Thu Mar 26 2020 | 22:30 | AP source: MLBers keep service time in deal; draft may trim | Trevor Bauer | SP | Reds | Free Agent |
| | | Mookie Betts | RF | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | George Springer | CF/RF | Astros | Free Agent |
| | | Marcus Stroman | SP | Mets | Free Agent |
NEW YORK (AP) — Players agreed to a deal with Major League Baseball that would preserve service time in the event this season is canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic, but left open details of what a configured schedule would look like.As part of the agreement approved by the union Thursday night, players will not challenge the loss of their salaries if no games are played. Management will advance $170 million in salary payments over two stages, and that money does not have to be returned if the season is canceled. Player salaries this year are expected to total roughly $4 billion.Management was given the right to cut the amateur draft in both 2020 and 2021, and to freeze the values of signing bonus money at 2019 levels.Details were divulged to The Associated Press by a person familiar with the agreement who spoke on condition of anonymity because no announcement was made.Teams are set to approve the roughly 17-page agreement Friday, the person said.Opening day was to have been Thursday,... [ More] |
Thu Mar 26 2020 | 21:40 | AP source: MLBers keep service time in deal; may trim draft | Trevor Bauer | SP | Reds | Free Agent |
| | | Mookie Betts | RF | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | George Springer | CF/RF | Astros | Free Agent |
| | | Marcus Stroman | SP | Mets | Free Agent |
NEW YORK (AP) — Players agreed to a deal with Major League Baseball that would preserve service time in the event this season is canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic, but left open details of what a configured schedule would look like.As part of the agreement approved by the union Thursday night, players agreed not to challenge giving up up their salaries if no games are played, except for $170 million payment management will advance in two stages. Player salary this year is expected to be in the $4 billion range.Management was given the right to cut the amateur draft in both 2020 and 2021, and to freeze the values of signing bonus money at 2019 levelsDetails were divulged to The Associated Press by a person familiar with the agreement who spoke on condition of anonymity because no announcement was made.Teams are set to approve the roughly 17-page agreement Friday, the person said.Opening day was to have been Thursday, but was pushed back to mid-May at the earliest because of the... [ More] |
Thu Mar 26 2020 | 20:50 | MLB uniform maker switches to producing medical masks, gowns | Bryce Harper | RF | Phillies | Free Agent |
| | | Aaron Judge | RF | Yankees | Free Agent |
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Bryce Harper jersey that could have been worn this baseball season by the biggest Philadelphia Phillies fan is now a protective mask in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.Fanatics, the company that manufactures uniforms for Major League Baseball, has suspended production on jerseys and is instead using the polyester mesh fabric to make masks and gowns for hospitals in Pennsylvania and nearby states.New York Yankees and Phillies pinstripes were still in vogue on baseball's scheduled opening day -- only stitched on the protective wear made by the apparel company.Michael Rubin, the founder and executive chairman of Fanatics, was watching TV last week when he was struck by the idea to turn the 360,000-square foot facility in Easton, Pennsylvania, into a factory for the COVID-19 virus fight. While Rubin considered how he could make it happen, St. Luke's Hospital in Bethlehem reached out to Fanatics late last week about the possibility of the company manufacturing... [ More] |
Thu Mar 26 2020 | 19:31 | MLB uniform maker switches to producing medical masks, gowns | Bryce Harper | RF | Phillies | Free Agent |
| | | Aaron Judge | RF | Yankees | Free Agent |
