Rico (19), Mexico (15), Canada (10), Japan (eight), Colombia (seven), Curaçao, Panama and South Korea (four each); Bahamas and Nicaragua (two apiece), and Aruba, Australia, Brazil, Germany, Honduras and Taiwan (one each). The Dominican Republic led with 104 players, its second-most behind 110 in 2020. Venezuela was second with 62, followed by Cuba (21).

Introducing MLB Debut Patches | Say hello to the first-ever memorabilia jersey patch, destined for trading cards.

MLB is investigating a confrontation between Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon and an Athletics fan at Thursday's season opener in Oakland.

Rendon continues to challenge the fan as he denies the claim. He missed the majority of 2022 after undergoing right wrist surgery during the season. In a 12-second video posted on social media, Rendon grabs the fan by the shirt through the guardrails and accuses the fan of calling him a "b----."

MLB is investigating a confrontation between Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon and an Athletics fan at Thursday's season opener in Oakland.

Rendon continues to challenge the fan as he denies the claim. He missed the majority of 2022 after undergoing right wrist surgery during the season. In a 12-second video posted on social media, Rendon grabs the fan by the shirt through the guardrails and accuses the fan of calling him a "b----."

Major League Baseball made three notable rule changes this year, and if Opening Day is any indication, they are already working.

The number of timer violations dropped from 2.03 per game at the beginning of spring training to 1.48 by the end. When it comes to stolen bases, teams and oddsmakers clearly see the new rules as an enduring advantage. [Spring training games](https://www.mlb.com/news/impact-of-new-rules-during-spring-training-2023) were 26 minutes shorter on average in 2023 compared to 2021 and 2022. The overall batting average on ground balls was .249 in 2023 spring training, up from .233 in 2022. Spring training data saw a notable jump in batting average on ground balls, especially ones pulled and up the middle. It is intended to speed the game up, and it has already proved to be incredibly effective in that respect. Runners went 21 of 23 on stolen bases on Opening Day for an average of 1.53 attempts per game. Average runs per game dropped to 8.56 in 2022, the lowest number for the league since 2015. Stolen bases saw a significant spike both in spring training and on Opening Day. Scoring is a tougher one to gauge. How effectively are they working, and what can teams, fans and even oddsmakers expect for the rest of the season? The average time needed for nine innings is slightly shorter, but it has also floated above three hours each year since 2016.

This year's Opening Day was historic, as all 30 teams took the field for the first time since 1968. With everyone in action to begin 2023, there were plenty ...

Follow him on Twitter at [@hellapalattella](https://twitter.com/hellapalattella). Follow him on Twitter [@HarriganMLB](https://twitter.com/HarriganMLB). Follow him on Twitter [@AndrewSimonMLB](https://twitter.com/AndrewSimonMLB). Follow him on Twitter at [@MannyOnMLB.](http://twitter.com/mannyonmlb) Springer recorded five hits, which tied [the record for most hits on Opening Day](https://www.mlb.com/news/opening-day-single-game-records), while the Blue Jays had 19 hits as a team -- the most by any MLB team on Opening Day since the 2005 Cubs. Things got tense in the bottom of the ninth, as Reynaldo López, brought on to face the heart of Houston’s lineup, surrendered a 442-foot monster shot to Yordan Alvarez, but that was all the Astros would get, [putting an end to their historic run of dominance](https://www.mlb.com/news/astros-opening-day-win-streak-ends) over Opening Day. With the 2-1 Angels loss, Ohtani became the first pitcher in AL/NL history (since 1901) to give up no runs while striking out 10 or more batters on Opening Day in a game his team lost. [Adley Rutschman reached base six times](https://www.mlb.com/news/adley-rutschman-five-hits-four-rbis-2023-opening-day), blasting a first-inning home run and driving in four of Baltimore's 10 runs at Fenway Park. One of the Angels’ five hits in the game, a single in the fourth inning, came off Ohtani’s bat at 111.6 mph. [Arenado gave the Cardinals the lead](https://www.mlb.com/news/nolan-arenado-leads-cardinals-in-tough-opening-day-loss) in the bottom of the eighth inning on a two-RBI double that had Busch Stadium rocking. Judge’s blast fueled a 5-0 Yankees win in a game that saw history made on the mound. Maris also homered on Opening Day the year after his record-breaking 61-homer season in 1961, as did Mark McGwire after hitting 70 homers in 1998 and Barry Bonds after hitting 73 in 2001.