Report: MLB asking Astros players about different sign-stealing methods

Major League Baseball's investigation into allegations that the Houston Astros stole signs electronically over the past three seasons has led to another twist.

The league is asking players in the organization about a variety of sign-stealing techniques, including buzzing Band-Aid-like wearable stickers, furtive earpieces, and pitch-picking algorithms, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN.

The wide-ranging accusations about the Astros' methods are stemming from other team officials, sources told Passan.

League officials have told the players who might have violated rules that telling the truth will help lower the severity of their punishments, Passan adds. Investigators have also asked to search the phones of certain members of the Astros' front office.

Executives and members of the team's coaching staff reportedly could face significant discipline. The league wants to find out the depth of the violations and what people in the organization knew, sources told Passan.

A number of Astros players are still expected to meet with investigators, and others who don't play in the majors anymore are refusing to cooperate, according to Passan.

Multiple owners of other clubs reportedly said at the owners meetings in Texas that they want the Astros to be punished severely with penalties such as suspensions, fines, and lost draft picks and international slot money.

Teams have grown so paranoid of Houston's alleged sign-stealing that the Washington Nationals reportedly used five sign sequences for pitchers during the 2019 World Series.