Baseball – Winnipeg Free Press

Outfielder Jasson Domínguez was optioned to Triple-A Scranton by New York Yankees

The Associated Press 2 minute read 5:53 PM CDT

TAMPA. Fla. (AP) — Outfielder Jasson Domínguez was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday by the New York Yankees, who don't have a spot for the prospect.

Domínguez was hitting .325 with three homers and 10 RBIs during spring training.

New York is set with Aaron Judge, Trent Grisham and Cody Bellinger as their top three outfielders, and the Yankees likely want their last bench spot for a right-handed hitter of better defensive player rather than the switch-hitting Domínguez, a 23-year-old who is a better batter from the left side.

Domínguez tore his right UCL late in the 2023 season just after his major league debut. He struggled last year, hitting .257 with 10 homers and 47 RBIs in 429 plate appearances.

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Lawsuit claims negligence in death of former Yankees baseball player’s son at Costa Rican resort

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Lawsuit claims negligence in death of former Yankees baseball player’s son at Costa Rican resort

The Associated Press 2 minute read 4:56 PM CDT

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A lawsuit filed Friday blames the owners and others associated with a resort in Costa Rica for the carbon dioxide-related death of former New York Yankees outfielder Brett M. Gardner's teenage son last year.

Gardner and other relatives filed a negligence and wrongful death claim in Philadelphia federal court over the March 2025 death of 14-year-old Miller Gardner at the Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort in Manuel Antonio beach, located in Costa Rica’s Central Pacific.

The defendants include people who own and operate the resort, including David Callan and R. Scott Williams, as well as Hawk Opportunity Fund LP, a Newtown, Pennsylvania-based venture capital firm. Messages seeking comment were left Friday at businesses linked to the fund and the two men.

The Gardners were on a family vacation when Miller Gardner died and Brett Gardner and others were sickened. Costa Rican authorities blamed carbon monoxide poisoning.

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4:56 PM CDT

FILE - A moment of silence is observed for Miller Gardner, son of former New York Yankees player Brett Gardner, before the start of an opening-day baseball game between the Yankees and the Milwaukee Brewers at Yankee Stadium, March 27, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

Nationals option outfielder Dylan Crews, the 2023 No. 2 overall draft pick, to Triple-A Rochester

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Nationals option outfielder Dylan Crews, the 2023 No. 2 overall draft pick, to Triple-A Rochester

The Associated Press 2 minute read Updated: 5:10 PM CDT

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Hitting woes have cost Dylan Crews a spot on the Washington Nationals' opening day roster.

Crews, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 amateur draft, was optioned to Triple-A Rochester on Friday. Crews hit .103 (3 for 29) in spring training after batting .208 for Washington in 2025 and .218 in 2024.

Even with Crews' combined .211 batting average through his first two seasons, the demotion to the minors was not expected.

Washington is likely to open the season with James Wood, Jacob Young, Joey Wiemer and Daylen Lile as its top four outfielders.

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Updated: 5:10 PM CDT

FILE - Washington Nationals right fielder Dylan Crews (3) catches a line drive by Atlanta Braves' Ozzie Albies for the out during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass,File)

Marlins option left-hander Garrett to Triple-A Jacksonville, leaving Junk as team’s fifth starter

The Associated Press 2 minute read 4:01 PM CDT

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — The Miami Marlins optioned left-hander Braxton Garrett to Triple-A Jacksonville on Friday, opening for right-hander Janson Junk to begin the season as the team's No. 5 starter.

Garrett missed the 2025 season following Tommy John surgery. Garrett, 28, is 16-19 with a 4.03 ERA in 65 career games, including 63 starts, for the Marlins.

Junk, 30, was 6-4 with a 4.17 ERA for Miami in 2025. He pitched in 21 games, including 16 starts.

The Marlins' rotation is expected to include Sandy Alcantara, Eury Pérez, Max Meyer, Chris Paddack and Junk.