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Bryce Harper jersey that could have been worn this baseball season by the biggest Philadelphia Phillies fan is now a protective mask in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.Fanatics, the company that manufactures uniforms for Major League Baseball, has suspended production on jerseys and is instead using the polyester mesh fabric to make masks and gowns for hospitals in Pennsylvania and nearby states.New York Yankees and Phillies pinstripes were still in vogue on baseball's scheduled opening day -- only stitched on the protective wear made by the apparel company.Michael Rubin, the founder and executive chairman of Fanatics, was watching TV last week when he was struck by the idea to turn the 360,000-square foot facility in Easton, Pennsylvania, into a factory for the COVID-19 virus fight. While Rubin considered how he could make it happen, St. Luke's Hospital in Bethlehem reached out to Fanatics late last week about the possibility of the company manufacturing... [ More] |
Thu Mar 26 2020 | 18:31 | Rangers LF Calhoun cleared for workouts after broken jaw | Willie Calhoun | DH/LF | Rangers | Free Agent |
| | | Nomar Mazara | RF | White Sox | Free Agent |
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Rangers left fielder Willie Calhoun says he has been cleared to resume workouts in his recovery from a broken jaw. Calhoun tweeted Thursday that he was ready to start his daily workouts and baseball activities again. The Texas outfielder had surgery March 9, a day after he was hit in the face by a fastball during a spring training game and suffered a broken jaw. A plate was inserted to stabilize the jaw. His tweet came on the same day that was scheduled to be opening day before the coronavirus pandemic indefinitely pushed back the start the MLB season. “Willie being healthy is going to help us a lot,” manager Chris Woodward said earlier this week. “That was going to be a big black eye for us to start the season, and now it won't be because he will be healthy. He can't wait to get started."Calhoun hit .269 with 21 homers in 83 games last season. He became the starting left fielder after the Rangers traded outfielders Delino DeShields and Nomar Mazara over the winter. ___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports |
Thu Mar 26 2020 | 17:50 | A realistic simulation: Trout is opening day Strat star | Gerrit Cole | SP | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Zack Greinke | SP | Astros | Free Agent |
| | | Brock Holt | 2B/3B | Nationals | Free Agent |
| | | Howie Kendrick | 1B/2B/PH | Nationals | Free Agent |
| | | Adam Ottavino | RP | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Mike Trout | CF | Angels | Free Agent |
Mike Trout hit two home runs off Zack Greinke and scored four times to help the Los Angeles Angels beat the Houston Astros 9-6 on opening day. Alas, the game was played on a computer, not on the field. But as fans of the popular sports game Strat-O-Matic can attest, make-believe boxscores can be fun too.Fifteen of them were generated Thursday by Strat-O-Matic — one for every real game postponed on opening day because of the coronavirus. The results came via computer simulations, which the New York-based company will continue to run daily while the real thing is on hiatus.“People miss baseball, us included,” said Adam Richman, whose father created Strat-O-Matic as an 11-year-old in 1948. “This is a way to bring a little bit of baseball to everyone in their homes. We know baseball will be back, but until then there’s Strat-O-Matic.”Howie Kendrick hit a tiebreaking solo home run in the ninth inning to help the World Series champion Nationals beat the Mets 4-3. Pinch hitter Brock Holt's three-run... [ More] |
Thu Mar 26 2020 | 16:00 | White Sox option RHP Kopech to Triple-A Charlotte | Chris Sale | SP | Red Sox | Free Agent |
CHICAGO (AP) — Right-hander Michael Kopech was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte by the Chicago White Sox on Thursday.The 23-year-old is among the top pitching prospects. He missed last season after he had Tommy John surgery in September 2018, but he hit triple-digits on the radar gun during his first spring training appearance on March 10.Kopech was acquired by Chicago in the December 2016 trade that sent Chris Sale to the Boston Red Sox. Kopech made his big league debut in 2018, going 1-1 with a 5.02 ERA in four starts.His salary in the minors is $277,500, down from the minimum $563,500 in the majors.Chicago was scheduled to host the Kansas City Royals on Thursday on opening day, but the start of the season has been pushed back until mid-May at the earliest because of the new coronavirus pandemic.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports |
