WEATHER ALERT
Easy does it: MLB pitchers prepare for usual 162-game grind
Read full article: Easy does it: MLB pitchers prepare for usual 162-game grindNationals general manager Mike Rizzo said Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021, that Strasburg is in preparation mode not in rehabilitation mode at spring training after having surgery in 2020. So the familiar feel of February spring training has pitchers eager to unleash fastballs, spin a few breaking balls and get ready for the 162-game long haul. “Spring training is 50 days long,” Seattle Mariners manager Scott Servais said. But young pitchers — many of whom didn't throw many innings last season — will have to be watched closely. He practiced on the first day of spring training Wednesday but an MRI later revealed the break.
Blue Jays expect to play in Florida, Buffalo and Toronto
Read full article: Blue Jays expect to play in Florida, Buffalo and TorontoFILE - Toronto Blue Jays' Rowdy Tellez signs autographs for fans before a spring training baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies in Dunedin, Fla., in this Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019, file photo. The Toronto Blue Jays will play their first two homestands of the season at their spring training facility in Dunedin, Florida, because of Canadian government restrictions during the pandemic. The Blue Jays cited the ongoing Canada-U.S. border closure in making the difficult decision." “The alternatives for our season lie with some combination of Dunedin, Buffalo and Toronto," Shapiro said. The Blue Jays played home games during the shortened 2020 season in Buffalo and were 17-9 at Sahlen Field, home of their Buffalo Bisons Triple-A farm team.
New Jays OF Springer sees echoes of Astros in Toronto's core
Read full article: New Jays OF Springer sees echoes of Astros in Toronto's coreSpringer and the Blue Jays agreed last week to a team-record $150 million, six-year contract. The Blue Jays swept in two games during a first-round series by the eventual AL champion Rays. Besides Springer, Toronto also has signed right-handers Kirby Yates and Tyler Chatwood in the past week. Shapiro insisted the Blue Jays still have flexibility to add payroll, likely to strengthen the rotation, but said “the bulk of our heavy lifting is done.”Springer split time between center field and right with the Astros, but is expected to become a fixture in center for the Blue Jays. “This is about the Blue Jays,” Springer said.
A look at the 29 people Trump pardoned or gave commutations
Read full article: A look at the 29 people Trump pardoned or gave commutationsTrump commuted his sentence in July just days before he was scheduled to report to federal prison. The president commuted her sentence; the White House said the commutation was supported by several former U.S. attorneys general. A White House news release praised the men as “model prisoners,” who had earned support and praise from other inmates. She was in the White House when Trump signed the overhaul measure, known as the First Step Act, into law. Black was a co-defendant in the case and was also convicted; Trump previously pardoned him.
A look at the 29 people Trump pardoned or gave commutations
Read full article: A look at the 29 people Trump pardoned or gave commutationsTrump commuted his sentence in July just days before he was scheduled to report to federal prison. The president commuted her sentence; the White House said the commutation was supported by several former U.S. attorneys general. A White House news release praised the men as “model prisoners,” who had earned support and praise from other inmates. She was in the White House when Trump signed the overhaul measure, known as the First Step Act, into law. Black was a co-defendant in the case and was also convicted; Trump previously pardoned him.
Blue Jays talking to MLB teams about playing at their parks
Read full article: Blue Jays talking to MLB teams about playing at their parks(Cole Burston/The Canadian Press via AP)TORONTO, ONT The Blue Jays are talking to several teams about sharing a major league ballpark this season after Canadas government barred Toronto from playing in its home stadium amid the coronavirus pandemic, general manager Ross Atkins said Monday. We would much rather be in a major league facility, Atkins said. He declined to identify the teams but said the Blue Jays have more than five contingency plans. Players have told management they want to be in a major league park. Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro said Saturday that player health is a concern in Florida.
Blue Jays pitcher says team is looking for major league park
Read full article: Blue Jays pitcher says team is looking for major league parkThe other 29 major league teams plan to play the pandemic-shortened, 60-game season in their home ballparks, without spectators. I just said, Look, we want to play in a major league ballpark. That was pretty much echoed throughout the clubhouse that we want to be in a major league ballpark, wherever that is. Outfielder Teoscar Hernndez also said he would prefer a major league park. I bet every team in this division hopes its a big league park, but if not, they have no choice, Montoyo said.
Jays players headed to Florida, continue talks to play in TO
Read full article: Jays players headed to Florida, continue talks to play in TOTORONTO, ONT The Blue Jays are moving players to their spring training facility in Florida while they await word from the Canadian government about playing in Toronto amid the coronavirus pandemic. Ford said he was in talks with Blue Jays President Mark Shapiro all weekend. The Blue Jays are hopeful to stage training camp and play regular-season home games in Toronto and will continue to work through this possibility." Anna Maddison, a spokesman for the Public Health Agency of Canada, said the federal government continues to be in discussion with the Blue Jays. Maddison said Toronto Public Health and Ontario Ministry of Health are also actively engaged with the Blue Jays.