Mets set to shatter payroll records, soar to about $350M
Steve Cohen's New York Mets are on track to shatter spending records in his third season as owner, boosting payroll to about $350 million for purposes of the luxury tax and poised to pay a penalty of about $80 million. New York added veteran starters Justin Verlander and Jose Quintana plus reliever David Robertson and Japanese pitcher Kodai Senga while re-signing center fielder Brandon Nimmo.
news.yahoo.comSeries saver Robertson gets 2nd Phils chance 3 years later
He wouldn’t throw another big league pitch for nearly 2 1/2 years. One surgery, a trip to Japan and three teams later, he's wearing those high socks on a World Series mound, closing for Philadelphia at age 37. After one year in the role, Robertson left for a $46 million, four-year contract with the Chicago White Sox. And even coming from Alabama, the humidity over there was something I hadn’t experienced in a long time,” Robertson said. It took 13 years for Robertson to make it back to baseball’s biggest stage, and he’s enjoying the moment.
wftv.comWorld Series 2022: Umpire rules Astros' Aledmys Díaz leaned into HBP in pivotal extra-inning at-bat
The Houston Astros were about to load the bases in the 10th inning of Game 1 of the 2022 World Series, but then umpire James Hoye did something unfortunate for them. The final plate appearance of the game on Friday saw a big turn of events when Astros pinch-hitter Aledmys Díaz drew what looked like a hit-by-pitch against Philadelphia Phillies reliever David Robertson. Aledmys Díaz was hit by a pitch, but the umpire ruled that he leaned into it, and it was ruled a ball instead of a HBP. Instead, Díaz was given a 3-0 count and eventually provided the final out with a groundout to Phillies third baseman Edmundo Sosa. The 6-5 win gives the Phillies a 1-0 lead in the best-of-7 series, with Game 2 on tap at 8:03 p.m.
wftv.comRobertson back on Phillies roster for NLCS vs. Padres
SAN DIEGO — (AP) — Reliever David Robertson has been added to the Philadelphia Phillies' 26-man roster ahead of Tuesday night's NL Championship Series opener against San Diego after missing the NLDS against Atlanta with a strained right calf. Robertson, who went 4-3 with a 2.40 ERA in 58 games in the regular season, was hurt while celebrating a home run by Bryce Harper in Game 2 of the wild card series against St. Louis. Robertson takes Nick Nelson's roster spot. Robertson threw a bullpen Monday and did other drills at Petco Park. The Padres kept the same roster they used in eliminating the 111-win Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Division Series.
wftv.comMLB Playoffs: Phillies, Dodgers take early NLDS leads
Nick Castellanos and the Philadelphia Phillies can put the defending World Series champion Braves on the brink of elimination. The National League Division Series pitting Phillies vs. Braves and Padres vs. Dodgers are set for their second games Wednesday, while the American League clubs get a day off. Castellanos carried a big load with his bat in a 7-6 Game 1 victory Tuesday over Atlanta. If Kershaw and the Dodgers win a second World Series in three years, it may be without eight-time All-Star Craig Kimbrel in the bullpen. NO JOSHINGYankees slugger Josh Donaldson is catching heat from fans even after a satisfying Game 1 win in New York.
wftv.comAstros P Phil Maton broke a finger punching locker after allowing hit to little brother, out of playoffs
The reliever told reporters on Tuesday that he broke a finger in his pitching hand when he punched his locker last week. He did so after allowing two hits and two runs in the Astros' season finale — a game that Houston won, 3-2. Maton showed up for pregame ahead of Houston's ALCS Game 1 matchup against the Seattle Mariners wearing a cast on his right hand. Phil Maton’s right hand is in a cast after surgery yesterday. Asked why he punched his locker, Maton said this:"I was upset with how my outing went," Maton continued.
