Cards, Goldschmidt near extension
The St. Louis Cardinals knew that Paul Goldschmidt had one year left on his contract when they acquired the slugging first baseman in an offseason trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
They also made no secret of their desire to sign him to a longterm deal.
Now, the Cardinals and Goldschmidt, 31, are nearing completion of a $130 million, five-year agreement through the 2024 season that would make him the highest-paid player in club history, a person familiar with the terms told the Associated Press on Friday.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because Goldschmidt still must pass a physical, which is mostly a formality. An announcement is expected Saturday.
Goldschmidt is due $14.5 million this season, while his new agreement trumps a $120 million, sevenyear deal that the Cardinals gave outfielder Matt Holliday in 2010. It also follows huge free-agent deals given to Bryce Harper by the Phillies and Manny Machado by the Padres, and the A reported $130 million, five-year agreement through the 2024 season would make Paul Goldschmidt the highest-paid player in Cardinals history. 12-year, $426.5 million contract that the Angels gave to Mike Trout on Wednesday.
Reds’ Gennett injuries leg
Cincinnati Reds second baseman Scooter Gennett injured a leg while fielding a grounder against the Milwaukee Brewers in Phoenix on Friday and was helped off the field.
Gennett ranged to his left for a ball off the bat of Yasmani Grandal leading off the second inning. Gennett slid to make the stop and threw to pitcher Robert Stephenson covering first for the out. Gennett went to his knees and was helped off by head athletic trainer Steve Baumann and manager David Bell.
The Reds said Gennett was to have an MRI.
Yankees: Prototype baseballs too dark
New York Yankees hitters involved in testing a ball that has undergone a factory rubbing at a factory have issues with the prototype's color.
"I was asked what I thought, and I thought it was too dark," outfielder Brett Gardner said. "The ball felt the same coming off the bat. I'd just like to see the ball be a little more of a white shade so it's a little easier for the hitters to see."
The objective of the tests, conducted during spring training, is to develop a ball that eliminates the need for the umpires' room attendants to apply Delaware River mud mixed with water on about eight dozen new balls before each game. The goal is to improve the consistency of balls' performance.
Gardner, Gary Sanchez, Greg Bird and Miguel Andujar hit the balls during part of a recent pregame batting practice session in Tampa, Florida.
A’s Olson has hand surgery
Oakland Athletics first baseman Matt Olson underwent surgery on his right hand after getting injured by a foul tip in his final at-bat during Thursday's 5-4, 12-inning loss to the Seattle Mariners in Tokyo.
Olson's procedure was performed in Los Angeles. The team said the operation involved a right hamate excision. No timeline for his recovery was provided.