Ex-Cub Lester to have thyroid gland removed
Nationals left-hander Jon Lester is leaving spring training to have surgery for the removal of his thyroid gland, manager Dave Martinez said Wednesday.
The 37-year-old Lester was to travel from West Palm Beach, Florida, to New York on Wednesday; the Nationals said the operation is planned for Friday.
“Hopefully he can pitch again in about a week,” Martinez said. “We want him to get it taken care of now, so it’s not an issue.”
Martinez said the Nationals “still have plans, as of right now, that he will start the season with us on his scheduled day, but we’ll have to see — after this procedure’s done — how he’s feeling.”
In 2006, Lester’s rookie season with the Red Sox ended early because he was diagnosed with a form of lymphoma.
Lester, who is entering his 16th year in the majors, joined the Nationals on a one-year, $5 million contract after playing the last six seasons with the Cubs.
Boone takes leave to get pacemaker
Yankees manager Aaron Boone took a leave of absence from the team to get a pacemaker and intends to return to work in a few days.The team said the procedure went as expected.
Boone, 47, who is entering his fourth season as manager of the Yankees, had openheart surgery in 2009, said in a statement that he’s had mild symptoms of lightheadedness, low energy and shortness of breath over the last six-to-eight weeks. He said further tests in New York before spring training indicated he had a low heart rate, necessitating the surgery.
“It sounds like it’s going to be a short-term thing,” general manager Brian Cashman said.
Bench coach Carlos Mendoza took over as acting manager for Wednesday night’s exhibition against Toronto in Tampa, Florida.
D-backs’ Locastro positive for COVID-19
Diamondbacks outfielder Tim Locastro tested positive for COVID-19. Manager Torey Lovullo said Locastro, who feels good and currently has no symptoms, will be out for 10 days unless there is a false positive.
The 28-year-old Locastro is expected to have a sizable role with the Diamondbacks this season, either as the starting center fielder or a versatile backup outfielder. He hit .290 last season with two homers and four stolen bases in 33 games.
This and that
Astros left-hander Framber Valdez broke his left ring finger in his spring debut Tuesday, an injury that could deal another blow to the team’s banged-up starting rotation.
◆ Former White Sox left-hander Gio Gonzalez agreed to terms on a minor-league contract with the Marlins and will take part in their major-league camp.