Freeman eager for move to third base
Atlanta Braves star Freddie Freeman plans to move from first base to third base to keep Matt Adams’ bat in Atlanta’s lineup.
Freeman took grounders at third before batting practice Wednesday and also made throws to first.
Freeman, 27, was leading the National League with 14 homers when his left wrist was broken by a pitch on May 17. He was expected to miss about 10 weeks.
He said Wednesday he hopes to return on July 14, which would be just more than eight weeks since the injury. Despite not playing third base since high school, Freeman said “I’m 100 percent go on it. My mindset is coming back as a third baseman.”
Since coming to Atlanta in a trade with St. Louis on May 20, Adams is tied for third in the majors with 11 home runs and tied for second with 29 RBIS. He has hit .296 in that time.
Freeman said his planned move gained momentum after meeting Tuesday with general manager John Coppolella, president of baseball operations John Hart and manager Brian Snitker.
■ Reds: Right-hander Homer Bailey, on the mend from surgery on his right elbow over the winter, threw a bullpen session and is expected to start Saturday against Washington.
Bailey, 31, who has made eight major league starts since 2015, had a 1.08 ERA in three rehabilitation starts covering 16 2/3 innings, with 17 strikeouts and three walks.
Also, right-hander Luis Castillo will be called up from Double-a Pensacola to make his major league debut Friday against Washington. Castillo, 24, was acquired this offseason from Miami in the Dan Straily trade. He had a 2.58 ERA over 80 1/3 innings at Pensacola.
■ Angels: Right-handed reliever Huston Street (lat, right shoulder), 33, who has been out all season, is expected to be activated from the disabled list Thursday.
Also, right-hander Doug Fister, 33, who had a June 21 opt-out clause in his one-year, $1.75 million contract, was released. He had a 4.02 ERA in 15 2/3 innings with Triple-a Salt Lake.
■ Cubs: Melisa Reidy-russell, wife of Addison Russell, filed for divorce nearly two weeks after the shortstop was accused of hitting her.
Reidy-russell is seeking full custody of the couple’s young son along with child and other support. Her lawyer said she has decided not to talk with
MLB about its ongoing domestic violence review because it is not in the best interest of her family.
The couple has been married for about 18 months.
■ Mariners: Andrew Moore’s contract was selected from Tacoma, fellow right-hander Christian Bergman was optioned to the Triple-a club, and righthander Tyler Cloyd was designated for assignment.
Moore, 23, one of Seattle’s top prospects, had a 3.19 ERA in eight starts with Tacoma.
■ Brewers: Left fielder Ryan Braun (left calf strain) and second baseman Jonathan Villar (back strain) will begin rehabilitation assignments Thursday with Low-a Wisconsin, and both could return to Milwaukee as early as Tuesday.
■ Indians: Outfielder Abraham Almonte (right biceps strain), who has been out since May 16, was pulled off his rehabilitation assignment with Triple-a Columbus because he is having difficulty throwing.
■ Blue Jays: Leonel Campos (right groin strain) was placed on the 10-day disabled list, and fellow right-handed reliever Cesar Valdez was recalled from Triple-a Buffalo.
■ Astros: Right-handed reliever Jandel Gustave, who has been on the disabled list since
April 20, underwent seasonending surgery on his right elbow.
■ Twins: Minnesota will face Cleveland in a two-game series at San Juan on April 17 and 18, MLB’S first regular-season games in Puerto Rico since 2010.
■ Padres: Rookie right-hander Miguel Diaz (right forearm strain) was lifted from his start at Chicago in the third inning.
■ TV: Karl Ravech, 52, is replacing Chris Berman as the broadcaster for ESPN’S coverage of the All-star Home Run Derby. Berman, 62, has broadcast the derby since 1994.