Manny Machado
Apr 6, 2019; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Cubs right fielder Jason Heyward (22) hits a home run against the Milwaukee Brewers during the second inning at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
April 7, 2019
Jason Heyward went 3-for-3 with two homers and three RBIs, and the Chicago Cubs pulled away for a 14-8 win over the host Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday night.
Victor Caratini and Javier Baez also homered for the Cubs, who set a season high for runs. Chicago snapped a six-game losing streak and recorded its first win since the season opener on March 28.
Cole Hamels (1-0) limited the Brewers to two runs on six hits in six innings. He walked none and struck out five.
Lorenzo Cain, Ryan Braun and Eric Thames homered to lead the Brewers. Milwaukee had won its previous six in a row.
Diamondbacks 5, Red Sox 4
Carson Kelly drove in three runs and delivered a two-out, walk-off single as Arizona beat Boston in Phoenix.
Kelly lined a 1-1 pitch from Colten Brewer (0-1) to left field as Nick Ahmed had no trouble scoring from second. Kelly also had a two-run double in the Diamondbacks’ four-run second inning.
Andrew Benintendi had two of the six hits for Boston, which lost its third in a row. The Red Sox are 2-8, tied for the worst 10-game start in franchise history, according to ESPN.
Tigers 7, Royals 4
Rookie Christin Stewart blasted a grand slam with two outs in the seventh to help catapult host Detroit past Kansas City.
With the Tigers trailing 4-3, Stewart hit a 2-2 changeup from Royals reliever Wily Peralta that glanced off of the foul pole in right field and gave the Tigers a 7-4 lead.
Tigers closer Shane Greene earned his sixth save as Detroit won its fourth consecutive game. The Royals have dropped five straight since starting the year 2-0.
Mets 6, Nationals 5
Keon Broxton’s two-out RBI single capped a three-run eighth inning for New York, which came back to edge visiting Washington.
The Mets squandered leads of 1-0 and 3-1 and fell behind 5-3 in the top of the eighth, when Anthony Rendon hit a leadoff homer and Wilmer Difo hit a two-run, two-out shot, both off Jeurys Familia.
But the Mets wasted no time coming back in the bottom of the inning, when Pete Alonso and Robinson Cano opened the inning with home runs, the fourth and fifth of the day for New York, tying a single-game high at Citi Field. J.D. Davis hit solo homers in the fourth and sixth, and Michael Conforto had a solo homer in the sixth.
Pirates 6, Reds 5 (10 innings)
Kevin Newman’s RBI double in the bottom of the 10th inning lifted Pittsburgh over visiting Cincinnati. Pinch hitter Francisco Cervelli hit a one-out single off Raisel Iglesias (0-2) and raced home on Newman’s hit.
Josh Bell was 3-for-5 with a solo homer, two doubles and two RBIs, and Starling Marte hit a two-run double for Pittsburgh, which has won the first three contests of the four-game series.
Kyle Farmer hit a two-run homer, Joey Votto smacked a tying homer, Curt Casali had an RBI double and Yasiel Puig added an RBI single for the Reds.
Indians 7, Blue Jays 2
Carlos Carrasco struck out 12 batters in five innings, and Jake Bauers had a two-run single as host Cleveland posted a victory over Toronto.
Jose Ramirez had two hits and scored twice, and Carlos Santana ripped an RBI single to extend his hitting streak to seven games for the Indians, who have won the first three contests of the four-game series. The seven runs were a season high for Cleveland.
Freddy Galvis homered for the second time in as many contests, and Randal Grichuk added an RBI double in the fifth inning for the Blue Jays, who have lost six of their past seven games.
Dodgers 7, Rockies 2
Justin Turner had three hits and scored two runs, A.J. Pollock had two RBIs, Alex Verdugo homered and added an RBI triple, and Los Angeles defeated Colorado in Denver.
Dodgers starter Walker Buehler (1-0) allowed three hits, two walks and one run in five innings. He struck out four. Kenley Jansen threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings to earn his fourth save of the season for the Dodgers, who have won seven straight over the Rockies.
Colorado’s David Dahl had a solo homer and an RBI single among his three hits.
Twins 6, Phillies 2
Eddie Rosario hit a three-run homer, and Michael Pineda picked up his first victory in 21 months as Minnesota won at Philadelphia.
Pineda, making his second start since undergoing Tommy John surgery in July 2017, allowed two runs on four hits over five innings in picking up his first victory since June 30, 2017, when he was a member of the New York Yankees. He walked one and struck out five.
Max Kepler had two hits, including a home run, and Willians Astudillo also homered for the Twins. Rhys Hoskins homered and Bryce Harper had two hits for Philadelphia, which had its streak of six straight games of scoring five or more runs snapped.
Mariners 9, White Sox 2
Tim Beckham went 4-for-5 with a homer, a double and three RBIs, and Jay Bruce hit two solo homers as Seattle won at Chicago.
Mariners starter Mike Leake (2-0) pitched 6 1/3 solid innings. Leake allowed two runs — solo homers by Jose Abreu and Tim Anderson — on nine hits. He didn’t walk a batter and struck out six. Seattle relievers Brandon Brennan, Roenis Elias and Connor Sadzeck combined for 2 2/3 scoreless innings.
White Sox starter Lucas Giolito (1-1) lasted just 4 1/3 innings, allowing five runs on six hits. He walked four and struck out four.
