Athletics bringing back Astros nemesis Fiers

OAKLAND, Calif. — Righthander Mike Fiers is staying put with the Oakland Athletics, finalizing his agreement Tuesday on a $3.5 million, one-year contract and assuring he remains in the same divison as an Astros team he once pitched for and then spoke out against.

Fiers was acquired by the A’s in August 2018 and a year later became the whistleblower in the signstealing scandal involving the Astroswhen he provided details to The Athletic in November 2019. The 35-year-old Fiers spent part of the 2015 season and all of 2016 and ‘17 pitching for the Astros.

Fiers, whose six wins were a team-best for the A’s in 2020, reported to the club’s spring training facility in Mesa, Ariz., on Tuesday and passed a physical.

Fiers, who pitched his second career no-hitter in 2019, just completed a $14.1 million, two-year contract that he signed with Oakland in December 2018. In other baseball news:

The Texas Rangers have acquired righthander Josh Sborz from the Los Angeles Dodgers for minor league pitcher Jhan Zambrano.

The 27-year-old Sborz made four relief appearances over four stints with the Dodgers in 2020.

The 19-year-old Zambrano’s

only professional action came with the Rangers’ Dominican Summer League affiliates in 2019. The righthander combined for a 2.55 ERA 12 games.