Robbie Ray doesn't travel with Mariners to Toronto series
Mariners Mets Baseball Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Robbie Ray (38) throws against the New York Mets during the fourth inning of a baseball game Sunday, May 15, 2022, in New York. Ray pitched against the Mets in New York on Sunday, then remained in the U.S. while teammates traveled to Canada for Monday's series opener. There was no locker for Ray in the Mariners’ clubhouse in Toronto. Manager Scott Servais said Ray will rejoin the team in Boston on Thursday for a four-game series against the Red Sox. Elías signed a minor league contract with the Mariners on April 1.
wftv.comRobbie Ray doesn't travel with Mariners to Toronto series
Mariners left-hander Robbie Ray isn’t joining Seattle for a series in Toronto this week, missing a chance to celebrate the Cy Young Award he won with the Blue Jays last season amid border restrictions related to the COVID-19 vaccine.
Correa avoids major injury, division-leading Twins on a roll
Twins Orioles Baseball Minnesota Twins' Carlos Correa follows through on a swing against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning of a baseball game, Thursday, May 5, 2022, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) (Julio Cortez)Carlos Correa and the Minnesota Twins dodged a major problem this past week. Correa was just 4 for 30 through his first eight games with the Twins, but the star shortstop has hit .313 since then. Here's a look at how some of the other big free agent movers are doing so far:Freddie Freeman, Dodgers. A loss Sunday to Philadelphia was his first in his last 25 starts with the Nationals, Dodgers and Mets.
wftv.comLEADING OFF: Balkovec up; Scherzer, Freeman, Correa debut
Rachel Balkovec is set to become the first woman to manage a minor league affiliate of a major league team Friday when her Class-A Tampa Tarpons in the New York Yankees’ organization face the Lakeland Flying Tigers in the Florida State League.
LEADING OFF: Balkovec up; Scherzer, Freeman, Correa debut
Yankees Balkovec Back Baseball FILE - New York Yankees minor league hitting coach Rachel Balkovec speaks to reporters during the Major League Baseball winter meetings, on Dec. 10, 2019, in San Diego. New York Yankees minor league manager Rachel Balkovec is back on the field, Saturday, April 2, 2022 a week after she was hit in the face by a batted ball during a drill. The Yankees announced her hiring as a minor league manager in January. NEW DIGSFreddie Freeman, Carlos Correa, Trevor Story and Kris Bryant are some other stars ready to debut for their new teams. After batting .229 over two minor league seasons, Wilson did an end-around on baseball and chose the gridiron option.
wftv.comLEADING OFF: Opening day! Guardians debut, Ohtani and Braves
Cubs veteran Kyle Hendricks is set to deliver the first pitch of the season against Corbin Burnes and Milwaukee at Wrigley Field just past 2:20 p.m. EDT, the first of seven games still on the calendar amid rainy forecasts across the country.
LEADING OFF: Opening day! Guardians debut, Ohtani and Braves
The Giants' Opening Day baseball game is next Friday against the Miami Marlins. The Guardians make their regular-season debut in Kansas City with ace Shane Bieber on the mound against Zack Greinke. Cincinnati right-hander Hunter Greene — who was up to 104 mph at Triple-A last year — will start a game over the weekend. Boston newcomer Trevor Story gets his first taste of baseball's biggest rivalry as his Red Sox face the New York Yankees. Freeman's replacement, Matt Olson, plays his first regular-season game with his hometown Braves after being acquired in a trade from Oakland.
wftv.comSpring ahead: Pitchers and catchers report for the start of spring training on Sunday
Diamondbacks Spring Baseball Arizona Diamondbacks' Caleb Smith throws on the first day of baseball spring training, Friday, March 11, 2022, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) (Matt York)ORLANDO, Fla. — No more counterproposals. Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge and the rest of baseball’s biggest stars are due at spring training Sunday for the first official day of preseason training following the end of Major League Baseball’s 99-day labor lockout. Pitchers and catchers were supposed to report a month ago, but camps across the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues remained closed while players and owners squabbled over the sport’s economics. A deal was reached Thursday, and now pitchers and hitters are ramping up for four weeks of mad-dash preparations ahead of a 162-game season that starts April 7. With so little time left before opening day, big leaguers figure there will be more action in those games than fans might be accustomed to in the early days of spring training.