Thu Mar 26 2020 | 15:01 | BC-BBO--This Date in Baseball | Madison Bumgarner | SP | Diamondbacks | Free Agent |
| | | Matt Cain | | | Free Agent |
| | | Jarred Cosart | | | Free Agent |
| | | Nelson Cruz | DH | Twins | Free Agent |
| | | Bryce Harper | RF | Phillies | Free Agent |
| | | Matt Harrison | | | Free Agent |
| | | Clayton Kershaw | SP | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Mark Melancon | RP | Braves | Free Agent |
| | | Ricky Nolasco | | | Free Agent |
| | | Alex Rodriguez | | | Free Agent |
| | | Stephen Strasburg | SP | Nationals | Free Agent |
March 311961 — The Pacific Coast League's proposal to use a designated hitter for the pitcher was rejected by the Professional Baseball Rules Committee by a vote of 8-1.1968 — Seattle, the American League's second new team, announced its nickname — the Pilots.1995 — Major league baseball players end their strike when Federal judge Sonia Sotomayor of U.S. District Court in Manhattan rules against the owners in the labor dispute.1996 — The Seattle Mariners beat the Chicago White Sox 3-2 in 12 innings in major league baseball's season opener, the first major league game played in March.1998 — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Arizona Diamondbacks looked like expansion teams in their first games. The Devil Rays fell behind 11-0 in an 11-6 loss to Detroit at Tropicana Field, and the Diamondbacks dropped a 9-2 decision to the Colorado Rockies at Bank One Ballpark. Milwaukee dropped a 2-1 decision at Atlanta in the Brewers' first game since becoming the only team to switch leagues this century.2003... [ More] |
Thu Mar 26 2020 | 14:31 | Twinbills? Winter windup? Baseball's 2020 could be creative | Taylor Rogers | RP | Twins | Free Agent |
PHOENIX (AP) — It's been another ideal week of March weather in central Arizona, with highs in the 70s and plenty of sunshine.Perfect for an opening day baseball game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Atlanta Braves that isn't happening as planned because of the coronavirus pandemic. That reality was starkly apparent on Thursday, as a nearly deserted Chase Field sat in strange silence.But the pleasant weather was also a reminder of what could happen when and if the games resume. After all, it's a lot like what November or even December baseball would feel like in this part of the world. In the upside-down universe of Major League Baseball — which is on hold until at least mid-May and quite possibly longer as the world fights the coronavirus spread — just about anything is possible if the 2020 season ever begins.“Every year, you hope to host the World Series,” Arizona owner Ken Kendrick said earlier this month when discussing options for a pushed back season, including neutral sites in... [ More] |
Thu Mar 26 2020 | 10:50 | Royals new owner patiently awaiting rescheduled opening day | Alex Gordon | LF | Royals | Free Agent |
| | | Salvador Perez | C | Royals | Free Agent |
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The morning dawned bright and sunny over Kauffman Stadium, just to the east of downtown Kansas City. The outfield grass was a perfectly manicured ocean of green, the infield dirt brushed as if by a fine-toothed comb. In the air was a pervasive feeling of spring, of hope and opportunity and new beginnings.All that was missing was the crack of a bat and the sound of leather hitting a mitt.This was supposed to be the first opening day for the Kansas City Royals under new owner John Sherman, the fulfillment of a lifelong ambition for the local businessman. He had purchased the club late last year from longtime owner David Glass, and the former season ticket-holder was looking forward to seeing his rebuilding franchise on the field.Instead, the stadium sat empty as the outbreak of the new coronavirus brings sports to a standstill, and amid the continuing uncertainty whether baseball will be played at all this season.“We wish that we were playing baseball today,” Sherman... [ More] |
Wed Mar 25 2020 | 21:00 | AP source: Proposal would let Betts, Bauer go free in fall | Trevor Bauer | SP | Reds | Free Agent |
| | | Mookie Betts | RF | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | George Springer | CF/RF | Astros | Free Agent |
| | | Marcus Stroman | SP | Mets | Free Agent |
| | | Alex Verdugo | CF/LF/RF | Red Sox | Free Agent |
