- White Sox reliever calls out ‘cheater’ Carlos Correa after striking out Twins star to close out win CBS Sports
- White Sox’s Middleton loved whiffing ‘cheater’ Correa to earn rare save – ESPN ESPN
- White Sox reliever Keynan Middleton on striking out Carlos Correa: ‘I enjoyed that a lot. I mean, he’s a cheater’ New York Daily News
- White Sox’s Keynan Middleton enjoyed striking out ‘cheater’ Carlos Correa for save: ‘I don’t like him’ Fox News
- White Sox Keynan Middleton calls Carlos Correa cheater after strikeout Houston Chronicle
- View Full Coverage on Google News
Tag Archives: reliever
Phillies acquire Gregory Soto from Tigers: What All-Star reliever brings to Philadelphia
The Philadelphia Phillies have acquired All-Star left-handed reliever Gregory Soto in a trade with the Detroit Tigers, the teams announced Saturday. Here’s what you need to know:
- Soto earned his second consecutive All-Star nod last season, recording 30 saves with a 3.28 ERA across 60 1/3 innings pitched.
- The Tigers will receive Nick Maton, Matt Vierling and Donny Sands from Philadelphia in return.
- Detroit infielder Kody Clemens — the son of Roger Clemens — will also be sent to the Phillies as part of the five-player deal.
The Athletic’s instant analysis:
Why the Phillies went after Soto
In Soto, the Phillies acquire their platonic ideal of a reliever. He has big-time stuff and questionable command. The Phillies had success harnessing a similar left-handed reliever — José Alvarado — and there are some lessons they could apply to Soto.
With Soto and Alvarado in the bullpen, the Phillies will feature the two hardest-throwing lefty relievers in the sport, according to Statcast measurements. Alvarado’s fastball averaged 99.6 mph in 2022 and Soto’s average was 98.4 mph. Dave Dombrowski has prioritized velocity when building his bullpens since joining the Phillies. This trade reflects that. Now, Phillies manager Rob Thomson has as many as six interchangeable relievers for the end of games in Alvarado, Soto, Seranthony Domínguez, Craig Kimbrel, Matt Strahm and Connor Brogdon. It’s an interesting mix. — Gelb
What Phillies can expect from Soto, Clemens
Soto could profile well as a seventh- or eight-inning reliever on a contending team. His stuff can be nasty, but his whiff rates declined to a concerning level for a closer last season, ranking in MLB’s 53rd percentile. The disappearance of Soto’s slider hampered him last season, and he used the pitch only 21.6 percent of the time compared to 37.6 percent in 2021. Inconsistency is a given with Soto, but when he’s commanding the ball he can be dominant.
Clemens is a 26-year-old utility player who has spent the most time at second base. The Tigers placed him on the 40-man roster last season largely for his bat. Clemens hit only .145 with five home runs in 117 MLB at-bats last season. — Stavenhagen
What the Tigers are getting in return
Vierling and Maton were two role players on last season’s National League championship team, and while both have intriguing skillsets, the Phillies were willing to flip them for a more meaningful contributor. Vierling profiles as a fourth outfielder who is best deployed against lefties. He’s always hit the ball hard, but often into the ground. Maton can play all over the field and showed flashes of some upside, but the Phillies were always reluctant to overexpose him with regular playing time.
The two young players were energetic sources during the unexpected run, even when not playing, and the Phillies sacrificed some real depth here to improve their bullpen. Sands, who spent the entire season on the 40-man roster and only a brief September stint in the majors, is regarded as a bat-first catcher with concerns about his defensive game. — Gelb
The Tigers fill a plethora of their needs — a right-handed outfielder, a left-handed infield bat, and a catcher — with this trade, but it’s unclear if the players they received in return will become true MLB regulars. — Stavenhagen
Required reading
(Photo: Kirby Lee / USA Today)
Gregory Soto trade: Phillies acquire lefty reliever from Tigers in five-player swap
The Philadelphia Phillies obtained lefty reliever Gregory Soto from the Detroit Tigers on Saturday as part of a five-player swap. The teams announced the deal on Saturday afternoon, with the Phillies netting Soto and infielder Kody Clemens in exchange for outfielder Matt Vierling, utility player Nick Maton, and catcher Donny Sands.
