Major League Baseball notebook: Machado talks narrow, Phillies a prime suitor

FAN Editor
MLB: Texas Rangers at Baltimore Orioles
Jul 14, 2018; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles shortstop Manny Machado (13) looks on in the field during the second inning against the Texas Rangers at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

July 15, 2018

The Baltimore Orioles have made progress and narrowed their focus to a smaller group of teams in talks to trade shortstop Manny Machado, according to an ESPN report Saturday.

Per the report, the Orioles are “definitely motivated” to find a deal for the four-time All-Star, and they’ve had extensive talks with the Philadelphia Phillies, who would be major suitors for Machado if he reaches free agency after the season. Baltimore is evaluating several of Philadelphia’s top prospects, including right-handers Franklyn Kilome and Adonis Medina, and outfielders Jhailyn Ortiz and Arquimedes Gamboa.

Phillies president Andy MacPhail, general manager Matt Klentak and assistant Ned Rice were all with the Orioles when Machado was drafted in 2010.

The Orioles have also reportedly discussed possible deals with the Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves, Arizona Diamondbacks and Cleveland Indians.

–New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez will begin a rehab assignment with Triple A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday and could return Friday after the All-Star break, according to manager Aaron Boone.

Sanchez was hurt on June 24 trying to beat out the throw to first on a double-play grounder. He landed on the 10-day disabled list on June 25 and was given a three-to-four week timetable to return.

Boone told reporters the plan is to have Sanchez start the team’s first game after the All-Star break — Friday versus the New York Mets — barring any setbacks. The Yankees’ last game before the break is Sunday.

–Tampa Bay Rays catcher Wilson Ramos expects to miss Tuesday’s All-Star Game after departing the team’s 19-6 win at Minnesota because of tightness in his left hamstring, an injury he thinks will land him on the disabled list.

Ramos, a second-time All-Star (also in 2016) but first-time starting catcher, told reporters that he will still attend All-Star festivities, but he said the injury will “probably” require a DL stint. He suffered the injury while running to first trying to beat out an infield grounder in the sixth inning, after going 1-for-3 with a two-run double in the fourth.

Ramos, who turns 31 next month, is hitting .297 with 14 home runs and 53 RBIs in 78 games this season, getting most of his at-bats in Tampa Bay’s cleanup spot in the lineup.

–A day after leaving his team’s game in Pittsburgh, Milwaukee outfielder Eric Thames was placed on the 10-day disabled list with hamstring tightness. It was one of several moves made by the Brewers, for whom the All-Star break can’t arrive soon enough.

Friday night’s starting pitcher, Junior Guerra, also went on the 10-day DL. After giving up six runs on nine hits in only four innings — his worst start of the season — against the Pirates, the right-hander was shelved with a forearm injury.

To fill their voids, the club activated left-handed pitcher Brent Suter from the DL and called fan favorite Nate Orf back up from Triple-A Colorado Springs. The Brewers also recalled righty Aaron Wilkerson to serve as their 26th man for Saturday’s doubleheader in Pittsburgh. The Pirates also made a couple of moves, putting catcher Francisco Cervelli (concussion symptoms) on the seven-day DL recalling catcher Jacob Stallings Triple-A Indianapolis to take his place.

–The Boston Red Sox recalled left-handed pitcher Bobby Poyner from Triple-A Pawtucket, optioning lefty pitcher Robby Scott to Pawtucket to make room on the roster.

This will be Poyner’s fifth call-up this season, his first in the majors. The 25-year-old has a 1.69 ERA with 10 strikeouts and one walk in 10 2/3 innings over 10 relief appearances. He has a 2.70 ERA in 21 minor league appearances.

Scott, who turns 29 next month, has given up four runs in 2 1/3 innings with Boston. He has a 1.15 ERA with 48 strikeouts in 31 1/3 innings pitched in Pawtucket this season.

–Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander and supermodel wife Kate Upton are expecting their first child, Upton announced.

The couple was married in Italy in November following Verlander’s World Series triumph with the Astros. The 26-year-old Upton revealed the news in an Instagram post with the hashtag #pregnantinMiami and tagging Verlander.

Verlander was selected for Tuesday’s All-Star Game, but isn’t expected to pitch given that he is scheduled to start for the Astros on Sunday.

–Field Level Media

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