Mookie Betts' surprise surge, Juan Soto's quest to start alongside Aaron Judge and close races at designated hitter in the American League and in the National League outfield highlight the second Phase 2 ballot update for the 2024 MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard.

NEW YORK -- Yankee Stadium intimidating? Clearly not for Elly De La Cruz on Tuesday. De La Cruz grew up as a Yankees fan, and his favorite player was Derek Jeter. His first Major League game as a fan was at the ballpark in the Bronx. But when it was

WASHINGTON -- Over the past week or so since the release of his hit song, “OMG,” Mets infielder José Iglesias quipped that his phone has been “busy.” Before each game, Iglesias texts his family that he loves them and then stows his cell in his locker, freeing himself from a

LOS ANGELES -- Shohei Ohtani had a busy pregame. About three hours before the game, Ohtani -- alongside Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Dave Roberts -- signed a bat that will be showcased in the Baseball Hall of Fame’s new exhibit that recognizes Japanese baseball in America. That all took place just

SEATTLE -- The Orioles’ offense took a little bit to get going in Seattle. Grayson Rodriguez made sure it wasn't an issue. Baltimore’s second-year starter shut down a struggling Mariners lineup over the course of 6 1/3 scoreless innings, leading the Orioles to a 2-0 win Tuesday at T-Mobile Park.

It is a grand honor to be the starting pitcher in the MLB All-Star Game. Most of the greats did it: Bob Gibson, Roger Clemens, Clayton Kershaw, Randy Johnson, Tom Seaver, Jim Palmer, Sandy Koufax -- everyone you’d expect. But it’s about more than just making history. It means something

CHICAGO -- Trea Turner has seen a lot of baseball in his life, so he has seen plenty of pitchers react in plenty of ways to first-inning adversity. He liked what he saw Tuesday night from rookie Michael Mercado. “That’s what’s most important,” Turner said following a 6-4 victory over

PITTSBURGH -- Before the Cardinals’ game against the Pirates on Tuesday night at PNC Park, Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol used his pregame presser to provide what turned out to be a touch of prophecy about second baseman Nolan Gorman's struggles in recent weeks. “I really do believe Gorman will get

Rintaro Sasaki has taken the MLB Draft League by storm with the Trenton Thunder. He delivered his biggest hit yet as the club made history another way Tuesday. The imposing first baseman -- who set the Japanese high school record with 140 homers -- crushed a grand slam in the

The All-Star Futures Game annually puts more of baseball's top prospects on one field than any other event, and this year's edition is no exception. The 25th annual showcase -- along with the inaugural Futures Skills Showcase -- will feature 39 members of MLB Pipeline's recently updated Top 100 Prospects

It takes a special type of athlete to be a successful closer in the big leagues. They observe the game from their perch in the bullpen, waiting hours for their chance to do their simple yet absolutely crucial job: Come in with the game on the line in the ninth

MINNEAPOLIS -- Byron Buxton’s red-hot bat helped carry the Twins on their recent West Coast swing. On Tuesday, his speed made the difference as Minnesota won the opener of a three-game series with Detroit, 5-3, at Target Field.

ARLINGTON -- If you ask Del Matthews, HBCU baseball is the closest one can get to the Negro Leagues in the modern day. Matthews, MLB’s vice president of baseball development and an HBCU alumnus, has been a central part of what has come to the forefront of Major League Baseball’s

CLEVELAND – It’s safe to say that the White Sox are probably tired of Bo Naylor. Nearly three months after Naylor walked-off the White Sox in the Guardians' first homestand of the season, the catcher once again played hero Tuesday with a walk-off sacrifice fly in Cleveland’s 7-6 win at

ATLANTA -- Less than a week after making his Major League debut, Giants rookie Hayden Birdsong got to check off another big career milestone: his first win. Birdsong gave up two runs over a career-high five innings, and Jorge Soler, LaMonte Wade Jr. and Heliot Ramos each homered as the

DENVER -- With the July 30 Trade Deadline exactly four weeks away and the price for starting pitching steeper than the Rocky Mountains, 36-year-old Dallas Keuchel showed the Brewers he still has something to offer. Making his second start since the Brewers plucked him from the Mariners’ Triple-A club for

MIAMI -- There is no such thing as “away-from-home field” advantage, but if there was, the Red Sox may have had it on Tuesday night at loanDepot park. When Ceddanne Rafaela demolished his ninth homer of the year in the series opener vs. the Marlins, one thing was clear: There

KANSAS CITY -- Zack Littell picked a perfect outing to be as efficient as possible. A two-hour, 32-minute weather delay resulted in what felt like two games, and Tampa Bay showed off its strengths in each half. Littell had one of his most efficient and productive outings of the season

We’ve saved the riskiest demographic for last in our run of top 10 Draft prospects: the high school pitchers. While there don't appear to be any prep arms slated to go at the very top of the Draft, there is some depth in this group this year. How many actually

ARLINGTON -- Golden boxes were scattered through the stands at Globe Life Field on Tuesday night, inside of them containing a bobblehead honoring Nathaniel Lowe’s first career Gold Glove Award in 2023. But in the Rangers’ 7-0 win over the Padres, Lowe looked a little more Silver -- Slugger, that

TORONTO -- There’s no joy in looking to the future yet. That day doesn’t come until the worst days are over, and they may not be yet. It’s easier to see these glimpses on the good days, though, like Tuesday night’s 7-6 win over the Astros at Rogers Centre. Take

We're keeping track of all the latest free agent and trade rumors.

The story below is a collaboration between writers from MLB.com and Yahoo Sports, who are joining forces this season to cover topics from around baseball. Phase 2 of 2024 All-Star Game balloting got underway on Sunday, with fans able to vote among the finalists at each position until the ballot

OAKLAND -- In a year where the rebuilding A’s are looking to identify a core group of young players that will help them achieve higher success beyond 2024, Tuesday felt like a significant step in that process. Prior to opening up a three-game series against the Angels, the A’s designated