MLB
MLB notebook: Francona set for return to Boston
By Tribune-Review• Indians manager Terry Francona is bracing for a lump in his throat and maybe a tear or two. He’s going back to Boston for a four-game series beginning Thursday. For the first time as an opposing manager, Francona will walk into famed Fenway Park to face the Red Sox, …
MLB notebook: Rangers place Kinsler on DL
By The Associated Press• The Rangers placed second baseman Ian Kinsler on the 15-day disabled list because of bruised ribs and recalled top prospect Jurickson Profar from Triple-A Round Rock. Because Kinsler entered Friday night’s game as a pinch-runner, the DL move was …
MLB notebook: Draft bonus pool up 8.2 percent
By Wire Reports• Major League Baseball teams can spend a little more money on amateur draft picks this year. The signing bonus values for the selections in next month’s draft will increase by 8.2 percent, players and owners agreed this week. The …
Brewers’ Gomez looks like he might have big season
By Bob CohnThe bats and gloves and other equipment have arrived at the clubhouse. All Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Carlos Gomez needs to bring are his joy, …
MLB notebook: Cubs: Rizzo ‘a very big part of our future’
By The Associated PressThe Cubs have viewed Anthony Rizzo as a part of their future since they acquired him. Now he’s locked in. The slugging first baseman and the Cubs agreed to a $41 million, seven-year contract that could be worth up to …
In baseball, ‘quality start’ getting bad name
By Bob CohnAs traditional baseball statistics continue to evolve into complex, math-intensive sabermetrics (and lately, “advanced metrics”), the yardstick of pitching efficiency known as the quality start …
MLB notebook: Boston closer Joel Hanrahan out for 6-9 months
By Wire ReportsRed Sox closer Joel Hanrahan needs season-ending surgery on his right forearm, which will be require a recovery time of six-to-nine months. The 31-year old right-hander said the operation likely will be performed by Dr. James Andrews, probably next week. …
MLB notebook: MLB admits to making wrong call
By Tribune-ReviewMajor League Baseball says the umpires were wrong. That doesn’t help the Oakland Athletics. One day after umpire Angel Hernandez and his crew failed to reverse an obvious home run by A’s infielder Adam Rosales following a video review, MLB …
MLB notebook: Phillies’ Halladay to have shoulder surgery
By Wire ReportsSAN FRANCISCO — For Roy Halladay, arthroscopic surgery on his troublesome throwing shoulder became the best-case scenario when he had prepared himself for the worst — a career-ending injury that would force his retirement when he’s far from ready. The …
MLB notebook: Injured Yankees making progress
By The Associated PressYankees first baseman Mark Teixeira said he could be ready to take on-field batting practice for the first time Friday since hurting his right wrist two months ago. Also, Alex Rodriguez worked out for the second consecutive day at New …
Strasburg’s affinity for strikeouts may be hurting development
By Travis SawchikPerhaps no pitcher in baseball history had a more anticipated debut than Stephen Strasburg. Billed as a once-in-a-generation arm, Strasburg was not only a former …
MLB notebook: Cubs owner threatens to move team from Wrigley
By Tribune-Review• Cubs owner Tom Ricketts publicly threatened for the first time Wednesday to move the team out of Wrigley Field if his plans for a big, new video screen are blocked, saying he needs millions of dollars in ad revenue …
MLB notebook: Marlins slugger Stanton to miss about a month
By The Associated PressMIAMI — Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton expects to be sidelined for about a month because of a strained right hamstring. Stanton underwent an MRI exam Tuesday and said the diagnosis was a grade-two strain on the one-to-three scale for the …
MLB notebook: Nationals’ Strasburg has tightness in forearm
By The Associated Press• Nationals manager Davey Johnson said pitcher Stephen Strasburg has “a little tightness” in his right forearm and was seen by a doctor after Monday’s start. Johnson said the righty will be given medication. Strasburg said he’ll be able to …
MLB notebook: Phillies’ Ruiz back from suspension
By The Associated PressPhillies catcher Carlos Ruiz was back in the lineup after serving a 25-game suspension for a positive amphetamine test. Ruiz, an All-Star last season, batted …
MLB notebook: Yankees call up former Wild Things pitcher
By The Associated PressThe banged-up Yankees put pitcher Ivan Nova and catcher Francisco Cervelli on the 15-day disabled list Saturday and called up left-handed reliever Vidal Nuno, the Opening Day starter for the independent Washington Wild Things in 2011. Nova has inflammation in …
