MLB will investigate Ohtani leaks
Major League Baseball will investigate whether a team official leaked Shohei Ohtani’s medical information cited in published stories this week, according to ESPN.
On Tuesday, Sports Illustrated reported that Ohtani had received a platelet- rich plasma injection for his elbow. Later in the day, Yahoo! Sports published details from Ohtani’s medical records, specifically that he has a Grade 1 sprain of the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching arm.
Angels general manager Billy Eppler confirmed to reporters Tuesday that Ohtani had a PRP injection in his pitching elbow. He didn’t comment on the Yahoo! report but said the team was pleased with the results of Ohtani’s physical.
Documentation of Ohtani’s medical history was circulated to majorleague teams pursuing him, Eppler told reporters.
Ohtani, 23, a right- handed pitcher and left- handed power hitter, signed with the Angels last week after being wooed by nearly every major- league team before he narrowed his choices to seven. The Angels plan to use him as a starting pitcher and designated hitter.
Free- agent signings
Right- handed reliever Fernando Rodney agreed to a one- year, $ 4.5 million deal with the Twins, according to the Associated Press. The three- time All- Star closer, who turns 41 on March 18 and will be in his 16th major- league season, will fill the team’s ninth- inning need.
Rodney had 39 saves in 45 chances for the Diamondbacks last season. He was 5- 4 with a 4.23 ERA, striking out 65 and walking 26 in 55⅓ innings. Rodney pitched for the Cubs in 2015.
◆ Right- hander Joe Smith agreed to a two- year, $ 15 million contract with the Astros. Smith, 33, was 3- 0 with one save and 71 strikeouts in 54 innings for the Blue Jays and Indians last season. Smith pitched for the Cubs in 2016.
Rule 5 draft
The Yankees had four players taken from their deep farm system in the major- league portion of the Rule 5 draft, the most players selected from any team.
The Tigers took Diamondbacks minor- league outfielder Victor Reyes with the No. 1 overall pick. The 23- year- old Reyes played in Class AA last season and hit .292 with four home runs, 51 RBI and 18 stolen bases.
The Astros took the only player with extensive big- league experience, outfielder Anthony Gose, hoping he can develop as a left- handed pitcher. The Astros took Gose, 27, from the Rangers’ minor- league system. He began pitching last season in the minors for the Tigers.
Third time’s the charm?
Relief pitcher Jonny Venters was invited to big- league spring training by the Rays while trying to come back from his third Tommy John surgery. The 32- year- old lefty hasn’t pitched in the majors since the 2012 NL wild- card card game for the Braves. Venters spent last season in the minors with the Rays.
Sun- Times wires