Soto has taken a proactive role in uniting the roster, reaching out to teammates and creating opportunities for connection. “We’ve played together before, so we already know each other well. Soto played a huge role in bringing everyone together.” Machado said in an interview with Yancen Pujols.

He also added, “He’d call me up and say, ‘Manny, what are you doing today? We’ve got a call.’ Then he’d reach out to the next guy, and so on. He really started something special and built the chemistry on this team, I think that’s so important.”

The Dominican Republic roster boasts star power, and Juan Soto’s influence extends beyond mere coordination. “Who better to do it than Soto? He’s a massive Dominican icon, one of the best players in the Classic and in the big leagues. When stars like him, myself, Vladdy, Tatis, and Julio talk passionately about the Classic, it opens doors and inspires other players to want to join in and contribute,” Machado added, highlighting Soto’s pivotal role.

How will Soto’s leadership impact Team Dominican Republic in the WBC?

Machado believes Soto’s energy and influence could be the difference-maker for the team. His ability to inspire veterans and newcomers alike fosters unity and strengthens the roster’s commitment to the Classic.

Can Dominican Republic turn star power into a championship run?

The chemistry and leadership built by Soto and reinforced by Machado may define the team’s path in the 2026 WBC. Success will rely not only on talent but on how well these stars collaborate under international pressure.

The Dominican Republic will open play in Pool D alongside Venezuela, Netherlands, Israel and Nicaragua in Miami from March 6‑11, with the top two teams advancing to the tournament’s quarterfinals — a setup that places a premium on early momentum and leadership.

The report was shared by Hector Gomez on X (@hgomez27): “The Kansas City Royals sign catcher Elias Diaz to minor league deal, with spring training invite.” The signing generated notable attention, as the veteran free agent has appeared in 205 games over the past two seasons.

It’s not considered a major loss for Machado and the Padres, who have a strong roster capable of covering the catcher position. However, the Royals appear to be prioritizing experience. Diaz brings 11 years of MLB service time, primarily serving as a backup to established starters.

Elias Diaz represents a low-cost veteran addition for the Royals

More than a decade in Major League Baseball is no small feat. Diaz spent his first five seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, and in 2017 he received his first extended opportunity to showcase his potential, appearing in 64 games behind the plate.

He then spent four and a half seasons with the Colorado Rockies, where he became an important part of the club’s defensive work at home plate. While he wasn’t always the full-time starter, he logged multiple 100-plus game seasons for Colorado before departing in 2024 to join Machado and the San Diego Padres.

In 2025, Diaz endured one of his least productive seasons, posting a .204 batting average with 52 hits and 29 RBIs in what was a difficult campaign overall. He earned $3.5 million in salary, which could serve as a reference point for any potential deal to return to the majors. According to Spotrac, his current market value is projected at approximately $2.4 million.

Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies and Manny Machado of the San Diego Padres both weighed in on the Dodgers’ approach, offering compliments on their spending habits. While some may view such praise as validation, Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes had a different perspective.

Asked about the comments, Gomes was direct. “We’re not looking externally for validation. The validation is winning championships and putting out as good a team as we can each and every year,” he told reporters. “All we’re trying to do is get a little bit better each season, with the goal of winning championships.”

How Dodgers balance spending and success

Gomes credited the organization’s ownership for giving the front office flexibility to improve the roster each offseason. “We’ve always [been] in the position to address the needs that will help us go out and win another championship,” he said. “We’ve been fortunate to acquire guys that fit that really well.”

Meanwhile, pitchers and players continue preparations for the season. Roki Sasaki threw live batting practice Sunday, testing a new cutter-slider combination under the guidance of Dodgers coaches. Gomes expressed confidence in the young pitcher’s development. “He’s fully capable of it… All of the stuff we’ve seen so far, he’s looked really, really good,” Gomes said.

Injury updates as camp opens

Just before camp, the Dodgers re-signed Kiké Hernández and Evan Phillips, both recovering from elbow injuries. Gomes provided updates on their progress. “Kiké’s progressing well… He should start swinging here pretty soon,” he noted. Regarding Phillips, “It all depends on how the build-up goes… but he’s feeling really good. Throwing looks great. Body looks great.”

The report came from Bob Nightengale on X (@bnightengale): “Manny Machado, who has known Nick Castellanos since they were kids in Miami, says Padres GM AJ Preller deserves an extension for ‘getting a $20 million player for pennies on the dollar.’”

With Castellanos now on board, the Padres gain a versatile bench piece capable of playing three different roles, designated hitter, first base, and the outfield. That flexibility should benefit the team significantly and reflects what Machado was highlighting: the value of acquiring a former Philadelphia Phillies player at a bargain price.

Preller responds to Machado’s proposal

The message that Machado was calling for an extension for A. J. Preller spread quickly, and reporters soon asked the Padres executive how he felt about the veteran infielder publicly backing him. Preller responded by referencing the massive contract Machado signed with the Padres.

