MLB | M's, King Felix talking contract extension

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M's, King Felix talking contract extension

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Mariners continue to talk to Felix Hernandez about a contract extension and are "at least weighing" a four-year, $100 million offer.

It's not known whether the Mariners have actually made such an offer, as one source described the two sides as "dancing" but not deeply engaged. Hernandez is under contract for two more years for a total of $39.5 million, so if the reported figure is accurate, the total outlay would be $139.5 million over six seasons. This would be in the neighborhood of recent contracts given to Zack Greinke ($147 million) and Cole Hamels ($144 million), so such an offer would at least serve as a solid starting point in negotiations.

Source: FOX Sports

Tue, Jan 22, 2013 08:42:00 AM

Acuna (knee) to begin rehab assignment Friday

Ronald Acuna (knee) will begin a minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday.

Acuna is finally nearing a return from a sprained ACL he suffered late last month. Considered by many to be the top prospect in baseball, the 20-year-old Venezuelan native has slashed .265/.326/.453 with five homers in 117 at-bats for Atlanta this year. If all goes well in Gwinnett, he could be activated for Monday's series opener against Cincinnati.

Source: David O'Brien on Twitter

Jun 21 - 5:55 PM

Chris Davis to return Friday versus Braves

Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Chris Davis will return to the starting lineup Friday against the Braves.

He'll be returning from an eight-game absence. Nothing has gone right for Davis, who has hit a cataclysmic .150 with 86 strikeouts in 207 at-bats this season. Hopefully the extended rest gave Davis some time to clear his head. Regardless, he shouldn't be anywhere near a fantasy lineup right now.

Source: Eduardo Encina on Twitter

Jun 21 - 5:53 PM

Martinez (shoulder) starting against Brewers

Jose Martinez (shoulder) is in the Cardinals' lineup Thursday against the Brewers.

Martinez tweaked his shoulder in Wednesday's loss to Philadelphia but is good to go for Thursday's opener. The 29-year-old has been a stud this month, hitting .385 with five homers and 13 RBI across 52 June at-bats. He'll get the nod at first base and bat third against Brewers lefty Brent Suter.

Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Jun 21 - 5:26 PM

Dan Straily hit with five-game suspension

MLB suspended Marlins RHP Dan Straily five games and fined him an undisclosed amount for intentionally hitting Buster Posey during Tuesday's game against the Giants.

Marlins manager Don Mattingly was assessed a one-game ban. Straily is appealing his suspension. No Giants, including Hunter Strickland, who plunked Lewis Brinson with a pitch on Monday night, were disciplined. Straily's next start is scheduled for Monday against the Diamondbacks.

Source: Clark Spencer on Twitter

Jun 21 - 5:16 PM

Ryan Braun (thumb) absent again Thursday

Ryan Braun (thumb) remains out of the Brewers' lineup Thursday against the Cardinals.

It will be his second straight absence. Eric Thames will spell Braun in left field and bat leadoff Thursday against Cards hurler Carlos Martinez. Manager Craig Counsell acknowledged Braun could be available off the bench, though it's likely he'll get another day to rest his injured right thumb.

Source: Milwaukee Brewers on Twitter

Jun 21 - 5:14 PM

Rosario (shoulder) expects to return Friday

Eddie Rosario (shoulder) expects to play Friday against the Rangers.

Rosario was scratched for Thursday's series finale against the Red Sox due to a sore shoulder but believes it will only be a one-game absence. "I'll play tomorrow," he confirmed. "100 percent." Rosario has had a breakout year for the Twins, leading the team in hits (89), batting average (.320) and home runs (16).

Source: Jarrid Denney on Twitter

Jun 21 - 5:04 PM

Shelby Miller (elbow) set to return Monday

Steve Gilbert of MLB.com confirms Shelby Miller (elbow) will start Monday against the Marlins.

This was the expected outcome, though Miller's presence in the Diamondbacks' clubhouse on Thursday should make it official. It will be his first big league start in 14 months after undergoing Tommy John surgery last April. The 27-year-old has been up-and-down during his minor league rehab, delivering a mediocre 4.66 ERA over four starts for High-A Visalia and Double-A Jackson. Miller logged 81 pitches in his last outing and should see close to a normal workload on Monday.

Source: Steve Gilbert on Twitter

Jun 21 - 4:31 PM

Phillies showing interest in 3B Adrian Beltre

Jon Morosi of MLB.com reports that the Phillies have expressed interest in trading for Adrian Beltre.

He'd be a big upgrade defensively (and offensively) over Maikel Franco, who's been thrust back into an everyday role in Philly with J.P. Crawford out 4-6 weeks due to a broken hand. Beltre is batting .302/.357/.428 in 45 games this season for the Rangers and he still plays a great third base at age 39. The future Hall of Famer is in the final year of a two-year, $36 million deal.

Source: MLB.com

Jun 21 - 3:33 PM

Michael Wacha to DL with left oblique strain

Cardinals placed RHP Michael Wacha on the 10-day disabled list with a left oblique strain.

He's headed back to St. Louis for an MRI. Wacha suffered the injury in the fourth inning of his start Wednesday afternoon against the Phillies. It was so painful that he had trouble breathing, which is a sign that it might be a serve strain. The 26-year-old right-hander could miss over a month. John Gant has been recalled from Triple-A Memphis in a corresponding roster move and may take the vacant spot in the Cardinals' rotation, though Daniel Poncedeleon and Dakota Hudson are also options.

Jun 21 - 3:24 PM

Eduardo Escobar suffered right elbow bruise

Eduardo Escobar has been diagnosed with a right elbow contusion.

That's relatively good news. Escobar got hit in the right elbow by a Rick Porcello pitch in the bottom of the first inning of Thursday's matinee game at Target Field. He could return to action on Friday.

Source: Rhett Bollinger on Twitter

Jun 21 - 3:22 PM

White Sox promote Eloy Jimenez to Triple-A

White Sox OF prospect Eloy Jimenez has been promoted from Double-A Birmingham to Triple-A Charlotte.

Jimenez tore up the Southern League to the tune of a .317/.368/.556 batting line with 10 home runs, 15 doubles, and 42 RBI in 53 games. The 21-year-old outfielder is one of the top prospects in all of baseball and could very well make his major league debut later this season -- maybe after the rebuilding White Sox sell off some parts ahead of the July 31 trade deadline.

Source: Daryl Van Schouwen on Twitter

Jun 21 - 2:02 PM