Archives for February 2021

BERLIN (AP) — The German government decided Thursday to temporarily reinstate border controls along its southeastern frontier after designating the Czech Republic and parts of Austria as “mutation areas” due to their high number of variant coronavirus cases, German news agency dpa reported.

The temporary border controls and certain entry restrictions will start Sunday at midnight, dpa reported.

Travelers coming from certain areas of Austria or the Czech Republic will have to provide proof of a negative coronavirus test in order to enter Germany, a requirement that will present a hurdle for thousands of cross-border workers.

It was not clear for how long the border controls would last.

Bavaria Governor Markus Soeder, whose state borders both Austria and the Czech Republic, said earlier Thursday that if the federal government designated the Czech Republic and Austria’s Tyrol region as mutation areas, Bavaria would request permission to erect border posts where travelers who don’t present a negative COVID-19 test would be turned away.

Soeder said all the regions of Bavaria with high coronavirus infection rates, except for one, are located on the German-Czech border.

He praised measures taken by the Czech Republic to contain the spread of virus variants and criticized authorities in Tyrol, saying they appeared not to be taking the issue seriously.

Chancellor Angela Merkel and the governors of Germany’s 16 states agreed late Wednesday to extend the country’s current pandemic lockdown until at least March 7, in part due to fears over more contagious variants.

Schools and hairdressers will be able to open earlier, albeit with strict hygiene measures.

In a speech to Parliament on Thursday, Merkel defended her government’s decision to set a lower infection target for easing the lockdown further: a number of new weekly cases per 100,000 inhabitants below 35.

“The virus doesn’t follow dates, the virus follows infections numbers,” she told lawmakers.

Germany’s disease control agency said there were just over 64 cases per 100,000 inhabitants nationwide in the past week, down from over 200 before Christmas.

The Robert Koch Institute on Thursday added 10,237 new confirmed COVID-19 cases and 666 deaths to Germany’s totals, bringing the country’s overall case count since the start of the pandemic to 2.31 million and the death toll to 63,635.

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LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Portugal’s parliament voted Thursday to extend a state of emergency through March 1, allowing the government to keep the current national lockdown in place for the rest of this month.

Internal Affairs Minister Eduardo Cabrita said the restrictive measures were paying dividends, and urged lawmakers to show “nerves of steel” by keeping the limits in place despite complaints from the public and businesses.

The seven-day average of daily deaths in Portugal is the highest in the world, at 2.05 per 100,000 people, according to Johns Hopkins University.

But the seven-day average of daily new cases has fallen from a peak of 122.37 new cases per 100,000 people on Jan. 27 to 47.56 per 100,000 people.

Also Thursday, Portugal started inoculating firefighters against COVID-19, as the January surge of cases ebbed but deaths and pressure on hospitals remained high.

Portuguese firefighters, who number about 15,000, commonly operate ambulances, and they are to be vaccinated over a two-week period. Authorities are due to begin inoculating more than 40,000 police officers in coming days.

The national vaccine plan was launched last month with the inoculation of health workers, and staff and residents of care homes for the elderly.

Health Minister Marta Temido acknowledged Thursday there had been some “stumbles” in the country’s vaccine rollout, which authorities largely blame on the late delivery of doses. Temido said the goal is still to give 70% of the population — around 7 million people — a jab by the end of September.

The pandemic pressure continued to ease slowly Thursday, with the number of COVID-19 patients in hospital and in intensive care falling for the third straight day, The health ministry reported the fewest hospitalizations since Jan. 20 and the fewest patients in ICUs for almost two weeks.

The Health Ministry says antigen tests are to be more widely used at schools, factories and other places where people gather as part of a new strategy to contain the pandemic.

Supporting the lockdown extension, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said in a letter to lawmakers that “the country’s hospital capacity is still being put to the test, even with the help of the whole public health system, the armed forces and the private sector.”

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A team-by-team look at the American League East entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad:

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Tampa Bay Rays

Manager: Kevin Cash (seventh season).

2020: 40-20, first place, AL champions, lost to Dodgers in World Series.

Training Town: Port Charlotte, Florida.

Park: Charlotte Sports Park.

First Workout: Feb. 18/23.

He’s Here: RHP Michael Wacha, RHP Chris Archer, C Francisco Mejia, RHP Luis Patiño.

He’s Outta Here: LHP Blake Snell, RHP Charlie Morton, OF Hunter Renfroe, RHP Aaron Slegers, 1B Nate Lowe, LHP Aaron Loup, LHP Jose Alvarado, 1B Brian O’Grady, RHP Chaz Roe, RHP Oliver Drake, LHP Sean Gilmartin.

