Utley staying in L.A.
Veteran free-agent infielder Chase Utley officially returned to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday, agreeing to a oneyear, $2 million contract.
Utley said he had received two other offers but decided on the Dodgers because of the club’s chemistry.
“I like the guys here,” said Utley, who batted .252 over 138 games for the Dodgers last season.
He also likes their chances of winning the World Series.
There were some questions about whether Utley would be back with the Dodgers, especially after they acquired second baseman Logan Forsythe from Tampa Bay in a trade for pitcher José De León.
Last season, Utley emerged as a mentor to shortstop Corey Seager, the NL rookie of the year.
Yankees beat Betances in arbitration: The New York Yankees beat Dellin Betances in the year’s final salary arbitration case, and the relief pitcher will be paid $3 million rather than his $5 million request.
The decision gave teams an 8-7 edge in decisions this year, the most hearings since clubs won 10 of 16 decisions in 1994. Players won three of four cases last year. Teams lead, 310-231, since salary arbitration began in 1974.
Royals pitcher skips Tommy John: Kansas City Royals right-hander Seth Maness is like many pitchers in spring training, trying to earn a bullpen job.
Maness also is a willing guinea pig, coming off a new surgical procedure that has the baseball industry’s attention.
Maness opted to pass on Tommy John surgery to repair the right elbow that blew out last season and try a different procedure that could cut the recovery time significantly.
St. Louis orthopedic surgeon George Paletta suggested another procedure called “primary repair” to Maness and was cautiously optimistic he could be back pitching when the season opened or soon after. If he had the Tommy John, Maness likely would’ve missed the entire year.
Weaver joins Padres: Right-hander Jered Weaver has agreed to a $3 million, one-year deal with the San Diego Padres after 11 seasons with the Los Angeles Angels. The deal is pending a physical.