UNDATED (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels have fired manager Joe Maddon with the team mired in a 12-game losing streak.
Third base coach Phil Nevin will be the Angels’ interim manager when they host Boston on Tuesday night. Maddon went 130-148 with the Angels, who hired him before the coronavirus-shortened 2020 season. After finishing with losing records in Maddon’s first two seasons, the Angels were off to a strong 27-17 start to this season before their current losing streak began. They are one loss shy of tying the longest skid in franchise history.
Elsewhere in the MLB:
—Astros pitcher Héctor Neris was suspended four games and Houston manager Dusty Baker was banned one game by Major League Baseball after both were ejected from a game against Seattle in which Neris plunked one hitter and nearly hit another in the head. Neris and Baker were also fined undisclosed amounts, MLB Senior Vice President for On-field Operations Michael Hill announced Tuesday. Astros coaches Joe Espada, Omar López and Troy Snitker were also fined, as was Mariners manager Scott Servais. Neris is appealing his suspension and remained active for Houston’s game against Seattle on Tuesday night. Baker planned to serve his suspension, with Espada managing Tuesday’s game.
—Washington Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg is scheduled to make his season debut against the Miami Marlins on Thursday. The 33-year-old Strasburg has been sidelined for most of the past two seasons. He underwent surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome last summer and has not pitched since June 1, 2021. Nationals manager Dave Martinez says there will be “no limitations” on Strasburg. The 2019 World Series MVP, Strasburg signed a seven-year, $245 million contract to remain with the Nationals after their championship season. He has made seven starts since, going 1-3 with a 5.74 ERA in those games.
— The Atlanta Braves have acquired right-hander Jacob Webb from the Arizona Diamondbacks for cash considerations. The 28-year-old Webb is returning to the Braves, where he pitched from 2019-21. Webb is expected to be available in the bullpen for Tuesday night’s game against the Oakland Athletics.
—The Texas Rangers placed reliever Brett Martin on the COVID-19 list before the first game of a doubleheader against the Guardians. Bench coach Donnie Ecker was also placed in health and safety protocols by the team. Rangers manager Chris Woodward would not say if either Martin or Ecker tested positive or were experiencing any symptoms. Woodward said the team is taking the necessary steps to avoid an outbreak of the virus.
—Atlanta shortstop Dansby Swanson has become the fourth member of the World Series champion Braves to go to salary arbitration. He is asking a three-person panel for $10 million while the Braves argued for $9.2 million. The 28-year-old Swanson hit .248 last year, when he set career highs with 27 homers and 88 RBIs.
