Bochy backs Taveras as Rangers’ starting center fielder
SURPRISE, Ariz. — Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy reaffirmed his support of Leody Taveras as the team’s starting center fielder on Friday morning.
“He’s our center fielder,” Bochy said before the Rangers’ Cactus League opener vs. the Kansas City Royals. “... he’s very much appreciated here with the things that he can do. I think he’s made improvement every year. The bat just continues to get better — sometimes we forget how young he is.”
Taveras, 25, generated 2.3 WAR in 143 games last season according to FanGraphs. His 48 extra base hits were the most by a Rangers center fielder since Josh Hamilton. He was one of the most productive No. 9 hitters in baseball.
The numbers support Bochy’s backing, but the emergence of rookies Evan Carter and Wyatt Langford suggests that the Rangers could have four potential starting caliber outfielders for three positions. ALCS MVP Adolís García is a mainstay in right, Taveras is the incumbent in center and Carter, Langford and Travis Jankowski could each vie for reps in left.
Bochy said that he hasn’t felt a need to have a discussion with Taveras regarding job security.
“It’s always up to us, myself, to make adjustments where you have to make them,” Bochy said. “Players will determine that, it’s a performance-based job ... when you have a lot of talent like we do in the outfield, you have to stay open minded.”
Female ump Pawol to work Astros game
Jen Pawol will take a big step toward breaking the gender barrier for Major League Baseball umpires on Saturday when she becomes the first woman to work a big league spring training game in 17 years.
The 47-year-old from New Jersey will work the bases during Houston’s exhibition against Washington in West Palm Beach, Fla. She is among 24 minor league umpires assigned full-time as fill-ins at big league spring training. Last year, 21 of the 26 umps assigned full spring training schedules were picked for the in-season call-up list.
Ria Cortesio was the previous woman to umpire spring training games in 2007.
MLB’s move comes 27 years after the gender barrier for game officials was broken in the NBA, nine years after it ended the NFL and two years after soccer’s World Cup employed a female referee.
Odds and ends
The Royals signed Austin Nola to a one-year contract Friday, adding a veteran catcher to provide some insurance behind Salvador Perez alongside young backup Freddie Fermin . ... Pitcher Mitch Keller and Pittsburgh finalized a $77 million, five-year contract on Friday, and the Pirates said he will be their opening day starter at Miami on March 28 . ... Left-hander Joely Rodríguez agreed to a minor league contract with the Red Sox . ... Outfielder David Peralta and first baseman/outfielder Dominic Smith agreed to minor league contracts with the Cubs.