Sam Blum rumors, news

Breaking news and rumors

Injuries and suspensions

Lifestyle

Trade rumors, contract, salary

Stats and scores

Family

Top stories

Fantasy rankings and news

Schedules and games

Rumors and scandals

• Outside The Confines: Shohei Ohtani keeps getting better

Peter Aiken-Imagn Images He just achieved a new personal best. Happy Monday, everyone! We’re getting awfully close to the All-Star break, which feels impossible to say, because surely the season just started a month ago, but that also means we’ve got all sorts of fun news and speculation. For starters, bona fide double-threat Shohei Ohtani just outdid himself, setting a new personal best...2025
See also Shohei Ohtani news
• Ron Washington Taking Indefinite Break From Managing Angels Due To Health Concern
Ron Washington will not manage the Angels for an indefinite period of time due to a health concern, reports Sam Blum of The Athletic. He will attend tonight’s game against the Astros and will watch from the suite. Bench coach Ray Montgomery will manage for however long Washington is unavailable. Shortly before reporting the news…...2025
• Outside The Confines: The Rays may soon have new owners

Photo by Mike Carlson/MLB Photos via Getty Images Nothing is final until it’s final, of course. Happy Friday, everyone! In today’s news breakdown we have a little bit of everything. The Dodgers’ owner has spent an awful lot of money on another sports franchise. The Rays might be selling, but those two topics are unrelated. The A’s don’t have enough money. A Pirates player almost came to bl...2025
See more articles MLB Photos news today
• Reds pitcher Wade Miley implicated as drug source to Tyler Skaggs
A report from The Athletic's Sam Blum has two different sources saying that Cincinnati Reds pitcher Wade Miley supplied drugs to Tyler Skaggs. The post Reds pitcher Wade Miley implicated as drug source to Tyler Skaggs appeared first on Redleg Nation....2025
See more Wade Miley news
• Outside The Confines: New White Sox ownership. Eventually.

Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images It’s been a long time coming, but it’ll be still be a long time happening. Happy Friday, everyone. The big news around baseball right now is that the White Sox might finally be seeing a change in ownership, but it won’t be happening any time soon. The plan will see billionaire Justin Ishbia take a controlling stake in the Sox by... 2029. So while hope ...2025
See more White Sox
• Outside The Confines: Tigers on the prowl

Photo by Allan Dranberg/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images The Rockies are the worst team in baseball, maybe ever. The Tigers have the best record in baseball. A look ahead to the trade deadline and draft. And other MLB news. Good morning. Russell Dorsey explains why the Rockies situation this year is much worse than last season’s White Sox, and how things are kind of looking up for the So...2025
Visit the page Russell Dorsey latest news

• Outside The Confines: New White Sox ownership. Eventually.
2025

Click for news about White Sox injury status
• Outside The Confines: Tigers on the prowl
2025

Read about Russell Dorsey availability report
• Angels To Place Mike Trout On 10-Day Injured List With Bone Bruise
The Angels are placing veteran star Mike Trout on the injured list, Ron Washington told reporters (including Sam Blum of The Athletic) after tonight’s game against the Tigers. Trout is dealing with a bone bruise on his left knee, though Washington emphasized that the injury is not considered “too serious” and that there’s been no structural…...2025
Check it out Mike Trout
• Outside The Confines: What’s wrong with the Braves?

Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images Some trends are emerging to start the season, like the Braves struggling and the Padres’ strong pitching. The minor league parks are looking a little bush league. And other news from MLB. Good morning. After winning their first eight games, the Dodgers are 3-6 and in third place in the National League West. I still wouldn’t bet against them winning 100 g...2025
Click for news about Russell Dorsey injury
• Outside The Confines: Vandalizing history

Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images The Department of Defense dishonors a hero before reversing course. The pitching injuries are stacking up. The Orioles set a record and no one noticed. A high school baseball powerhouse. Good morning. No comments today. I know most of you would be respectful, but better safe than sorry. The Department of Defense temporarily removed a article praising...2025
See also Jackie Robinson injury status
• Outside The Confines: Spring Training stories

Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Injuries, excitement, sneaky showcases... Spring Training has it all. We’re finally into spring training in a real way, with actual gameplay and so much is going on. Pitchers are getting fired up about ABS... and ABS might also be proving some players have been lying about their height. Three Twins players had a scary near-miss, meanwh...2025
Check it out Spring Training injury update
• Anthony Rendon To Undergo Hip Surgery, Facing “Long-Term” Absence
Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon is slated to undergo hip surgery and will face a “long-term” absence, general manager Perry Minasian announced to the Angels beat this morning (link via Sam Blum of The Athletic). Rendon, 34, is entering the sixth season of a seven-year, $245MM contract that has proved a catastrophic misstep for the…...2025
See more articles Perry Minasian availability report
• Outside The Confines: Max Scherzer is headed to the Six

Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images The Blue Jays are taking a chance on the former Cy Young winner Happy Friday everyone! We’re wrapping up January, and in two weeks Spring Training will begin. One of the bigger names on the table has found a new home as Max Scherzer has signed a one-year deal with the Toronto Blue Jays. The Blue Jays were clearly gunning for some new pitching talent, but mis...2025
See more Max Scherzer injury report
• Outside The Confines: The rich get richer

Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images The Dodgers make yet another impact signing and the Yankees, of all teams, complain. Some other minor signings and a look at who is left on the market. Seattle is where bats go to die. Good morning. The rich get richer as the Dodgers have signed reliever Kirby Yates to a one-year, $13 million deal. Bradford Doolittle asks if you split the Dodgers ...2025
Visit the page Richard Rodriguez injury report
• Outside The Confines: Stadium news abounds

Photo by Mario Hommes/DeFodi Images via Getty Images The Rays and the A’s are both moving forward... probably. In today’s news we have a mixed bag of everything: will Juan Soto crack the $700 million mark for his contract? Should Shohei Ohtani play the field? What does the Luis Severino signing mean for the pitching market? But the biggest news is from two ongoing stadium sagas. In Tampa B...2024
See also Juan Soto injury update

• Tampa Bay Rays pay tribute to Orlando with old AA minor league cap
The Tampa Bay Rays are going to great lengths honor and help the victims of the Orlando shooting tonight. The Tampa Bay Rays organized a night to honor the victims of the nightclub massacre that took place in Orlando last weekend. On Friday the Rays sold tickets to a game against the San Francisco Giants for just $5 and committed to donating all of the proceeds to the Pulse Victims Fund. The Rays ...2016

2025
"Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon is slated to undergo hip surgery and will face a “long-term” absence, general manager Perry Minasian announced to the Angels beat this morning (link via Sam Blum of The Athletic)."

2024
"The Angels released catcher Francisco Mejia from his minor league deal today, as noted by Sam Blum of The Athletic."

2023
"Giolito will make his team debut tomorrow against Toronto, tweets Sam Blum of The…"

2022
"Drew Butera has made the leap from the roster to the coaching staff, as Sam Blum of The Athletic reports that Butera will now act as the bullpen catcher for the Angels."

2021
"The Angels are moving right-hander Dylan Bundy to the bullpen, manager Joe Maddon told reporters (including Sam Blum of the Athletic)."

2019
"Via Sam Blum of the Dallas Morning News, Rhule had a meeting with his players in New Orleans (where they’re playing in the Sugar Bowl) and was upfront with [more]"

2018
"16, but Adams told Sam Blum of The Daily Progress on Frid"

2016
"com/HMSjn8ZD1Y — Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) June 17, 2016 The Rays are sticking to their standard home uniform aside from the cap, serving an interesting blend of new and old for the Rays on the field."

• Outside The Confines: Shohei Ohtani keeps getting better
2025

Read about Shohei Ohtani salary
• Outside The Confines: Tigers on the prowl
2025

Read about Russell Dorsey contract
• Outside The Confines: What’s wrong with the Braves?
2025

See more Russell Dorsey
• Outside The Confines: Vandalizing history
2025

See also Jackie Robinson contract rumors
• Outside The Confines: Who’s on first?

