Scioscia says he’s not quitting
Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia reached deep into his vocabulary to describe a report saying he’ll step down after this season.
“Poppycock,” Sciocsia said Sunday, using a dated term for “nonsense.”
A day after The Athletic reported that Scioscia is expected to end his 19-year run with the Angels in October, the manager strongly dismissed the report and insisted that he still loves what he’s doing.
Shortly after the Angels were beaten, 3-0, by the Indians on Saturday night, longtime baseball writer Ken Rosenthal, citing unnamed major league sources, reported that Scioscia – the longesttenured manager in the majors – and the Angels had reached a mutual decision to part ways after this season.
Scioscia said that’s not true, and he has “no idea” where the report originated.
“Nothing has changed since we talked in October,” he said, referring to what he told reporters at the end of last season about his status. “There’s always chatter out there. That’s it. Nothing’s changed. The only word I have is poppycock. That’s all it is.”
Scioscia is in the final year of a 10-year deal he signed in 2008.
Osuna addresses new teammates: Roberto Osuna met his new Houston Astros teammates and addressed the club for 10 minutes in a closed-door meeting as he comes off a 75-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy.
The defending World Series champions acquired Osuna on Monday in a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays while he was still serving his suspension. The reliever was arrested and charged with assaulting his girlfriend May 8 in Toronto. No details have been made public and the next court date in the case is scheduled for Sept. 5.
Speaking with reporters in the dugout, Osuna offered few details about the morning meeting in the Astros’ clubhouse at Dodger Stadium and did not discuss the case pending against him. Osuna was added to the active roster before Sunday’s game against Los Angeles, with Houston pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. going on the 10-day disabled list due to elbow discomfort.
“I was very happy to meet them and very happy to be a part of this team and be a part of this World Series championship team,” Osuna said through a translator. “I will do my best to win another World Series this year.”
Astros manager AJ Hinch said he wouldn’t hesitate to use Osuna.