9-5 Baseball Update - 3/17/2021
Mets begin extension talks with Lindor, LeBron James joins the Red Sox ownership group, & more.
Good morning.
It’s March 17th, 2021 and here’s everything that happened in the world of baseball over the last 24 hours.
The Most Important Thing
Not surprising, but the Mets and SS Francisco Lindor have begun extension talks. Lindor notes the talks are not serious yet.
It seems like an extension is inevitable, but we shall see.
Everything Else
Tueday Recaps
Transactions
The Blue Jays have picked up the 2022 club option for manager Charlie Montoya.
3B Maikel Franco’s deal with the Orioles is now official. One year, $800,000. To make room for Franco, RHP Hunter Harvey was placed on the 60-day IL. Harvey is dealing with an oblique injury.
The White Sox will sign OF Billy Hamilton to a minor league deal with a spring training invite.
RHP Chasen Bradford will sign a minor league deal with the Braves, per Jeff Passan. Bradford last pitched in 2019 with Seattle, posting a 4.86 ERA over 16.2 innings before having Tommy John surgery.
The Mets optioned RHP Sam McWilliams and OF Khalil Lee to Triple-A Syracuse.
The Royals optioned RHP Tyler Zuber and C Sebastian Rivero to Triple-A Omaha.
The Red Sox optioned RHP Eduard Bazardo, RHP John Schreiber, and C Connor Wong to the team’s alternate site.
Angels purchased the contract of RHP Junior Guerra from Triple-A Salt Lake and optioned OF Brandon Marsh to Salt Lake.
The Brewers purchased the contract of INF Travis Shaw from Triple-A Nashville, optioned RHP Phil Bickford to Triple-A Nashville and placed INF Mark Mathias on the 60-day IL.
The Tigers announced several roster moves that can be found here.
The Rays announced several roster moves that can be found here.
The White Sox announced several roster moves that can be found here.
The Rockies announced several roster moves that can be found here.
The Astros announced several roster moves that can be found here.
The Orioles announced several roster moves that can be found here.
The Pirates announced several roster moves that can be found here.
The Diamondbacks announced several roster moves that can be found here.
Injuries/Chatter
LeBron James is joining the ownership group of the Red Sox.
Mariners LHP Roenis Elias will have Tommy John surgery and miss the 2021 season.
A’s RHP Trevor Rosenthal will make his Cactus League debut today. The new Oakland pitcher has been dealing with a groin issue.
RHP Tyler Glasnow will be the opening day starter for the Rays.
RHP Kyle Gibson will be the opening day starter for the Rangers.
Orioles RHP Felix Hernandez left yesterday’s start with elbow discomfort.
Royals GM Dayton Moore said the team is “open minded” about SS prospect Bobby Witt Jr. making the opening day roster.
Notes from Rays manager Kevin Cash: OF Kevin Kiermaier has some tightness in his quad but should be back Friday.
Notes from Giants manager Gabe Kapler: C Buster Posey was scratched from yesterday’s lineup with hip tightness; LHP Alex Wood will have an ablation procedure on his spine that doesn’t necessarily knock him out of the season-opening rotation.
Notes from Diamondbacks manager Torey Luvallo: OF Ketel Marte left yesterday’s game with ankle soreness but it doesn’t appear serious.
Notes from Nationals manager Dave Martinez: RHP Stephen Strasburg is going to throw on flat ground today and have his calf re-evaluated afterward; LHP Jon Lester will make his debut tomorrow.
Padres RHP Pierce Johnson left yesterday’s game with groin tightness.
Notes from Rangers GM Chris Young: OF Willie Calhoun is likely to begin the season on the IL; RHP Tyson Ross has been added to the 75-man pool of players in major league camp.
Twins SS Jorge Polanco left yesterday’s game with left adductor tightness and is day-to-day.
A’s OF Ramon Laureano was scratched from yesterday’s game with a sore left side.
Posts With Your Toast
Jeff Passan predicts the 2021 season from every possible angle.
Shi Davidi opines: the Blue Jays extended Montoyo through 2022 on paper, but beyond that in words.
Mets’ reliever Miguel Castro’s stock is rising, writes Mike Puma.
Tall catchers are rare in baseball, but Jacob Stallings makes it work, says Jason Mackey.
Podcast Recommendation
This Week in Baseball History discuss the life of Roberto Clemente with Duane Rieder of the Roberto Clemente Museum.
Random Baseball Rewind
Foul Tips
Diamondbacks 1B coach Dave McKay is recovering after a dugout fall.
God bless and good day!
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