INSIDER
Braves first MLB to clinch playoff berth this year, rally to beat Pirates 5-2
Read full article: Braves first MLB to clinch playoff berth this year, rally to beat Pirates 5-2The Atlanta Braves became the first team to clinch a playoff berth, rallying to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-2 as Matt Olson went 2 for 3 with three RBIs.
Verlander going back to Houston highlights flurry of MLB trades ahead of Tuesday's deadline
Read full article: Verlander going back to Houston highlights flurry of MLB trades ahead of Tuesday's deadlineAce pitcher Justin Verlander was shipped from the New York Mets to Houston ahead of the trade deadline, returning to the Astros after he helped them win the World Series last year.
Phillies' Robertson injured celebrating, off NLDS roster
Read full article: Phillies' Robertson injured celebrating, off NLDS rosterPhiladelphia Phillies reliever David Robertson will miss the NL Division Series after injuring his right calf jumping to celebrate Bryce Harper’s home run in their clinching wild-card victory at St. Louis.
Phillies down Astros for 1st playoff berth since 2011
Read full article: Phillies down Astros for 1st playoff berth since 2011Aaron Nola took a perfect game into the seventh inning and Kyle Schwarber homered twice as the Philadelphia Phillies clinched their first playoff berth in 11 years with a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros Monday night.
Harper drives in 2 in return to lineup, Phils beat Pirates
Read full article: Harper drives in 2 in return to lineup, Phils beat PiratesBryce Harper hit a two-run single in his first at-bat after a 52-game absence due to a broken left thumb, helping the streaking Philadelphia Phillies to a 7-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Monster trade: Dodgers get Scherzer, Turner from Nationals
Read full article: Monster trade: Dodgers get Scherzer, Turner from NationalsThe World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers have pulled off a monster deal for ace Max Scherzer and All-Star shortstop Trea Turner, getting the dynamic duo from the Washington Nationals shortly before Friday’s trade deadline.
Scherzer takes care of Phils in his possible Nats finale
Read full article: Scherzer takes care of Phils in his possible Nats finaleMax Scherzer delivered a signature performance in what might be his last start for the Nationals, allowing three hits in six innings as Washington beat the Philadelphia Phillies 3-1 in the opener of a doubleheader.
Schwarber socks 2 more homers, surging Nats beat Mets 8-4
Read full article: Schwarber socks 2 more homers, surging Nats beat Mets 8-4Kyle Schwarber homered twice, becoming the first player in major league history to hit 15 home runs in a 17-day span, and the Washington Nationals beat the New York Mets 8-4.
Check, mate: Miffed Max stares down Girardi, Nats top Phils
Read full article: Check, mate: Miffed Max stares down Girardi, Nats top PhilsMax Scherzer threw his glove and hat to the grass, then stared down Phillies manager Joe Girardi after getting checked for a third time by umpires for sticky stuff as the Washington Nationals beat Philadelphia 3-2.
Fedde back from COVID-19 list, leads Nats past SF in opener
Read full article: Fedde back from COVID-19 list, leads Nats past SF in openerErick Fedde returned after nearly a month on the COVID-19 injured list and pitched five sharp innings, Kyle Schwarber hit a leadoff homer and the Washington Nationals beat the San Francisco Giants 2-0 to open a doubleheader.
Strasburg returns, pitches into 6th, Nats beat Orioles 4-2
Read full article: Strasburg returns, pitches into 6th, Nats beat Orioles 4-2Stephen Strasburg pitched into the sixth inning in his return from the injured list, allowing just one hit as the Washington Nationals defeated the Baltimore Orioles 4-2.
Yanks rally past Nats 4-3 in 10th, Scherzer strikes out 14
Read full article: Yanks rally past Nats 4-3 in 10th, Scherzer strikes out 14Gleyber Torres’ tying single in the ninth inning and a winning infield single in the 11th helped the New York Yankees overcame Max Scherzer’s commanding 14-strikeout performance to beat the Washington Nationals 4-3.