Photo by Mark Taylor/Getty Images The issues surrounding baseball stadiums. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. reveals his contract demands. The decline of first base. The Mariners’ front office are criticized and other news from around MLB. Good morning. Jeff Passan looks at the issue of two major league teams playing in minor league stadiums this season. He examines what it means for the Athletics...2025
See more Vladimir Guerrero
• Outside The Confines: Spring Training stories
2025

Click for news about Spring Training
• Outside The Confines: The Alex Bregman sweepstakes are over

Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images And the Red Sox are the winners. The biggest lingering question of the offseason free agent market has finally been answered, and that’s: Who will sign Alex Bregman? The three biggest contenders were our own Cubs, the Detroit Tigers, and the Boston Red Sox. Despite a reportedly large offer from the Tigers, it was the Red Sox who won out and signed the forme...2025
Continue with Alex Bregman trade rumors
• Anthony Rendon To Undergo Hip Surgery, Facing “Long-Term” Absence
2025

Click for news about Perry Minasian salary rumors
• Outside The Confines: Max Scherzer is headed to the Six
2025

Check it out Max Scherzer trade rumors
• Outside The Confines: The rich get richer
2025

Read about Richard Rodriguez contract rumors

• Outside The Confines: Tigers on the prowl
2025

Read about Russell Dorsey
• The Cubs had an unusual starting time last week. So did the Angels — and their players were angry

Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images There’s an explanation, and it’s part of the CBA. You might have noticed that the scheduled 6 p.m. CT starting time for last Wednesday’s Cubs/Dodgers game at Wrigley Field didn’t match any usual night-game time for a game during the week. Those are usually 6:40 p.m. CT in April, May and September, and 7:05 p.m. CT the rest of the year. (Hint, Cubs: Many...2025
Check it out Michael Reaves stats
• Outside The Confines: Vandalizing history
2025

Click for news about Jackie Robinson
• Cub Tracks rhesus pieces

Photo by Gusti Aldi/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images #Cubs, #MLB, and #MiLB news, notes, and commentary, four days a week, rain or shine. Too much monkey business? Roll out the barrel! WELCOME to today’s episode of Cub Tracks news and notes™, a greatest-hits collection of Chicago-style beat writers and bloggers, ground from #Cubs, #MiLB, and #MLB baseball, overheated, steeped in ...2024
See also Cub Tracks stats
• Ranking the Rockies: No. 46, Kris Bryant

Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images Injuries again plagued Bryant in the third year of his ill-fated contract Welcome to the 2024 edition of Ranking the Rockies, where we take a look back at every player to log playing time for the Rockies in 2024. The purpose of this list is to provide a snapshot of the player in context. The “Ranking” is an organizing principle that’s drawn from Baseba...2024
See more articles Kris Bryant
• Outside The Confines: Opening Week is here!

Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images The pre-season ends this week, real baseball is almost here! Well, friends, we have officially made it. This is the last Monday without baseball! (Well, regular season baseball. that is.) It’s so thrilling to realize that this is the week baseball begins in earnest and we can switch from saying “Spring training doesn’t count” to “it’s ...2024
Continue with Shohei Ohtani statistics
• Wednesday Rockpile: Making sense of Kris Bryant’s comments

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports Colorado Rockies news and links for Wednesday, March 6, 2024 Does Kris Bryant regret signing with the Colorado Rockies? The baseball world was sent into a tizzy last week when Sam Blum of The Athletic published an article entitled “Kris Bryant left the spotlight behind in Chicago; in Colorado, his burden is different.” In the article, Bryant discusses his ...2024
Visit the page Kris Bryant stats
• Cub Tracks C’s the future

Photo by David Durochik/Diamond Images via Getty Images #Cubs, #MLB, and #MiLB news and notes, links and discussion, plus more or less scientific food for thought. The young Cubs are showing why they’re held in such high regard. These are indeed interesting times. WELCOME to today’s episode of Cub Tracks news and notes™, a greatest-hits collection of Chicago-style beat writers and bloggers...2024
Click for news about Cub Tracks
• Outside The Confines: Snakes alive!

Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images The first two games of the World Series have been completed and the signs are pointing to a classic battle in the Fall Classic. And speaking of signs . . . Plus other news from the Word Series and MLB. Good morning. We’ve got a tied World Series and a really classic Game 1. Game 3 goes tonight. Are the Snakes still alive? Or will the Rangers continue t...2023
Check it out Carmen Mandato stats
• Outside The Confines: A baseball namesake

Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images How some well-times baseball heroics forced a fan to name his newborn daughter after Mookie Betts. Happy Friday! There’s plenty of goodies in today’s links roundup, so let’s not muddle around. We’ve got a historically bad day at the park, a historically great team offense, a potentially irreversible Yankees slump, a female baseball wunderkind, and a ra...2023
See more articles Mookie Betts stats