Soto, 28 years old next month, spent most of the last two seasons serving as Detroit’s closer. Overall, he amassed a 3.34 ERA (121 ERA+) and a 1.84 strikeout-to-walk ratio, with that figure weighed down by his wildness. Indeed, Soto’s walk rate during the 2021-22 seasons (13.7 percent) ranks as the second highest among the 22 pitchers with at least 30 saves in that span; only Aroldis Chapman, currently a free agent, walked a higher share of batters.
Nevertheless, the Phillies likely found Soto intriguing in part because of his combination of stuff and deception. He averaged over 98 mph on his fastball last season. He throws from an unusual release point, too, one that sees him get deep extension from a lower arm slot. That combination no doubt helps to explain why he’s punched out more than a batter per inning for his career.
Soto is under team control through the 2025 season, making him a potential long-term fit, so far as relief options go.
Soto is the third notable addition the Phillies have made to their bullpen this winter. Dave Dombrowski and Sam Fuld had previously signed Matt Strahm and Craig Kimbrel. The latter’s arrival led Dombrowski to suggest the Phillies would likely enter the season with a closer-by-committee approach.
“Not to say [Kimbrel] won’t close games or saying that can’t happen, but it was important to discuss beforehand,” Dombrowski told MLB.com. “We feel like we have the makings of a real good bullpen. We have quite a few guys who can pitch with a one-run lead late in the game, which we think is extremely important.”
It’s unclear if the Phillies will change their philosophy with Soto in tow. It seems more likely that manager Rob Thomson enters the season with an intend to mix and match based on matchup and availability.
Clemens, 26, is best known for being one of Roger’s sons. He made his big-league debut last season, hitting .145/.197/.308 (45 OPS+) during a 56-game sample that saw him strike out 25 more times than he walked. Clemens has shown good raw power from the left side in the minors, but his propensity for whiffing limits his offensive ceiling. He figures to see action as a reserve bat.
The Tigers, for their part, received in return three hitters who should see big-league action during the 2023 season.
Vierling, 26, is the most accomplished of the trio. He’s batted .260/.309/.374 (91 OPS+) in 151 big-league games over the last two seasons while seeing most of his action in center field. The Tigers ostensibly view Vierling as an upside play based on how hard he strikes the ball. Last season, his exit velocity ranked in the 86th percentile in average and in the 82nd percentile in maximum, suggesting there’s more juice in his bat than his slash line indicates.
Maton, 25, had an impressive 34-game run with the Phillies last season, boosting his career slash line to .254/.330/.434 (109 OPS+) in 216 trips to the plate. Beware that Maton does swing and miss a lot for a player without big-time power production. To wit, his whiff rate in 2022 was 35.4 percent, or well above the league-average mark of 24.7 percent.
Sands, 26, appeared in three games last season with the big-league club. In 57 Triple-A games, he hit .309/.413/.428 with nearly as many walks as strikeouts. The Tigers do have two other catchers, Eric Haase and Jake Rogers, on their 40-player roster, suggesting Sands might open the year in the minors if the Tigers don’t make another trade or suffer an injury before the season begins.
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MLB rumors: Aaron Judge meets with Giants, could get offer soon; Red Sox sign lefty reliever
The Thanksgiving holiday is upon us but that doesn’t mean hot stove activity will slow to a crawl. Plenty of signings and trades have been finalized during the long holiday weekend over the years and this offseason figures to be no different. Here are Wednesday’s hot stove rumors as you await Turkey Day.
Judge meets with Giants
Aaron Judge, the No. 1 available free agent, met with Giants representatives in San Francisco on Tuesday, including members of ownership, reports MLB Network’s Jon Morosi. Morosi anticipates a formal offer could come later this week and that Judge could sign by the end of the Winter Meetings in two weeks. To date Judge has only met with the Giants and, of course, the Yankees.
For what it’s worth, Giants outfielder Joc Pederson is doing his part to recruit the reigning AL MVP:
Let it be known the Giants will open the 2023 regular season in New York against the Yankees. Pretty good chance Judge will be at Yankee Stadium on Opening Day next season. Which uniform will he be wearing? We’ll find out soon enough.
