Carlos Correa’s first spring homer was with the Twins. It gave a glimpse of what he could bring to Minnesota’s lineup for this season.
On Tuesday, the 27-year old pitched a 1-0 pitch against Tampa Bay Rays. He launched a solo drive without doubt that landed far beyond the left field wall.
Correa was one of the most popular names on March’s free agent market. It was no surprise that the Twins, a mid-market team, swooped in to add the star shortstop to their roster with a $105.3million, three-year contract. Last season, Correa hit.279 and had 34 doubles as well as 26 homers for the Houston Astros.
In Grapefruit League action, Astros pitcher Justin Verlander impressed with his four scoreless innings against Washington Nationals. He struck out six and gave up two hits.
Verlander was absent from all of last season, which included the Astros’ run in the World Series. Two-time Cy Young Award winner Verlander had Tommy John surgery shortly after he pitched in July 2020, his first start in the pandemic-shortened season.
Verlander has not allowed a run in his three spring starts, which covered 8-2 innings.
D-BACKS FINALIZE DEAL with MARTE
The Arizona Diamondbacks have chosen to build their offensive future around Ketel Marte’s many talents.
The club announced it had reached an agreement with Marte for a five-year, $76 million contract that will begin in 2023 and could potentially be worth as much as $13 million.
General manager Mike Hazen stated, “I don’t think anyone is unaware that he’s our best player.” “We have discussed what we need to win and how to turn around from where are at the moment. That is possible with elite players.
Marte, 28, has been clearly the D-backs’ top hitter for the past few seasons. His only problem has been staying on the field. Marte batted.318 last season with 29 doubles, 14 homers, and was limited to 90 games due to hamstring injuries.
BREWERS PICK BURNES DURING OPENING DAY
Corbin Burnes’ Cy Young Award winning performance last year led to him being given the opening day assignment by the Milwaukee Brewers.
Craig Counsell, Brewers manager, announced that Burnes will start the Brewers’ April 7 game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. The Cubs haven’t yet announced their starting pitcher.
After struggling through the 2019 season, Burnes, 27, is one of the best pitchers in baseball.
In 2019, he went 1-5 with an 8.82 ERA. He then went 4-1 in 2020 with a 2.11 ERA. Burnes was 11-5 last season with a 2.43 ERA, striking out 234 batters and issuing just 34 walks over 167 innings.
This will be Burnes’ first day of opening.
WHITE SOX, PHILLS MAKE TRADE
In a deal with the Philadelphia Phillies, the Chicago White Sox acquired Adam Haseley to increase their outfield depth.
Chicago sent McKinley Moore, a minor league pitcher to Philadelphia in exchange for Haseley. Haseley is a.264 hitter who has played parts of three major league seasons. The AL Central champions designated Blake Rutherford as an assignment to make room for him on their 40-man roster.
Andrew Vaughn, the No. 23 White Sox pitcher, was hurt while diving in the outfield. Vaughn, 23, was the No. The No. 3 pick in the 2019 Amateur Draft was diagnosed with a hip problem, but he can resume playing in one to two weeks.
