Reds’ Gennett will miss first few months of the season
All-star second baseman Scooter Gennett will miss the opening months of the season with a severe groin strain, costing the Cincinnati Reds their most productive hitter less than a week before opening day.
Gennett injured the right side of his groin Friday while making a play on a ground ball hit by Milwaukee’s Yasmani Grandal. He had an MRI, and the Reds said Saturday that he’s expected to miss two to three months.
“He is in a lot of pain,” said manager David Bell, who was with Gennett when the medical staff read his MRI. “He wants to play so bad. That makes it tough, but he’s already thinking positive.”
The injury forces the Reds to rearrange their infield — which had been one set area of the team — heading into the season opener Thursday against Pittsburgh at Great American Ball Park. Bell plans to move shortstop Jose Peraza to second base and use newcomer Jose Iglesias at shortstop.
Peraza has played second, a major factor in Bell’s decision. The Reds signed Iglesias to a minor league deal on Feb. 23, giving them depth at shortstop.
“Peraza will continue to play some shortstop,” Bell said. “We still see him as a shortstop. There were concerns about moving him back to second because he worked so hard at shortstop, but the willingness of him to move made it an easy conversation.”
The Reds overhauled their outfield and their starting rotation through a series of offseason trades, but the infield had been set with Joey Votto at first, Gennett at second, Peraza at shortstop and Eugenio Suarez at third.
Gennett’s injury is a significant setback to the offense.
The Reds claimed Gennett off waivers from the Brewers a day before they broke camp for the 2017 season. Gennett adjusted his swing and had a career year. He became the first major leaguer to have four homers, five hits and 10 RBIS in a game. He also led the majors with four grand slams, joining Lou Gehrig as the only players with a fourhomer game and a fourgrand slam season.
Last season, he became an All-star for the first time. His ninth-inning, pinchhit homer sent the All-star game to extra innings. Gennett finished second to Milwaukee’s Christian Yelich for the batting crown with a .310 average. Indians tab Kluber to start on opening day
Corey Kluber will start on opening day for the Cleveland Indians for the fifth consecutive season, matching a franchise record.
The two-time AL Cy Young Award winner was given the nod Saturday by manager Terry Francona.
Stan Coveleski is the only other Cleveland pitcher to start five straight openers. Bob Feller holds the franchise mark with seven opening-day starts overall.
Report: Verlander signs extension with Astros
Justin Verlander and the Houston Astros have reportedly agreed to a contract adding an additional $66 million in guaranteed money for 2020 and ‘21.
A 36-year-old righthander, Verlander is due $28 million in 2019, the final guaranteed season of a $180 million, seven-year deal he signed with Detroit before the 2013 season. That contract included a $22 million for 2020 that would have become guaranteed if Verlander finished among the top five in Cy Young Award voting this year.
Sale, Red Sox agree to add $145M to contract
Ace left-hander Chris Sale and the Boston Red Sox agreed to a new contract that guarantees an additional $145 million from 2020 to 2024.
Sale has been an All-star the last seven years and would have been eligible for free agency after this season.
He is guaranteed $15 million this year under the second option year of the contract he signed with the Chicago White Sox before the 2013 season.
The new contract adds $30 million salaries annually from 2020-22 and $27.5 million a year in 2023 and 2024. His salary can escalate by up to $2 million per season from 2021-24 based on finish in Cy Young Award voting.
Since he was acquired from Chicago in December 2016, Sale is 29-12 with a 2.56 ERA.