LEADING OFF: All-Star squads start to change, Álvarez out
Álvarez originally hurt his hand June 18 against the White Sox and has been dealing with soreness and inflammation since then. The Astros expect him to miss the next two series and possibly return after the All-Star break. New York ace Max Scherzer (5-1, 2.26 ERA) makes his second start since returning from an oblique injury. They will be without injured catcher James McCann and All-Star second baseman Jeff McNeil, who is headed to the paternity list with his wife due to deliver their first child. All-Star right fielder Starling Marte sat out Sunday and is day-to-day with left groin tightness.
wftv.comMan dies after falling through ice in Wisconsin lake
Man falls into icy lake: A Wisconsin man died after he fell into a lake early Thursday. (A. Carsten Rehderpicture alliance via Getty Images)MUSCODA, Wis. — A 70-year-old man died after he fell through the ice on a Wisconsin lake Thursday morning, authorities said. >> Read more trending newsAccording to the Iowa County Sheriff’s Office, James McCann was found dead near Kendal Lake at about 6:45 a.m. CST, WMTV-TV reported. Iowa County authorities report a man died Thursday morning after he was drilling through ice, fell through and succumbed to the cold. https://t.co/LgxzxsnryH — NBC15 News (@nbc15_madison) February 17, 2022The sheriff’s office said McCann had been drilling in the ice when he fell through, the Wisconsin State Journal reported.
wftv.comJudge HRs twice, rallies Yanks past Mets on 9/11 anniversary
Yankees Mets Baseball New York Yankees' Aaron Judge, right, congratulates Brett Gardner on hitting a two-run home run against the New York Mets during the second inning of a baseball game on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in New York. The Mets remained five games behind NL East-leading Atlanta after the Braves lost to the Marlins. New York also started the night four games back of the Reds and Padres for the final NL wild card. Higashioka, Brett Gardner and Judge homered off Mets starter Taijuan Walker in the second inning to put the Yankees ahead 5-0. The Mets immediately fired back with a three-run second, and Báez's solo drive in the third cut the deficit to 5-4.
wftv.comJudge HRs twice, rallies Yanks past Mets on 9/11 anniversary
Aaron Judge tied it with his second homer of the game in the eighth inning, Mets infielder Javier Báez gave away the lead with an error a few at-bats later and the New York Yankees beat their crosstown rival 8-7 at Citi Field following a stirring ceremony on the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
Harper homers, Phils split with Mets after Nola ties K mark
Bryce Harper blew kisses at a booing crowd to punctuate his home run, and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the New York Mets 2-1 in eight innings for a doubleheader split after Aaron Nola matched a long-standing major league record with 10 straight strikeouts in the opener.
Nola strikes out 10 straight Mets to match MLB record
Phillies Mets Baseball Philadelphia Phillies' Aaron Nola delivers a pitch during the third inning of the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the New York Mets, Friday, June 25, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) (Frank Franklin II)NEW YORK — (AP) — Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola struck out 10 straight New York Mets batters Friday, tying a major league record that stood alone for more than five decades. Featuring a nasty knuckle curve, Nola started and ended his streak with punchouts of Conforto, who came off the injured list Wednesday. The right-hander struck out Conforto, Alonso and Dominic Smith in succession to keep New York off the scoreboard — and didn't slow down. The streak alone gave Nola his 19th career double-digit strikeout game and third this season.
wftv.comMets overcome more injuries, beat Braves 3-1
APTOPIX Mets Braves Baseball New York Mets' Kevin Pillar is hit in the face with a pitch from Atlanta Braves pitcher Jacob Webb in the seventh inning of a baseball game Monday, May 17, 2021, in Atlanta. After the game, New York manager Luis Rojas said the veteran outfielder was taken to the hospital for a CT scan. Pinch-hitter James McCann broke a scoreless tie with a seventh-inning double, and Tomás Nido had three hits for the Mets. Some Braves players on the field, including Webb, showed their shock and concern as they watched Pillar receive medical attention. With two outs and the bases loaded, Webb's errant pitch hit Pillar to force in the second run.
wftv.comDeGrom to get MRI for side issue after Mets win 5th straight
Mets ace Jacob deGrom was pulled after five innings with right side tightness in his return from an injury to a similar area, but the bullpen closed out a four-hitter as New York beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-2 for its fifth straight win.