Scherzer throws five shutout innings as Blue Jays top Twins 2-1 in pre-season play

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Scherzer throws five shutout innings as Blue Jays top Twins 2-1 in pre-season play

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Updated: 4:37 PM CDT

FORT MYERS - Max Scherzer threw five shutout innings to lead the Toronto Blue Jays to a 2-1 pre-season win over the Minnesota Twins on Friday at Lee Health Sports Complex.

The veteran right-hander gave up two hits and two walks while striking out three. He threw 53 of his 73 pitches for strikes.

Josh Kasevich had two doubles and drove in a run for the Blue Jays (11-13).

Davis Schneider and Nathan Lukes also chipped in with two hits apiece.

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Updated: 4:37 PM CDT

Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer (31) waves to the crowd as he leaves the game after being pulled during the fifth inning of Game 7 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Toronto on Nov. 1, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

MLB season preview: Robot umpires, Dodgers try for 3 in row, Rays return to Trop as lockout looms

Ronald Blum, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

MLB season preview: Robot umpires, Dodgers try for 3 in row, Rays return to Trop as lockout looms

Ronald Blum, The Associated Press 5 minute read Updated: 4:28 PM CDT

NEW YORK (AP) — Baseball is changing at a dizzying speed in 2026 with the arrival of robot umpires, the return home of the Tampa Bay Rays and an alphabet soup of networks televising games in perhaps the last season before a labor shutdown.

Much has transpired in the 4 1/2 months since the Los Angeles Dodgers rallied in World Series Game 7 to beat Toronto in 11 innings and become the first repeat champion since the 1998-2000 New York Yankees.

There was the usual free agent musical chairs that saw Kyle Tucker wind up with the Dodgers, Bo Bichette with the New York Mets, Alex Bregman with the Chicago Cubs and Pete Alonso with the Baltimore Orioles.

Venezuela became a first-time champion of a World Baseball Classic with record attendance and television viewers.

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Updated: 4:28 PM CDT

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani, of Japan, throws against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning of a spring training baseball game, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Minnesota Twins release Liam Hendriks, Andrew Chafin and Gio Urshela from minor league contracts

The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Minnesota Twins release Liam Hendriks, Andrew Chafin and Gio Urshela from minor league contracts

The Associated Press 3 minute read Updated: 4:17 PM CDT

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Right-hander Liam Hendriks, left-hander Andrew Chafin and infielder Gio Urshela were released from minor league contracts by the Minnesota Twins on Friday.

Minnesota signed the 37-year-old Hendriks to a minor league deal with an invitation to major league spring training on Feb. 12. Hendriks allowed three runs, nine hits and five walks over seven innings while appearing in seven games this spring training.

He would have earned a $2.25 million salary while in the major leagues if he had been added to the 40-man roster.

Hendriks has 116 saves in a 14-year career, of which 114 were from 2019-22 during two seasons with the Oakland Athletics and two with the Chicago White Sox. He set a career high with 38 saves for the White Sox in 2021.

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Updated: 4:17 PM CDT

FILE - This is a 2026 photo of Liam Hendriks of the Minnesota Twins baseball team. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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Rodger Brulotte, beloved voice of baseball in Quebec, dies at 79

The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Rodger Brulotte, beloved voice of baseball in Quebec, dies at 79

The Canadian Press 4 minute read 7:29 PM CDT

MONTREAL - Rodger Brulotte, a beloved voice of baseball in Quebec, has died. He was 79.

Brulotte had undergone surgery last September to remove a cancerous tumour from his back, but the disease returned in recent months.

The Montreal native was a renowned analyst and columnist who could still be heard calling MLB games last summer on TVA Sports. He was also writing columns for Le Journal de Montréal until very recently.

Known for his famous catchphrase “Bonsoir, elle est partie!” — which translates to “Good evening, it’s gone!” — Brulotte began working for the Montreal Expos organization in 1969, notably helping create the mascot “Youppi!” during his time with the team.

