Mike Ford Joins Rays Front Office
The Rays have hired former big-league first baseman Mike Ford to a front office role, reports Kristie Ackert of the Associated Press. The 33-year-old spent parts of six MLB seasons with a half dozen teams. Ford’s specific position is unclear, but Ackert adds that the veteran will be working with minor leaguers as part of the gig.
Ford was in camp with the Twins last season. After falling short of a roster spot, he landed in NPB for 25 games with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars. The front office job would suggest Ford is hanging up his spikes. If so, he’ll finish his MLB career with 37 home runs in 252 games.
Ford became a cult hero in New York for his tremendous finish to the 2019 season. The first baseman briefly debuted in April that year, but failed to stick on the roster after hitting .167 in limited opportunities. Ford was recalled in early August after Edwin Encarnacion broke his wrist. He put together a torrid two-month stretch to close the campaign, posting a .953 OPS with 11 home runs over 39 games. The Yankees won 103 games and captured the AL East title for the first time since 2012. With Encarnacion healthy, Ford was left off the playoff roster.
The shortened 2020 season was unkind to Ford, as he slashed .135/.226/.270 across 84 plate appearances. He did make his postseason debut that year, going hitless in two at-bats. Ford was dealt to the Rays for cash in 2021. He wouldn’t stick with any organization for too long following his time in New York. Ford appeared in big-league games with four different teams in 2022. The first baseman hit a career-high 16 home runs with the Mariners in 2023, though it came with a 32.3% strikeout rate. Ford last appeared in the majors with the Reds in 2024.
Photo courtesy of Albert Cesare, Imagn Images
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The Opener: Rooker, Meadows, Corbin
Here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:
1. Rooker to undergo imaging:
The A’s suffered a worrisome injury yesterday when slugger Brent Rooker exited in the first inning of their game against the Yankees. Martin Gallegos of MLB.com writes that Rooker was diagnosed with “right flank discomfort” and that manager Mark Kotsay told reporters they’d have a more detailed update on the veteran’s status today once he’s undergone imaging. Losing Rooker would be a big blow to the A’s. He hasn’t hit much so far this year but has been one of the team’s most reliable sluggers for years now with 99 homers between 2023 and ’25. If Rooker winds up missing time, perhaps the A’s could look to use the DH slot to rest some of their regulars or improve their outfield defense by moving Tyler Soderstrom out of left field temporarily.
2. Meadows being evaluated following collision:
Tigers center fielder Parker Meadows faced a major scare yesterday when he collided in the outfield with Riley Greene. Chris McCosky of The Detroit News notes that Meadows was held overnight at a local hospital after exiting the game. It’s unknown at this point exactly how much time Meadows should be expected to miss, but a trip to the injured list seems likely and the Tigers are already planning for that eventuality. Jason Beck of MLB.com reports that outfielder Wenceel Perez was left out of last night’s lineup for Triple-A Toledo, and as the clear next man up on the Tigers’ outfield depth chart it seems likely he’s already en route to Minneapolis. The switch-hitter turned in league average numbers in 100 games last year and should be a solid stopgap while Meadows recovers.
3. Corbin to make season debut:
Veteran southpaw Patrick Corbin is in line to kick off the 14th MLB season of his career today as he suits up for the Blue Jays for the first time. After turning in a decent season with the Rangers last year where he pitched to a 4.40 ERA with a 4.25 FIP, Corbin will kick off his age-36 season by taking on Simeon Woods Richardson and the Twins in Toronto. A former Jays farmhand, Woods Richardson posted a 4.04 ERA in 111 1/3 innings of work last year. So far this season, he’s turned in 11 2/3 innings of three-run ball but surrendered two homers and struck out just 13.0% of his opponents. Tonight’s game is scheduled for 7:07pm ET in Toronto.
Kansas City Officials Propose Royals’ Stadium Plan
The Royals have spent a few years trying to secure public funding towards a new stadium. Those efforts seem closer to reality. Kansas City mayor Quinton Lucas announced this afternoon that his office has proposed an ordinance towards a $1.9 billion investment plan for a new stadium and surrounding infrastructure in the Washington Square Park area in downtown Kansas City. Sam McDowell and Kacen Bayless of The Kansas City Star first reported the news in a column which those in the area will want to read in full.
The proposal would authorize roughly $600MM in city funding towards the project. That’s independent of whatever money would come from the state. Last summer, Missouri passed a law that allows the state to fund up to 50% of major stadium construction projects.
That was geared not only towards the Royals but also the NFL’s Chiefs, who have sought a move out of Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs ultimately found what they consider a better deal with Kansas lawmakers. They announced in December they’ll proceed with plans to move over the state border in 2031 on a $3 billion domed stadium in Kansas City, Kansas.