Going campin’: The AL champions are coming off their first division title in a decade and first World Series appearance in 12 years, but they have to replace their top two starting pitchers after declining a $15 million option on Morton and trading Snell to San Diego. The Rays are counting on RHP Tyler Glasnow to step up into a leading role, and former All-Stars Wacha and Archer signed as free agents to compete for spots in a revamped rotation. Patiño, a prized prospect acquired for Snell, could also earn a spot. A versatile lineup will be largely the same, with young OF Randy Arozarena getting more playing time after a breakout postseason and Cash continuing to make liberal use of a deep bench. The offense averaged 4.82 runs per game during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, its best showing in 10 years, but the Rays remain a team built on pitching and defense. A major league-high 12 pitchers earned saves last season, tying a big league record. Rays pitchers posted a 3.56 ERA — third in the majors behind the Dodgers (3.04) and Indians (3.29).

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New York Yankees

Manager: Aaron Boone (fourth season).

2020: 33-27, second place, lost to Rays in Division Series.

Training Town: Tampa, Florida.

Park: George Steinbrenner Field.

First Workout: Feb. 17/22.

He’s Here: RHP Corey Kluber, RHP Jameson Taillon, RHP Darren O’Day, RHP Domingo Germán (returning from domestic violence suspension), RHP Adam Warren, RHP Jhoulys Chacín (deal pending), RHP Asher Wojciechowski (deal pending).

He’s Outta Here: RHP Masahiro Tanaka, LHP James Paxton, LHP J.A. Happ, RHP Tommy Kahnle, RHP Jonathan Holder, OF Brett Gardner, C Erik Kratz.

Going campin’: A new-look rotation includes Kluber and Taillon, high-risk additions who due to injuries have combined for one inning since May 1, 2019. They join ace Gerrit Cole, RHP Deivi García and LHP Jordan Montgomery, with RHP Michael King a contender. RHP Luis Severino is expected back this summer following Tommy John surgery last Feb. 27. New York allowed Tanaka to return to Japan after seven seasons in pinstripes and also did not re-sign Paxton or Happ. 3B Gio Urshela is recovering from surgery Dec. 4 to remove a bone chip from his right elbow, a procedure with an anticipated recovery time of three months. 1B Luke Voit had a platelet-rich plasma injection to treat plantar fasciitis in his left foot after leading the majors in home runs. 2B DJ LeMahieu re-signed for $90 million over six years after becoming the first player to win undisputed batting titles in both leagues. RF Aaron Judge and DH Giancarlo Stanton are trying yoga after both missed a majority of their second straight season due to injuries. Focus will be on C Gary Sánchez, who struggled at the plate for the third straight year, hit a career-worst .147 and was benched in favor of Kyle Higashioka for four of five Division Series games. New York is seeking to be more consistent: The pandemic-shortened season included a 16-6 start followed by a 5-15 slide, a 10-game winning streak and six losses in the last eight games. The Yankees were 22-9 at home and 11-18 on the road. A long-ball dependent offense scored 156 of 315 runs on homers.

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Toronto Blue Jays

Manager: Charlie Montoyo (third season).

2020: 32-28, third place, wild card, lost to Rays in first round of playoffs.

Training Town: Dunedin, Florida.

Park: TD Ballpark.

First Workout: Feb. 18/22.

He’s Here: OF George Springer, INF Marcus Semien, RHP Kirby Yates, LHP Steven Matz, RHP Tyler Chatwood.

He’s Outta Here: RHP Ken Giles, RHP Taijuan Walker, RHP Anthony Bass, RHP Matt Shoemaker, INF Travis Shaw, INF Jonathan Villar, INF Joe Panik, RHP Chase Anderson, RHP Sean Reid-Foley, OF Billy McKinney, RHP Yennsy Diaz, RHP Wilmer Font.

Going campin’: The Blue Jays signed free agent Springer to the richest deal in club history, $150 million over six years, adding veteran leadership to a youthful, talented team that earned a wild card in last year’s expanded postseason format. In Toronto’s young core, Springer said he saw echoes of the Astros group he played with that won the 2017 World Series. Semien, who signed an $18 million, one-year deal, is another playoff veteran for young sluggers Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, Teoscar Hernandez, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Cavan Biggio to emulate and learn from. LHP Hyun Jin Ryu leads the pitching staff, and free agent Yates appears to be the likely closer, but questions remain about Toronto’s rotation depth. The Blue Jays also head into spring training unsure where they’ll play regular-season games, with the coronavirus pandemic keeping the U.S.-Canada border closed to non-essential travel. An extended stay in Florida is one possible outcome for the Blue Jays, who just opened a state-of-the-art training complex a short drive from their spring training stadium.

