A take on the Franco signing and some game notes
A take on the Franco signing and some game notes
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The Orioles made the signing of third baseman Maikel Franco official today. He passed his physical and signed a one-year deal for the 2021 season. The move could mean the Orioles have a mostly set infield for many games in the coming season with Trey Mancini at first, Yolmer Sánchez at second, Freddy Galvis at short and Franco at third. It would a clean slate in the Baltimore infield, as none of those four played a game for the team in 2020. MLB Network reported the deal is for $800,000,...
Franco deal official, Hernández leaves start early
Franco deal official, Hernández leaves start early
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Third baseman Maikel Franco entered the Orioles organization today about the same time that veteran pitcher Félix Hernández made a mysterious exit from his start against the Rays. Franco signed a one-year contract that pays $800,000, with a possible $200,000 in incentives, as first reported by MLB Network's Jon Heyman and confirmed by a source. Franco receives a bonus if he's traded, the same perk given to shortstop Freddy Galvis in January. Both sides agreed that Franco's option can...
Orioles sign infielder Maikel Franco
Orioles sign infielder Maikel Franco
Pete Kerzel
Orioles
The Orioles today announced that they have signed infielder Maikel Franco to a one-year contract for the 2021 season. Franco, 28, appeared in all 60 games for the Kansas City Royals during the 2020 season, making 51 starts at third base, eight starts as the designated hitter, and one start at first base. He batted .278/.321/.457 (62-for-223) with 16 doubles, eight home runs, 23 runs scored, and 38 RBI. His 16 doubles, 24 extra-base hits, and 38 RBI led the Royals, and his 62 hits were the...
Hyde provides updates on Martin and Stewart (Franco signs)
Hyde provides updates on Martin and Stewart (Franco signs)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde is withholding Richie Martin from his first game until after Thursday's off-day. Hyde is being cautious with Martin, who had the hamate bone removed from his left hand in January. Martin hit yesterday on a back field at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. "Wrist is feeling pretty good," Hyde said today on his Zoom call. "We're pushing him back a couple days. ... He's going to continue to take at-bats on the back field here. "It's just coming off a hamate and your...
Orioles and Rays lineups
Orioles and Rays lineups
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Richie Martin won't make his spring debut this afternoon against the Rays, with manager Brandon Hyde giving him a little more time following hamate bone surgery rather than sending him to Port Charlotte to play shortstop. Martin underwent the procedure in January after breaking the bone in Puerto Rico. He batted yesterday in a simulated game and was expected in the lineup today, but his first Grapefruit League activity remains on hold. The former Rule 5 pick said on his Zoom call that he'll...
Parra debuts, Zimmerman slugs, Suero dominates
Parra debuts, Zimmerman slugs, Suero dominates
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
It was a spring training game, three at-bats and five innings in left field in Jupiter, Fla. Gerardo Parra had done something along those lines hundreds of times in his career. And yet this one felt different. Some 17 months removed from the last game he played in a Nationals uniform, the veteran outfielder wasn't just going through the motions when he took the field Monday. "I feel emotional inside," he said during a Zoom session with reporters afterward. "Really, really...
D.C. approves 5,000 fans at Nationals Park to begin season
D.C. approves 5,000 fans at Nationals Park to begin season
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The District of Columbia has approved the Nationals' request to allow crowds of up to 5,000 at Nationals Park, ensuring they will join Major League Baseball's other 29 clubs in playing in front of at least some fans to begin the 2021 season. In a letter sent to the team Monday night, D.C. Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Christopher Rodriguez said the club's March 13 waiver application to operate Nationals Park with fans has been approved. The team then made a public...
Nationals announce return of fans to Nationals Park
Nationals announce return of fans to Nationals Park
Pete Kerzel
Nationals
The Washington Nationals, with approval from the Government of the District of Columbia and Major League Baseball, today announced that Nationals Park will welcome fans back to the ballpark for the 2021 season, beginning on Opening Day, Thursday, April 1 against the New York Mets. The Opening Day game will be aired nationally on ESPN, with first pitch scheduled for 7:09 p.m. ET. In accordance with CDC recommendations and MLB protocols, the Nationals will implement appropriate social distancing...
More on Maikel Franco as sides get closer to completing deal
More on Maikel Franco as sides get closer to completing deal
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Learning more about future Orioles third baseman Maikel Franco requires pushing away from online statistics as if they're underneath the remains of a holiday spread. What else is out there? For me, it starts with learning how to pronounce his name. I've heard a couple of versions this week. Going back online to BaseballReference.com - never stray too far - it's "Michael Fraun-co" rather than "May-KEL Franco" or "MAY-kel Franco." You'll find him on Twitter if you search @maikelfranco7....
Matt Harvey makes progress, then provides report on Maikel Franco
Matt Harvey makes progress, then provides report on Maikel Franco
Steve Melewski
Orioles
If the second half of the Grapefruit League schedule is about dialing it up and playing cleaner, better baseball, the Orioles got the memo on Monday at Ed Smith Stadium. They went 3-10-1 in the first half of the spring, but began the second-half 1-0 with their best game to this point under the Florida sun. There was a spring training-high 12 runs scored. They hit three homers after going eight games without one. There was some solid defense for the second game in a row. And some pitching...