Astros ace backs unsigned players

Houston Astros ace Justin Verlander wants to see the remaining free agents find jobs.

While Bryce Harper and Manny Machado reached bigmoney deals, Verlander’s former Astros teammates Dallas Keuchel and Evan Gattis remain unsigned along with Craig Kimbrel, Adam Jones and several dozen others.

“I hope that some of those names you see behind those guys that are big names that would definitely help ballclubs start to go now,” Verlander said Thursday. “These guys deserve jobs. They make everybody better around them, and they make the team better.”

Verlander is earning $28 million this year at age 36, part of a deal that includes a $22 million option for 2020 that would become guaranteed if he is among the top five in Cy Young Award voting this year.

He is attempting to add a change-up to his repertoire this spring training, throwing seven of them Thursday in a 4-1 win over Miami.

“I saw the reactions I wanted on almost every one I threw,” Verlander said.

Verlander allowed five hits in 3⅓ scoreless innings, struck out five and walked two.

The 2011 AL MVP has unsuccessfully attempted to add a change-up in the past. He’s altered the way he’s releasing the pitch, which has him optimistic it will prove useful once the season starts.

“He’s always evolved,” Houston manager A.J. Hinch said. “I watched him over the last 10 years, so it won’t surprise me if he makes it more of a part of his game, but I think he’s going to have to feel it and have some success to truly believe in it.”

Verlander’s fastball reached 97 mph. He threw 60 pitches and left with the bases loaded.

“I’m glad I went back out there for that last inning,” Verlander said. “Velo was where I’d like to see it. Got in a little bit of a jam so got some adrenaline going.”

Royals: Kansas City agreed to a $2.5 million, one-year deal with Martin Maldonado, giving it a veteran catcher after losing Salvador Perez to a season-ending injury.

Maldonado spent last season with the Angels and Astros, hitting .225 with nine homers and 44 RBIs in 119 games. But his biggest strength has been his ability to frame pitches and play defense, and his experience should help what is expected to be a young Royals team this season.

In fact, Maldonado’s Gold Glove in 2017 broke Perez’s streak of four straight.

Perez underwent Tommy John surgery last week after tearing a ligament in his throwing arm during a spring training workout.

Mariners: Third baseman Kyle Seager will see a hand specialist after rolling his left wrist during a spring training game.

Seager was pulled Friday night after jamming his glove into the ground diving for a hard grounder. He left the game after one more batter.

Seager had the hand heavily wrapped Saturday but X-rays were negative. It’s unclear if the injury puts at risk Seager’s status for Seattle’s season-opening series in Japan.

The 31-year-old Seager has hit at least 20 home runs in seven straight seasons.

Yankees: Aaron Judge got a $62,000 raise up to $684,300 in the right fielder’s last season before becoming eligible for salary arbitration.

Catcher Gary Sanchez was given a $49,400 hike to $669,800 as the team reached agreements with its young players whose salaries are under club control. He also will be eligible for arbitration next winter.