Daily Baseball Update - 4/1/2021
Happy Opening Day!!
Good morning.
It’s April 1st, 2021 and here’s everything that happened in the world of baseball over the last 24 hours.
I’m also officially transitioning to a new name for the newsletter, Daily Baseball Update (to go along with the format change from a few weeks ago.) Simple, generic, and to the point.
The Most Important Thing
It wasn’t right at the buzzer, but it was close. Francisco Lindor is now a Met for the long haul.
Everything Else
Today’s Schedule
Transactions
RHP Jhoulys Chacin is expected to sign with the Rockies, reports Thomas Harding. Chacin was released by the Yankees earlier in the week.
Mariners moves: purchased the contract of RHP Drew Steckenrider; placed 2B Shed Long (shin) and OF Kyle Lewis (bone bruise) on the 10-day IL retroactive to March 29; optioned RHP Domingo Tapia to Triple-A Tacoma; placed RHP Ken Giles (Tommy John) on the 60-day IL.
Yankees moves: placed LHP Justin Wilson (shoulder,) DH Miguel Andujar (wrist) and 1B Luke Voit (knee) on the 10-day IL retroactive to March 29; placed LHP Zack Britton (elbow) on the 60-day IL; purchased the contract of LHP Lucas Luetge from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
The Angels traded C Juan Graterol to the Blue Jays for cash considerations. Graterol has a career 32 OPS+ in 129 plate appearances.
Royals moves: recalled INF Nicky Lopez from the alternate site; placed SS Adalberto Mondesi on the 10-day retroactive to March 30.
The Nationals re-signed LHP T.J. McFarland to a minor league contract.
The Braves placed RHP Mike Soroka (achilles) on the 10-day IL.
The Blue Jays placed OF George Springer and LHP Robbie Ray on the 10-day IL retroactive to March 29.
Cubs moves: the team signed C Tony Wolters to a major league deal; designated RHP James Norwood for assignment; INF Ildemaro Vargas was outrighted and assigned to the team’s alternate site.
Injuries/Chatter
No movement on the Carlos Correa extension front, reports Jon Heyman. The Astros’ original offer of 6 years, $120 million was taken as an insult by Correa, and now he appears to be prepared to enter free agency this winter.
Robert Murray reports that OF Randy Arozarena and the Tampa Bay Rays have had recent discussions about a contract extension.
As far as an extension for Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo, President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer told reporters he is very confident that Rizzo and the team will come to a deal.
RHP Luis Garcia has won the 5th spot in the starting rotation for the Astros. Garcia pitched last season in Texas and posted a 7.56 ERA in 11 appearances.
Padres RHP Michel Baez will have Tommy John surgery.
SS Dee Strange-Gordon has turned down several minor league offers, reports Ken Rosenthal. He is waiting for a job that may open due to injury or poor performance.
Rays 1B Ji-Man Choi had "loose bodies" removed from knee in today's arthroscopic surgery, says Marc Topkin. Topkin notes Choi may be back in 4-5 weeks.
Posts With Your Toast
Jayson Stark with his annual numbers that will define the season.
Jessica Kleinschmidt explains why the A’s believe Matt Olson is poised for big things in 2021.
Jeff Fletcher asks: Is Shoehi Ohtani ready to be a two-way star again?
Mike Soroka is heading in the right direction after his spring debut, writes Mark Bowman.
Paul Hoynes with a position-by-position look at the Cleveland Indians.
Jose Abreu on Eloy Jimenez’s injury: “We cried together.”
Random Baseball Rewind
Continuing our highlighting of Stan Musial, here’s some writing from the SI Vault:
12/23/1957 - For 1957 the Editors of Sports Illustrated Choose STAN MUSIAL.
3/27/1961 - Good by to the .300 hitter. “With impressive logic, Stan Musial explains why high averages are disappearing from the major league scene.”
11/7/1963 - Last time around with Stan. “In late August one of baseball's most remarkable men began his final swing through the National League. A touching but cheerful report on the end of a fabulous career”
1/28/2013 - Stan Musial 1920-2013.
Foul Tips
How many fans each team plans to allow to begin the 2021 season.
Here are the most popular jerseys entering the season.
God bless and good day!
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