9-5 Baseball Update - 3/8/2021
9-5 Baseball Update - 3/8/2021
Odorizzi to Houston, Forrest Whitley may have Tommy John, & more.
Good morning.
It’s March 8th, 2021 and here’s everything that happened in the world of baseball over the last 72 hours.
The Most Important Thing
The last high quality free-agent starter is finally off the board, as RHP Jake Odorizzi agrees to a deal with the Astros.
Odorizzi spent the last three seasons in Minnesota and was an all-star in 2019.
Everything Else
Sunday Recaps
Transactions
The Blue Jays and Red Sox are playing hot potato with RHP Joel Payamps. Payamps was waived by Boston last month and picked up by Toronto. Two weeks later the Jays waived him again and Boston picked him up again. And now — as of Saturday, he’s been waived by Boston again and picked up by Toronto AGAIN.
To make room for Payamps, Toronto designated RHP Jacob Waguespack for assignment.
LHP Jose Alvarez has signed a one year, $1.15 million deal with the Giants, per Maria Guardado. The deal includes a club option for 2022.
The Padres claimed RHP Jordan Humphreys off waivers from the Giants. To make room for Humphreys, LHP Jose Castillo was placed on the 60-day IL.
OF Drew Weeks was released by the Diamondbacks.
RHP Gerardo Reyes cleared waivers and has been outrighted by the Angels to triple-A Salt Lake.
OF Jarrod Dyson’s deal with Kansas City is now official. One year, $1.5 million.
Free-agent RHP Sam Dyson has been suspended for the entire season for violating MLB’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Child Abuse Policy. Dyson last pitched in 2019 for Minnesota.
The Giants signed 1B Justin Bour to a minor league deal. It does not include a major league camp invite.
The Pirates traded 1B Shendrik Apostel to the Cubs for RHP Duane Underwood. To make room for Underwood, the Pirates designated RHP Carson Fulmer for assignment.
The Orioles announced C Brett Cumberland, INF Mason McCoy, RHP Marcos Diplán, LHP Zach Muckenhirn and LHP Josh Rogers were reassigned to minor league camp in Twin Lakes.
The Rangers optioned RHPs Joe Gatto and Tyler Phillips to AAA Round Rock. They will stay at major league camp with no minor league camp for now.
The Nationals released RHP Jeremy Jeffress.
The Diamondbacks reassigned RHP Bradley Roney, C Dominic Miroglio, INF Drew Ellis, and INF Christian Lopes to minor league camp.
Injuries/Chatter
Extension talks between the Mets and Francisco Lindor are expected to begin “in earnest” this week, reports Jon Heyman.
Astros top prospect RHP Forest Whitley has a UCL tear and the first recommendation as been Tommy John surgery, reports Mark Bowman. Whitley will be getting a second opinion.
Dodgers RHP Trevor Bauer pitched the first inning of his start on Saturday with one eye closed, because he’s Trevor Bauer.
Astros LHP Framber Valdez may try to avoid the surgery to his finger that was initially recommended because it would likely keep him out all season, per Jon Hyeman.
Odubel Herrera is leading the race for the Phillies’ starting CF job, per Matt Breen.
The Orioles are interested in 3B Maikel Franco, per Jon Heyman. Heyman notes other teams are involved as well. Franco spent last season in Kansas City and had a respectable 109 OPS+.
Twins CF Byron Buxton would like a contract extension, says Dan Hayes. Hayes mentions that Buxton suggested there’s been recent dialogue between the sides.
Rays OF Kevin Kiermaier told reporters the hip tightness that slowed him earlier in camp has been treated. He expects to begin playing in games tomorrow.
JT Realmuto is progressing well in his recovery from a fractured thumb and expects to be ready for opening day.
Mariners OF Jarred Kelenic has a strain of his adductor muscle in his left knee but should be back soon.
Notes from Angels manager Joe Maddon: C Max Stassi, who underwent hip surgery at the end of last season, could catch in Cactus League games as soon as early this week; RHP Mike Mayers was pulled from Saturday’s game after getting hit in the knee, and was taken out so he could begin icing it. He did not have any updates from the trainers; the plan is for Shohei Ohtani to pitch in a normal turn in the rotation.
Giants 3B Evan Longoria made his spring debut on Saturday at DH. He told reporters he’s being slow-played on defense due to dealing with some plantar fasciitis. He went 1-2 with a double.
Notes from Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoya: RHP Nate Pearson played catch at 90 feet today and felt good. He’s been dealing with a groin strain.
Notes from Orioles manager Brandon Hyde: OF DJ Stewart will miss a little time after tweaking his hamstring on Friday.
Notes from White Sox manager Tony La Russa: Carlos Rodón got “up and down two or three times” during his bullpen session today and could be in line to pitch in a game by Thursday. Rodon missed most of 2020 with multiple injuries; the team will prioritize multi-inning outings for RHP Michael Kopech, while LHP Garrett Crochet will be used in the final third of the game. Yasmani Grandal had a good hitting session on Sunday as he continues to recover from a tweaked knee.
Notes from Dodgers manager Dave Roberts: C Keibert Ruiz has arrived in camp after dealing with visa issues; he doesn't expect Brandon Morrow to pitch in a spring training game as he continues to build arm strength.
Notes from Cubs manager David Ross: OF Jake Marisnick is still a few days away from making his spring training debut due to a calf issue; SS Javier Baez is fine after getting hit with a pitch on Friday.
No surprise: RHP Jacob deGrom will start opening day for the Mets.
RHP Roberto Osuna will hold a pitching showcase for interested teams on Friday, reports Jon Heyman.
Phillies OF Adam Haseley suffered a moderate groin strain and is expected to miss four weeks.
Mets OF Jose Martinez twisted his left knee in Sunday’s game. He will have an MRI today.
Tigers C Greyson Greiner is going through tests after being hit in the face with a pitch yesterday.
Pirates SS Kevin Newman left yesterday’s game with left hamstring tightness.
Posts With Your Toast
Alden Gonzalez examines why the Dodgers are outspending every other team by a mile.
Jameson Taillon made his return to Bradenton with the Yankees Saturday and got a lot of love from the Pirates dugout.
Willy Adames is willing to provide help at Rays camp, even to those angling for his job.
Kiley McDaniel scouts Vanderbilt’s superstar pitchers Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker and examines who is the top pitching prospect for the 2021 MLB draft.
Ken Davidoff on the secrets behind Jacob deGrom’s velocity-defying success.
Rhett Bollinger with some weekend notes on the Angels.
Rich DuBroff with notes on the Orioles.
Jessica Kleinschmidt explains why the A’s 1B Matt Olson doesn’t feel the need to approach the shift differently.
MLB.com staff on three men who have had baseball taken away from them and are now back on the field.
Andrew Baggarly looks at five potential breakout prospects to watch in 2021 for the Giants.
Tim Stebbins examines how RHP Shelby Miller could offer the Cubs valuable versatility in 2021.
Two players won’t fix the Rangers’ offense, but Leody Taveras and Joey Gallo are key, writes Evan Grant.
Podcast Recommendation
Over the weekend, Effectively Wild continued their season preview series with the Red Sox and Reds.
Random Baseball Rewind
Foul Tips
Big Papi’s son, D’Angelo, is chasing his own MLB dream, writes Ian Browne.
God bless and good day!
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