Restraints put curb on international spending
Spending on signing bonuses for international amateur free agents dropped 25 percent to $153 million from $203 million in the first year of restraints, which cost Japanese two-way star Shohei Ohtani more than $100 million.
Spending was capped by the majors’ collective bargaining agreement beginning with the signing period from last July 2 through June 15.
Dominican shortstop Wander Franco received the largest bonus, $3,825,000 from Tampa Bay. Venezuelan catcher Daniel Flores was second at $3.3 million from Boston.
Just five other players received bonuses of more than $2 million, including Ohtani, who received $2,315,000 from the Los Angeles Angels.
Under the new rules, international amateurs were redefined as under 25 years old and with less than six years of professional experience, up from 23 years old and less than five years of experience.
That meant teams were limited to what they could offer Ohtani, who hit .289 with six homers and 20 RBIS in 34 games and went
4-1 with a 3.10 ERA before the right-hander hurt his pitching elbow. Under the old rules, he likely would have signed a longterm deal for more than $150 million.
Tigers: Righthander Casey Mize, this year’s No. 1 draft pick, agreed to a minor league contract that includes a $7.5 million signing bonus, the highest for any drafted player since 2011. In 17 starts as a junior with Auburn this season, Mize went 10-6 with a 3.30 ERA, averaging 12.24 strikeouts per nine innings.
He went 20-13 with a 2.96 ERA, with 324 strikeouts and 43 walks, in three seasons at Auburn.
Phillies: Edubray Ramos (right shoulder impingement) was placed on the 10-day disabled list, fellow righthanded reliever Hector Neris was recalled from Lehigh Valley, third baseman Mitchell Walding was optioned to the Triple-a club, and infielder Jesmuel Valentin was activated from paternity leave.
Athletics: Right-hander Edwin Jackson’s contract was purchased from Triple-a Nashville, left-handed reliever Ryan Buchter (left shoulder strain) was activated from the disabled list, and right-handed reliever Liam Hendriks was designated for assignment.
Yankees: Catcher Gary Sanchez (right groin strain) was placed on the 10-day disabled list, catcher Kyle Higashioka and righthander Giovanny Gallegos were recalled from Scranton/wilkesBarre, and outfielder Clint Frazier was optioned to the Triple-a club.
Cubs: Third baseman Kris Bryant (sore left shoulder) was held out of Chicago’s lineup for a third straight game. Also, Duane Underwood was recalled from Triple-a Iowa, and fellow righthander Tyler Chatwood was placed on paternity leave.
Orioles: Infielder Tim Beckham (left groin strain) was activated from the disabled list, left-handed reliever Donnie Hart was optioned to Triple-a Norfolk, and infielder Luis Sardinas (back strain) was transferred to the 60day DL.
Nationals: Right-handed reliever Brandon Kintzler (right forearm flexor strain), a Palo
Verde product, was activated from the disabled list, and right-hander Jefry Rodriguez was optioned to Double-a Harrisburg.
Diamondbacks: Clay Buchholz (left oblique strain) was placed on the 10-day disabled list, and fellow right-hander Shelby Miller (right elbow ligament replacement surgery) was activated from the DL.
Rays: Left-handed reliever Jonny Venters (right hamstring strain) was placed on the 10-day disabled list, and right-handed reliever Austin Pruitt was recalled from Triple-a Durham.
Braves: Right-hander Mike Foltynewicz (tight right triceps) was activated from the disabled list, and right-handed reliever Evan Phillips was optioned to Triple-a Gwinnett.
Mets: Outfielder Brandon Nimmo (right pinkie finger contusion) is considered day to day after an MRI examination came back negative.
Dodgers: Shortstop/ outfielder Chris Taylor (tight left hamstring) was held out of Los Angeles’ lineup for a third straight game.
Cardinals: Center fielder Tommy Pham (flu), a Durango product, was held out of St. Louis’ lineup for a second straight game.
Twins: Jake Cave was recalled from Rochester, and fellow outfielder Ryan Lamarre was optioned to the Triple-a club.