MLB

Forget the first inning, Jimmy Rollins says Shohei Ohtani should focus on the ninth innings when he fully recovers from Tommy John surgery ... telling TMZ Sports he believes the Dodgers star's future on the mound is as a closer.

The 29-year-old, of course, has been a starter and a designated hitter throughout the majority of his historic, two-way career ... but after having his second major elbow procedure this past offseason, Rollins told us he thinks Ohtani should have a very limited pitching future going forward.

Specifically, the former Philadelphia Phillies shortstop says he would like to see Ohtani bat at the dish and then be used out of the bullpen once healthy ... in an effort to preserve his golden arm.

The jersey worn during one of the most memorable no-hitters in Major League Baseball is hitting the auction block -- Yankees pitcher Jim Abbott's game-used AND autographed threads from his iconic 1993 outing.

Abbott -- who was born without a right hand -- threw the five-walk no-no in a home contest against Cleveland on September 4, 1993 ... leading New York to a 4-0 victory and solidifying his place in the history books and inspiring millions in the process.

31 years later, the top Abbott donned for the game is up for grabs via Grey Flannel Auctions ... with a starting bid of $5,000.

Shohei Ohtani fans are shelling out a ton of dough to get their hands on a super-rare version of the MLB superstar's first Dodgers bobblehead ... with folks dropping more than a thousand bucks for the giveaway.

40,000 fans were gifted the highly-coveted promotion ahead of Los Angeles' home matchup against the Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium on Thursday ... with 1,700 bobbles coming in a special road uniform colorway.

A handful of spectators who got their hands on the limited edition handout quickly headed to reseller sites to cash in on their luck ... and based on a quick search, it's working out in their favor.

According to eBay, there have been several sales already ... some reaching as high as $1,500.

Even the regular home uniform colorway is attracting a lot of interest ... with those selling for hundreds.

It's a silver lining for Dodgers fans willing to part ways with the mini Ohtanis ... 'cause the home team stunk up the place in the 7-2 loss.

The man of the night went 0-2 with a walk and a strikeout in the contest.

Sean Burroughs -- the ninth-overall pick in the 1998 MLB Draft -- has suddenly passed away, it was announced on Friday. He was just 43 years old.

The former third baseman was coaching his son's Little League game in California on Thursday when he suffered cardiac arrest.

Burroughs was a standout for the Long Beach Little League World Series teams in 1992-93 ... becoming the first American-born pitcher to throw back-to-back no-hitters as he led his teammates to two titles.

The 45-year-old man who stole and destroyed a Jackie Robinson statue in Kansas pled guilty on Thursday to multiple charges, including theft, and is now facing over 19 years behind bars!

Remember, the large Jackie statue was stolen on January 25 from a youth baseball park in Wichita, KS ... only to be found burned and destroyed days later at a nearby park.

Multiple people were captured on surveillance video taking the statue, but only one person, Ricky Alderete, has been arrested and charged.

Shohei Ohtani's ex-translator and best friend, Ippei Mizuhara, will plead guilty to multiple federal charges -- after admitting to taking nearly $17 million from the Dodgers superstar -- and now faces up to 3+ decades in prison!

On Wednesday, The United States Justice Department announced that 39-year-old Mizuhara would soon face the music after agreeing to plead guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of filing a false tax return for the extensive, multi-year fraud.

"The extent of this defendant’s deception and theft is massive,” United States Attorney Martin Estrada said of Ippei's actions.

Paul Skenes is ready to make his MLB debut ... the Pittsburgh Pirates just revealed the flamethrower will get his first-ever start this weekend -- and his girlfriend, Livvy Dunne, is thrilled!

The Pirates announced Wednesday afternoon Skenes -- the 2023 No. 1 overall draft pick -- will take the bump when Pittsburgh faces off with the Chicago Cubs on Saturday afternoon at PNC Park.

And, while Buccos fans everywhere rejoiced ... Dunne did too -- writing on her Instagram page, "...here we go!"

J.D. Martinez broke Willson Contreras' arm while swinging at a pitch Tuesday ... and if you're squeamish, you might want to skip this one.

The unfortunate scene played out in the second inning of the Mets' clash with the Cardinals at Busch Stadium, when Martinez attempted to put his barrel on a Miles Mikolas slider.

The New York designated hitter, though, ended up making contact with Contreras' forearm instead -- and replays showed once the bat hit the catcher, a bone appeared to break instantly.

The Detroit Tigers will now be using one of Calvin Johnson's CBD products to help them get over their injuries ... and the Hall of Famer couldn't be more stoked for the partnership -- telling TMZ Sports he hopes it leads to a bunch more teams following suit.

The MLB squad and Johnson's Primitiv company -- which Megatron cofounded with his former teammate, Rob Sims -- made the union official on Friday ... revealing in a statement that the CBD co.'s topical cream will be available to the Tigers throughout the rest of the 2024 season.

And, when we talked to Johnson just minutes after the pact became official ... he was fired up -- telling us he really believes the cannabinoid-infused stuff could make a real difference in Detroit's run to the playoffs this year.

Shohei Ohtani and his new wife, Mamiko, made a rare public appearance together on Thursday ... throwing on some fancy outfits and attending a fundraising event.

The 29-year-old Japanese superstar and his former basketball pro partner rolled through the 8th annual Blue Diamond Gala at Dodger Stadium in L.A. ... joined by Ohtani's teammates and a handful of celebs.

