Former Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman and four-time All-Star Davey Lopes has died at the age of 80 in Rhode Island following a battle with Parkinson’s disease.
The organisation was informed of his passing on Wednesday by his former wife, Lin.
He formed a crucial part of a historic infield quartet alongside Steve Garvey, Bill Russell and Ron Cey during the 1970s and 1980s.
The group started together for a remarkable eight and a half consecutive seasons in California.
A prolific threat on the basepaths
The record-setting infielder established himself as one of baseball’s premier base stealers after making his major league debut in September 1972.
He stole 418 bases during a decade-long spell with the franchise, sitting second in their all-time history behind only Maury Wills.
The Rhode Island native holds the club record with an 83.1% career success rate for players with at least 100 steals.
In 1975, the lightning-fast leadoff hitter recorded a then-MLB record of 28 consecutive steals without being caught.
World Series glory and managerial career
The four-time All-Star appeared in four World Series, culminating in a championship victory over the New York Yankees in 1981.
His finest postseason performance came during the 1978 showcase, where he launched two home runs in the opening game and later secured a Gold Glove award.
After departing Los Angeles, the versatile veteran spent time with the Oakland Athletics, Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros before retiring.
He finished his playing days with 557 career stolen bases, a tally that ranks 26th in Major League Baseball history.
Transitioning to the dugout
Following his retirement from playing, the former champion managed the Milwaukee Brewers for three seasons from 2000.
He subsequently enjoyed an extensive coaching career across the league, including spells with the Baltimore Orioles, San Diego Padres and Washington Nationals.
A second World Series ring followed while operating as the first-base coach for the Philadelphia Phillies.
He eventually returned to the Dodgers as a baserunning coach, spending five seasons helping to develop the next generation of talent before stepping away in 2017.
Rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin has agreed a nine-year extension worth $140m with the Pittsburgh Pirates less than a week after making his Major League Baseball debut.
The landmark agreement represents the largest guaranteed contract in the franchise’s history and sets a new financial benchmark for a first-year player.
The 19-year-old became the first teenage position player to debut since Juan Soto in 2018 when he started Pittsburgh’s home opener on Thursday.
This long-term commitment effectively buys out three potential years of free agency for the highly-rated prospect.
Record-breaking commitment
“Signing Konnor is a meaningful commitment to this team, this city and our fans. It reflects our belief in Konnor, in this season’s club and in the future of our organisation.”
Pirates chairman Bob Nutting added that the move represents another important step in building a sustainable winning team.
By delaying the finalisation of this deal until after his first appearance, Pittsburgh remains eligible to earn a first-round draft pick through the Prospect Promotion Incentive.
This compensation would be triggered if the Mississippi native wins Rookie of the Year or secures a top-three finish in MVP voting between 2026 and 2028.
Rapid rise to the Major Leagues
The teenage sensation was universally recognised as the minor league player of the year in 2025 after delivering a stellar offensive campaign across three different tiers.
Selected ninth overall in the 2024 draft, the dynamic infielder quickly dispelled scouting doubts regarding his hitting ability and defensive prowess.
He has made a steady start to big-league life, recording three runs batted in during his opening five games to help his side to a strong 7-4 record.
A new era in Pittsburgh
This massive financial outlay eclipses the previous franchise record, an eight-year deal worth $106.75m given to outfielder Bryan Reynolds.
It also surpasses the benchmark for early-career extensions established by Boston Red Sox prospect Roman Anthony last season.
The arrival of the standout rookie perfectly complements a formidable pitching rotation currently anchored by ace Paul Skenes.
Major League Baseball is expected to push for an international draft during upcoming collective bargaining talks following the tragic death of a teenager in the Dominican Republic and widespread concerns over corruption.
The urgency for systemic reform follows the passing of Ismael Urena Perez, a young player whose family alleges he was repeatedly injected with performance-enhancing drugs.
The teenager died in July 2024 after suffering severe jaundice and organ failure upon returning from a local baseball academy.
His passing has sparked national outrage and highlighted the severe risks faced by minors in the Latin American sporting pipeline.
Push for systemic reform
League officials view an international draft as the only viable solution to combat a free-for-all market dominated by age fraud and illicit handshake deals.
