Fanatics bristles at uniform gripes

BOSTON — Fanatics founder Michael Rubin says his company is being unfairly blamed for new Major League Baseball uniforms that have seethrough pants and other fit and design problems.

“This is a little bit of a difficult position,” he said on Friday at the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference. “We’re purely doing exactly as we’ve been told, and we’ve been told we’re doing everything exactly right. And we’re getting the s—— kicked out of us. So that’s not fun.”

Since reporting to spring training this month, some players have complained about the fit of new uniforms. The white pants worn by some teams are also seethrough enough to clearly show tucked-in jersey tops.

“I know everyone hates them,” Phillies shortstop Trea Turner said. “We all liked what we had. We understand business, but I think everyone wanted to keep it the same way, for the most part, with some tweaks here or there.”

Rubin said uniforms were made to the specifications set by MLB and Nike. Fanatics has been making the baseball uniform since 2017, he said, after buying the company that has been making the uniforms since 2005, so there has been no real change in the manufacturer in almost two decades.

Rubin said Nike made changes “for all the right reasons” after getting feedback from players who wanted material more breathable and stretchable.

Canó catches on in Mexican league

Former major league second baseman Robinson Canó has signed with the Diablos Rojos of the Mexican Baseball League, the Mexico City club announced Friday.

The 41-year-old Canó finished with 1,306 RBIS, fourth all-time among second baseman, in a 17-year career, most of which he spent with the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners. The eight-time All-star also played for the New York Mets and San Diego Padres and last played in the big leagues in 2022, with Atlanta.

Canó will have a chance to play against the Yankees, who are set to play two exhibition games against the Diablos Rojos in Mexico City on March 24-25.

Odds and ends

Right-hander Spencer Turnbull can earn $2 million in performance bonuses for starts and innings as part of his $2 million, one-year contract with the Phillies . ... First baseman Carlos Santana can earn an additional $250,000 in performance bonuses as part of his one-year contract with the Twins. Santana was guaranteed $5.25 million in the deal announced Feb 7. He would get $125,000 each for 500 and 550 plate appearances.