Bob Nightengale shared the quote on X: “A.J. Preller, Padres president of baseball operations who’s on the final year of his contract, when asked whether he appreciated Manny Machado saying he deserves an extension: ‘You give out a $300 million contract, you usually get those kind of comments.’”

During a press availability on February 15, 2026, Preller also expressed optimism about what Castellanos brings to the roster, highlighting his veteran presence and the “assets he brings to the clubhouse.” The former Philadelphia Phillies slugger hit 17 home runs last season.

Machado’s achievement reignites the conversation around which active stars could follow in his footsteps. Three elite hitters stand out: Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees, Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Juan Soto of the New York Mets. Though they differ in style and career arcs, each has posted elite numbers since debuting.

Here’s a look at where these three sluggers stand statistically through July 7, 2025, and a projection of when they could potentially reach the 2,000-hit mark—assuming health and consistency, according to MLB.com.

How close is Aaron Judge to 2,000 hits?

Since debuting in 2016, Aaron Judge has compiled 1,145 hits, 348 home runs, 816 runs scored, and 790 RBIs, with an OPS of 1.026. In 2025, he’s collected 119 hits and is batting .360 in what could be one of his best offensive seasons yet.

If he maintains an average of 150 hits per season, Judge is on pace to reach 2,000 hits by 2031, when he’ll be 39 years old. While that timeline may be affected by his injury history, Judge’s current form suggests the target is still achievable.

Will Shohei Ohtani get there despite his two-way role?

Shohei Ohtani has totaled 977 hits since his 2018 MLB debut. Though he spent several seasons splitting duties as a pitcher, since becoming a full-time hitter in 2024, his offensive output has grown considerably. He has 255 career home runs, 623 RBIs, 157 stolen bases, a lifetime batting average of .281, and an OPS of .950.

Assuming a pace of 140 hits per year, Ohtani could reach the 2,000-hit milestone around 2033, at age 39. While longer than others on this list, his remarkable versatility and star power make every season a chance to rewrite the record books.

Is Juan Soto the best bet to reach 2,000 hits first?

Juan Soto, now 26, has recorded 1,018 career hits since his debut in 2018. He holds a lifetime batting average of .283, with 222 home runs, 643 RBIs, 67 stolen bases, and an elite .949 OPS.

Given his youth and consistency, if Soto averages 160 hits per season, he could join the 2,000-hit club by 2031, at the age of 32—the youngest of the three by a significant margin.

How do their projections compare?

Who has the best tools to get there first?

Juan Soto not only holds an age advantage but also continues to be one of the toughest outs in the MLB. If he stays healthy, Soto could not only be the next to join the 2,000-hit club—but do so significantly earlier than his superstar peers.

Machado didn’t hold back in his comments, making it clear that he — and the Dodgers — better hope the news is good for the Padres and that it’s not a serious injury.

“Let’s just hope the CT scan comes back negative,” Machado said. “[The Dodgers] gotta pray it comes back negative tomorrow. They better put out a candle.” His comments came after San Diego managed to win just one out of four games in Los Angeles.

What did Tatis Jr. say about his injury?

Echoing Machado’s frustration, Tatis Jr. expressed his anger over the situation, pointing out that this isn’t the first time he’s been hit. So far, he’s been hit by a pitch four times this MLB season.

“For me, it wasn’t in the moment. But I mean, how many times they hit me already… everybody knows enough and enough is enough.” Tatis Jr. went 0-for-4 with a strikeout in the game and wasn’t able to contribute offensively.

How fast was the pitch that struck Tatis Jr.?

The pitch that hit Tatis Jr. in the hand was clocked at 93 mph — a hard fastball that came during the ninth inning as the Dodgers, already trailing 5–0, appeared to get more aggressive in a last-ditch effort.

What’s striking in the video is the direct footage from the umpire’s helmet cam, which clearly shows Machado’s fury after the close call. He obviously didn’t like the decision, and a walk would have helped the Padres.

However, as is typical, such protests seldom swing the call in the batter’s favor. Machado narrowly avoided an ejection, and in the end, the Padres fell 8-7, though they put up a strong fight into extra innings.

Machado and the Padres Fight into the 10th

The Padres, eager for a win, scored a final run in the bottom of the 10th inning. However, despite Machado’s contributions (2 hits in 5 at-bats, including an RBI), the team ultimately needed more help from Tatis Jr.

Tatis Jr. managed just one run and one hit in three at-bats against the Dodgers. However, he at least snapped a cold streak, having gone hitless in his previous three games dating back to June 5.

Padres Look to Rebound at Home After Road Trip

The San Diego Padres, despite a respectable 37-28 record, find themselves in a challenging spot, having dropped five of their last ten games. They haven’t won a home series since May, making this current stand against the Dodgers a crucial opportunity to regain momentum at Petco Park after a seven-game road swing (4-3).

The stadium’s frenzy was palpable. Then, in the top of the ninth inning, the Padres pushed the Marlins into an extended bottom half of that inning. Machado’s decisive home run came precisely in his 861st game as a Padres player.