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Baltimore Orioles

Manager: Brandon Hyde (third season).

2020: 25-35, fourth place.

Training Town: Sarasota, Florida.

Park: Ed Smith Stadium.

First Workout: Feb. 17/22.

He’s Here: RHP Félix Hernández, SS Freddy Galvis, RHP Ashton Goudeau, OF Chris Shaw, 2B Yolmer Sanchez, RHP Mac Sceroler, RHP Tyler Wells.

He’s Outta Here: RHP Alex Cobb, 2B Hanser Alberto, SS Jose Iglesias, OF Dwight Smith, 1B Renato Nunez, RHP David Hess, INF Andrew Velazquez, C Bryan Holaday, RHP Kohl Stewart.

Going campin’: Although the Orioles appeared to make some progress last year following two straight 100-loss seasons, general manager Mike Elias remains focused on long-term stability in his effort to slash the payroll and rebuild the franchise with draft picks and prospects obtained via trades for veteran talent. The offseason trades of Cobb and Iglesias, along with the willingness to part with Alberto and Nunez, means 2021 will serve merely to groom several of the younger players. Hyde will monitor that talent in spring training while seeking to build a rotation and a bullpen without a whole lot of major league experience. The pending return of OF/1B Trey Mancini following his bout with cancer projects as one of the feel-good stories in a camp that otherwise will feature a bunch of players looking to make a positive impression by showing their potential as big leaguers. The exception is 2010 AL Cy Young Award winner Hernández, who’s looking to earn a job at the front of the rotation with 2019 All-Star John Means.

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Boston Red Sox

Manager: Alex Cora (third season, first of second stint with team).

2020: 24-36, fifth place.

Training Town: Fort Myers, Florida.

Park: JetBlue Park at Fenway South.

First Workout: Feb. 18/22.

He’s Here: Manager Alex Cora, 2B Enrique Hernández, RHP Garrett Richards, LF Hunter Renfroe, RHP Adam Ottavino, OF Franchy Cordero, RHP Matt Andriese, RHP Garrett Whitlock, RHP Josh Winckowski.

He’s Outta Here: Manager Ron Roenicke, 2B Dustin Pedroia, OF Andrew Benintendi, CF Jackie Bradley Jr., SS C.J. Chatham, C Devy Grullon, LHP Yoan Aybar, RHP Robert Stock, LHP Matt Hall, RHP Ryan Weber, RHP Collin McHugh, RHP Domingo Tapia.

Going campin’: Last year was a lost season for the Red Sox. Just two years removed from their fourth World Series championship in 15 seasons, the team fired Cora in the wake of the Houston sign-stealing scandal, and traded 2018 AL MVP Mookie Betts and 2012 AL Cy Young Award winner David Price to the Dodgers in a salary dump. The Red Sox were also without LHP Chris Sale, who missed the entire season recovering from Tommy John surgery, and Eduardo Rodriguez, who was out with heart inflammation caused by COVID-19. Roenicke, promoted from bench coach after players started reporting to spring training, didn’t have much of a chance. So the Red Sox moved on and called on Cora, who served his one-year suspension for his role in the Astros scandal. The team’s best hope of getting out of the cellar of the stacked AL East in 2021 is that he relights a spark in J.D. Martinez and Rafael Devers, who both struggled during the pandemic-shortened season; Rodriguez returns strong and Sale is able to recover by midseason. The retirement of Pedroia, who played only nine games in the past three years, provides clarity at second base and opened a spot that Hernández should fill. SS Xander Bogaerts is signed to a long-term deal and could become the star future teams are built around. Or, he could become the next Betts. CF Alex Verdugo, the biggest acquisition in the Dodgers deal, is also a piece for the future. JetBlue Park will open at about one-fourth capacity, around 2,400 fans each game.

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A team-by-team look at the American League Central entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad:

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Minnesota Twins

Manager: Rocco Baldelli (third season).

2020: 36-24, first place, lost to Houston in first round of playoffs.

Training Town: Fort Myers, Florida.

Park: Hammond Stadium at CenturyLink Sports Complex.

First Workout: Feb. 19/23.

