Ex- Cub Jay signs with Royals
The Royals plugged a hole in center field by agreeing to sign former Cub Jon Jay to a oneyear, $ 3 million contract Tuesday. He could earn another $ 1.5 million in performance bonuses.
The team made room for Jay by putting pitcher Jesse Hahn on the 60- day disabled list with an elbow injury.
With Lorenzo Cain leaving to sign with the Brewers, the Royals lacked an experienced center fielder to cover the spacious Kauffman Stadium grass.
Jay has a .996 career fielding percentage, the highest of any active major- league outfielder with a minimum of 500 games.
He hit .296 in 141 games last season with the Cubs, including .325 ( 13- for- 40) as a pinch hitter.
Athletics releaseDHMoss
The Athletics released designated hitter Brandon Moss. Moss was acquired from the Royals on Jan. 29 and was 4- for- 10 with two walks in four springtraining games.
He was designated for assignment when the A’s claimed lefthander Jairo Labourt off waivers from the Reds on Sunday. Moss is guaranteed $ 7.25 million this season and a $ 1 million buyout of his 2019 club option.
D- backs to use bullpen cart
The Diamondbacks are bringing back the bullpen cart.
The team announced it will use an OnTrac bullpen cart to transport relief pitchers from both bullpens at Chase Field before entering a game.
The last known use of a motorized vehicle in Major League Baseball was in 1995, when the Brewers used a motorcycle with a sidecar.
Kipnis continues power surge
Jason Kipnis is silencing critics one swing at a time. After a 2017 season filled with injuries and multiple trips to the disabled list, the Indians second baseman is crushing baseballs again. After hitting yet another home run, he now leads the majors this spring with six in 17 at- bats.
This and that
Tigers left- hander Francisco Liriano threw two scoreless innings against the Yankees in his first start with his new team. Liriano allowed one hit, walked two and struck out three.
The Rangers are close to an agreement with Cuban outfielder Julio Pablo Martinez. The 21- year- old, who is ranked No. 2 according to MLB Pipeline’s International Prospects list, is expected to sign a contract in the $ 2.7 million-$ 2.8 million range.
Tim Lincecum arrived at the Rangers’ spring- training camp and underwent a physical. He figures to compete for a bullpen spot.