Archives for February 2021

MLB has 0.3% positive COVID-19 rate during intake testing

NEW YORK (AP) — Thirteen of 4,336 tests for COVID-19 were positive during intake for Major League Baseball’s spring training, a rate of 0.3%

The commissioner’s office said Friday that nine positive samples involved players and four involved staff. Positive tests included 11 of the 30 teams.

After the intake screening, there were no new positives among 2,298 monitoring test samples. Samples thus far totaled 6,634.

All players on 40-man rosters and players with minor league contracts invited to big league training camp are screened. Also tested are all other on-field personnel such as managers, coaches and athletic trainers, strength and conditioning staff and physicians.

Team owner, front office management, communications staff, groundskeepers, clubhouse and travel staff and ballpark operations employees who require access to restricted areas also are screened.

All individuals tested were required to maintain a five-day at-home quarantine and undergo screening that included a PCR test, antibody test and contactless temperature check.

Before Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner tested positive during the sixth and final game of the World Series last Oct. 27, MLB said four days earlier that players had gone 54 consecutive days without any positive tests.

In the final figures released last year, MLB said it had collected 172,740 samples and that 91 had been positive, or 0.05%. Fifty-seven of 91 positives have been players, and 21 of the 30 teams have had a person covered by the monitoring test positive.

MLB and the players’ association combined to spend about $35 million on COVID-19 testing and rules last year during pre-season training, which started July 1, the delayed and shortened 60-game season, and the expanded 16-team playoffs.

There were 45 regular-season games postponed for COVID-19-related reasons last year but just two were not made up, between St. Louis and Detroit.

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NFL teams brace for tight budgets with likely salary cap cut

It’s too early to know where the NFL salary cap will end up in the range of $180 million to $198 million coming off a pandemic-dominated season that was completed on time but still cost the league billions of dollars in revenue.

A glimmer of good news for teams came this week in the potential floor of the cap going up to $180 million after an initial agreement between the league and the players’ union that it wouldn’t be lower than $175 million.

The higher figure in the possible range is the 2020 number, and simple economics seem to make it all but certain that a seven-year run of the salary cap going up at least $10 million per season will end.

A flat-at-best cap could be an issue for the handful of teams currently over the $180 million figure, including the two-time AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs.

It’s also a potential problem for the Dallas Cowboys if they can’t get a long-term deal with quarterback Dak Prescott, which would cause his cap charge to hit $37 million with another franchise tag after being around $31 million last year.

Dallas, however, is third among clubs with significant carryover cap space from 2020 at $25.4 million. Only Cleveland ($30.4 million) and the New York Jets ($26.7 million) have more, according to figures released by the union.

A look at some of the key issues as NFL teams wait for the final number going into free agency, which starts March 17.

BIG GAP, REGARDLESS

Even without a reduction from the 2020 salary cap, NFL teams will be in an uncomfortable place. Based on year-over-year increases from most of the past decade, the 2021 cap would be approaching — if not exceeding — $210 million.

If the cap ended up at $185 million, that’s still $25 million less than teams would have to spend without the lost revenues of 2020. And that’s more than the franchise tag figure at every position except quarterback.

MONEY TO SPEND

Jacksonville, the Jets and New England have the most room under the cap, according to overthecap.com. The Jaguars will have somewhere around $80 million to spend, possibly more, and could have a relatively inexpensive quarterback if Trevor Lawrence is drafted No. 1 overall and ends up starting for new coach Urban Meyer.

Indianapolis also has some flexibility even after adding Carson Wentz in a trade with Philadelphia and the $25 million cap charge coming with the No. 2 overall pick from the 2016 draft.

BUDGETARY CONSTRAINTS

The Chiefs are among 13 teams currently over the cap, according to overthecap.com, which is projecting a $180 million cap right now. Of those 13, eight made the playoffs, including New Orleans. However, two of the postseason qualifiers in Buffalo and Tennessee are marginally over the cutoff, and would be under if the cap ends up at $185 million or higher.

“We’ve got several different models that we’ve looked at,” Titans general manager Jon Robinson said. “We’re in better shape than some teams are cap-wise and we’re not as good as others, but we’ll work through it.”

The Saints have the biggest overage at $69.5 million, although the possible retirement of quarterback Drew Brees could help along with several veterans who could be cut with significant cap savings.

PURGING THE VETS

New Orleans could be a good illustration of an issue that figures to play out across the league, with cap experts predicting widespread releasing of higher-paid veterans. It’s already happening to some degree.

Although Houston and star defensive end J.J. Watt said his release was a mutual decision, it might have happened regardless with the 32-year-old set to make $15.5 million while the guaranteed money had already been paid in the $100 million, six-year extension he signed in 2014.

Atlanta cleared almost $11 million in cap space by releasing safety Ricardo Allen and defensive end Allen Bailey this week. They had 146 career starts between them. Expect similar moves in the coming weeks, even before the cap number is announced.

