ESPN's coverage of Major League Baseball games will conclude at the end of the 2025 season, it was announced on Thursday.

There was a March 1 deadline for MLB and ESPN to opt out of the final three years of their contract. The sides agreed to a seven-year deal in 2021 that averaged $550 million per season.

"We are grateful for our longstanding relationship with Major League Baseball and proud of how ESPN's coverage super-serves fans," the network said in a statement. "In making this decision, we applied the same discipline and fiscal responsibility that has built ESPN's industry-leading live events portfolio as we continue to grow our audience across linear, digital and social platforms.

"As we have been throughout the process, we remain open to exploring new ways to serve MLB fans across our platforms beyond 2025."

ESPN has carried MLB games since 1990 but cut back its coverage in the current contract to 30 regular-season games -- mostly on Sunday night -- and the wild-card postseason series. ESPN also had the Home Run Derby and 10 spring training games.

The previous eight-year deal, which ran from 2014 through 2021, saw ESPN broadcast up to 90 regular-season games. ESPN also stopped airing the daily "Baseball Tonight" highlights and news show in 2017.

"Unfortunately in recent years, we have seen ESPN scale back their baseball coverage and investment in a way that is not consistent with the sport's appeal or performance on their platform," MLB said in a statement. "Given that MLB provides strong viewership, valuable demographics, and the exclusive right to cover unique events like the Home Run Derby, ESPN's demand to reduce rights fees is simply unacceptable. As a result, we have mutually agreed to terminate our agreement."

MLB said in its statement that there is "significant interest from both traditional media companies and streaming services who would like to obtain rights to MLB games."

"We will be exploring those opportunities for a new agreement which would start in the 2026 season following the conclusion of ESPN's agreement at the end of this year," the league said.

ESPN is still open to pursuing a deal with a reduced rights fee after seeing deals struck with Apple and Roku. Apple pays $85 million per season for a Friday night package it has aired since 2022, while Roku's deal for Sunday afternoon games is worth $10 million per year.

MLB receives an average of $729 million from Fox and $470 million from Turner Sports per year under deals that expire after the 2028 season.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Chicago Cubs pitcher Cody Poteet became the first player to challenge a ball/strike call in a major league game when he asked for a review of a fastball to Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Max Muncy in the bottom of the first inning of their opening spring game Thursday.

Poteet, acquired from the New York Yankees for Cody Bellinger over the winter, thought the low fastball caught the corner of the plate, but plate umpire Tony Randazzo disagreed, calling it a ball. Per MLB rules this spring, Poteet tapped his head indicating he wanted a review, and quickly the pitch and its location were shown on the scoreboard. The call was reversed, and instead of a 1-1 count, Muncy fell to 0-2 before striking out.

"I was pretty positive it was strike and the umpire balled it," Muncy said afterward. "I knew it was going to get overturned, and I went, 'Oh, man, I'm going to be the first one.' Great."

Major League Baseball is testing its automatic ball and strike system for the first time during spring training after several years of using it in the minor leagues.

Instead of robots calling every pitch, teams can challenge two calls per game with the ability to retain a successful challenge. Only the pitcher, catcher or hitter can challenge a call and must do so without help from the dugout. Tapping their head is the indication they want to challenge a call.

Poteet spent time in the minors last season and so was familiar with the system.

"I thought it caught a good part of the plate," he said. "So thought it was worth using one of them. It's nice to know that it was a strike and not to be the first one to get it wrong, I guess."

Later in the game, Dodgers batter Sean McLain challenged a ball call, but it was upheld. That ratio -- one overturned and one upheld -- matches the split in the minors, where 50% of calls were overturned. Games there averaged about four challenges per contest, though Thursday's had only two.

Muncy was asked whether the system could work at the major league level during the regular season and postseason. The league has already stated it won't implement it past spring training this year but could as soon as 2026.

"I think the idea is very interesting of it to me," Muncy said. "I feel like you have to be a hundred percent certain to challenge."

Five stadiums in Arizona and eight in Florida will have the technology for the challenge system, and 60% of Cactus and Grapefruit league games will feature it. MLB will poll players and coaches after the spring in order to help determine if or when the system will become permanent in the big leagues.

"I feel like every strike matters ... so I thought it was a good time to use it today," Poteet said.

The Cubs beat the Dodgers 12-4. The teams have a rematch Friday before playing each other again to open the season in Japan in March.

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Bobby Miller was hit in the head by a line drive on Thursday during the team's spring training against the Chicago Cubs, but was able to walk off the field.

The scary moment happened in the third inning when Michael Busch ripped a 105.5 mph liner that appeared to hit Miller on the right temple, where the hat meets the head. Miller immediately fell to the ground while holding his head, but quickly got up on his knees as medical staff rushed onto the field.

He exited the game, and was able to walk off the field on his own. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the ball "squared him up pretty good."

"He's going to be under concussion protocol," Roberts said. "We'll keep an eye on him tonight. I don't know what that means as far as going forward. Certainly, it's somewhat of a setback. We've got to make sure he feels OK going forward."

The 25-year-old right-hander entered spring training in the mix for a spot in the starting rotation, though its unclear how long he'll be out after Thursday's injury. He had a 2-4 record with an 8.52 ERA over 13 starts last season.

