Orioles agree to terms with 4 international players

BALTIMORE (AP) >> The Baltimore Orioles have a new Machado in the organization after agreeing to minor league contracts with four international amateur free agents.

Gilbert Machado is a 17-yearold from Venezuela, described by Orioles director of player development Brian Graham as “a natural shortstop with plus defensive skills and athleticism.” He agreed to a $15,000 signing bonus in a deal announced Thursday.

Baltimore enjoyed success with another Machado, Manny, who thrived at third base and shortstop before being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in July. Manny and Gilbert are not related.

Longtime U.S. skeleton team member Matt Antoine has retired.

He made the unexpected announcement Friday in Lake Placid, New York, immediately after finishing team trials for this season. Antoine would have been the top U.S. sled on the World Cup circuit this season.

He won the bronze at the Sochi Games in 2014, along with nine World Cup medals. He was a two-time Olympian, qualified for the world championships seven times and was the topranked American men’s slider the last five seasons.

Antoine’s retirement means the U.S. men’s team now has no active slider with any Olympic experience. John Daly retired for the second time after the 2018 Pyeongchang Games, though has not definitively ruled out a comeback bid in 2022.