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• Angels Sign Nicky Lopez
The Angels have signed infielder Nicky Lopez to a major league deal, reports Jon Heyman of The New York Post. Earlier, Sam Blum of The Athletic relayed that Lopez has a locker for tonight’s game against the Dodgers. Blum also relayed that left-hander José Quijada does not have a locker, so perhaps he has been…...2025
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• Reid Detmers To Open Season In Angels’ Bullpen
The Angels informed Jack Kochanowicz over the weekend that he won the fifth spot in the rotation, manager Ron Washington told reporters (including Bill Shaikin of The Los Angeles Times). Reid Detmers is going to open the year in the bullpen, though Sam Blum of The Athletic notes that he’ll stay stretched out in a multi-inning role…...2025
Check it out Reid Detmers breaking news today
• 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
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• 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
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• 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
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• 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
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• Outside The Confines: Vandalizing history
2025

Visit the page Jackie Robinson
• Outside The Confines: Spring Training stories
2025

See also Spring Training injury status
• 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
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• 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
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• 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
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• 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
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• Outside The Confines: Could the Blue Jays be serious about Juan Soto?

Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images The Canadian club was also in the discussion about Shohei Ohtani last year, could they be ready to spend? Happy Monday, BCB friends! Not a load of preamble today, but plenty of links to jump into. Today we’ll be looking at whether to not the Blue Jays could be a sleeper contender for Juan Soto; why the Dodgers aren’t a sure thing for netting Roki...2024
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• Angels Nearing Deal With Kevin Newman
The Angels are closing in on a deal with free agent infielder Kevin Newman, report Will Sammon and Sam Blum of The Athletic. The Angels recently announced that shortstop Zach Neto could miss the start of the 2025 season following shoulder surgery. Newman, 31, had a nice year in a utility role with the Diamondbacks…...2024
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• Zach Neto Could Miss Start Of 2025 Season After Undergoing Shoulder Surgery
Angels shortstop Zach Neto underwent shoulder surgery and could miss the start of the 2025 season. General manager Perry Minasian informed reporters such as Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com (X link) and Sam Blum of The Athletic (X link), though didn’t specify the exact nature of the injury or procedure. Per Minasian, Zeto sustained the injury…...2024
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• 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
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• 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: Vandalizing history
2025

Continue with Jackie Robinson trade rumors
• Outside The Confines: Who’s on first?
2025

Continue with Vladimir Guerrero contract
• Outside The Confines: Spring Training stories
2025

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• Outside The Confines: The Alex Bregman sweepstakes are over
2025

Read about Alex Bregman salary
• Anthony Rendon To Undergo Hip Surgery, Facing “Long-Term” Absence
2025

Continue with Perry Minasian contract
• Outside The Confines: Max Scherzer is headed to the Six
2025

See more articles Max Scherzer salary rumors
• Outside The Confines: The rich get richer
2025

See more Richard Rodriguez salary rumors
• 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
Visit the page New York Yankees contract rumors
• 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
Read about Tyler Kepner contract rumors
• Outside The Confines: Stadium news abounds
2024

Read about Juan Soto salary rumors

• Outside The Confines: Vandalizing history
2025

Visit the page Jackie Robinson stats
• 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
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• Ranking the Rockies: No. 46, Kris Bryant
2024

Continue with Kris Bryant scores
• Outside The Confines: A retiring Angel

Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images The much maligned umpire has announced his retirement Usually, when we report news on retirements, it’s about a long-tenured player, or a multi-World Series-winning team manager, but the absolute biggest news of the week was the announcement that umpire Angel Hernandez was planning to retire. Umpires bear a certain amount of negativity from MLB fans, bu...2024
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• Outside The Confines: Them’s the breaks

Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images The Braves lost their superstar for the season. The Yankees are soaring and the Dodgers are struggling. And other news from MLB and baseball. Good morning. Reigning National League Most Valuable Player Ronald Acuña Jr. is out for the season with a torn ACL in his left knee. He tore his right ACL back in 2021 and missed the rest of that season as well. Dan...2024
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• 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
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• 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
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• 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
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• 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
Read about 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
Read about Mookie Betts

• Outside The Confines: Who’s on first?
2025

Read about Vladimir Guerrero
• Outside The Confines: The Alex Bregman sweepstakes are over
2025

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• Outside the Confines: Winning the press conference
2025

Visit the page New York Yankees
• Outside The Confines: A very merry OTC
2024

See also Tyler Kepner
• Outside The Confines: Stadium news abounds
2024

See also 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
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• Cub Tracks rhesus pieces
2024

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• Outside The Confines: Is Taylor Swift taking over baseball next?

