Athletics: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Twins release 3-time All-Star closer Liam Hendriks

The Minnesota Twins released three-time All-Star closer Liam Hendriks on Friday. The 37-year-old Australian right-hander was a non-roster invite to spring training, where he allowed two runs in six innings while striking out four and walking three in six relief appearances.

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West Sacramento Mayor Discusses Possible Expansion

With the Athletics set to move to Las Vegas for the 2028 season, the future of Major League Baseball in the Central Valley is uncertain. After the A’s move to Sin City, would expansion to Sacramento be a possibility?

Brent Rooker News / MLB on ClutchPoints / March 20

Athletics OF Brent Rooker smashes salary cap idea ahead of expected labor dispute

The next expected labor dispute in MLB is likely to occur in December 2026. With the idea of a potential salary cap being implemented, it appears Brent Rooker, the Athletics’ outfielder, doesn’t believe it will fix much of anything for the league.

Athletics News / Just Baseball / March 20

The Fascinating Correlation Between Framing and ABS Results

Late last September, MLB announced it would implement the long-awaited ABS (Automated Ball-Strike) challenge system in major league games. With this announcement came excitement, speculation, and curiosity about how it would work and which players would adapt best to this system.

Eugenio Suarez News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Active 40-homer MLB seasons' quiz

There are 24 active MLB players with at least one 40-home run season under their belt. How many of those players can you name in five minutes?

The 'Last 30-HR season by MLB team' quiz

The '50-HR, .300 average MLB seasons' quiz

The 'Last 200-K pitcher by MLB team' quiz

Athletics News / Oakland Athletics on SI / March 20

What It Will Really Take for Nick Kurtz to Sign Long-Term With the A’s

Late last month, there was a report that the A's were trying to lock up first baseman and AL Rookie of the Year Nick Kurtz to an extension. At the time, there was no word on how much the extension offer was worth.

Athletics News / Yardbarker

One storyline to follow for every MLB team in 2026

As Spring Training opens for 2026, all 30 teams have high hopes and big questions. These are the storylines to follow for each team heading into Opening Day.

Red Sox to sign former Yankees relief pitcher ahead of Opening Day

MLB announces 80-game suspension for Johan Rojas

Mets star gets help from former teammate after clubhouse issues

Three comeback arms to watch in National League East

Five X factors in the AL Central

Athletics News / Last Word On Sports / March 20

A Look Back at the Padres’ 2025 Deadline: Grading the Moves That Will Define 2026

In 2025, the San Diego Padres had one of the most frenzied trade deadlines in recent memory. General Manager A.J. Preller traded away 14 players and brought eight onto the club.

Athletics News / Athletics Nation / March 19

A’s Drop Night Cap To Mariners 6-4

The A’s dropped the night contest against the Seattle Mariners on Thursday, blowing a late lead in front of an A’s Spring Training record-breaking 10,876 crowd to secure the loss with one week exactly to go until Opening Day.

Athletics News / Just Baseball / March 19

Could Max Muncy Be the Athletics’ Next Breakout?

Over the past few seasons, the Athletics have had their fair share of breakouts. Brent Rooker, Lawrence Butler, Tyler Soderstrom, Shea Langeliers, and Nick Kurtz have all had their defining moments transitioning to All-Star-caliber players.

Lawrence Butler News / Oakland Athletics on SI / March 19

Are the A's Making the Right Call with Lawrence Butler?

Lawrence Butler is a key piece of the A's future, which is part of the reason why they signed him to an extension ahead of the 2025 campaign. The A's locked him in to a seven year, $65.5 million deal which runs through the 2031 campaign, and has a club option for 2032.

Athletics News / Just Baseball / March 19

Top 10 Best Players in the AL Central for the 2026 MLB Season

After a wild ending to the 2025 regular season that saw the Detroit Tigers blow a 15.5-game division lead to the surging Cleveland Guardians, who knows what this season has in store for the American League Central?

