| Mon Mar 19 2018 | 15:14 | Rangers claim 1B Tommy Joseph on waivers from Phillies | ||||
SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — The Texas Rangers have claimed first baseman Tommy Joseph off waivers from the Philadelphia Phillies.The Rangers made the move Monday, a week after the Phillies designated him for assignment when they signed free agent pitcher Jake Arrieta.The 26-year-old Joseph hit over 20 home runs in each of his two seasons in the majors. He batted .240 with 22 homers and 69 RBIs while starting 125 times at first last year.Philadelphia signed power-hitting free agent Carlos Santana to play first this season.Joseph was traded from San Francisco to the Phillies in July 2012 as part of a package for outfielder Hunter Pence. Highly regarded at the time, Joseph was projected to be Philadelphia's catcher of the future until a series of concussions prompted the Phillies to turn him into a first baseman three years later.Joseph made his big league debut in May 2016 and hit .257 with 21 home runs and 47 RBIs.In 11 spring training games this year, Joseph hit .429 (9 for 21) before being cut.Texas put right-hander Clayton Blackburn on the 60-day disabled list with a strained right elbow. He is expected to miss four to six weeks. | ||||||
| Tue Mar 13 2018 | 01:43 | Slashed salaries: Walker to Yankees, Lynn starts with Twins | ||||
Neil Walker became the latest free agent to take a big pay cut as opening day approaches, joining the New York Yankees on Monday with a one-year deal for $4 million.The veteran infielder made $17.2 million last season while playing for the New York Mets and Milwaukee Brewers. He can earn $1 million in performance bonuses this year.The 32-year-old Walker hit .265 with 14 home runs and 49 RBIs last season, then became a free agent. He will likely start at second base, giving prospects Gleyber Torres and Miguel Andujar more time to mature in the minor leagues."It's certainly a crazy offseason, but more than anything my hope was that I'd land somewhere that's going to be competitive and have a chance to win," Walker said. "I'm happy to be here, happy to be on a contending team."Starting pitcher Lance Lynn got right to work with Minnesota after finalizing his $12 million, one-year deal. He turned down a $17.4 million offer to stay with St. Louis, and looked for a richer contract in free agency.Lynn... [More] | ||||||
| Mon Mar 12 2018 | 18:43 | 44-year-old Colon could pitch his way into Rangers' rotation | ||||
SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Bartolo Colon could be pitching his way into the Texas Rangers' rotation at age 44 as he continues to shut down hitters half his age in spring training.The Rangers also ended their try to move Matt Bush from the bullpen into the rotation."I'm very happy and I get to go back to doing what I know how to do," Bush said Monday. "There are plenty of good starters and this is a role they need me to go back to. They know what they are doing and I feel like it is the right decision."The Rangers' rotation has a lot of moving parts.Cole Hamels, Matt Moore and Doug Fister appear to be locks for the top three spots. Mike Minor remains a candidate, but could be switched to closer, a role he was effective in at the end of last season with Kansas City.Left-hander Martin Perez threw 69 pitches in a minor league game Monday, allowing six runs, three earned, in four innings. He has been set back in spring training after breaking his right (non-pitching) elbow in December in an incident... [More] | ||||||