Tag: mlb

Sacramento’s Major League Moment Has Arrived

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Newly renovated Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento shines in the late March Sun as the Giants took on the River Cats (Photo: Jeremiah Salmonson/SRS)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO — Baseball in Sacramento is nothing new. Yet, having a team at the sports pinnacle of competition call the city home is uncharted territory.

The Sacramento River Cats have been playing in the West Sacramento ballpark since the year 2000. Sutter Health Park, formerly known as Raley Field, sits across the Sacramento River from downtown and the capitol building of the state of California. On hot summer nights, the delta breeze rolls in to cool the ballpark down, making it one of the best minor league baseball experiences in the country.

Yet, it was nowhere near Major League Baseball standards.

With the A’s departure from Oakland this past fall after decades of uncertainty surrounding a stadium, the Athletics Baseball Club finds itself in the cozy confines of Sutter Health Park for the 2025 season and beyond. The current plan is for the A’s to be in Sacramento through 2028, but who knows how that timeline will hold up. Nevertheless, the ballpark needed significant upgrades for the A’s to call it their home, albeit temporarily.

Who was responsible for improving the stadium?

Well…

The River Cats and the stadium are now owned by the chairman and owner of the Sacramento Kings, Vivek Ranadive. Vivek purchased the club and the stadium in an August 2022 deal that some saw as a first step in bringing MLB to Sacramento. “I’ve been in touch with the commissioner, I’ve gotten to know him, Rob Manfred, and they will be creating a new team,” Vivek said in Spring 2024. “They want it to be on the West coast, they would love it to be in California, and I think this is a great showcase for us. We can prove that there’s a market here and we can make the team successful. I think we are in full position to get the new franchise… We are investing in making this an MLB-level stadium, and our hope is that it leads to a permanent MLB team.” Clearly, for Vivek, this is about more than a temporary stay for the Athletics.

With Vivek’s vision for the city in mind, the team got busy on improvements to the stadium this past offseason. On Sunday, I had the opportunity to attend the first baseball game at the new and improved venue, a matinee affair.

The stadium and playing surface underwent significant improvements that include a new 75’ x 32’ scoreboard in right-center field, a new network along with improved audio systems, a renovated visiting clubhouse, a new multi-level home clubhouse that includes a weight room and hitting tunnels, a new grass and dirt playing surface specially designed to handle the heat and heavy use this summer, and an additional rooftop seating area on top of the home clubhouse.

The improvements are impressive, and they surely elevate the grounds to MLB standards. Kings president of business operations John Rinehart, who oversaw the renovations, and owner Vivek Ranadive can be proud of the new-look ballpark.

Giants starter Landen Roupp discussed what he thought about the upgrades after his five innings of one-run ball on Sunday: “It’s beautiful, a lot better than it was. It felt good to play here again and see the upgrades. It was really nice.”

Giants scheduled opening-day starter and Rocklin (a 20-minute drive from Sacramento) native Logan Webb also had good things to say when asked about his initial impressions of the stadium: “I noticed the scoreboard, and the batter’s eye. The grass is nice… it looks good!”

The Athletics will officially christen the new digs in the first MLB regular-season game on March 31st at 7:05 P.M. PST. The A’s will take on the visiting Chicago Cubs in the much-anticipated three-game series at Sutter Health Park.

So, while baseball in Sacramento is not new, MLB baseball in the capital city certainly is. It’s an exciting time for local baseball fans, as a year of anticipation finally becomes reality. The stage is set for the city to show what it can offer MLB, and don’t be fooled—the league and commissioner Rob Manfred will be watching closely.

Jeremiah Salmonson is a Sacramento A’s beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants Fall Short in Sacramento, Drop Exhibition to River Cats 4-3

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Sunset over the Tower Bridge in Sacramento during the late innings of the Giants vs River Cats matchup. (Photo: Jeremiah Salmonson)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO — The San Francisco Giants visited Sacramento on Sunday evening, playing as the home team at Sutter Health Park. The Giants faced off against the River Cats at 5:05 PM PST in the upgraded venue that will soon host the Sacramento A’s regular-season games beginning March 31st. However, the River Cats came away with a 4-3 victory over the Giants in West Sacramento.