wftv.comPhillies' Robertson injured celebrating, off NLDS roster
ATLANTA — (AP) — Philadelphia Phillies reliever David Robertson will miss the NL Division Series after injuring his right calf jumping to celebrate Bryce Harper's home run in their clinching wild-card victory at St. Louis. The Phillies left Robertson off the roster for their NLDS opener at Atlanta on Tuesday. The defending champion Braves placed rookie right-hander Spencer Strider on their roster after he was sidelined since Sept. 18 with a sore left oblique. The Braves’ rotation consists of Game 1 starter Max Fried, Game 2 starter Kyle Wright, Charlie Morton, Jake Odorrizi and possibly Strider. Philadelphia’s rotation consists of Game 1 starter Ranger Suárez, Game 2 starter Zack Wheeler, Game 3 starter Aaron Nola, Noah Syndergaard and Bailey Falter.
wftv.comPhillies get Syndergaard, Robertson, Marsh in trades
Cubs Phillies Baseball Chicago Cubs pitcher David Robertson reacts after a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Sunday, July 24, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) (Matt Rourke)CHICAGO — (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies acquired right-hander Noah Syndergaard, veteran reliever David Robertson and center fielder Brandon Marsh in three trades on Tuesday. The Phillies got Marsh from the Angels in exchange for catching prospect Logan O’Hoppe. The well-traveled Robertson also played for the Phillies in 2019, making seven appearances before he was sidelined by an elbow injury that required surgery. Marsh trails only Brett Phillips and Minnesota’s Max Kepler among major league outfielders in Outs Above Average, according to Statcast.
wftv.comTrade deadline recap: Soto to Padres; Twins, Phillies add
Nationals Padres Soto Trade Baseball FILE - Washington Nationals' Juan Soto bats during a baseball game against the New York Mets at Nationals Park, Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) (Alex Brandon)CHICAGO — (AP) — Juan Soto is joining Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. in San Diego. San Diego made the biggest splash, acquiring Soto in a massive deal with the Washington Nationals. The Padres sent minor league shortstop Victor Acosta to the Reds for the 29-year-old Drury, who has a career-high 20 homers this year. Baltimore received minor league pitchers Cade Povich, Yennier Cano, Juan Nuñez and Juan Rojas from Minnesota for López.
wftv.comBraves' 14-game win streak, Cubs' 10-game skid, both end
Braves Cubs Baseball Chicago Cubs' Jonathan Villar, left, scores on a sacrifice fly by Christopher Morel as Atlanta Braves catcher Travis d'Arnaud applies a late tag during the eighth inning of a baseball game in Chicago, Friday, June 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) (Nam Y. Huh)CHICAGO — (AP) — The Chicago Cubs became the first team in 23 years to stop a losing streak of 10 or more game while ending an opponent's winning streak of at least 10 games, beating the Braves 1-0 Friday to halt the Braves' 14-game run. Rookie Christoper Morel hit a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning, helping the Cubs stop a 10-game slide, their longest since 12 straight losses from last Aug. 5-16. Atlanta's 14 consecutive wins were the most for the Braves since their post-1900 record of 15 from April 16 to May 2, 2000. The Braves lost 1-0 for the second time this year following a defeat at Milwaukee on May 16.
wftv.comBraves' 14-game win streak, Cubs' 10-game skid, both end
The Chicago Cubs became the first team in 23 years to stop a losing streak of 10 or more game while ending an opponent's winning streak of at least 10 games, beating the Braves 1-0 Friday to halt the Braves' 14-game run. Rookie Christoper Morel hit a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning, helping the Cubs stop a 10-game slide, their longest since 12 straight losses from last Aug. 5-16. Atlanta's 14 consecutive wins were the most for the Braves since their post-1900 record of 15 from April 16 to May 2, 2000.
news.yahoo.comIan Happ gets 3 hits as Cubs beat Brewers 5-4 on opening day
Brewers Cubs Baseball Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks delivers against the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning of a baseball game, Thursday, April 7, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski) (Kamil Krzaczynski)CHICAGO — (AP) — Ian Happ had three hits, including a tiebreaking two-run double in the seventh inning, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Milwaukee Brewers 5-4 on Thursday on opening day. Japanese outfielder Seiya Suzuki reached three times and scored in his first big league game. Suzuki singled in the fifth for his first big league hit and walked twice. Steele made his big league debut in 2021, going 4-4 with a 4.26 ERA in 20 appearances, including nine starts.