The game ended 4–3, a relief for Manny Machado, who finished the night with a .319 batting average after going 1-for-4 with a run scored, a home run, a walk, and just one strikeout against the Marlins’ pitching staff.

Another homer for Machado

Machado now has six home runs on the year, and his shot against the Marlins marked his second straight game with a moonshot. He also went deep in the previous game against the Braves — a 5–3 Padres win. Machado has now launched three home runs over his last four games.

That win over the Marlins likely brought some relief to Machado and the rest of the team, as it snapped a frustrating three-game losing streak at Petco Park — a skid that dated back to May 18, when they were swept at home by the Mariners.

Padres gaining momentum

San Diego is now 30–22 on the season and enjoying a modest two-game win streak — something they hadn’t accomplished since May 13, when they beat the Angels in back-to-back games. The Padres currently sit second in the NL West behind the Dodgers.

Padres General Manager AJ Preller told 97.3 The Fan that it’s highly unlikely the team will get Jackson Merrill, Jake Cronenworth, or Brandon Lockridge back during the upcoming homestand—despite earlier expectations that they would be ready to return.

All three players were originally expected to come off the injured list after 10 days. That especially applied to Jackson Merrill, who had already hit three home runs and was batting .378 in the early stretch of the season.

When will they return?

Unfortunately, Preller didn’t provide a clear timeline for Lockridge or Merrill. He only noted that their hamstring injuries are improving but healing slowly, which is common with that type of issue. As for Cronenworth, it’s the same situation—he’s still recovering from a rib injury.

Their absence is a big hit to the Padres’ defense. Machado will be without key teammates who were contributing earlier in the year. Cronenworth alone was batting .257 over his limited action in the 2025 MLB season.

Still holding strong

Even without Merrill, Cronenworth, and Lockridge, the Padres are finding ways to win. They’ve climbed to a 17-8 record overall, keeping themselves in a strong position while they wait for reinforcements to return and boost the lineup.

Since their season opener, the Yankees have been one of the top-hitting teams in the league. With 36 runs scored and over 25 hits, they currently lead the American League East with a 3-0 record. They’ll look to extend their winning streak when they face the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday.

The Yankees’ offensive explosion has been fueled by their controversial new torpedo bats, which are generating plenty of buzz. While their hitters have enjoyed a strong start to the season, the debate around the bats has sparked reactions across social media and the media at large.

One such reaction came from Padres star, who, while preparing for Sunday’s game against the Braves, commented on the Yankees’ newfound power. “I have no idea what those are [torpedo bats], but they should send a few over here if they’re going to be hitting homers like that,” Machado said.

Yankees’ torpedo bats ignite controversy

The Yankees have been generating significant buzz with their use of torpedo bats, which feature unique dimensions and an appearance that resembles a torpedo. In their first three games, the Yankees have blasted 15 home runs, fueling speculation that the bats may be giving them an edge. While the size and shape of the bats could provide some advantages, there are other factors at play.

As the controversy surrounding these new bats intensifies, particularly from teams that aren’t using them, the Yankees are conducting tests to see how effective the bats can be. So far, the results have been promising, with the Yankees racking up over 32 runs in their opening three games.

Despite the buzz, the MLB has clarified that the bats are not illegal. According to the league, the design does not violate any regulations, meaning other teams will have to face off against the Yankees and their new hitting tool, or competing with it, as they can use it too.

Reactions to the Yankees’ torpedo bats

Among the many reactions to the Yankees’ use of the torpedo bats, one came from their captain, Aaron Judge, who expressed the team’s readiness to continue using them. Alongside Judge, Orioles hitting coach Cody Asche weighed in on the debate, suggesting that the concept of mass in the sweet spot isn’t unique to the Yankees.

“Where you hit the ball, putting more mass in the sweet spot— I think that’s not something that’s unique to the Yankees,” Asche remarked. White Sox manager Will Venable also shared his thoughts, noting that the new bats may prompt other teams to explore similar tools. “I think that everyone across the league is probably now going to be looking into using these,” Venable said.

The bad news surrounding Manny Machado relates to a potential injury. The Padres reported that he exited due to right calf tightness but provided no further details. Fans will have to wait for manager Mike Shildt to release a full update on the player.

After completing two full games with the Padres, Machado was performing well, logging his first eight plate appearances before the third game of the series. He had contributed three runs and two hits, posting a .286 batting average.

Tough or not, the Padres will need to find a way to ensure third base is well-covered. Fortunately, they have Jose Iglesias, who has been doing a solid job justifying the $3 million he’s set to earn this season after leaving the Mets.

Shildt spoke about Machado’s calf

Manager Shildt was as clear as possible regarding Machado’s injury, stating, “Manny looks like he’s going to be fine.” He also added that a better update might be available on March 30, saying, “We’ll see about tomorrow.” These statements were reported by Padres reporter AJ Cassavell.

It’s worth noting that during spring training, Machado was generally healthy, although he did deal with some back issues that caused him to miss a couple of games. However, nothing significant was reported, as Cassavell had also mentioned that the Friars’ third baseman was completely healthy during the MLB offseason.