9-5 Baseball Update - 3/12/2021
MLB will experiment with some rule changes in the minors, Jacob deGrom dominates in three innings of work, & more.
Good morning.
It’s March 12th, 2021 and here’s everything that happened in the world of baseball over the last 24 hours.
The Most Important Thing
Jacob deGrom was in midseason form last night in New York’s win over Houston. 3 innings pitched, 0 hits, 7 strikeouts.
Everything Else
Thursday Recaps
Transactions
The Pirates will sign RHP Trevor Cahill, per Bob Nightengale. The deal is for one year, $1.5 million with up to $1 million in bonuses.
The Royals have optioned RHP Scott Blewett, RHP Ronald Bolanos, C Meibrys Viloria and OF Edward Olivares to Triple-A Omaha.
From Cody Stavenhagen: The Tigers have optioned LHP Joey Wentz, RHP Beau Burrows, RHP Alex Faedo and RHP Kyle Funkhouser to Triple A Toledo. RHP Zack Hess, RHP Gerson Moreno, C Dillon Dingler, INF Daniel Pinero, INF Aderlin Rodriguez, OF Jacob Robson and OF Danny Woodrow have been reassigned to the Tigers minicamp.
Injuries/Chatter
OF Nick Markakis announces his retirement from baseball after 15 seasons.
MLB announced a variety of experimental rule changes that will be tested at various levels of the minor leagues. Among them: increasing the size of the bases from 15 inches to 18 inches.
Yankees C Robinson Chirinos has a fractured right wrist after being hit by a pitch on Wednesday.
Padres SS Fernando Tatis Jr. is expected to be back in the lineup today.
Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto told reporters that OF prospect Jarred Kelenic is coming along quickly in his recovery from a grade 2 strain in his knee.
Notes from Mets manager Luis Rojas: RHP Carlos Carrasco, dealing with elbow soreness, is expected to start playing catch again on Sunday; Brandon Nimmo and Francisco Lindor are likely to be the Mets 1-2 hitters; Dominic Smith will play LF today for the first time this spring.
Notes from Giants manager Gabe Kapler: OF Austin Slater, who has been out with hamstring tightness, may get an at-bat today and play some in the field; RHP Aaron Sanchez will throw a three-inning simulated game on Sunday; 1B Brandon Belt, coming off heel surgery, is increasing his activity every day.
Cubs C Austin Romine is dealing with a right knee sprain and has been out since Saturday, relays Jordan Bastian. It is not believed to be serious, but there is currently no timeline for his return.
C Keibert Ruiz is expected to catch Friday and Sunday for the Dodgers. Ruiz was late to camp due to visa issues.
Angels RHPs Brendan McCurry and Gerardo Reyes will both be having Tommy John surgery.
Nationals OF Juan Soto was scratched from yesterday’s game due to illness.
Cleveland OF Billy Hamilton will not make the team’s major league roster, relays Zack Meisel. The team will help him land a spot with another club’s camp.
White Sox manager Tony La Russa says C Yasmani Grandal took swings in a simulated game on Wednesday and looked good doing so. Grandal hurt his knee early in camp.
Mariners RHP Roenis Elias left last night’s game against the Dodgers with discomfort in his arm.
Phillies C JT Realmuto, out with a broken thumb, had 40 throws yesterday and will start doing more in the days ahead, manager Joe Girardi told reporters. The hope is that he’s ready for opening day.
Padres OF Trent Grisham, pulled from Thursday’s game, has a slight hamstring strain, manager Jayce Tingler told reporters. More will be known of the severity today.
Red Sox SS Xander Bogaerts will make his spring debut at DH today, manager Alex Cora told reporters.
Notes from Astros manager Dusty Baker: Alex Bregman, Yordan Alvarez, & Jason Castro all will not play until next week.
Royals OF Michael Taylor was scratched from yesterday’s game with back tightness, manager Mike Matheny told reporters.
Pirates OF Gregory Polanco is away from camp due to the birth of his son in the Dominican.
Reds LHP Wade Miley left last night’s game with a left hamstring injury.
Matt Vasgersian will be the new play-by-play voice for the Angels’ TV broadcasts.
Posts With Your Toast
MLB.com staff writers give their must-see players for 2021.
Also from MLB.com - opening day roster predictions for all 30 teams and predictions for ERA leaders for 2021.
Tyler Kepner writes Tony La Russa is ready to prove himself again with a White Sox team that is on the rise.
Jesus Luzardo is confident in his new curveball that he calls “the turkey sub.”
Dan Szymborski maps out a Francisco Lindor extension.
Michael Chavis admits his future with the Red Sox is murky at best, writes John Tomase.
Royals camp standout Sebastian Rivero has always been lauded for his defense behind the plate. This spring, he's showing the strides he's made with his bat, too, says Anne Rogers.
Anthony Alford is making a case for Pittsburgh’s center field job, says Alex Stumpf.
Tigers 3B prospect Spencer Torkleson’s spring struggles are continuing, writes Evan Woodbery.
Podcast Recommendation
Ballpark Dimensions discuss the new experimental rules that will be implemented in the minor leagues.
Buster Olney chats with Jeff Passan, Sarah Langs, & Steve Berthiaume on the Baseball Tonight podcast.
Talkin’ Baseball predicts who will break out in 2021.
Friday Book Recommendation
There are so many great resources available at SABR, and their recently released “50 at 50,” that gives their 50 most essential contributions to the game of baseball, is a must-read.
Random Baseball Rewind
Foul Tips
Kevin Goldstein on marking a pandemic anniversary.
The NY Times did a really cool story on Rob Friedman, the lawyer who became a pitching ninja.
God bless and good day!
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