The Mets round out their squad as spring training is about to get under way, signing veteran Japanese lefthander Hisanori Takahashi, 1B Mike Jacobs and C Shawn Riggans to minor league contracts. Takahashi, unrelated to Ken Takahashi who pitched for New York last year, was 10-6 with a 2.94 ERA with the Yomiuri Giants in 2009; he joins Ryota Igarashi, who was signed earlier this off-season, on the Mets’ pitching staff.
Two long-time baseball icons officially hang their spikes today, although neither played last season. Pitcher Tom Glavine, after 305 wins and two Cy Young Awards, accepts a position in the Atlanta Braves’ front office as a special assistant to team President John Schuerholz, putting an end to any desire for a comeback attempt, which would have required undergoing another arm surgery. For his part, 1B/DH Frank Thomas, nicknamed “The Big Hurt”, veteran of 19 seasons during which he hit .301 with 521 homers and 1704 RBI, announces he will not attempt a comeback either. He last played for the Oakland Athletics in 2008 but could find no takers for his services last season.
2010 – The Giants sign P Todd Wellemeyer to a minor league contract; a starter for the last two seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, he will try to win a spot in the bullpen. In another pitcher signing, the Mariners add Jesus Colome, who played for Washington and Milwaukee last season.
P Scott Schoeneweis signs a contract with the Brewers after pitching for Arizona last season. It was a year marked by tragedy, with the sudden death of his wife Gabrielle from a drug overdose on May 20, leaving Schoeneweis in lone care of four children aged 16 or younger.
The Orioles sign veteran left-handed pitchers Mark Hendrickson and Will Ohman, and designate Armando Gabino for assignment. Both lefties will compete for spots in the bullpen.
The Twins sign OF Jacque Jones, who played for Minnesota from 1999 to 2005. He is attempting a comeback after spending last season with the Newark Bears of the independent Atlantic League. The Twins also lose OF Jason Pridie, who is claimed on waivers by the Mets.
2010 – Lance Berkman is inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, joining former teammates Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio and Roger Clemens among others. Former Astros pitching coach Burt Hooton is also honored.
As a tribute to his fellow countryman, Omar Vizquel will wear the number 11 this season to honor Luis Aparicio. The White Sox will temporarily “unretire” the Hall of Famer’s number for the Venezuelan shortstop, who was recently acquired by Chicago as a free agent.
The Twins sign 2B Orlando Hudson to a one-year deal. Hudson won a Gold Glove with the Dodgers last year but became expendable after the team re-signed late-season acquisition Ron Belliard. The Nationals, who are also looking for a second-sacker, then settle on Adam Kennedy after seeing their first choice Hudson slip away.
The Phillies sign OF Freddy Guzman to a minor league contract, while the Brewers claim P Marco Estrada off waivers from Washington. Milwaukee designates P Tim Dillard for assignment to make room for Estrada on its roster.
Enjoy our free trial and start listening to games, interviews and shows! Ruth, Mantle, Aaron, and Seaver!