On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
For the first time since the pandemic, MLB held Players Weekend in 2024. It’s back for 2025, as the league confirmed MLB Players Weekend will return later this summer. Here’s a look at when it’ll happen, plus an explainer on what it exactly entails.
When is 2025 MLB Players Weekend?
The 2025 MLB Players Weekend event will run from August 15-17, 2025, and will encompass all games held over the three days.
It lines up roughly when Major League Baseball held it last year. During the 2024 campaign, Players Weekend ran from August 16-18, 2024.
What is it?
Players Weekend is an event that allows players to express not just themselves but also allow them to honor individuals close to their lives and baseball careers.
Per the league itself, the event has three central tenants: off-field interests, causes, and appreciation. It’s designed to celebrate players’ individual hobbies, charitable work, and special friends and/or family members that’ve helped make them the players they are today.
Players are allowed to use special custom gear during the event, like the pencil bat Bryson Stott used several years ago in the Little League Classic.
While this specific example didn’t take place during Players Weekend, it’s worth noting the 2025 edition of the Little League Classic will cap off the weekend.
When did it first start?
The first MLB Players Weekend took place in 2017.
However, it looked differently now, compared to when it first started. From 2017-19, teams allowed MLB players to wear special jerseys with nicknames on the back, rather than their last names.
This tradition, though, ended when Major League Baseball resurrected the concept in 2024.
More must-reads:
- Surprising Marlins earn MLB first in sweep of Yankees
- Brewers place All-Star righty Jacob Misiorowski on 15-day injured list
- The '250-strikeout MLB seasons' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
Red Sox having fun at home as Royals come to Fenway
The Boston Red Sox will have plenty of momentum and a rested bullpen when they open a three-game series against the visiting Kansas City Royals on Monday. Boston completed a three-game sweep by beating the visiting Houston Astros 6-1 on Sunday, running its winning streak to five games. The Red Sox have registered seven victories in their past eight games overall. "I feel like we're kind of figuring out our identity a little bit," Red Sox outfielder Rob Refsnyder said. "Guys are settling into their roles. The trade deadline has passed and it's go time." Center fielder/second baseman Ceddanne Rafaela added: "Our mindset is not only on the Yankees, it's just playing good baseball and trying to win the division." Boston has won its past five home games. The Red Sox are 12-1 in their last 13 home contests, and they own a 37-21 record at Fenway Park this season, the third-highest home win total in the majors. "We're much better than the last two years," Boston manager Alex Cora said. "We're healthier. ... We have a complete team. Guys are playing with an edge now. You can tell. Like I said, this place (Fenway Park) -- it's fun. It's fun again. "We just have to continue. Kansas City is playing good baseball. We have to show up (Monday) and try to win a game." Red Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito pitched a season-high eight innings and limited Houston to one run on three hits during the Sunday win. "Between him and (Brayan) Bello, they're doing an outstanding job," Cora said. "So we have capable guys who can go out there and compete. ... We trust our guys. All of them -- Bello, Gio and obviously (Garrett) Crochet has been amazing the last two months." Bello (7-5, 3.19 ERA) is Boston's scheduled starter for Monday. He is 1-0 with a 3.57 ERA in 17 2/3 innings over three career games (all starts) against the Royals. Left-hander Bailey Falter (7-5, 3.73 ERA) is expected to make his Kansas City debut as the Monday starter. Falter, who was acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates before the Thursday trade deadline, is 1-1 with a 7.94 ERA in two games (one start) in his career against Boston. He has seven strikeouts and one walk in 5 2/3 innings against the Red Sox. Kansas City also acquired rookie right-hander Ryan Bergert from the San Diego Padres on Thursday. He is tentatively scheduled to start Tuesday in Boston. "(The) message to those guys is, 'Look, your job is to help us ... give us the best chance to win,'" Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. "'Go out there and compete your butt off for as much as you can.'" Like Boston, Kansas City has been playing winning baseball lately. The Royals came from behind to defeat the Toronto Blue Jays 7-4 in 10 innings on Sunday. Kansas City trailed 2-1 before tying the game in the eighth and then scoring five runs in the 10th. The victory gave Kansas City two wins in the three-game series at Toronto. The Royals have won four of their past five games and each of their past four series. The Royals will not have Steven Cruz available in the near future. The right-handed reliever, who left the Saturday game against the Blue Jays after feeling discomfort in his right shoulder, was placed on the 15-day injured list before the Sunday contest. Cruz has a 3.61 ERA in 42 1/3 innings (43 games) this season.
