Reddick says he, teammates have had death threats

On the day Houston outfielder Josh Reddick said he and other players have received death threats in the wake of the team’s signstealing scandal, union head Tony Clark said safety had become an issue for some of his members.

“There are undoubtedly concerns out there based on some of the commentary that ... there’s a heightened sense of concern to make sure that themselves and their families are protected,” Clark said Friday after speaking with the Astros in West Palm Beach, Florida. “There’s no doubt making sure that our players and their families are able to go to and from the ballpark and perform safely ... is a huge piece of the puzzle.”

Clark spoke before Reddick told reporters that he received death threats on social media and that people have commented on pictures of his infant twins, saying they hope they get cancer. He said teammates have also received threatening messages and he thinks it will be “pretty scary” for his wife and children to join him on the road this season since club hotels become known.

“You just see the first things in your suggested box and it just says, ‘I will kill your family. I will kill your kids,’ ” Reddick said.

Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred concluded last month that the Astros violated rules by using a television camera to steal catchers’ signs during their run to the 2017 World Series title and again in the 2018 season. While manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow were suspended for one season and then fired by the team, players were not disciplined.

Some players on other teams have said and implied that they would intentionally throw at the Astros this season. Atlanta’s Nick Markakis said Tuesday

that “every single guy over there needs a beating.”

Clark said the union has had conversations with MLB about ensuring the safety of the players and their families and that comments are “hard to ignore.” Still, he said the union’s job was to defend its members.

CHAMPS VS. CHEATERS >> It will be champs vs. cheaters in a World Series rematch when the Washington Nationals and Houston Astros play their exhibition opener tonight.

The last time these teams met, the Nationals were celebrating their first World Series title in Houston after winning Game 7 at Minute Maid Park. Since then, the Astros have become the league’s villains, with a sign-stealing scandal sullying their reputation and casting a shadow on their 2017 title.

As the Astros prepare to take the field for the first time since their cheating scam was uncovered there’s much speculation about what kind of reception they’ll receive, though the players say they’re focused on baseball.

“Honestly, I haven’t thought about it,” shortstop Carlos Correa said. “But whatever it is, our job is to go there and play baseball. So, I’m not too concerned about that.”

ARBITRATION ADVANTAGE GOES TO THE TEAMS >> Arizona reliever Archie Bradley won the final salary arbitration case of the year, leaving teams with a 7-5 advantage over players.

Bradley, a 27-year righthander, was given a raise from $1.83 million to $4.1 million by arbitrators. The Diamondbacks had argued for $3,625,000.

ALCÁNTARA BANNED >> Free agent pitcher Victor Alcántara was suspended for 80 games under the major league drug program following a positive test for the performance-enhancing substance Stanozolol. He was 3-2 with a 4.85 ERA last season in 46 relief appearances for Detroit.