The San Diego Padres make a commitment to a starting pitcher, while the Houston Astros ink a deal with a sponsor and the Double-A team for the Colorado Rockies changes its name (at least for one game). Those are the highlights from today’s MLB news and notes section.
San Diego Padres news: Yu Darvish gets an extension
The Padres locked up the 36-year-old Darvish with, according to reports, a surprising six-year, $108 million deal. According to MLB.com reporter AJ Cassavell, Darvish is “still getting better, still developing, still curious” in the eyes of Padres executives, so giving a 36-year-old pitcher six more years on a contract was a gamble that was worth the risk.
Darvish finished eighth in NL Cy Young Award voting last season after posting a 3.10 ERA/3.31 FIP/0.950 WHIP, so his second season in San Diego was indeed a success. Now Darvish will be a part of the powerhouse of the near future the Padres seem to be building inside Petco Park.
MLB news: Get ready for the patch in Houston in 2023
Another MLB team has announced a partner that will have a patch on a uniform in 2023, and that’s the Houston Astros with Oxy.
Today, we announced an expansion of our partnership with @WeAreOxy to become our official jersey partner for the next seven seasons. pic.twitter.com/trDma0um7W
— Houston Astros (@astros) February 9, 2023
According to an Astros press release, the Oxy logo will be featured on the Astros jersey sleeve throughout the regular season and any postseason games. That could include the World Series if the Astros return to the Fall Classic to defend their 2022 title.
Colorado Rockies news: Double-A affiliate embraces the weirdness
OK, maybe it’s not technically MLB news, but this tidbit could involve some future Rockies.
The Hartford Yard Goats, Colorado’s Double-A affiliate, already have one of the best nicknames in all of Minor League Baseball. However, the Yard Goats have decided to ditch their names for one game in 2023 to embrace what has been reported to be a very strange law in their home state of Connecticut.
The Yard Goats will play one game as the Hartford Bouncing Pickles this season. The Bouncing Pickles refers to a blue law in Connecticut: if a pickle doesn't bounce, it ain't a pickle. Let us know what you think; we relish your feedback 🥒 pic.twitter.com/bQJbzEcjCZ
— Hartford Yard Goats (@GoYardGoats) February 9, 2023
Our friends with the Portland Pickles seem to be behind the temporary change, with a poll of Twitter users voting that the franchise should send some love to their one-day cousins all the way across the country.
By the way, this isn’t the only change Hartford will have this season. The Yard Goats will also play two games in 2023 as The Hartford Schoolboys. The team says it’s a tribute to Negro League Baseball and the late Johnny “Schoolboy” Taylor, who came from the south end of Hartford.