One day after the other top-rank free agent remaining on the market, Craig Kimbrel, has found a home, it is Dallas Keuchel’s turn to come to an agreement with a team. According to reports, he will sign a one-year contract with the Braves for $13 million, now that compensation in the form of a pick in the amateur draft is off the table.

Max Kepler becomes the latest player this season to have a three-homer game, connecting three times against the Indians to lead the Twins to a 5 – 4 win. He had been hitless in his previous 21 at-bats entering the game, before breaking out of his slump in a big way.

2019 – It seems like former All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel has finally found a home. A free agent since the end of the World Series, he remained unsigned due to his insistence on obtaining a multi-year contract, and the compensation in the form of top draft pick in the 2019 amateur draft that a team signing him would have had to pay. With the draft now out of the way, the Cubs prove ready to bite on a longer-term deal, offering Kimbrel a three-year contract worth $43 million.

The Orioles defeat the Rangers, 12 – 11 in a wild game. Light-hitting catcher Pedro Severino helps the Orioles take a big lead with three homers, and Dwight Smith Jr. drives in another 6 runs with a three-run double and a three-run homer. However, the Rangers almost manage to come up with the win as they score six times in the 9th. The game ends when, with the tying run on base, Mychal Givens apparently strikes out Elvis Andrus for the final out. However, the ball gets away from Severino, who manages to run it down and gun down Andrus on a close play at first base to preserve the win.

If anyone still thinks being a major league umpire is a cushy job, today’s games provide a serious disclaimer as three different arbiters need to leave games because of injuries. Mike Everitt is struck in the chest by a 95-mph fastball by Reynaldo Lopez of the White Sox, Tom Hallion is hit in the mask by a foul ball, and Scott Barry, working second base, has to be helped off the field with an apparent leg injury.

The 2019 amateur draft begins today and, as expected, C Adley Rutschman of Oregon State University, the MVP of the 2018 College World Series, is taken first overall, by the Orioles. He is followed by SS Bobby Witt Jr., son of Bobby Witt, a first-round pick himself in 1985, by the Royals. Andrew Vaughn, winner of the Golden Spikes Award in 2018 completes the initial trifecta by going to the White Sox. Remarkably, there are only two pitchers taken in the first 16 selections.