Scherzer's 9 K's, Avila RBI double lift Nats past Cards 1-0
Read full article: Scherzer's 9 K's, Avila RBI double lift Nats past Cards 1-0Max Scherzer struck out nine in six scoreless innings to move up to No. 21 on the career Ks leaderboard, and Alex Avila drove in the game’s lone run with one of his two doubles, helping the Washington Nationals edge the St. Louis Cardinals 1-0.
Turner homers, Dodgers beat Nats 1-0 on champs' ring day
Read full article: Turner homers, Dodgers beat Nats 1-0 on champs' ring dayJustin Turner homered in the sixth inning, and the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrated their World Series championship ring ceremony day with a 1-0 victory over the Washington Nationals.
COVID-hit Nats make many moves before 1st game of season
Read full article: COVID-hit Nats make many moves before 1st game of seasonStarting pitchers Jon Lester and Patrick Corbin, closer Brad Hand and four position players expected in the lineup have been put on the 10-day injured list by the Washington Nationals.
Nats reliever Harris out with blood clot in pitching arm
Read full article: Nats reliever Harris out with blood clot in pitching armHarris has a blood clot in his right arm and is leaving spring training camp to be examined by a specialist, manager Dave Martinez said Friday, March 19, 2021. (Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via AP)Washington Nationals reliever Will Harris has a blood clot in his right arm and the team doesn't expect him to be in the bullpen on opening day. Carlos Martínez struggled in his fourth start for St. Louis. DODGERS 7, RANGERS 2Julio Urías made his fourth start for Los Angeles, allowing two hits in four shutout innings, striking out three. Adrian Houser made his fourth start.
Nats release Jeffress for unspecified 'personnel reasons'
Read full article: Nats release Jeffress for unspecified 'personnel reasons'WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Jeremy Jeffress was released by the Washington Nationals on Sunday for what general manager Mike Rizzo called unspecified “personnel reasons,” less than two weeks after the reliever agreed to terms on a minor league deal. The 33-year-old Jeffress was taken by Milwaukee in the first round pick of the 2006 amateur draft and has pitched for five teams over 11 years in the majors. Last season, Jeffress went 4-1 with a 1.54 ERA and eight saves in 10 chances for the Chicago Cubs. AdMore than a decade ago, Jeffress was suspended twice for violating the minor league drug treatment and prevention program. He has said he used marijuana to manage a severe case of anxiety and he was diagnosed with juvenile epilepsy in 2013.
Lefty Jon Lester finalizes $5M, 1-year deal with Nationals
Read full article: Lefty Jon Lester finalizes $5M, 1-year deal with NationalsFILE - In this Sept. 26, 2020, file photo, Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jon Lester throws to a Chicago White Sox batter during the first inning of a baseball game in Chicago. A person with knowledge of the deal has confirmed to The Associated Press that left-hander Lester and the Washington Nationals have an agreement in principle in place for a one-year contract. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)WASHINGTON – Jon Lester has been a part of three World Series champions and collected nearly 200 wins in the majors. Lester and Washington had a 2021 agreement in principle in place last week, pending the successful completion of a physical exam. Lester pitched 61 innings across 12 starts in the truncated 2020 season, going 3-3 with a career-high 5.16 ERA for the Cubs.
Brad Hand gets $10.5M from Nationals, $6.5M of it deferred
Read full article: Brad Hand gets $10.5M from Nationals, $6.5M of it deferredFILE - In this Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020 file photo, Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Brad Hand delivers in the ninth inning in a baseball game against the Cincinnati Red in Cleveland. Brad Hand has agreed in principle to join the Washington Nationals, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)WASHINGTON – Left-handed reliever Brad Hand finalized a $10.5 million, one-year contract with the Washington Nationals on Tuesday, giving the team more strength and flexibility in the back end of its bullpen. The deal includes $6.5 million in salary that will be deferred without interest. The deferred money will come in payments due $1.5 million next Jan. 15, $3.5 million on Jan. 15, 2023, and $1.5 million on Jan. 15, 2024.
