Cincinnati Reds position players are taking physicals today with the first full squad workout scheduled for tomorrow in Goodyear, Arizona. Cincinnati will play its first Cactus League game Saturday against Cleveland.
St. Louis Cardinals’ starter Miles Mikolas may not be ready for the start of the season. The right-hander was scratched from a bullpen session at spring training after experiencing soreness in his right flexor tendon and then was put on a no-throwing program for at least the next several days. Mikolas had a platelet-rich plasma injection at the end of last season to address the forearm problem.
The Atlanta Braves extended the contracts of manager Brian Snitker and general manager Alex Anthopoulos today. Anthopoulos also was given an additional title of president, baseball operations, while his contract was extended through the 2024 season. Snitker and his coaching staff received extensions through the 2021 season. The Braves have won back-to-back NL East titles under Anthopoulos and Snitker.
Mike Trout thinks the Houston Astros should pay more dearly for their cheating ways. The Los Angeles Angels’ three-time AL MVP ripped the Astros and questioned the discipline handed out by Major League Baseball today as he reported to spring training. Trout didn’t make a suggestion for what the Astros players’ punishment should have been, but the scandal obviously touched a nerve in the brilliant center fielder, who has spent his entire career playing against Houston in the AL West.