NL West

Fans in attendance for the Los Angeles Dodgers matchup against the Baltimore Orioles next week will get a unique souvenir to take home.

The team announced on social media Thursday that it will give away bobbleheads of star Shohei Ohtani and his beloved dog, Decoy. The bobbleheads feature an all-gold Ohtani holding Decoy and will be a stadium-wide giveaway, according to the Dodgers' website.

Ohtani's dog has recently become popular among Dodgers fans, as last week during Players' Weekend, he rocked custom New Balance cleats featuring Decoy.

Ohtani is having a tremendous first year in Los Angeles, slugging 39 homers and 88 RBI while recording a .291 batting average. He also has stolen 39 bases, so he's just a home run and a stolen base away from joining the coveted 40 homers, 40 stolen bases club, which features only five other players.

The outstanding year means Ohtani is a frontrunner to win his third MVP and his first in the National League. Should he claim the award at the end of the season, he would be the second player to win an MVP in both the American and National League, the other being Frank Robinson in 1961 and 1966.

Amid an impressive year from Ohtani, the Dodgers currently sit at the top of the NL West at 76-52, four games ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres. Los Angeles will look to extend its lead over the weekend against the Tampa Bay Rays before a tough series with the Baltimore Orioles.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto still plans on helping the Los Angeles Dodgers pursue a World Series title this year.

The right-hander, who hasn't appeared in a game since June 15 because of right triceps tightness, pitched two innings in a simulated game Wednesday and said through an interpreter, "the feeling was pretty good. Everything is starting to come all together," per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN).

Manager Dave Roberts explained the next step is to throw three innings in the upcoming five days ahead of a rehab assignment and potential return in September.

"It's one thing at a time," Yamamoto said. "I'm going to throw some games in September and then let's see."

Yamamoto was one of the Dodgers' marquee additions this past offseason alongside Shohei Ohtani. He signed a 12-year, $325 million deal and was expected to help anchor the team's starting rotation.

That is exactly what he did in 14 starts before going on the injured list.

The right-hander posted a 2.92 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 84 strikeouts in 74 innings and wasted little time adjusting to major league competition during his first season competing in the United States.

His setback was one of many for the Dodgers' pitching rotation, as the AP noted River Ryan, Tony Gonsolin, Emmet Sheehan and Kyle Hurt all required Tommy John surgery, while Dustin May is out for the rest of the campaign because of flexor tendon and esophageal surgery.

What's more, Tyler Glasnow is on the 15-day injured list because of right elbow tendinitis.

That makes Yamamoto's potential return ahead of the playoffs all the more important for the Dodgers, and he seemed to be on track during Wednesday's outing.

"The ball was coming out of his hand with a lot of life," Roberts said. "It seems like he's healthy. As long as he recovers well, then we start homing in on the command and all that other stuff."

Los Angeles sits atop the National League West and is 3.5 games ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres. Neither challenger has faded in the division race, so the Dodgers can use the reinforcements in the pitching rotation.

And then they could use Yamamoto's right arm in critical playoff situations as well.

Those who gazed at the night sky on Monday were treated to the rare occurrence of the blue supermoon, which was captured in a beautiful photo at Oracle Park during a game between the San Francisco Giants and Chicago White Sox.

NASA explained the phenomenon of the blue supermoon:

San Francisco residents had some incredible views of the spectacle:

In addition to watching the blue supermoon, fans in San Francisco got to watch the Giants pick up a 5-3 win over the White Sox, their third victory in their last four games. At 64-63, the Giants rank fourth in the NL West but sit just 3.5 games back from the final wild-card spot in the National League.

Matt Chapman is reportedly leaning towards free agency this offseason.

Per USA Today's Bob Nightengale, the San Francisco Giants third baseman is expected to opt out of his contract following the end of the season, which would make him a free agent, though it's likely he would remain with the Giants.

"Giants third baseman Matt Chapman is expected to opt out of his contract after the season, knowing that he can earn more on the open market than $17 million in 2025, $18 million in 2026, with a mutual $20 million option in 2027," Nightengale wrote. "Chapman is having his best full season since 2019 and wants to stay in San Francisco, with the Giants expected to talk to him about an extension."

Chapman has put together his best season since 2019, when he was named an All-Star while playing for the Oakland Athletics. He has 19 homers, 61 RBI and a .245 batting average, also picking up a career-high 12 stolen bases.

He recently hinted at his desire to remain with San Francisco but said he's "waiting on them."

"That's not really my focus right now; my focus is on trying to make the playoffs," Chapman said, per the Mercury News' Evan Webeck. "But the Giants, I love being here and they know that I want to be here. They know that I'm open to that. I'm kind of just waiting on them."

