Month

For the second straight spring training, the path of a promising Astros righthander was derailed. Pitcher Francis Martes was suspended 80 games without pay after testing positive for Clomiphene, Major League Baseball announced on Tuesday. In a statement, the Astros said they “hope that Francis can learn from this experience and that he returns to have a successful career.” Clomiphene is an ovulatory stimulant often used by infertile women. It is not FDA-approved for use by men, according to the USDA, and can alter their testosterone levels — thus placing it on the list of banned substances. Martes underwent Tommy […]

Outfielder Adam Jones and the Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a $3 million, one-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Sunday because the agreement was subject to a successful physical. The signing frees up the versatile Ketel Marte to shift into more of a super utility role, in which he will get regular at-bats at multiple positions. Marte still is expected to play occasionally in center field. Jones will be joining an outfield that also includes left fielder David Peralta, right fielder Steven Souza Jr. and the speedy Jarrod Dyson. […]

The Boston Red Sox will be without Steven Wright for half of the 2019 season after MLB levied an 80-game suspension against the pitcher, MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reported Wednesday afternoon.  Feinsand disclosed that Wright tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug called growth hormone releasing peptide 2 (GHRP-2), which violates the MLB’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. Wright has spent his entire major league career with the Red Sox since being called up in 2013. Last season, he contributed to Boston’s World Series run with a 2.68 ERA in 53.2 innings pitched. Wright defended himself against purposefully taking a performance-enhancing substance while still accepting responsibility for a positive test. […]

The Los Angeles Dodgers could be without Clayton Kershaw for the start of the season as the staff ace begins to rebuild from shoulder soreness that caused him to shut down his spring training. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said “that’s fair” when asked Monday whether his opening-day starter would be unavailable in just over three weeks. The Dodgers open against Arizona on March 28. “There’s just way too much importance put on the opening-day roster. The No. 1 thing is for him to be ready and to feel confident physically and mentally,” Roberts said, “and when that is, it is.” […]

New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman says he has recovered from the left knee tendinitis that bothered him during much of last season. Chapman threw 21 pitches during a four-batter simulated game appearance on Thursday, his 31st birthday. The left-hander struck out three, including Giancarlo Stanton, and induced Gary Sanchez to hit a broken-bat grounder. Chapman started feeling pain in the knee last May and went on the disabled list from Aug. 22 to Sept. 19. “I’m healthy and feel really good,” Chapman said through a translator. “I felt normal out there. Everything went well.” He was 3-0 with 32 […]