April 3 1923 — Expelled “Black Sox” players Happy Felsch and Swede Risberg sued their former club for back salary and $400,000 in damages. They were among eight members of the Chicago White Sox team charged with fixing the 1919 World Series. 1966 — The New York Mets won the right to sign Southern California pitcher Tom Seaver when Commissioner William Eckert pulled the team’s name out of a hat. Eckert had voided Seaver’s contract with Atlanta, when the Braves signed him during his college season. Cleveland and Philadelphia were the other two teams that had a chance, matching the Braves’ original $40,000 offer. 1985 — The Players’ Association agreed with the owners to expand the 1985 League Championship Series from best-of-five to best-of-seven. 1994 — The St. Louis Cardinals beat the Cincinnati Reds 6-4 in the first Sunday night opener, sending baseball into a new era with three divisions and a new playoff format. 1998 — Milwaukee’s Jose Valentin hit three homers and drove in five runs... [More]

March 311961 — The Pacific Coast League's proposal to use a designated hitter for the pitcher was rejected by the Professional Baseball Rules Committee by a vote of 8-1.1968 — Seattle, the American League's second new team, announced its nickname — the Pilots.1995 — Major league baseball players end their strike when Federal judge Sonia Sotomayor of U.S. District Court in Manhattan rules against the owners in the labor dispute.1996 — The Seattle Mariners beat the Chicago White Sox 3-2 in 12 innings in major league baseball's season opener, the first major league game played in March.1998 — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Arizona Diamondbacks looked like expansion teams in their first games. The Devil Rays fell behind 11-0 in an 11-6 loss to Detroit at Tropicana Field, and the Diamondbacks dropped a 9-2 decision to the Colorado Rockies at Bank One Ballpark. Milwaukee dropped a 2-1 decision at Atlanta in the Brewers' first game since becoming the only team to switch leagues this century.2003... [More]

March 271973 — Minnesota pitcher Jim Perry became the first player to use the "10 and 5 rule" when he OK'd his own trade to the Detroit Tigers for minor league pitcher Dan Fife and cash.1986 — Major League Baseball's Rules Committee voted to change the designated hitter rule for the World Series allowing a DH to be used in all games played in the American League home park. Since 1976 the DH had been used in all games in alternating years.March 281970 — Commissioner Bowie Kuhn announced the return of the All-Star selection to the fans.1977 — Lenny Randle of the Texas Rangers, angry about having been benched during spring training, attacked 50-year-old manager Frank Lucchesi and sent him to the hospital with a shattered cheekbone.1999 — Harold Baines singled in the tiebreaking run in the top of the 11th inning as the Baltimore Orioles beat the Cuban all-star team 3-2 in Havana. It was the first time in 40 years a major league team had played in Cuba.1991 — Methodist College beat Maryville... [More]

March 291973 — Orange baseballs are used in an exhibition game by Oakland owner Charlie Finley. The A's suffered 11-5 exhibition loss to Cleveland. George Hendrick of the Indians hit three home runs in the game.2000 — The Chicago Cubs open the major league season at the Tokyo Dome in Japan by defeating the New York Mets 5-3 in the first big league game ever played outside of North America.2015 — Belmont broke three NCAA Division I records and tied a fourth during a 20-run sixth inning in a 34-10 victory over UT Martin. The Bruins set the marks for most plate appearances (26), total bases (43) and RBIs (20) in an inning. Belmont homered seven times in the sixth to tie the record for most homers in an inning.2017 — New York Mets reliever Jeurys Familia was given a 15-game suspension under Major League Baseball's domestic violence policy.March 301966 — The Koufax-Drysdale holdout ended. The Los Angeles Dodgers announced the signings. Sandy Koufax got $120,000 and Don Drysdale $105,000, making... [More]

March 311961 — The Pacific Coast League's proposal to use a designated hitter for the pitcher was rejected by the Professional Baseball Rules Committee by a vote of 8-1.1968 — Seattle, the American League's second new team, announced its nickname — the Pilots.1995 — Major league baseball players end their strike when Federal judge Sonia Sotomayor of U.S. District Court in Manhattan rules against the owners in the labor dispute.1996 — The Seattle Mariners beat the Chicago White Sox 3-2 in 12 innings in major league baseball's season opener, the first major league game played in March.1998 — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Arizona Diamondbacks looked like expansion teams in their first games. The Devil Rays fell behind 11-0 in an 11-6 loss to Detroit at Tropicana Field, and the Diamondbacks dropped a 9-2 decision to the Colorado Rockies at Bank One Ballpark. Milwaukee dropped a 2-1 decision at Atlanta in the Brewers' first game since becoming the only team to switch leagues this century.2003... [More]

LHP Matt Harrison (lower back inflammation) missed the entire season. He likely will not contribute to the Phillies next season.

LHP Matt Harrison (lower back inflammation) went on the 60-day disabled list April 2. He might miss the entire season.

LHP Matt Harrison (lower back inflammation) did not appear for the Phillies after he was acquired from the Rangers in the Cole Hamels trade in late July 2015. He is expected miss at least the first half of the season because of the inflammation, which the Phillies have termed hyperthyroidism.

Harrison (back) was transferred to the 60-day DL on Tuesday.

Harrison is unlikely to pitch again this season, and at this point his career could be in jeopardy. He's battled back issues for the better part of the last three seasons and underwent a serious spinal fusion surgery last summer. The Phillies, who acquired Harrison in the Cole Hamels deal, will likely part ways with the 29-year-old this offseason, and the move to place him on the 60-day DL simply frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for a September call-up.

