Evening Update 2/23/2021

The Mariners continue damage control after the Kevin Mather resignation, the Braves pick up an outfielder, & more.

DE White

Feb 23, 2021

Good evening.

It’s February 23rd, 2021, and here’s everything that happened in baseball from 9:00 AM EST to 5:00 PM EST.

What You Missed While Working

Mark Feinsand @Feinsand

Mariners' Stanton takes first steps toward moving past Mather controversy after team president/CEO resigns. With @DKramer_

mlb.comMather resigns as president, CEO of MarinersJohn Stanton took the first steps toward moving past the controversy that surrounded the Mariners, answering questions in the wake of Kevin Mather’s resignation as the club’s president and CEO on Monday. Mather resigned after remarks he made on a Zoom call with a local rotary club earlier this month

Transactions

LHP Scott Kazmir will sign a minor league deal with a spring training invite with the Giants, per Buster Olney. Kazmir hasn’t appeared in a major league game since 2016.
LHP Justin Wilson’s deal with the Yankees is now official. $2.85 million for 2021 with a player option for 2022 at $2.3 million. If the option is not exercised, there’s a club option for $7.15 million with a $1.15 million buyout, per Jon Heyman. To make room for Wilson, the Yankees designated OF Greg Allen for assignment.
The A’s deal with DH/1B Mitch Moreland is now official. 1 year, $2.25 million. The team designated RHP Paul Blackburn for assignment to make room for Moreland.
OF Travis Snider signed a minor league deal with the Braves, per David O’Brien. O’Brien notes it does not include an invite to spring training.
To make room for Brett Gardner on the 40-man roster, the Yankees placed RHP Luis Severino on the 60-day IL. Severino is recovering from Tommy John surgery.
The Mariners have outrighted RHP Robert Dugger to AAA Tacoma and invited him to spring training. He was designated for assignment last week to make room for RHP Ken Giles.
The Braves deal with INF Jake Lamb is now official. 1 year, $1 million. LHP Philip Pfeifer was designated for assignment to make room for Lamb.
RHP Julio Teheran’s minor league deal with the Tigers is now official. The deal includes a spring training invite.
INF Andrew Romine has signed a minor league deal with a spring training invite with the Twins, per Dustin Morse.
Minor league players recently released:
- The Twins released RHP Jesus Medina, RHP Alex Banks, and OF Luis Milla.
- The Reds released RHP Peter Bayer.
- The Astros released SS Anibal Sierra.
- The Indians released INF Nehemias Celesten, RHP Gregori Vasquez, and OF Pablo Jimenez.

Share 9-5 Baseball

Injuries & Chatter

SS Trevor Story told reporters he and the Rockies have not discussed a contract extension.
Mets OF Michael Conforto also told reporters no contract discussions have taken place between himself and the club.
Notes from Nationals’ manager Dave Martinez: Max Scherzer threw 10 pitches off the mound this morning and felt good. They will see how he’s doing tomorrow and come up with a progression plan; everyone but Javy Guerra and Jeremy Jeffress were at today’s full-squad workout. They are both waiting on their results from their intake testing and will be on the field tomorrow.
Notes from Padres’ manager Jayce Tingler: Jurickson Profar isn’t in camp yet due to visa issues. He’s expected later this week; the team is looking for a backup CF and candidates are Profar, Brian O’Grady, Jorge Mateo, & Tommy Pham.
More on the Jarred Kelenic/Mariners drama: GM Jerry Dipoto notes that the 6 year offer the Mariners made Kelenic and referenced by now-resigned president Kevin Mather, was made over a year ago.
The Red Sox will stretch out RHP Matt Andriese as a starter and use him as their "utility guy" on the pitching staff, says Chris Cottillo.
Rangers C Sam Huff has grade 2 hamstring strain, GM Chris Young said. He will rehab for 2 weeks before going for a follow-up MRI.
Indians 1B Franmil Reyes sprained his right ankle a few weeks ago, he told reporters.
The Mets sold their entire allotment of Grapefruit League tickets in 9 minutes, says Mike Puma.
Orioles SS Richie Martin is working out at the minor league complex and will start hitting in the next week or two, reports Rich Dubroff. Martin had surgery to remove his hamate bone.
RHP Jacob deGrom was hitting 99 in his bullpen session today, manager Luis Rojas told reporters.
White Sox 3B Yoan Moncada’s throwing is restricted due to some soreness, but the team is not concerned.