Padres 6, Cardinals 4
Austin Hedges and Manny Machado each followed walks with two-run, eighth-inning homers as visiting San Diego rallied to defeat St. Louis. Cardinals pitchers issued 10 walks, eight of them from starter Michael Wacha.
Hedges’ first homer of the season followed an inning-opening walk by rookie Fernando Tatis Jr. Ian Kinsler drew a one-out walk ahead of Machado’s second homer with the Padres. Both right-handed hitters reached the second deck in left off pitches from left-hander Andrew Miller (0-1).
The Padres’ Eric Hosmer and the Cardinals’ Marcell Ozuna also homered in the game.
Giants 6, Rays 4
Brandon Belt hit a home run during a four-run fifth inning as San Francisco rallied past visiting Tampa Bay.
Steven Duggar added a two-run double in the fifth for the Giants, and he and Belt had three RBIs apiece. The victory ended San Francisco’s three-game losing streak.
Ji-Man Choi drove in two runs for the Rays, who lost for just the second time in the past eight games.
Angels 5, Rangers 1
Mike Trout hit a fourth-inning grand slam to power Los Angeles past Texas in Anaheim, Calif. It was Trout’s fifth career grand slam, his first since Sept. 17, 2015.
Tyler Skaggs (1-1) put together a solid start for the Angels, giving up one run on five hits and one walk in 6 1/3 innings. He struck out five.
Rangers starter Drew Smyly (0-1) gave up four runs on six hits and three walks in 3 1/3 innings. He fanned four.
Yankees 6, Orioles 4
Clint Frazier hit a three-run, eighth-inning homer that gave New York a victory at Baltimore.
Aaron Judge added two homers and three RBIs for the Yankees. New York has won the first two games of the series, banging out seven homers. Adam Ottavino (1-0) got the win in relief, and Aroldis Chapman closed it for his second save.
Trey Mancini had two hits, including a homer, for the Orioles.
Astros 6, Athletics 0
George Springer, Michael Brantley and Robinson Chirinos clubbed home runs in support of Wade Miley as host Houston beat Oakland.
Miley (1-1) worked 5 2/3 scoreless innings. He surrendered four hits and two walks with four strikeouts.
Stephen Piscotty had two of the Athletics’ six hits. Oakland starter Aaron Brooks (1-1) yielded five runs on nine hits in five innings.
Marlins 4, Braves 2
Jorge Alfaro hit two home runs, the second a two-run shot in the ninth inning that allowed visiting Miami to beat Atlanta.
Alfaro hit a solo shot in the fifth inning against Atlanta starter Kyle Wright and connected for his third of the season with one out in the ninth against A.J. Minter (0-1).
The Marlins broke their four-game losing streak and snapped Atlanta’s four-game winning streak. Miami also ended Atlanta’s home-field winning streak at nine games and snapped the Braves’ nine-game head-to-head winning streak against the Marlins.
–Field Level Media
Source: OANN
Mar 28, 2019; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Joc Pederson (31) follows through on a swing for a two-run home run during the second inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
March 29, 2019
An Opening Day without Clayton Kershaw worked out just fine for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who crushed eight home runs and received six strong innings from fill-in starter Hyun-Jin Ryu in a 12-5 victory over the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday.
Joc Pederson and Enrique Hernandez each hit two home runs as the Dodgers set a major league record for homers in a season opener and matched the club’s mark for any game. Los Angeles hit three home runs in the fourth inning and three more in the seventh.
Arizona starter Zack Greinke (0-1) took the brunt of the damage, giving up four home runs in 3 2/3 innings. He yielded seven runs on seven hits with two walks and three strikeouts. Christian Walker hit a home run for the Diamondbacks and drove in two runs.
Greinke, the former Dodgers co-ace, has now given up 14 home runs in 34 innings at Dodger Stadium since joining the Diamondbacks before the start of the 2016 season.
Padres 2, Giants 0
Left-hander Eric Lauer and four relievers combined on a five-hit shutout and left fielder Wil Myers drove in both San Diego runs with a 456-foot homer and a single in a win over visiting San Francisco and Madison Bumgarner.
The win ended a run of four straight season-opening losses and put the Padres above .500 for the first time since June 9, 2015, when they were 30-29. Third baseman Manny Machado, signed to a 10-year, $300 million contract in the offseason, went hitless in three at-bats for the Padres.
The game also marked the major league debut of shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr., who at 20 years and 85 days, is the youngest Padres player to start on Opening Day and the youngest major leaguer to debut on Opening Day since Adrian Beltre in 1999. Tatis was 2-for-3 in his debut, including a bunt single.
Rockies 6, Marlins 3
David Dahl went 3-for-4 and Trevor Story homered as visiting Colorado opened the season with a win at Miami.
Left-hander Kyle Freeland (1-0), who went 17-7 last season and finished fourth in the National League Cy Young race, earned the win in his first Opening Day start. He allowed just two hits, one walk and one run in seven innings, striking out five.
Dahl’s hit bounced off pitcher Jose Urena’s left leg in the second inning, but the Marlins pitcher (0-1) stayed in the game and allowed nine hits and six runs (four earned) in 4 2/3 innings.