World number two Iga Swiatek is out of the Dubai Tennis Championships after a shock 6-3 6-3 quarter-final defeat by 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva.

The Russian teenager is the youngest-ever player to reach the last four of the tournament.

She was 3-1 down in the second set before reeling off five games in a row to beat Poland's Swiatek, a five-time Grand Slam winner, in one hour 36 minutes.

Andreeva set up a tie against either Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina or the United States' Sofia Kenin later on Thursday.

"Honestly, I was really nervous before the match and we played in Cincinnati last year [which Swiatek won] and it was pretty intense," Andreeva said.

"So I just told myself that I played great and I just need to continue to play aggressive and go for my shots.

"It was also not easy with all the fans [supporting Swiatek] but I think we were even. I had a lot of people supporting me."

Victory means the Russian has now beaten both of the world's top two ranked players in the past 12 months, having defeated world number one Aryna Sabalenka in last year's French Open quarter-finals.

The teenager becomes the youngest player since Nicole Vaidisova in 2007 to win five matches against players ranked in the top 10.

A man who "exhibited fixated behaviour" towards British tennis player Emma Raducanu was detained and given a restraining order, Dubai Police said.

An clearly upset Raducanu was seen hiding behind the umpire's chair two games into a second-round defeat at the Dubai Tennis Championships on Tuesday.

Raducanu, 22, had spotted the man in the first few rows of the stand during her match against Karolina Muchova.

Raducanu was approached by the same man, who gave her a letter and took a photograph, in a public area close to the tournament on Monday.

Dubai police said the man was detained before Raducanu decided not to press charges.

"Following Raducanu's complaint, Dubai Police detained a tourist who approached her, left her a note, took her photograph, and engaged in behaviour that caused her distress," Dubai police said.

"While Raducanu later chose to drop the charges, the individual signed a formal undertaking to maintain distance from her and has been banned from future tournaments."

Sherratt outlined why he had changed more than half the side.

"There are numerous reasons," said Sherratt.

"There were a couple of little injury doubts and then probably just in general, my mindset coming in was just to make sure I enjoy it and try to do things my way, with the way I think the game should be played.

"Some of the selections are geared towards that. It was important to pick a team that had some familiarity.

"I don't feel playing Ireland is a time to experiment, so just having those combinations together, who have got relationships and can talk to each other on the field and pick up each other's habits, is important."

Sherratt stated the return of Gloucester duo Anscombe and Llewellyn would compensate for the loss of experienced injured pair Liam Williams and Owen Watkin.

"I felt we needed some players who have relationships with each other and play with each other every week," said Sherratt.

"I've coached Gareth and Max so they know my style of play. That was an advantage.

"Gareth is very good at driving the week. With Tomos (Williams) and Gareth, I've got relationships with them and knew they'd grab what I was trying to do and spread it through the team. It's just that familiarity."

On the other end of the scale Sherratt was not afraid to blood Mee.

"He's looked brilliant this week," said Sherratt.

"I'm sure his family are proud of him and to see his face after selection was part of the reason you coach."

Tom English, BBC Sport Scotland's chief sports writer

Sir Clive Woodward gave the Scottish forwards a blast in his newspaper column on Thursday, a withering assessment of their lack of power and how England's supposed monsters up front are going to take them to the cleaners. We shall see.

This ought to be grist to the mill of the Scottish pack. Ritchie is back in for his breakdown prowess. Scotland have been beaten on the floor in this championship and England's back-row could do it again if Scotland don't make massive improvements.

On his best days, Ritchie is belligerence personified. Saturday needs to be one of his better ones.

Fagerson being dropped from the back row is not a surprise. He has not hit fever pitch yet. Not even close. Maybe he'll find the fire off the bench.

Russell has been at the heart of Scotland's four in a row against England and it's a relief that he's made it through his concussion protocols.

He's not been himself so far in the Six Nations. Time for the genius to reappear.

Graham was always fighting an uphill battle to recover, but Rowe is a stellar replacement. He doesn't posses the game-breaking wonders of Graham, but he's a reliable and intelligent footballer.

Some thought that Gregor Brown would start this one given the lack of dynamism from the second-row against Ireland. That's still a worry in this team.

Not enough go-forward men up front. However, Pierre Schoeman's return does add some ball-carrying grunt.

From more than one source this week we've heard the Scottish forwards being all but written off. There's only one way to answer that.

Lock George Martin has been ruled out of England's Six Nations match against Scotland on Saturday with Bath flanker Ted Hill replacing him on the bench.

Martin, 23, started England's win over France in round two, but was named as a replacement against Gregor Townsend's side - initially the only change made by head coach Steve Borthwick as Ollie Chessum came into the second row.

Despite being named in the matchday squad on Tuesday, England confirmed Leicester Tigers' Martin has failed to overcome a reported knee issue sustained against Les Blues.

In-form Bath flanker Hill, 25, has made two appearances for England and was last capped by former head coach Eddie Jones in 2021 against the United States.

Given Hill plays in the back row, the loss of Martin puts pressure on Chessum, who is making his first England start in nearly a year, as England do not have a specialist lock on the bench - although Hill has on occasion played in the second row.

England have lost their past four matches against Scotland and are looking to keep alive their title hopes, with Townsend's side also in need of a win after a disappointing defeat by Ireland in round two.