Commissioner gifts players headphones
NEW YORK » Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred gifted major league players Bose headphones on opening day as a peace offering after a bitter 99-day lockout that delayed the start of the season.
Major League Baseball confirmed that headphones and a letter signed by Manfred were left at the locker of each player when teams began their seasons Thursday and Friday. The present was first reported by The Athletic.
“Please accept this gift as a small gesture of my appreciation for the hard work that comes with being a Major Leaguer and your respect for our incredible fans,” Manfred wrote. “Thank you for everything you do in a game that has such a rich history and deep meaning to our fans in the U.S. and around the world. Wishing you the best of luck for a successful season.”
Manfred’s relationship with players has grown increasingly icy since he succeeded Bud Selig as commissioner in 2014.
At the news conference announcing an agreement with the union to end this winter’s lockout, Manfred admitted that he’s failed in his role as a diplomat to players and pledged to improve the relationship.
Asked what Manfred could do to mend things this spring, players told The Associated Press the commissioner could do more to present himself as a steward of the game. At least one player, St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright, said he thought the damage was irreparable.
“To just put it bluntly, he doesn’t do anything for us,” Wainwright said. “I know how that’s going to read, so Commissioner
Manfred, don’t take it personal. That’s just how it looks from a players’ standpoint.”
Whitlock agrees to $18.75M, 4year deal with Red Sox.
NEW YORK » The Boston Red Sox signed right-handed reliever Garrett Whitlock to an $18.75 million, four-year deal Sunday covering 2023-26 that includes two club options and escalators that could increase the total to $44.5 million over six seasons.
The agreement was announced by chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom before Boston played the finale of a three-game series against the rival New York Yankees.
The 25-year-old Whitlock moved to the bullpen and led all Boston pitchers with a 1.96 ERA over 73 L innings. He was 8-4 with 81 strikeouts and 17 walks while frequently pitching multiple innings per appearance.
Story out with flu symptoms vs. Yankees. NEW YORK » Boston Red Sox newcomer Trevor Story was out of the lineup for Sunday night’s game against the New York Yankees and away from the team with flu-like symptoms. The second baseman felt ill enough Sunday to take a COVID-19 test, which came back negative.
Padres LHP Snell scratched before Sunday’s start.
PHOENIX » The San Diego Padres scratched starting pitcher Blake Snell from the lineup just before game time on Sunday.
The 2018 AL Cy Young winner went through his usual warm up before the game but right-hander Nabil Crismatt came out to the mound for the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Padres said Snell didn’t start because of “left adductor tightness.”