Major League Baseball

The Rays made it official that they'll be back at a repaired Tropicana Field this season and say they are offering a 15% cut on more than two-thirds of the seats. Also, a return to earlier weeknight game times.

The World Baseball Classic puts a few twists on the Grapefruit and Cactus League slates. Tampa Bay opens Feb. 21 in Port Charlotte and makes only one trip to the Steinbrenner Field.

The store is anticipated to operate throughout early 2026 and into the spring. That would leave little downtime before the April 6 home opener.

The Rays' new owners are talking about a "public-private partnership" being the only way a new stadium could be built in the Tampa Bay area. There are a few ways that could take shape.

Will the Rays consider an open-field stadium or a retractable roof? And will the new owners increase player payroll? They addressed these, and other issues, during their introductory news conference.

At an introductory news conference, Patrick Zalupski and top executives Ken Babby and Bill Cosgrove said there is a sense of urgency to get a ballpark built as part of a revenue-generating, mixed-use development.

Patrick Zalupski closed on the reported $1.7 billion purchase from Stuart Sternberg. And the first order of business for the new owner: Finding a place for his team to play.

With a sale of the team imminent, outgoing owner Stuart Sternberg says selling was hard but the right move for the Tampa Bay area: "My time had come."

The estimated $1.7 billion deal is anticipated to formally close later this week. MLB owners unanimously approved the sale Monday.

There were 12 weather delays totaling nearly 13 hours, but Tampa Bay did not lose a home date to rainouts this year. Even with the outdoor conditions, there were 61 sellouts in the 10,046-seat ballpark.

The Rays said more information about the sale and the new ownership group will be shared after the deal is completed. It is expected to close within two weeks.

Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said he wants the team to stay in the Tampa Bay area and sees potential for a successful future there.