Today’s news makes it seem there’s a decent chance the Royals will remain in Kansas City, Missouri. However, this is not any kind of binding arrangement. It’d still need approval from the City Council, to say nothing of an agreement from the Royals themselves.
The idea would be for the Royals to commit to a 30-year lease beginning in 2030. The team’s lease at Kauffman Stadium runs through 2030, but the mayor’s office evidently hopes to have the new stadium ready for play a year in advance. He told reporters this evening the hope is for construction to begin early in 2027.
The team has not formally weighed in on the terms. Owner John Sherman has generally voiced support for a downtown ballpark. The mayor tells The K.C. Star that this proposal was the result of “hours and hours of extensive discussion” with the team. Even if the Royals are on board with the city’s plans, the state’s contributions would still need to be sorted out. Notably, this proposal does not include plans for a public vote. In April 2024, Jackson County voters shot down a sales tax measure to fund Royals/Chiefs stadium projects via referendum.
The Royals have played at Kauffman Stadium since 1973. It’s the fifth-oldest active venue in MLB behind Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, Dodger Stadium, and Angel Stadium.
A’s Notes: Rooker, Ginn, Perkins
The Athletics are sending Brent Rooker for imaging tomorrow, writes Martín Gallegos of MLB.com. The slugger gestured toward his right side/hip area on a foul ball in the first inning of today’s win over the Yankees. Rooker exited the game after a brief conversation with trainers and skipper Mark Kotsay.
The preliminary diagnosis is right flank discomfort. The obvious concern is a potential oblique strain. Those usually require multi-week absences for hitters. Even moderate oblique strains can cost more than a month. The A’s will have a better idea tomorrow whether that’s in play.
Rooker has had a tough start to the season. He’s hitting .146 with 17 strikeouts in 49 trips to the plate. He did have a monster game against the Astros on Sunday, slugging both of his home runs and driving in six of his eight total RBI. He capped that game with a three-run, walk-off shot in the tenth inning off Bryan Abreu.
If Rooker needs an injured list stint, infielder Zack Gelof seems the favorite to replace him on the roster. The A’s scratched him from today’s Triple-A lineup. Gelof has been on an absolute tear to begin the minor league season, hitting .366 with a .519 on-base mark and four home runs over 54 plate appearances.
Gelof is primarily a second baseman and has gotten some outfield work this spring and in the minors. If Rooker misses time, the A’s could give 34-year-old second baseman Jeff McNeil some DH reps. Gelof or Carlos Cortes could grab some extra right field work if the A’s want to mix in a few semi-rest days for Lawrence Butler after last fall’s knee surgery.
The A’s took two of three from the Yankees this week. They’re staying in New York for a weekend set against the Mets. Former Mets draftee J.T. Ginn will start tomorrow’s series opener against Clay Holmes. It’ll be Ginn’s first start of the season after three relief appearances. The A’s needed a new fifth starter after optioning struggling righty Luis Morales earlier in the week. Ginn is seemingly getting the first opportunity.
Jack Perkins was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas before Thursday’s game, with Michael Kelly optioned out in a corresponding move. Perkins is up for the first time this season and seemingly ticketed for the long relief role which Ginn had played. The righty has worked 7 2/3 innings over three Triple-A appearances this year, striking out nine but issuing seven walks. Perkins started four of his first 12 big league outings last season. He turned in a 4.19 earned run average through 38 2/3 frames.
Yankees To Designate Cade Winquest For Assignment
The Yankees are designating Rule 5 pick Cade Winquest for assignment, reports Jon Heyman of The New York Post. The righty didn’t get into a game during his two weeks in New York’s bullpen.
That’ll evidently be the corresponding move for tomorrow’s recall of Luis Gil. Manager Aaron Boone said over the weekend that the Yankees would bring Gil up this week. He’s listed as the probable starter opposite Steven Matz for Friday’s series opener against the Rays. The 13-pitcher limit meant an arm from the MLB roster had to be squeezed out.
The Yankees had the luxury of running a four-man rotation for the first couple weeks based on their number of available off days. Gil joins Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Will Warren and Ryan Weathers in the rotation. They needed to drop from nine to eight in the bullpen. Brent Headrick has pitched too well to be sent down. Jake Bird has been sharp as well aside from one ugly outing against Miami on Sunday. Fernando Cruz and Camilo Doval are their only other relievers with minor league options.
Rather than option a more trusted reliever in Bird, the Yankees move on from Winquest. The 25-year-old didn’t have a great spring, allowing nine runs (eight earned) with eight strikeouts and four walks across 10 innings. It was a surprise that he broke camp at all.