He’s Here: SS Andrelton Simmons, RHP Alex Colomé, LHP J.A. Happ, RHP Hansel Robles, RHP Shaun Anderson, RHP Ian Hamilton, OF Keon Broxton, LHP Andrew Albers.

He’s Outta Here: LF Eddie Rosario, RHP Sergio Romo, RHP Trevor May, RHP Jake Odorizzi, INF/OF Marwin Gonzalez, LHP Rich Hill, RHP Tyler Clippard, RHP Matt Wisler, INF Ehire Adrianza, C Alex Avila.

Going campin’: The Twins return largely the same team that won the last two AL Central titles, aiming to end their major league-record 18-game postseason losing streak. The pitching staff was superb during the pandemic-shortened 2020 schedule, with only the World Series champion Dodgers, Cleveland and AL champion Tampa Bay beating Minnesota’s team ERA of 3.58. José Berríos, Kenta Maeda, Michael Pineda and Happ comprise a formidable and experienced quartet of starters, with the fifth spot in the rotation qualifying as one of the few competitions for the Twins to evaluate. Randy Dobnak will get another chance, with Devin Smeltzer and Lewis Thorpe also in the mix. Though key relievers Romo, May, Clippard and Wisler all departed as free agents, the signing of Colomé away from division rival Chicago ought to strengthen the bullpen and reduce the pressure on Taylor Rogers, who had his worst of five big league seasons in 2020. Robles is another newcomer with closing experience. Perhaps the most important move toward maintaining strong pitching was the addition of Simmons, a four-time Gold Glove winner who will anchor the defense along with CF Byron Buxton. Jorge Polanco should have a smooth transition to 2B, where his skill set is a better fit. Top prospect Alex Kirilloff appears ready to become an everyday player and replace Rosario, though if the 23-year-old needs more time, Jake Cave and Brent Rooker are capable of filling in as well. The health of the oft-injured Buxton and 3B Josh Donaldson, whose calf strain limited him to 28 games last season, will be a priority in camp. Slightly more than 2,400 fans (about 28% capacity) will be admitted to home spring training games, with a physically distanced plan utilizing a pod system and tickets sold in sets of two or four contiguous seats.

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Cleveland Indians

Manager: Terry Francona (ninth season).

2020: 35-25, second place, lost to Yankees in first round of playoffs.

Training Town: Goodyear, Arizona.

Park: Goodyear Ballpark.

First Workout: Feb. 18/22.

He’s Here: OF Eddie Rosario, INF Andrés Giménez, INF Amed Rosario, RHP Bryan Shaw.

He’s Outta Here: SS Francisco Lindor, RHP Carlos Carrasco, 1B Carlos Santana, LHP Brad Hand, OF Tyler Naquin, LHP Oliver Pérez, RHP Adam Cimber, OF Delino DeShields Jr.

Going campin’: The departure of Lindor, one of the best all-around players in club history, has further soured and disappointed Indians fans while creating a humungous hole that may never be adequately filled. Giménez and Amed Rosario, who both came over in the trade with the Mets, will get a crack at shortstop. Luckily, the Indians have 3B José Ramírez to stabilize the left side of their infield, and Gold Glove 2B César Hernández’s return after a solid 2020 season gives Francona a dependable defender and probable leadoff hitter. Eddie Rosario’s surprise signing — he destroyed Cleveland pitching while with Minnesota — boosts an outfield that still has a lot of question marks. The Indians will lean on one of the AL’s best pitching staffs, led by Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber, now the unquestioned ace. It’s possible the team may try to lock up the right-hander to a long-term deal this spring. Cleveland slugger Franmil Reyes will get a shot to win the starting job at first base. If he has a big camp, top prospect Nolan Jones could put pressure on the team to include him on the opening day roster. The Indians will not allow fans at their complex for workouts, and the club is still finalizing plans for spring games.

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Chicago White Sox

Manager: Tony La Russa (first season of second stint with team).

2020: 35-25, third place, wild card, lost to Oakland in first round of playoffs.

Training Town: Glendale, Arizona.

Park: Camelback Ranch.

First Workout: Feb. 17/22.

He’s Here: Manager Tony La Russa, RHP Liam Hendriks, RHP Lance Lynn, OF Adam Eaton, C Jonathan Lucroy.

He’s Outta Here: Manager Rick Renteria, DH Edwin Encarnación, C James McCann, RHP Alex Colomé, 2B Yolmer Sanchez, LHP Gio Gonzalez, CF Jarrod Dyson, RHP Dane Dunning, RF Nomar Mazara.