Chapman agreed to a three-year, $54 million contract with the Giants in March, but the deal gives him player options for 2025 and 2026 as well as a mutual option for $20 million in 2027.

Should Chapman hit free agency, he'd likely only do so to raise his value and get more guaranteed money than the $16 million guaranteed he got with his recent deal.

For now, he'll look to help the Giants in their quest to reach the postseason. San Francisco sits just four games back from a wild-card spot at 63-63 on the year, and a strong finish could the Giants reach the playoffs for the first time since 2021.

The Los Angeles Dodgers will be without first baseman Freddie Freeman for Monday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals after also having him unavailable for Sunday's 2-1 victory in The Lou.

Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reported after Sunday's game that Freeman would miss Monday's contest and could also be ruled out for a few more games due to his finger injury.

Manager Dave Roberts told reporters Freeman cannot grip a bat because of the pain in his finger. He is scheduled to undergo further scans in Los Angeles.

DiGiovanna noted the Dodgers plan on activating Max Muncy and Tommy Edman on Monday. DiGiovanna also noted Muncy was taking ground balls at first base ahead of Sunday's game in preparation for a potential role with Freeman sidelined.

Freeman left Saturday's 5-2 loss to St. Louis in the eighth inning after suffering the injury while fielding a ground ball during the seventh inning.

"The X-rays were negative," Roberts told reporters at the time. "It's day to day. I'm hoping he's in there tomorrow. I'm sure he's going to do everything he can to play, but if not, then we'll just kind of read and react."

The timing is less than ideal for Los Angeles, as it is just 1-3 in the last four games and attempting to hold off the fast-charging San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks in the National League West.

San Diego is just two games back, while Arizona is three behind.

Freeman is one of the most consistent producers in the league with a resume that includes a World Series crown, National League MVP, Gold Glove, three Silver Sluggers and eight All-Star Game selections.

He has once again been impressive for the Dodgers this season with a .292/.391/.488 slash line, 17 home runs and 72 RBI. If he returns in time and adds 28 RBI down the stretch run, it will mark the third straight season that he reaches the 100-RBI mark.

As for Muncy, the Dodgers placed him on the injured list in May with a right oblique strain. He hasn't appeared in a game since May 15 and is slashing just .223/.323/.475 with nine home runs and 28 RBI in 40 games.

Still, he is a proven veteran with a World Series crown and two All-Star selections to his name. He can also provide power to the lineup and fill in as needed until Freeman is ready to return.

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman's cleats honoring his three-year-old son, Maximus, were officially revealed by the team in a post on X.

Freeman will wear them as part of MLB Players' Weekend, which begins on Friday.

The 34-year-old stepped away from the team on July 26, as his son was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome. Freeman eventually returned to Los Angeles' lineup on Aug. 5 after Maximus was discharged from the hospital.

Freeman and his wife, Chelsea, provided a positive update on their son in a joint Instagram post on Friday.

"We have seen a lot of progress in the last week and a half," they said. "Max is mostly sleeping through the night again. He is sitting unassisted and even started army crawling the last few days. Our life consists of doctor appointments, physical therapy, and lots of pool time. We are so happy with how well Max has been progressing."

Guillain-Barré syndrome is a rare neurological disorder in which the body's immune system attacks the nerves, according to the Mayo Clinic (via the Associated Press). There isn't a cure for the condition, although most people are able to fully recover.

The Dodgers wore shirts to support Freeman's son after he was hospitalized, while the eight-time All-Star will also be using Max Strong bats on Friday.

As part of 2024 MLB Players' Weekend, players are able to use customized bats and cleats throughout the duration of the event.

Meanwhile, Freeman has remained a part of the Los Angeles' dangerous lineup since his return. In 10 games, he's recorded four RBIs in 41 at-bats and posted a .317/.349/.463 slash line.

Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani will rock some unique cleats this weekend.

With Players' Weekend giving MLB stars a chance to display their personalities and styles with custom-made bats and cleats, Ohtani made sure he displayed someone near and dear to him.

As the Dodgers face the St. Louis Cardinals over the weekend, Ohtani will wear custom New Balance cleats inspired by his dog, Decoy.

New Balance recently released Ohtani's first signature shoe—the Ohtani 1—which are the cleats featured in his Players' Weekend customs. While his signature cleats are available for purchase, the ones featuring Decoy are likely one-of-one.

Ohtani will look to continue his magical season while wearing his custom cleats against the Cardinals this weekend. The star has 37 homers, 86 RBI and a .294 batting average through 119 games and is nearing career highs in several categories.

Ohtani is also close to becoming just the sixth player in MLB history to have both 40 home runs and 40 steals in a season. He has 35 steals this year, which has far exceeded his previous career-high of 26 steals.