wftv.comBaz, Kazmir, Starling join Frazier for US Olympic baseball
NEW YORK — (AP) — Tampa Bay pitching prospect Shane Baz, 37-year-old left-hander Scott Kazmir and outfielder Bubba Starling were among 10 additions Friday to the U.S. Olympic baseball roster. Miami infielder Eddy Alvarez, a 2014 silver medalist in short-track speedskating, is among the holdovers from the Americas tournament roster. Frazier, released by Pittsburgh in May after going 3 for 35, was the star of the qualifying tournament. Sherfy was brought to the major leagues by San Francisco right after the qualifying tournament. Matt Wieters, cut from the qualifying roster just before the Americas tournament, also was not included.
wftv.comUS qualifies for Olympic baseball; Todd Frazier HR, 4 hits
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — (AP) — The United States qualified for the Olympic baseball tournament on its second try, beating Venezuela 4-2 Saturday night behind Todd Frazier’s home run, four hits and two RBIs. Venezuela advanced to a final qualifying tournament from June 22-26 in Puebla, Mexico, which will determine one more qualifier from a field that also includes Australia, the Dominican Republic, Netherlands and Taiwan. He retired pinch-hitter Alexander Palma, a Milwaukee prospect, on a grounder to Frazier for the final out. Japan, which is stopping the Central and Pacific League seasons to make its top players available, is considered the Olympic favorite. Major League Baseball doesn’t allowed its big league players to participate and MLB general managers often discourage the use of top eligible prospects.
wftv.comScioscia ejected, US beats Dom Rep 8-6 in Olympic qualifier
The foul call was upheld and Scioscia popped out of the dugout again as plate umpire Edwin Hernandez of Puerto Rico put up his hands, signaling for Scioscia to stop. Second- and third-place teams advance to a final qualifier in June in Mexico, which will include Australia, Netherlands and Taiwan. Juan Francisco, who last played in the major leagues for Toronto in 2014, hit solo homers in the second off Ryan and leading off the ninth against David Robertson, who got the save. Emilio Bonifacio hit a two-run triple off the center-field wall with two outs in the fifth, and Edwin Jackson relieved and retired Melky Cabrera on an inning-ending comebacker. Goris hit a two-run homer for a 5-4 lead.
wftv.comLester, Kluber, Hand boost free agent total to 175
Kluber gets a $1 million buyout, and the club has said it is interested in re-signing Kluber to a less expensive deal. Lester gets a $10 million buyout from the Chicago Cubs that completes a $155 million, six-year contract rather than a $25 million mutual option. Milwaukee turned down Gyorko and Sogard, a day after declining a $15 million option on 2011 NL MVP Ryan Braun. The White Sox declined a $12 million option for Encarnación and a $7 million option for González, who will receive a $500,000. Kluber gets a $1 million buyout, and the club has said it is interested in re-signing Kluber to a less expensive deal.
Phillies clear out 'pen, decline options on Neris, Phelps
PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Phillies have declined options on relievers Héctor Neris, David Phelps and David Robertson, clearing out the bullpen after it posted the highest ERA in the majors. Neris' option was worth $7,111,111, including $111,111 in escalators for games finished. He had a 2.77 ERA in 12 games prior to the trade and a 12.91 ERA in 10 appearances after. His contract included a $12 million option for 2021 with a $2 million buyout. The 35-year-old Parker was one of the few bright spots in the bullpen with a 2.81 ERA in 14 games.
Fraud concerns over California's unemployment benefits
The California Employment Development Department has paid a staggering $76.9 billion in unemployment benefits since the start of the pandemic, processing more than 11.9 million claims, most the result of Gov. Congress authorized the program earlier this year to help people not normally eligible to receive unemployment benefits, including independent contractors. David Robertson said his son applied for unemployment benefits at the end of April. Amy Brooks said she was denied unemployment benefits months ago. We are now seeing what that waste, fraud and abuse looks like.Before this, the biggest concern about unemployment benefits in California was the backlog of more than 1 million people still waiting on benefits.