April 2018 - Baseball Wiretap

Two NL Tiebreaker Games Needed

Sep 30, 2018 11:20 PM

Two divisional tiebreaker games will be played Monday after the Cubs, Brewers, Dodgers and CRockies all won Sunday, leaving the National League Central and West both deadlocked after 162 games.

The Cubs will host the Brewers at 1:05 p.m. ET to decide the Central division champion, while the Rockies will travel to L.A. with the West title on the line starting at 4:09 p.m. ET. Both games will be broadcast on ESPN.

ESPN.com

Tags: Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Dodgers, Colorado Rockies, Misc Rumor

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Mike Scioscia Steps Down As Angels' Manager

Oct 2, 2018 8:21 AM

Mike Scioscia stepped down as manager of the Los Angeles Angels after 19 seasons Sunday, ending the longest current tenure in the majors with a come-from-behind victory.

He guided the Angels to the franchise's only World Series title in 2002.

ESPN.com

Tags: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Misc Rumor

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David Wright Starts In Final Career Game

Sep 29, 2018 10:22 PM

Mets third baseman David Wright returned to the starting lineup for the first time since 2016 on Saturday, playing four innings against the Marlins and leaving to a standing ovation from the sold-out crowd at Citi Field.

The team captain went 0-for-1 with a walk against the Marlins and was removed after two plate appearances as planned. On defense, he handled a one-hopper to third base with no problem.

ESPN.com

Tags: New York Mets, Game Recap, Misc Rumor, Personal Award

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Yankees Set Single-Season HR Record

Sep 30, 2018 11:15 PM

With a two-run shot from Gleyber Torres in the fourth inning at Fenway Park on Saturday, the Yankees set a record for home runs hit in a single season by a team. The blast, off Red Sox lefty Eduardo Rodriguez, was their 265th, surpassing the previous record of 264 hit by the 1997 Mariners.

"Everybody knew that was the number," said Torres, who kept pumping his fist as he rounded first during his home run trot.

ESPN.com

Tags: New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, Game Recap, Misc Rumor, Team Achievement

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CC Sabathia Suspended Five Games For Actions

Sep 29, 2018 10:18 PM

Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia has been suspended five games and fined an undisclosed amount for his actions in Thursday's contest against the Rays.

Major League Baseball announced the penalties Saturday, two days after Sabathia was ejected for plunking Rays catcher Jesus Sucre in apparent retaliation.

Sabathia has decided to appeal the suspension, which was scheduled to be served at the beginning of the 2019 season.

ESPN.com

Tags: New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays, Misc Rumor, Suspension

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Reds Have Increased Spending Capability This Offseason

Sep 28, 2018 7:50 AM

The Cincinnati Reds haven't been big players in free agency, but president of baseball operations Dick Williams says he expects to have "significantly" more spending capacity than he's had in previous offseasons.

"It still only goes so far, unfortunately," Williams added.

Over the past two years, the Reds have spent a total of $15 million.

The Reds have seen their attendance drop and there aren't any significant contracts coming off the books.

John Fay/Cincinnati Enquirer

Tags: Cincinnati Reds, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Addison Russell's Administrative Leave Extended

Sep 28, 2018 7:43 AM

Addison Russell's administrative leave has been extended by Major League Baseball through Sunday.

Russell, 24, was placed on paid leave last Friday after his ex-wife posted a blog detailing abuse during their short marriage. She had not been cooperating in baseball's investigation, which was opened last season, but she is now opening up.

Under the collective bargaining agreement, a player can be put on paid administrative leave for seven days, which can be extended for up to another week. In this case, the leave coincides with the end of the regular season.

Russell could then be suspended or allowed to return to the Chicago Cubs, who have clinched a playoff berth.

"Domestic violence is horrible," Joe Maddon said. "It absolutely is. By reading that, you feel her pain, absolutely. ... But I don't know enough about the other side. I'm waiting for the full report to come out then we all can draw a conclusion."

Jesse Rogers/ESPN

Tags: Chicago Cubs, Misc Rumor

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CC Sabathia Ejected Two Innings Shy Of $500K Bonus

Sep 29, 2018 6:22 PM

CC Sabathia was ejected from Thursday's game between the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays in the middle of a one-hitter.

Sabathia was also just two innings shy of reaching 155 for the season, which would have triggered a $500,000 bonus.

The left-hander needed to make it through the seventh, but was tossed by home-plate umpire Vic Carapazza in the bottom of the sixth inning after throwing a cutter into Jesus Sucre's left leg.

"I don't really make decisions based on money, I guess," Sabathia said. "Just felt like it was the right thing to do."

Carapazza had issued warnings minutes prior, following a pitch in the top of the inning from Andrew Kittredge that sailed behind Austin Romine's head. After the warnings, the next batter to be thrown at or hit would lead to ejections.