The Yankees clearly liked some of what they saw but didn’t find a scenario where Boone felt comfortable bringing him into a regular season game. Teams generally use Rule 5 picks as low-leverage relievers, especially early in the season before they’ve gained a manager’s trust. All four of New York’s losses have been by one run, games in which they could certainly have come back. They’ve had three blowout wins, but two came behind long outings from Fried and one followed an off day so the rest of the bullpen was fresh.
They’ll have five days to trade Winquest or place him on waivers. If he goes unclaimed, he’ll be offered back to the Cardinals. The former eighth-round pick had previously spent his entire career in the St. Louis organization. He has worked as a minor league starting pitcher and combined for a 3.99 ERA across 106 innings between High-A and Double-A last year. Unless another team is willing to keep him on the MLB roster, he’ll head back to his original club without requiring a spot on the 40-man roster for St. Louis.
Marlins Notes: Stowers, Conine, De Los Santos
Marlins’ outfielder Kyle Stowers is nearing a return, according to MLB.com’s Christina De Nicola. Stowers will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp this Friday. The 28-year-old enjoyed a breakout 2025 after cracking 25 homers, and his 149 wRC+ (a ballpark-adjusted measure of total offensive production that indicates he was 49% better than a league-average hitter) ranked 8th among all batters with a minimum of 450 PAs.
Stowers, who primarily split time between the corner outfield spots last year, has begun taking first base drills in addition to his usual outfield work. While manager Clayton McCullough didn’t commit to using Stowers there, he called it “a possibility” that the Fish could occasionally get him first base work in games. Coming off a Grade-1 hamstring injury, the Marlins will be keen to protect their star hitter’s health and address the void at 1B in the wake of Christopher Morel’s oblique injury.
In Morel’s absence, the Marlins have Frankensteined a first baseman, primarily out of Connor Norby and contributions from Liam Hicks, Graham Pauley, and prospect Deyvison De Los Santos. Although the early returns have been positive, there are some roster advantages to having Stowers at first. While Stowers has not donned a first base mitt professionally at any level, the Marlins have a glut of outfield options with Jakob Marsee, Owen Caissie, Heriberto Hernandez, Griffin Conine, and Austin Slater on the active roster. Playing Stowers at first base also gives them the option to insert an extra left-hander into the lineup alongside Griffin, Marsee, and Caissie, and despite being a finalist for the 2025 left field Gold Glove, advanced defensive metrics like DRS (1) and FRV (0) value Stowers’ contributions as neutral/average (in Stowers’ defense, none of the other Marlins’ outfielders are pushing him out of left with their defensive production to this point).
However, not all the health news coming out of Miami is positive: Conine exited Thursday’s game against the Reds with left hamstring discomfort, McCullough told reporters (including Kevin Barral of Fish on First). Conine has been hot in the early going with a .300/.390/.650 triple-slash with a pair of homers and steals, good for a 188 wRC+ (88% better offensive production than league average), but he may have an IL trip ahead of him. Barral also notes that De Los Santos was pulled from the Jacksonville lineup mid-game as a possible precursor to a corresponding move (should Conine’s injury warrant an IL trip). De Los Santos, who profiles as an aggressive, power-over-hit batter, should be in the mix for first base starts alongside fellow righty hitter Connor Norby while the Marlins continue to weigh their options at first and in the outfield.
Angels Re-Sign Joey Lucchesi To Minor League Deal
The Angels announced they’ve re-signed lefty reliever Joey Lucchesi to a minor league contract. He’ll be assigned to Triple-A Salt Lake.
Lucchesi was designated for assignment over the weekend when the Halos needed a roster spot to promote George Klassen as a spot starter. He cleared waivers and elected free agency. After a brief return to the open market, he’ll circle back to the Halos. That’s a common outcome for veterans who have the service time to refuse an outright assignment.
The 32-year-old southpaw had a very brief stint with the MLB club. He signed a major league contract at the end of Spring Training and made three appearances. Lucchesi allowed five of six hitters to reach in his season debut. He followed up with a pair of scoreless outings but walked at least one batter in all of his appearances. He wound up issuing five free passes (four walks and a hit batter) across 2 1/3 innings.
Lucchesi spent last season with the Giants. He opened the year in Triple-A but was called up in the middle of June. He remained on the active roster for the final three and a half months, turning in a 3.76 ERA over 38 1/3 innings. Lucchesi got grounders at a 53% clip but had a modest 18.8% strikeout rate that led the Giants to drop him from the 40-man roster at season’s end. He returned on a minor league contract for Spring Training and was granted his release when the Giants picked up Ryan Borucki late in camp.