The Giants started scoring early, jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Jung Hoo Lee doubled home Heliot Ramos with a line drive to right-center field, and later Luis Matos reached base on a throwing error, allowing Lee to score.

The Giants’ offense struck again in the second inning, extending their advantage to 3-0 when Christian Koss doubled in Casey Schmitt. Unfortunately, this marked the end of their scoring for the night, as the River Cats took control from that point forward.

In the fourth inning, the River Cats began chipping away at the deficit as Logan Porter doubled home Hunter Bishop, cutting the Giants’ lead to 3-1.

Giants starter Landen Roupp turned in a strong performance, pitching five innings while allowing just one hit, one earned run, and one walk, with eight strikeouts. Roupp remains in contention for the fifth spot in the starting rotation. Time will tell if he or Birdsong gets the nod for Manager Bob Melvin. 

In contrast, Hayden Birdsong, competing with Roupp for the rotation spot, struggled significantly. Birdsong entered in the sixth inning but was pulled after recording just one out, allowing three hits, two walks, and three earned runs. The River Cats took advantage, scoring three runs in the inning to pull ahead 4-3.

Kai-Wei Teng and Justin Garza combined to pitch the remaining 3 1/3 innings for the Giants, holding the River Cats scoreless. Despite their efforts in the ninth, the Giants’ offense couldn’t produce additional runs, and the game ended in a 4-3 loss. 

After a strong spring, the Giants are feeling good as they return to San Francisco on Sunday night. They have two official spring training games remaining before Opening Day on March 27th against the Reds in Cincinnati.

Key Performers:
Heliot Ramos had a strong showing, going 2-2 with a double and a walk.
Landen Roupp delivered five innings of one-run baseball with eight strikeouts.

Up Next: The Giants return to San Francisco for their first game at Oracle Park this season, hosting the Detroit Tigers in Spring Training action at 6:45 PM PST.

Headline Sports podcast Charlie O Sun Mar 23, 2025: Rays McClanahan leaves with arm injury; Guardians Bibee signs 5 yr $48 million deal; plus more MLB news

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Cleveland Guardians starter Tanner Bibee delivers to the Cincinnati Reds in the second inning during the Grapefruit League action at Goodyear AZ on Mon Mar 17, 2025. Bibee signed a five year $48 million deal on Sat Mar 22, 2025 with the Guardians (AP News photo)

Headline Sports podcast Charlie O Sun Mar 23, 2025

#1 Tampa Bay Rays left handed pitcher Shane McClanahan suffered triceps tightness to his pitching arm. McClanahan will take imaging tests to get an idea how serious the injury is. McClanahan had Tommy John surgery and had not pitched in one game since August 2023. McClanahan pitched 2 1/3 inning giving up a hit and a walk, striking out three batters before having to leave.

#2  Cleveland Guardians right handed pitcher Tanner Bibee signed a five year deal on Saturday worth $48 million. Bibee will also pitch on opening day Thursday against the Kansas City Royals. Bibee went 12-8 with a 3.47 ERA last season.

#3  Arizona Diamondbacks closer Justin Martinez a right hander has signed a $18 million with five year contract. Martinez is competing for the closing job. The contract surpasses his one year MLB contract that was $772,200 and $335,7000 minor league salary.

#4 San Francisco Giants DH and outfielder Jerar Encarnacion suffered a fractured left hand during Friday’s spring training game attempting to make a ctach in the outfield. The Giants didn’t say how long that Encarnacion will be out. Encarnacion hit two home runs, 14 RBIs and a .302 batting average in spring training.

#5  Los Angeles Dodgers two way star Shohei Ohtani slugged his first home run of the 2025 season on Wednesday as the Dodgers would win the game against the Chicago Cubs 6-3 at the Tokyo Dome on Wednesday. The home run did have to be reviewed as the ball deflect off a fan and fell onto the field.

Join Charlie O for Headline Sports podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento A’s Relocation podcast Daniel Dullum Sun Mar 23, 2025: Vegas Stadium Authority is still waiting on A’s to come up with construction money

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The site of the Las Vegas A’s ballpark at the Tropicana on the Las Vegas strip which is being cleared for construction. The Las Vegas Stadium Authority is waiting for the A’s to come up with $100 million their share of the construction costs. (Las Vegas Review Journal file photo)

Sacramento A’s Relocation podcast Daniel Dullum:

#1 Daniel, after all this time and the deadline to pay for the A’s Las Vegas ballpark construction costs was due last December the Sacramento A’s owner John Fisher’s payment is still on hold at the tune of $1.75 billion.