These illegal agreements are frequently made with extremely young athletes, bypassing formal regulations and exposing children to severe exploitation.
However, the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) argues that stricter enforcement of existing rules is a better path forward.
Union representatives maintain that the current crisis has escalated simply because governing bodies have consistently failed to punish wrongdoers.
An unsustainable environment
“Everything is messy. It’s messy because we’re making it messy, because we won’t f—ing regulate it, and it just keeps going and going.”
Despite the controversies, Latin America remains a vital source of elite talent for the North American organisation.
There were 153 players from the Dominican Republic and Venezuela featuring on opening-day rosters this season.
The current unregulated system has produced global superstars such as Juan Soto, Ronald Acuna Jr, Vladimir Guerrero Jr and Fernando Tatis Jr.
Between them, this elite quartet boasts 17 All-Star appearances and combined contracts worth approximately $1.7 billion (£1.3 billion).
Crucial negotiations ahead
Preliminary discussions regarding the sport’s next collective bargaining agreement are scheduled to commence later this month.
Reforming the overseas scouting network is expected to dominate the agenda alongside fierce debates over a potential salary cap.
Yet for grieving families in San Luis, any regulatory changes will arrive far too late to save the young lives already lost to the pursuit of baseball wealth.
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer left Monday’s 14-2 defeat to the Los Angeles Dodgers after two innings with right forearm tendinitis.
The three-time Cy Young Award winner allowed two runs and two hits before departing his abbreviated start.
The 41-year-old saw a notable drop in velocity, with his fastball averaging 92.1 mph compared to 93.4 mph during his previous outing against Colorado.
Despite the early exit, manager John Schneider expressed confidence that the veteran right-hander will be able to make his next scheduled start.
Rotation woes deepen for Toronto
Scherzer’s potential injury represents another major concern for a Toronto pitching staff already devastated by early-season fitness issues.
The Canadian franchise currently has four starting pitchers languishing on the injured list.
Right-handers Jose Berrios, Shane Bieber and Trey Yesavage are all yet to pitch this season as they recover from elbow and shoulder problems.
Cody Ponce also joined the casualties last week after injuring his knee while fielding an infield grounder during his first major league appearance since 2021.
Reinforcements called upon
Left-hander Josh Fleming, newly promoted from Triple-A Buffalo, was forced to take over from the ailing starter in the third inning against Los Angeles.
The Dodgers offense capitalised heavily on Toronto’s pitching struggles, sparked by a first-inning Teoscar Hernandez home run.
In response to their mounting rotation crisis, the Blue Jays signed 36-year-old veteran Patrick Corbin to a one-year contract last Friday.
The newly acquired left-hander recently began his preparation by allowing a single run over five innings for Single-A Dunedin.
The New York Mets have placed star outfielder Juan Soto on the injured list for an estimated two to three weeks after he sustained a right calf strain against the San Francisco Giants.
The 27-year-old suffered the minor injury while advancing from first to third base during the opening inning of Friday’s victory.
He was subsequently removed from the contest following a force-out at home plate.
Rare spell on the sidelines for durable outfielder
This marks only the second non-COVID injured list stint of the four-time All-Star’s career.
His previous absence occurred in May 2021 when he missed a fortnight with a strained left shoulder while representing the Washington Nationals.
Following an MRI scan on Saturday, the left fielder revealed the discomfort mirrored a previous leg issue from July 2022.
Mets adjust roster and schedule
Before the setback, the Dominican international had enjoyed a prolific start to his second season in New York, recording an impressive .928 OPS over eight games.
Jared Young assumed left-field duties over the weekend as the National League franchise secured a series victory over the Giants.
Tyrone Taylor and Brett Baty provide alternative defensive options during the absentee’s recovery period.
To provide immediate cover, infielder Ronny Mauricio has been recalled from Triple-A affiliate Syracuse.
Meanwhile, the team has altered the start times for their upcoming home fixtures against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citi Field to combat anticipated cold and windy weather.
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts has been placed on the injured list and is expected to miss four to six weeks with a strained right oblique.
The 33-year-old sustained the injury during a checked swing in the first inning of Saturday’s 10-5 victory over the Washington Nationals.
