Phillies OF McCutchen to start season on injured list
CLEARWATER, Fla. — Andrew McCutchen’s quest to be ready for Opening Day will be unsuccessful as Joe Girardi said Friday afternoon that the Phillies outfielder requires more time in his recovery from last summer’s season-ending knee injury.
The Phillies expect McCutchen, who had surgery last June to repair the torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, to be ready sometime in April.
McCutchen’s injury means the Phillies will open their 10th straight season with a different starter in left field. The most probable solution would be Roman Quinn in left field with
Adam Haseley in center. Jay Bruce also could start there, but he’s still building his arm strength from last season’s forearm injury.
The Phillies also have Nick Williams and Kyle Garlick on the 40-man roster, and Phil Gosselin, Nick Martini, Josh Harrison, Mikie Mahtook and Matt Sczur in camp on minor league deals.
Royals’ Perez back after Tommy John
Salvador Perez was back behind the plate for the first time since Tommy John surgery.
The six-time All-Star caught the first four innings of the Kansas City Royals’ 3-1 loss to a San Francisco split squad on Friday.
A five-time Gold Glove winner, the 29-year-old had not caught in a game since Sept. 26, 2018.
Five-time All-Star Antonelli dies at 89
Johnny Antonelli, a five-time All-Star who was a key pitcher on the World Series-winning New York Giants in 1954, has died. He was 89.
The San Francisco Giants released a statement saying Antonelli died Friday in Rochester, New York.
The left-hander won 126 games over 12 seasons, including his memorable 1954, when he had a 21-7 record and National League-leading 2.30 ERA. He was also a 20-game winner in 1956.
The Rochesster native made his debut with the Boston Braves in 1948 when he was just 18 years old.
His best years came with the Giants from 1954-59, and he was part of the franchise when it made the move from New York to San Francisco after the 1957 season. He missed the 1951 and 1952 seasons due to military service.
Stanton could miss opener with injury
New York Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton is upset over his latest injury, a strained right calf that could sideline him for opening day.
Stanton was hurt Tuesday during outfield drills, and an MRI revealed a Grade 1 strain.
Stanton played in just 18 games last season because of a number of injuries, and he hit .288 with three homers in 59 at-bats. He had 38 homers in his first year with the Yankees, one season after hitting 59 for Miami.