Walker allows 1 hit in 7 innings, Mets walk past Cards 4-1
Mets Cardinals Baseball New York Mets starting pitcher Taijuan Walker, left, is congratulated by catcher James McCann as they head off the field after working the seventh inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Thursday, May 6, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) (Jeff Roberson)ST. LOUIS — (AP) — Taijuan Walker allowed one hit in seven innings, the Mets scored three runs on bases-loaded walks and beat the St. Louis Cardinals 4-1 on Thursday. Walker (2-1) struck out eight and walked none as the Mets salvaged a split after dropping the first two of the four-game series in St. Louis. He walked six and struck out five as St. Louis dropped its second straight after having won six in a row. Cardinals: RHP Miles Mikolas (right shoulder) began his rehab assignment Wednesday night in a start for Memphis against visiting Durham.
wftv.comSeeing is believing: Bauer shuts eye, pitches shutout ball
Bauer wound up pitching three scoreless innings with the creative approach, striking out three while allowing two hits and a walk. Known for speaking his mind and going his own way, Bauer said he regularly shuts one eye during bullpen sessions and other workouts. METS 6, ASTROS 1 (6)Jacob deGrom pitched two scoreless innings in his spring debut, striking out three and allowing one hit. AdBLUE JAYS 7, PHILLIES 1 (7)Newcomer Tanner Roark made his first start for Toronto, allowing one hit in two scoreless innings. Jorge López threw three scoreless innings with three strikeouts.
Twins newcomer Happ back on mound after positive virus test
The two-time AL Central champion Twins are hoping Happ can give them a veteran presence at the back of their rotation. Ian Anderson pitched two scoreless innings, allowing three hits and a walk. Houston piggy-backed a pair of starters with Framber Valdez yielding McNeil's homer in the first two innings, striking out two. AdBLUE JAYS 4, PHILLIES 2 (6)Steven Matz allowed a hit in two scoreless innings, striking out three without a walk. CUBS 3, ROYALS 2 (7)Outfielder Rafael Ortega, who signed a minor league deal with Chicago after playing 34 games for Atlanta last season, hit a bases-loaded triple.
Players return to COVID protocols as spring training opens
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo enters his fifth year with the Diamondbacks and the final year of his current contract under a substantial amount of scrutiny. The protocols have been tightened even further from what they experienced during the abbreviated 2020 season. Players underwent a five-day at-home quarantine before reporting, with exceptions for essential activities and approved outdoor workouts and exercise. AdThey’ll need to stay in their living quarters throughout spring training except for baseball activities, medical care, grocery shopping, takeout food pickups and outdoor physical activity. Mozeliak believes knowing which players already have at least some measure of protection from the coronavirus can help in preventing an outbreak during spring training.
AP sources: Phillies, Realmuto agree on $115.5 million deal
All rights reserved)FILE - Philadelphia Phillies' J.T. Realmuto agreed on a $115.5 million, five-year contract, two people familiar with the deal told The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Phillies and two-time All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto agreed on a $115.5 million, five-year contract, two people familiar with the deal told The Associated Press. Realmuto gets $20 million next season, of which $10 million is deferred, with $5 million each payable in 2026 and 2027.
Francisco Lindor all smiles after trade from Indians to Mets
In this screen grab taken from video, Major League baseball player Francisco Lindor answers questions during a virtual press conference introducing him as the New York Mets new shortstop, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, in New York. (New York Mets via AP)NEW YORK – Francisco Lindor smiled widely for a full 40 minutes, enthralled to join a New York Mets team bulking up under new owner Steven Cohen. I’m not against it,” Lindor said in a news conference from Florida, wearing his new team’s royal blue cap. But the Indians did not think they could afford a multiyear contract with the 27-year-old, so they chose to make the trade. If Lindor agrees to a long-term deal, it likely would become the largest in Mets' history, surpassing the $138 million, eight-year agreement of captain David Wright that covered 2013-20.
Mega deal: Indians trade star Lindor, Carrasco to Mets
The Cleveland Indians have agreed to trade four-time All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor and pitcher Carlos Carrasco to the New York Mets, a person with direct knowledge of the deal told the Associated Press on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021. The cash-strapped Indians sent Lindor and Carrasco to the Mets on Thursday for young infielders Andrés Giménez and Amed Rosario, and two minor league prospects: right-hander Josh Wolf and outfielder Isaiah Greene. "They did not come cheaply,” Mets president Sandy Alderson said of Lindor and Carrasco. One of his next big-ticket items figures to be trying to sign Lindor to a long-term contract, something the Indians couldn't do. New York also signed injured right-hander Noah Syndergaard to a $9.7 million, one-year deal, avoiding arbitration.
