Page 22 - ARUBA TODAY

A22 HEALTH
Monday 26 March 2018

Spring Fling:

Hellickson, Revere, Motte among the latest big league cuts

By The Associated Press Milwaukee starter Wade
Washington pitcher Jeremy Miley and Nationals pitcher
Hellickson, Cincinnati out- Edwin Jackson got the re-
fielder Ben Revere and St. tention bonus.
Louis reliever Jason Motte Texas said Saturday that it
were among the latest had released pitcher Bar-
cuts as big league teams tolo Colon. The Rangers are
reached a deadline to free to rework a contact
make roster decisions. with the 44-year-old righty.
Kansas City pitcher Ricky Cleveland slugger Mike
Nolasco, Minnesota infield- Napoli was cut, and ac-
er Erick Aybar and Cubs cepted an assignment to
outfielder Peter Bourjos also Triple-A Columbus. The In-
were released Sunday, four dians brought the 36-year-
days before all 30 clubs old veteran to camp as
play their openers. more of a favor so he could
It was the last day for teams showcase himself for other
to choose what to do with teams.
players who chose to be- Napoli helped lead the
come free agents after Indians to the 2016 World
the World Series and later Series, and manager Terry
signed minor league con- Francona said the orga-
tracts. Clubs could either nization's younger players
opt to add them to the can learn from Napoli.
25-man roster for opening "In my opinion, he can still
day, release them or pay be a major league player,"
a $100,000 retention bonus Cleveland Indians' Rajai Davis (26) celebrates his run scored as he slaps hands with Mike Napoli, Francona said. "Like he
right, during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the San Diego Padres, in
if they agreed to begin the Goodyear, Ariz. said, even platooning or
season in the minors. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) something. But while we
Toronto reliever Tyler Clip- have him, his influence will
pard, who recently signed camp for free agents in Blue Jays. Outfielder Colby from the game last sum- be much appreciated. He's
after working out at a Florida, will begin with the Rasmus, who walked away mer, returns with Baltimore. one of the very best."q

Indians OF Michael Brantley starting season on disabled list

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — ing in exhibition games a back or anything like that." Brantley made it back for and 10 RBIs this spring. The
The Cleveland Indians will few days ago. While he If anyone understands the the postseason, but batted 26-year-old was with the
start the season missing Mi- has made steady improve- road to recovery can be just .091 (1 for 11) as the In- Indians at the start of last
chael Brantley. ment, Brantley, who hom- arduous, it's Brantley, who dians lost to New York in the season, but spent the ma-
Still recovering from off- ered in his first at-bat of the has battled injuries the last division series. jority of 2017 at Triple-A Co-
season surgery on his right spring, is not quite ready two years. With Brantley going on lumbus. Naquin played in
ankle, Brantley is being to play in a major league He bounced back last sea- the DL, outfielder Tyler Na- 116 games and batted .296
placed on the disabled list game. son after playing in just 11 quin will be on Cleveland's as a rookie with the Indians
as the team continues to "He's doing great. I just think, games in 2016, made the opening day roster. in 2016. Also, veteran slug-
take a cautious and delib- after we put our heads to- All-Star team and was hav- "I informed him as he was ger Mike Napoli accepted
erate approach with the gether, it would be good ing a strong year before in- running out to stretch," said an assignment to Colum-
two-time All-Star outfielder. for him," manager Terry juring his ankle while track- Francona. "Nake had a bus. The Indians brought
Brantley, who has been lim- Francona said Sunday. ing a fly ball on Aug. 8. He great spring." the 36-year-old to camp as
ited to 101 games over the "He's just not quite ready finished the regular season Naquin entered Sunday's more of a favor so he could
past two seasons because maybe to carry enough batting .299 with nine hom- game batting .294 (15 of showcase himself for other
of injuries, only began play- of the load. There's no set- ers and 52 RBIs in 90 games. 51) with two home runs teams.q