#2 As of last week the A’s need to get private money and at a price that is of higher value then the team itself to get the Vegas park and shovels into the ground. No word from the A’s on the loan for the ballpark that was supposed to come from U.S. Bank and Goldman Sachs.

#3 The A’s right now need to come up with $100 million to just get started with limited public financing from the SB1 public funding bill that was approved in 2023 by the Nevada State Assembly for $380 million.

#4 Word is the Fisher Family has not come up with the funding and Las Vegas authorities can not confirm publicly or otherwise that the family has that kind of money or has that money to put down as of last week.

#5 A’s team president Sandy Dean said in an early March meeting with the Nevada Stadium Authority headed by Nevada Stadium Authority Chairman Steven Hill that the A’s will have the money coming from the Fisher Family and loans from U.S. Bank and Goldman Sachs. It’s yet to be seen. There are two questions regarding the financing of the Vegas ballpark #1 What will the Nevada State Assembly do if the Fishers can not come up with their share of the construction costs so that money from the SB1 bill can start funding the ballpark. #2 Will this land on the lap of MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred who helped spearhead the A’s relocation and will MLB be forced to go back to the drawing board and have to find a new location for the A’s who are playing their interim years in Sacramento?

#6 Can Oakland get back at the table if Vegas falls apart? Oakland has an interim Mayor Kevin Jenkins and Oakland will vote for a new mayor in November either Barbara Lee or Loren Taylor. If John Fisher has no where else to go would he and Rob Manfred reconsider working with a new Oakland Mayor and renew interest in building a downtown Oakland ballpark?

Daniel Dullum does the A’s Relocation podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Giants selling ownership stake – What does it mean?

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Giants selling ownership stake – What does it mean?

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

San Francisco Giants CEO Larry Baer says the money from the sale of 10% of the Giants will be used for ballpark improvements with the developments around the ballpark (San Francisco Chronicle file photo)

The San Francisco Giants dropped a 10% ownership stake in the franchise to the private equity firm Sixth Street, as reported today by the New York Times. The Giants did not confirm the specific share that it sold. Still, they said it was a “strategic partnership.” Larry Baer, Giants President, and CEO, said that the deal “allows (the Giants) to strengthen further our franchise on the field and in the community.”

That the Giants intend to use the money for improvements to Oracle Park and the Mission Rock mixed-use development surrounding the stadium, as well as the team’s Spring Training complex in Scottsdale. But it will not impact the team’s players’ payroll. And added, “This is about improvements to the ballpark, making big bets on San Francisco and the community around us, and having the firepower to take us into the next generation.” said Baer Major League Baseball Network revealed.

Major League Baseball and NBC Sports Regional Networks announced a new partnership today to stream games consumers for three MLB Clubs: Athletics (NBC Sports California), Giants (NBC Sports Bay Area), and Phillies (NBC Sports Philadelphia) – through MLB.TV during the 2025 season.

Fans in the Clubs’ home territories can now watch the networks’ game coverage live and on-demand with live pre-and post-game shows through the league’s streaming service, which is now entering its 23rd season. Talking about money for those who like to watch MLB games on TV.

This 2025 season- Packages for the A’s and Giants will be available monthly for $19.99 and can be bundled with MLB.TV’s out-of-market games for $39.99 a month. The Phillies package will be available for $24.99 monthly and can be bundled with MLB.TV’s out-of-market package for $44.99 per month.