Phillies interim manager Pete Mackanin indicated that it's doubtful that Harrison (back) will pitch again this season, Matt Breen of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

The Phillies took back Harrison's poor contract to help the Rangers offset the cost of Cole Hamels in last week's trade, but the 29-year-old -- who has been bothered by back issues the last three seasons -- was never expected to be a cornerstone of the rebuilding plan. It looks like Harrison won't even be able to serve as an innings eater for the Phillies, as his latest bout with a type of lower-back inflammation called hyperthyroidism will likely prompt the team to shut him down for good as a safeguard. Harrison faced long odds to even pitch again after undergoing a risky spinal fusion procedure last June, and the former All-Star did well just to make three starts with the Rangers prior to the trade. This latest setback could spell the end of his professional career.

Harrison (back) has been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Harrison was placed on the disabled list Friday due to lower-back inflammation, but he hopes that the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism solves his wight loss, back stiffness and loss of velocity. It's unclear how long the issue will keep him sidelined, but the club will now be able to attack what's causing him issue.

Harrison was placed on the 15-day DL on Friday with lower-back inflammation, Ryan Lawrence of the Philadelphia Daily News reports.

It's more of the same for Harrison, who has now missed the better part of three seasons due to recurring back issues. The 29-year-old is under contract for two more years at $13.2 million per season, with a $2 million buyout for 2018. Taking his contract on in the Cole Hamels deal was a big part of the reason why the Phillies got as many good prospects as they did.

Harrison was officially dealt to the Phillies on Friday as part of the trade that will send Cole Hamels to the Rangers, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

The Phillies' agreement to take on Harrison's burdensome contract was likely necessary in order for the Rangers to give up three of their top-five prospects in the deal -- catcher Jorge Alfaro, outfielder Nick Williams, and starting pitcher Jake Thompson. Now healthy after missing the previous two seasons due to back issues, Harrison has looked like a diminished version of himself in his first three starts with the Rangers, producing a 6.75 ERA and 1.56 WHIP over 16 innings while sporting an average fastball velocity of only 86 miles per hour. He's expected to assume a spot in the Phillies' rotation to finish out the season, but don't count on the lefty to rediscover the form that made him an All-Star in 2012.

The Rangers will trade Harrison to the Phillies as part of Wednesday's blockbuster trade that sent Cole Hamels to Texas, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Philadelphia reportedly had a scout at Globe Life Park on Monday to watch Harrison's start, when he allowed six earned runs over six innings to the Yankees. Harrison has made just three starts this season after undergoing spinal fusion surgery and is owed over $13 million per year through 2017 with a team option for 2018. The Phillies will be taking on that contract, along with an impressive haul of prospects from the Rangers' organization, in exchange for ace Cole Hamels.

Harrison earned his first win behind six shutout innings Tuesday against Colorado. He struck out two, walked one, and scattered seven hits.

Harrison was making just his second start off the disabled list this year and is still on a pitch limit, as he was pulled after tossing 91 pitches. Harrison induced 11 ground balls in a vintage performance, including a pair of double plays, in an encouraging performance both for the Texas rotation and Harrison's speculators.

Harrison (0-1) gave up six runs on six hits and three walks while striking out one in four innings against the Diamondbacks on Wednesday.

Harrison, an All-Star in 2012 before back problems surfaced early the next season, was activated from the disabled list Saturday and made his first appearance in over a year. He made his previous start on May 13, 2014, against Houston, when he left with back stiffness about a month before career-threatening spinal fusion surgery. It was the last of three procedures for back problems that limited the left-hander to six appearances over two seasons. Harrison, who threw in the mid-90s before he started having back issues, hit 87 mph with his first fastball, but couldn't go above that.

Harrison's spot in the rotation has been moved to Wednesday against the Diamondbacks, Anthony Andro of FOX Sports Southwest reports.

Harrison was activated from the disabled list Saturday with the intention of taking the mound Tuesday, but he'll instead wait an additional day. During his six rehab starts between Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock, he notched a miserable 6.23 ERA, 1.673 WHIP, and 21:15 K:BB in 34.2 innings.

Texas Rangers pitcher Matt Harrison will start Wednesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks after recovering from a back injury, according to Fox Sports Southwest.

Texas Rangers pitcher Matt Harrison will start Wednesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks after recovering from a back injury, according to Fox Sports Southwest. Harrison has had his career derailed by back injuries, as he has logged just 28 innings since 2013, but he feels he is ready to return after throwing six rehab starts. "I think success for me was getting back on the mound. ... My biggest hurdle was getting back on the mound again," Harrison told ESPN. "At this point, it's a matter of getting my mind right again to go out there and pitch in a big league game, and try to control my emotions as best as possible. It's just amazing to be at this point." Harrison refused to agree to extend his rehab beyond 30 days, resulting in his activation from the DL. He has a 4.15 earned-run average and 403 strikeouts over 652.1 innings in his career.

The Rangers activated Harrison (back) from the disabled list Saturday.

Harrison will not get into a game until he starts Tuesday, but the Rangers were forced to make a roster move with him reaching the 30-day maximum on his rehab assignment. Harrison was not particularly sharp during his minor league stint, posting a 6.23 ERA and 21:15 K:BB ratio over six rehab starts, so he will likely have to sharpen things up to hold down a spot in the Rangers' rotation.

Harrison (back) will start Tuesday against the Diamondbacks, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

Harrison refused to agree to an extended rehab assignment for the Rangers, likely speeding up the timetable for his activation in the process. In six starts between Double-A and Triple-A, he's posted a 21:15 K:BB over 34.2 innings this season.