Evening Update - 3/3/2021
Aaron Boone takes a medical leave of absence, Jacob deGrom will debut Saturday, & more.
Good evening.
It’s March 3rd, 2021, and here’s everything that happened in baseball from 9:00 AM EST to 5:00 PM EST.
What You Missed While Working
Yankees manager Aaron Boone will take an immediate leave to receive a pacemaker.
Everything Else
Transactions
Some minor league contracts reported today by MiLB Transactions:
Twins sign 3B Damek Tomscha.
Angels sign RHP Justin Courtney.
Yankees sign RHP Michael Gomez
Dodgers sign LHP Ryley Widdell.
Nationals re-sign LHP Alberto Baldonado and OF Alec Keller.
Injuries & Chatter
Diamondbacks OF Tim Locastro has tested positive for COVID, manager Torey Lovullo told reporters. He is currently asymptomatic.
Notes from Phillies manager Joe Girardi: JT Realmuto will have an x-ray done at the end of the week to determine if he can have the cast removed from his broken thumb; Andrew McCutchen is running better than at any point last season.
Mets RHP Jacob deGrom will make his spring debut on Saturday, manager Luis Rojas told reporters.
Cubs LHP Jon Lester will undergo a procedure to remove a thyroid gland, manager Dave Martinez told reporters. He could be back in camp in 5 to 7 days.
Angels RHP Junior Guerra has made it to camp after experiencing visa issues. Mike DiGiovanna notes that Guerra is expected to compete for a bullpen spot.
A’s pitching coach Scott Emerson told reporters he’s heard that the A’s may have their alternate site in Stockton, CA and play games against minor leaguers from the Giants.
Astros LHP Framber Valdez will not be ready to start the season after suffering a fractured left ring finger yesterday.
Former Orioles manager Joe Altobelli has passed away. He managed Baltimore to the 1983 World Series championship.
Notes from White Sox manager Tony La Russa: Nick Madrigal is scheduled to play in his first Cactus League game on Monday; RHPs Jimmy Lambert and Jonathan Stiever will both stay stretched out and serve as starting depth this season; C Yasmani Grandal’s knee is making progress.
Pirates SS Cole Tucker was removed from today’s lineup due to a left hand contusion, the team announced.
Nationals OF Victor Robles exited today’s game after being hit with a fastball.
Hyun-Jin Ryu will make his 2021 Grapefruit League debut on Friday, relays Rob Longley.
Red Sox RHP prospect Bryan Mata was scheduled to pitch today, but was pushed back due to tricep soreness, says Pete Abraham.
Marlins RHP Tommy Eveld was pulled from today’s game in what appeared to be a right bicep issue.
Evening Reading
Dan Szymborski' takes a shot a predicting 2021 hitter breakout candidates.
Matt Snyder predicts what happens to the five big-name shortstops who could hit free agency after this season.
Alex Cora's approach to J.D. Martinez and the Red Sox lineup proves he's not managing by spreadsheet, opines John Tomase.
Giants OF prospect Heliot Ramos is determined to reach the majors in 2021.
Matt Gelb explains why the Phillies’ top officials decided Odúbel Herrera warranted a second chance.
Ryan Fagan gives five players he’s excited to see break out in 2021.
White Sox DH Andrew Vaughn’s first homer could be a harbinger of things to come, writes Jim Margalus.
Giants OF Austin Slater is looking to build off of a sneaky 2020 breakthrough, says Alex Pavlovic.
Mark Sheldon breaks down the NL Central rotations.
Anthony DiComo on the Mets pondering if the time is right to extend their star trio.
A’s catcher Sean Murphy is ramping up more work in his return from a collapsed lung, writes Jessica Kleinschmidt.
Kevin O’Brien thinks Jarrod Dyson is a great signing for nostalgia, but he may be a weird fit for the Royals.
A Podcast For The Drive Home
Jon Heyman and Tony Gwinn Jr. talk with Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman.
Talkin Baseball’ previews the Cincinnati Reds.
Buster Olney chats with David Schoenfield about Andrew Vaughn and the best athletes in baseball history on the Baseball Tonight podcast.
Random Baseball Rewind
God bless and have a great evening!
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