Baseball Notes: Mets trade for pair of lefthanded relievers
The New York Mets made two trades Monday to bolster a bullpen lacking in lefthanders, acquiring Alex Torres from the San Diego Padres and Jerry Blevins from the Washington Nationals.
The New York Mets made two trades Monday to bolster a bullpen lacking in lefthanders, acquiring Alex Torres from the San Diego Padres and Jerry Blevins from the Washington Nationals.
The Mets sent minor league righthander Cory Mazzoni and a player to be named to the Padres and outfielder Matt den Dekker to the Nationals in deals made just hours apart.
"I think the additions we made today are really going to help our bullpen," Mets manager Terry Collins said.
New York's bullpen had been without a reputable lefty since Josh Edgin learned in mid-March he needed Tommy John surgery. Sean Gilmartin, taken in the winter meeting draft from the Minnesota Twins, impressed the Mets while he filled in for Edgin.
Hardy on disabled list
Baltimore Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy will likely begin the season on the disabled list because of a strained left shoulder.
Orioles manager Buck Showalter said that he was optimistic that Hardy would not miss much time.
The three-time Gold Glove shortstop was hurt Friday when he collided with second baseman Jonathan Schoop while diving for a ground ball.
Everth Cabrera and Ryan Flaherty are the primary candidates to start the season at shortstop.
Bryant reassigned
Third baseman Kris Bryant was reassigned by the Chicago Cubs to their minor-league camp on Monday despite an outstanding spring training at the plate, triggering a threat of litigation from the players' association.
Bryant hit .425 in the exhibition season with nine homers and 15 RBIs in 40 at-bats. If the 23-year-old spends 12 or more days in the minor leagues, Chicago would delay him from becoming eligible for free agency by one year, until after the 2021 season, according to baseball's collective bargaining agreement.
"Today is a bad day for baseball," the Major League Baseball Players Association said in a statement. "This decision, and other similar decisions made by clubs will be addressed in litigation, bargaining or both."
Cards pick fifth starter
The St. Louis Cardinals chose Carlos Martinez as their fifth starter and put pitcher Jaime Garcia on the 15-day disabled list.
Cardinals manager Mike Matheny made the announcement about the rotation on Monday.
Martinez, Garcia and Marco Gonzales had been competing for the final starting spot.