Mets 2, Nationals 0
New York right-hander Jacob deGrom pitched six scoreless innings and Robinson Cano had a solo homer in the first inning and an RBI single in the eighth in a win over Washington in the season opener before a sellout crowd of 42,263 in Washington, D.C.
The reigning Cy Young winner, deGrom (1-0) was lifted after allowing five hits and one walk with 10 strikeouts. He threw 93 pitches, 59 for strikes.
The Nationals’ Max Scherzer (0-1) was lifted with two outs in the eighth in favor of Justin Miller, who came on with a runner on first and gave up a single to Mets rookie Pete Alonso, who got his first big-league hit. Scherzer gave up two runs on two hits with 12 strikeouts.
Brewers 5, Cardinals 4
Christian Yelich belted a three-run homer and Lorenzo Cain made a leaping catch for the final out as host Milwaukee defeated St. Louis in their season opener.
Mike Moustakas launched a solo homer and starting pitcher Jhoulys Chacin (1-0) did the same to highlight his two-hit performance. Chacin overcame surrendering back-to-back homers by Kolten Wong and Harrison Bader in the second to toss 5 1/3 strong innings. Wong also homered to lead off the seventh, joining Albert Pujols as the lone Cardinals players to record a multi-homer performance on Opening Day.
Josh Hader struck out the side in the eighth on 11 pitches and fanned Dexter Fowler in the ninth before Jose Martinez’s towering shot to center field was caught as Cain extended his glove over the wall. Hader notched his first save.
Reds 5, Pirates 3
Derek Dietrich’s pinch-hit three-run homer in his first at-bat with Cincinnati helped open the season with a win over visiting Pittsburgh.
Reds starter Luis Castillo, leaning heavily on an effective changeup, pitched 5 2/3 innings, giving up one run and two hits, with three walks and eight strikeouts. Zach Duke (1-0) pitched two-thirds of an inning.
Pittsburgh starter Jameson Taillon (0-1) lasted six-plus innings. He allowed four runs and six hits, with two walks and four strikeouts.
Phillies 10, Braves 4
Rhys Hoskins hit a grand slam, Maikel Franco homered and had three RBIs and host Philadelphia cruised to a win over Atlanta.
Andrew McCutchen opened the scoring with a solo home run for the Phillies. Prized free agent Bryce Harper, who signed a 13-year, $330 million contract, went 0-for-3 with an intentional walk.
Phillies starter Aaron Nola (1-0) allowed two hits and one run in six innings. He had some control issues as he struck out eight and walked five. Braves starter Julio Teheran (0-1) lasted five innings and gave up four hits and three runs while striking out seven before being lifted.
Mariners 12, Red Sox 4
Tim Beckham hit two of Seattle’s five home runs in a home victory over visiting Boston.
Boston allowed the most runs ever by a defending World Series champion in its season opener, according to ESPN, as Edwin Encarnacion, Ryon Healy and Domingo Santana also homered for Seattle, which improved to 3-0 after sweeping a two-game series against Oakland in Tokyo last week.
Mariners left-hander Marco Gonzales (2-0) got the win despite allowing four runs (three earned) on nine hits in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out four and issued one walk. Red Sox lefty Chris Sale (0-1) yielded seven runs on six hits in three innings. The seven runs matched the most Sale has allowed since joining Boston in a December 2016 trade from the Chicago White Sox.
Astros 5, Rays 1
Justin Verlander pitched seven strong innings, George Springer hit a three-run homer and visiting Houston opened the season with a win against Tampa Bay.
Michael Brantley and Jose Altuve each had two hits including a home run for the defending American League West champion Astros.
Verlander, the 2018 American League Cy Young Award runner-up, outpitched defending Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell. In his 11th Opening Day start, Verlander (1-0) allowed a run on three hits with nine strikeouts and a walk over 102 pitches. Snell (0-1) lasted six innings, allowing five runs on six hits — three of them home runs.
Tigers 2, Blue Jays 0
Christin Stewart hit a two-run homer in the top of the 10th inning, Jordan Zimmermann allowed only a single in seven superb innings and visiting Detroit defeated Toronto.
Niko Goodrum led off the 10th with a double against Toronto reliever Daniel Hudson (0-1), the first extra-base hit of the game. Stewart followed with a home run on an 0-2 pitch, the fourth hit by the Tigers and only the sixth hit combined by both teams.
Victor Alcantara (1-0) allowed only a one-out single to Brandon Drury in the bottom of the ninth, his only inning.
Yankees 7, Orioles 2
Luke Voit hit a three-run homer and tied a career high with four RBIs while Masahiro Tanaka pitched effectively into the sixth inning as New York recorded a victory in its season opener over visiting Baltimore.
After homering 14 times in 132 at-bats last summer following a trade from St. Louis, Voit homered on the fifth pitch he saw from Andrew Cashner (0-1). Voit hit New York’s first homer of the season when he lifted a 3-1 slider 428 feet to straightaway center field on to the netting above Monument Park.
Tanaka (1-0) came into the game 0-2 with a 9.49 ERA in three Opening Day starts but encountered few difficulties, allowing two runs (one earned) and six hits. He struck out five, walked none and threw 56 of 83 pitches for strikes.
Royals 5, White Sox 3
Brad Keller made sure his selection as the Opening Day starter was rewarded, as he helped host Kansas City defeat Chicago. The start of the game was delayed by an hour and 46 minutes because of rain.