Here’s a list of the current valuations for each MLB franchise as of late 2024,

1-New York Yankees $7.55 Billion

2 Los Angeles Dodgers $5.45 Billion

3 Boston Red Sox $4.5 Billion

4 Chicago Cubs $4.22 Billion

5 San Francisco Giants $3.8 Billion

6 New York Mets $3 Billion

7 Philadelphia Phillies $2.92 Billion

8 Atlanta Braves $2.8 Billion

9 Los Angeles Angels $2.7 Billion

10 St. Louis Cardinals $2.55 Billion

11 Houston Astros $2.42 Billion

12 Texas Rangers $2.4 Billion

13 Seattle Mariners $2.2 Billion

14 Toronto Blue Jays $2.1 Billion

15 Chicago White Sox $2.05 Billion

16 Washington Nationals $2 Billion

17 San Diego Padres $1.78 Billion

18 Baltimore Orioles $1.73 Billion

19 Milwaukee Brewers $1.6 Billion

20 Colorado Rockies $1.48 Billion

21 Minnesota Twins $1.46 Billion

22 Detroit Tigers $1.45 Billion

23 Arizona Diamondbacks $1.43 Billion

24 Cleveland Guardians $1.35 Billion

25 Pittsburgh Pirates $1.32 Billion

26 Cincinnati Reds $1.26 Billion

27 Tampa Bay Rays $1.25 Billion

28 Kansas City Royals $1.2 Billion

29 Miami Marlins $1.2 Billion

30 Oakland Athletics $1.1 Billion

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.

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: Skenes to start opening day for Bucs; Dodgers Ohtani goes deep in front of fans in Japan; plus more MLB news

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Pittsburgh Pirates Paul Skenes will be the opening day starter for the Bucs on Thu Mar 27, 2025 against the Miami Marlins at LoanDepot Park in Miami (AP file photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O:

#1 Pittsburgh Pirates Paul Skenes got the word from manager Derek Shelton that he would be the opening day starter. Skenes 22 years old a right hander was 11-3 and had an ERA of 1.96 in 23 starts for the Pirates in 2024 and won the NL Rookie of the Year Award. He said upon finding out that he would be the opening day starter “sweet.”

#2 Japanese and Los Angeles Dodger star Shohei Ohtani was raking at the Tokyo Dome on Saturday night in exhibition play against the Yomiuri Giants. Ohtani slugged a Titanic two run home run to right field to give the Dodgers a 4-0 lead and sent 42,000 fans standing and roaring for Ohtani.

#3 Miami Marlins outfielder Jesus Sanchez will be on the injured list for four weeks due to a oblique injury according to Marlins manager Clayton McCullough. Sanchez got hurt while playing in a spring training game against the Houston Astros. Sanchez 27 was a key hitter in the Miami line up last season hitting 18 home runs, 64 RBIs and 16 stolen bases an hit .252. He’ll be a bat that will be missed.

#4 Texas Rangers pitcher Jon Gray suffered a right wrist injury on Friday night which resulted in a fracture. Colorado Rockies first baseman Michael Toglia led off the fourth inning and lined one that struck Gray in the right wrist and will take him out of the rotation. The injuries are piling up for Rangers manager Bruce Bochy as left hand pitcher Cody Bradford is out with elbow soreness, pitcher Tyler Mahle is out forearm soreness. Not a great way to start the season as Bochy will have to work around the injuries to his pitching staff.

#5 Sacramento Athletic hitters are making good contact in spring training taking a look at some of the spring averages, starting with Lawrence Butler .355, 2 home runs, 7 RBIs, Shea Langeliers .348, 1 home run, 2 RBIs, Luis Urias .303, one home run, seven RBIs to name a few hitters who are doing some raking in the Cactus League for the A’s.

Join Charlie O for Headline Sports podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Sacramento A’s Relocation podcast: Taking an inside look at renderings and new Las Vegas A’s ballpark

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Las Vegas ballpark rendering as presented by the Athletics and Bjarke Ingles Group the design firm (Bjarke Ingles Group the design firm rendering)

Sacramento A’s Relocation podcast:

#1 Frank Sharpe who is director of sports architecture for Bjarke Ingles Group the design firm for the Las Vegas A’s ballpark said that part of the design was to take the Vegas summer heat was to climate control the indoor park but to still give it that outdoor feel.

#2 Sharpe also said that portions of the armadillo shaped ballpark will have a 36,000 square foot glass curtain wall that will be in the outfield and give the fans a view of the strip and will have sunlight coming into the stadium.

#3 Athletics vice chairman Sandy Dean said that construction from a team of about 100 contractors have been working on the designs and had refined the renderings since the display was first presented in June 2023 when the A’s first announced they would be relocating to Vegas.