Fellow Dodgers Freddie Freeman, Jason Heyward, Kiké Hernandez and Mookie Betts brought their wives to the shindig as well ... while singer Ed Sheeran rolled through solo.

10:28 AM PT -- The MLB has just handed down punishment for the Tuesday night Brewers vs. Rays brawl ... suspending three players and one manager.

The league announced Brewers starting pitcher Freddy Peralta was hit with a five-game ban and a fine for "intentionally" throwing at Jose Siri just two innings before the fight broke out. MLB also said Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy will be banned two games for Peralta's actions as well as "his inappropriate conduct towards umpires."

As for the ones who ignited the fracas in the eighth -- Abner Uribe and Siri -- Uribe got a six-game suspension and fine ... and Siri was hit with a three-game suspension and fine.

Livvy Dunne and Pittsburgh Pirates fans have a lot in common these days -- namely, they both can't wait for Paul Skenes to get the call-up to the Big Leagues!!

The Pittsburgh Pirates No. 1 overall pick -- and Livvy's boyfriend -- has been dominating down in the minors for the last few weeks ... and Buccos supporters have already started clamoring for the org. to put him on their mound in The Show ASAP.

Dunne -- who's been dating the big right-hander for most of the past year -- is also hoping to see that happen soon ... explaining to TMZ Sports earlier this week she's already "starting to get all my merch ready."

Comedian Elayne Boosler says she was handcuffed and nearly thrown in the slammer after showing up to the Dodger game on Sunday ... claiming the whole debacle that led to her arrest was centered around a handbag.

The 71-year-old writer broke down her side of things following the alleged incident ... saying she wanted to check out the Dodgers' matinee matchup against the New York Mets, but was stopped by (in her opinion) a power-hungry stadium security guard over her baseball-themed purse.

Boosler said she was refused entry because the item didn't meet the venue's clear bag policy ... and she was told she could either take it back to her car, or throw it away.

Major League Baseball just handed down a two-game ban on Aroldis Chapman ... after it says his meltdown on Monday night was simply "inappropriate."

If you missed it ... Chapman went off on Edwin Moscoso in the eighth inning of the Pirates' 6-3 loss to the Mets at Citi Field -- after he felt the home plate umpire had botched a few balls and strike calls.

Chapman walked off the mound toward Moscoso after giving up a go-ahead, two-run double ... and had some words for the guy.

A woman who accused Trevor Bauer of sexual assault has just been hit with a criminal charge ... after she allegedly defrauded the former Cy Young winner into paying her for an abortion he believes never happened.

The charge -- fraudulent schemes and artifices -- was formally filed against Darcy Esemonu in Arizona on Monday ... weeks after a Maricopa County grand jury indicted her on the felony count.

According to a video statement Bauer posted on his YouTube page Tuesday, it stems from allegations Esemonu made against the former Dodgers star in a 2023 lawsuit.

The woman alleged in her papers that Bauer raped her during a 2020 encounter and got her pregnant. In a countersuit, Bauer denied any wrongdoing ... but he did say he had consensual sex with her one time in Dec. 2020, when the condom he had been using broke.

He claimed in his countersuit that after their hookup, Esemonu told him she was pregnant and wanted more than $1 million to terminate it. Bauer claimed he would support her decision ... before he gave her $8,761 for the cost she eventually said it took to end the alleged pregnancy.

However, in his video statement Tuesday, Bauer said, "She never had an abortion, because she was never even pregnant." He added that that was all "corroborated by her own medical records."

Bauer said authorities were made aware of all of this after they initiated an investigation into her sexual assault allegations against him.

Court records show Esemonu was also charged with fraud due to her interactions with a man named Marco Bresciani. In addition, the records show she was charged with felony theft by extortion for wrongdoing against Bresciani as well.

"Her m.o. is clear," Bauer said of the newly filed charges. "Lie to men to get their money. Extort them if she must. When they refuse to pay, stop paying, or stop giving her what she wants, go to the police, accuse them of sexual assault, and file a civil suit against them to retaliate."

Bauer stated he's hopeful he can now get another crack at pitching in the MLB again soon.

Former St. Louis Cardinals manager Whitey Herzog -- who won one World Series title and three pennants during his illustrious career -- has died at 92 years old.

His family announced the sad news in a statement on Tuesday ... explaining Herzog had been recently battling an illness. They added he spent his final days surrounded by his family members.

"Although it is hard for us to say goodbye," Herzog's loved ones wrote, "his peaceful passing was a blessing for him."

Herzog began his managerial career in 1973 with the Texas Rangers ... but he really made his mark in the Major Leagues when he took over the Cardinals in 1980.

Playing a style of baseball that MLB aficionados dubbed "Whiteyball," Herzog used unique bullpen management as well as players who could run and defend to win games.

He earned the World Series crown with the Cards in 1982 ... and added two more NL Pennant victories in 1985 and 1987.

Herzog -- who also coached the California Angels and the Kansas City Royals in his 18 years as a manager -- ultimately retired in 1990 ... with a record of 1,281 and 1,125.

St. Louis went on to retire his uniform No. 24 ... just after he was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

"On behalf of Major League Baseball," Commissioner Rob Manfred said, "I extend my deepest condolences to Whitey's family, his friends across the game, and the fans of the Cardinals and the Royals."

Added Cardinals honcho Bill DeWitt Jr., "Whitey loved the Cardinals, their fans, and St. Louis. He will be sorely missed."