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7:29 PM CDT

Former Expos broadcaster Rodger Brulotte speaks to reporters after the city of Montreal changed the name of Faillon street in front of the former home of the Expos, Jarry Park, to Gary Carter street in honour of the former Expo Hall of Famer Gary Carter, Tuesday, May 21, 2013 in Montreal.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Rookie right-hander Andrew Painter makes Phillies’ opening day roster as No. 5 starter

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Rookie right-hander Andrew Painter makes Phillies’ opening day roster as No. 5 starter

The Associated Press 2 minute read 4:35 PM CDT

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Rookie right-hander Andrew Painter has made the Philadelphia Phillies' opening-day roster as the No. 5 starter, manager Rob Thomson announced Friday

The 6-foot-7 Painter, a first-round pick in the 2021 amateur draft, is among the Phillies' top prospects.

Painter, who turns 24 on April 10, was slowed by Tommy John surgery in July 2023. His fastball averaged 95.6 mph in the minor leagues last year and reached 100.2 mph, according to Statcast.

Zack Wheeler is expected to open the season on the injured list as he continues his recovery from surgery after he was diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome.

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4:35 PM CDT

Dominican Republic starting pitcher Cristopher Sanchez pitches during the first inning of a World Baseball Classic quarterfinal game against South Korea, Friday, March 13, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky

Guardians won’t have to pay Clase, Ortiz while MLB continues gambling investigation and trial looms

Ronald Blum, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Guardians won’t have to pay Clase, Ortiz while MLB continues gambling investigation and trial looms

Ronald Blum, The Associated Press 3 minute read Updated: 4:10 PM CDT

NEW YORK (AP) — The Cleveland Guardians won't have to pay indicted pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz while Major League Baseball's investigation continues into allegations of pitch-rigging for gamblers.

Ortiz was placed on paid leave last July 3 and Clase on July 28, and they received their salaries while they didn't pitch for the remainder of the season. They were indicted on federal charges on Nov. 9 and a trial is scheduled for May 4 but could be delayed.

“As the legal proceedings involving Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz continue to move forward, MLB and the MLBPA have agreed that both players will remain on non-disciplinary leave from the club without pay until further notice," Major League Baseball said in a statement Friday.

“This agreement is not an admission of any wrongdoing by Clase or Ortiz," the statement added. "MLB has been closely monitoring the matter since alerting federal law enforcement at the outset of its investigation and will have no further comment until its investigation has been completed.”

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Updated: 4:10 PM CDT

Cleveland Guardians' Emmanuel Clase leaves Brooklyn federal court, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Astros left-hander Bennett Sousa to open season on injured list with oblique strain

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Astros left-hander Bennett Sousa to open season on injured list with oblique strain

The Associated Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 9:25 PM CDT

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Houston Astros left-hander Bennett Sousa will begin the season on the injured list, manager Joe Espada said Thursday.

Sousa, 30, strained his left oblique in a Grapefruit League game last Thursday against the Washington Nationals. Sousa returned to Houston for further testing, but Espada said he would “be down for a while."

"We’re going to not have him throw until that pain goes away,” Espada said.

Last year was a breakout season for Sousa after sitting out the 2024 season due to injury. He appeared in 44 games in 2025, and posted a 2.84 ERA across 50 2/3 innings with 59 strikeouts. But Sousa landed on the injured list on Aug. 20 with left elbow inflammation and didn't return.

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Yesterday at 9:25 PM CDT

FILE - Houston Astros pitcher Bennett Sousa (62) against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning during a baseball game, July 23, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)

Giants pitcher Hayden Birdsong to undergo Tommy John surgery and miss entire season

The Associated Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 4:29 PM CDT

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — San Francisco Giants pitcher Hayden Birdsong will undergo Tommy John surgery and miss the 2026 season.

The right-hander had felt soreness in his throwing elbow after pitching in a Cactus League game on March 10. After the Giants diagnosed Birdsong with a forearm strain and ulnar collateral ligament sprain, Birdsong met with Dr. Keith Meister.

Birdsong, 24, went 4-4 with a 4.80 ERA last season while making 21 appearances, including 10 starts. He struck out 68 batters over 65 2/3 innings.

