Sources: Giants postpone Correa intro for medical concern

The San Francisco Giants postponed a news conference Tuesday to introduce Carlos Correa after a medical concern arose during the All-Star shortstop’s physical, according to two people with direct knowledge of the situation.

The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the Giants have not announced publicly any details regarding Correa’s $350 million, 13-year agreement, not even that Tuesday’s availability was to introduce the prized free agent.

One person confirmed that Tuesday’s conference to welcome Correa was put on hold because the sides were awaiting the results of testing. A second person said that a medical issue was flagged during Correa’s physical.

Correa and the Giants agreed on Dec. 13 to the massive deal, subject to a successful physical, according to one of the people. Correa has been placed on the injured list seven times during his eight-year career.

The media availability had been scheduled for 2 p.m. at Oracle Park, but it was called off about three hours before it was to take place. The Giants did not provide an explanation as to why.

It was not clear if the sides had discussed renegotiating Correa’s agreement.

Just about the only knock on Correa’s resume is durability. He has played at least 150 games in a season just once because of various injuries.

Verlander: Cohen persuaded him Mets are building a winner

NEW YORK » Justin Verlander’s phone rang in November. New York Mets owner Steve Cohen was on the line.

“It really wasn’t a baseball call. It was just a ‘Hey, this is Steve. You’re Justin. Let me get to know you a little bit,’” the pitcher recalled Tuesday.

That conversation led to an $86.7 million, two-year contract on Dec. 5, a deal that was finalized two days later.

The three-time Cy Young Award winner was introduced at a news conference Tuesday at Citi Field.

Verlander said he’d been given a heads up that Cohen would call.

When Cohen called, Verlander knew the Mets were waiting for a decision by deGrom, a 34-year-old two-time Cy Young Award winner who was hurt for much of the last two seasons.

“He’s iconic here in this stadium and for this organization,” Verlander said. “I don’t think it was fair to him or to me to make that decision before he made his decision.”

Carpenter agrees with Padres

SAN DIEGO » Matt Carpenter agreed to a $12 million, two-year contract with the San Diego Padres after reviving his career with the New York Yankees in a season cut short by injury.

The agreement for the infielder/outfielder could be worth $21 million over two seasons if he has 550 plate appearances in each year.

Carpenter, 37, was a three-time AllStar with the Cardinals who began last season at Texas’ Triple-A team in