#4 The A’s ballpark will have six levels and will be all indoors and it will feel like a large arena with additional designs in the process according to Emily Louchart director of interiors with HNTB design firm.

#5 Louchart said that the park will have 20 suites, and 17 to 20 seat choices and nine lounge club spaces. That’s going to be quite luxury box.

Daniel Dullum does the Athletics Relocation podcasts Sundays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants Shake Off Early Miscues, Power Past Mariners 6-2

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Scottsdale Stadium getting prepped for the game against the Mariners on Saturday afternoon (Photo: Jeremiah Salmonson)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SCOTTSDALE — The San Francisco Giants brought the heat to a chilly 64 degree Scottsdale, Arizona. On Saturday, Bob Melvin rolled out a lineup that closely resembles what many expect to be the Opening Day lineup on March 27. The starting group featured LaMonte Wade Jr., Willy Adames, Matt Chapman, Heliot Ramos, Patrick Bailey, Wilmer Flores, Jerar Encarnacion, Tyler Fitzgerald, and Grant McCray. Jung Hoo Lee was a late precautionary scratch due to back tightness, though it’s not believed to be serious, and he may return as soon as tomorrow.

That lineup delivered, as the Giants cruised to a 6-2 victory over the visiting Seattle Mariners.

Logan Webb took the mound at a sold out Scottsdale Stadium as the Giants looked to continue their strong spring.

The scoring opened in the top of the second when the Giants struggled defensively with uncharacteristic infield errors. The inning could best be described as “throwing the ball all over the field.” Matt Chapman committed a fielding error, then followed with a throwing error on a double-play attempt that led to the game’s first runs. Logan Webb also had a throwing miscue, capping a rough sequence in which the Giants committed three errors in the inning. After the game, I asked Bob Melvin if he had to pinch himself watching Chapman—a Platinum Glove defender—make two errors in one inning.

“It’s like, get them out of the way now,” Melvin said. “Every once in a while, you’re going to have a game like that. And both those balls took funky hops. The throw was good—that wasn’t his fault on the double play.”

The Giants didn’t dwell on the miscues for long. In the bottom of the second, Heliot Ramos launched his first homer of the spring, an opposite-field shot off Logan Gilbert on a 1-1 count, cutting the Mariners’ lead to 2-1.

One inning later, the Giants took the lead. LaMonte Wade Jr. and Willy Adames each singled to center to set the stage for Ramos, who followed up his home run with a two-run double off the top of the left-center field wall, putting San Francisco ahead 3-2.

Webb settled in, tossing two more scoreless innings to finish with a strong line: five innings, 75 pitches, two unearned runs, one hit, one walk, and five strikeouts.

“Only gave up a run, but he shouldn’t have given up any,” Melvin said of Webb’s outing. “Good cutter again today, slider working both sides of the plate, changeup—everything looked good. When you’re seeing balls on the ground, you know he’s on his game.”

The Giants’ offense stayed hot in the fifth. Grant McCray doubled to left before Adames crushed a scalding opposite-field homer to right-center, extending the lead to 5-2.

Tyler Rogers worked a clean top of the sixth, allowing only one hit, and Jerar Encarnacion capped the scoring in the bottom half with a solo shot to right. The Giants led 6-2, which held as the final score.

The bullpen locked things down the rest of the way. Ryan Walker, Camilo Doval, and Randy Rodriguez pitched the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings, respectively, allowing just one hit combined while striking out five.

With the win, the Giants improved to 14-5, holding the best record in both the Cactus and Grapefruit leagues this spring.

Giants Top Performers:

Logan Webb earned the win, improving to 3-0 with a 1.84 ERA this spring.

Heliot Ramos went 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs.

Jerar Encarnacion finished 2-for-3 with a double and a homer.

The Giants’ bullpen combined for four innings of two-hit, no-walk baseball with six strikeouts.