wftv.comSpring forward: What to know as MLB camps open Sunday
Giants Spring Baseball San Francisco Giants' grounds keepers prepare the baseball field at Scottsdale Stadium, Saturday, March 12, 2022, in Scottsdale, Ariz. in preparation for the upcoming first day of workouts. Pitchers and catchers were supposed to report a month ago, but camps across the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues remained closed while players and owners squabbled over the sport’s economics. Cy Young Award winner Robbie Ray left Toronto for Seattle, and the Blue Jays replaced him with former Giant Kevin Gausman. ... Sunday marks the beginning of the end for Molina, who plans to retire after the 2022 season, his 19th with the Cardinals. ___Follow Jake Seiner: https://twitter.com/Jake_Seiner___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.
wftv.comMariners sign Cy Young winner Robbie Ray to $115M, 5-yr deal
SEATTLE — (AP) — AL Cy Young Award winner Robbie Ray and the Seattle Mariners finalized their $115 million, five-year contract Tuesday night. A left-handed power pitcher, he topped the majors in strikeouts and led the American League in ERA, games started and innings pitched. “Adding our league’s reigning Cy Young Award winner is exciting,” Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said in a statement. Ray was the clear choice for the Cy Young Award, earning 29 of 30 first-place votes to easily outpace New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole. Ray turned down an $18.4 million qualifying offer from Toronto, so the Mariners will forfeit a draft pick as compensation for signing him.
wftv.comBáez to Detroit, MLB teams race to finish biz before lockout
The Cubs also added a backstop, agreeing with Yan Gomes on a $13 million, two-year deal. Tampa Bay signed lefty reliever Brooks Raley to a $10 million, two-year deal with a club option for 2024. More than 30 players agreed to contracts in the hours before the deadline for teams to offer deals to unsigned players on their 40-man rosters. Atlanta shortstop Orlando Arcia was the only player to get a multiyear deal, a $3 million, two-year contract. He gets $1.6 million next season and $1.3 million in 2023, and the Braves have a $2 million option for 2024 with a $100,000 buyout.
wftv.comBáez to Detroit, MLB teams race to finish biz before lockout
Javier Báez agreed to bring his high motor to the Motor City, while other teams around the majors raced to finish up business before Tuesday’s deadline to tender contracts and a likely roster freeze coming when baseball's collective bargaining agreement expires Wednesday.
Scherzer, Seager get big-money deals ahead of CBA expiration
Right-hander Max Scherzer agreed to a record-setting $130 million, three-year contract with the New York Mets and shortstop Corey Seager struck a $325 million, 10-year deal with the Texas Rangers as players and teams rushed to reach agreements before an expected lockout.
Toronto lefty Ray wins AL Cy Young, Brewers' Burnes takes NL
Toronto left-hander Robbie Ray bounced back from a dismal season to win the AL Cy Young Award and Milwaukee righty Corbin Burnes returned from a bout of COVID-19 to win the NL’s top pitching prize Wednesday. In the Year of the Pitcher, Burnes led the majors with a 2.43 ERA and Ray topped the AL at 2.84. Ray became the first Toronto pitcher to win since the late Roy Halladay in 2003. Burnes was 11-5 and fanned 234 in 167 innings while becoming an All-Star for the NL Central champion Brewers. Ray became the fifth Blue Jays pitcher to win the Cy Young, along Halladay, Roger Clemens in 1997-98 and Pat Hentgen in 1996.