AP source: Nationals agree to sign All-Star closer Brad Hand
Read full article: AP source: Nationals agree to sign All-Star closer Brad HandFILE - In this Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020 file photo, Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Brad Hand delivers in the ninth inning in a baseball game against the Cincinnati Red in Cleveland. Brad Hand has agreed in principle to join the Washington Nationals, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)WASHINGTON – All-Star closer Brad Hand has agreed to a deal with the Washington Nationals, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. The 30-year-old left-hander is poised to become Washington’s closer after leading the majors with 16 saves during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. After tying for last place in the NL East, the Nationals have acquired Hand, starter Jon Lester (pending a physical), slugger Kyle Schwarber and first baseman Josh Bell.
Indians manager Francona says team's name change "correct"
Read full article: Indians manager Francona says team's name change "correct"FILE - In this Sept. 22, 2019, file photo, Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona talks before a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies in Cleveland. Francona, on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, praised the Cleveland Indians for trying to do the right thing with a name change that was inevitable, and necessary (AP Photo/Phil Long, File)CLEVELAND – Manager Terry Francona praised the Cleveland Indians for trying to “do the right thing” with a name change that was inevitable — and necessary. “I am proud of the fact that we are going to do something that is correct,” Francona said on a Zoom call from his home in Arizona. He's confident Chris Antonetti, the team's president of baseball operations, and general manager Mike Chernoff will do whatever's necessary to keep the Indians competitive. Schilling pitched for Francona in Philadelphia and Boston, where he helped the Red Sox end their long World Series drought.
Freeman among trio of Braves on All-MLB first team
Read full article: Freeman among trio of Braves on All-MLB first teamFreeman easily won the NL MVP award Thursday, Nov. 12, topping off a trying year that saw him become so ill with COVID-19 he prayed please dont take me. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)NEW YORK – National League MVP Freddie Freeman was one of three Atlanta Braves selected to the All-MLB first team on Wednesday night. San Diego had two players on the top team: shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. and third baseman Manny Machado. AL MVP José Abreu of the Chicago White Sox was the first baseman on the second team, which also included Philadelphia catcher J.T. Realmuto, Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe, Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager and Indians third baseman José Ramírez.
MLB sues insurance providers, cites billions in virus losses
Read full article: MLB sues insurance providers, cites billions in virus lossesMajor League Baseball and all 30 of its teams are suing their insurance providers, citing billions of dollars in losses during the 2020 season played almost entirely without fans due to the coronavirus pandemic. It says providers AIG, Factory Mutual and Interstate Fire and Casualty Company have refused to pay claims made by MLB despite the league's “all-risk” policy purchases. It also cites over a billion dollars in local and national media losses, plus tens of millions in missed income for MLB Advanced Media. Insurers in many cases have insisted that financial losses caused by the coronavirus do not constitute physical loss or property damage. “Coronavirus, a physical substance, has attached and adhered to Plaintiffs’ property and by doing so, altered that property.
Lester, Kluber, Hand boost free agent total to 175
Read full article: Lester, Kluber, Hand boost free agent total to 175Kluber gets a $1 million buyout, and the club has said it is interested in re-signing Kluber to a less expensive deal. Milwaukee turned down Gyorko and Sogard, a day after declining a $15 million option on 2011 NL MVP Ryan Braun. The White Sox declined a $12 million option for Encarnación and a $7 million option for González, who will receive a $500,000. Kluber gets a $1 million buyout, and the club has said it is interested in re-signing Kluber to a less expensive deal. His contract included a $12 million option for 2021 with a $2 million buyout.
