sMLB news & notes

METS

D’Arnaud tears elbow ligament

MIAMI

The New York Mets suddenly found themselves down two catchers Wednesday, yet relieved the situation wasn’t even worse.

Travis d’Arnaud went on the disabled list for the fifth consecutive year with a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, and surgery is possible.

His replacement, Kevin Plawecki, was hit by a pitch on the left hand hours later in the eighth inning against the Miami Marlins and left the game. The Mets breathed a sigh of relief when X-rays were negative, and are hopeful Plawecki won’t be sidelined for long.

“That’s a big one,” manager Mickey Callaway said. “I was worried about that the rest of the game once he came out. To lose two catchers would be tough.”

Plawecki was “pretty sore,” Callaway said, and might miss some playing time. Tomas Nido replaced him after being recalled from Double-A Binghamton earlier in the day.

D’Arnaud underwent an MRI in New York, and the severity of his injury was a surprise. But Callaway said d’Arnaud’s throwing had recently been hampered.

LEAGUE

Yankees named most valuable team

NEW YORK

The New York Yankees are the most valuable franchise in baseball at an estimated value of $4 billion, according to Forbes.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are second at $3 billion, followed by the Chicago Cubs ($2.9 billion), San Francisco Giants ($2.85 billion) and Boston Red Sox ($2.8 billion).

The Yankees’ YES Network broadcasts Forbes “SportsMoney” television show, and the Forbes article accompanying the franchise values released Wednesday was written by the managing editor of the show.

Tampa Bay is the least valuable team, estimated to be worth $900 million.

ASTROS

Gurriel to be activated on Friday

MINNEAPOLIS

Recovering from left hand surgery, Gurriel finished an injury rehabilitation stint with Double-A Corpus Christi on Tuesday and returned to Houston.

Astros manager A.J. Hinch said Gurriel will be evaluated on Wednesday.

Gurriel served a five-game suspension at the start of the season for a racist gesture made to pitcher Yu Darvish in the World Series. Gurriel played first and third during six Double-A games and hit .429 with four doubles and three RBIs. He batted .299 with 18 home runs and 75 RBIs for Houston last season.

All-Star game

Manfred announces LA as 2020 host

LoS Angeles

Baseball’s All-Star Game is returning to Dodger Stadium in 2020 for the first time since 1980, thanks in large part to the upgrades made by the team’s ownership in recent years.

Commissioner Rob Manfred made the announcement from a platform in center field Wednesday with Dodgers alumni Don Newcombe, Tom Lasorda, Manny Mota, Ron Cey, Bill Russell and Reggie Smith looking on. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, injured third baseman Justin Turner and closer Kenley Jansen joined them under a hot sun.

Manfred cited three factors in awarding the 2020 edition to Los Angeles: the city offers a “great place” to showcase the game’s younger talent, Dodger Stadium is iconic as baseball’s third-oldest park, and “it’s time for us to be back here.”

The Dodgers played a video showing scenes of the ballpark and city narrated by retired Hall of Fame announcer Vin Scully, who concluded with the line, “This is our home and we can’t wait.”

Staff/wire reports