wftv.comJudge HRs twice, Yankees beat Jays 6-2 to extend WC lead
Yankees Blue Jays Baseball New York Yankees' Aaron Judge (99) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run off Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Robbie Ray (38) during the the first inning of a baseball game in Toronto on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021. (Jon Blacker/The Canadian Press via AP) (Jon Blacker)TORONTO — (AP) — Aaron Judge hit two of New York's five home runs and the Yankees extended their AL wild-card lead by beating the Toronto Blue Jays 6-2 Thursday night. The Yankees are two games ahead of Boston and idle Seattle, both 89-70, after the Red Sox lost to last-place Baltimore 6-2 earlier Thursday. Blue Jays: OF Lourdes Gurriel Jr. was held out of the lineup after playing the past two games because of soreness in his right hand. UP NEXTBlue Jays LHP Steven Matz (13-7, 3.88) starts Friday as the Blue Jays open a three-game home series against Baltimore.
wftv.comLEADING OFF: MLB strikeout leader Ray vs Rays newcomer Baz
Rays Blue Jays Baseball Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Robbie Ray pitches in the first inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays in Toronto on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021. Shane Baz, who will be making his major league debut after pitching for the United States at the Olympics, starts for Tampa Bay. The Blue Jays hold the second spot in the AL wild-card race, 1 1/2 games ahead of the Yankees. Ray is 4-0 with a 1.80 ERA in 10 starts since a July 21 loss to Boston. Freddy Peralta (9-4, 2.69 ERA) starts the opener for Milwaukee.
wftv.comLEADING OFF: Angels' dual threat Ohtani starts at Astros
Considered by many the leading candidate for AL MVP, he has struck out 135 and allowed just 79 hits in 112 innings. Ohtani got a no-decision in a start at Houston on May 11, striking out 10 in seven innings. Lefty Framber Valdez (9-5, 3.08 ERA) starts for Houston in the opener of the three-game series. Tyler Mahle (11-5, 3.76 ERA) starts the opener for Cincinnati against Jon Lester (5-6, 4.89 ERA). The sputtering Reds have dropped eight of 11, and the Cardinals are coming off two straight wins against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
wftv.comJays beat Yanks for 8th straight, 1/2 game back in wild card
Bo Bichette thumped a leadoff homer in the first inning and singled in the tiebreaking run in the seventh, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his 42nd homer, and the Toronto Blue Jays held off the skidding New York Yankees 6-4 for their eighth straight win.
LEADING OFF: Angels' dual threat Ohtani starts at Astros
Considered by many the leading candidate for AL MVP, he has struck out 135 and allowed just 79 hits in 112 innings. Ohtani got a no-decision in a start at Houston on May 11, striking out 10 in seven innings. Lefty Framber Valdez (9-5, 3.08 ERA) starts for Houston in the opener of the three-game series. Tyler Mahle (11-5, 3.76 ERA) starts the opener for Cincinnati against Jon Lester (5-6, 4.89 ERA). The sputtering Reds have dropped eight of 11, and the Cardinals are coming off two straight wins against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
wftv.comSemien walk-off HR in 7th, Jays edge Red Sox 1-0 in opener
Red Sox Blue Jays Baseball Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Robbie Ray delivers in the first inning of the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Boston Red Sox in Toronto, Saturday Aug. 7, 2021. The Red Sox have lost eight of nine and have scored five runs or fewer in 14 consecutive games. The Red Sox used a walk and a hit to put runners at the corners with two outs in the sixth, but Xander Bogaerts fouled out to end the threat. Red Sox coaches and manager Alex Cora wore masks on the field and in the dugout, and some Red Sox reserves were also masked. His opponent will be Red Sox RHP Tanner Houck (0-2, 2.45).
wftv.comBlue Jays get approval to return to Canada on July 30
The Toronto Blue Jays were given approval from the Canadian government on Friday for an exemption on border restrictions that would allow them to play in Canada later this month. The Blue Jays had asked the federal government to allow them to play at Rogers Centre starting July 30 and wanted a response by Friday. The Blue Jays played home games during the shortened 2020 season in Buffalo, New York, and started this season in Dunedin, Florida, before moving to Buffalo.
news.yahoo.comPadres star Tatis has shoulder problem, to be re-evaluated
The Padres said Tatis had discomfort in his non-throwing left shoulder and would be re-evaluated on Wednesday. Corbin Burnes turned in 4 2/3 innings, striking out six while allowing two runs on three hits. Jon Lester allowed one run and three hits in 3 2/3 innings in his second start of the spring for Washington. He gave up five hits, hit two batters and struck out three. PADRES 5, REDS 4MacKenzie Gore worked 3 2/3 innings in his third start for San Diego, allowing two runs on three hits.
