MLB notebook: Astros fire assistant GM over incident with female reporters
The Astros have fired assistant general manager Brandon Taubman for directing inappropriate comments at female reporters following Houston’s pennantwinning victory over the New York Yankees. The team released a statement Thursday that said Taubman’s conduct did not reflect the organization’s values “and we believe this is the most appropriate course of action.” Taubman has previously apologized for using language that was “unprofessional and inappropriate” in the clubhouse following the victory. Sports Illustrated reported he repeatedly yelled toward a group of female reporters about closer Roberto Osuna, who was suspended for 75 games last year for violating MLB’s domestic violence policy before being traded from Toronto to the Astros.
Taubman shouted “Thank God we got Osuna!” according to SI, which said he made similar remarks several times, punctuating them with a profanity.
GIRARDI TO PHILLIES: The Philadelphia Phillies are expected to hire former Yankees manager Joe Girardi to replace Gabe Kapler, according to a source familiar with the situation. The team has not announced the decision.
Girardi, 55, led the Yankees to their 27th World Series title in 2009 when they beat the Phillies in six games. He had a 910710 record with the Yankees, finishing with the sixth most wins in team history. He also managed the Marlins one season and was NL manager of the year in 2006.
“They got a great one,” Yankees GM Brian Cashman said. “Joe was here for 10 years for a reason.”
Girardi joins a pair of first-time managers in this week’s hirings. San Diego is reportedly finalizing a deal with Jayce Tingler, who had been on Texas’s coaching staff, while the Cubs confirmed the hiring of David Ross, a leader on their 2016 championship team.
PATH TO GOLD: Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen and first baseman Justin Smoak, a pending free agent, are finalists for the 2019 Rawlings Gold Glove
Award at their respective positions. Three-man short lists at each position in both the American and National League were announced on Thursday.
Jansen, 24, is up against Boston’s Christian Vazquez and Cleveland’s Roberto Perez. In his first full season in the big leagues, Jansen posted a .995 fielding percentage and showed off a solid arm by throwing out 31 per cent of base runners.
Smoak, who had a .994 fielding percentage in 2019, was a finalist for the award in 2016, eventually losing out to Matt Olson of the Oakland Athletics. Olson is in the running for the award again this season, as is Astro Yuli Gurriel.
Right-hander Marcus Stroman was the 10th, and most recent,
Blue Jays player to earn a Gold Glove in 2017. This year’s winners will be announced Nov. 4. PINSTRIPERS: The New York Yankees hardly finished the 2019 season before starting on their injured list for 2020. Centre-fielder Aaron Hicks will have Tommy John surgery next week for a partially torn ligament in his throwing elbow and is expected to be out eight to 10 months.
GM Brian Cashman also announced that right-hander Masahiro Tanaka had arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow to remove bone spurs Wednesday, and first baseman Luke Voit had surgery for bilateral core muscle injuries Thursday. Both are expected to be ready for spring training.