Yankees looking for bullpen help
In addition to trying to retain Judge, the Yankees are also seeking bullpen help, GM Brian Cashman told NJ.com. “I’m looking to improve our bullpen, but yeah, I believe we have a closer. That doesn’t mean we can’t play on someone who is a quote-unquote closer because ultimately the more the merrier. You want as many high-leverage guys that you can collect as you possibly can,” Cashman said.
The closer Cashman is referring to is All-Star Clay Holmes, who struggled in August and September and missed the end of the regular season with a shoulder injury. He returned in October and was lights out, though he was used carefully. This is New York’s bullpen at the moment:
King could be ready in time for spring training and, if he is, it likely pushes Abreu off the roster or Schmidt to Triple-A. The Yankees have a steady high-leverage group — Holmes, Loáisiga, and Peralta were all great in October — but there’s no such thing as too many quality relievers. With King’s status uncertain and Effross set to miss 2023, looking for more bullpen help is sensible.
Rangers a serious suitor for Rodón
The Rangers are a major player for free agent lefty Carlos Rodón, reports MLB.com. Texas has already added Jake Odorizzi and retained Martín Pérez this offseason, though they’re expected to pursue a top of the rotation starter as well, and Rodón is one of the best available. Our R.J. Anderson ranked the southpaw the No. 8 available free agent this offseason.
At the moment, Odorizzi and Pérez are penciled into the rotation alongside Jon Gray and likely Dane Dunning. Internal candidates for the No. 5 spot include Glenn Otto, Cole Ragans, and maybe Spencer Howard. Clearly, there is room for improvement there. The Rangers want to sign a frontline starter to help them contend and also push the kids down a peg on the depth chart.
Red Sox sign Rodríguez
The Red Sox have signed lefty reliever Joely Rodríguez to a one-year contract with a club option, the team announced Wednesday. He will earn $1.5 million in 2023 with a $500,000 buyout of a $4.25 million option, according to The Athletic. The 31-year-old southpaw was slightly more effective against righties (.625 OPS) than lefties (.645 OPS) this season. Rodríguez and Josh Taylor, who did not pitch in the big leagues due to injury in 2022, figure to be manager Alex Cora’s two lefty relievers next season.
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Tylenol Or Advil? Health Digest Survey Reveals The Preferred Over-The-Counter Pain Reliever
The Health Digest poll results include responses from 583 participants. Of those, 36.19% said their preferred choice of pain medication was Tylenol, while 29.33% choose Advil. Around an eighth of those polled (19.21%) said Aleve is their go-to for pain, followed by 12.35% who choose Motrin. The remainder of those polled, accounting for 2.92%, reach for Alka-Seltzer to relieve pain.
While over-the-counter pain relievers are relatively safe to use when you follow the manufacturer’s directions, the Cleveland Clinic reports that some can have negative side effects, including peptic ulcers and problems with your kidneys and liver. Because many types of medications — including those that treat allergies and colds — can contain pain relievers, it’s important to read labels to avoid taking too much. You should visit your healthcare provider if you experience vision problems, shortness of breath, slurred speech, blood in your urine, or a severe stomach ache while taking pain medication.
Deadline trade binge brings All-Star closer, starting pitcher, another reliever to Twins
Almost exactly a year ago, the Twins emerged from the trade deadline with a sense of somber resignation.
It was clear — for months before that point, honestly — that the squad wouldn’t be a playoff team in 2021 and probably not in 2022 without a dramatic overhaul of the pitching staff. So the team dealt away beloved players, including starter Jose Berrios and designated hitter Nelson Cruz and refocused on the future.
The atmosphere was markedly more optimistic Tuesday, as the AL Central-leading Twins brought in three pitchers — starter Tyler Mahle, reliever Michael Fulmer from the Tigers and closer Jorge Lopez from the Orioles — that can immediately contribute on the field without giving up anyone on the active roster.
“It feels a lot better, no other way to put it than that,” said Derek Falvey, president of baseball operations. “… We felt like with the group that we have in that room, the culture we have, we wanted to try and add to it and not to take it apart.”
The Twins resistance to parting with any of their active players was part of the reason why all of the club’s deals happened hours before the 5 p.m. deadline on Tuesday. Falvey said the team was working on the Lopez deal late Monday night but made it official the next morning.