TAG, YOU’RE IT

Of the 14 players given the franchise tag last year, only two signed long-term deals. One was Tennessee running back Derrick Henry, who became the NFL’s first 2,000-yard rusher in eight years.

Given the continuing financial uncertainty in the NFL — owners still don’t know if they’ll have full stadiums in 2021 — the tag could become a bridge to a more certain future, just as it appeared to be last season.

It’s also worth noting that a decrease in the cap could mean lower salaries on some of the franchise tags, another incentive for owners to go that route. But that won’t work with those who played under the tag last season. For example, Prescott gets a raise based on a percentage of what he made in 2020, per rules in the labor deal.

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AP Pro Football Writers Arnie Stapleton and Teresa M. Walker contributed to this report.

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Rich Hill hopes to help Rays take winning to another level

Rich Hill is frank when he talks about why he’s excited to join the Tampa Bay Rays.

“The opportunity to win — and win now,” the 40-year-old left-hander, who’s chasing a World Series championship that’s eluded him during a major league career that spans portions of 16 seasons with nine other teams, said.

“Once you’ve been there a couple of times and fallen short, it kind of becomes an obsession,” Hill added. “You want to get back there and finish it.”

The defending AL champion Rays came within two victories of winning it all during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.

Hill helped the Los Angeles Dodgers win NL pennants before losing the World Series in 2017 and 2018.

Now, the lefty who finished last year as the oldest active pitcher in the majors hopes he can help his newest team — and himself — get over the hump as part of a rotation Tampa Bay is revamping after trading left-hander Blake Snell and declining an option on veteran right-hander Charlie Morton.

Hill spent last season with Minnesota, going 2-2 with a 3.03 ERA in eight starts while helping the Twins make the playoffs, where they were swept in the wild-card round. The Rays gave him a $2.5 million, one-year contract that was announced Wednesday,

“He has been a quality, impactful pitcher when he’s taken the ball the last several years. That’s something we expect to continue,” Rays general manager Erik Neander said.

“He’s an A-plus competitor,” the GM added. “He’s a winner, and he’s been on winning clubs and in winning atmospheres, and has played a huge part in that.”

Since joining Boston as a 35-year-old following a stint in independent ball in 2015, Hill has gone 43-22 with a 2.92 ERA in 94 major league starts and one relief appearance with the Red Sox, Athletics, Dodgers and Twins.

He also brings playoff experience to the Rays, compiling a 3.06 ERA over 13 career postseason appearances, including 12 starts.

“Performance-wise, he’s been a pretty special pitcher when he’s healthy. It’s our job, along with his, to get him healthy, get him up to speed and let him go do his thing,” manager Kevin Cash said. “We know what he’s capable of. He knows what makes him good.”

The 43-year-old Cash and Hill were teammates in Boston late in the manager’s playing career. They also worked together in 2013 while Hill was a reliever for Cleveland and Cash was the Indians bullpen coach.

Although Cash envisions Hill being a part of Tampa Bay’s rotation, it’s conceivable the lefty potentially could be asked to fill other roles as the manager explores more creative ways to cover innings during a pandemic.

Hill feels he has plenty to offer and simply wants to do his part.

“Want to help the team win, and not just help the team win but be a big part of it,” the pitcher said.

“I always talk about intensity and passion, and you’ve got to have those things to go out there and compete,” Hill added. “I wouldn’t be doing this at going into age 41 if I didn’t have both of those things.”

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Indians manager Francona had surgery for toe staph infection

CLEVELAND (AP) — Indians manager Terry Francona is recovering from another health scare.

After missing most of last season with medical issues, Francona recently underwent surgery to remove a staph infection in his left big toe, the latest medical setback for the two-time World Series winner.

The 61-year-old Francona spent 10 days in the hospital after doctors excised the infection. Francona, who only managed 14 games for Cleveland last season due to poor health, will be on antibiotics for several more weeks and is hobbling around training camp in crutches.

“I’m in a boot. I wasn’t all that mobile to begin with, so it’s not necessarily really killing my mobility,” Francona joked on a Zoom call from Goodyear, Arizona. “It’s more a pain in the neck.”

Francona had been feeling better and working out after a personally rough 2020 when he developed gout in December. He had been exercising regularly and playing golf before the pain in his foot became too much.

He returned to Ohio and went to the Cleveland Clinic, where he had been admitted several times last year to address a gastrointestinal problem as well as blood-clotting issues. Doctors then discovered the staph infection, which can be very serious.

“I still have my toe,” said Francona, entering his ninth season with the Indians. “They just went in and took out some of the bone that was infected and they replaced that with some cement. I guess the cement oozes like antibiotics and I’m also getting the IV antibiotics.

“After another three weeks, I think it’s March 7, I’ll be done with the antibiotics, I’ll be able to start getting off of the crutches a little bit and then they’ll see how I’m doing as far as, did the staph go away completely, and they’ll look at it again.”

