Son of Keith Lockhart On Life Support

Jason Lockhart, son of infielder Keith Lockhart, was playing in a baseball tournament in South Carolina on June 17 when the catcher threw a ball back to the pitcher as Jason was crossing the plate and it hit him in the face, WXIA reports…

On Tuesday, Jason had surgery and the next day, doctors discovered there was an artery cut by the fracture, according to FOX 5. By Friday, he was put on life support and sedated in an attempt to stop the bleeding.

Everybody wins by pushing the draft back

A few quick fixes could make both events work better, and a Sports Business Journal report reveals MLB is moving to improve the draft’s visibility. The report indicated the potential to move the draft back to July during the all-star break. Also, the draft would move out of MLB Network studios in Secaucus, N.J., likely rotating to the site of the All-Star Game.

Hosting the draft while the NCAA Tournament is going on (even during super regionals this year) doesn’t make sense. It’s an ...

Primer Dugout (and link of the day) 6-26-2017

Since we missed it over the weekend…

New York Sun, June 24, 1917:

A no hit, no run, no man reached first base pitching performance by Ernest Shore, Boston twirler [and] an assault upon Umpire Owens by Babe Ruth…were incidents of the world champions’ double victory over Washington to-day. The scores were 4 to 0 and 5 to 0.

Shore’s entry into the select list of pitchers who have shown perfect performances was made possibly by Ruth’s banishment from the first game. Ruth had pitched only to Ray ...

OTP 26 June 2017: Confederations Cup shows how sports media in Russia differs from politics

And a lot of those perceptions are based on truth. Though a lively and influential group of independent outlets still provide critical news coverage in Russia, their staffers are under continual pressure, and are menaced regularly with legal and financial threats (and on occasion even physical harm) over unfavorable stories, which often obligates them to commit self-censorship. According to the watchdog group Freedom House, Russia’s news press is classified as “not free,” television often ...

Nationals fan’s obituary blames bullpen for blowing ‘yet another lead’

Some type of salve could have prevented this.

‘Why me?’: Jameson Taillon opens up on cancer as he returns to Pirates | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Why anyone?

Every year, players emerge from nowhere to become All-Stars; here are this year’s candidates | The Seattle Times

Who could forget?

Remember Bryan LaHair for the Cubs in 2012, or utility man Brock Holt for the Red Sox in 2016 or Michael Saunders for the Blue Jays last season? Each year it seems a sure bet that an unexpected All-Star will make the team.

Who will be that player this year?

Record homers, strikeouts show something not adding up in MLB | Fort Worth Star-Telegram

It sucks when our gods stumble.

No one is safe. The best pitcher in the game, the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw, already has allowed 17 homers. Masahiro Tanaka of the Yankees, who pitched against the Rangers on Friday night, has given up 21.

Big Read: You should know Blue Jays prospect Bo Bichette - Sportsnet.ca

Typical?

Typical Bo Bichette story: During his introduction to professional baseball last summer, an 18-year-old Bichette was absolutely tearing up the Gulf Coast League, batting .431/.450/.750 with 31 hits through his first 18 games. It was just a month after he’d been drafted and Bichette was already hearing murmurs he was close to earning a promotion. But somewhere along the way he picked up an injury to his midsection. It hurt like hell and it kept him up all night, yet it wasn’t enough ...

Top 10 Prospects: June 26 - Prospect Roundup - Rotoworld.com

Heard an excellent discussion on the Front Office on MLB Radio Network yesterday. They discussed Adams, including some insight from Brian Cashman. They followed up with a radio interview where Adams confirmed that he needs to refine his change up before the team brings it up. He says he finally has a grip he’s comfortable with but needs to be able to consistently get movement on it. He can’t do that, as Jim Bowden mentioned, if he’s only throwing it four times in a game (which he did his last ...

Dodgers use wild pitches for 10th straight win | MLB.com

Cody Bellinger doing it all; Adam Ottavino, well, freakish appearance.

“People always talk about hitting is contagious, winning is contagious,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “There is certainly a vibe or mentally that we’re going to win each day; regardless of who takes the mound or what circumstance, we’re not going to get down.”

Sandy Alderson: Mets on the verge of being sellers

Addison Reed, Jerry Blevins, Jay Bruce, Lucas Duda, Asdrubal Cabrera and Curtis Granderson are among the players who could be of interest to contenders.

“I think we have to be realistic about where we are,” general manager Sandy Alderson said. “That’s not to say we are throwing in the towel by any means, but we haven’t played very well the last 10 days. We need to play better.

“Things can turn around the next 10 days, but guess what: they need to. In the meantime we have to be ...

The Nationals’ bullpen killed a man.

KILLEBREW, Patrick, “Pat,” age 68, passed away peacefully at home, June 20, 2017, after watching the Washington Nationals relief pitchers blow yet another lead.

Jorge Mas To Offer $1.1 Billion For Miami Marlins

The latest bidder is Jorge Mas, as first reported by the Miami Herald. My sources tell me that Mas is going to offer somewhere close to $1.1 billion for the MLB team, $500 million less than the handshake agreement Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria had in February to sell the franchise he bought for $158 million in 2002.

Bloomberg reported yesterday that Jeb Bush has joined forces with Tagg Romney and Wayne Rothbaum to make a bid of more than $1.1 billion for the Marlins. Bush and Derek Jeter had ...