Keller (1-0) was almost untouchable. He pitched seven scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and walking just one and striking out five.
Carlos Rodon (0-1) was nearly as good as Keller before he appeared to run out of gas in the sixth. He pitched 5 1/3 innings, giving up three runs (two earned) on just three hits. He walked one and struck out six.
Twins 2, Indians 0
Right-hander Jose Berrios allowed two hits over 7 2/3 innings and Marwin Gonzalez had a two-run double as Minnesota presented Rocco Baldelli a victory in Minneapolis over defending American League Central-champion Cleveland in his major league managerial debut.
Berrios, making his first career Opening Day start, walked one and struck out 10. The 10 strikeouts were an Opening Day record for the Twins.
Corey Kluber, tying the franchise record set by Stan Coveleski (1917-21) with his fifth consecutive Opening Day start for the Indians, no-hit the Twins for 5 1/3 innings before giving up a line double to Byron Buxton that one-hopped the fence in left. Buxton went to third on long fly out by Max Kepler but was stranded when Jorge Polanco popped to third.
A’s 4, Angels 0
Right-hander Mike Fiers allowed just one hit in six shutout innings and was supported by a two-home run attack as Oakland celebrated its Opening Day on U.S. soil with a victory over visiting Los Angeles.
Fiers (1-1), who was roughed up for five runs in three innings when the A’s opened with a 9-7 loss to Seattle in Japan last week, took a no-hitter one out into the fifth inning before Tommy La Stella crushed a double to center field.
Right-hander Trevor Cahill (0-1) took the loss, allowing all four Oakland runs on six hits in six innings. He struck out three and walked one, facing the team that employed him last season.
Cubs 12, Rangers 4
Javier Baez hit two homers and drove in four runs to lead Chicago to a season-opening win against Texas in Arlington, Texas.
Baez became the first Cubs player with a multi-homer game in the season opener since Corey Patterson in 2003. David Bote, Jason Heyward and Albert Almora Jr. also had two hits each, and Kris Bryant drove in two of his three runs with an eighth-inning homer for Chicago.
Cubs left-hander Jon Lester (1-0) went six innings, allowing two runs and four hits with three strikeouts and two walks. Texas left-hander Mike Minor (0-1) pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing six runs and five hits with three strikeouts and two walks.
–Field Level Media
Source: OANN
FILE PHOTO: Mar 18, 2019; Goodyear, AZ, USA; San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. waits on deck during the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Goodyear Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
March 27, 2019
Fernando Tatis Jr., one of baseball’s top prospects, will open the 2019 season in the major leagues with the San Diego Padres, according to multiple reports Tuesday.
Tatis, 20, is considered neck-and-neck with Toronto Blue Jays phenom Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for top prospect in all of baseball. He will make his major league debut when he takes the field for the Padres, having peaked in Double-A last season.
Tatis, a shortstop, hit .286 with 16 home runs, 43 RBIs and 16 stolen bases in 88 games with San Antonio last season. He was shut down in July after needing left thumb surgery, returning to play 23 games in the Dominican Winter League during the offseason.
“I feel like I’m ready,” Tatis said Monday, according to MLB.com. “I feel like I’m ready to go. I don’t know. We’ll see what it’s going to be. I’m not saying everything is going to be 100 percent perfect right away. In this game, you learn every day and you just make adjustments.”
Tatis, the son of former major-leaguer Fernando Tatis, is hitting .241 with two homers and four RBIs in 54 at-bats during spring training.
The Padres enter the 2019 season with a sense of buzz after the signing of prized free agent third baseman Manny Machado to a 10-year, $300 million contract.
By opening the year with Tatis on the roster instead of keeping him in the minors the first 15 days, they lose a year of control on the infielder before he can reach free agency.
–Field Level Media
Source: OANN
Mar 20, 2019; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Cleveland Indians catcher Dioner Navarro (17) hits against the San Francisco Giants in the second inning during a spring training game at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
March 26, 2019
AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL CAPSULES (in projected order of finish)
CLEVELAND INDIANS
To review: 91-71 in 2018, first in AL Central, lost in ALDS
What’s new: Additions include 1B Carlos Santana, 2B Brad Miller and OF Carlos Gonzalez. Gone are DH Edwin Encarnacion, OF Michael Brantley, C Yan Gomes, 1B Yonder Alonso, 3B Josh Donaldson, RHP Cody Allen and LHP Andrew Miller.
Cause for concern: Injuries have ravaged Cleveland this spring, with SS Francisco Lindor (calf) and 2B Jason Kipnis (calf) both to miss Opening Day and 3B Jose Ramirez questionable after sustaining a recent knee injury that required him being carted off the field. The Indians lost 88 home runs with Alonso, Gomes, Encarnacion and Brantley all departing this offseason, leaving a notable power void.
Projecting 2019: Few teams experienced as much turnover as the Indians over the winter, but the lack of a real threat among the remainder of the AL Central teams means Cleveland should win its fourth straight division title. The rotation, headlined by RHP Corey Kluber, remains a strong point, though losing Allen and Miller is a big blow to manager Terry Francona’s reliever corps, especially come the playoffs.
MINNESOTA TWINS
To review: 78-84 in 2018, second in AL Central
What’s new: Additions include DH Nelson Cruz, 1B C.J. Cron, 2B Jonathan Schoop, UT Marwin Gonzalez, LHP Martin Perez and manager Rocco Baldelli. Gone are 1B Joe Mauer, DH Robbie Grossman, RHP Ervin Santana and former skipper Paul Molitor.
