NEWS
The Padres have hired Mark Loretta as a special assistant to the CEO. Loretta had a 15-year MLB career, he was a 2-time All-Star and won a Silver Slugger. He played with the Padres from 2003-05.
Cameron Maybin has announced his retirement from MLB. He had a 15-year MLB career spent mostly with the Padres and Marlins.
The A’s have hired Brad Ausmus as a bench coach for first time manager Mark Kotsay. Ausmus has 5 year managing experience between the Tigers and Angels.
RHP Ty Buttrey is looking to return to MLB after stepping away from the game in April of 2021. He last pitched for the Angels in 2020.
The Yankees have named Rachel Balkovec the manager of the Low A Tampa Tarpons. Balkovec will become the first women to ever manage an affiliated minor league club.
The Mets announced they will retire the number 17 in honor of Keith Hernandez. It will be the 4th number retired by the Mets. Hernandez played 7 years with the Mets from 1983-89 and won a World Series with them in 1986.
The Orioles are changing the LF dimensions at Camden Yards. The stretch of the left field wall from the foul pole to the bullpen area in left-center field will be moved back roughly 30 feet, and also elevated to around 12 feet high from its current height of seven feet.
Jon Lester has announced his retirement from MLB. He had a 16-year MLB career spent mostly with the Red Sox and Cubs. Lester was a 5-time All-Star, winning 3 World Series and being named the NLCS MVP with the Cubs in 2016. He finished top 4 in Cy Young voting 3 different times.
The Twins announced they will retire the number 36 in honor of Hall of Famer Jim Kaat. He spent 15 years with the Twins and won 12 of his 16 Gold Gloves when he played with them.
Melky Cabrera announced his retirement from MLB. He had a 15-year MLB career spent mostly with the Yankees and White Sox. Cabrera was an All-Star in 2012 with the Giants and he won a World Series with the Yankees in 2009.
MLB announced that Las Vegas will host an MLB Spring Training series between the Diamondbacks and Rockies on March 18-19.
TRANSACTIONS
The Dodgers signed INF Eddy Alvarez to a minor league deal.
The Reds signed RHP Ben Lively to a minor league deal.
The Twins signed RHP Derek Rodriguez to a minor league deal.
The Royals signed RHP Arodys Vizcaino to a minor league deal.
The Dbacks signed OF Braden Bishop and RHP Keynan Middleton to minor league deals.
The Angels signed OF Magneuris Sierra and RHP Kyle Barraclough to minor league deals.
The White Sox re-signed RHP Kyle Crick to a minor league deal.
RUMORS
The Mets had contact with RHP Jeurys Familia before the lockout.