Mahle followed in the afternoon before Fulmer had the unique experience of walking from Target Field’s visiting clubhouse to the home one — with gathered media filming his every step — fewer than two hours before his former team faced his new team.
“It seems like we’re making the right moves to bulk up, and that’s always great. As a player, you want to feel like the front office is putting the best product on the field to help you win a championship.”
For Lopez, the Twins parted with four minor league pitchers, three of whom were international free agent signings: Yennier Cano, who pitched in 10 Twins games this season; 2021 third-round draft pick Cade Povich; and rookie league arms Juan Nuñez and Juan Rojas.
Lopez warmed up in the eighth inning of the Twins’ 5-3 loss to Detroit on Tuesday night.
For Mahle, minor league infielders Christian Encarnacion-Strand (a fifth-round 2021 draft pick) and Spencer Steer (a third-round 2019 selection) as well as minor league pitcher Steve Hajjar (a second-round 2021 choice). For Fulmer, minor league pitcher Sawyer Gipson-Long, who was a sixth-round pick in the 2019 draft.
The Twins also made a Class AAA swap. Catcher Sandy Leon will report to the Saints while pitcher Ian Hamilton will now be part of the Guardians’ system.
In 29-year-old Lopez, the Twins gain a 2022 AL All-Star with a 1.68 ERA and 19 saves in the midst of his first full-time closer role of his seven-year career. In 27-year-old Mahle, a 19-game starter this season with a 5-7 record and 4.40 ERA. In 29-year-old Fulmer, a bullpen arm with a 3.20 ERA who holds opponents to a .203 batting average.
And all are coming in with some sense of familiarity. Fulmer is an Oklahoman and was a first-round pick in 2011, just like Twins starter Dylan Bundy. Mahle and Sonny Gray were in the Reds’ rotation together from 2019-21. Lopez will join fellow Puerto Rico natives Carlos Correa, Jose Miranda and Jovani Moran.
“It seems like we’re making the right moves to bulk up, and that’s always great. As a player, you want to feel like the front office is putting the best product on the field to help you win a championship,” Correa said. “And so far during this deadline, we feel like they’re doing that. They’re giving us a chance, a better chance, to go out there and compete with the best of them.”
Correa said he had many discussions with Twins manager Rocco Baldelli in the past week or so with his ideas on what the front office should do at the deadline. Correa’s priority was protecting “untouchable” Miranda, who just won the AL Rookie of the Month award after hitting .353 in July.
One topic Correa hasn’t yet discussed with the Twins, though, is his long-term future in Minnesota. Correa has options for the next two seasons, and there was some speculation the Twins might want to trade him at the deadline and not risk losing him for free in the offseason. Falvey said that was never a consideration. Correa just conveyed how his wife and young son are both happy here, which is a big factor in his ultimate decision.
But that’s a decision both parties will table for now and return to once the Twins have hopefully won the World Series.
A goal that doesn’t seem so far off after Tuesday’s fortifications.
“It gives you energy. Like, you show up, and you feel like we have a few more weapons in here than we did the day before,” Baldelli said. “… It should be a fun next couple months. I know we’re looking forward to it, and [Tuesday did] wonders.”
Atlanta Braves to place reliever Tyler Matzek on IL with shoulder discomfort
Braves left-handed reliever Tyler Matzek, one of the bullpen stalwarts during Atlanta’s World Series run last year, will be placed on the 10-day injured list because of discomfort in his pitching shoulder.
The Braves announced the injury to Matzek after Monday’s loss to the Brewers and will make the roster move before Tuesday’s game in Milwaukee.
Matzek, who will undergo an examination Wednesday in Atlanta, told reporters that he began experiencing the shoulder discomfort two or three weeks ago. He cited back soreness during spring training as a possible reason for the latest injury.
“It was probably two weeks or three weeks [ago] that my shoulder started feeling uncomfortable,” Matzek said Monday, according to MLB.com. “I think I was just compensating for the lack of mobility in my back. I felt good trying to get through the back [injury]. I think it just spiraled into another thing.”
The hard-throwing Matzek has a 5.06 ERA in 13 appearances this season and has struggled with his control, allowing nine walks in 10⅔ innings. He was one of Atlanta’s top relievers last season, when he posted a 2.57 ERA in 69 outings, and was dominant during the postseason, going 3-0 with a 1.67 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 15⅔ innings.
