NATIONALS CATCHER GONE FOR 80 GAMES
YORK» Washington
NEW catcher Raudy Read has been suspended for the first 80 games of the season following a positive test for Boldenone under Major League Baseball’s drug-testing program.
The commissioner’s office announced the discipline Wednesday, after it was upheld by the arbitrator.
Read signed with the Nationals in 2011 and made his major-league debut last September, going 3-for-11 (.273) in eight games. He said he was tested seven times last year.
Sanchez wins arbitration.
PHOENIX» Infielder Yolmer Sanchez beat the White Sox in salary arbitration and will get a raise from $546,000 to $2.35 million, rather than the team’s $2.1 million offer.
Players have a 6-3 advantage over teams this offseason, and 12 remain scheduled for hearings through Feb. 16 in what could be the busiest year in arbitration since 1990.
Right-hander Zack Wheeler went to salary arbitration with the Mets after struggling in his return from Tommy John surgery.
Wheeler asked for a raise from $800,000 to $1.9 million, and the Mets argued he should be paid $1.5 million. A decision is expected Thursday.
Jeter speaks to Marlins fans.
Derek Jeter acknowledged he has made unpopular decisions in the offseason since taking over the Marlins as a part owner.
Since taking over as chief executive, Jeter has traded away Giancarlo Stanton, Dee Gordon, Marcell Ozuna and Christian Yelich.
“I understand the frustration of a fan,” Jeter said. “The bottom line the way I looked at it was it’s been a challenge for us getting people to the stadium for years. And from everything I have heard, the challenge is because there has not been a winning product on the field. So if there is not a winning product on the field, you have to make a change.”
Jeter made the remarks during a 30-minute questionand-answer session with a few hundred in attendance.
Footnotes.
The Rangers traded Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson to the Yankees for future considerations. Wilson, a four-time Pro Bowler, is expected to appear at the Yankees’ Grapefruit League camp in Tampa, Fla., sometime in February or March. … Joe Girardi will be a studio analyst this season for the MLB Network.