Category: Baseball Players

Cinderella in the Making

Israel took advantage of timely hits and solid pitching on Sunday to beat Cuba 4-1 and improve to 4-0 in the World Baseball Classic. Alfredo Despaigne put Cuba up 1-0 with a solo home run in the second inning at Tokyo Dome but Israel tied the game in the fourth on a double by Ryan Lavarnway that scored Ike Davis from first.

Boston’s Price tests sore elbow

Red Sox left-hander David Price was ahead of schedule for the first step in his recovery from a sore elbow, throwing into a net in a batting cage. Manager John Farrell said Price made 25 easy tosses Saturday before a Red Sox split squad played the Tampa Bay Rays.

Royals’ Perez injured during Venezuela’s WBC win

Venezuela’s Jose Altuve scores a run in the fifth inning of a World Baseball Classic game against Italy, in Guadalajara, Mexico, Saturday, March 11, 2017. Venezuela’s Jose Altuve scores a run in the fifth inning of a World Baseball Classic game against Italy, in Guadalajara, Mexico, Saturday, March 11, 2017.

AP source: Alvarez agrees to minor league deal with Orioles

A person familiar with the negotiations says Pedro Alvarez has agreed to a minor league contract to return to the Baltimore Orioles. Alvarez would get a $2 million, one-year contract if added to the 40-man roster and would have the chance to earn $3.5 million in performance bonuses based on plate appearances: $250,000 each for 200, 250, 300 and 350; and $500,000 apiece for 400, 450, 500, 550 and 600.

Masahiro Tanaka baffles Tigers as Yankees cruise to win in Tampa

Masahiro Tanaka retired 12 batters in order — the first six on strikeouts — in four perfect innings to lead the New York Yankees’ 7-1 win over the Detroit Tigers Saturday at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Tigers starter Daniel Norris also pitched well, but he surrendered a two-run, wind-aided home run to Gary Sanchez in the first inning.

Snake Bytes 3/11: Team USA in Action

While Taijuan Walker kept the Brewers off the bases on Friday, Nick Ahmed had a big day in his quest to win the starting SS gig, driving in two runs with a double and a triple. For the second day in a row, Yasmany Tomas was not in the Diamondbacks’ lineup, allowing the outfielder to rest a strained lower back.

Team Offense, Texas Rangers

The 2017 series on team offense continues with the Texas Rangers. The Rangers finished fourth in the American League and seventh in the majors in 2016 with 4.72 runs scored per game.

Tim Tebow upbeat despite harsh reality check

And on the second day a of spring training games for Tim Tebow, he struck out with two runners on base in the eighth inning of the Mets’ 7-6 loss to the Astros on Friday at First Data Field. “You want to push the envelope and fall down as many times as you can,” Tebow said of this two-game learning experience.

Adam Moore hits grand slam, Mariners lose

I’ve always carried the same attitude into nearly every Spring Training game I’ve ever watched/checked: it’s okay if the Mariners lose, just so long as the main guys did fine and the loss was primarily caused by the piles of minor leaguers and non-roster invitees going haywire. I can’t imagine this is a unique perspective, but it’s one I feel is worth mentioning when I tell you that the Cleveland Indians just got finished teeing off on Seattle Mariners pitching, handing them a 14-6 loss in an unusually late Spring Training game on Wednesday night.

Saupold shines, but Australia falls to Cuba

Saupold, a 27-year-old right-hander in the Tigers organization, tossed four scoreless innings, scattering four hits while walking one and striking out four. Cuba mounted a threat against Saupold in the fourth, loading the bases with one out.

Israel reaches 2nd round of the WBC with Mensch power

Israel’s second Scott Burcham throws to first for a double play as Netherlands’s Jonathan Schoop slides into second base during the 8th inning of their first round game of the World Baseball Classic at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, March 9, 2017. Israel’s Ryan Lavarnway hits a single against Netherlands’ pitcher Orlando Yntema during the 5th inning of their first round game of the World Baseball Classic at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, March 9, 2017.

New Zealand and South Africa evenly poised at stumps

When stumps were drawn, New Zealand was 177-3, trailing South Africa by 131 runs after the tourists were bowled out for 308 following a lower order batting collapse. The New Zealand captain Kane Williamson was 78 not out at the close, having shared a 102-run second wicket partnership with Jeet Raval , then a tense fourth wicket stand with nightwatchman Jeetan Patel .

Israel beats the Netherlands 4-2 in World Baseball Classic

Nate Freiman’s RBI double sparked a three-run first inning on Thursday as Israel beat the Netherlands 4-2 to finish top of Pool A in the World Baseball Classic with a 3-0 record. Zach Borenstein and Ryan Lavarnway also drove in runs in the first for Israel which clinched a berth in the second round when the Netherlands beat Taiwan 6-5 on Wednesday.

Williamson leads Kiwi reply

Kane Williamson and New Zealand’s bowlers led a fightback against South Africa on day two to leave the first Test in Dunedin delicately poised. South Africa lost their last six wickets for 56 runs to be dismissed for 308, before New Zealand ended the day on 117-3 thanks to a battling unbeaten 78 by Williamson.

Hochman: One spring later, a line from Matheny resonates

St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny talks with pitcher Trevor Rosenthal before Rosenthal threw his first bullpen session during St. Louis Cardinals spring training on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017, at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Fla. Photo by Chris Lee, clee@post-dispatch.com St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny talks with pitcher Trevor Rosenthal before Rosenthal threw his first bullpen session during St. Louis Cardinals spring training on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017, at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Fla.

Alex Rodriguez to expand role as Fox broadcaster

After spending two postseasons as a guest studio analyst for Fox, Alex Rodriguez is expanding his role for the network. A-Rod will be a game analyst and feature reporter for the network and FS1 and will continue to work in the studio, the network said Tuesday in announcing a multiyear deal.

Kate Upton Dancing In A Pool

Justin Verlander is the pitching ace for the Detroit Tigers and he’s dating supermodel Kate Upton and on Sunday she rivaled her cat daddy video. As he was taking a load off by the pool with his dog, Kate decided it was a good time to dance. We thank you for doing this while you were soaking wet!!!

Dodgers’ Scott Kazmir frustrated after another short outing

The veteran left-hander left his second outing of the spring after throwing only one pitch in the second inning, complaining of the same tightness and lack of flexibility on his left side that he dealt with all of last season. Kazmir couldn’t get through two innings in his first Cactus League start last week either.

Red Sox newcomer Chris Sale throws 2 innings in spring debut

Boston Red Sox newcomer Chris Sale gave himself mixed reviews after his first spring training performance, an outing that ended a little earlier than originally planned. Acquired from the Chicago White Sox in December, the dominant lefty gave up two runs, one of them earned, in two innings Monday against Houston.