Cardinals take hacking action
The St. Louis Cardinals said Thursday they fired scouting director Chris
Correa, the first known fallout from the hacking scandal that has resulted in a federal investigation into whether the team illegally got inside the player personnel database of the Houston Astros. The Cardinals declined to say why Correa was fired but confirmed he had been let go a day earlier after a team-imposed leave of absence. The team is investigating the alleged hacking, as is the FBI.
More Cardinals
St. Louis placed outfielder Jon Jay on the 15day disabled list with a left wrist stress reaction and bone bruise, making room on the roster for pitcher Tim Cooney.
Braves
First baseman Freddie Freeman said he likely won’t return from a wrist injury until after the AllStar break. Freeman, a twotime All-Star, still has severe tendon and ligament inflammation. He continues to feel significant pain following a platelet-rich plasma injection last week.
Blue Jays
Toronto signed international free agent Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 16, son of nine-time All-Star and 2004 AL MVP Vladimir Guerrero. Guerrero Jr. was born in Montreal during his father’s career with the Expos, and is a Canadian citizen. A right-handed hitting outfielder, his deal is reportedly worth $3.9 million.
Rangers
Texas agreed to terms on a $2.1 million deal with switch-hitting Leodys Taveras, 16, one of the top international free agents.
Elsewhere
When John Smoltz is inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in three weeks he’ll be the first player enshrined following Tommy John surgery.
“That’s pretty doubtful that he would be the last,” said renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews, who performed Smoltz’s surgery. “You can’t believe how many are out there now that are pitching very successfully.”
There will be plenty of candidates. In a four-year span alone (2004-07), Andrews performed the surgery on 588 pitchers, nearly one-fourth of high school age or younger. Matt Harvey of the New York Mets and Kansas City’s Luke Hochevar are just two of several major league pitchers with Tommy John surgery on their resumes.