Athletics considering free agent shortstops Stephen Drew and Hiroyuki Nakajima
Dec 3, 2012, 8:32 PM EDT
The Athletics could be involved in trade talks with the Marlins for Yunel Escobar, but they are also keeping their eyes on the free agent market. According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, Athletics general manager Billy Beane said this evening that Stephen Drew and Hiroyuki Nakajima are the two free agent shortstop possibilities being considered right now.
Drew, who turns 30 in March, batted .223/.309/.348 with seven home runs, 28 RBI and a .657 OPS in 79 games this season between the Diamondbacks and Athletics. He looked a bit more like himself after joining Oakland in August, but the A’s declined their half of a $10 million mutual option for 2013 in late October. Jim Bowden of ESPN.com and MLB Network Radio on Sirius XM reported yesterday that the A’s, Red Sox, Yankees, Cardinals and Tigers are all in on the veteran shortstop.
Nakajima went through the posting process last winter, but had to return to Japan after he failed to work out an agreement with the Yankees. He’s an unrestricted free agent this time around. The 30-year-old batted .311/.382/.451 with 13 home runs, 74 RBI, seven stolen bases and an .833 OPS this past season with the Seibu Lions. John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle hears that the Giants have spoken with Nakajima’s representatives as a possible backup plan in case they are unable to re-sign Marco Scutaro.
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AP
The Orioles have placed right-handed reliever Pedro Strop on the 15-day disabled list with a lower back strain. Steve Johnson has replaced him on the active roster and is available out of the bullpen for Saturday’s game against the Blue Jays. After posting a 2.44 ERA in 70 appearances last season, Strop has really struggled…
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Joe Mauer has broken up three no-hitters in the ninth inning during his career
May 25, 2013, 2:02 PM EDT
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Joe Mauer broke up Anibal Sanchez’s no-hit bid last night with a one-out single in the ninth inning. He has made a habit out of spoiling history. Last night was the third time in Mauer’s career that he has broken up a no-hit bid in the ninth inning. He previously did it in on May…
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Yankees place Curtis Granderson on disabled list, call up Brennan Boesch
May 25, 2013, 1:15 PM EDT
AP
As expected, the Yankees have placed outfielder Curtis Granderson on the 15-day disabled list after he broke a knuckle on his left pinkie finger when he was hit by a pitch last night. He’s expected to miss a minimum of four weeks, which pushes his return to late June or early July. It’s awful luck…
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Indians manager Terry Francona and Red Sox broadcaster Don Orsillo had a playful wrestling match
May 25, 2013, 12:48 PM EDT
Indians manager Terry Francona is back in Boston this weekend, so naturally he’s mingling with old friends and former colleagues. And beating them up, too. Before last night’s game, NESN broadcaster Don Orsillo stopped by the Indians’ dugout to visit Francona and well, it suddenly turned into Wrestlemania. Sideline reporter Jenny Dell documented it all.…
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Josh Reddick has no issues with wrist during batting practice, eyes rehab assignment
May 25, 2013, 12:09 PM EDT
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Josh Reddick was talking about the possibility of wrist surgery less than two weeks ago, but he it turns out that he could be back in the Athletics’ lineup in the near future. According to Jane Lee of MLB.com, Reddick took 20 swings during batting practice yesterday at Minute Maid Park in Houston and said…
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Nationals to designate right-hander Yunesky Maya for assignment
May 25, 2013, 11:24 AM EDT
AP
The Nationals thought they were getting a potential rotation staple when they signed Cuban right-hander Yunesky Maya to a four-year, $6 million deal back in 2010, but they are now prepared to turn the page. According to Mark Zuckerman of CSNWashington.com, the Nationals will designate Maya for assignment in order to make room for infielder…
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Alex Sanabia says he didn’t know the spitter was against the rules
May 25, 2013, 10:48 AM EDT
Marlins right-hander Alex Sanabia was seen spitting on the baseball during his start Monday night against the Phillies, a clear violation of MLB rules. However, it went unnoticed by umpires and it appears that he will not receive any sort of punishment. As for Sanabia’s defense, well, he’s pleading ignorance on the whole thing. The…
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Brandon Beachy makes first rehab start since Tommy John surgery
May 25, 2013, 10:07 AM EDT
