Reds reschedule opener vs. Nationals
CINCINNATI » The 2018 baseball season already has its first rain delay.
The Cincinnati Reds pushed back their opener against the Washington Nationals by a day because unrelenting rain is forecast for Thursday. The teams will open on Friday afternoon instead, taking advantage of what was a scheduled day
It is the first time since 1966 Cincinnati called off its opener because of the weather. The pitching matchups remain the same: NL Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (16-6) faces Homer Bailey (6-9), who is making his first opening day start for the Reds.
The forecast calls for steady and sometimes heavy rain Thursday, meaning the game likely would have faced long delays if it could be played at all, Reds President Phil Castellini said.
“Trust me, we do not cancel games here lightly,” Castellini said. “No scenario in the forecast has it opening up at all to get in a game tomorrow without rain.”
Rays’ Eovaldi to have surgery
ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. » Tampa Bay pitcher Nathan Eovaldi has loose bodies in his pitching elbow and will undergo arthroscopic surgery.
The 28-year-old right-hander, expected to be part of the Rays rotation after recovering from Tommy John surgery, was placed on the 10-day disabled list Wednesday ahead of the opener against Boston.
Eovaldi had a 3.24 ERA over 16.2 innings in five spring training appearances, and he has a $2 million base salary.
Mets promote Tebow
NEW YORK » Tim Tebow has been promoted to Double-A after going 1 for 18 with 11 strikeouts in big league spring training for the New York Mets.
The Mets said the outfielder has been assigned to start the season at Binghamton of the Eastern League.
Tebow, 30, hit .226 with eight homers and 52 RBIs in 126 games last year.
A’s prospect Puk hurts elbow
SAN FRANCISCO » Oakland pitching prospect A.J. Puk injured his pitching elbow, and Dr. James Andrews is recommending he have Tommy John surgery.
Puk was the sixth pick in the 2016 draft out of Florida. He struck out 184 batters in 125 innings split between Class A and Double-A last season, going 6-10 with a 4.03 ERA.