2025-04-01 00:00:38.383

Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar has been suspended for 80 games without pay for performance-enhancing drug use. Major League Baseball announced Monday that Profar tested positive for Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG) in violation of the league’s joint drug prevention and treatment program. According to the Cleveland Clinic, hCG is a hormone that helps in the production of testosterone. The suspension is effective immediately. Barring postponed games, Profar would be eligible to return June 29 against Philadelphia and would lose $5,806,440 of his $12 million salary. He is also ineligible for the postseason. Profar called it the “most difficult day of my baseball career” and said he would never knowingly cheat. He apologized to the Braves organization, his teammates, and the fans, stating that he would never willingly take a banned substance but takes full responsibility. The 32-year-old Profar was an All-Star and won a Silver Slugger last season. He signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the Braves in the offseason. Profar is the fourth player suspended this year for violating the performance-enhancing substance policy. Two players were suspended last year under the major league drug program.

2025-03-31 18:03:42.566

Baseball season is back, and the New York Yankees are making headlines. Their incredible start involves a customized bat called the "torpedo" bat, designed to maximize hitting power. This bat, developed by MIT physicist Aaron "Lenny" Leanhardt, redistributes the weight of the bat to a hitter's "sweet spot," leading to more powerful hits. The Yankees aren't alone; other teams are experimenting with the torpedo bat, but its effectiveness and legality are sparking debate. While some players praise its benefits, others express concerns about its fairness and potential impact on the game. The Yankees' impressive performance, fueled by the torpedo bat, raises questions about the future of bat design and the ongoing arms race between hitters and pitchers.

2025-03-31 00:00:37.876

The New York Yankees set a new team record with nine home runs in a single game on Saturday, totaling an impressive 3,695 feet. This offensive explosion was attributed to a new bat design, dubbed the 'torpedo' bat, used by several players including Paul Goldschmidt, Cody Bellinger, Austin Wells, Anthony Volpe, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. The Yankees continued their power surge on Sunday, hitting four more home runs, bringing their three-game total to 15—tying the 2006 Detroit Tigers for the most in major league history. The 'torpedo' bat features a unique design where the wood is positioned lower in the barrel, creating a shape similar to a bowling pin. Former Yankees infielder Kevin Smith explained that the design, developed by Aaron Leanhardt, aims to increase the bat's mass in the sweet spot, potentially leading to more powerful hits. While Aaron Judge, who hit three home runs on Saturday, stuck with his conventional bat, other players praised the 'torpedo' bat's performance. Bellinger, who switched to a birch bat to accommodate the larger barrel allowed by MLB regulations, highlighted the bat's improved weight distribution. Volpe and Chisholm also expressed their satisfaction with the new design. Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy commented that players are constantly seeking legal advantages, and that increased offensive output benefits the game overall.

2025-03-30 18:06:15.966

Several Yankees players, including Anthony Volpe and Cody Bellinger, are using a new bat design dubbed the "torpedo bat." This bat features more wood concentrated towards the handle, creating a larger barrel. While adhering to MLB regulations, the bat's unique appearance has drawn attention. Volpe and Bellinger cite improved weight distribution and a larger sweet spot as benefits. Aaron Judge, however, is sticking with his traditional bat. The bat's creator, former Yankees analyst Aaron Leanhardt, is now with the Marlins. The bats' effectiveness was highlighted during a game where the Yankees hit a franchise-record nine home runs. While some players see it as a confidence booster, others remain unconvinced.