Should he reach the 40 mark in homers and steals, he would join a club that consists of Jose Conseco, Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, Alfonso Soriano and Ronald Acuña Jr., who did it last year.

Ohtani and the Dodgers will also look to hold their spot at the top of the NL West this weekend as a pair of teams threaten to pass them in the standings. They currently have the lead at 71-51 on the year, but lead the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres by just two games.

Blake Snell could return to the San Diego Padres in free agency following the 2024 season.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Snell is "almost sure" to decline his $30 million player option with the San Francisco Giants this offseason. He added the Padres "love" the veteran starter and "could play for him this winter."

San Diego was also one of several teams to "inquire" about Snell's availability prior to the July 30 trade deadline, per Heyman. He was a member of the organization from 2021 through 2023 before he joined the Giants as a free agent in March.

Snell signed a two-year contract worth $62 million with San Francisco, although he could choose to decline his player option and search for a long-term deal at the end of the season.

Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi discussed the possibility of Snell leaving in the offseason during a Thursday appearance on KNBR 680's The Executive Show (h/t Ali Thanawalla of NBC Sports Bay Area).

"His representation is known for taking things into the offseason," Zaidi said. "That's not a commentary or critique. It's just the way it is. And I think he recognizes that there's going to be healthy market for his services. And we've got some young pitching, we've got other guys in the rotation, but everybody could use Blake Snell at the top of the rotation."

Snell's 2024 production has dipped slightly after winning the second Cy Young Award of his career in 2023. He owns a 2-3 record in 13 starts, posting a 3.91 ERA to go along with an impressive average of 11.9 strikeouts per nine innings.

He also recorded the first no-hitter of his career during a 3-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Aug. 2.

The Padres have thrived since the All-Star break, winning nine of their past 10 games and emerging as a challenger in the NL West. Even if they're unable to secure a division title in 2024, the potential offseason addition of Snell could help them become a consistent postseason contender.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are gearing up for Mookie Betts' return.

The team announced on social media Monday that it has activated the Betts from the injured list, also designating infielder/outfielder Amed Rosario for assignment.

Los Angeles acquired Rosario from the Tampa Bay Rays ahead of the trade deadline and he played just five games with the Dodgers. In 11 at-bats, he had three hits and a run.

Rosario was in his second stint with the Dodgers, as he was also acquired at the 2023 trade deadline from the Cleveland Guardians. He has hit well this season, recording a .305 batting average across his time with Los Angeles and Tampa Bay.

Ultimately, the Dodgers needed to make room on the roster for Betts, and they felt Rosario was someone they could move on from as they gear up for the postseason.

Betts has been out since June after a 97-mph fastball from Kansas City Royals reliever Dan Altavilla left him with a broken left hand. The veteran had 10 homers, 40 RBI and a .304 batting average in 72 games before the injury.

Upon his return, Betts will return to his familiar position in the outfield rather than playing shortstop, manager Dave Roberts said on Friday.

"He is most confident right now in right field versus at shortstop," Roberts said.

The Dodgers experimented with Betts at shortstop to start the season despite him having not played the position since high school.

Los Angeles announced Monday that Betts will play right field and hit second in the order behind Shohei Ohtani against the Milwaukee Brewers.

While the Dodgers still sit in first place in the NL West, they have struggled for much of the last month. Their lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres has shrunk significantly and they now lead the division by just 3.5 games.

With a sparkplug like Betts back in the lineup, Los Angeles will look to regain its composure as it begins the final stretch of the season.

A return to the mound in 2024 is possible for Yu Darvish, who has been out since May.

Per The Athletic's Dennis Lin, the San Diego Padres starting pitcher threw live batting practice at a San Diego-area high school on Sunday. According to Lin, multiple observers noted that Darvish "appeared healthy and in good form."

Darvish has been working out and throwing on his own since early July. Now, he could be nearing his return.

Lin noted Darvish initially missed time because of multiple injuries. However, he was placed on the restricted list on July 6 as he dealt with "a personal matter."

Darvish initially went on the injured list in late May due to a left groin strain. He was close to returning in June, but experienced some minor elbow pain that kept him off the mound.

According to Lin, Darvish has not informed the team whether he plans to pitch again this season, but throwing against live batting practice is a good sign that he's made progress toward a potential return.

A return would aid the Padres' rotation significantly as they continue their postseason push. San Diego is currently four games ahead in the wild-card race and would likely be able to hold that position if Darvish is back on the mound sometime soon.

The Padres got good news regarding their rotation this week as starter Joe Musgrove is set to return to the mound against the Pittsburgh Pirates following a two-month stint on the injured list.

Now, they'll hope to bolster their rotation further by getting Darvish back on the mound.

In 11 appearances this season, Darvish has a 3.20 ERA and 53 strikeouts with a 4-3 record.