sMLB roundup

CLEVELAND INDIANS

RHP Tyler Clippard agrees to minor-league deal

GOODYEAR, Ariz.

The Indians and two-time All-Star reliever Tyler Clippard have agreed to a minor-league contract.

Clippard, who spent last season with Toronto, will try to earn a spot in Cleveland’s revamped bullpen. The deal is pending the 34-year-old right-hander passing medical tests and may not be completed for several days.

“Any time you get a chance to get a major-league pitcher, whether it be a reliever or starter on a non-ability deal it’s kind of hard to not want to bring him in,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. “He’s had really strong career, he’s held his stuff over a period of time — really nice changeup and the ability to pitch a full inning.

“We’re really excited to bring him in and get a look at him and see where it could go. He’ll go right into that mix of that group competing for bullpen spots.”

If Clippard makes Cleveland’s 40-man roster, he would receive a $2.5 million salary while in the majors.

Clippard went 4-3 with a 3.67 ERA in 73 games for the Blue Jays in 2018. Over 12 major-league seasons, he’s 52-46 with a 3.16 ERA and 68 saves for eight clubs. He’s also appeared in 14 postseason games, three in the 2015 World Series with the Mets.

The Indians have two massive holes to fill in their bullpen following the departures of career saves leader Cody Allen and Andrew Miller as free agents.

The three-time defending AL Central champions have 11 other non-roster invitee pitchers in camp.

SAN DIEGO PADRES

Club announces MLB-record contract with Manny Machado

SAN DIEGO

The Padres are getting closer to getting Manny Machado in uniform and on the field.

San Diego announced its $300 million, 10-year contract with the All-Star infielder on Thursday, more than two days after the deal was agreed to.

Machado will be introduced this morning at spring training in Peoria, Arizona. Manager Andy Green said he hopes to get the 26-year-old superstar on the field for an afternoon workout.

The agreement, the largest for a free agent in big league history, allows Machado to opt out after the 2023 season, a point at which he will have received $150 million and be 31 years old.

“Manny Machado is a generational talent, and we’re ecstatic that he’s chosen to spend his prime years in a San Diego Padres uniform,” Padres executive chairman Ron Fowler and general partner Peter Seidler said in a joint statement. “This momentous agreement speaks volumes to the direction of our organization, as well as our commitment to bringing a World Series championship to the Friar Faithful and the City of San Diego.”

Machado gets a $20 million signing bonus, payable within 30 days of the deal’s approval by the commissioner’s office, $10 million this season and $30 million in each of the remaining seasons. Machado is a Florida resident, and the signing bonus will not be subject to income tax in California, which has a top rate of 12.3 percent.

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

Plouffe agrees to minor-league contact to stay with club

CLEARWATER, FLA.

Third baseman Trevor Plouffe has agreed to a minor league contract to remain with the Philadelphia Phillies.

If added to the 40-man roster, he would get a one-year contract with a $750,000 salary while in the major leagues.

The 32-year-old spent last season in the Philadelphia organization and played in seven major league games, going 3 for 12 with a home run. He hit .230 at Triple-A Lehigh Valley with 12 homers, 37 RBIs and a .460 slugging percentage in 73 games.

Plouffe spent his first seven seasons with the Minnesota Twins and has played for the Oakland Athletics and Texas Rangers. He .242 career hitter with 106 home runs and 379 RBIs.

LOS ANGELES ANGELS

Left reliever Jennings agrees to minor-league contract

ANAHEIM, CALIF.

The Los Angeles Angels have signed pitcher Dan Jennings to a minor league contract with an invite to spring training.

The left-hander appeared in 72 games last season for the Milwaukee Brewers and had a 4-5 record with a 3.22 earned run average. Jennings signed with the Brewers after being released by Tampa Bay prior to opening day.

LOS ANGELES DODGERS

Club will honor Newcombe with patch, bobblehead in ’19

LOS ANGELES

The Los Angeles Dodgers will honor pitching great Don Newcombe by adding a commemorative No. 36 patch to their uniforms this season.

Newcombe died Tuesday at 92.

The team said Thursday that Newcombe will be saluted in pregame ceremonies on April 27, when he is inducted into the Legends of Dodger Baseball. He will also have a commemorative bobblehead.

Associated Press