Evening Update - 2/25/2021

Kris Bryant still wants to be in Chicago long-term, the Indians will be allowed 30% capacity to begin the season, & more.

DE White

Feb 25, 2021

Good evening.

It’s February 25th, 2021, and here’s everything that happened in baseball from 9:00 AM EST to 5:00 PM EST.

What You Missed While Working

Patrick Mooney @PJ_Mooney

Yes, Kris Bryant is still interested in signing a long-term deal with the Cubs: “I’ve always said I’ve been open and willing to hear whatever (they have) to say and would take it with open arms and consider everything that is thrown my way. I’ve communicated that well with them.”

Even after the rumblings of trade rumors (that have been refuted by the Cubs,) 3B Kris Bryant is still interested in a contract extension in Chicago.

Sahadev Sharma @sahadevsharma

Kris Byrant said he kept in touch with Jed Hoyer about trade rumors this winter. Apparently one weekend he got a text saying, "Welcome to the Mets!" He called his agent, who talked to Cubs and obviously it was untrue. Just one of the moments of dealing with the rumor mill

Transactions

C Caleb Joseph will sign a split contract with the Mets, says Jon Morosi. Joseph has struggled at the plate in 7 major league seasons, with a career 69 OPS+.
OF Terrance Gore will sign a minor league deal with the Braves.
The Braves traded INF Jack Mayfield to the Angels for cash considerations. To make room for Mayfield, the Angels designated 2B/OF Robel Garcia for assignment.

Share 9-5 Baseball

Injuries & Chatter

Notes from Reds manager David Bell: Nick Senzel will be the everyday CF; Luis Castillo and Sonny Gray will be in consideration for the opening day start.
Notes from Red Sox manager Alex Cora: Expect Franchy Cordero to be in camp by Monday. He is currently on COVID IL; C Kevin Plawecki is going through his physical & intake screening now.
Notes from Athletics manager Bob Melvin: Mark Canha and Ramon Laureano are both candidates to bat leadoff; Frankie Montas, who tested positive for COVID earlier in the month, is in camp today and has been cleared to join the team; Jed Lowrie won’t play 2B early on in Cactus League play but is likely to get some ABs at DH.
Notes from White Sox manager Tony La Russa: Yoan Moncada could play 3B Sunday or Monday but doesn’t want to push him at this point (Moncada has been dealing with a sore arm.)
Astros injury notes relayed by Chandler Rome: OF Chas McCormick suffered a grade 2 quad strain in winter ball in the Dominican. He says he is now 100%; 3B Alex Bregman took BP today but didn’t take infield; OF Yordan Alvarez stretched with the team, but did not participate in BP or infield.
Jack Flaherty will start opening day for the Cardinals, manager Mike Shildt announced.
Pitching coach Tommy Hottovy seemed to indicate RHP Kyle Hendricks will get the start opening day for the Cubs. He also said it might be “abmitious” to expect RHP Rowan Wick to be ready to start the season. Wick is dealing with a lingering rib injury.
Yankees CF Aaron Hicks told reporters he feels 100% recovered from his Tommy John surgery.
The Indians will be allowed to have fans at 30% capacity to begin the season, per Ohio Governor Mike Wise’s guidelines.
Notes from Dodgers manager Dave Roberts: LHP Mike Kickham will start the Dodgers first Cactus League game; RHP Corey Knebel is expected to pitch in high leverage situations.
Giants manager Gabe Kapler told reporters that Austin Slater will strictly be an outfielder this year. Slater spent 14 games at DH in 2020.
NESN has a deal in place to air up to 50 games of Red Sox AAA affiliate Worcester.
After being left out of MLB’s minor league restructuring, the Vermont Lake Monsters have been sold and will join the summer-collegiate Futures League. I don’t buy the argument that this is good for the game.