MLB news and rumors for March 18: Michael Brantley ready to return
Here's a roundup of all things MLB for Friday, including notes on Jarrod Parker, Matt Cain, Michael Brantley, Bronson Arroyo, Maikel Franco, Adam LaRoche, and others.
By
Dayn Perry
•
2 min read
Here's all that's worth knowing around MLB for Friday, March 18 (click here for today's scores) …
RUMORS & SPECULATION
Tigers: Per Peter Gammons, a number of teams have interest in trading for C Bryan Holaday.
TRANSACTIONS
Braves, Yankees: The Yankees re-acquired Rule 5 pick P Evan Rutckyj from the Braves. He's been assigned to Triple-A.
Indians: Signed P Casey Weathers to a minor-league contract. Weathers once threw 106 mph in a workout video.
Mariners: Optioned C Mike Zunino to Triple-A Tacoma.
Reds: Released P Jonathan Sanchez.
INJURY UPDATES
Athletics: P Jarrod Parker is likely facing a third Tommy John surgery, reports Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle.
Dodgers: OF Andre Ethier is day-to-day with a leg contusion after fouling a ball off his shin. X-rays were negative.
Giants: MGR Bruce Bochy says P Matt Cain (surgery to remove cyst from arm) may possibly be ready for the start of the season. (John Shea via Twitter) ... Elsewhere, Shea writes that P Madison Bumgarner (ribcage, foot) plans to return to game action on Saturday.
Indians: Paul Hoynes tweets that OF Michael Brantley (shoulder) will make his spring debut on Saturday in right field. He underwent shoulder surgery in November and still has a chance of being on the active roster for Opening Day.
Nationals: Ken Rosenthal tweets that Bronson Arroyo's doctor misread his MRI, and the right-hander doesn't have a torn labrum after all. He should be able to resume throwing in seven to 10 days.
Orioles: C Matt Wieters (elbow) was able to hit off a pitching machine on Friday. (Eduardo A. Encina via Twitter)
Pirates: INF Jung Ho Kang (leg) was able to face live pitching for the first time since his injury last September. (Travis Sawchik, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)
Rays: P Brad Boxberger will be out for the next eight weeks after undergoing core muscle surgery.
Reds: On March 23, P Homer Bailey will face live hitters for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery. (Zach Buchanan via Twitter)
MISCELLANY
Angels: P Rob Rasmussen has retired so that he can pursue an MBA.
Blue Jays: P Brad Penny has announced his retirement ... Team president Mark Shapiro says the Jays will never include a player option in a contract on his watch. (Ben Nicholson-Smith via Twitter)
Phillies: 3B Maikel Franco on Friday hit his seventh homer of the spring.
Rangers: Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News writes that the Rangers don't plan to limit Yu Darvish's innings this season, as he comes back from Tommy John surgery.
White Sox: Adam LaRoche has released a statement regarding his recent controversial decision to retire.
