MLB News: Pro Sports Daily

Torii Hunter to have surgery to repair sports hernia

Comment

November 20

Los Angeles Times

"Torii Hunter will undergo surgery on Monday in Dallas to repair a sports hernia, an injury the Angels center fielder expects to fully recover from by the start of spring training next February. The nine-time Gold Glove Award winner originally suffered the right groin injury in late May when he crashed into the wall at Dodger Stadium. He aggravated the injury several times in June before going to the disabled list for five weeks from July 10 to Aug. 16."

Bay is ready to play the field

Comment

November 20

Boston Globe

"The talks have been going on all season. But suddenly, as of midnight, things are different. Now it's not only the Red Sox who can discuss contract numbers with free agent left fielder Jason Bay - every team can. The Sox have been conversing with Bay about a new contract for the better part of a year, with the talks twice ending abruptly - once in spring training and once after the All-Star break. There has been no agreement between the sides, and last night the deadline for the Sox' negotiating exclusivity came and went. So Bay becomes a true free agent, able to be wooed by any team out there. Several clubs have expressed interest in him in what is a down market for upper-level talent."

Cubs trade Heilman, add 2 years to Grabow's deal

Comment

November 20

Chicago Sun-Times

"The Cubs took two key steps in shaping their 2010 bullpen Thursday, even as they continue to work and wait on their bigger offseason tasks of trading Milton Bradley and acquiring another outfielder. After agreeing to a two-year contract extension worth at least $7 million with free-agent lefty reliever John Grabow, the Cubs traded arbitration-eligible right-hander Aaron Heilman to the Arizona Diamondbacks for two prospects. Heilman, who made $1.62million in 2009, was one of 10 Cubs eligible for arbitration this winter and was considered expendable given the team's relative bullpen depth. ''We obviously for years liked Aaron, in his Mets days,'' said general manager Jim Hendry, who acquired ..."

Strasburg hurts knee, out of Saturday's AFL title game

Comment

November 20

Washington Post

"Stephen Strasburg, the Nationals' prized pitching phenom, twisted his left knee while shagging flies during batting practice before the Phoenix Desert Dogs' regular season finale in the Arizona Fall League on Thursday, and has been scratched from Saturday's scheduled start in the AFL championship game, the team said in a news release Thursday night. According to the release, the injury is not considered serious, and an MRI exam taken shortly after the incident showed only "inflammation." Still, Strasburg is scheduled to fly to Los Angeles on Friday to be examined by orthopedist Lewis Yocum. Nationals General Manager Mike Rizzo did not immediately return voice and text messages seeking ..."

Marlins extend offer to Ross Gload

Comment

November 20

Miami Herald

"The Marlins have extended an offer to Ross Gload, their top left-handed hitter off the bench last season when he led the majors in pinch hits. The offer is thought to be similar to the one received last year by Wes Helms, who agreed to a two-year deal for $1.9 million. Gload said toward he end of the season that he would prefer to remain with the Marlins, especially if he could work out a deal early in the free agency process, thus relieving him of any uncertainty.The Marlins' exclusive negotiating window with Gload closes at midnight Friday, at which point any team can start discussing financial terms with the free agent. The Marlins, as expected, declined to pick up a $2.6 million club ..."

For Angels, Bay, Lackey and Figgins are all in play

Comment

November 20

Los Angeles Times

"Matt Holliday is not coming. Jason Bay might be coming. John Lackey and Chone Figgins are not coming back -- not together, anyway. Those were the highlights of the state of the Angels address delivered by owner Arte Moreno on Thursday, after baseball's owners concluded their meetings here. The free-agent shopping season opens today, with owners citing an uncertain economic forecast in suggesting players might linger on the market well into the winter. Yet Moreno left one thing absolutely certain: The Angels have no interest in outfielder Matt Holliday, perhaps the best position player available in free agency. "He is not going to be an Angel," Moreno said. "We are not looking at Holliday ..."

Yanks: Swisher staying put

Comment

November 20

New York Post

"The Yankees denied a published report they have let teams know right fielder Nick Swisher is available. According to a club official, the switch-hitting Swisher, who played a big part in the Yankees winning the AL East and struggled in the postseason, isn't being shopped. With Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui, who combined for 52 homers this past season, free agents and their Yankee futures uncertain, it would seem unlikely the Yankees would entertain offers for Swisher before the team works through the free-agent process. If Damon doesn't return, the Yankees will need a left-fielder. If Matsui comes back, he won't be considered an outfielder. And Swisher's money isn't offensive. Twenty-nine ..."

Atkins future uncertain, Rox want to keep Barmes

Comment

November 20

Denver Post

"Clint Barmes represents the future, the Rockies initiating discussions on a multiyear contract this week. Garrett Atkins represents the past, though the Rockies will not release him today when 40-man rosters are set, providing additional time to work out a trade. "I know that I will be on another team next year," Atkins said Thursday. "And I am just getting ready to have a good season." Atkins, who drove in 48 runs in 354 at-bats this year, lost his starting job at third base to Ian Stewart."

Sabean: Bay and Holliday unlikely

Comment

November 20

San Francisco Chronicle

"Tim Lincecum's live press conference just ended. Afterward, we talked to GM Brian Sabean, who said he has not contacted agents for the two big hitters on the free-agent market, Matt Holliday or Jason Bay, and does not expect to either. I'll have the direct quotes later, but Sabean essentially said he refuses to be a "stalking horse" for any player who is just using the Giants to get more money elsewhere, and that the Giants will talk only to free agents who have a genuine interest in coming to San Francisco."

Pettitte hits free-agent market

Comment

November 20

New York Post

"Andy Pettitte was among the last two of the 171 eligible players to declare for free agency yesterday. It was a foregone conclusion the veteran lefty would file and a strong indication the 37-year-old hurler isn't ready to retire. The belief in the Yankees organization is that Pettitte wants to continue pitching for the world champions, and the club would like him back. Now, the almighty question: For how much? Last winter, it took Mariano Rivera knocking on Hal Steinbrenner's door to get Steinbrenner to give GM Brian Cashman the $5.5 million for Pettitte. That was after Pettitte ended the 2008 season with a barking left shoulder, a 14-14 ledger and a 4.54 ERA. It was a career-high in ..."

Mets hire Manuel pal

Comment

November 20

New York Post

"The Mets gave Jerry Manuel a minor vote of confidence on the eve of free agency yesterday by hiring his longtime friend Dave Jauss as bench coach. Jauss, whose relationship with Manuel dates to their time in the Expos' system in the early 1990s, was tabbed over Bob Melvin and Eric Wedge. Jauss replaces the fired Sandy Alomar Sr. The selection of Jauss, 52, is significant because Melvin and Wedge are recent major-league managers and could have stepped in should Manuel -- who is in the final year of his contract -- get off to a slow start. Jauss, a former bench coach of the Dodgers and Orioles, has never been a big-league manager."