The Toronto Blue Jays have strengthened their roster ahead of spring training by signing catcher Christian Bethancourt and left-handed pitcher Richard Lovelady to minor league contracts. Both players will join the team in spring training, providing additional depth as the Jays prepare for the season.

Bethancourt, a 33-year-old from Panama, has eight years of MLB experience with teams like the Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins. He played 62 games in the previous season, combining for a .241 batting average. His career numbers show a modest .259 batting average with 35 home runs, indicating his role more as a reliable catcher than a power hitter.

Currently, the Blue Jays have only two catchers on their 40-man roster, Alejandro Kirk and Tyler Heineman, making Bethancourt's signing a strategic move to bolster depth at the position.

On the pitching side, 29-year-old Lovelady brings experience from five MLB seasons, primarily with the Kansas City Royals and Tampa Bay Rays. With a career ERA of 4.98 over 99.1 innings, he pitched a career-high 35 games last season. His acquisition is part of the Jays' attempt to revitalize a struggling bullpen, which already saw additions in the offseason.

The Tampa Bay Rays battled the Philadelphia Phillies until the eighth inning, where a pitching collapse led to a decisive score of 9-4 in favor of the Phillies.

Veteran reliever Richard Lovelady's exit paved the way for Edwin Uceta, who struggled significantly, allowing key runs. A heated moment occurred when Uceta hit Nick Castellanos, igniting a bench-clearing incident that resulted in Uceta's ejection.

The victory solidified Philadelphia's top position in the league, while the Rays face potential postseason elimination.

Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers sustained a hit by pitch on his left wrist during their win over the Tampa Bay Rays.

Despite initial concerns, he continued playing after determining the injury wasn't serious.

Ohtani, a member of the 40-40 club, previously threw off a mound as he recovers from surgery.

Mookie Betts hit a two-run homer in the eighth, leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 3-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays, winning the weekend series.

Kiké Hernández contributed with a homer in the fifth, while Gavin Stone excelled on the mound, striking out seven over seven innings.

Anthony Banda secured the save, and the Dodgers will next face the Baltimore Orioles.

Mookie Betts' eighth-inning homer led the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 3-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays, securing the weekend series.

Despite Shohei Ohtani being hit by a pitch, Dodger manager Dave Roberts confirmed his scans were negative.

With this win, the Dodgers maintain a slim lead in the NL West, preparing for a series against the Orioles.