Angels’ Trout says he’ll play short season
Mike Trout has decided to play this shortened season for the Los Angeles Angels, although his campaign will be trimmed even more because of the birth of his first child.
The three-time AL MVP confirmed his decision Wednesday before the Angels’ final exhibition game against the San Diego Padres at Angel Stadium.
Trout expressed uncertainty this month about the safety of this unique major league season, saying he wouldn’t risk his growing family’s health to participate. After three weeks of experience with the regulations put in place by the Angels and Major League Baseball, Trout is cautiously confident in baseball’s ability to hold a season safely.
“I’m playing,” Trout said in a video conference call. “It’s definitely been great so far.”
Trout will be in the lineup when the Angels open Friday in Oakland, but he won’t be joined by Anthony Rendon. The Angels’ new $245 million first baseman will miss opening day and perhaps a few more games with an oblique muscle injury, manager Joe Maddon said Wednesday.
Two weeks ago, Trout was still “up in the air” about whether to play this season. He has been encouraged by the low number of positive tests around baseball, along with his fellow players’ willingness to follow safety regulations.
“Guys have been respectful of others,” Trout said. “Everybody is taking responsibility to wear a mask and do social distancing and just be safe, and we’re seeing that.”
Trout won’t be in the Halos’ lineup every day, however: He doesn’t know how much time he’ll spend away from the team after his wife, Jessica, gives birth to their son, likely in August.
Trout hasn’t made a plan with general manager Billy Eppler for his absence from the Angels, but he plans to do so soon.
“They’ll be testing every day,” Trout said. “I’m not sure about a quarantine, but obviously I’ve got to be there for the newborn, my first one.”
Blue Jays denied
The state of Pennsylvania won’t allow the Toronto Blue Jays to play at PNC Park in Pittsburgh amid the coronavirus pandemic, health officials said Wednesday, becoming the second jurisdiction to say no to the team.
Canada already denied the Blue Jays’ request to play in Toronto because the regular-season schedule would require frequent travel back and forth from the United States, where COVID-19 cases are surging.
The Blue Jays and Pirates had been waiting to see if they got permission from Pennsylvania officials to proceed with the plan to have PNC Park fill in for the Rogers Centre.
Dozier positive
Kansas City Royals outfielder Hunter Dozier has tested positive for COVID-19 and was placed on the injured list before the club played its final exhibition game against the Cardinals in St. Louis on Wednesday.
Dozier, 28, who last season hit 26 homers and tied for the American League lead in triples and had 84 RBIS, said he was disappointed. “To have to watch for whatever period of time that I’m out is going to painful,” he said.
Betts signs for $365 million
Mookie Betts and the Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed on a $365 million, 12-year contract through 2032.
The Dodgers acquired Betts in a trade with the Boston Red Sox on
Feb. 10, but he eagerly bypassed the uncertainties of free agency for a secure future with an organization that already feels like home.
“I just love being here,” Betts said in a video conference call from Dodger Stadium, where he will make his Dodgers debut Thursday against San Francisco. “I love everything about here. I’m here to win some rings and bring championships back to LA. That’s all I’m focused on.”
Betts’ new deal is baseball’s second-largest in total dollars behind the $426.5 million, 12-year contract for Angels outfielder Mike Trout covering 2019-30.