Former All-Star pitcher Mike MacDougal has signed a minor-league contract with the Florida Marlins and has been invited to spring training. Florida pitchers and catchers report Friday to Jupiter, Fla. MacDougal was an All-Star for Kansas City in 2003. He had 20 saves in 21 chances for Washington last season and went 1-1 with a 3.60 ERA.
Archive for February 18th, 2010
New approaches for Lackey, Matsuzaka (AP)
After starting the previous two seasons on the disabled list, Red Sox starter John Lackey is trying a new approach to spring training in hopes of being ready from the get-go in Boston. Lackey, who signed a five-year, $82.5 million contract in the offseason as baseball’s prized pitching free agent, said he will be more conservative in his first camp with Boston.
INF Aybar, Angels avoid arbitration (AP)
Infielder Erick Aybar and the Los Angeles Angels agreed Thursday to a $2.05 million, one-year contract that avoided a salary arbitration hearing. Aybar batted .312 with five homers and 58 RBIs last season. He can earn an additional $100,000 in performance bonuses: $50,000 each for 575 and 625 plate appearances.
Phils’ Hamels seeks bounce-back season (AP)
Cole Hamels somehow went from pitching with poise and confidence to pouting when things didn’t go his way. If a close pitch wasn’t called a strike, he snatched the catcher’s throw. If the infielders didn’t complete a double play, he glared in frustration. If a broken-bat hit fell in, he threw his hands up in disgust.
La Russa accepts risk in hiring McGwire (AP)
Tony La Russa took a risk hiring Mark McGwire as the St. Louis Cardinals’ hitting coach, and not just because of steroids. The Cardinals manager expects the questions about performance-enhancing drugs to die down eventually. McGwire apologized several more times Thursday, saying “It’s the most regrettable thing I’ve ever done in my life.” McGwire’s first gig as a coach,…
Shapiro to be Indians prez, Antonetti GM (AP)
Mark Shapiro got out of his chair, turned toward his protege and hugged him. Each man was congratulating the other. Shapiro is moving up. Chris Antonetti is moving up. The Cleveland Indians’ long-term vision is in place. Shapiro will be promoted to team president after this season and be succeeded as GM by Antonetti, his assistant for the last nine years.
Astros beat LHP Rodriguez in arbitration (AP)
The Houston Astros beat Wandy Rodriguez in salary arbitration on Thursday, meaning the pitcher will be paid $5 million this year instead of the $7 million he sought. Arbitrators Richard Bloch, Elizabeth Neumeier and Fredric Horowitz made their decision a day after hearing the case. Rodriguez, a 31-year-old left-hander, was 14-12 last season with a 3.02 ERA, ninth in the NL among qualifiers.
