{"id":477550,"date":"2026-02-13T15:07:09","date_gmt":"2026-02-13T15:07:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/477550\/"},"modified":"2026-02-13T15:07:09","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T15:07:09","slug":"morning-briefing-mlb-votes-on-rule-change-to-decrease-tipping","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/477550\/","title":{"rendered":"Morning Briefing: MLB Votes On Rule Change to Decrease Tipping"},"content":{"rendered":"

Good morning, Mets fans!<\/p>\n

Major changes are coming to the dugout and basepaths, as ESPN<\/a> reported MLB owners voted to enforce the pitch-stealing rule, requiring base coaches to remain inside their coach\u2019s boxes until the pitch is thrown, an effort to eliminate electronic and visual sign-stealing tactics.<\/p>\n

ESPN<\/a> reporter Alden Gonz\u00e1lez says that the ABS system will be fully implemented for Opening Day in 2026. One addition of the ABS will be in extra innings, where teams will always receive at least one ABS challenge, even if they used all of theirs in regulation.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Now onto the morning briefing!<\/p>\n

Latest Mets News<\/p>\n

The Mets made it official, as MLB.com<\/a> reporter Anthony DiComo reported the club finalized MJ Melendez<\/a>\u2019s one-year contract, making him the 71st player in camp. In a corresponding move, Tylor Megill<\/a>, who is recovering from Tommy John<\/a> surgery, was placed on the 60-day injured list.<\/p>\n

SNY has found its Andy Martino replacement, as SNY<\/a> announced Chelsea Janes has joined the network as its new MLB Insider, She previously served as a national baseball writer for The Washington Post.<\/p>\n

Latest MLB News<\/p>\n

The full U.S. television schedule for the 2026 World Baseball Classic is now official, as the official World Baseball Classic X account<\/a> announced the complete Fox broadcast slate covering pool play, quarterfinals, semifinals and the championship game.<\/p>\n

Pool play will take place in San Juan, Puerto Rico; Houston, Texas; Tokyo, Japan; and Miami, Florida. The tournament concludes with the Championship Round at loanDepot Park in Miami, with the Fox networks broadcasting all games.<\/p>\n

The Texas Rangers suffered a brutal blow, as MLB.com<\/a> reporter Kennedi Landry reported that Sebastian Walcott<\/a>, the Rangers\u2019 top prospect per MLB Pipeline, has suffered a UCL tear and is expected to miss most, if not all, of the 2026 season.<\/p>\n

The Los Angeles Dodgers<\/a> announced that Max Muncy<\/a> agreed to a one-year, $10 million extension, including a $7 million salary in 2027 and a $10 million club option for 2028.<\/p>\n

Also in L.A., veteran utility man Kik\u00e9 Hern\u00e1ndez is heading back to Chavez Ravine, as USA Today<\/a> columnist Bob Nightengale relayed Hern\u00e1ndez\u2019s Instagram announcement that he has re-signed with the Dodgers.<\/p>\n

MLB.com<\/a> reporter Steve Gilbert reported the Diamondbacks signed right-hander Paul Sewald<\/a> to a one-year major league deal.<\/p>\n

The Twins add to their bullpen, as The Athletic<\/a> reporter Dan Hayes notes that the Twins acquired left-hander Anthony Banda<\/a> from the Dodgers for international bonus money after Banda had been designated for assignment.<\/p>\n

The New York Times<\/a> details that the Harry Wendelstedt Umpire School, the \u201cHarvard of umpire schools,\u201d will officially close down as Major League Baseball moves toward robo-umps and automated strike zones.<\/p>\n

Philadelphia cut ties with a former All-Star. The Phillies\u2019 Athletic<\/a> reporter Charlotte Varnes writes that the team has released Nick Castellanos<\/a>. More details emerged when FanSided<\/a> reporter Robert Murray revealed Castellanos said on Instagram he was benched in part for bringing a beer into the dugout in Miami last June after being removed in the ninth inning.<\/p>\n

DLLS Sports<\/a> reporter Jeff Wilson notes that pitcher Nabil Crismatt<\/a> needs elbow surgery and will miss the World Baseball Classic, where he was to pitch for Team Colombia.<\/p>\n

ESPN<\/a> insider Shams Charania details that Detroit Pistons All-Star Cade Cunningham purchased a minority ownership stake in the Texas Rangers, his hometown team.<\/p>\n

Commissioner Rob Manfred opened the door to a controversial future. Noted on his X account,<\/a> independent reporter Joon Lee relayed comments via Jeff Passan that MLB is considering partnerships with prediction markets to monitor betting activity and protect the integrity of the game.<\/p>\n

New York added bullpen depth, as New York Post<\/a> insider Jon Heyman reported that Rafael Montero<\/a> has agreed to a deal with the New York Yankees, per H\u00e9ctor G\u00f3mez<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Latest on MMO<\/p>\n

Brandyn Pokrass reports on another day in Port St. Lucie<\/a>, where the bullpens and batting practice were lively.<\/p>\n

On the latest edition of MMO Roundtable<\/a>, the writers pinpoint what part of the team they are focusing on during spring training.<\/p>\n

On This Date in Mets History<\/p>\n

2003:\u00a040-year-old David Cone<\/a> decided to make one last run in the majors with the\u00a0Mets, joining a veteran rotation that featured Tom Glavine<\/a>, Al Leiter<\/a>, Steve Trachsel<\/a> and Pedro Astacio<\/a>. The hope was that a revived Cone could help steady a staff built to contend.<\/p>\n

He showed early promise, winning his first start with five shutout innings against the Montreal Expos, but his health quickly unraveled. After a rough second outing and a serviceable third, a sore left hip sent him to the injured list. Cone returned briefly, but after one more short appearance, ongoing hip problems forced him to retire on May 30.<\/p>\n

His failed comeback reflected the Mets\u2019 disastrous 66\u201395 season. While Leiter and Trachsel delivered, and rookie Jae Weong Seo<\/a> helped fill a hole, Glavine struggled, and Astacio was lost to injury, leaving the rotation in shambles.<\/p>\n

Born in This Date: Mike Nickeas<\/a> (1983), Brian Rose<\/a> (1976).<\/p>\n

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