It’s Friday and time to look at some of the latest MLB news and notes, including the San Diego Padres picking up an All-Star pitcher, the Milwaukee Brewers likely regretting a decision with one of their stars, and the closer for the Baltimore Orioles battling injuries.
San Diego Padres news: Cole Hamels signed to minor league deal
The Padres continue to add to their pitching depth by signing four-time All-Star pitcher and 2008 World Series MVP Cole Hamels to a minor league deal.
Hamels pitched in one game for the Atlanta Braves during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, giving up three runs and three hits in 3.1 innings of work. That was the last MLB action for the 39-year-old southpaw, meaning the Padres are taking a chance with a low-risk contract that could turn into a high-reward signing should Hamels be able to show that he can still make a difference at the MLB level.
You can read more about the signing, and what the Padres could potentially expect from Hamels here.
MLB news: Milwaukee Brewers have damaged relationship with Corbin Burnes
Was a battle over $749,000 really worth this, Brewers fans?
Every fear that going to an arbitration hearing against Corbin Burnes could harm his relationship with the Brewers was founded.
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) February 16, 2023
“There’s no denying that the relationship is definitely hurt from what [transpired],” Burnes said. pic.twitter.com/Xv8DFyiKde
These words come after an arbitration hearing where the 28-year-old right-hander was awarded $10.01 million for the 2023 season rather than the $10.75 million he was seeking. Burnes won the NL Cy Young Award in 2021 and followed that by pacing the NL with 243 strikeouts last season.
After Burnes vented, Milwaukee quickly tried to smooth things over with words from GM Matt Arnold, but it appears that the spring is off to a very rocky start in Brewers camp. Could this lead to a parting of the ways between the two sides? Burnes is scheduled to be a free agent after the 2024 campaign, so Milwaukee has no reason to trade him unless the situation simply becomes unbearable. And, if it does, the Brewers have no one to blame but themselves for the fiasco.
Baltimore Orioles news: Felix Bautista may not be ready for Opening Day
Expected to once again be the closer in Baltimore this season after picking up 15 saves in 2022, Bautista is still dealing with some injury issues that were hampering him at the end of last season. The 27-year-old right-hander ended last season on the injured list with left knee discomfort and could potentially miss Opening Day this season if his injuries don’t respond in a timely manner.
Felix Bautista will be late getting into games, which makes him questionable for OD. On rehab program for knee and shoulder #orioles
— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) February 16, 2023
It’s not good news for an Orioles team that is hoping to be back in the playoff hunt this season.