Rays unveil plans for new stadium
The Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday unveiled an elaborate plan for a new domed stadium that would take them across Tampa Bay, Florida to the Ybor City section of Tampa at a cost of nearly $900 million.
The 30,842-seat stadium would be the smallest in Major League Baseball and would be covered by a fully enclosed and translucent roof, not a retractable dome.
Stuart Sternberg, principal owner of the Rays since 2005, called the plan "a dramatic break from the past" and explained the blueprint as the franchise's latest attempt to make a long-term commitment to the region.
The Rays have consistently ranked near the bottom in attendance at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, about 20 miles away from the proposed new site.
No plans were revealed about stadium financing.
Melanie Lenz, the Rays' chief development officer, calculated the "total project cost" as $892,429,823, 30 percent of which applies to the roof.
Sternberg has said he expects to play at Tropicana Field for at least four or five more years, and a best-case scenario for the opening of the new ballpark would be 2023.
Retired Houston coach on AL staff after surviving blood clot
Retired Houston Astros first-base coach Rich Dauer will be among the coaches for the American League at next week's All-Star game.
Dauer was a part of Houston's World Series championship last season, but was rushed to a hospital immediately after the team's victory parade — surviving a difficult surgery on a blood clot in his brain.
The 65-year-old Dauer will join Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash on AL and Astros manager AJ Hinch's staff, MLB announced on Tuesday.
Hinch, a Midwest City High School alum, said last month that he would add Dauer, calling the reunion "just like old times."
Also, first-year Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez will be among the coaches for the National League in the game at Nationals Park. He was invited to join this year's All-Star staff by NL and Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who also selected Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black.
Posey to miss All-Star Game with hip injury
San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey will miss the All-Star Game because of a lingering right hip issue that needs an injection to calm the inflammation.
The hip has bothered him both hitting and catching off and on all season.
Manager Bruce Bochy made the announcement before the start of the Giants' 2-1, 11-inning victory over the Cubs on Monday night. The Giants had been discussing the possibility for about a month, Bochy said, and Posey is scheduled to have the injection after Sunday's Bay Bridge Series game against Oakland.
Nationals closer Doolittle placed on DL
The Washington Nationals placed All-Star closer Sean Doolittle on the 10-day disabled list with left toe inflammation on Tuesday.
Doolittle, 31, hasn't pitched since July 6. The following day, he tripped over a pitching mound and first experienced discomfort in his left toe.
The left-hander has a 1.45 ERA and has converted 22 of 23 save opportunities this season.
He will not pitch in the All-Star Game.
Kelvin Herrera will close games while Doolittle is out. He had 14 saves with the Kansas City Royals before he was traded to Washington on June 19.