• Outside The Confines: The Rays may soon have new owners
2025

See also MLB Photos
• Outside The Confines: Jackie Robinson Day moments

Photo by Aaron Gash/MLB Photos via Getty Images Yesterday was one of baseball’s most meaningful days. Jackie Robinson Day is a big event in baseball. All 30 clubs play, and all players wear the number 42—retired throughout MLB—to honor the late, great Jackie Robinson. While the event itself is typically a joyful one, recalling the barriers broken by Robinson that paved the way for so many ...2025
Visit the page Jackie Robinson
• Outside The Confines: What’s wrong with the Braves?
2025

Click for news about Russell Dorsey
• Outside The Confines: Who’s on first?
2025

Check it out Vladimir Guerrero
• Outside The Confines: The Alex Bregman sweepstakes are over
2025

Read about Alex Bregman
• Outside the Confines: Winning the press conference

Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images More on Roki Sasaki and the Dodgers. The Hall of Fame inductees met the media. Anthony Santander’s deal is not what it seems. And other news from around MLB. Good morning. Jeff Passan has the story of why Roki Sasaki decided to sign with the Dodgers. Yes, in many ways it is obvious, but Passan has a bunch of details you may not be aware of. Jack Har...2025
Click for news about New York Yankees
• Outside The Confines: A very merry OTC

Photo by INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty Images Merry Christmas, everyone! Happy Holidays, dear BCB readers! If you celebrate Christmas, I hope today brings you lots of joy and a delightfully filling dinner. If you’re not a Christmas person, I hope your Wednesday is still lovely and fulfilling. News will be light, but I would never leave your OTC stockings empty! Let’s dive into your mid-wee...2024
Check it out Tyler Kepner
• Outside The Confines: Stadium news abounds
2024

See more articles Juan Soto
• Outside The Confines: An ‘intriguing’ winter

Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images The Reds and Royals make a deal. Chinese Taipei wins Premier12 in a shocking upset. A survey of the free agent market and other news from around baseball. Good morning. Thanksgiving week is officially underway. Have an intriguing holiday. We had one trade this past Friday as the Reds traded Jonathan India and Joey Wiemer to the Royals for Brady Singer...2024
See more Todd Kirkland
• Cub Tracks rhesus pieces
2024

Read about Cub Tracks

• Drew Butera Retires
Drew Butera has made the leap from the roster to the coaching staff, as Sam Blum of The Athletic reports that Butera will now act as the bullpen catcher for the Angels. Butera was selected by the Mets in the fifth round of the 2005 draft but was traded before making it to the big…...2022
Check it out Drew Butera
• Angels Nearing Deal With Archie Bradley
The Angels are close to finalizing an agreement with free-agent reliever Archie Bradley, tweets Sam Blum of The Athletic. The right-hander is headed to Arizona (where the Halos have their Spring Training facility) at the moment, Blum adds. Bradley is a client of BBI Sports Group. More to come....2022
Check it out Archie Bradley
• Anthony Rendon To Undergo Hip Surgery, Facing “Long-Term” Absence
2025

Check it out Perry Minasian
• Angels Designate Jared Walsh For Assignment
The Angels announced Thursday that they’ve designated first baseman/outfielder Jared Walsh for assignment and transferred righty Ben Joyce to the 60-day injured list. That pair of transactions opens space on the roster for newly acquired right-handers Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez. Giolito will make his team debut tomorrow against Toronto, tweets Sam Blum of The…...2023
Continue with Jared Walsh
• Angels To Interview Ron Washington
The Angels are interviewing Braves third base coach Ron Washington tonight as they continue their managerial search, reports Sam Blum of the Athletic (X link). Jon Heyman of the New York Post indicated yesterday that Washington was on the Halos’ radar. Washington continues to search for his first lead job since he resigned from the…...2023
Read about Jon Heyman
• Ron Washington Meeting with Angels Tonight About Managerial Position, Per Report

Photo by Kelly Gavin/MLB Photos via Getty Images The long-time MLB coach could potentially get his next and long awaited shot at managing. With the MLB offseason officially underway, many around baseball will be focused on which players may go to new teams over the next several weeks and months. However, there are also plenty of managerial vacancies that remain open, and the Angels could ...2023
Visit the page Kelly Gavin
• Angels Reinstate Anthony Rendon, Designate Mike Ford
The Angels have reinstated third baseman Anthony Rendon from the 60-day injured list, reports Sam Blum of The Athletic. First baseman Mike Ford was designated for assignment in a corresponding move. More to come....2022
See also Mike Ford
• Astros, Ty Buttrey Agree To Minor League Deal
The Astros have agreed to a minor league contract with reliever Ty Buttrey, as first reported by Sam Blum of the Athletic (Twitter link). He’ll get a non-roster look in big league camp this spring. Buttrey has pitched in parts of three MLB seasons, all of which came as a member of the Angels. His best…...2023

1. White Sox

2. World Series

3. Red Sox

. . .

