All-Star Game is moved to Denver’s Coors Field
DENVER » Atlanta, you’re out. Denver, you’re up.
Major League Baseball swiftly moved the All-Star Game to hitter-friendly Coors Field on Tuesday after pulling the Midsummer Classic from Atlanta over objections to extensive changes to Georgia’s voting laws.
Coors Field last hosted the All-Star Game in 1998. The game will be held July 13.
“We appreciate their flexibility and enthusiasm to deliver a first-class event for our game and the region,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. “We look forward to celebrating our sport’s best players and entertaining fans around the world.”
MLB decided to move the game from Truist Park in Atlanta in response to Georgia voting changes signed into law by Republican Gov. Brian Kemp on March 25. Critics, including the CEOs of Atlanta-based Delta
Air Lines and Coca-Cola, have condemned the changes as being too restrictive.
The Georgia laws includes new limits on voting by mail and greater legislative control over how elections are run, amid a push in Republican-led states to reduce voting options after former president Donald Trump made baseless claims of widespread fraud in last year’s election.
Democratic state officials in Colorado have touted their state’s mail-in voting system, which began in 2013, for its ease and accessibility. In the November election, there were more than 350 ballot drop boxes around the state along with a ballot tracking system that allowed voters to trace their votes as they were accepted and counted.
Odor traded to Yankees
NEW YORK » Infielder Rougned Odor was traded from the Rangers to the Yankees for minor league outfielders Antonio Cabello and Josh Stowers.
The 27-year-old Odor did not make the Rangers’ opening day roster and was designated for assignment on April 1. He is a lefthanded hitter, and the Yankees have a mostly right-handed lineup.
He has two guaranteed seasons at $12 million each remaining as part of a $49.5 million, six-year contract. The deal includes a $13.5 million team option for 2023 with a $3 million buyout.
Texas will pay the Yankees cash to cover most of what Odor is owed.
Padres: Tatis should avoid surgery
SAN DIEGO » San Diego shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. should be able to avoid surgery on his left shoulder, the team said a day after he slightly dislocated it taking a hard swing.
An MRI on Tuesday showed a slight labral tear and the Padres put the electrifying 22-year-old on the 10-day injured list. General
manager A.J. Preller said the club wasn’t ruling out anything, including Tatis’ possible return when he’s eligible.
NATIONALS 6, BRAVES 5 » Juan Soto drove in the winning run with a single on a 3-0 pitch in the bottom of the ninth inning, lifting coronavirus-depleted Washington to a comeback victory over Atlanta after waiting five days to start their season.
Lefty reliever Will Smith (0-1) entered for the ninth and promptly gave up a single to new leadoff hitter Victor Robles, and then hit Trea Turner with a pitch. That brought up Soto, the 2020 NL batting champion, and he delivered a line drive to center field.
ASTROS 4, ANGELS 2 » Carlos Correa hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the ninth inning, lifting Houston to the victory.
TIGERS 4, TWINS 3» Akil Baddoo added another big hit in this charmed start to his big league career, lining an RBI single in the 10th inning for Detroit.