Dinelson Lamet is set for his season debut with the Padres after working back from elbow discomfort that caused him to miss the end of the 2020 season, including the playoffs.

The average Major League Baseball salary dropped for an unprecedented third straight year, even before the shortened season caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic. The average fell despite Gerrit Cole, Stephen Strasburg, Anthony Rendon and Christian Yelich all starting long-term contracts guaranteeing $215 million or more. The average Major League Baseball salary dropped for an unprecedented third straight year, even before the shortened season caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The players’ association calculated the 2020 average would have been $3.89 million if a full season had been played. Because the pandemic caused players to receive roughly 37% of pay last year, the actual average plunged to $1.59 million, its lowest since 1998.

Springer, New York Yankees second baseman DJ LeMahieu and Philadelphia catcher J.T. Realmuto were among just six free agents who received $18.9 million qualifying offers on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, from their former teams. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)NEW YORK – Houston outfielder George Springer, New York Yankees second baseman DJ LeMahieu and Philadelphia catcher J.T. Realmuto were among just six free agents who received $18.9 million qualifying offers on Sunday from their former teams. Arizona exercised a $4.25 million option on pitcher Merrill Kelly rather than pay a $500,000 buyout, and Baltiore exercised a $3.5 million option on shortstop José Iglesias rather than pay a $500,000 buyout.

Phillies second baseman Neil Walker tried to restrain Harper, who then got in Ortizs face and began yelling at the 35-year-old ump -- an apparent violation of Major League Baseballs safety protocols during this pandemic-shortened season. Walker and first base coach Paco Figueroa tried to hold Harper back, and manager Joe Girardi also came out to help usher the star off the field. Harper is just 7 for 47 (.149) in his last 15 games, dropping his batting average from .367 down to .271. Trout leads the majors with 15 home runs and has connected five times in eight games. Hell try to get back in the swing when the Athletics face Garrett Richards (1-2, 4.63 ERA) at the Coliseum.

People watch from balconies of a building across the street during an exhibition baseball game between the Washington Nationals and the Philadelphia Phillies at Nationals Park, Saturday, July 18, 2020, in Washington. Seems like every day theres a challenge, said Scherzer, the three-time Cy Young Award winner who gave up three-run shots to old friend Bryce Harper and mask-wearing Didi Gregorius in Washingtons 7-2 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies. The energy in the stadium thats usually there, isnt there, per se, Nationals shortstop Trea Turner said. Normally, you pull up and theres a good amount of fans there, Nationals outfielder Michael A. Taylor said after taking pregame batting practice. I got beat around a little bit, but thats good, Scherzer said.

The defending World Series champion Washington Nationals are happy to have their starting center fielder finally in camp and the Detroit Tigers have named their opening day starter. Teams around the league were beginning to make their final preparations Sunday for the start of the abbreviated baseball season. It was definitely very difficult, the fact that I really wasnt able to work much on my swing, Robles said through an interpreter. Pitcher Anthony Bass said Sunday the players have told general manager Ross Atkins theyd prefer to play in a big league stadium if possible. So have Milwaukee first baseman Logan Morrison, Cincinnati pitcher Nate Jones, Tampa Bay pitcher Aaron Loup and New York Yankees pitcher Luis Aviln.

Neil Walker #18 of the Miami Marlins hits a two-run home run against the Philadelphia Phillies during the eighth inning of a game at Citizens Bank Park (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)MIAMI - The Miami Marlins are trying to jump start their offense. According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, the Marlins have hired Minnesota hitting coach James Rowson. Rowson will be the bench coach and offensive coordinator. The coordinator job is meant to implement hitting philosophies throughout the organization. The Marlins have been trying to rebuild not just at the major league level, but throughout every level of the franchise.

Cesar Hernandez and Maikel Franco also went deep for Philadelphia, which evened its season record against the Marlins at 9-9. The Phillies (81-80) will need to complete a three-game series sweep in Sunday's season finale to clinch their first winning record since going 102-60 in 2011. Eflin (10-13) gave up three runs on six hits with six strikeouts and two walks. Phillies: INF/OF Scott Kingery was out of the lineup on Saturday and won't play in Sunday's season finale after experiencing blurred vision in Friday night's game. UP NEXTRHP Sanday Alcantara (5-14, 3.95) will start for the Marlins in Sunday's finale.

Michael Brosseau of the Rays gets an RBI against the MarlinsST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Yonny Chirinos allowed one run in five innings before leaving with a hand injury and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Miami Marlins 7-2 on Sunday to match their longest winning streak this season at six games. Brian Anderson homered for the Marlins, who have lost four of five and dropped to an NL-worst 42-67. Jesus Aguilar had a sacrifice fly and Brosseau an RBI single during a two-run first, and Brosseau homered for a 3-0 lead in the fifth. Anderson hit a solo homer with two outs in the fourth for the Marlins' first hit. Rays: RHP Charlie Morton (12-3) will face Toronto RHP Jacob Waguespack (2-1) Monday night.

(Photo by JulioST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Eric Sogard homered twice and finished with a career-high five RBIs, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Miami Marlins 8-6 on Saturday night. Willy Adames and Austin Meadows also connected as Tampa Bay won for the seventh time in eight games. The Rays went ahead to stay on Adames' leadoff drive against Jarlin Garcia (2-1) in the eighth. Travis d'Arnaud, who has 26 RBIs since July 1, made it 8-6 with a run-scoring single later in the inning. UP NEXTMarlins left-hander Caleb Smith (7-4) and Rays right-hander Yonny Chirinos (8-5) are Sunday's scheduled starters.

MIAMI - Harold Ramirez hit a sacrifice fly in the ninth inning that gave the Miami Marlins a 3-2 comeback victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks Friday night. Cooper started the inning with a double before Walker walked and Starlin Castro singled. Miami struck early on Walker's sacrifice fly in the first. Miami: RHP Pablo Lopez (shoulder) will make a rehab start at Double-A Jacksonville. Miami: RHP Jordan Yamamoto (4-1, 2.61) will start Saturday.

Jordan Yamamoto #50 of the Miami Marlins throws a pitch during the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Marlins Park on June 29, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)Neil Walker homered and drove in three runs Saturday to help the Miami Marlins rally from a five-run deficit and beat the Philadelphia Phillies for the fifth consecutive time, 9-6. The Marlins fell behind 6-1 before starting their comeback when Walker snapped an 0-for-15 skid with a two-run homer in the sixth inning. Philadelphia starter Zach Eflin allowed three runs in six innings and was pulled by manager Gabe Kapler after throwing 89 pitches. Rookie Harold Ramirez had three of the Marlins' 15 hits to hike his average to .316.