Up Next: The Giants face the Sacramento Athletics on Sunday at Scottsdale Stadium, with first pitch set for 1:05 PM PST.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Bonds and Clemens Hall of Fame hopes dim with rule changes; Yanks Cole out for season with Tommy John surgery; plus more news

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Former Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Barry Bonds seen here being inducted into the Pittsburgh Pirates Hall of Fame during a ceremony for the 2024 class before the Pirates game against the Cincinnati Reds Sat Aug 24, 2024. Bonds chances of Cooperstown Hall of Fame induction have dimmed due to new rule changes in 2025. (AP News file photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Former San Francisco Giants outfielder Barry Bonds recently said regarding being nominated to the Hall of Fame and being on the ballot for the last ten years but not receiving the 75% “I’m not talking about that.” The same can be said about former New Yankees pitcher Roger Clemens. Both players are on the Contemporary Era ballot. In the last election in 2022 Bonds or Clemens did not receive more than four votes. Reasons given for the lack of votes to get in the Hall involvement in the PEDs scandal and the Hall of Fame’s character clauses. Rule changes in the Hall of Fame Committee state that any player, manager, executive who doesn’t get five or more votes will they will have to sit out the next three year voting cycle.

#2 Amaury, It was a short stint for Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole 34 who pitched in two spring training games and gave up seven runs. The Yankees ace said he felt pain in his elbow going into Friday and went through imaging tests which showed a torn ulnar collateral ligament that will require Cole to need Tommy John surgery that ends his 2025 season.

#3 Amaury, a mash up of the Texas Rangers caps, jersey and logos has created a visual of a vulgar word in Spanish the New Era cap in the 5950 collection has the T block superimposed over the X in the block in the word “Texas” it was a logo that appeared in the front of the team’s jerseys. MLB did not make any comment about enforcing the change. The Houston Astros, Los Angeles Angels, and Sacramento A’s mashed up hats also spell hidden vulgar words as well. Is this something that MLB didn’t catch or was making a buck more important than catching these hidden in plain sight words?

#4 Lawrence Butler signed a huge seven year $65.5 million deal with the Sacramento A’s on Monday. Butler met with the press in right field where Butler plays and where a table and chairs were set up to take questions from the media. Butler in 2024 hit .262, 22 home runs, and 57 RBIs.

#5 Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts signed a four year $32.4 million contract extension which calculates to a $8.1 million annual salary. The contract eclipses Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell’s $40 million annual salary. The Dodgers as an organization continue to show why they take care of their players, employees, broadcasters, and now manager Dave Roberts.

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.

Headline Sports with Charlie O podcast: Yankees Cole rocked in 2 2/3 innings with sore elbow; Tigers Urquidy hoping to make comeback this season; plus more news

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Former Houston Astro Jose Urquidy is signed to a $1 million deal that includes a one year option with the Detroit Tigers for the 2025 season. Urquidy has had Tommy surgery twice and is on the 60 day IL and hopes to make a return to baseball with the Tiger this season. (AP file photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O:

#1 New York Yankees starter Gerrit Cole who has a sore elbow had imaging done on his right elbow and the Yankees expect to know more about his elbow in two more days. Cole 34, pitched on Thursday against the Minnesota Twins and was lit up for six runs on five hits in 2 2/3 innings of work. Cole said in the post game presser he felt alright but the elbow was sore after the game.

#2 The Detroit Tigers signed right hand pitcher Jose Urquidy that includes a one year option for 2026 to a $1 million one year deal. Urquidy is 30 and had Tommy John surgery back on Jun 5th. Urquidy also had his first Tommy John in 2017. Urquidy was placed on the 60 day IL and it’s a question on when he will return. Urquidy last pitched in 2023 and went 3-3 with a 5.29 ERA.

#3 One of the scary things about spring training is that one of your highest paid players could down with an injury and miss significant time. The Atlanta Braves Jurickson Profar is hoping that won’t be the case he had to leave Saturday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates after jamming his left wrist when he landed on his left arm. X-rays proved negative and the Braves said Profar will go further testing.

#4 Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr said that his contract proposal was significantly lower than New York Mets Juan Soto and was less than $600 million. Guerrero said that he and the Blue Jays failed to secure an extended contract before the start of spring training. Guerrero is eligible to enter the free agency market this November. Guerrero is in his last season of his contract with the Jays.

#5 Two Major League teams two minor league parks. How much of a mistake is this on the decision of MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred to allow this to happen or did Manfred do the right thing with no choice but to have the Sacramento A’s and the Tampa Bay Rays play in minor league parks for the interim?

Join Charlie O for Headline Sports each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com