Francona is getting the antibiotics through an IV in his right arm. He cracked that for the foreseeable future pitching coach Carl Willis will have to make any mound visits in spring games.

“I’m OK,” he said. “I’m not moving really good, but we’ll make due.”

For Francona, last season was personally “awful.”

He been dealing with stomach problems for months, but when they worsened in August, he was forced to step aside. First base coach Sandy Alomar Jr. took over managing duties for Francona, who underwent several surgeries and ended up in intensive care when his blood wouldn’t clot properly.

Francona, who won two titles in 2004 and 2007 with the Boston Red Sox, contemplated retirement but was determined to come back in 2021.

Francona said his medical issues from last year are “really good.”

On Thursday, Indians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said he never considered that Francona might not be back this season.

“The thing that’s always and will continue to be most important for me is Tito’s overall health and well-being, physically and mentally,” Antonetti said. “And to the extent him performing his job got in the way of that, it would warrant a conversation. But I think we have tried to work with Tito to understand where he is physically and how do we help him do what he loves doing and that’s manage this baseball team.

“And I know he is beyond excited to get going and get going on this season. He’s in a good frame of mind.”

Francona is indeed excited about this season as the Indians, who went 35-25 and made the wild-card round with Alomar running the club last season, try to stay competitive after trading All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor.

Although not in the shape he’d like to be in, Francona is grateful to still doing what he loves most.

He still has that spark, though at times it takes him a little longer to find it.

“There have been nights when I’ve been lying around and I’ve had to give myself a little kick in the pants,” he said. “I have some people who are pretty close to me, even several guys in the game of baseball that are dealing with things that are really serious. This is more of a pain in the neck. I need to realize that.

“That’s what I always get to. There are some mornings — in the shower — it’s hard. I have to put a big bag over my leg. I have to cover this arm. It’s aggravating, but that’s all it is, aggravating. I think I have to remind myself that sometimes.”

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Red beard returns: Turner glad to be back with Dodgers

Justin Turner’s extended flirtation with free agency ended where it began — with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Along the way, the third baseman had doubts about whether he would return to his hometown team and wondered if his mask-less appearance on the field to celebrate the Dodgers’ World Series championship would hurt him.

Turner got yanked from the clinching Game 6 against the Tampa Bay Rays in the eighth inning last October after testing positive for the coronavirus. He wasn’t initially on the field as his teammates celebrated the franchise’s first World Series title since 1988.

Instead, Turner was confined to a small room at Globe Life Field in Texas, pained as he watched the hugs and high-fives go on without him. Major League Baseball said he violated COVID-19 protocols by returning to the field, pulling down his mask and posing for photos. After an investigation by MLB, Turner was not disciplined and he issued an apology.

“It was extremely difficult. I experienced just about every range of emotion that you can possibly have,” he said Friday on a virtual call from spring training in Arizona. “For me, sitting back in that room and watching the guys dogpile, personally, it felt like it was the third time I had to sit and watch a team celebrate winning a World Series. That was tough.”

Turner and the Dodgers were on the losing end of World Series appearances in 2017 and 2018 — with Houston and Boston, respectively, partying on Los Angeles’ home field.

“I still have not been able to be on the field for the last out and celebrate a championship,” Turner said, “and that’s something I’m determined to show up and work for every day and have that experience at the end of this year.”

Turner was initially unsure how his mask-less appearance would affect him in free agency.

“Going into the process, it was definitely a big question mark and a big unknown as to how people were going to perceive that and how people were going to pursue me,” he said. “Once I got into conversations, not only with the Dodgers but other teams, and cleared the air on that stuff, it all kind of just started moving forward and building momentum.”

Turner became a free agent at the end of last season when his $64 million, four-year contract expired. He hit .307 with four homers and 23 RBIs in the pandemic-shortened season and .293 (17 for 58) with three homers and six RBIs in the postseason, including .320 with a pair of solo homers in the World Series.

Turner, who turned 36 in November, has been with the Dodgers since 2014. He was one of a handful of free agents still unsigned until just before the start of spring training.

“It felt like it took forever,” he said, adding that his main goal was to sign with a contending team that could offer him a chance to win another World Series.

How close did he come to signing elsewhere?

“There were some times where I was like, ‘Oh man, like, this doesn’t look good, like I’m not sure what’s going to happen,’” he said.

Dodgers fans weren’t shy about letting Turner know they wanted their red-bearded veteran back. He saw their comments on social media and he heard them during his and his wife’s nightly dog-walking ritual.

“There were people walking down the streets yelling, ‘You got to sign back. You got to come back,’” said Turner, whose normally unruly beard was neatly trimmed for spring training. “That’s why I love them so much. They are the best fans in baseball.”

Like most free agents, Turner was flattered to be courted by other teams interested in his services.

“But at the end of the day it all worked out how it’s supposed to,” he said, “and I’m back in Dodger blue like I was supposed to be.”

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Archives for February 2021

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