Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Jung Ho Kang has been denied a work visa, leaving the South Korean unable to enter the United States and his status for the 2017 season in doubt.
Aviators
If you ask those who were once involved in trying to bring MLB to Las Vegas, the chances of it occurring then were as practicable as the game’s commissioner envisions now.
Kris Bryant will play in his Las Vegas hometown when the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds meet for Big League Weekend on Saturday and Sunday at Cashman Field.
National League Most Valuable Player Kris Bryant recently returned to his high school at the behest of the Red Bull energy drink people, who shot a marketing video.
Marcus Stroman tossed six hitless innings, Ian Kinsler slugged a two-run homer and the United States routed Puerto Rico 8-0 on Wednesday night to win its first World Baseball Classic in four tries.
The Cincinnati Reds won’t bring Amir Garrett, their No. 2 prospect, to Las Vegas for Big League Weekend. He will stay in Arizona preparing for what probably will be his first season in the majors.
Infielders Gavin Cecchini and Matt Reynolds and reliever Erik Goeddel were optioned to minor league camp, while pitcher Ben Rowen and outfielder Travis Taijeron were reassigned.
Brandon Crawford scored the tiebreaking run when Nobuhiro Matsuda bobbled Adam Jones’ grounder to third in the eighth inning, and the United States reached the championship game of the World Baseball Classic for the first time by beating Japan 2-1 on Tuesday night at rainy Dodger Stadium.
Left-handed reliever David Roseboom went 1-1 with a 1.87 ERA spanning 57 2/3 innings over 52 games at Double-A Binghamton last season, converting 14 saves in 15 attempts.
The team said Tuesday the home run king will attend a few days of spring training, starting Wednesday in Scottsdale, Arizona. He’ll also visit the Giants’ minor league teams.
Tim Tebow won’t be coming to Cashman Field. The 2007 Heisman Trophy winner and former NFL quarterback is joining the Columbia Fireflies.
After managing five years at Double-A Binghamton, Pedro Lopez was promoted by the New York Mets in December to Las Vegas, where he will manage a team full of his former players.
Gavin Cecchini has played shortstop his professional career, but he may be better defensively suited for second base and the path to the majors might be easier there, too.
Brandon Nimmo pulled his hamstring at the World Baseball Classic last weekend, but he seemed positive about his chances of getting back by Opening Day.
Many of last year’s 51s have put themselves in the mix to make the Mets roster, including Las Vegan Paul Sewald.