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Giants’ Tony Vitello is attacking his college-to-pro transition with high energy, help from others

Janie Mccauley, The Associated Press 6 minute read Preview

Giants’ Tony Vitello is attacking his college-to-pro transition with high energy, help from others

Janie Mccauley, The Associated Press 6 minute read Yesterday at 2:53 PM CDT

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — With a black sweatshirt pulled over his head and a glove in hand, Tony Vitello blends in almost as if he’s one of the Giants players.

San Francisco’s new manager grabs a piece of gum from a dugout basket then heads out onto the grass at Scottsdale Stadium and gets to work. He lingers for a while in right field, surveying the scene, before making his way to the indoor cage. A short while later, he’s all the way back to home plate, leaning on the right side of the cage, where he fist bumps Heliot Ramos after one of the left fielder’s rounds of batting practice. Vitello moves several feet to his left and takes in more hitters’ work.

“He’s everywhere,” shortstop Willy Adames said. “He has a lot of energy. He likes to be watching everybody, making sure that everybody is working right and doing the right things. He’s just trying to push the guys to work hard and to be better and I think that’s something that’s going to help the guys a lot and I think that’s something we needed.”

All eyes are on Vitello as he takes over one of baseball's most storied franchises without a professional baseball backstory of his own. Giants executive and former catcher Buster Posey made the unconventional hire, entrusting the top dugout step to someone with no major league experience as a player or coach.

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Yesterday at 2:53 PM CDT

San Francisco Giants' Tony Vitello watches the action on the field during the second inning of a spring training baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Springer Slam: Blue Jays slugger goes deep as Toronto wallops New York split squad

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Springer Slam: Blue Jays slugger goes deep as Toronto wallops New York split squad

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 2:47 PM CDT

DUNEDIN - George Springer hit a grand slam to power the Toronto Blue Jays to an 11-0 rout of a New York Yankees split squad on Thursday at TD Ballpark.

Springer, who had three hits, scored twice on the afternoon.

Daulton Varsho and Andres Gimenez also went deep for the Blue Jays (10-13), who outhit the Yankees 14-3.

Varsho scored twice and had three hits to boost his pre-season batting average to .442.

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Yesterday at 2:47 PM CDT

Toronto Blue Jays slugger George Springer calls to teammates as he heads to the outfield at spring training in Dunedin, Fla., on Feb. 17, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

NL West Preview: Everyone is still chasing the Dodgers

Janie Mccauley, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

NL West Preview: Everyone is still chasing the Dodgers

Janie Mccauley, The Associated Press 5 minute read Yesterday at 2:43 PM CDT

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Dave Roberts spent much of spring training thinking about how to manage the health of his two-time defending World Series champion Dodgers so they can play for the long haul once again.

That's what happens when a club competes deep into October year after year. Now, the Dodgers will try to become only the second team in more than 50 years to three-peat after the New York Yankees did so from 1998-2000.

After another shortened offseason, one of the biggest things facing NL West powerhouse Los Angeles was making sure to manage all its stars before the season even began.

Especially with Japanese standouts Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, World Series MVP, playing in the World Baseball Classic.

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Yesterday at 2:43 PM CDT

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts smiles as he walks to the team dugout prior to a spring training baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Monday, March 16, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

NL Central Preview: Loaded Cubs going for the division title, but Brewers and Reds are lurking

Jay Cohen, The Associated Press 6 minute read Yesterday at 2:29 PM CDT

CHICAGO (AP) — Alex Bregman, welcome to the NL Central. Welcome back, Eugenio Suárez.

Bregman is hoping to lead the Chicago Cubs to their first Central title since 2020 after signing a $175 million, five-year contract with the North Siders in free agency. But the competition is tough in a division that put three teams in the playoffs last year.

Cincinnati added a familiar face when it signed Suárez to a $15 million, one-year deal. The 34-year-old Suárez, who played for the Reds for seven seasons before he was traded to Seattle in March 2022, is expected to provide some protection for Elly De La Cruz in a lineup that struggled at times last season.

The Milwaukee Brewers are the reigning Central champions, and the Pittsburgh Pirates are much improved after acquiring Brandon Lowe in a trade and signing Ryan O’Hearn to a two-year contract.

March 20, 2026

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