Connecticut wellrepresented on Opening Day rosters
This is no April Fool’s Day gag: Major League Baseball’s Opening Day is Thursday.
All 30 teams are scheduled to play, weather permitting, which means plenty of players with Connecticut ties will be in action. From multi-million dollar AllStars like George Springer to guys still trying to latch on as everyday players, here’s a look at players with Nutmeg State ties who should be on MLB 40-man rosters on Thursday:
George Springer, Toronto Blue Jays (New Britain):
The UConn product from hard-hittin’ New Britain inked a six-year, $150 million contract with the Jays in the off-season. However, he won’t be available for Toronto’s season-opener at Yankee Stadium after suffering a Grade 2 oblique strain last week. Springer will begin the season on the
Matt Barnes, Boston Red Sox (Bethel): Former Bethel High and UConn standout was solid as the Sox’ new closer most of last season, and appears in line to resume that role this season. A positive COVID-19 test rocked his world late last week, but it was deemed a “non-infectious positive” and he returned to spring training camp on Tuesday, all abuzz over how the UConn women were doing.
Matt Harvey, Baltimore Orioles (Groton): The former “Dark Knight of Gotham” who set the baseball world ablaze with the Mets upon his debut nine years ago is now in the midst of another comeback attempt. Harvey has posted a 7.82 ERA over the past two seasons with the Angels and Royals, but signed a minor-league deal with Baltimore and has, amazingly, secured the No. 2 spot in the O’s rotation. That may say more about the O’s pitching woes than anything else, but if Harvey, 32, can re-invent himself as a pitcher without the 97-MPH heat of his younger days, it would be a great story. Charlie Morton, Atlanta Braves
(Redding): The righthander wasn’t born in Connecticut, and his family moved out of the state about 15 years ago. But he lived in Trumbull for about 10 years, then moved to Redding, where he was a standout at Barlow High. Morton has been one of the game’s better pitchers the past four seasons, earning two All-Star trips and a World Series ring, and at 37, will be a strong veteran presence in the Braves’ young rotation after signing as a free agent in the off-season.
Nick Ahmed, Arizona Diamondbacks (UConn): Slick-fielding shortstop from UConn will look to add a third Gold Glove to his mantelpiece this season, though a knee issue may keep him out of Opening Day lineup.
A.J. Pollock, Los Angeles Dodgers (Hebron): After helping the Dodgers to a World Series title in October, the former RHAM High star is back in the Dodgers’ star-studded outfield alongside the likes of Mookie Betts and Cody Bellinger. What a team.
Aaron Civale, Cleveland Indians (East Windsor): Loomis Chaffee grad has been model of consistency his first two seasons in Cleveland, and will join reigning AL Cy Young winner Shane Bieber and flamethrower Zach Plesac atop Tribe’s rotation.
Jesse Hahn, Kansas City Royals (Norwich): Matt Harvey’s former Fitch High teammate has surpassed the better-known Harvey in terms of a major-league career. The righthander will begin his seventh major-league season as a key piece of the Royals’ bullpen.
Sal Romano, Cincinnati Reds (Southington): After limited appearances the past two seasons, the big righthander was a somewhat surprise addition to Reds’ Opening Day roster on Wednesday after routinely hitting 96 MPH with his fastball this spring. Curt Casali, San Francisco Giants (New Canaan): After spending past three seasons in Cincinnati, the former New Canaan High football and baseball star will be potential future Hall-of-Famer Buster Posey’s backup catcher with the Giants.
Sean Newcomb, Atlanta Braves (Univ. of Hartford): Former firstround draft pick out of UHart is hoping to make Braves’ Opening Day roster, almost certainly out of the bullpen.
Anthony Kay, Toronto Blue Jays
(UConn): UConn product and former first-round draft pick hoping to begin season with Blue Jays, most likely in the bullpen.
Scott Oberg, Colorado Rockies (UConn): Former UConn standout has carved out a terrific career in Rockies’ bullpen, but recurring blood clot issues in his right arm have sent him to the 60-day injured list and potentially put his career at a crossroads.
Zack Short, Detroit Tigers (Sacred Heart): Former Sacred Heart standout shortstop is on the Tigers’ 40-man roster, but will start the season in Triple-A.
Ryan Lavarnway, Pittsburgh Pirates (Yale): Lavarnway, 33, didn’t make the Bucs’ Opening Day roster, but will be on the team’s five-man taxi squad for its season-opening series with Detroit.