Clark, union over Betances-Yankees tiff
The head of the players’ union says “that page has been turned” in the spat regarding New York Yankees president Randy Levine and what he said about reliever Dellin Betances ’ agents. Levine had called Betances a victim of “over-the-top demands based on very little sense of reality” by his representatives at an arbitration hearing on Feb 18. The Yankees beat Betances, and he will be paid $3 million rather than his $5 million request.
“Dellin is focused in on the season, we’re focused in on the season and look forward to have him continue to do what he’s always done, which has been a tremendous contributor to his club and winning on the field,” union chief Tony Clark said yesterday.
Clark talked with Yankees players as part of his annual visit to spring training camps in Florida and Arizona.
Levine, one day after the decision was announced, said he felt bad that Betances “was used that way by his agents.” Clark said he has not talked with Levine about the matter.
Betances figures to be primarily a set-up man again following closer Aroldis Chapman’s return to the Yankees. New York gave Chapman an $86 million, five-year contract, a record for a relief pitcher.
Kipnis sore
Cleveland Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis has a rotator cuff strain and will stop throwing for a couple days. Kipnis was given a cortisone shot Saturday.
“If it was during the season we wouldn’t do anything,” manager Terry Francona said. “There’s so much time to get ready that to kind of put a Band-Aid on it now didn’t seem to make sense.”
The Indians also announced pitcher Tim Cooney will be sidelined for 10-12 weeks because of a muscle strain in his arm. The American League champions claimed Cooney off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals in November.
Hamilton out
Texas Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton went to Houston, facing the possibility of another knee surgery.
Hamilton, who had been working out this spring at first base instead of the outfield to put less wear and tear on the joint, will be examined today by the same doctor who performed reconstructive surgery on his left knee last June. The Rangers acknowledge Hamilton might require arthroscopic surgery.