Page 22 - ARUBA TODAY

A22 SPORTS
Thursday 8 February 2018
Tanaka went with his heart Nats catcher Read

in staying with Yankees suspended 80 games

for positive drug test

By MARK DIDTLER
Associated Press
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Masa-
hiro Tanaka went with his
heart when deciding not
to opt out of the final three
seasons of his $155 mil-
lion, seven-year contract
signed in January 2014 with
the New York Yankees.
"We went into battle with
these guys, last year es-
pecially," Tanaka said
Wednesday through a
translator after a bullpen
session at the Yankees' mi-
nor league complex.
"My thought was I want This is a 2017 photo of Raudy Read of the Washington Nationals.
to go out and battle with Associated Press
these guys again and try
to really get to where we NEW YORK (AP) — Wash- drug test this winter, I was
want to get." ington catcher Raudy shocked. I was convinced
New York came within Read has been suspended there had to be a mistake."
one game of reaching the for the first 80 games of the Boldenone is known for
World Series last season, los- In this Oct. 18, 2017, file photo, New York Yankees starting pitch- season following a positive its use in horses and is a
ing in Game 7 of the ALCS er Masahiro Tanaka reacts after striking out Houston Astros' Josh test for Boldenone under banned performance-en-
to Houston. Reddick in the fifth inning of Game 5 of baseball's American Major League Baseball's hancing substance under
It turns out if Tanaka would League Championship Series in New York. drug-testing program. baseball's drug program.
have decided for free Associated Press The commissioner's office "Without being able to
agency last fall, the right- starts. same team," Tanaka said. announced the discipline identify the source caus-
hander might have found "At the start of the season, The Yankees did add NL Wednesday, after it was ing the positive test, I could
himself trapped in a slow- it was really shaky," Tanaka MVP Giancarlo Stanton in a upheld by arbitrator Mark not prevail," Read said of
moving market with few said. "I felt like I was making trade with Miami. "Honestly, Irvings. his appeal. "This does not
big deals being completed adjustments, adjustments I was excited to hear about Read signed with the Na- reflect who I am as an ath-
a week from the start of and adjustments through- the news," Tanaka said. tionals in 2011 and made lete or as a person. I will do
spring training. out the season. Tanaka has not talked yet his big league debut last whatever I can to clear my
"You want to be here or "Finally it seemed like ev- with new manager Aaron September, going 3 for 11 name."
you want to be wherever erything kind of came to- Boone, who is making his (.273) in eight games. He The 24-year-old hit .265 last
and get ready for the sea- gether toward the end. My managerial debut this year said he was tested seven year at Double-A Harris-
son," Tanaka said. thought process right now following the firing of Joe times last year. burg and set career bests
"On that note I think it was is to just try and go in the Girardi. "I have never in my life with 17 homers and 61 RBIs.
good for me to know where season from where I left off “It’s a positive curiosity of knowingly used a banned "I am deeply disappointed
I'm going. You would never last season." how he’s going to run the substance," he said in a in Raudy," Nationals gen-
know that after the season Tanaka is a little disappoint- team and how he’s going statement released by eral manager Mike Rizzo
was over that it was going ed that two-way Japanese to go about his business,” the players' association. said in a statement. "I have
turn out something like this." star Shohei Ohtani signed Tanaka said. "I don't take supplements spoken with him directly.
Tanaka is 52-28 in 105 starts with the Los Angeles Angels “Really looking forward to or anything else on top and he understands that
with the Yankees. He al- this offseason and not the playing under him.” of my regular diet, which he is ultimately respon-
lowed 35 homers — up Yankees. Yankees pitchers and consists simply of chicken, sible for what he puts into
from 22 in 2016 — last year, "A player of that caliber, catchers report for spring beef, rice and vegetables. his body."Ten players have
but finished 13-12 over 30 you want to be on the training Tuesday.q So when I heard I tested been suspended under the
positive during a routine minor league program.q
Yolmer Sanchez wins in arbitration; players lead 6-3

PHOENIX (AP) — Infielder son and 12 remain sched- Arbitrators Robert Herzog, ment-replacement surgery with what the team said
Yolmer Sanchez beat the uled for hearings through Sylvia Skratek and Walt De on March 25, 2016, made was a stress reaction in his
Chicago White Sox in sal- Feb. 16 in what could be Treux made the decision, one minor league appear- right arm.
ary arbitration and will get the busiest year in arbitra- a day after hearing argu- ance that August and A 29-year-old right-hander,
a raise from $546,000 to tion since 1990. ments. returned to the Mets last Grimm asked Mark Burstein,
$2.35 million rather than the Sanchez set career bests Wheeler asked John Skoni- spring. He went 3-7 with a Gary Kendellen and James
team's $2.1 million offer. last year with a .267 aver- er, Andrew Strongin and 5.21 ERA in 17 starts. Darby for an increase from
New York Mets pitcher age, 12 homers and 59 RBIs Phillip LaPorte for a raise Wheeler was sidelined by $1,825,000 to $2,475,000.
Zack Wheeler and Chi- and .319 on-base percent- from $800,000 to $1.9 mil- biceps tendinitis in June, The Cubs said he should be
cago Cubs reliever Justin age. lion, and the Mets argued went 0-2 in four starts when paid $2.2 million.
Grimm argued their cases He appeared in 78 games he should be paid $1.5 mil- he returned while allowing Grimm was 1-2 with a 5.53
Wednesday. at second, 52 at third, four lion. 24 hits and 11 walks in 20 in- ERA in 50 relief appearanc-
Players have a 6-3 advan- and shortstop and one in A 27-year-old right-hander, nings, then went on the DL es, striking out 59 and walk-
tage over teams this offsea- right field. Wheeler had elbow liga- for the rest of the season ing 27 in 55 1/3 innings.q