Matt LaFleur sheds light on concerning Tucker Kraft situation
The Green Bay Packers continued work on the field on Saturday, with tens of thousands of fans in attendance watching amid the annual Family Night. However, one notable player who was not able to make it to the field and practice was tight end Tucker Kraft. The former South Dakota State Jackrabbits star is nursing a lower-body injury, forcing the Packers to take it easy on the tight end and keep him on the shelf rather than risk aggravation of the issue. Speaking to the media, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur opened up about Kraft’s status, via Green Bay reporter Rob Demovsky of ESPN. “MLF said Tucker Kraft has been dealing with a groin injury and powering through it for the last two days but they decided to give him a couple days off.” Kraft is expected to be among the major targets in the Packers’ passing attack in his third year in the pros. Selected in the third round (78th overall) by the Packers in the 2023 NFL draft, the 24-year-old Kraft is looking to surpass his production in 2024, when he posted 707 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on 50 receptions.
Brock Lesnar makes shocking return at WWE SummerSlam
It's feeling like 2012 all over again. SummerSlam 2025 ended with shock and nostalgia when Brock Lesnar returned unannounced and dropped John Cena with a thunderous F5, just as Cena was addressing the crowd during his retirement tour. The moment felt poetic, mirroring the night after WrestleMania 28 in 2012, when Lesnar returned to WWE for the first time in eight years and F5’d Cena, launching a brutal and unforgettable rivalry. This attack wasn’t just for show. With Cena’s farewell tour expected to end in December, the timing of Lesnar’s return feels intentional. WWE is known for delivering emotional, high-stakes finales for its legends and this could be the setup for one last epic clash between two of the most iconic figures in company history. Their rivalry has always delivered, from their battles in 2012–14 to the infamous “Suplex City” beatdown at SummerSlam 2014. Now, with both men nearing the end of their in-ring careers, fans may be getting a final chapter in this storied feud. Whether it culminates at the Royal Rumble or on the grandest stage of them all at WrestleMania 41, the anticipation is real. Lesnar has been off WWE TV for nearly a year, making this return even more impactful. For Cena, who has been embracing his final run with open arms, a showdown with Lesnar is a fitting, full-circle moment. It’s the kind of storytelling WWE thrives on — legacy vs. legacy, pride vs. redemption.
Cubs Star Prospect Owen Caissie Reacts To MLB Trade Deadline, Not Being Moved
The Chicago Cubs were involved in a lot of rumors heading into the MLB trade deadline, with their sights set on acquiring some help on their pitching staff and potentially someone who can play third base. To acquire the kind of talent that would be needed to help push the Cubs into the tier of contender they want to be in, they would have had to pay a premium price, likely in the form of top prospects. One of their top prospects, Owen Caissie, is highly regarded around the league and many executives in baseball thought he was amongst the likeliest youngsters to be on the move ahead of the deadline. It brought up a lot of feelings for him the days and hours leading into the deadline. “I was pretty nervous,” Caissie said in an interview with the Des Moines Register, via Tommy Birch. Alas, no deals came to fruition for Chicago that included the power-hitting outfielder. Somewhat surprisingly, the Cubs didn’t acquire the kind of impact player that would have required them to part ways with a prospect of Caissie’s caliber. They were connected to a lot of high-profile players, such as Eugenio Suarez, Sandy Alcantara, Mitch Keller and David Bednar. Caissie not surprised While a lot of people are surprised he wasn’t on the move, Caissie isn’t one of them. “I didn’t really have any feelings towards it — whether I was going or not,” Cassie said. “But I know a lot of people are surprised. But, I guess, I’m not really.” Ultimately, the team decided to instead acquire starting pitcher Michael Soroka from the Washington Nationals, relief pitcher Andrew Kittredge from the Baltimore Orioles and the versatile Willi Castro from the Minnesota Twins. All three will certainly help fill needs, but an opportunity could have been missed to make the kind of swing that would make Chicago clear-cut favorites in the National League Central. Had he been traded, Caissie would have been okay with it, but he is certainly happy to be remaining where he is. “If I would have been traded, OK. If I didn’t, great, I’m still with the Cubs and I’m happy for that,” he added. Comfortably inside the top 100 prospects in baseball, Caissie looks as ready as any prospect for a chance to showcase what he can do at the Major League level. This season he has a .282/.380/.558 slash line with 20 home runs, 26 doubles, two triples and 47 RBI. If he Cubs are unable to retain Kyle Tucker in free agency, Caissie will very likely be one of the players the franchise counts on to help replace that production. The Latest Chicago Cubs News Cubs Add Starter To 40-Man Roster, Receive Encouraging Update On Injured Pitcher Cubs New Starting Pitcher Set To Debut Against Reds Next Week Cubs Activate Numerous New Additions, Option Star Prospect Chicago Cubs To Host 2027 MLB All-Star Game At Wrigley Field
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
