NoneNoneHallmark Fave Andrew Walker Goes Inside His Skincare Line and Shares Holiday Plans (VIDEO)
LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers’ signing of Blake Snell became official Saturday, adding the two-time Cy Young Award winner to front a starting rotation stocked with question marks. Snell, who will turn 32 next week, agreed to a five-year, $182 million contract that includes a $52 million signing bonus and $65 million in deferred salary. That deal was pending a physical which Snell passed. The 2018 American League Cy Young Award winner with the Tampa Bay Rays, Snell won the National League Cy Young in 2023 after going 14-9 with a 2.25 ERA for the San Diego Padres. He became a free agent last winter but stayed on the market well into March looking for a long-term deal that never materialized despite his Cy Young history. The Dodgers were involved with Snell at one point before he signed a two-year, $62 million contract with the San Francisco Giants that included an opt-out clause. He exercised that opt-out after going 5-3 with a 3.12 ERA in an injury-interrupted season with the Giants. He had 145 strikeouts and just 44 walks in 104 innings. But he made just 20 starts due to two trips to the injured list with a groin injury (likely related to his late signing affecting his preparation for the season). The 20 starts were his fewest in a full season since his rookie year in 2016 (19 starts). Snell goes to the front of a rotation that includes a number of players returning from injury and/or surgery. Shohei Ohtani is expected to return to pitching after undergoing his second Tommy John surgery in September 2023. But his return to the mound will be delayed by surgery on his non-throwing shoulder following the World Series. Yoshinobu Yamamoto finished the 2024 season healthy but missed three months with a rotator cuff strain. Neither he nor Ohtani will be asked to pitch on less than five days of rest and the Dodgers are planning to go with a six-man rotation in 2025. Tyler Glasnow’s 2024 season ended early with an elbow injury and his status for 2025 is uncertain. Tony Gonsolin will be returning from Tommy John surgery. Dustin May did not pitch in 2024 while recovering from his own elbow surgery and a torn esophagus. Emmet Sheehan is expected back at some point in 2025 after his Tommy John surgery. Clayton Kershaw is expected to re-sign at some point. But he underwent foot and knee surgeries in November and is not likely to be available for a full season. Walker Buehler and Jack Flaherty are free agents. The Dodgers will start the 2025 season early again with another trip to Asia. They are scheduled to open the regular season with two games against the Chicago Cubs on March 18 and 19 in Tokyo.KSU wrests Cusat students’ union after 30 years
Join our daily and weekly newsletters for the latest updates and exclusive content on industry-leading AI coverage. Learn More Pika , the Palo Alto-based startup that was one of the early leaders in creating lifelike AI video generation tools, has introduced its latest AI video generator model, Pika 2.0, in what it’s calling a significant update that promises far more user control and customizability for the generated video clips. The announcement comes just weeks after the successful release of Pika 1.5 , which saw widespread adoption and user engagement, positioning the company as a leader in the creative AI space, and days after OpenAI finally released its own AI generator, Sora — originally shown off 10 months ago — to the masses. Pika 2.0 boasts improved text alignment, making it easier than ever to translate detailed prompts into cohesive and imaginative video clips. It enhances motion rendering, delivering naturalistic movement and believable fantastical physics — areas where previous generative AI tools have struggled. The launch of Pika 2.0 underscores Pika’s commitment to making AI video creation accessible, affordable, and user-friendly. Pika 2.0: Designed for individuals and brands to easily make playful social media videos With its focus on individuals and small creators rather than professional studios, Pika distinguishes itself from competitors like OpenAI, which recently debuted its Hollywood-focused Sora model. Pika 2.0 builds on the success of its predecessor, introducing several standout features designed to empower users to create more dynamic and engaging videos. Central to the update is the new “Scene Ingredients” feature, which allows users to upload and customize individual elements like characters, objects, and settings. Advanced image recognition technology ensures these components are seamlessly integrated into scenes, giving creators much more granular control over their content. These updates aim to make the platform more versatile for users seeking to create playful, shareable videos for social media, as well as for brands looking to produce high-quality advertising content without the cost and complexity of traditional production. 11 million users and counting Pika’s appeal has already translated into impressive growth. Over five million users joined the platform in a single month following the release of Pika 1.5, bringing its total user base to over 11 million. Viral features like “Squish It,” “Melt It,” and “Explode It” have driven this surge, with videos generated on the platform amassing more than two billion views. Major brands including Balenciaga, Fenty, and Vogue have tapped into Pika’s tools to create creative social advertisements, further boosting the platform’s visibility. As Pika 2.0 rolls out, the company anticipates even greater adoption by influencers, advertisers, and everyday users alike. Innovation on an affordable budget Pika 2.0 positions itself as a cost-effective alternative to other AI video solutions. While specific pricing details haven’t been disclosed, the platform emphasizes accessibility for non-professionals. This affordability, combined with powerful new features, is expected to drive more users to explore their creativity through AI-generated content. With Pika’s rapid growth and ongoing innovation, the company is poised to play a key role in the broader adoption of AI video technologies. The platform’s user-first approach stands in contrast to the “pro” filmmaker focus of competitors, potentially giving it an edge in attracting a diverse and widespread audience. Founder and CEO Demi Guo has positioned Pika as a tool not just for making videos but for fostering creativity and storytelling in ways that are fun and engaging. As more brands and individuals turn to AI for content creation, platforms like Pika could pave the way for a new era of accessible and dynamic media. If you want to impress your boss, VB Daily has you covered. We give you the inside scoop on what companies are doing with generative AI, from regulatory shifts to practical deployments, so you can share insights for maximum ROI. Read our Privacy Policy Thanks for subscribing. Check out more VB newsletters here . An error occured.