"Any time you feel like your player's safety is in jeopardy, all guys take exception to that," Sabathia said.

Coley Harvey/ESPN

Tags: New York Yankees, Misc Rumor

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Blue Jays Won't Retain John Gibbons As Manager

Sep 28, 2018 7:52 AM

The Toronto Blue Jays announced on Wednesday that John Gibbons won't return as the club's manager next season.

Gibbons, 56, has managed the Blue Jays for the last six seasons in his second stint with the team.

He signed an extension with Toronto that guaranteed his contract for 2019, so he'll be paid in full.

Shi Davidi/Sportsnet

Tags: Toronto Blue Jays, Misc Rumor

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Cubs Lock Up Playoff Berth, Eye NL Central

Sep 27, 2018 8:20 AM

The Chicago Cubs are headed to the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season for the first time in franchise history.

Chicago clinched at least a Wild Card berth with Wednesday's 7-6 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

"We're not taking this for granted," Albert Almora, Jr said. "We're super pumped we're in the playoffs, but our job's not done. We want to take this division and move forward with the best record in the NL."

The Cubs lead the Milwaukee Brewers by a half-game in the National League Central.

Jesse Rogers/ESPN

Tags: Chicago Cubs, Misc Rumor

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Brewers Clinch Playoff Berth With Win Over Cardinals
Milwaukee is assured at least a spot in the National League Wild Card game.

Associated Press

Jacob deGrom Lowers ERA To 1.70 In Final Start
Jacob deGrom struck out 10 over eight scoreless innings against the Braves on Wednesday night, lowering his ERA to 1.70 on the season.

Associated Press

Bryce Harper Says He Wants To Remain With Nationals
Bryce Harper opened up about his upcoming free agency in a lengthy interview with the Washington Post this week, challenging the assumption that he's sure to leave the Nationals.

Barry Svrluga/Washington Post

Mets Don't Want To Play David Wright In Meaningful Games
The Mets have activated David Wright from the disabled list and he's scheduled to get one more start at third base before he walks away from the game.

R.J. Anderson/CBS Sports

Max Scherzer Joins Elite Company With 300th Strikeout
Max Scherzer recorded his 300th strikeout of the season Tuesday night as the Nationals faced the Marlins.

Eddie Matz/ESPN

Shohei Ohtani Will Have Tommy John Next Week
Shohei Ohtani has decided to undergo Tommy John surgery and will have the procedure next week.

ESPN

Red Sox Set Franchise Record With 106th Victory
The Red Sox beat the Orioles on Monday night for their franchise-record 106th win of the season.

ESPN

Mike Scioscia Wants To Continue Managing
Mike Scioscia's contract expires after this season and the Angels have made the playoffs just once in the past nine years.

Associated Press

Athletics Clinch Playoff Spot
The Athletics clinched the final playoff berth in the American League with the Rays' loss on Monday night.

ESPN

Giants Fire Bobby Evans Amid Second Straight Losing Season
The Giants said Bobby Evans will be reassigned, with responsibilities to be determined.

Associated Press

Didi Gregorius Has Torn Cartilage In Wrist
The Yankees could be without Didi Gregorius for the remainder of the season because of torn cartilage in his right wrist.

Coley Harvey/ESPN

Dodgers Break Club Record With 222 Home Runs
Manny Machado hit one of three home runs for the Dodgers on Sunday to give the team a National League-leading 222 on the season and breaking the club record of 221.

Associated Press

Kris Bryant Misses Game Due To Shoulder Fatigue
Kris Bryant was on the DL from July 26 to September 1 with left shoulder inflammation.

ESPN.com

Ken 'Hawk' Harrelson Works Final Game
Longtime White Sox broadcaster Ken "Hawk" Harrelson closed out a TV career in the booth on Sunday.

ESPN.com

Didi Gregorious Injures Right Wrist
A torn right wrist cartilage could sideline shortstop Didi Gregorious for the rest of the season.

ESPN.com

Indians First To Have Four Pitchers With 200Ks
Mike Clevinger hit the 200 strikeout mark with his fourth 'K' against the Red Sox on Saturday.

ESPN.com

Braves Clinch NL East Title
The Braves are back in the playoffs after going 70-92 last season.

ESPN.com

Tigers To Start, Honor Victor Martinez
Longtime Tiger' Victor Martinez will finish his 16-year career on Saturday.

ESPN.com

MLB Places Addison Russell On Administrative Leave
Addison Russell's ex-wife opened up about abuse allegations against the shortstop this week.

ESPN.com

Rangers Fire Manager Jeff Banister
The Rangers announced Jeff Banister's firing with 10 games left in the season.

ESPN.com