The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Pirates give Harrison four-year, $27.3M deal
All-Star third baseman Josh Harrison and the Pittsburgh Pirates agreed Wednesday to a $27.3 million, four-year contract, a deal that could be $48.3 million over six seasons if a pair of team options are exercised.
Harrison, 27, was second in the NL with a .315 batting average last year.
“I think it’s a no-brainer to want to be part of something as special as what we’ve had the past couple years because we’re only going to get better,” Harrison said. “When presented with this opportunity, I said I definitely want to be part of a group that’s continuing to get better.”
Harrison gets a $1 million signing bonus and salaries of $2.8 million this year, $5 million in 2016, $7.5 million in 2017 and $10 million in 2018. Pittsburgh has a $10.5 million option for 2019 with a $1 million buyout and an $11.5 million option for 2020 with a $500,000 buyout.
Giants: All-Star pitch- er Matt Cain was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a right forearm injury. The team said an MRI revealed Cain does not have ligament damage in his forearm. Cain did not pitch after July 9 last season and had surgery Aug. 12 to remove bone chips. He had a 5.40 ERA in four spring training starts, allowing 15 hits in 112/3 innings with seven strikeouts and three walks.
Tigers: Closer Joe Nathan, 40, is headed to the DL with a strained right elbow. The Tigers will recall left-hander Blaine Hardy from Triple-A Toledo for today’s game against the Twins. Joakim Soria will take over as closer.
Rays: First baseman James Loney was placed on the 15-day DL with a strained right oblique.
Athletics: Free-agent outfielder Cody Ross agreed to terms after his release by Arizona last weekend. Oakland will only be responsible for the pro-rated portion of the $507,500 league minimum. Ross was guaranteed $8.5 million this year as part of his contract with Arizona.
Nationals: Left fielder Jayson Werth is expected to play seven innings at Class-A Potomac tonight to start a minor league rehab assignment. Werth began the season on the 15-day DL after having surgery on his right shoulder in January. He’s eligible to come off the DL on Saturday, but manager Matt Williams said “that date would probably be stretching it.”
Indians: Left fielder Michael Brantley was scratched from the lineup Wednesday because of lower-back stiffness.
Padres: All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel, acquired in a trade with Atlanta on Sunday, struck out the side in the ninth inning on 16 pitches Tuesday night against the Dodgers in his Padres debut.
Tuesday’s Games Wednesday’s Games ■ (At) Capitals 3, Bruins 0: Braden Holtby made 27 saves while shutting out Boston for the third time this season, and Marcus Johansson had a goal and an assist. Holtby earned his 41st win of the season to match the franchise record set by Olie Kolzig in 1999-00. Boston, which had won five straight, still holds the second wild card in the Eastern Conference with 95 points. Both the Bruins and the Senators (95 points) have two games remaining. ■ (At) Blue Jackets 5, Maple Leafs 0: Sergei Bobrovsky stopped all 35 shots for his second shutout of the season, and Scott Hartnell had a goal and an assist. Artem Anisimov, Boone Jenner, Ryan Murray and Jeremy Morin also scored for the Blue Jackets, who won their fifth in a row at home. ■ Stars at Ducks: late
Today’s Games
Friday’s Games