Athletics News / MLB Trade Rumors / March 18

White Sox Finalize Season-Opening Rotation

White Sox manager Will Venable informed reporters (including Mark Feinsand of MLB.com) on Tuesday that the team has finalized its season-opening rotation.

Athletics News / Yardbarker

25 MLB players that could be traded during the 2026 season

The 2026 MLB season is right around the corner, and it is never too early to start thinking about how it might unfold. Seemingly, every year, we have a decent handle on who should contend and who is likely to struggle, which makes looking ahead to the trade deadline inevitable.

Athletics News / MLB Trade Rumors / March 17

White Sox’ Mike Vasil To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

White Sox righty Mike Vasil will undergo Tommy John surgery and miss the entire 2026 season, the team announced Tuesday. Vasil exited his most recent Cactus League outing due to elbow soreness and had been sent for imaging.

Athletics News / Oakland Athletics on SI / March 17

San Francisco Giants Roster Decision Could Force A's into Action

Despite the A's leaving Oakland and the Bay Area, they remain tied to the San Francisco Giants for a couple of reasons. The first, and most obvious, is that the Athletics are playing in Sacramento at the home of the Giants' Triple-A affiliate River Cats.

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The 'Active 100-catch NFL seasons' quiz

The 'Active multi-TD-catch NFL games' quiz

The 'MLB Rookies of the Year since 2000' quiz

The 'Active 30-point triple-doubles' quiz

Cristian Pache News / Last Word On Sports / March 17

Cristian Pache Making Most of Mets Camp Opportunity

Signed to a minor league deal with an invitation to the New York Mets’ spring training camp in December, no one saw this coming from outfielder Cristian Pache.

Athletics News / New Baseball Media / March 17

2026 Injury Report: Updates on Holliday, Musgrove, Ramirez

It looks like the Padres will have to wait a little longer for Joe Musgrove to make his return in a regular-season contest. San Diego confirmed that Musgrove will begin the season on the IL, one of several injury-related notes on the day.

Mason Miller News / MLB on ClutchPoints / March 16

World Baseball Classic rumors: Mason Miller status uncertain for Team USA in Finals

The United States will play in the final of the 2026 World Baseball Classic on Tuesday. They are awaiting the winner of Monday’s semifinal between Italy and Venezuela.

Kevin McGonigle News / Minor League Baseball on SI / March 16

Kevin McGonigle Furthers Case for Tigers' Opening Day Roster in Latest Spring Game

Shortstop Kevin McGonigle has been one of the most intriguing prospects to follow this spring. And with his latest spring training performance, the 21-year-old may have improved his odds of cracking the Detroit Tigers' Opening Day roster.

Athletics News / New Baseball Media / March 16

2026 MLB Spring Breakout: AL Prospects to Watch

With the 2026 MLB Spring Breakout starting soon, we continue our preview of the event with a look at notable American League prospects to hone in on. The event will give fans a good look at many first-round picks from 2025, plus some breakout prospects from a year ago.

Athletics News / Stadium Rant / March 16

World Baseball Classic’s Thrilling Final Four

With the conclusion of the World Baseball Classic’s quarterfinals, the stage is set for the remaining four teams to compete. The first round of winner-take-all play is over, and the world will see some of the best baseball ever to be played in the history of the sport.

Athletics News / MLB on ClutchPoints / March 16

How Gunnar Henderson beat Luis Severino in game-changing 9-pitch at-bat

The World Baseball Classic often turns a single moment into a defining highlight. For Team USA, that moment came when Gunnar Henderson stepped into the box against Luis Severino in a tense matchup that electrified fans.

Athletics News / Total Apex Sports / March 16

Team USA Uses Stellar Pitching, Long Ball Against Dominican Republic to Reach Third Straight World Baseball Classic Final

Against the toughest opponent it has faced and the most talented foe it will play in the World Baseball Classic, Team USA rose to the occasion to bounce the Dominican Republic, 2-1, in the semifinals.

Athletics News / Field Level Media / March 15