Nats reliever Harris out with blood clot in pitching arm
Harris has a blood clot in his right arm and is leaving spring training camp to be examined by a specialist, manager Dave Martinez said Friday, March 19, 2021. (Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via AP)Washington Nationals reliever Will Harris has a blood clot in his right arm and the team doesn't expect him to be in the bullpen on opening day. Carlos Martínez struggled in his fourth start for St. Louis. DODGERS 7, RANGERS 2Julio Urías made his fourth start for Los Angeles, allowing two hits in four shutout innings, striking out three. Adrian Houser made his fourth start.
LeMahieu HR ends inning, no more early exits for pitchers
Starter Zach Eflin pitched four shutout innings, allowing two hits and striking out four without a walk. ROCKIES 2, MARINERS 1Kyle Freeland allowed three hits in four shutout innings in his second start for Colorado, striking out four. Seattle's Marco Gonzales threw four shutout innings in his second start, allowing two hits while striking out four. Martín Pérez made his second start, allowing two hits and a walk in four scoreless innings. ATHLETICS 5, REDS 2 (7)Oakland lefty Sean Manaea struck out four in three innings, allowing one run and three hits.
Gallo's early power surge brings hope for big 2021 season
The 27-year-old says his power surge through the first two weeks of exhibition games is for real. He's had a good start with seven hits in his first 14 at-bats, including three homers and three doubles. He's shown dominant stuff at different points throughout his career and struck out a career-high 235 batters in 2019. The 24-year-old has been a top prospect for several years and hit .350 with nine homers in 2019 at Triple-A Albuquerque. The durable right-hander pitched an MLB-high 84 innings for the Rangers last season and had a 6-3 record with a 3.32 ERA.
Indians minus Ramírez, Reyes after they break virus protocol
New York starter Jordan Montgomery gave up two hits in three scoreless innings. Brubaker allowed two hits over two scoreless innings and Chase De Jong followed with two shutout innings. MARLINS 4, METS 4Miami starter Pablo Lopez gave up a hit and a walk over three scoreless innings. German Marquez scattered three hits and a walk over three scoreless innings for Colorado. Kansas City starter Jakob Junis pitched three innings and gave up one hit, a leadoff homer to Trent Grisham.
Sigh and Cy: Bieber tagged, Bauer sharp in Dodgers debut
Bieber bounced back with a pair of strikeouts, but Nick Heath hit a single to put the Royals up 3-0. DODGERS 10, ROCKIES 0 (6 INNINGS)Trevor Bauer, pitching for the first time since signing a $102 million, three-year contract, debuted in Dodger blue with two scoreless innings. Jameson Taillon followed with a scoreless inning. CUBS 1, PADRES 0 (7)Chicago starter Kyle Hendricks struck out two in two scoreless innings. BREWERS 7, DIAMONDBACKS 1 (8)Corbin Burnes and Freddy Peralta each threw a scoreless inning for Milwaukee before Jordan Zimmermann gave up a run.
Blue Jays expect to play in Florida, Buffalo and Toronto
FILE - Toronto Blue Jays' Rowdy Tellez signs autographs for fans before a spring training baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies in Dunedin, Fla., in this Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019, file photo. The Toronto Blue Jays will play their first two homestands of the season at their spring training facility in Dunedin, Florida, because of Canadian government restrictions during the pandemic. The Blue Jays cited the ongoing Canada-U.S. border closure in making the difficult decision." “The alternatives for our season lie with some combination of Dunedin, Buffalo and Toronto," Shapiro said. The Blue Jays played home games during the shortened 2020 season in Buffalo and were 17-9 at Sahlen Field, home of their Buffalo Bisons Triple-A farm team.
