Tony Gwynn coached at San Diego State for 12 years.
Tony Gwynn coached at San Diego State for 12 years before his death. (Getty)

Here's the latest from around baseball:

TRIBUTE

Tony Gwynn: San Diego State, his alma mater and final place of employment before his death, announced the school will retire Gwynn's jersey No. 19 before the season opener Friday. After a Hall of Fame career with the San Diego Padres in the majors, Gwynn returned to SDSU and coached for 12 years. (CBS-TV San Diego) 

REVOLUTION

¡Viva Fidel!: Ben Badler of Baseball America has been scouting players in the Dominican Republic and came across a 16-year-old shortstop with a name that might be familiar to you political thinkers:

Coincidentally, the semi-retired Cuban politician also named Fidel Castro had a dalliance with baseball, though he wasn't good enough to play beyond the collegiate intramural level — no matter how many myths they throw at us. It would be a hoot if Dominican Fidel Castro turned into a professional ballplayer of merit.

INJURIES

Braves: Right-hander Shae Simmons underwent Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery. Simmons, 24, had a 2.93 ERA with 23 strikeouts in 21 2/3 innings in 2014 before being shut down in July because of a sore shoulder. The Braves were hoping he would be part of a revamped bullpen setting up closer Craig Kimbrell. Atlanta has been adding former closers such as Jose Veras and Matt Kapps in an effort to create depth in relief. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Angels: Got great news on right-hander Garrett Richards, who was cleared to throw his first bullpen session — Monday — three days earlier than expected. Richards tore the patellar tendon in his left knee in August after compiling a breakthrough season, including a 2.61 ERA and 164 strikeouts in 168 2/3 innings. General manager Jerry Dipoto says Richards might be ready by opening day, but if it's two weeks later, that's OK, too. (Alden Gonzalez)

SPECULATION

Yadier Alvarez: The Dodgers, Phillies and Diamondbacks desire the "18-year-old Cuban flamethrower." (Jeff Passan)

Yoan Moncada: Speaking of Cuban expatriates, Jim Callis of MLB.com suggests that Moncada would be worthy of the No. 1 overall pick in the MLB draft were he eligible. (MLB.com)

Rangers: Want a left-hander for their bullpen and are looking at Joe Thatcher and Phil Coke. (Chris Cotillo)

Astros: Also want a left-hander, and are going after Thatcher with a minor-league offer. (Evan Drellich)

SURVEILLANCE

Chris Janes, the Little League coach in suburban Chicago who reported Jackie Robinson West for stacking its roster with ineligible players, is getting extra police attention after reporting death threats were left on voice mail and through social media. JRW had its title stripped by Little League International on Wednesday.

On Tuesday night, Janes filed a report with Evergreen Park police about the threatening phone messages he received on his home line such as “I hope you die,” “rot in hell” and “f--- off,” among other things.

Janes said the angry social media attacks and other messages picked up steam after the Rev. Jesse Jackson and the Rev. Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina Church publicly accused him of having racial motivations for pushing Little League to investigate Jackie Robinson West.

(DNAinfo Chicago)

LAWSUIT

Cubs: Are being sued by rooftop apartment owners who say some of the renovations being done to Wrigley Field will obscure the vantage of fans watching games from across the street. There is the matter of a 20-year contract building owners have with the Cubs that grants them the right to sell tickets to games. The Cubs already announced that Wrigley's bleachers, part of the first phase of the 101-year-old park's renovation, won't be ready for opening day. This lawsuit might delay renovations even longer. (Chicago Tribune)

SIGNINGS

Astros: Agreed to terms with right-hander Roberto Hernandez, known at one time as Fausto Carmona. The Astros also had looked at adding right-hander Ryan Vogelsong and left-hander Barry Zito. With Dallas Keuchel, Collin McHugh and Scott Feldman reported to be "locks" for the rotation, and with Brett Oberholtzer appearing to be the No. 4, Hernandez will compete with Dan Straily, Sam Deduno, Alex White and Asher Wojciechowski for the fifth spot. (Houston Chronicle)

Royals: Are close to finalizing a two-year, $4.15 million deal with right-hander Kelvin Herrera, which takes him off the arbitration track. (Andy McCullough)

Mariners: Signed Rickie Weeks, formerly of the Brewers. He'll be used as a backup to Robinson Cano, and to spell the corner outfielders. Weeks hits left-handers well, though it's hard to imagine Cano sitting down every time a lefty starts. It also should be noted that Cano has averaged 160 games since 2007, but only played 150 in the field in 2014. (MLB Trade Rumors)

911 CALLS

Royals: Made to police by fans driving by a billboard they thought was actually on fire, but is just made up to look like Jarrod Dyson is literally burning up the base paths. (KMBC-TV)

PROMOTION

Royals: Purchased the contract of right-hander Derek Gordon, a brother of left fielder Alex Gordon, from the Kansas City T-Bones of the independent American Association. Gordon, who turns 24 in June, stands 6 foot 6. He posted a 6.49 ERA in 14 games with the T-Bones in 2014, but it's likely the Royals were familiar with him because he previously pitched at nearby Park University. (Kansas City Star)

CC-OUTURE

SAVE

Matt Cain: Playing at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am, the Sam Francisco Giants right-hander chipped in from rough to make par on the par-3 No. 11 hole. Watch! (PGA)

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