SAN FRANCISCO -- A California agency on Thursday cleared the way for the Oakland Athletics to continue planning a $12 billion waterfront ballpark project.The San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission voted 23-2 to reclassify a 56-acre terminal at the Port of Oakland as a mixed-use area where a new ballpark could be built. The vote is the first in…

Agent Casey Close accused the Atlanta Braves of perpetuating a "false narrative" regarding the departure of first baseman Freddie Freeman from the organization, saying in a statement to ESPN that he "will not stand by" as allegations about his role in Freeman joining the Los Angeles Dodgers continue in the wake of the months-long fallout from the move.Questions surrounding Close's…

With the New York Yankees on pace to break the single-season record for wins and Aaron Judge on pace to threaten Roger Maris' team record of 61 home runs, it's no surprise that Judge is the top vote-getter among all players in the first round of All-Star balloting that concluded Thursday, ensuring him a starting spot in the All-Star Game…

Former No. 1 overall pick Mark Appel, a month shy of his 31st birthday, made his major debut Wednesday night and pitched a scoreless ninth inning for the Philadelphia Phillies.At 30 years and 349 days, Appel -- whose baseball career included a three-season absence from the sport -- is the oldest ever former top overall pick from the June draft…