Latest Shohei Ohtani News

Aaron Nola is staying in Philadelphia, signing a 7-year deal with the Phillies

Nov. 19, 2023 16:44 PM EST

Aaron Nola is staying in Philadelphia, after all. The right-hander signed a seven-year contract to remain with the Phillies after testing the free-agent market, the team said Sunday. ESPN and others reported the 30-year-old's contract is worth $172 million. “At the...

Atlanta's Ronald Acuña Jr. unanimous NL Most Valuable Player after 41-homer, 73-steal season

Nov. 16, 2023 23:03 PM EST

NEW YORK (AP) — Ronald Acuña Jr. had been waiting for this moment. “From the day I got to the league right away I always knew I wanted to be the MVP," the Atlanta Braves right fielder said through a translator. “It’s always been a dream of mine and I’m living the dream...

Shohei Ohtani, baseball's 2-way star, becomes first 2-time unanimous MVP

Nov. 16, 2023 20:19 PM EST

NEW YORK (AP) — Shohei Ohtani's injury remains mysterious. His dominance is clear. After captivating baseball with his unprecedented combination of high-level hitting and premium pitching, the two-way star became the first two-time unanimous Most Valuable Player when he won the...

Shohei Ohtani, Cody Bellinger among 7 free agents to turn down $20M qualifying offers

Nov. 14, 2023 19:22 PM EST

NEW YORK (AP) — Shohei Ohtani was among seven players who turned down $20,325,000 qualifying offers from their former teams Tuesday and remained on the free agent market to pursue more lucrative contracts. In addition to Ohtani saying no to the Los Angeles Angels, others who...

The designated hitter hasn't always lived up to its title after 2 full MLB seasons in both leagues

Nov. 09, 2023 17:08 PM EST

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The universal designated hitter has been part of Major League Baseball for two full seasons and, much to the chagrin of some National League traditionalists, the sport has survived and even thrived. In a somewhat surprising development, though, many teams...

Shohei Ohtani is donating 60,000 baseball gloves to Japanese schoolchildren

Nov. 09, 2023 14:16 PM EST

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Two-way star and coveted free agent Shohei Ohtani is donating about 60,000 baseball gloves to Japanese elementary schools. Ohtani, a free agent who has spent the past six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, announced Wednesday on Instagram that he's donating...

Ohtani free agency sweepstakes off to a clandestine start at MLB's general manager meetings

Nov. 08, 2023 14:21 PM EST

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The race to add two-way baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani in a blockbuster free agency deal is off to a clandestine start. “Special player, that’s all I’ll say,” said Chris Young, general manager of the World Series champion Texas Rangers. ...

Chicago White Sox hire Marcus Thames as their hitting coach

Nov. 07, 2023 17:27 PM EST

CHICAGO (AP) — Marcus Thames was hired Tuesday as their hitting coach of the Chicago White Sox, who lured him from a similar job with the Los Angeles Angels. Thames joined manager Pedro Grifol's staff after spending last season in that role with Los Angeles. Powered...

Ohtani and Texas teammates Seager, Semien are AL MVP finalists. NL trio is Acuña, Betts, Freeman

Nov. 06, 2023 21:07 PM EST

NEW YORK (AP) — Two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani is a finalist for the AL MVP award, along with teammates Corey Seager and Marcus Semien of the World Series champion Texas Rangers. Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. headlines the remaining contenders for the National League...

Shohei Ohtani, Cody Bellinger among 7 to get qualifying offers as 168 free agents hit the market

Nov. 06, 2023 19:39 PM EST

NEW YORK (AP) — Two-way star Shohei Ohtani was among seven players who received $20,325,000 qualifying offers from their former teams Monday as the free agent market opened for 168 players. All seven players are likely to turn down the offers by the Nov. 14 deadline to accept in...