NEW YORK (AP) — Mookie Betts and all the players set to be free agents after the 2020 season would still get that chance if there is no baseball this year, part of a broad deal being negotiated by the commissioner's office and the players' association.If there's no season because of the new coronavirus, the agreement would credit major leaguers with the same service time this year that they earned in 2019, a person familiar with the talks told The Associated Press on Wednesday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because talks were ongoing. Trevor Bauer, Marcus Stroman, George Springer, JT Realmuto also would be eligible for free agency, even if the season is canceled.Betts, the 2018 AL MVP, was acquired by the Dodgers from Boston last month for outfielder Alex Verdugo and two prospects. In a pair of deals at last July's trade deadline contemplating they would get a top pitcher for 1 1/3 seasons, Cincinnati obtained Bauer from Cleveland and the Mets received Stroman from Toronto.Service... [ More] |
Wed Mar 25 2020 | 20:20 | AP source: Betts, Bauer, Stroman go free, even if no games | Trevor Bauer | SP | Reds | Free Agent |
| | | Mookie Betts | RF | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | George Springer | CF/RF | Astros | Free Agent |
| | | Marcus Stroman | SP | Mets | Free Agent |
| | | Alex Verdugo | CF/LF/RF | Red Sox | Free Agent |
NEW YORK (AP) — Mookie Betts and all the players set to be free agents after the 2020 season would still get that chance if there is no baseball this year, part of a broad deal being negotiated by the commissioner's officer and the players' association.If there's no season because of the new coronavirus, the agreement would credit major leaguers with the same service time this year that they earned in 2019, a person familiar with the talks told The Associated Press on Wednesday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because talks were ongoing. Trevor Bauer, Marcus Stroman, George Springer, JT Realmuto also would be eligible for free agency, even if the season is canceled.Betts, the 2018 AL MVP, was acquired by the Dodgers from Boston last month for outfielder Alex Verdugo and two prospects. In a pair of deals at last July's trade deadline contemplating they would get a top pitcher for 1 1/3 seasons, Cincinnati obtained Bauer from Cleveland and the Mets received Stroman from Toronto.Service... [ More] |
Wed Mar 25 2020 | 17:50 | MLB ballparks will remain eerily empty on 'opening day' | Gerrit Cole | SP | Yankees | Free Agent |
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — There will be no hot dogs on the grill, no beer on tap, no vendors in the stands selling peanuts and Cracker Jack. The shiny new stadium deep in the heart of Texas will still be waiting for its first Rangers game. Instead of warming up for his debut with the New York Yankees after a record $324 million, nine-year contract, Gerrit Cole is playing catch with his wife at home. With the start of the Major League Baseball season indefinitely on hold because of the novel coronavirus pandemic, ballparks will be empty Thursday on what was supposed to be opening day. “You’re used to seeing people run all over the place. We have over 200 people (who work) at the park,” said Roger Bossard, the groundskeeper in his 54th year with the Chicago White Sox. “Certainly, it’s eerie when no one’s around. You walk around the hallways or underneath the stands there, and there’s nobody there — but understandably.”From Baltimore to Miami in the east, San Diego to Seattle in the west — and... [ More] |
Wed Mar 25 2020 | 15:40 | Yankees' Judge still hasn't resumed baseball activities | Aaron Hicks | CF | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Aaron Judge | RF | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | James Paxton | SP | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Giancarlo Stanton | DH/LF | Yankees | Free Agent |
NEW YORK (AP) — Injured New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge still has not resumed baseball activities.Judge did not play in any spring training games because of discomfort in his right pectoral muscle and shoulder that he felt when swinging. The Yankees said March 6 that the 2017 AL Rookie of the Year had a stress fracture to his first right rib, an injury likely dating from a diving catch late last season.“Aaron is still in the healing phase of that that rib bone, and I think he'll be reevaluated again in a few weeks as far as re-imaging that to see if there's the continued healing with that rib,” manager Aaron Boone said during a conference call Wednesday. “He's been able to work out doing a lot of lower body stuff, is able to do some some upper body stuff, some overhead things.”Judge revealed last week he also had a collapsed lung and said he has recovered from that. Boone said that injury likely occurred during the diving catch but “it's probably something that it's impossible to... [ More] |
