It’s the final Monday without Major League Baseball until November, so we’re here to celebrate that (and Presidents’ Day) with some MLB news and notes, including a signing by the Chicago White Sox, a statement by a Houston Astros star, and a heroic move by the Toronto Blue Jays manager.
MLB news: Chicago White Sox sign Elvis Andrus
After making an impact on the team in just 43 games late in the season last year after being released by the Oakland A’s, the White Sox have reportedly brought back the 34-year-old Andrus on a one-year, $3 million deal.
Andrus is expected to slot in at second base and provide another veteran bat for a team that is hoping to rebound from last season’s fall from the top of the American League Central standings. It’s an interesting move as Andrus has never played second base at the MLB level, slotting in at shortstop in 1,914 games over his 14-year career. However, Chicago is confident that Andrus has the defensive skills and athleticism to make the switch.
You can read more about the signing here.
Houston Astros news: Jose Altuve talks long-term plans
It certainly sounds like the Astros and Altuve are figuring out a way to ensure the All-Star second baseman never leaves the franchise.
After new general manager Dana Brown expressed his desire to keep Altuve and Alex Bregman in only one uniform for the rest of their careers, the 32-year-old Altuve told reporters this weekend that it is his “hope to retire here. I think we are on the same page.”
Altuve’s contract runs out after the 2024 campaign, so there is plenty of time for the two sides to come together on an extension. There also seems to be plenty of mutual interest to make it happen, so it may not be a matter of if it happens, but rather when.
Read more about Altuve’s comments here.
Toronto Blue Jays news: John Schneider is literally a life-saver
Heroes don’t always wear capes. Such was the case for Schneider earlier this spring when the Blue Jays manager used the Heimlich maneuver to save a woman who was choking on a shrimp as they were eating in a Florida restaurant not far from Toronto’s spring training site.
Schneider told reporters he remembered back to learning how to do the maneuver in sixth grade and those memories paid off. It also paid off in another way for Schneider as he not only got plenty of thanks for hopping into action, but also a free beer for saving the day.
You can read more about the heroic moments here.