Tucker among Astros’ non-roster invitees to big league camp
Outfielder Kyle Tucker on Thursday was among 19 players receiving nonroster invitations to attend major league spring training with the Astros.
Tucker, 21, the Astros’ top prospect among position players, was their Minor League Player of the Year last season. He hit .274 with 33 doubles, 25 home runs, 90 RBIs and 20 steals in a campaign split between Class AA Corpus Christi and Advanced A Buies Creek.
Burgeoning pitching prospect Forrest Whitley was not among the nonroster invitees.
The other 18 players who will get a taste of major league camp are pitchers Rogelio Armenteros, Jacob Dorris, Riley Ferrell, Mike Hauschild, Brendan McCurry, Matt Ramsey, Trent Thornton and Framber Valdez; catchers Tim Federowicz, Jamie Ritchie and Garrett Stubbs; infielders Randy Cesar, Jack Mayfield and Nick Tanielu; and outfielders Drew Ferguson, Alejandro Garcia, Jon Kemmer and Myles Straw.
Armenteros, 23, was 10-4 with a 2.04 ERA in 24 games (20 starts) between Class AAA Fresno and Corpus Christi last year.
Marlins trade Yelich to Brewers
The Miami Marlins’ fire sale continued as center fielder Christian Yelich was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers for four prospects, including highly regarded outfielder Lewis Brinson.
Yelich became the fourth starter traded by Miami as it reduces payroll and rebuilds a weak farm system under new CEO Derek Jeter. Miami earlier dealt away major league home run champion Giancarlo Stanton, stolen base champ Dee Gordon and All-Star left fielder Marcell Ozuna.
Yelich will make $7 million this season in the third year of a $49.57 million, seven-year deal. He batted .282 with 18 homers and 81 RBIs last year.
Miami also acquired infielder Isan Diaz, outfielder Monte Harrison and righthanded pitcher Jordan Yamamoto.
Odds and ends
A day after his Hall of Fame election, Vladimir Guerrero said he’ll become the first player to wear an Angels hat on his Cooperstown plaque. He spent more of his career with the Montreal Expos but won the 2004 AL MVP Award with the Angels. … Jose Reyes agreed to a one-year, $2 million contract that will keep the infielder with the Mets.