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The Braves currently sit at 28-18 on the season and hold a four-game lead over the Nationals in the National League East, but they could get even stronger soon. Brandon Beachy began a minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett last night and allowed two runs over four innings. The 26-year-old right-hander has already thrown…
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Jim Henderson has pitched really well since taking over the closer role from John Axford in Milwaukee, but he could be headed for an extended absence. Henderson strained his right hamstring in the ninth inning last night while attempting to finish off the Brewers’ victory against the Pirates. He appeared to suffer the injury as…
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Chris Davis tore through the first couple of weeks of the season before slowing down a bit, but he’s terrorizing pitchers once again. Davis went 3-for-5 with his major-league leading 16th homer last night as the Orioles defeated the Blue Jays 10-6 in Toronto. Davis’ solo shot in the third inning was one of four…
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It wasn’t a very good night for first-base umpires Friday. Angel Hernandez cost the White Sox a win over the Marlins in the 10th, though they did come back and prevail in the 11th anyway. MLB.com has the video and, more importantly, also has the audio as Hawk Harrelson reacts to the call. Alex Rios was…
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Rangers put one over on Jeff Nelson, get free out against Mariners
May 25, 2013, 1:19 AM EDT
Two on, none out for the Mariners in the bottom of the second inning Friday against the Rangers. Jesus Sucre, making his first major league start, his a grounder to first that appeared to be turned into a 3-6-3 double play. Except…
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Pirates starter Jeff Karstens felt pain in his right shoulder during his throwing program today. As a result, the Pirates have shut him down, per the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review’s Travis Sawchik. Karstens has not thrown a pitch this season due to the shoulder injury, but was expected to return in early June. Karstens finished 2012 with…
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Ike Davis entered tonight’s series opener against the Braves hitting .147 with a .481 OPS. The first baseman has heard rumors of a possible demotion to Triple-A amid an avalanche of criticism. He did nothing to alleviate concerns as he earned the illustrious golden sombrero, striking out four times tonight. As ESPN Stats & Info…
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Angels starter Jered Weaver has been on the shelf since suffering a fractured left elbow in his second start of the season against the Rangers on April 7. After tossing a light bullpen session earlier today, Weaver feels good, according to manager Mike Scioscia. He’ll have one more bullpen over the weekend before the Angels…
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Rockies activate Michael Cuddyer; Rafael Betancourt and Jeff Francis make progress
May 24, 2013, 10:20 PM EDT
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The Rockies have activated Michael Cuddyer from the 15-day disabled list, tweets Troy Renck. The outfielder had been sidelined due to an inflamed cervical disc, halting a fantastic start to the year. The 34-year-old carried a .319/.383/.580 line through May 8, his last appearance. It should be noted his numbers are much better at Coors…
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Well, that’s not nice. Here’s the full quote from T.J. Simers of the L.A. Times: Mattingly’s critical comments of the team and Ethier came a day after being assured by Colletti that he had management’s support. I’ve been writing it for years: Ethier is the most selfish athlete in town and counterproductive to a team’s…
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Tigers starter Anibal Sanchez has no-hit the Twins through seven innings tonight in Detroit. The only base runners he has allowed came on walks to Jamey Carroll and Chris Parmelee, and he has retired each of the last 17 batters he has faced. Parmelee, Eduardo Escobar, and Aaron Hicks are slated to face Sanchez when…
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Yankees outfielder Curtis Granderson was hit in the hand by Rays reliever Cesar Ramos in the fifth inning of tonight’s game against the Rays. He stayed in the game to run the bases, scoring on a bases loaded walk by Jayson Nix, but exited before the top of the sixth. Ichiro Suzuki took his place…
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The Braves are in Queens, New York tonight to open up a three-game series against the Mets. Catcher Evan Gattis isn’t starting, but figures to be used as a pinch-hitter late in the game if the Braves are in need of some offense, as the 26-year-old came up with two big home runs recently: on…