Manager Dave Roberts confirmed the diagnosis on Sunday after a magnetic resonance imaging scan revealed the extent of the damage.
Roberts optimistic on recovery timeline
Initial estimates suggest a lengthy absence, though the Dodgers manager expressed optimism regarding a swifter return.
I would take the under.
Dave Roberts on the projected four-to-six-week recovery
The versatile veteran initially remained in Saturday’s contest to draw a walk and score on Freddie Freeman’s two-run double before being withdrawn.
Miguel Rojas replaced him in the field and subsequently assumed starting shortstop duties for Sunday’s fixture.
Roster reshuffle for reigning champions
To fill the void on their active roster, Los Angeles have recalled infielder Hyeseong Kim from the minor leagues.
The setback interrupts a challenging start to the current campaign for the World Series champion, who is batting just .179 with two home runs and seven runs batted in.
It marks a stark contrast to his heavy workload last season, where he played 150 games and famously initiated the decisive double play that clinched Game 7 of the championship.
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jo Adell robbed three home runs, including a spectacular ninth-inning grab over the wall, to secure a 1-0 victory against the Seattle Mariners on Saturday night.
Adell leaped above the right-field boundary in the first inning to deny Cal Raleigh a solo shot.
The dynamic outfielder produced a nearly identical catch in the eighth to rob Josh Naylor of a potential game-tying strike.
However, his crowning moment arrived in the dramatic final frame against J.P. Crawford.
The defensive standout flipped entirely over the outfield wall and into the first row of seats before emerging with the baseball.
Historic defensive performance
Replay review confirmed the out, sealing an unprecedented defensive masterclass.
According to sports data experts, only one player in Major League Baseball recorded more than three home run robberies across the entire 2025 season.
San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr managed four over the complete campaign, a tally the American League right fielder nearly matched in a single evening.
His heroics preserved a slender lead initially established by Zach Neto in the opening inning.
The Angels shortstop crushed Emerson Hancock’s fourth pitch of the game for a massive 443-foot solo blast.
Pitching staff hold firm
Starting pitcher Jack Kochanowicz earned the win by allowing just four hits and striking out seven over five and two-thirds innings.
The right-hander expertly navigated a two-on, two-out jam in the third inning by forcing Randy Arozarena into a ground out.
Reliever Chase Silseth also delivered under immense pressure, escaping a precarious situation with two runners on base in the seventh.
Jordan Romano then closed the door in the ninth to register his third save of the campaign.
Seattle starter Hancock ultimately took the loss despite a commendable effort, striking out five across six and two-thirds innings.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have dismissed talk of breaking the Major League Baseball regular-season wins record as they target a historic third consecutive World Series championship.
The reigning champions have started their 2026 campaign with a 4-2 record during their opening homestand.
This steady start comes despite uncharacteristically quiet offensive performances from the top half of their star-studded batting order.
Embracing the villain role
A third consecutive blockbuster offseason has intensified the immense scrutiny surrounding the Californian franchise.
The organisation has actively leaned into a “bad guy” narrative through a pre-game stadium video featuring Hollywood actor Jason Bateman.
However, the clubhouse remains divided on whether to acknowledge this polarising reputation.
“You can call us whatever you want to call us. The game will determine who wins and who loses,” Mookie Betts said.
The veteran shortstop insists that external perceptions remain irrelevant outside noise once the players step onto the diamond.
October remains the ultimate focus
Conversely, long-serving infielder Max Muncy believes the squad draws vital strength from the hostility of opposing fanbases.
“You have to want to be out there and get everyone’s best every single night. It just creates a challenge that you’ve got to find a way to embrace,” Max Muncy stated.
Speculation has mounted over whether this powerhouse roster could surpass the 116-win milestone shared by the 1906 Chicago Cubs and 2001 Seattle Mariners.
The franchise won 211 combined games across the 2022 and 2023 campaigns, only to suffer premature playoff exits in the National League Division Series both years.
“Anything’s possible, certainly with this team, but that’s not our north star,” Dave Roberts explained.
The manager is instead guiding his team toward becoming the first National League club to secure a three-peat, prioritising October glory over summertime statistics.