The Kansas City Royals are 9-4 and have the third-best record in the American League behind the Yankees and Guardians. Kansas City has now won seven straight, sweeping the White Sox and Astros. Royals starters have a 1.96 ERA and have averaged the most innings per start in MLB.

A seeming confession from Ippei Mizuhara, via text to a bookmaker, on the day Tisha Thompson's story ran.

Two important elements from the complaint against Ippei Mizuhara.

1) The size of his bets -- and the debt he allegedly incurred -- were massive: losing bets of nearly $183 million, winning bets of more than $142 million and $40.7 million in losses.

2) No bets on baseball.

From the government's complaint against Ippei Mizuhara.

This detail from Alden González and Paula Lavigne's story on Ippei Mizuhara being charged with stealing more than $16 million from Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani answers a long-standing question of how he got access to the money. Full story here: espn.com/mlb/story/_/id…

Initial story on the bank fraud charges against Ippei Mizuhara, with Paula Lavigne. Plenty more to come. ...

espn.com/mlb/story/_/id…

Ippei Mizuhara has been charged with stealing more than $16 million from Shohei Ohtani, according to federal investigators.

LHP Jordan Montgomery has hired Wasserman’s Joel Wolfe & Nick Chanock as his agents, per sources.

Montgomery was one of the Boras Four, who were unsigned late into free agency.

I projected he would get 5 yrs, $106M and he eventually signed for 1 yr, $25M w/Arizona on March 26.

In sports' load-management era, there remain a handful of players who are the ultimate iron men. Free and unlocked at ESPN, the story of the 162 Club, featuring the wisdom of Juan Soto, Matt Olson, Freddie Freeman, Whit Merrifield, Cal Ripken Jr. and more: espn.com/mlb/story/_/id…

Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, is facing federal charges. A source with knowledge of the investigation told ESPN that Ohtani’s claims of theft are accurate.

More from Paula Lavigne and T.J. Quinn …

espn.com/mlb/story/_/id…

Former Dodgers pitcher Julio Urías faces five misdemeanor charges following his September arrest on suspicion of domestic violence. His arraignment date is May 2.

My sense is a potential MLB suspension wouldn’t be decided upon until after that. … espn.com/mlb/story/_/id…

Gerrit Cole had a lot to say today about the dueling statements from the MLBPA and MLB regarding arm injuries over the weekend.

espn.com/mlb/story/_/id…

Houston Astros ace Framber Valdez was scratched from today’s start with elbow soreness. He will be evaluated by doctors to determine the severity of the injury.

Ronel Blanco is doing something very interesting and you can watch it on ESPN.

Within one week’s time, Shane Bieber and Eury Perez have needed Tommy John surgery and Spencer Strider has serious elbow concerns. Gerrit Cole is out until at least June with elbow issues, too.

Pitching is a brutal business.