Going campin’: The White Sox made the playoffs for the first time since 2008 and ended a run of seven losing seasons last year. Now, they’re aiming for the biggest prize of all. Chicago loaded up in the offseason while other teams were cutting expenses, hoping to bring home its first World Series championship since 2005 and only the second since 1917. The club made an eye-opening change in the dugout when it brought back Hall of Famer and three-time champion La Russa to take over for Renteria. The move came 34 years after the White Sox fired La Russa, who went on to win a title with Oakland and two more with St. Louis. But he hasn’t filled out a lineup card since the Cardinals won the World Series in 2011. Something else to watch: How will he relate to a vibrant, fun-loving team? But that wasn’t the only big move the White Sox made. They added arguably the game’s best closer when they signed Hendriks to a $54 million, three-year deal. The Australian was on the mound when Oakland knocked off Chicago in their wild-card series. The White Sox also acquired Lynn from Texas, adding a workhorse starter to go with ace Lucas Giolito and Dallas Keuchel. And the lineup — anchored by AL MVP Jose Abreu and 2019 major league batting champion Tim Anderson — is deep. It’s not clear if fans will be allowed to attend games at Camelback Ranch.

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Kansas City Royals

Manager: Mike Matheny (second season).

2020: 26-34, fourth place.

Training Town: Surprise, Arizona.

Park: Surprise Stadium.

First Workout: Feb. 17/22.

He’s Here: LHP Mike Minor, 1B/DH Carlos Santana, OF Andrew Benintendi, RHP Wade Davis, RHP Ervin Santana, CF Michael A. Taylor, RHP Carlos Sanabria, 2B Hanser Alberto.

He’s Outta Here: LF Alex Gordon, OF Franchy Cordero, RHP Ian Kennedy, 3B Maikel Franco, RHP Glenn Sparkman, RHP Matt Harvey.

Going campin’: The improvement of the Royals came largely from the improvement of their young core, which they hope will usher in their next winning window. RHP Brady Singer nearly pitched a no-hitter during a promising pandemic-shortened season, and fellow rookie LHP Kris Bubic also made his big league debut. More young pitching could be on the way with LHPs Asa Lacy and Daniel Lynch and RHPs Jackson Kowar and Jonathan Bowlen providing the framework for what could be a dominant rotation in the next few years. The Royals lost one of the game’s premier defensive outfielders when Gordon retired, but he had struggled the last few seasons at the plate. He’ll be replaced by Benintendi, acquired from Boston in a deal that sent Cordero to the Red Sox. The Royals filled their leadership vacuum by signing Santana, who made life miserable for them for years as a member of the AL Central-rival Indians. Matheny thought the Royals were close to competing by the end of last season, and the team showed positive signs. Expectations are there for a breakthrough this year.

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Detroit Tigers

Manager: AJ Hinch (first season).

2020: 23-35, fifth place.

Training Town: Lakeland, Florida.

Park: Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium.

First Workout: Feb. 17/22.

He’s Here: Manager AJ Hinch, C Wilson Ramos, OF Robbie Grossman, RHP Jose Urena, LHP Derek Holland, LHP Robbie Ross Jr., LHP Miguel Del Pozo, C Dustin Garneau, RHP Erasmo Ramirez, 3B Renato Nunez, INF Greg Garcia.

He’s Outta Here: Manager Ron Gardenhire, C Austin Romine, RHP Ivan Nova, RHP Jordan Zimmermann, 1B C.J. Cron, 1B Brandon Dixon, RHP Anthony Castro.

Going campin’: The rebuilding Tigers haven’t made the postseason since 2014 and haven’t really been in contention since 2016. Hinch takes over as manager after serving his suspension in the aftermath of the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scandal. He inherits a team with a handful of promising pitching prospects, a couple of whom made their big league debuts in 2020. Casey Mize and Tarik Skubal had their ups and downs last season with the Tigers. Matt Manning is also highly regarded but hasn’t reached the majors yet. Detroit got some bad news in December when the team announced that RHP Alex Faedo — another one of those promising prospects — would need reconstructive arm surgery. INF Spencer Torkelson, the top pick in last year’s draft, is another one to watch. Among the established players, Miguel Cabrera is approaching his 38th birthday and needs 13 home runs to reach 500. The Tigers weren’t too active this offseason, but Ramos should help the team’s catching situation and Grossman adds a veteran bat to the outfield. Lakeland’s director of parks and recreation said recently that seating capacity at spring training games would be reduced to 2,000 in order to maintain physical distancing protocols. The city said additional protocols would be announced in the coming weeks.

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