Napoli retires after 12 seasons
Dozens of Venezuelans waited in line outside a chapel Saturday in the state of Lara, hoping to bid farewell to former major-leaguer Luis Valbuena, who was killed in a car accident late Thursday along with winterleague teammate Jose Castillo.
Valbuena, who played for the Cubs for three seasons (2012-14), and Castillo were killed when their SUV crashed as it tried to veer around an object on the road. Officials said some bandits put or throw objects on highways to force vehicles to stop so they can rob the occupants.
Yaracuy state Gov. Julio Leon Heredia said four people were detained after being found with property belonging to the athletes.
Valbuena and Castillo were teammates on the Cardenales de Lara team in the Venezuelan winter league and were returning from a game when the crash occurred.
Their deaths caused an outpouring of grief as teammates, family members and fans wore shirts from the winter league and lined up to say goodbye. Phillies shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera was in attendance, as was Cardenales third baseman Carlos Rivero, who survived the crash.
Astros reportedly eyeing Happ
MLB.com reported the Astros might be targeting free-agent left-hander J.A. Happ to fill the No. 3 spot in their rotation behind righthanders Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole.
The Astros’ rotation had the lowest ERA in the American League last season, but left-hander Dallas Keuchel and right-hander Charlie Morton are now free agents.
MLB.com reported the Astros feel comfortable filling the Nos. 4 and 5 spots with a combination of right-handers Collin McHugh, Brad Peacock and Josh James but want someone to bridge the gap.
Happ, 36, was 17-6 with a 3.65 ERA last season for the Blue Jays and Yankees.
Veteran Mike Napoli, who hit 267 home runs and made three trips to the World Series during his 12-year career with four teams, announced his retirement.
Napoli, 37, was a career .246 hitter. He helped the Red Sox win the World Series in 2013 and reached the Series with the Rangers (2011) and Indians (2016).