MLB
Millions less for amateurs
NEW YORK -- Restraints on signing bonuses that started in 2012 likely have cost ballplayers in the amateur draft more than $100 million over the last three years.
Baseball's players' union agreed to the fiscal rule change, which steered more money toward veterans and away from beginning professionals.
The change also means players subject to the draft are not getting the same hefty signing bonuses given to some international players.
Baltimore Orioles pitcher Kevin Gausman sees big bonuses for a few young Cuban amateurs and thinks he might have been shortchanged when he signed for more than $4 million in 2012 as a first-rounder.
MLB's 30 clubs have strictly followed draft budgets, but some teams haven't been deterred by similar fiscal rules for international players.
Draft spending peaked at $234 million in 2011 after growing an average of 4.9 percent annually the previous 11 years. Meanwhile, big league payrolls have grown steadily.
ROYALS
Medlen, Duffy on road back
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Injured Royals pitchers Kris Medlen and Danny Duffy threw three innings apiece in a simulated game on Thursday, and both said everything went according to plan.
Medlen has yet to pitch for Kansas City after undergoing his second Tommy John surgery last year. The Royals signed him knowing that he would be available for the second half this season if all went well, and so far the right-hander is right on schedule.
Duffy went on the disabled list with biceps tendinitis after the left-hander experience a series of wild outings. He said that a slight tweak to his delivery has helped him throw more strikes.
Medlen will head back to Arizona for more work at the Royals spring complex. Duffy will throw a side session Saturday and then likely head out for a rehab assignment.
NATIONALS
Rendon returns from DL
WASHINGTON -- Infielder Anthony Rendon has been activated from the disabled list by the Washington Nationals and was set to make his season debut at second base in the opener of a four-game series against the Chicago Cubs.
The 24-year-old missed the first 53 games while recovering from a left knee sprain, and then a left oblique strain.
He hit .287 with 39 doubles, 21 home runs, 83 RBI and 111 runs last year, when he finished fifth in NL MVP voting. He batted .250 during an eight-game injury rehabilitation assignment at Class AA Harrisburg.
Washington also recalled right-handed pitcher A.J. Cole from Class AAA Syracuse on Thursday. The Nationals optioned right-handed pitcher Taylor Jordan to their top farm club and infielder Wilmer Difo to Harrisburg.
YANKEES
McCann day to day with foot
NEW YORK -- Scans of Brian McCann's troublesome right foot were negative, and the New York Yankees say their catcher is day to day.
McCann first reported pain in the foot on May 24, when the foot and calf tightened on him during a game against Texas and he left after eight innings. McCann came out of Wednesday's 3-1 victory at the Seattle Mariners in the second inning after the soreness in his right foot became too uncomfortable to continue.
He was examined Thursday at New York-Presbyterian by Yankees head team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad and orthopedic foot and ankle specialist Dr. Justin Greisberg. McCann also had an MRI and a CT scan of the foot.
RED SOX
OF De Aza joins team
BOSTON -- The Red Sox added newly acquired outfielder Alejandro De Aza to the roster before Thursday's series finale against Minnesota.
The 31-year old De Aza was acquired on Wednesday from the Baltimore Orioles for a minor league pitcher and cash.
To make room on the roster, the team designated outfielder Carlos Peguero for assignment.
De Aza appeared in 30 games for the Orioles, batting .214 with three homers and seven RBIs. He was designated for assignment on May 27.
Peguero, 28, was acquired from the Texas Rangers on May 27. He went 1 for 5 in four games with the Red Sox.
TWINS
Milone called up, Nolasco on DL
BOSTON -- The Minnesota Twins recalled Thursday's starter Tommy Milone from Class AAA before their game against the Boston Red Sox.
Milone, 28, was Minnesota's opening day starter before being sent to the minors on May 1. He was 2-1 with a 4.76 ERA in four starts before being shipped to Rochester.
Milone made five starts in Class AAA, going 4-0 with a 0.70 ERA.
To make room for Milone, the club placed right-hander Ricky Nolasco on the 15-day disabled list because of an injured right ankle he sustained in his previous start on May 31.
ASTROS
Revamped center field in works
HOUSTON -- The Astros have announced plans for a proposed renovation of center field at Minute Maid Park that would remove Tal's Hill and shorten the distance in center field from 436 feet to 409 feet.
Houston's center field is currently the deepest in the majors, and the $15 million renovation would make it the sixth-deepest in the league.
Tal's Hill, a tribute to Cincinnati's Crosley Field and other old ballparks, is named after former longtime team executive Tal Smith. Removing it and bringing in the fences in center field allows the Astros to add three new bars, four food locations and the first field-level seating area at Minute Maid Park.
The renovations will begin at the end of this season and are to be completed by the start of next season.
Sports on 06/05/2015