The San Diego Padres have reportedly signed pitcher Thomas Eshelman to a minor league deal, according to MLB Network's Jon Heyman. Eshelman previously appeared in parts of three seasons for the Baltimore Orioles from 2019 to 2021. His most successful season came in 2020 when he pitched to a 3.89 ERA, a 5.76 FIP, 16 strikeouts, and nine walks in 34.2 innings. He threw 27.2 innings for the O's last season, striking out 11 batters while surrendering 22 earned runs and 10 walks in 27.2 innings of work. The right-hander will give the Padres some bullpen depth heading into the season. San Diego's current late-inning options include Emilio Pagan, Drew Pomeranz, Tim Hill, Pierce Johnson, Craig Stammen, and Austin Adams.

As baseball nears the two-week countdown to the start of its delayed season, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to keep more players, including Boston Red Sox projected opening day starter Eduardo Rodriguez, off the field.On Tuesday, one day after Major League Baseball released its 60-game schedule, there was continued evidence of the difficulties caused by the pandemic.The San Francisco Giants suspended workouts at Oracle Park as they awaited the results of weekend tests for the coronavirus. The Chicago Cubs' workout was delayed. Oakland left-hander Jake Diekman, who has ulcerative colitis, an autoimmune condition, said teams having to call off workouts because of delays in test results “just can't happen.”“I know they’re trying their hardest, but I don’t know if that’s good enough for right now,” Diekman said Tuesday. “It’s a little worrisome. Say we go on a 10-day road trip and we only get results one time. That’s not very good with 45 or 50 people in a clubhouse at one time.”Giants manager... [More]

As baseball nears the two-week countdown to the start of its delayed season, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to keep more players, including Boston Red Sox projected opening day starter Eduardo Rodriguez, off the field.On Tuesday, one day after Major League Baseball released its 60-game schedule, there was continued evidence of the difficulties caused by the pandemic.The San Francisco Giants suspended workouts at Oracle Park as they awaited the results of weekend tests for the coronavirus. The Chicago Cubs' workout was delayed. Oakland left-hander Jake Diekman, who has ulcerative colitis, an autoimmune condition, said teams having to call off workouts because of delays in test results “just can't happen.”“I know they’re trying their hardest, but I don’t know if that’s good enough for right now,” Diekman said Tuesday. “It’s a little worrisome. Say we go on a 10-day road trip and we only get results one time. That’s not very good with 45 or 50 people in a clubhouse at one time.”Giants manager... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Baltimore Orioles designated hitter Mark Trumbo has been reinstated from the 60-day injured list and was in the lineup for Monday's game against Tampa Bay after missing more than a year with a knee injury.The 33-year-old Trumbo, who led the major leagues with 47 home runs in 2016, had surgery last September. He last played in the majors on Aug. 19, 2018."It's been a long time coming," Trumbo said. "You get paid to play. That always weighed on me pretty heavily. It's something I feel I owe it to the team to get out there and do what I can."Trumbo could also see time in left and right field but will not be playing every day."Some days are better than others," Trumbo said. "Some days are really good. If I do a lot or if I'm heavily involved, I can kind of predict that the next day there will be soreness and some swelling. With any luck, we'll have a lot of productivity."Trumbo went 4 for 20 with two homers and six RBIs over five games with Triple-A Norfolk last... [More]