MLB | Upton's 26th homer powers Braves to win

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Justin Upton belted his 26th home run of the season on Friday, powering the Braves to a 5-2 victory over the Marlins.

The younger Upton also delivered an RBI single in the contest, finishing the night 2-for-4 with three RBI. He's enjoying another tremendous season at the plate, slashing .288/.362/.524 with 26 bombs and 91 RBI, and will certainly garner some attention in the voting for the National League MVP.

Fri, Aug 29, 2014 11:03:00 PM

Andruw Jones shooting to return to majors

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports that Andruw Jones wants to return to major league baseball in 2015.

Jones, who will turn 38 in April, has spent the last two seasons in Japan, batting .243/.391/.454 with 26 homers in 2013 and .221/.394/.426 with 24 homers in 2014. His agent, Scott Boras, told Cafardo that "at least two teams" are interested in his client for a designated hitter/platoon role. Jones will undoubtedly have to accept a minor league deal and have to earn his way onto the Opening Day roster. He hit just .197/.294/.408 for the Yankees in 2012 in his last year in the majors, though he did launch 14 homers in 269 plate appearances.

Source: Boston Globe

Feb 1 - 10:39 AM

Zack Greinke undecided on using opt-out

Zack Greinke said Saturday that he's undecided on whether he'll exercise the opt-out clause in his contract after the 2015 season.

Greinke has stated previously that how Max Scherzer and Jon Lester fared in free agency "will say a lot." Given that they ended up getting a combined $365 million between them, it's fair to say Greinke will probably opt out as long as he stays healthy this season. He'll have three years and $71 million left on his contract after 2015 and would likely get a better deal than that on the open market even though he'll turn 32 in October. Dodgers president Andrew Friedman has said the team did not plan to discuss an extension with Greinke this winter.

Source: Los Angeles Times

Feb 1 - 10:21 AM

Harrison's (back) throwing program stalled

Matt Harrison (back) will not extend his throwing program to 105 feet this week as previously hoped.

Harrison is recovering from spinal fusion surgery, and while his back is feeling fine, his hip has been a little tight and that's throwing off his mechanics. "Being able to rotate and being able to square back up when I throw the ball," Harrison said. "Kind of cutting stuff off [in my delivery] because I wasn’t able to to rotate like I want to. So that’s one thing we’ve been really working on is getting that hip loose." The Rangers are hoping it's only a one-week delay and Harrison will be able to extend his throwing program to 105 feet next week. Back issues have limited Harrison to six major league starts over the last two seasons and he's not expected to pitch for the Rangers before June.

Source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Feb 1 - 10:03 AM

Rays sign Belisario to minor league contract

Rays signed RHP Ronald Belisario to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

Belisario was close to a deal with the Blue Jays Thursday -- to the point that some media outlets were reporting the deal was completed -- before that fell apart. He struggled with the White Sox last season but should have a chance to win a job in a wide open Rays bullpen.

Source: Marc Topkin on Twitter

Jan 31 - 5:51 PM

Richards, Angels avoid arb with $3.2M deal

Angels and RHP Garrett Richards avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.2 million contract.

Richards asked for $3.8 million and the Angels offered $2.4 million, so they settled just above the midpoint. Richards is working his way back from left patellar tendon surgery in August, and he's shooting to be ready for the start of the season. After a spectacular 2014 season, hopes are high for the 26-year-old.

Source: Jon Heyman on Twitter

Jan 31 - 4:14 PM

Red Sox ink Ogando to one-year, $1.5M deal

Red Sox signed RHP Alexi Ogando to a one-year, $1.5 million contract.

The deal became official with Ogando passing his physical on Friday. He also has the potential to earn up to an additional $1.5 million in incentives. He struggled through an injury-plagued 2014 season, posting a 6.84 ERA and 1.92 WHIP in 25 innings with the Rangers, but remains a very talented arm. It's a nice low-risk signing for the Red Sox to bolster their bullpen.

Jan 30 - 7:12 PM

Boston willing to trade RP Edward Mujica

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Red Sox "have expressed a willingness" to trade Edward Mujica.

It's not terribly surprising, as Mujica was decent but not great last season (3.90 ERA, 43/14 K/BB ratio over 60 innings) and is owed $4.75 million in 2015. The Red Sox have also added a couple bullpen arms in recent days in Robbie Ross and Alexi Ogando. Boston might have to eat a little money in order to move Mujica.

Source: Ken Rosenthal on Twitter

Jan 30 - 4:00 PM

Red Sox to sign former Ranger Alexi Ogando

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Red Sox are in agreement with Alexi Ogando on a one-year contract.

The deal is pending a physical, and Ogando can't be considered a sure thing to pass it given his elbow and shoulder issues in recent seasons. It's worth $1.5 million plus another $1.5 million available in incentives. The health concerns are why the Rangers decided to non-tender him next month, but it's not a surprise that there was interest given his career 3.35 ERA. Ogando has both started and relieved but would likely do the latter in Boston.

Source: Ken Rosenthal on Twitter

Jan 30 - 3:50 PM

Rockies acquire David Hale from Braves

Rockies acquired RHPs David Hale and Gus Schlosser from the Braves in exchange for Cs Jose Briceno and Chris O’Dowd.

Hale, 27, has posted a 3.02 ERA but has struck out just 58 over 98 1/3 innings the last two seasons with the Braves. He'll be going from a pretty pitcher-friendly park to an extremely hitter-friendly one, but his groundball tendencies should help at least. Hale should compete for a spot in the Rockies' rotation.

Jan 30 - 3:38 PM

Yankees sign Scott Baker to minor league deal

Yankees signed RHP Scott Baker to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

He'll earn $1.5 million if he makes the majors league roster. Baker posted a 5.47 ERA and and 55/14 K/BB ratio in 80 2/3 innings across eight starts and 17 relief appearances last season for the Rangers. The veteran right-hander hasn't looked the same since returning from Tommy John surgery, but the 33-year-old is worth a shot on a minor league deal. New York could use the depth, but Yankee Stadium certainly isn't an ideal landing spot for Baker.

Source: Matt Eddy on Twitter

Jan 30 - 1:09 PM

Rockies re-sign veteran reliever Betancourt

Rockies re-signed RHP Rafael Betancourt to a minor league contract.

He'll be invited to spring training. Betancourt made 21 rehab appearances last season after making it back from Tommy John surgery, holding a 4.66 ERA. He'll turn 40 in April and is obviously no safe bet, but it wouldn't be a surprise if the former closer winds up having a role in the Rockies' bullpen in 2015.

Source: Matt Eddy on Twitter

Jan 30 - 1:03 PM