Drew Pomeranz and Brent Suter are locked into Kurt Suzuki’s bullpen as veteran southpaws. The Halos recently recalled a third lefty, Mitch Farris, as a long reliever. Farris will probably be up and down from Triple-A throughout the season. Tayler Saucedo and Angel Perdomo are also in the organization on minor league deals.
Josh Fleming, Austin Voth Elect Free Agency
Left-hander Josh Fleming and right-hander Austin Voth have both cleared waivers and elected free agency. Both were designated for assignment by the Blue Jays this week. Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet was among those to relay the news.
As of a few days ago, both pitchers were with the Jays on minor league deals. The club’s pitching staff suffered a few notable blows, forcing them to cycle through some depth. Cody Ponce suffered a knee injury that eventually required surgery. Lazaro Estrada was recalled when Ponce landed on the injured list. Estrada made one appearance in a bullpen game on Saturday, logging four innings, then got optioned back to the minors.
Voth was one of the pitchers who came up when Estrada went down. Eric Lauer, battling through the flu, started on Sunday but only went two innings. Voth tossed 2 2/3 innings in relief. He was designated for assignment the next day when Fleming was selected. On Monday, Max Scherzer started but he was pulled after two innings due to some right forearm tendinitis, which led to Fleming coming in to pitch three frames. Fleming was designated for assignment when the Jays recalled Patrick Corbin, who will start tomorrow’s game.
A player has the right to reject an outright assignment and elect free agency if he has a previous career outright or at least three years of service time. Each of Voth and Fleming qualify on both accounts. The two of them now head into free agency to see what offers await them.
Both pitchers generally have passable career numbers in swing roles. Voth has thrown 363 big league innings over 208 games, including 39 starts. He has a 4.69 earned run average, 22% strikeout rate, 8.3% walk rate and 34.4% ground ball rate. Fleming has thrown 257 2/3 innings in 81 games, including 25 starts. He has a 4.86 ERA, 14.4% strikeout rate, 7.6% walk rate and 58.5% ground ball rate.
It’s possible that one or both pitchers will re-sign with the Jays, as that’s a common outcome in these situations, but they can explore alternatives. The Jays do have Trey Yesavage, José Berríos and Shane Bieber working back from injuries but their depth is a bit perilous in the short term and Scherzer’s status is still up in the air, meaning the pitchers would have decent paths back to the majors. Estrada is now on the minor league IL, according to his transactions tracker at MLB.com, so that’s one fewer competitor with the Jays. Though on the other hand, they’re certainly not the only club dealing with pitching injuries.
Photo courtesy of Nick Turchiaro, Imagn Images
White Sox Recall Duncan Davitt For MLB Debut
The White Sox announced that right-hander Duncan Davitt has been recalled from Triple-A Charlotte. He’ll be making his big league debut as soon as he gets into a game. They also recalled left-hander Brandon Eisert. Left-hander Tyler Schweitzer has been optioned in one corresponding move. Chris Murphy was also placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to April 8th, with left elbow impingement syndrome. James Fox of FutureSox was the first to report on the Davitt and Schweitzer transactions.
Davitt, 26, has been with the White Sox for less than a year. Originally drafted by the Rays, he was acquired in July as part of the deadline deal which sent Adrian Houser to Tampa. He doesn’t have overpowering stuff but projects as a possible back-end starter or swingman due to a diverse profile that he generally controls well. The data at FanGraphs credits him with six pitches. His four-seamer and sinker average in the low 90s. He also throws a cutter, curveball, slider and changeup.
Throughout his minor league career, he has thrown 381 innings over 67 starts and 20 relief appearances. He has allowed 4.39 earned runs per nine with a 25.2% strikeout rate and 7.6% walk rate. In December, FanGraphs ranked him the #21 prospect in the system. The report says he actually has a seven-pitch mix, mentioning a sweeper as another arrow in his quiver. He was added to the 40-man roster in November in order to keep him out of the Rule 5 draft. He was optioned to Charlotte early in camp but will now be recalled to the majors for the first time.
Davitt’s usage remains to be seen. The Sox start a four-game series in Kansas City tonight, which will be the final leg of a stretch of ten straight days with a game. Shane Smith started on Tuesday and didn’t allow a run but threw 99 pitches without getting through the fourth inning. The Sox optioned him to the minors after that, opening a hole in the rotation. Schweitzer was recalled for Smith but pitched in relief last night, one of five pitchers the Sox used after starter Sean Burke went five innings.
For the series against the Royals, Anthony Kay, Davis Martin and Erick Fedde are scheduled to be the starters for the first three. The Sox have been using Grant Taylor as an opener from time to time but those three should be bulk guys at least. Smith’s turn in the rotation will come up on Sunday. Perhaps Davitt could be a bulk guy for that game but he also may be needed before then, depending on how things go.
Photo courtesy of Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images