Cause for concern: Pitching stands to be Minnesota’s biggest weakness, with a rotation lacking proven depth and a bullpen full of question marks. Slugging 3B Miguel Sano, expected to bounce back after a disastrous 2018 campaign, appears to be out until at least May with a laceration to his right heel.
Projecting 2019: The Twins added some serious thunder to their lineup this offseason in the form of Cruz (37 HRs in 2018), Cron (30), Schoop (21) and Gonzalez (16), though the team still has a lot to prove before being considered a threat to Cleveland. Baldelli might have some tricks up his sleeve from his time working in Tampa Bay, and middle-infield prospect Nick Gordon should make his major league debut. OF Byron Buxton, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 draft, enters a make-or-break season.
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
To review: 62-100 in 2018, fourth in AL Central
What’s new: Additions include DH Yonder Alonso, OF Jon Jay and RHPs Ivan Nova, Alex Colome and Kelvin Herrera. Gone are OF Avisail Garcia, DH Matt Davidson and RHP James Shields.
Cause for concern: Prized RHP Michael Kopech is expected to miss the entire 2019 season recovering from Tommy John surgery. Former top right-handed pitching prospect Lucas Giolito has struggled this spring (8.84 ERA) after posting a 6.13 ERA in 32 starts last year. 2B Yoan Moncada needs to cut down on strikeouts after whiffing 217 times in 2018.
Projecting 2019: The White Sox attempted to make a splash this offseason, including an aggressive pursuit of prized free agent Manny Machado, but ultimately came up empty. Still, Chicago did add several useful pieces, and the continued emergence of a few key prospects from the team’s 2016 offseason overhaul could put the South Siders back on track. Top outfield prospect Eloy Jimenez is knocking on the door of the majors, having just signed a six-year, $43 million contract despite not yet making his big-league debut.
DETROIT TIGERS
To review: 64-98 in 2018, third in AL Central
What’s new: Additions include 2B Josh Harrison, SS Jordy Mercer, RHP Tyson Ross and LHP Matt Moore. Gone are C James McCann, DH Victor Martinez, SS Jose Iglesias and LHP Francisco Liriano.
Cause for concern: Limited to 38 games after a sustaining a major biceps injury last season, 35-year-old DH Miguel Cabrera has at least five seasons remaining on his contract at $30 million-plus annually. RHP Michael Fulmer, the team’s top starter, will miss the entire 2019 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
Projecting 2019: The Tigers began their rebuild with an exodus of talent during the 2017 season, paving the way for a potentially bright future in Detroit. While 2019 figures to be another rough season, 3B Jeimer Candelario and OF Christin Stewart could see continued development. More help isn’t far off, with top right-handed pitching prospect Casey Mize, the No. 1 overall pick in last year’s draft, expected to rise quick through the minors to lead a wealth of promising, young Detroit pitchers.
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
To review: 58-104 in 2018, fifth in AL Central
What’s new: Additions include C Martin Maldonado, OF Billy Hamilton and RHP Homer Bailey. Gone are SS Alcides Escobar and RHP Jason Hammel.
Cause for concern: C Salvador Perez, one of the lone remaining members of the Royals’ 2015 World Series-winning club, will miss the entire 2019 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery on his throwing elbow. LHP Danny Duffy, the team’s top pitcher and a potential trade chip, is battling a shoulder injury.
Projecting 2019: The complete overhaul continues this season after the Royals lost several of their top players to free agency prior to last year. The team will hold the No. 2 pick in this year’s draft and look to find a new face to lead the franchise back to prosperity. RHP Brady Singer, the team’s top pick in last year’s draft, will make his highly anticipated professional debut in the minors.
–By Kyle Brasseur, Field Level Media
Source: OANN
Mar 25, 2019; Washington, DC, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Stephen Tarpley (71) throws to the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
March 26, 2019
AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST CAPSULES (in projected order of finish)
NEW YORK YANKEES
To review: 100-62 in 2018, second in AL East, lost in ALDS
What’s new: Additions include LHP James Paxton, 2B DJ LeMahieu, SS Troy Tulowitzki and RHP Adam Ottavino. Gone are OF Andrew McCutchen and RHPs Sonny Gray and David Robertson.
Cause for concern: Ace RHP Luis Severino will miss at least all of April recovering from right rotator cuff inflammation, and SS Didi Gregorius is expected to be out until at least June after undergoing Tommy John surgery in October. Greg Bird and Luke Voit offer uncertainty at first base.
Projecting 2019: The Yankees begin the season with a few key players banged up, but full seasons of 2B Gleyber Torres (2018 All-Star) and 3B Miguel Andujar (27 HRs last year) give the team a sizable boost. LeMahieu and Tulowitzki provide valuable middle-infield depth while the trade for former Mariners ace Paxton (3.76 ERA, 208 K’s in 2018) and return of fellow LHP J.A. Happ help give the Yankees a deeper rotation than last season. Add a once-again overpowering bullpen, and New York appears to be the team to beat in the vaunted AL East.
BOSTON RED SOX
To review: 108-54 in 2018, first in AL East, won World Series
What’s new: No notable additions. Gone are RHPs Craig Kimbrel and Joe Kelly and LHP Drew Pomeranz.