Wed Mar 25 2020 | 15:10 | Yankees' Judge still hasn't resumed baseball activities | Aaron Hicks | CF | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Aaron Judge | RF | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | James Paxton | SP | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Giancarlo Stanton | DH/LF | Yankees | Free Agent |
NEW YORK (AP) — Injured New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge still has not resumed baseball activities.Judge did not play in any spring training games because of discomfort in his right pectoral muscle and shoulder that he felt when swinging. The Yankees said March 6 that the 2017 AL Rookie of the Year had a stress fracture to his first right rib, an injury likely dating from a diving catch late last season.“Aaron is still in the healing phase of that that rib bone, and I think he'll be reevaluated again in a few weeks as far as re-imaging that to see if there's the continued healing with that rib,” manager Aaron Boone said during a conference call Wednesday. “He's been able to work out doing a lot of lower body stuff, is able to do some some upper body stuff, some overhead things.”Judge revealed last week he also had a collapsed lung and said he has recovered from that. Boone said that injury likely occurred during the diving catch but “it's probably something that it's impossible to... [ More] |
Wed Mar 25 2020 | 15:00 | MLB ballparks will remain eerily empty on 'opening day' | Gerrit Cole | SP | Yankees | Free Agent |
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — There will be no hot dogs on the grill, no beer on tap, no vendors in the stands selling peanuts and Cracker Jack. The shiny new stadium deep in the heart of Texas will still be waiting for its first Rangers game. Instead of warming up for his debut with the New York Yankees after a record $324 million, nine-year contract, Gerrit Cole is playing catch with his wife at home. With the start of the Major League Baseball season indefinitely on hold because of the novel coronavirus pandemic, ballparks will be empty Thursday on what was supposed to be opening day. “You’re used to seeing people run all over the place. We have over 200 people (who work) at the park,” said Roger Bossard, the groundskeeper in his 54th year with the Chicago White Sox. “Certainly, it’s eerie when no one’s around. You walk around the hallways or underneath the stands there, and there’s nobody there — but understandably.”From Baltimore to Miami in the east, San Diego to Seattle in the west — and... [ More] |
Wed Mar 25 2020 | 14:00 | MLB airing 30 classic games digitally on PPD opening day | Pete Alonso | 1B | Mets | Free Agent |
NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball will air 30 games across its digital platforms Thursday, giving fans plenty of hardball to choose from on an opening day postponed by the coronavirus pandemic.With its season delayed until at least mid-May, MLB will air one memorable game for each franchise on its YouTube, Twitter and Facebook pages. The list includes Dave Roberts’ series-shifting stolen base for the Boston Red Sox in Game 4 of the 2003 AL Championship Series, the Chicago Cubs ending their championship drought in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series, and perfect games by Félix Hernández and Mark Buehrle. MLB Network plans to broadcast classic opening day games throughout the day, including Derek Jeter’s debut in 1996, and SiriusXM also plans to carry memorable season openers. ESPN2 is airing a Home Run Derby marathon starting with Pete Alonso’s impressive show from last summer.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports |
Tue Mar 24 2020 | 17:50 | Mets star pitcher Noah Syndergaard needs Tommy John surgery | Tyler Beede | SP | Giants | Free Agent |
| | | Gerrit Cole | SP | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Steven Matz | SP | Mets | Free Agent |
| | | Rick Porcello | SP | Mets | Free Agent |
