Bieber, Alonso, Lewis among eight renewed

AL Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber of the Cleveland Indians was among eight players whose contracts were unilaterally renewed by their team before Thursday’s deadline for all players on 40man rosters to have deals for the 2021 season.

Bieber will receive a $679,700 salary while in the major leagues and $311,600 in the unlikely event he is optioned to the minors.

Bieber was an AllStar in 2019 and led the major leagues during last year’s shortened season in wins (8), ERA (1.63) and strikeouts (122). Unless he reaches a longterm deal, he is likely to be eligible for salary arbitration next winter.

The eight renewals — each were similar deals with budding young stars under team control — were among the fewest in one year.

Those renewed include New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso, the 2019 NL Rookie of the Year; Mets outfielder Jeff McNeil; Seattle outfielder Kyle Lewis, the reigning AL Rookie of the Year; Arizona Diamondbacks righthander Zac Gallen; Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andrew Toles, Atlanta pitcher Ian Anderson and A’s catcher Sean Murphy (see A’s Observations, page C5).

Another top young Mets player, lefthander David Peterson, agreed to a oneyear deal with a salary of $585,750 in the majors. Hamilton on the move: The Cleveland Indians have informed outfielder Billy Hamilton, who signed a minorleague deal, that he won’t make their roster and will try to facilitate a trade.

Hamilton signed a minorleague deal with the Giants before spring training last year, but never appeared in a game with San Francisco after the restart. Highlights: Yankees ace Gerrit Cole struck out five over three innings, allowing one run and three hits, in a 61 win over the Phillies. Philadelphia’s Bryce Harper went 0for3 and is hitless in nine atbats . ... George Springer led off with a home run after missing two games due to left abdominal tightness, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a threerun homer in the first as the Blue Jays beat the Tigers 106 in seven innings . ... Felix Hernandez allowed three runs — two earned — and three hits in two innings in his first spring training start in the Orioles’ 75 loss to the Pirates . ... Marwin Gonzalez hit solo homer and a threerun drive in the Red Sox’s 54, eightinning win over the Twins.