AP source: Semien, Blue Jays agree to $18M, 1-year contract
Shortstop Marcus Semien agreed to an $18 million, one-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, File)TORONTO, ONT – Shortstop Marcus Semien agreed to an $18 million, one-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. Semien will become the second star and fourth free agent added by the Blue Jays during a slow offseason amid the novel coronavirus pandemic. The Blue Jays were swept in two games by the AL champion Rays in a first-round series. It is not clear where the Blue Jays will play home games when the 2021 season starts.
Snell sharp, Margot HR, Rays beat Blue Jays 3-1 in opener
That’s probably the worst thing we can do as a team,” Blue Jays third baseman Cavan Biggio said. Diego Castillo, Nick Anderson and Pete Fairbanks followed the starter, limiting the Blue Jays to two singles, two doubles and Bo Bichette's eighth-inning sacrifice fly the rest of the way. The wild-card Blue Jays broke through in the eighth against Anderson, didn't allow a run in 18 of 19 regular season appearances. He’s pretty good,” said Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo, who served on Cash's staff with the Rays from 2015-18. UP NEXTLefty Hyun Jin Ryu starts for the Blue Jays against right-hander Tyler Glasnow, who’s been Tampa Bay’s best pitcher.
Harper rallies Phils past Blue Jays to sweep doubleheader
Philadelphia Phillies' Andrew Knapp hits a two-run triple off Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Thomas Hatch during the first inning of the fifth baseball game in a doubleheader, Friday, Sept. 18, 2020, in Philadelphia. With a base open, the Blue Jays went after hot-hitting Harper and he delivered. Harper hit a drive high off the wall in left-center, slid into the second and got up pumping his fist. Ray gave up five runs and five hits in 4 1/3 innings in his third start for the Blue Jays after being acquired from Arizona before the trade deadline. UP NEXT:RHP Vince Velasquez (0-1, 6.46 ERA) starts for the Phillies on Saturday night and LHP Hyun-jin Ryu (4-1, 3.00) goes for the Blue Jays.
Marte's homer gives Marlins 3-2 win over Blue Jays
Miami Marlins' Starling Marte celebrates as he rounds first base after hitting a home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)MIAMI Starling Marte celebrated his Miami debut with a tiebreaking homer in the eighth inning, helping the Marlins top the Toronto Blue Jays 3-2 on Tuesday night. He learned of his trade to the Blue Jays during Miamis game at New York on Monday afternoon. TRAINERS ROOMBlue Jays: SS Bo Bichette (sprained right knee) took ground balls, hit in the cage and ran sprints. UP NEXTBlue Jays: LHP Hyun Jin Ryu (2-1, 2.97 ERA) will face the Marlins in the series finale Wednesday.
Lamet brilliant as Tatis, Padres pound Bumgarner, Dbacks 9-5
San Diego Padres Dinelson Lamet took a no-hitter into the seventh inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks' during a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020, in San Diego. Lamet got two more outs before manager Jayce Tingler pulled him in favor of rookie Luis Patio. The Padres remain the only major league team without a no-hitter, having played 8,154 games since 1969 without one. Machado homered with one out in the first and Myers hit a two-run shot with two outs. Padres: RHP Garrett Richards (0-1, 4.60 ERA) starts the opener of a four-game series at Dodger Stadium on Monday night.
Roster shuffle: Plans change in MLB because of health issues
PHOENIX The Minnesota Twins have shuffled their on-field staff to protect the health of some of their older coaches. I think we all know that we're making the right decision, but that doesn't mean it feels good," Baldelli said. The defending World Series champion Nationals will begin their title defense without Zimmerman and pitcher Joe Ross, who both declined to play because of health concerns. We are one hundred percent supportive of their decision to not play this year, Nationals GM Mike Rizzo said in a statement. Cleveland's 61-year-old manager Terry Francona said he's not nervous, even though he's had previous health issues.