Tuesday was full of baseball news as the season continues to draw ever closer, though a frigid interaction between Major League Baseball teammates in the World Baseball Classic seems to have drawn the most attention.
Let’s dive in.
Mariners Teammates Have Beef in WBC
Team USA catcher Cal Raleigh left his Mariners teammate Randy Arozarena hanging during the USA and Mexico game Monday night, and Arozarena wasn’t having it.
Arozarena complimented Raleigh’s parents only to then use “profane Cuban and Mexican slang to insult Raleigh, saying the All-Star should ‘f— off’ and ‘go to hell,’” ESPN reports.
“Arozarena then pivoted to English, saying Raleigh could shove his ‘good to see you’ in his rear,” ESPN added.
Raleigh told reporters on Tuesday that “there’s no beef here,” reports Melissa Lockard of The Athletic.
“I’m not taking this as a big deal, and I don’t think he is either,” Raleigh said.
Mets’ Francisco Lindor ‘100% Optimistic’ for Opening Day
Despite having hand surgery on Feb. 11, shortstop Francisco Lindor told reporters he’s “100% optimistic” he’ll be ready for Opening Day, reports Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.
Lindor’s surgery was supposed to sideline him for six weeks, but on Tuesday, he played in a minor league game for the Mets. He didn’t hit, but he did play defense as he seeks to ramp up before the Mets’ March 26 opener versus the Pittsburgh Pirates.
“It’ll be tough to be in a position where I can say I’m going to play 100 percent,” Lindor said. “When we depend on our bodies, there’s been very few guys that can tell you they’re 100 percent. I’m sure there will be some pains here and there, and I’m sure my hand is going to still hurt at times. Everybody I’ve talked to about the hamate bone, they say it still bothers them at times. But ultimately, it comes down to being able to play the game at an elite level. That’s what I’m trying to do. Whatever it takes to help my team win.”
Reds’ Hunter Greene to be Sidelined by Surgery
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Hunter Greene will be out 14-16 weeks after having arthroscopic surgery to remove bone fragments from his right elbow Wednesday, reports C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic.
“It’s good news compared to what it could’ve been,” Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall told reporters Tuesday. “The (ulnar collateral) ligament looked intact and good. Everyone said that’s a positive.”
That timeline means Greene could return to the team in July.
