Latest MLB news from www.espn.com

No Bauer or Springer? No problem: How the Mets actually addressed their biggest roster need
  Fans in Queens went into the winter hoping for a free-agency spending spree. What the team did instead might lift it to the top of the NL East in 2021.   Read More
Reds' Akiyama returns after wife seriously injured
  Cincinnati Reds outfielder Shogo Akiyama returned to spring training after a week away to be with his wife, who was seriously injured when a tree fell on her in an Ohio park.   Read More
Fried scratched due to possible COVID exposure
  Atlanta Braves lefty Max Fried hasn't tested positive for COVID-19, but the team will pull him from his scheduled start Friday because of a potential exposure to someone with the virus.   Read More
Jays GM 'not aware' of allegations vs. Callaway
  Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins said he was "absolutely not aware" of any sexual harassment allegations against Mickey Callaway during their time together with the Indians organization.   Read More
Study: Heart illness rare for COVID-infected pros
  A recent study has revealed that out of 789 professional athletes infected with COVID-19, only five of them had inflammatory heart disease.   Read More
MLB to have annual Lou Gehrig Day on June 2
  Major League Baseball will celebrate Lou Gehrig Day sportwide on June 2 starting this season to honor the Yankees legend and raise money and awareness to battle ALS.   Read More
Source: CF Bradley Jr. to sign with Brewers
  Former Red Sox center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. plans to sign a two-year, $24 million deal with the Brewers that includes an opt-out after the first year, a source familiar with the contract told ESPN.   Read More
D-backs' Locastro tests positive for COVID-19
  Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Tim Locastro has tested positive for COVID-19.   Read More
Return of the white flag trade? How Cubs are setting themselves up for a difficult July dilemma
  Chicago is rebuilding -- but also good enough to compete in the NL Central. Here's why that could create a big problem for the team's future plans.   Read More
State of the AL East: Yankees or Rays? How good are the Red Sox and Blue Jays?
  After an eventful offseason changed the landscape of the division, we debate how the teams vying to take Tampa Bay's crown measure up.   Read More
Top 100 MLB prospects for 2021: The best No. 1 since Mike Trout and Bryce Harper
  Here's how baseball's stars of tomorrow stack up as the sport returns to a full season.   Read More
The most interesting non-roster invitee for all 30 MLB teams
  From former All-Stars trying to make one more roster to top prospects getting a first chance, there are some intriguing players to watch in every spring training camp.   Read More
MLB's noncompetitive behavior issues are now out there for the world to see
  It was always there -- tanking, manipulating service time -- but Kevin Mather and the Mariners put a spotlight on the whole thing. It's impossible to ignore now.   Read More
New faces in new places, top prospects and more: What we're most excited for as spring training games begin
  Here's what we can't wait to watch when games start this weekend.   Read More
Fantasy baseball roundtable: Which prominent player should you avoid at all costs?
  Our experts identify the players they are avoiding in in the earlier rounds of fantasy drafts this season.   Read More
2021 MLB draft rankings: There's a No. 1 prospect ahead of Vanderbilt's two aces
  Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter have gotten plenty of hype so far -- but they aren't the only candidates to be the top overall pick this summer.   Read More