Happy February to all! We are officially in the same month as the beginning of spring training, so there’s a reason for MLB fans to celebrate today. As part of the celebration, let’s take a look at some of the latest MLB news and notes, including a key member of the World Series-winning Chicago Cubs retires, the Toronto Blue Jays add a former New York Yankees reliever to the bullpen, and the Atlanta Braves bring back an old friend on a minor-league deal.
Toronto Blue Jays news: Chad Green comes over from New York Yankees
Did the always entertaining Yankees-Blue Jays rivalry just have another layer added to it? After seven seasons in a Yankees uniform, Green inked a two-year, $8.5 million deal with the Blue Jays on Tuesday, giving Toronto depth once he returns from Tommy John surgery later in the 2023 season.
The contract details are interesting, giving both sides some options some time to see how Green performs after the surgery. He has a career 3.17/3.29 FIP/1.022 WHIP in 383.2 innings over 272 games.
Green is rehabilitating from Tommy John surgery last June. Structure of contract will force Jays to make early decision on him and give Green ability to exercise second guaranteed year if team does not exercise three-year option. He has passed his physical. https://t.co/CGaMVqvtTU
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 31, 2023
MLB news: Dexter Fowler calls it a career
After 14 MLB seasons, including six with the Colorado Rockies, four with the St. Louis Cardinals, and two with the Chicago Cubs (including 2016 when he earned his only All-Star Game appearance and helped bring a World Series title to the North Side), Fowler announced his retirement on Tuesday.
Among his career highlights are hitting a pair of home runs in the World Series win over Cleveland and making a highlight-reel catch to preserve a no-hitter for Colorado’s Ubaldo Jimenez in 2010, which is still the franchise’s only no-hitter.
Atlanta Braves news: Adeiny Hechavarria returns
Among the players announced as minor league signings with invites to spring training for the Braves is Adeiny Hechavarria, who suited up for Atlanta for 51 games in 2019 and 2020, playing second base, third base, and shortstop during that stretch. He’ll likely continue to provide infield depth for the Braves if he sticks in the system.
In 133 plate appearances for the Braves over those two seasons, the nine-year MLB veteran slashed .292/.353/.475. Since leaving Atlanta, the 33-year-old Hechavarria has played in Nippon Professional Baseball and the Puerto Rican Winter League.