Baseball – Page 19 – North Platte Post Archive

Yankees Acquire Right-Hander Chris Martin from Rockies

Posted on January 13, 2015January 13, 2015

NEW YORK (AP) — The Yankees have obtained pitching prospect Chris Martin from the Colorado Rockies for cash.

The 28-year-old right-hander made his big league debut with the Rockies last April and had a 6.89 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 15 2-3 innings over 16 relief appearances. He was 1-3 with a 4.39 ERA in 25 relief appearances last year at Triple-A Colorado Springs with 36 strikeouts in 26 2-3 innings.

The 6-foot-8 Martin had been designated for assignment last week to open a roster spot for catcher Nick Hundley.

To clear a spot on the 40-man roster Tuesday, the Yankees designated right-hander Gonzalez Germen for assignment.

Royals give Manager Ned Yost Extension through 2016 Season

Posted on January 13, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The AL champion Royals and Ned Yost have agreed on a one-year contract extension that will keep the manager with the franchise through the 2016 season.

Yost said after leading the Royals to an improbable pennant last season that he hoped to manage a few more years. His contract had been set to expire after the 2015 season.

Yost became the Royals’ manager in May 2010 and presided over a massive rebuilding effort that culminated with the end of a 29-year playoff drought. The Royals took the San Francisco Giants to the seventh game of the World Series before their season finally ended.

The longest-tenured manager in club history, Yost will soon become its winningest. He has 373 victories, trailing only Dick Howser (404) and Whitey Herzog (410).

Johnson, Martinez, Smoltz, Biggio Elected to Hall of Fame

Posted on January 6, 2015

NEW YORK (AP) — Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, John Smoltz and Craig Biggio have been elected to baseball’s Hall of Fame.

Baseball writers elected four players for the first time since 1955, with the Big Unit, Martinez and Smoltz earning induction on the first try Tuesday. Biggio made it on the third attempt after falling two votes shy last year.

The quartet will be inducted in Cooperstown on July 26. The Baseball Writers’ Association of America had not given four players the necessary 75 percent in a single year since selecting Joe DiMaggio, Gabby Hartnett, Ted Lyons and Dazzy Vance 60 years earlier.

Nick Hundley and Rockies Finalize $6.25 Million, 2-Year Deal

Posted on January 5, 2015

DENVER (AP) — Free agent catcher Nick Hundley and the Colorado Rockies have finalized a $6.25 million, two-year contract.

The 31-year-old, whose deal was announced Monday, played for San Diego from 2008-14 and was traded to Baltimore last May 24. He hit .243 last year with six homers and 22 RBIs in 83 games.

Hundley played in a career-best 114 games in 2013, when he set career highs for doubles (19), homers (13) and RBIs (44). He’s thrown out 27 percent of base stealers in his seven-year career.

He gets $3.1 million this year and $3.15 million in 2016. The deal also includes award bonuses.

To make room on their 40-man roster, the Rockies designated right-handed pitcher Chris Martin for assignment.

Royals Assistant GM Taylor Announces Retirement

Posted on January 5, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Longtime Royals executive Dean Taylor is retiring from the front office, part of a shakeup of the American League champions’ baseball operations department.

Taylor began his career in Kansas City in the early 1980s and spent time with the Atlanta Braves before becoming GM of the Milwaukee Brewers. He also worked for the Dodgers and Reds before returning to the Royals organization in 2006.

Royals GM Dayton Moore said Taylor will serve as a consultant.

Among other moves Monday, J.J. Picollo was promoted to vice president and assistant GM in charge of player personnel; Rene Francisco was appointed assistant GM of major league and international operations; Scott Sharp was made assistant GM of baseball operations; and Jin Wong became the assistant GM of baseball administration.

Royals Sign Veteran Madson to Minor League Deal

Posted on January 4, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Royals have signed veteran right-hander Ryan Madson to a minor league contract that includes an invitation to spring training.

The 34-year-old Madson hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since 2011, when he was 4-2 with a 2.37 ERA and 29 saves for the Phillies. He signed a one-year deal with Cincinnati for the following season, but he was forced to undergo Tommy John surgery in spring training.

Madson attempted a comeback with the Angels last season but made only one appearance for Class-A Inland Empire before hurting his elbow again.

Madson is 47-30 with a 3.59 ERA and 52 saves in 491 big league appearances.

Royals’ Gordon Undergoes Surgery on Right Wrist

Posted on December 30, 2014

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Royals outfielder Alex Gordon has had surgery on his right wrist, and the four-time Gold Glove winner should be ready for the season opener against the White Sox on April 6.

The surgery, an extensor retinaculum repair, was performed by Dr. Bruce Toby at the University of Kansas Hospital on Tuesday. It is not yet clear when Gordon will be able to start in spring training.

Royals trainer Nick Kenney says in a statement that Gordon reached out to the team about some wrist discomfort last week. Gordon traveled to Kansas City and underwent testing, and the surgery was scheduled immediately so that he would be ready for the upcoming season.

Gordon dealt with pain in the same wrist midway through last season but did not miss significant playing time. He aggravated the injury during his winter training sessions.

Royals Announce Deal with Right-Hander Volquez

Posted on December 29, 2014

Edinson Volquez with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2014

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Royals have announced the signing of right-hander Edinson Volquez to a $20 million, two-year contract that includes a mutual option for the 2017 season.

Volquez will make $7.5 million in 2015 and $9.5 million in 2016 under the deal announced Monday. His option year is worth $10 million with a $3 million buyout.

Volquez fills the last big hole by taking James Shields’ spot in the rotation. Shields became a free agent and it was unlikely the Royals would be able to keep him.

The Royals have already signed designated hitter Kendrys Morales and outfielder Alex Rios to fill two of their other pressing needs. They also signed pitcher Kris Medlen, who is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery and could help contribute midway through the season.

Davis Wins AP Female Athlete of the Year Honors

Posted on December 29, 2014

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Little League star Mo’ne Davis is The Associated Press 2014 Female Athlete of the Year.

A vote by U.S. editors and news directors selected Davis over second-place finisher Mt. St. Joseph freshman Lauren Hill — who played her first college basketball game while battling brain cancer — and three-time winner Serena Williams.

Davis, just 13, is the youngest winner ever. She became an instant celebrity in August when she became the first girl to win a Little League World Series game. In the opening game for Philadelphia’s Taney Dragons, she threw a shutout and struck out eight, giving “throw like a girl” a whole new meaning.

Davis says baseball isn’t her best sport. In eighth grade, she is currently playing point guard for her high school varsity basketball team.

MLB Average Salary Exceeds $3.8 Million

Posted on December 23, 2014

NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball’s average salary has shot up to more than $3.8 million following the steepest rise since 2001.

According to final figures from the players’ association, the increase put big leaguers on track to top the $4 million barrier for the first time next year.

The union said Tuesday the 910 players on big league rosters and disabled lists as of Aug. 31 averaged $3,818,923. The 12.78 percent hike was the biggest since a 12.83 percent rise from 2000 to 2001.

Player salaries are increasing after several years of more modest increases. The gain is fueled by record revenue in the $9 billion range, much of it from national TV contracts and regional sports networks.

The average topped $1 million for the first time in 1992, crossed the $2 million barrier in 2001 and the $3 million mark in 2010.