Simon Sharkey-Gotlieb
theScore
Toronto, ON, Canada
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Past articles by Simon:
Dodgers manager sees Betts playing about 40 games at 2B this year
It appears Mookie Betts will get his wish and play more infield.Betts, a superstar in right field, has recently played some second base in spring training, and it's not just for fun and games. Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed Monday that the six-time All-Star will likely make regular appearances at the keystone in 2023."The way I envision it, Mookie starts about 40 games at… → Read More
Mets' Quintana has stress fracture in rib, no timetable for return
New York Mets left-hander Jose Quintana has been diagnosed with a small stress fracture in one of his left ribs, the team announced Monday, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post.Quintana has left the team and is traveling to New York for further testing. It's not yet clear how long he'll be out or whether his status for Opening Day is in jeopardy as the Mets have yet to provide a timeline,… → Read More
WBC Power Rankings: U.S. brings its best; who has chance at upset?
Welcome to the 2023 World Baseball Classic power rankings, where we dissect the 20 teams participating in this year's international showcase. Who's on top of the world right now heading into the March 7 opener?1. Dominican RepublicThe Dominicans are bringing their version of a dream team to the World Baseball Classic. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Rafael Devers, Manny Machado, and Juan Soto will make… → Read More
Royals' Chapman briefly sidelined after chipping tooth in fall at home
Aroldis Chapman's Kansas City Royals tenure has gotten off to a bit of a rough start.The seven-time All-Star closer is staying away from the mound for a couple of days after suffering another bizarre injury. While at home Saturday, Chapman cracked his tooth and split his lip open after slipping and falling, according to Anne Rogers of MLB.com.Chapman, who turns 35 on Tuesday, required stitches… → Read More
Phillies' Turner a fan of new pickoff rules: 'It's going to be nice'
Baseball's new pickoff rules have already gained a fan in Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner.Turner had plenty of praise for the adjustments after his Grapefruit League debut on Sunday. Moments after ripping a leadoff single, the two-time All-Star swiped second as Kyle Schwarber struck out. It was a remarkably easy steal for the two-time All-Star, who's expecting to be able to tear up… → Read More
Blue Jays hire ex-Astros GM Click as VP of baseball strategy
The Toronto Blue Jays added a marquee name to their front office, hiring former Houston Astros general manager James Click as their vice-president of baseball strategy, they announced Monday.Click helped build the 2022 World Series champion Astros, but left the team weeks after their victory following a contract dispute.In his new role with the Blue Jays, he will work alongside GM Ross Atkins on… → Read More
Watch: Machado called for automatic strike in MLB's 1st clock violation
It took less than an inning for Major League Baseball to witness its first pitch clock transgression.San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado made history as the first violator: Umpires called an automatic strike on the All-Star when he failed to fully step into the box before the pitch clock reached eight seconds during his first-inning at-bat against Seattle Mariners ace Robbie… → Read More
NL offseason grades: Mets spent wisely, but did Dodgers do enough?