Photo by Howard Schnapp/Newsday RM via Getty Images No, but she did get great seats for the ALCS. The hullaballoo and backlash of Taylor Swift’s presence at Kansas City Chiefs games may now be moving over to baseball. It turns out the pop singer’s famous boyfriend Travis Kelce is a big Cleveland Guardians fan, so the pair headed to the first game of the ALCS to watch the Guardians take on ...2024
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• Outside The Confines: A happy reunion

Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK The ‘84 Tigers celebrate an anniversary and Chet Lemon makes it there. The ‘62 Mets react to the ‘24 White Sox. Winners and losers from the Trade Deadline. And other news from around MLB. Chet Lemon may not be in the Hall of Fame, but he’s certainly a first-ballot inductee into the Hall of the Very Good. Jeff Seidel writes of former Tigers and White Sox grea...2024
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• Outside The Confines: Here comes the Judge

Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images Danny Jansen plays for both teams. Aaron Judge is really good. Juan Soto is getting paid. And other news from around MLB. Good morning. The Cubs are playing a morning game, so I guess that makes it a good morning. On the other hand, it’s Paul Skenes versus Kyle Hendricks, so. . . . As expected, Danny Jansen made history by being the first major leaguer t...2024
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• 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
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• 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
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• Anthony Rendon To Undergo Hip Surgery, Facing “Long-Term” Absence
2025

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• 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
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• 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
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• 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
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• 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

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3331. 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
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• 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
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• Outside The Confines: Vandalizing history
2025

Check it out Jackie Robinson
• Outside The Confines: Who’s on first?
2025

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• Outside The Confines: Spring Training stories
2025

Check it out Spring Training
• Outside The Confines: The Alex Bregman sweepstakes are over
2025

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• Outside The Confines: Max Scherzer is headed to the Six
2025

See also Max Scherzer
• Outside The Confines: The rich get richer
2025

See also Richard Rodriguez
• Outside The Confines: An ‘intriguing’ winter
2024

Visit the page Todd Kirkland
• Cub Tracks rhesus pieces
2024

See also Cub Tracks
• Outside The Confines: Is Taylor Swift taking over baseball next?
2024

See also Cleveland Guardians
• Ranking the Rockies: No. 46, Kris Bryant
2024

Check it out Kris Bryant

• Outside The Confines: Vandalizing history
2025

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

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• Outside the Confines: Winning the press conference
2025

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• Outside The Confines: An ‘intriguing’ winter
2024

See also Todd Kirkland scandals
• Outside The Confines: The Rickwood Field game brings history to the spotlight

Photo by Russell Kilgore Jr./MLB Photos via Getty Images Baseball remembers Willie Mays and other Negro League legends. The two big stories of the latter half of the week go hand in hand, with the Rickwood Field game happening on Thursday, just after the passing of the iconic Willie Mays late Tuesday. The memory of Mays and also remembering Negro Leagues legends of the past is a huge part ...2024
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• Outside The Confines: Don’t bet on it

Ray Acevedo-USA TODAY Sports MLB announces suspensions in a major gambling scandal. A look ahead to the trade deadline. And other news from around baseball. Good morning. If you’re going to get caught doing something stupid that’s going to get you into a lot of trouble, don’t do it for some spare change. Al has already written on this story, but Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano was per...2024
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• Outside The Confines: Them’s the breaks
2024

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• 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
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• 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
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• Outside The Confines: Opening Week is here!
2024

Visit the page Shohei Ohtani whispers