Welcome back, baseball fans. Tuesday was a busy day in Major League Baseball. Let’s get right to the day’s top headlines.
MLBPA Executive Director Suddenly Resigns
Tony Clark, executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association, resigned Tuesday morning, mere hours before he was supposed to meet with the Cleveland Guardians, ESPN reports.
As detailed by Jeff Passan and Don Van Natta Jr., the abrupt announcement was initially thought to be in connection with a federal probe into the union and alleged financial improprieties and nepotism.
It soon emerged, however, that Clark had an allegedly inappropriate relationship with his sister-in-law, who was hired by the union in 2023, during which time he was still executive director.
“In the course of the inquiry, the disclosure of the relationship was seen as crossing a red line by player leaders, who were already skeptical about Clark’s future due to the federal probe, sources told ESPN,” Passan and Van Natta wrote.
Twins’ Pablo Lopez Out for Year
Bad news for Minnesota: Star pitcher Pablo Lopez will miss the 2026 season with a UCL tear that will likely require Tommy John surgery.
As reported by the Associated Press, Twins general manager Jeremy Zoll confirmed Lopez suffered a “significant tear,” something feared after he ended a spring training throwing session Monday due to soreness in his throwing elbow.
Lopez missed significant time last season due to injury, though he still posted a 2.74 ERA in his 14 starts.
He will also miss pitching for Team Venezuela in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
Buehler Also Thinks It’s ‘Weird’ He’s a Padre
Walker Buehler signed a minor-league deal with the San Diego Padres on Monday, the latest development in a rocky road for the former Dodgers hurler.
Buehler was with the Boys in Blue from 2017 to 2024, but now, he’s suiting up in the colors of a hated rival.
When asked by local media about it, he admitted the situation was strange but still expressed excitement about the upcoming season.
“Yeah, it feels a little weird,” Buehler said. “I imagine 5 years ago, it would’ve been a lot more weird. But this is a crazy game, and this is a great opportunity for me to again be part of a really talented baseball club.”