Welcome to theScore's MLB offseason grades. Here, we look at where each NL team stands heading into the 2023 season. Click here for AL grades.Arizona Diamondbacks: B Vaughn Ridley / Getty Images Sport / Getty!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(e){if(void 0!==e.data["datawrapper-height"]){var t=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var a in… → Read More
Marlins owner: I expect to make playoffs in 2023
Miami Marlins owner Bruce Sherman is nothing if not confident.Sherman has high hopes for the Marlins, who he's expecting will not only compete for a postseason spot in 2023 but play October baseball for just the fourth time in franchise history."My expectation is to be in the playoffs," Sherman told reporters shortly after addressing the team, according to Christina De Nicola of MLB.com. "Why do… → Read More
Report: Twins agree to 1-year deal with Donovan Solano
The Minnesota Twins agreed to a one-year contract with veteran infielder Donovan Solano, sources told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.Financial terms of the deal, which is pending a physical, are not yet known.Solano adds more versatility to a Twins bench that already includes fellow infielder Kyle Farmer, plus outfielders Trevor Larnach and Michael A. Taylor. Manager Rocco Baldelli can utilize… → Read More
White Sox bring back Andrus on 1-year, $3M deal to play 2B
Elvis Andrus is returning to the South Side. The veteran infielder and the Chicago White Sox have agreed to a one-year, $3-million contract, the team announced Monday. The #WhiteSox have agreed to terms on a one-year, $3-million contract with two-time All-Star infielder Elvis Andrus and have designated left-handed pitcher Bennett Sousa for assignment. pic.twitter.com/d9EM5hTgG1— Chicago White… → Read More
Machado: Padres only made me 1 extension offer before my deadline
The San Diego Padres' early efforts to extend Manny Machado have hit a wall.The Padres tabled their lone extension offer to Machado two days before his self-imposed deadline of Feb. 16 - the reporting date for spring training, he told Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune on Saturday.San Diego's offer was a five-year extension worth $21 million per season, reports Acee.Machado refused to… → Read More
Dodgers' Kershaw drops out of WBC: 'Just didn't work out'
Los Angeles Dodgers star left-hander Clayton Kershaw announced Friday that he won't pitch for Team USA in next month's World Baseball Classic.Kershaw, slated to serve as the defending champion's ace, didn't specify the reason behind the decision. However, he said he's fully healthy and that his withdrawal isn't injury related."(It's) super disappointing. We tried a lot of different things, all… → Read More
Jays' Bichette: MLB's 'flawed' arbitration process is bad for sport
Bo Bichette and the Toronto Blue Jays won't ever have to face off in an arbitration hearing, much to the star shortstop's delight.Bichette signed a three-year, $33.6-million contract last week that covered all three of his arbitration-eligible seasons. With the possibility of a nasty hearing averted forever, the 24-year-old didn't hold back his feelings about the process."Arbitration is an… → Read More
Yankees' Cortes out of WBC with hamstring strain, won't throw for 2 weeks
New York Yankees left-hander Nestor Cortes withdrew from the World Baseball Classic due to a right hamstring strain, he revealed Monday.Cortes, named to Team USA's roster last week, said the injury is a low Grade 2 strain, according to Newsday's Erik Boland. He added that he'll stay off the mound for at least two weeks while remaining in camp with the Yankees.The 28-year-old told reporters he… → Read More
Report: MLB permanently adopting automatic runner in extra innings
Say goodbye to marathon extra-inning games.MLB's joint competition committee unanimously approved the permanent implementation of an automatic runner in extra innings, a source told ESPN's Jesse Rogers.The rule will reportedly continue to apply only during the regular season, as has been the case since its introduction. Half-innings in extra-inning postseason contests will still begin with the… → Read More
Report: Dodgers agree to 1-year, $6.5M deal with David Peralta
The Los Angeles Dodgers have bolstered their outfield corps by agreeing to a one-year, $6.5-million contract with veteran David Peralta, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan.Peralta's deal is pending a physical and includes incentives that could raise its total value to $8 million, reports Passan.The 35-year-old adds another left-handed bat to the Dodgers' left-field mix, where he could potentially… → Read More
Dodgers retiring Fernando Valenzuela's No. 34
If you have a sombrero, throw it to the sky in celebration of "El Toro."The Los Angeles Dodgers announced Saturday that they'll retire iconic left-hander Fernando Valenzuela's No. 34 this summer as part of a weekend-long "Fernandomania" celebration from Aug. 11-13. Fernandomania.Fernando's No. 34 will be retired on 8/11 to kick off a weekend of promotions honoring his legacy. For tickets, visit… → Read More
Report: Mets agree to 4-year, $50M deal with batting champ McNeil
Jeff McNeil is sticking around Flushing for the foreseeable future.The New York Mets agreed to a four-year, $50-million extension with the reigning National League batting champion Friday, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan.McNeil also gets a club option for 2027 that could increase the deal's total value to $63.75 million, Passan reports. Completion of the agreement is pending a physical.Prior to… → Read More
Royals sign Matt Duffy to minor-league deal
The Kansas City Royals added another veteran to their infield competition Friday, signing Matt Duffy to a minor-league contract.Duffy, who the Royals invited to big-league camp, hit .250/.308/.311 across 77 games with the Los Angeles Angels last season. Though a back injury shortened his 2022 campaign, Duffy proved a solid depth option when healthy, starting games at third, second, and first… → Read More