| | | Chris Sale | SP | Red Sox | Free Agent |
| | | Luis Severino | SP | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Marcus Stroman | SP | Mets | Free Agent |
| | | Noah Syndergaard | SP | Mets | Free Agent |
| | | Michael Wacha | SP | Mets | Free Agent |
| | | Jacob deGrom | SP | Mets | Free Agent |
NEW YORK (AP) — Mets right-hander Noah Syndergaard became the latest big-name pitcher to need Tommy John surgery, joining the Yankees' Luis Severino and Boston's Chris Sale.New York said Tuesday that Syndergaard needs reconstruction of his ulnar collateral ligament and will miss the season that's been put on hold because of the coronavirus outbreak. Mets medical director Dr. David Altchek will operate on the right-hander on Thursday.“After experiencing discomfort in his elbow before spring training was suspended due to the pandemic, Noah and our health and performance department have been in constant contact,” Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said in a statement. “Based on the persistence of his symptoms, Noah underwent a physical examination and MRI that revealed the ligament tear."Syndergaard, the hardest-throwing starting pitcher in the major leagues last season, received a second opinion from Los Angeles Dodgers head team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache."While this is unfortunate,... [ More] |
Tue Mar 24 2020 | 16:20 | Mets star Noah Syndergaard to have Tommy John surgery | Steven Matz | SP | Mets | Free Agent |
| | | Rick Porcello | SP | Mets | Free Agent |
| | | Marcus Stroman | SP | Mets | Free Agent |
| | | Noah Syndergaard | SP | Mets | Free Agent |
| | | Michael Wacha | SP | Mets | Free Agent |
| | | Jacob deGrom | SP | Mets | Free Agent |
NEW YORK (AP) — Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard has a torn elbow ligament and needs Tommy John surgery that will keep him out of action this year.New York medical director Dr. David Altchek will operate Thursday.“After experiencing discomfort in his elbow before spring training was suspended due to the pandemic, Noah and our health and performance department have been in constant contact,” Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said in a statement Tuesday. “Based on the persistence of his symptoms, Noah underwent a physical examination and MRI that revealed the ligament tear."The right-hander received a second opinion on the damaged ulnar collateral ligament from Los Angeles Dodgers head team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache."While this is unfortunate, we have no doubt that Noah will be able to return to full strength and continue to be an integral part of our championship pursuits in the future,” said Van Wagenen, Syndergaard's former agent.Opening day has been postponed until at least mid-May... [ More] |
Tue Mar 24 2020 | 15:20 | BC-BBO--This Date in Baseball | Madison Bumgarner | SP | Diamondbacks | Free Agent |
| | | Matt Cain | | | Free Agent |
| | | Jarred Cosart | | | Free Agent |
| | | Nelson Cruz | DH | Twins | Free Agent |
| | | Jeurys Familia | RP | Mets | Free Agent |
| | | Bryce Harper | RF | Phillies | Free Agent |
| | | Matt Harrison | | | Free Agent |
| | | Clayton Kershaw | SP | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Mark Melancon | RP | Braves | Free Agent |
| | | Ricky Nolasco | | | Free Agent |
| | | Alex Rodriguez | | | Free Agent |
| | | Stephen Strasburg | SP | Nationals | Free Agent |
March 271973 — Minnesota pitcher Jim Perry became the first player to use the "10 and 5 rule" when he OK'd his own trade to the Detroit Tigers for minor league pitcher Dan Fife and cash.1986 — Major League Baseball's Rules Committee voted to change the designated hitter rule for the World Series allowing a DH to be used in all games played in the American League home park. Since 1976 the DH had been used in all games in alternating years.March 281970 — Commissioner Bowie Kuhn announced the return of the All-Star selection to the fans.1977 — Lenny Randle of the Texas Rangers, angry about having been benched during spring training, attacked 50-year-old manager Frank Lucchesi and sent him to the hospital with a shattered cheekbone.1999 — Harold Baines singled in the tiebreaking run in the top of the 11th inning as the Baltimore Orioles beat the Cuban all-star team 3-2 in Havana. It was the first time in 40 years a major league team had played in Cuba.1991 — Methodist College beat Maryville... [ More] |