Braves manager Brian Snitker said rookie Spencer Strider will assume a more prominent role in Atlanta’s bullpen during Matzek’s absence. Strider tossed two scoreless innings Monday, lowering his ERA to 2.75.
Struggling reliever Greg Holland, a three-time All-Star, designated for assignment by Texas Rangers
SEATTLE — Three-time All-Star reliever Greg Holland was designated for assignment Tuesday by the Texas Rangers after allowing three home runs in his five appearances this season.
The 36-year-old Holland, who made the opening day roster after going to spring training on a minor league contract, had a 7.71 ERA in his 4 2/3 innings pitched. The right-hander struck out five and walked one.
Texas made the move before its game in Seattle, clearing a roster spot for No. 1 starter Jon Gray to be activated from the injured list and start the series opener against the Mariners. Gray signed a $56 million, four-year deal with Texas last December after his first seven big league seasons with Colorado.
Gray started the season opener for the Rangers, facing the minimum nine batters through three innings at Toronto on April 8, then allowed three runs in his fourth and final inning before departing with a blister on his right middle finger. The right-hander got a no-decision and went on the 10-day injured list the following day. Tuesday was the first day he could be activated.
Holland had eight saves and a 4.85 ERA in 57 appearances last season for Kansas City, with 8.57 strikeouts per nine innings and a .229 opponent batting average. He spent the past two seasons with the Royals, his second stint with the organization.
His contract with the Rangers had a $2.1 million base salary while in the majors. He was an AL All-Star with the Royals in 2013 and 2014, and an NL All-Star in 2017 when pitching for Colorado.
Doug Jones, longtime MLB reliever, dead at 64
CLEVELAND — Doug Jones, a five-time All-Star reliever who had his best success closing for the Cleveland Indians, has died. He was 64.
Jones spent seven seasons with the Indians and ranks third on the club’s career saves list with 129. The club, which officially transitioned to Cleveland Guardians last week, said Monday it was “saddened by the loss of one of our organization’s all-time greats.”
The team said Jones died in Arizona. A cause was not immediately known.
One of Jones’ former Indians teammates, pitcher Greg Swindell, posted on Twitter that his friend had died. Swindell called Jones “one hell of a pitcher.”
Known as “Jonesy,” Jones pitched in the majors for 16 seasons with Cleveland, Houston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, the Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee and Oakland. He had two stints with the Indians, first from 1986-91 and again in 1998.
The right-hander had a career-high 43 saves in 1990 for Cleveland, where he made the All-Star team three times. In 2001, he was selected as one of the team’s top 100 players.
Jones went 69-79 with a 3.30 ERA in 846 big league games. He retired following the 2000 season with the Athletics.
Born in Covina, California, Jones was drafted by the Brewers in 1978.
New York Yankees reliever Brooks Kriske throws 4 wild pitches in 10th; Boston Red Sox rally to win
BOSTON — It took most of a rainy night at Fenway Park for the Red Sox to find their offense. It took one wild inning by reliever Brooks Kriske for the Yankees to squander an opportunity to gain valuable ground on their longtime rivals.
Enrique Hernandez hit a two-run double that tied the game with two outs in the ninth inning, and Boston took advantage of a record four wild pitches by Kriske in the 10th to rally past New York 5-4 on Thursday.
Kriske (1-1) allowed Boston’s final two runs for a blown save, becoming the first major leaguer to throw four wild pitches in a single extra inning, according to STATS. His four wild pitches are tied for the most in any inning and for the most in a game by any pitcher this season.
All of them came on splitters that bounced.
“It was just pure execution,” said Kriske, optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after the loss. “It’s part of the game. I’ve got to do a better job.”
New York took a 4-3 lead in the 10th on a sacrifice fly by Brett Gardner that scored Tyler Wade. But Boston quickly tied it in the bottom half thanks in large part to Kriske’s quartet of wild pitches. His first one moved automatic runner Rafael Devers to third base, and a second pitch in the dirt allowed him to score.
After Xander Bogaerts walked, Kriske’s control issues continued. Two more wild pitches got Bogaerts to third, setting up Hunter Renfroe’s game-ending sacrifice fly to right.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.