That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Dodgers Roberts encouraged by Mookie’s progress; Yanks Yarbrough signs for 1 yr $2 million deal; plus more MLB

Mookie Betts walks around in the Los Angeles Dodgers dugout and has been out of the line up since losing 18 pounds and having trouble keeping down solid food. Manager Dave Roberts says that Betts should be back in the line up on Tue Mar 25, 2025 (AP News photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he feels “really encouraged” by Mookie Betts recovery. Betts had been ill and couldn’t keep solid down and lost 18 pounds. Betts went through a full workout at Dodger Stadium on Monday and is expected to be back in the line up on Tuesday.

#2 New York Yankees signed left hander Ryan Yarbrough to a $2 million one year deal with a $250,000 in contract bonuses the Yankees announced on Monday. Yarbrough 33 pitched for the Toronto Blue Jays in spring training and opted out of his contract Sunday after learning that he would not be on the opening day roster.

#3 Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Ranger Suarez will not open the season and will be on the injured list as Suarez is recovering from a lower back injury. Suarez could be ready to pitch sometime in April according to Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski.

#4 At the Sacramento A’s and San Francisco Giants Triple A team the Sacramento River Cats ballpark Sutter Health Park the grounds crew will have replacement grass on standby in the event the grass starts to brown or deteriorate. The A’s and River Cats are considering the amount of games being played on the shared field they will need the sod on standby.

#5 The Phillies left hand pitcher Matt Strahm did not pitch in the final Grapefruit League game on Monday due to a finger injury while packing. Strahm tore a fingernail on his left middle finger while preparing for a trip to the Phillies spring training home in Clearwater Florida.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

MLB The Show podcast with Stephen Ruderman: Angels most likely won’t deal Ohtani to Dodgers; Padres and Giants could be in the running; more MLB news

Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani might not be dealt to a California team but the San Diego Padres and the San Francisco Giants might be in the running during free agency (photo from yahoo.com sports)

MLB The Show podcast with Stephen Ruderman:

#1 Stephen, the Los Angeles Angels two way player Shohei Ohtani according to Angels owner Arturo Moreno will not be traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers before this month’s trade deadline. The Angels do not want to deal Ohtani to a California team.

#2 Ohtani could wind up as a rental in Baltimore. The Orioles are second in the AL East and could either get Ohtani as a rental or get him as a free agent. Either way an acquisition of Ohtani could spell big things for the Orioles who knocking at the East’s door.

#3 Stephen, the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants are strong candidates in the Ohtani free agency sweepstakes but the Padres have a pretty big payroll with Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr, and Juan Soto will they add another $700 million to their payroll and the Giants may not spend that type of money for Ohtani.

#4 Former Cincinnati Reds catcher Johnny Bench made an antisemetic joke on Sunday at a Reds press conference about former Cincinnati Reds general manager Gabe Paul who Pete Rose said paid him $400 per month when someone said “that’s cheap” and Bench interjected saying “He was Jewish” later Bench asked Paul’s daughter Jennie Paul if she was offended where Jennie replied she didn’t hear what Bench said. Bench apologized to Jennie and said that his remark took away from Paul’s achievement.

#5 The San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado joined the 300 home run club in the first game of a doubleheader in Philadelphia on Saturday with the score tied 3-3 and a 2-2 count and facing the Phils pitcher Matt Strahm, Machado hit a 94 MPH fastball 425 feet into the second deck at Citizens Bank Ballpark in Philadelphia. The Padres didn’t win 6-4 but Machado got the milestone.

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