AP source: Catcher James McCann, Mets near $40M, 4-yr deal
Free agent catcher James McCann and the New York Mets were close to completing a $40 million, four-year contract Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, as the team continues to upgrade its roster under new owner Steve Cohen. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)NEW YORK – Free agent catcher James McCann and the New York Mets were close to completing a $40 million, four-year contract Saturday as the team continues to upgrade its roster under new owner Steve Cohen. McCann was an All-Star with the White Sox in 2019 when he hit .273 with 18 home runs and 60 RBIs. Last week, the Mets signed free agent reliever Trevor May to a $15.5 million, two-year deal. He was regarded as the second-best catcher on the free agent market behind J.T.
Pinder delivers timely hit, A's advance in playoffs at last
Oakland stopped a nine-game losing streak in winner-take-all postseason games, a major league record that dated to the 1973 World Series. “I woke up this morning feeling like this was going to be a hard game and it was a hard game,” Melvin said. The low-budget A's had not captured a winner-take-all postseason game since beating Hall of Famer Willie Mays and the New York Mets. That prompted White Sox star Tim Anderson to say, “I guess they haven’t done their homework.”“It’s a tough one to swallow but we've got to keep going,” Anderson said. HURLING ITThe 17 pitchers, nine by Chicago, were the most in a nine-inning postseason game.
Giolito dazzles, Abreu slugs White Sox past A's in opener
Giolito simply dazzled in his postseason debut, stymieing the Oakland Athletics through six perfect innings and sending the White Sox to a 4-1 victory in the opener of their best-of-three wild-card series Tuesday. “It was a different feel though because throwing a perfect game, no-hitter is a great personal accomplishment, but we’re in the playoffs, the goal is to win the game,” Giolito said. They lost in the AL wild card game each of the past two seasons after 97 wins both times. No big deal for the White Sox, apparently. RHP Chris Bassitt, drafted by the White Sox before being traded to Oakland in December 2014, takes the ball for the A's with victories in his last three decisions.
Dunning pitches White Sox past Twins for 6th straight win
Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Dane Dunning delivers during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020, in Chicago. The AL-best White Sox also moved 16 games over .500 for the first time since they were 71-55 on Aug. 26, 2012. Byron Buxton hit his third career inside-the-park homer for Minnesota, but the Twins finished with just four hits. But the White Sox went ahead to stay with three runs in the bottom of the third. White Sox: LHP Jace Fry threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings after he was reinstated from the 10-day injured list.
Giolito pitches 1st no-hitter of year, White Sox top Pirates
Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Lucas Giolito (27) reacts with catcher James McCann after closing out a no-hitter in a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020, in Chicago. The White Sox won 4-0. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)CHICAGO Lucas Giolito pitched the first no-hitter of the pandemic-delayed major league season, striking out 13 and permitting just one runner in leading the Chicago White Sox over the Pittsurgh Pirates 4-0 Tuesday night. The right-hander threw 101 pitches and made quick work of the Pirates -- Pittsburgh came into the game batting just .229 this season and has the worst record in the majors. Giolito pitched the 19th no-hitter in White Sox history and first since Philip Humber threw a perfect game at Seattle in 2012.
Garca homers twice as White Sox pound Twins 10-3
(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)CHICAGO Leury Garca homered from both sides of the plate, helping Dallas Keuchel and the Chicago White Sox pound the Minnesota Twins 10-3 on Saturday. Keuchel allowed two runs in 5 1/3 innings in his White Sox debut after agreeing to a $55.5 million, three-year contract in December. McCann singled in Adam Engel before Garca belted a three-run drive off left-hander Devin Smeltzer in the seventh, making it 10-3 White Sox. It also was the 11th time a White Sox player had connected from both sides of the plate in a single game. WORTH NOTINGThe White Sox announced right-hander Carson Fulmer had been claimed off waivers by Detroit.
No high-fives? No spitting? MLBers adjust in COVID world
After all, the defending World Series champions spent nearly four months apart before resuming workouts last week. Had to stop myself today from almost spitting in my mask because I drank some water. Youre just used to it.Things sure will be different when it's time to play ball in two weeks. If you're superstitious, you're probably going to be in big trouble right now. He's not sure players or even umpires will be able to follow the new rules.
Majors confronting short time period before opening day
When major leaguers report next week for spring training 2.0 or perhaps more accurately, baseball's first summer camp time will be one precious commodity with about three weeks to go before opening day. Day 1 and Day 2. Theres a reason why we have six weeks of spring training, in a typical spring training.There is particular concern for starting pitchers, who take great care in building up their arms over an extended period. Thats probably the thing Ill think about the most.While spring training was suspended March 12, players haven't exactly been sitting around this whole time. The Diamondbacks are going to use Chase Field and their spring training facility in Scottsdale, just a short drive away from their home ballpark.