Tim Tebow moves up a level, proving Mets only care about one thing

The New York Mets seem determined to make this Tim Tebow thing work. Despite a .222/.311/.340 slash line, the organization announced Tebow will be promoted to St. Lucie following Sunday’s game.

It’s a step forward for the 29-year-old, though not a huge one. Tebow began the season with the Columbia Fireflies. They are considered a Class A organization. The St. Lucie Mets are Class A Advanced. It is a legitimate promotion, but Tebow still remains far from the majors.

That last part might be ...

It’s all OMNICHATTER and lollipops from here on out, for June 25, 2017

Creeping Coachism

In 1972, the Rangers’ inaugural season, the team had five coaches: Joe Camacho, Nellie Fox, Sid Hudson, George Susce and Wayne Terwilliger. This was not unusual. During that season, some teams had five and some had four. A cursory examination of major league teams during the nadir of the Depression reveals that the number varied from one to three.

In 2017 the Rangers’ on-line roster contains 12 — count ‘em, twelve – names listed under the Manager & Coaches category. Aside from ...

Tangotiger Blog: Statcast Lab: Is playing CF about opportunities or degree of difficulty or both?

Some of the most interesting work being done right now.

IronPigs’ Crawford heating up after brief break | MiLB.com News

He’s not dead yet.

Blue Jays closer Roberto Osuna dealing with anxiety issue

Toronto Blue Jays closer Roberto Osuna said he is dealing with an anxiety issue and is unsure when he will be available to pitch again.

Osuna disclosed his situation to reporters on Saturday morning, less than 24 hours after not pitching in a save situation for the Blue Jays. The hard-throwing right-hander did not pitch again Saturday against the Kansas City Royals, although Toronto was not faced with a save situation in the 3-2 loss.

Whit Merrifield hit a two-run, two-out double that capped ...

Absence makes OMNICHATTER grow fonder, for June 24, 2017

Kenley Jansen vs Craig Kimbrel as top reliever | MLB.com

I dig expected wOBA. If you look over the list of Top 400, who’s the first guy you don’t recognize? Asking for a friend.

Column | Freddie Freeman Shouldn’t Play 3B To Accommodate Adams

What’s the downside to trying Freeman at third? I guess he could get hurt but he’s been hurt as a first baseman. If he can’t play there, they move him back.

OMNICHATTER 6-24-17

Gorgeous Ladies of OMNICHATTER*

Yankees designate Chris Carter for assignment, call up Tyler Austin from Triple-A

It’s over for Chris Carter.

The struggling first baseman was designated for assignment after going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in Friday’s game. Tyler Austin will be called up to take his place and ostensibly will get the lions share of the first base time for now.

Carter was signed to a one year deal for $3.5 million.

Rays designate catcher Derek Norris for assignment

C Derek Norris tied a career-high with three hits in Friday’s 15-5 win against the Orioles then was designated for assignment after the game to make room on the 25-man roster for C Wilson Ramos.

Ramos, signed in December to a two-year, $12.5 million, has been out since late September after suffering a right knee injury while playing for the Nationals.

“I feel so comfortable, really good moving behind the plate,” Ramos said. “Right now I feel very good and ready to play, ready to get ...

Royals sign former Brewers closer Neftalí Feliz and drop Chris Young

“Neftali has a power arm, and he’s healthy,” Moore said. “He also had a lot of success last year. It was pretty easy for us to move forward with this.”

Feliz’s struggles have stemmed from giving up the long ball. In just 27 innings for the Brewers, he allowed eight home runs, which is tied for second most in the MLB by a reliever in 2017. In 2016 with the Pirates, Feliz gave up 10 home runs in 53 2/3 innings.

In contrast, during Feliz’s two best seasons (2010 and 2011) in ...

Asdrubal Cabrera to Mets: Trade me

Asdrubal Cabrera, unhappy with the Mets’ decision to move him to second base on short notice, said Friday he wants to be traded.

The veteran infielder, who was activated from the disabled list, was in the lineup at second base against the Giants at AT&T Park and vowed to give “100 percent,” but he made it clear he is unhappy with his situation.

“If they don’t have a plan for me, I think it’s time to make a move,” Cabrera said, noting he has told his agent to facilitate a trade. ...

Dodgers’ Julio Urias to have shoulder surgery; he’s out for the season

Dodgers pitcher Julio Urias will undergo major shoulder surgery next week and will not pitch again in 2017.

Team doctor Neal ElAttrache will repair the anterior capsule in Urias’ left shoulder on Tuesday. Andrew Friedman, the Dodgers’ president of baseball operations, expects Urias to require 12 to 14 months of rehabilitation.

The injury occurred on one pitch during a minor league outing on June 10, Friedman said.

Detroit Tigers release struggling closer Francisco Rodriguez

The Tiger opted today to release Rodriguez, who had continued to struggle after losing the closer’s job to Justin Wilson. The Tigers announced this afternoon they have recalled right-handed pitcher Bruce Rondon from Triple-A Toledo.

The Tigers also announced that outfielder Alex Presley has been placed on the 7-day concussion disabled list and they have selected the contract of outfielder Matt den Dekker from Toledo.

Rodriguez questioned the communication skills of manager Brad Ausmus and ...