Cause for concern: The Red Sox take a major hit in the bullpen with the loss of Kimbrel and Kelly, leaving RHPs Matt Barnes (3.65 ERA in 2018) and Ryan Brasier (1.60) as the front-runners for the closer role. Longtime 2B Dustin Pedroia (knee) is a question mark after missing all but three games last season.
Projecting 2019: Boston returns much of the offense from its World Series-winning roster. SS Xander Bogaerts and RHP Rick Porcello are free agents after the 2019 season, DH J.D. Martinez can opt out after this year and OFs Mookie Betts and Jackie Bradley Jr. hit the market in 2020, meaning the Red Sox’s prime contending window could close fast. Slugging third base prospect Michael Chavis has offered a glimpse at the future with four home runs in 22 at-bats this spring.
TAMPA BAY RAYS
To review: 90-72 in 2018, third in AL East
What’s new: Additions include C Mike Zunino, DH Avisail Garcia and RHP Charlie Morton. Gone are DH C.J. Cron, RHP Sergio Romo and OFs Mallex Smith and Carlos Gomez.
Cause for concern: How right-handed pitching prospects Brent Honeywell and Jose De Leon return from each undergoing Tommy John surgeries last spring is key to the future of the penny-pinching Rays, who open the season with the lowest payroll in baseball. Last year’s team surprised with its “opener” strategy, but the league won’t be caught off guard this time around.
Projecting 2019: Nobody could have predicted 90 wins last season from the Rays, who rode a second-half surge to standings relevance. LHP Blake Snell emerged to win the AL Cy Young Award while prized shortstop prospect Willy Adames experienced success upon making his major league debut. OF Austin Meadows is primed for his first full season, giving the Rays a key player who could have them once again turning heads this year.
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
To review: 73-89 in 2018, fourth in AL East
What’s new: Additions include SS Freddy Galvis, RHP Matt Shoemaker and first-year manager Charlie Montoyo. Gone are C Russell Martin, SS Aledmys Diaz, 3B Yangervis Solarte, RHP Marco Estrada and former skipper John Gibbons.
Cause for concern: RHPs Aaron Sanchez (4.89 ERA in 2018) and Marcus Stroman (5.54) enter make-or-break seasons after each endured struggles last year. The offense features several unproven names as the team looks to move on from the Josh Donaldson era.
Projecting 2019: All eyes are on baseball’s top prospect, 3B Vladimir Guerrero Jr., when it comes to the Blue Jays this season. The 20-year-old has been shelved by an oblique injury this spring, though a midseason debut seemed most likely for the phenom as Toronto looks to slow his free agency clock. Across four minor league levels last season, Guerrero hit .381 in 95 games. The Blue Jays are primed for a rebuild, with Stroman, Sanchez and 1B Justin Smoak (25 HRs in 2018) all representing attractive options for contenders.
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
To review: 47-115 in 2018, fifth in AL East
What’s new: Additions include first-year manager Brandon Hyde. Gone are OF Adam Jones, C Caleb Joseph, INF Tim Beckham and former skipper Buck Showalter.
Cause for concern: Slugging 1B Chris Davis retains one of the biggest albatross contracts in the sport after hitting .168 in 128 games last season. He’ll make $17 million this season (plus another $6 million in deferred salary) and is under contract at the same rate through 2022. Needing a bounce-back season, RHP Dylan Bundy has posted a 7.89 ERA through six spring starts.
Projecting 2019: After setting a franchise record for losses last season, the Orioles cleaned house, parting ways with Showalter and executive vice president Dan Duquette. New faces in Hyde and general manager Mike Elias will guide the team to a full-scale rebuild, starting with the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft. OF Yusniel Diaz, the headliner of last season’s Manny Machado trade with the Dodgers, could make his debut after spending all of 2018 at Double-A.
–By Kyle Brasseur, Field Level Media
Source: OANN
FILE PHOTO: Mar 16, 2019; Dunedin, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Alex Cobb (17) fields a ground ball from Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Jonathan Davis (not pictured) during the fifth inning at Dunedin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports
March 26, 2019
The Baltimore Orioles placed scheduled Opening Day starter Alex Cobb on the 10-day injured list with a strained right groin, the club announced Monday.
Cobb departed his final spring training outing after one inning Saturday due to the injury.
Fellow right-hander Andrew Cashner likely will draw the season-opening assignment for Baltimore on Thursday against the host New York Yankees.
The Orioles hope Cobb will be healthy in time to start the team’s home opener against the Yankees on April 4.
–The Cleveland Indians can breathe a sigh of relief after All-Star third baseman Jose Ramirez was confirmed to have only a knee contusion after fouling a pitch off his left knee Sunday.
X-rays were negative for any fractures. Ramirez will stay in Goodyear, Ariz., for treatment while the Indians play their final exhibition games, then join the team in Minnesota for the season opener.
Indians manager Terry Francona said Ramirez is day-to-day.
–Los Angeles superstar outfielder Mike Trout admits that watching Manny Machado and Bryce Harper plod through free agency this offseason helped him decide to sign a mega-extension with the Angels, he told The Athletic.
“I kind of saw what Bryce and Manny went through and it drew a red flag for me,” Trout said. “I talked to Manny and Bryce. It was a tough couple months in the offseason. They put it (in) perspective in my mind. I obviously want to be an Angel for life. That was a big key.”
