Evening Update - 3/2/2021

More on the Mickey Callaway investigation, a Rockies-Trevor Story extension isn't coming any time soon, & more.

Mar 02, 2021

Good evening.

It’s March 2nd, 2021, and here’s everything that happened in baseball from 9:00 AM EST to 5:00 PM EST.

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What You Missed While Working

Zack Meisel @ZackMeisel

‘Worst-kept secret’: What the Indians, MLB really knew about Mickey Callaway’s behavior

theathletic.com‘Worst-kept secret’: What the Indians, MLB really knew about Mickey Callaway’s behaviorAn angry husband’s complaints about the pitching coach’s inappropriate behavior reached the highest levels of Cleveland’s front office.

This story just keeps getting worse and worse. And now, the son of Indians’ manager Terry Francona has spoken out against his dad’s handling of Mickey Callaway’s behavior.

SI MLB @si_mlb

Nick Francona, the son of Cleveland manager Terry Francona, called out his father and the Cleveland organization for their response to the multiple reported accounts of sexual harassment by former pitching coach Mickey Callaway

buff.lyNick Francona Calls Out Father, Cleveland for Callaway’s BehaviorNick Francona called out his father and the Cleveland organization for their handling of the Mickey Callaway situation.

Transactions

RHP Ryan Tepera’s deal with the Cubs is now official. One year, $800,000. To make room for Tepera, RHP Duane Underwood Jr. was designated for assignment.
Cubs RHP Robert Stock has cleared waivers and will be outrighted to AAA Iowa, says Jordan Bastian. He will remain at major league camp.

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Injuries & Chatter

Jon Heyman reports that an extension between the Rockies and SS Trevor Story won’t be coming anytime soon, as the Rockies do not have the budget for any big signing at the moment.
More from Heyman: RHP Jake Odorizzi is willing to wait into the spring for the right offer to come along.
RHP Mike Leake won’t be playing to start the season after turning down multiple offers. He opted out of the 2020 season.
Nationals OF Juan Soto, who fouled a ball off of his foot on Sunday, will play tomorrow, manager Dave Martinez says.
Angels RHP Gerardo Reyes has a UCL sprain in his right elbow, per Fabian Ardaya.
Diamondbacks OF Kole Calhoun has undergone an MRI after experiencing some inflammation in his right knee, relays Steve Gilbert.
Nationals pitching coach Jim Hickey says Max Scherzer has progressed well enough that he could pitch Friday against the Cardinals, assuming his bullpen session goes well tomorrow.
Brewers notes from Adam McCalvy: Milwaukee will wait until next week to get OF Lorenzo Cain in the lineup, letting him get his legs under him after he opted out of the 2020 season; RHP Brandon Woodruff is back on the mound for a bullpen session after some back stiffness the last few days.
The Phillies will be allowed to have their ballpark filled at 20% capacity to begin the season, which will mean roughly 8,000 fans.
White Sox pitching prospects Michael Kopech & Garrett Crochet could both get into a Cactus League game by the weekend, manager Tony La Russa told reporters.
OF Adam Engel was scratched from today’s White Sox game due to inflammation in his right ankle. The team say the scratch is precautionary.
Cardinals RHP Jordan Hicks was hitting 102 MPH on the radar gun yesterday, pitching coach Mike Maddox told Fox Sports Midwest.
Padres LHP Jose Castillo left San Diego’s sim game early with forearm tightness. He will be re-evaluated tomorrow.
Notes from A’s manager Bob Melvin: he was planning to play OF Luis Barrera tomorrow but training staff wants him to get a few more days of batting practice and conditioning; Jed Lowrie has been getting ABs in camp, but he hasn’t been cleared to play in games yet.
OF Jared Oliva was scratched from today’s Pirates game due to lower back tightness, per Rob Biertempfel.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone says he envisions OF Aaron Hicks beginning the season as the number 3 hitter.
Baltimore 1B Chris Davis has a lower back strain and is day-to-day, manager Brandon Hyde told reporters.
Twins LHP J.A. Happ has tested negative for COVID, cleared COVID protocols, and will join the team today. Manager Rocco Baldelli and Happ both seem optimistic that Happ can still make his first start of the regular season on schedule, relays Do-Hyoung Park.
Reds OF Nick Castellanos was scratched from today’s lineup due to a sore middle finger, says Bobby Nightengale.