UNDATED (AP) — Nelson Cruz is a big-name DH headed to the Washington Nationals at age 41. He is expected to protect NL MVP runner-up Juan Soto in the lineup. Cruz is hardly the only experienced player Washington general manager Mike Rizzo has worked to bring aboard as the team’s spring training camp gets under way in West Palm Beach, Florida. The list includes some familiar faces who were part of the team’s 2019 World Series championship: left-handed reliever Sean Doolittle, right-handed starter Aníbal Sánchez and outfielder Gerardo Parra of “Baby Shark” fame.
Elsewhere in the majors:
— Clayton Kershaw can earn $5 million in performance bonuses for starts as part of his new contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, which would raise his earnings to $22 million. Kershaw’s deal calls for a $2.5 million signing bonus, payable within 15 days of the deal’s approval by the commissioner’s office. He gets a $14.5 million salary and would earn $1 million apiece for 16, 20, 22, 24 and 26 starts. The 33-year-old left-hander was coming off a $93 million, three-year deal.
— Freddie Freeman’s tenure with the Atlanta Braves appears to be over after the World Series champions acquired All-Star first baseman Matt Olson from the Oakland Athletics. The A’s are getting a prize package of four players from Atlanta, including young outfielder Cristian Pache, in the deal.
— The San Diego Padres say All-Star shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. likely will need surgery for a broken left wrist and could miss up to three months for an injury suffered the injury in the offseason.
— St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina will be a late arrival for what could be his final spring training due to personal issues. Molina is heading into his 19th and likely final season with St. Louis. The 10-time All-Star and nine-time Gold Glove winner agreed to a $10 million, one-year deal in August.
— New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso said he wasn’t hurt when his car flipped over in an accident in Tampa, Florida, on Sunday. The All-Star slugger said his wife, Haley, was in the car behind his and notified authorities.
— Mets ace Jacob deGrom said he intends to exercise his right to opt out of his contract to become a free agent after the season. He would give up a $30.5 million salary for 2023, including $12 million deferred, part of a deal that carries a $32.5 million club option for 2024, of which $15 million would be deferred.
— The Chicago White Sox have added pitching depth, signing reliever Joe Kelly to a $17 million, two-year contract and Vince Velasquez to a $3 million, one-year deal.
— The busy New York Mets have added an experienced arm to their bullpen, signing Adam Ottavino to a $4 million, one-year contract. The veteran right-hander can earn another $1 million in performance bonuses.
— The Seattle Mariners have acquired All-Star outfielder Jesse Winker and third baseman Eugenio Suárez from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for a package of players. Seattle is sending the Reds pitcher Justin Dunn, outfielder Jake Fraley and top pitching prospect Brandon Williamson and a player to be named.
— The Texas Rangers have signed free agent outfielder Jake Marisnick, right-handed reliever Brandon Workman and lefty Matt Moore to minor league contracts that include invitations to big league spring training.
MLB tests pitch clock, anti-shift, bigger bases in minors
VENICE, Fla. (AP) — Pitchers, catchers and batters will be able to appeal calls from human umpires to “robo umps” in the Low-A Southeast League this season, while pitch clocks, anti-shift rules and larger bases will be tried in the minors ahead of possible big league use in 2023.
MLB announced a slate of rules trials, including updates to the Automated Ball-Strike System and a ban on infield shifts. Some could be introduced to the majors as soon as 2023.
