Jury selection begins in Orange County as the Skaggs wrongful-death case against the Los Angeles Angels moves toward trial. Plaintiffs seek at least $210 million in lost earnings, arguing the Angels breached duty by letting Kay supply opioids to players. The case could run weeks.

Witnesses include Mike Trout, Albert Pujols, and Andrew Heaney; the proceedings probe clubhouse culture and Kay’s role. The verdict could reshape MLB drug policy and how teams manage medical issues and player safety.

Postseason baseball reverts to traditional extra innings rules: no automatic runner on second. The Tigers–Mariners 2-2 tilt shows the contrast with the regular season’s speed-up gimmick and underscores how longer innings test bullpen depth and late-game decision-making.

The piece also nods to historic milestones by Shohei Ohtani and Roki Sasaki, signaling baseball’s evolution beyond the playoff rule debate and toward a broader era of record-setting moments.

Zach McKinstry turned a dream season into reality for Detroit, posting a career-best batting average (.259) and OPS (.771) while becoming a dynamic, multi-position contributor. He logged 23 doubles, 11 triples, 12 homers, 49 RBI and 19 steals, a rare blend of power and speed. His 11th-inning, go-ahead hit in Seattle sealed a 3-2 win and crowned a year that saw him rise from a 33rd-round Dodgers pick in 2016 to an All-Star and Tigers hero.

McKinstry’s breakout is a blueprint for late bloomers: versatile, durable, and capable of delivering in clutch moments. Fantasy managers should weigh his multi-positional eligibility and speed-heavy profile as a potential mid-season spark with room to grow, especially if he maintains a regular role in Detroit’s lineup.

Tennessee baseball coach Tony Vitello sits at the center of MLB manager buzz but says there have been no direct talks and he remains focused on the Volunteers and recruiting. The chatter, largely fueled by social media and media outlets, is framed as a compliment to his program and staff. Vitello has built Tennessee into a national title contender, dramatically elevating the program while several MLB jobs remain open across seven teams.

Vitello in eight seasons at UT is 341–131 with a 2024 College World Series title, two SEC regular-season titles, and two SEC Tournament titles. The ongoing MLB openings include the Braves, Giants, Orioles, Angels, Twins, Rangers and Nationals, underscoring the college to pro pipeline now under serious consideration by MLB executives.