Trout, the two-time Most Valuable Player and seven-time All-Star, would have become a free agent after the 2020 season. Instead, he signed a 12-year, $426.5 million contract extension.
–In somewhat of a surprise move, the Miami Marlins released veteran starting pitcher Dan Straily just three days before the start of the regular season.
The 30-year-old right-hander was expected to be the most experienced member of the young Marlins’ rotation this season, and he had settled for a $5 million contract this season to avoid arbitration. But the team instead says it was impressed enough with the young arms this spring that it decided to go all-in with inexperienced but talented starters.
In seven big-league seasons, Straily is 42-36 with a 4.23 ERA in 142 appearances (132 starts), with a career-best season in 2016 with the Reds (14-8, 3.76 ERA).
–Right-handed relief pitcher Daniel Hudson, who appeared in 40 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers last season, signed a one-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, the team announced. The deal is for $1.5 million, according to multiple reports.
Hudson, 32, was released Friday by the Los Angeles Angels. He had a 6.75 ERA in 6 2/3 innings in spring training this season.
The Blue Jays moved second baseman Devon Travis (knee surgery) to the 60-day injured list to make room for Hudson on the 40-man roster.
–Two days after being released by the Blue Jays, relief pitcher John Axford was re-signed by the team after having his prior minor league contract reworked, according to reports.
Axford’s initial release came on the heels of the right-hander being diagnosed with a stress reaction in his pitching elbow on Thursday. Axford, who turns 36 on April 1, was with Toronto for part of last season but was traded to the Dodgers in July.
A 10-year veteran, Axford has pitched for eight teams and logged a 38-34 record with 144 saves and a 3.87 ERA.
–Field Level Media
Source: OANN
FILE PHOTO: Mar 18, 2019; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (46) walks into the dugout during a spring training game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
March 21, 2019
On the heels of a trio of eye-popping contracts handed out to MLB stars in the last month, another perennial All-Star is reportedly on the verge of signing his own extension.
Only the figures aren’t quite as gaudy.
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported Thursday that the St. Louis Cardinals and newly acquired first baseman Paul Goldschmidt are closing in on an extension that will be “at least five years and at least $110 million.” Later, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that both sides agreed to a deal and the terms are five years and “about $130 million.” The deal, Passan reported, would keep Goldschmidt in St. Louis through the 2024 season.
In the past month, Manny Machado (Padres), Bryce Harper (Phillies) and Mike Trout (Angels) have signed three of the four largest contracts in MLB history, each worth at least $300 million in total value and $25.3 million in annual average. Goldschmidt’s deal would be a far cry from that those in terms of total value, but at 31, the slugger is several years older than the others. Machado and Harper are 26, and Trout is 27.
Arizona traded Goldschmidt, a six-time All-Star, to St. Louis in December in exchange for right-hander Luke Weaver, catcher Carson Kelly, infielder Andy Young and the Cardinals’ Compensation B selection in the 2019 draft.
Goldschmidt has slugged 30 or more homers in four of the past six seasons, but the Diamondbacks were shopping the 31-year-old because he was entering the last season of his contract, which is slated to pay him $14.5 million. He batted .290 with 33 homers and 83 RBIs in 2018. He has three 100-RBI campaigns and has batted .300 or better three times since 2013.
Overall, he batted .297 with 209 homers and 710 RBIs in 1,092 games over parts of eight seasons for Arizona. He finished second in National League MVP balloting in 2013, when he set career highs of 36 homers and 125 RBIs, and again in 2015.
–Field Level Media
Source: OANN
Mar 10, 2019; Port Charlotte, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts (50) grounds out against the Tampa Bay Rays in the fourth inning at Charlotte Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
March 21, 2019
Reigning American League Most Valuable Player Mookie Betts said Wednesday he doesn’t expect to sign a contract extension with the Boston Red Sox, instead planning to enter the 2019 season playing under his existing one-year, $20 million deal before becoming a free agent next offseason.
Betts confirmed to reporters he rejected an offer of eight years and $200 million following the 2017 season, as first reported by Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
With baseball’s brightest young stars now committed to monster deals — Manny Machado (San Diego, 10 years/$300 million), Bryce Harper (Philadelphia, 13 years/$330 million) and Mike Trout (Los Angeles Angels, 12 years/reportedly $430 million) — Betts, 26, will command much more than $200 million if he remains on his career trajectory.
In 2018, Betts led the AL with a .346 batting average, a .640 slugging percentage and 129 runs. His .438 on-base percentage ranked second to Trout’s .460 mark. He displayed power and speed, with a career-high 32 home runs and 30 stolen bases.
–Without yet playing in a major league game, outfielder Eloy Jimenez agreed to a six-year deal worth a guaranteed $43 million with the Chicago White Sox, multiple outlets reported.
The deal, which also includes two option years, is a record in guaranteed money for a player already in a team’s system who had not logged a day of big league time. Jimenez, 22, has played in the White Sox organization since 2017 when he was acquired in the deal that sent left-hander Jose Quintana to the Chicago Cubs.
Because the contract will take him into his initial free agency years, the White Sox can put Jimenez on the major league roster now without worrying about starting his free-agency clock. He is expected to be in the team’s Opening Day lineup.
–Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw threw a simulated inning as he continues his build-up process for the regular season, one day after it was announced that he would begin the season on the injured list.
Kershaw, who turned 31 on Tuesday, is working through shoulder inflammation that appeared at the start of spring training. He threw 22 pitches on a back field at the Dodgers’ spring training complex at Glendale, Ariz. He faced batters in the batter’s box, though none of them took any swings.
There is no timetable on Kershaw’s return, but if he pitches that first full inning against hitters in the next week or so, there is a chance he could rejoin the Dodgers at some point in the second half of April.
–Chuck Harmon, the Cincinnati Reds’ first African-American player, who has already been honored with a plaque outside Great American Ball Park, died on Tuesday, the team announced. He was 94. Seven years after Jackie Robinson made his debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers, Harmon took the field for the Reds in 1954. He played in 289 career games, 203 of those in three seasons with the Reds, batting .238 with seven home runs and 59 RBIs.
–New York Yankees guest instructor Lee Mazzilli, who turns 64 next Monday, was scheduled to spend the night in the hospital after being struck in the head by a ball during batting practice at Tampa, Fla., according to published reports. Mazzilli played 14 big league seasons and batted .259 with 93 homers and 460 RBIs, and played for the Yankees for 37 games in 1982.
–Right-hander Ryan Pressly signed a two-year extension reportedly worth $17.5 million with the Houston Astros that takes him through the 2021 season, the team announced. The deal also reportedly has a $10 million vesting option for the 2022 season. … The Tampa Bay Rays and prospect Brandon Lowe have agreed on a six-year, $24 million deal, according to a report by The Athletic. Lowe, 24, is No. 93 on Baseball America’s list of Top 100 prospects and can play both infield and outfield.
–Detroit right-hander Michael Fulmer, who turned 26 last week, has decided to proceed with Tommy John surgery on his pitching elbow. … The Baltimore Orioles decided to part ways with shortstop Alcides Escobar, granting the veteran his unconditional release. … The San Francisco Giants agreed on a minor league contract with Matt Joyce one day after the veteran outfielder was released by the Cleveland Indians.
–Field Level Media
Source: OANN
FILE PHOTO: Mar 10, 2019; Port Charlotte, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts (50) takes the field prior to a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Charlotte Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
March 20, 2019
Reigning American League Most Valuable Player Mookie Betts said Wednesday he doesn’t expect to sign a contract extension with the Boston Red Sox.
He told Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald he’s firm that he will enter the 2019 season playing under his existing one-year, $20 million deal.
“That’s exactly what I expect,” the outfielder said. “Didn’t expect anything to happen until I’m a free agent.”
Betts confirmed to reporters he rejected an offer of eight years and $200 million following the 2017 season, first reported by Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
Betts can become a free agent after the 2020 season.
With baseball’s brightest young stars now committed to monster deals — Manny Machado (San Diego, 10 years/$300 million) Bryce Harper (Philadelphia, 13 years/$330 million) and Mike Trout (finalizing a reported 12-year, $430 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels) — Betts will command much more than $200 million if he remains on his career trajectory.
And he knows it.
“I love it here in Boston. It’s a great spot. I’ve definitely grown to love going up north in the cold,” Betts, a 26-year-old Tennessee native, told reporters. .”.. That doesn’t mean I want to sell myself short of my value.”
In 2018, Betts led the AL with a .346 batting average, a .640 slugging percentage and 129 runs. His .438 on-base percentage ranked second to Trout’s .460 mark. He displayed power and speed, hitting 32 home runs and stealing 30 bases.
In 644 career games over four-plus seasons with the Red Sox, Betts has a .303 career batting average, 110 home runs, 110 stolen bases and 390 RBIs.
–Field Level Media
Source: OANN
FILE PHOTO: Sep 26, 2018; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) looks into the stands while standing on the field after the Nationals’ game against the Miami Marlins was called for rain in the eighth inning at Nationals Park in what may be his final home game for the Nationals. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
February 26, 2019
The Philadelphia Phillies are reportedly willing to give free agent outfielder Bryce Harper more than $300 million guaranteed — and they may not be the only ones.
MLB Network’s Jon Heyman tweeted Tuesday that “others are over $300M, too.”
That would mean multiple teams have indicated a willingness to exceed the record-setting 10-year, $300 million free agent deal Manny Machado signed last week with the San Diego Padres.
The average annual value for position players was nudged higher Tuesday with reports Colorado Rockies All-Star third baseman agreed to an eight-year, $260 million contract. The AAV for Arenado would be $32.5 million, exceeding the $30 million per season the Padres doled out for Machado.
Heyman said the Phillies still believe they have the highest bid, but their confidence has been shaken somewhat by the emergence of the Los Angeles Dodgers as a serious suitor. The Dodgers met with Harper on Sunday night in Las Vegas.
“Philly has to decide whether to keep faith or dip into the stupid $,” Heyman tweeted.
The San Francisco Giants are also in the mix for the 26-year-old All-Star’s services.
Harper is expected to make his decision by the end of this week, two team executives told USA Today Sports on Monday.
The 2012 National League Rookie of the Year and 2015 NL Most Valuable Player spent his first seven seasons with the Washington Nationals.
Harper batted .249 with 34 homers, a career-high 100 RBIs and a league-leading 130 walks in 2018.
–Field Level Media
Source: OANN
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