Indians decline options on closer Hand, 1B Santana for 2021
Read full article: Indians decline options on closer Hand, 1B Santana for 2021FILE - In this Sept. 27, 2020, file photo, Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Brad Hand delivers to Pittsburgh Pirates' Josh Bell during the ninth inning of a baseball game in Cleveland. The Cleveland Indians have declined contract options on Brad Hand and first baseman Carlos Santana for next season, decisions that will initially cut $27 million from the team's payroll. Feeling the financial pinch from a shortened season, Cleveland declined Hand's $10 million contract option on Friday and also chose not to exercise options for either first baseman Carlos Santana ($17.5 million) or outfielder Domingo Santana ($5 million). The team owes buyouts of $1 million to Hand, $500,000 to Carlos Santana and $250,000 to Domingo Santana, who are all free agents. Carlos Santana struggled in his second season back in Cleveland after leaving as a free agent in 2018.
Yanks sweep Indians 10-9 in draining game, meet Rays in ALDS
Read full article: Yanks sweep Indians 10-9 in draining game, meet Rays in ALDSNew York Yankees' Gio Urshela (29) and Mike Ford celebrate after the Yankees defeated the Cleveland Indians 10-9 in Game 2 of an American League wild-card baseball series, early Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)CLEVELAND – It took the New York Yankees nearly five hours on the field, carried them from Wednesday to Thursday and September into October to complete the sweep. "They weren’t going to lose.”At 4 hours, 50 minutes — even without two rain delays totaling another 76 minutes — it was draining. New York went 2-8 during a testy season series with top-seeded Tampa Bay, which won the AL East by seven games over the second-place Yankees. RECORD STOREIndians pitchers walked 12, tied for the most in any postseason game.
LeMahieu, Soto batting champs in shortest season in century
Read full article: LeMahieu, Soto batting champs in shortest season in centuryThe .245 big league batting average was the the lowest since .237 in 1968 and down from .252 last year. LeMahieu hit .364 for the New York Yankees, the highest for an AL batting champion since Minnesota’s Joe Mauer hit .365 in 2009 and well ahead of 2019 AL batting champion Tim Anderson of the Chicago White Sox, who finished second at .322. LeMahieu won the NL batting title with Colorado in 2016. “You've got to just roll with it.”Soto batted .351 for Washington and at 21 years, 11 months, 2 days became the youngest NL batting champion. Bieber and the Chicago Cubs’ Yu Darvish tied for the major league lead in wins with eight.
Indians end Haders hitless streak, beat Brewers 4-3
Read full article: Indians end Haders hitless streak, beat Brewers 4-3Cleveland Indians' Cesar Hernandez, center, is mobbed by teammates after hitting an RBI-single in the ninth inning in a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)CLEVELAND Milwaukee closer Josh Hader allowed his first hit of the season, and then gave up Csar Hernndezs game-winning single in the ninth inning as the Cleveland Indians beat the Brewers 4-3 on Saturday night. Oscar Mercado, who scored on Hernndezs liner through a five-man infield, led off the ninth with a double, ending Haders major league-record streak of 12 hitless appearances to start the season. The right-hander gave up an RBI double to Daniel Vogelbach in the fourth and Hiuras homer. Indians: RHP Shane Bieber (6-0, 1.20 ERA) faces Milwaukee for the first time in his three-year MLB career.
Bieber wins again, Lindor homers as Indians down Twins 4-2
Read full article: Bieber wins again, Lindor homers as Indians down Twins 4-2Cleveland Indians' Francisco Lindor reacts as he runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run in the sixth inning in a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020, in Cleveland. Bieber (6-0) allowed two runs and four hits in six innings as the Indians ended a four-game losing streak to the Twins and pulled within 1 1/2 games of the division leaders. Bieber had three walks in the first three innings he came in with just six in 40 2/3 innings all season but regrouped. With the Indians down 2-1, Lindor connected in the sixth off reliever Jorge Alcala (1-1), who replaced starter Rich Hill to start the inning. Carlos Santana followed with a walk, and one out later, pinch-hitter Tyler Naquin delivered an RBI double to put the Indians ahead 4-2.