3324. Sam Blum

• Outside The Confines: Liar, liar, pants on fire...

Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports MLB’s latest snafu invloves see-through pants. In 2022 we saw tensions between MLB and MLBPA lead to a delayed start to the season. Now, while there isn’t a lockout looming, there are new issues brewing between MLB and its players, as there are mounting complaints about something unexpected... pants. While MLB is adamant there have been no major changes made t...2024
Continue with Juan Soto
• Outside The Confines: No Rays of sunshine

Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images Things are going wrong fast for the Rays. Also the Angels, who bet big on one last year with Shohei Ohtani. And other news from around MLB Just a few months ago, the Tampa Bay Rays were the biggest story in the game for the best start to a season since the 1984 Tigers. Now, they’re the biggest story in the game for not-as-pleasant reasons. The Tampa Bay Ray...2023
See more articles Shohei Ohtani

• Outside The Confines: Tigers on the prowl
2025

Continue with Russell Dorsey
• The Cubs had an unusual starting time last week. So did the Angels — and their players were angry
2025

Check it out Michael Reaves
• Outside The Confines: Jackie Robinson Day moments
2025

See more Jackie Robinson
• Outside The Confines: Vandalizing history
2025

Read about Jackie Robinson
• Outside The Confines: Who’s on first?
2025

Check it out Vladimir Guerrero
• Outside The Confines: Spring Training stories
2025

Click for news about Spring Training
• Outside The Confines: The Alex Bregman sweepstakes are over
2025

Visit the page Alex Bregman
• Outside The Confines: Max Scherzer is headed to the Six
2025

Read about Max Scherzer
• Outside The Confines: The rich get richer
2025

Continue with Richard Rodriguez
• Outside The Confines: An ‘intriguing’ winter
2024

See more Todd Kirkland

• Outside The Confines: Shohei Ohtani keeps getting better
2025

See more articles Shohei Ohtani rumors
• Outside The Confines: First to 20!

Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images Oh course Shohei Ohtani is among the best yet again. Happy Wednesday, everyone! This week, Shohei Ohtani became the first player to 20 home runs, and we’re only 1⁄3 of the way through the season. Too soon to start crossing our fingers for a 60 home run season? Never! We also have more news bites, looking at a baseball book club; how the Nationals continu...2025
Continue with Shohei Ohtani gossip
• Outside The Confines: Jackie Robinson Day moments
2025

See more articles Jackie Robinson gossip
• Outside The Confines: Vandalizing history
2025

See more Jackie Robinson gossip
• Outside The Confines: Spring Training stories
2025

Check it out Spring Training scandal
• Outside the Confines: Winning the press conference
2025

Check it out New York Yankees gossip
• Outside The Confines: An ‘intriguing’ winter
2024

See more articles Todd Kirkland rumors
• The White Sox can’t even win at losing, and fans are incensed

We know who’s to blame. The South Siders defeat the Angels, narrowly avoiding a record-breaking loss, and SELL THE TEAM becomes a movement Tonight was supposed to be the night, White Sox fans. This evening, all of your suffering, your woes, and your torment over the 2024 season was supposed to crystallize into a historic, record-breaking accomplishment. The 2024 White Sox just narrowly avo...2024
Continue with White Sox buzz
• Outside The Confines: Early success stories

Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images MLB admits the uniforms are a problem. A look back at the first month of baseball. And other news from around the MLB. Good morning. According to a memo sent from the union to the players, MLB has reportedly finally admitted there was a problem with the uniforms. The uniforms will be changed, mostly back to what they were, by the start of next year at the...2024
See more White Sox whispers
• Outside The Confines: The Yankees bid farewell to John Sterling

Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images The iconic radio voice of the team announced his sudden departure this week. On Monday, with no preamble, the Yankees announced that their long-time radio play-by-play announcer John Sterling was calling it a career, and his last game in the booth was behind him. The 85-year-old called 5,420 regular season games over his long career. Sterling cited the s...2024
Click for news about John Sterling whispers