Advertisement

Padres acquire outfielder Wil Myers in trade with Rays

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Wil Myers won the 2013 American League rookie of the year award.
(Mike Stobe / Getty Images)
Share

The San Diego Padres acquired outfielder Wil Myers from the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday, a person with knowledge of the deal said.

Myers was the AL Rookie of the Year in 2013, when he hit .293 with 13 homers with 53 runs batted in with Tampa Bay. But he was limited to 87 games last season because of a right wrist injury, and he hit .222 with six homers and 35 RBIs.

There were multiple reports that Washington also was involved in the deal, but the person would not confirm the Nationals’ involvement to the Associated Press. San Diego also receives catcher Ryan Hanigan and minor league pitchers Jose Castillo and Gerardo Reyes in the trade, with catcher Rene Rivera moving from the Padres to Tampa Bay.

Advertisement

The deal comes as the Padres, desperate for a power bat to punch up the worst offense in the majors, try to finalize a trade that would send catcher Yasmani Grandal and two pitchers to the Dodgers for outfielder Matt Kemp and catcher Tim Federowicz.

The Kemp deal is pending physical exams and the commissioner’s office approving the Dodgers sending $32 million to the Padres to help offset the $107 million remaining on Kemp’s contract.

With Myers coming on board, the Padres have six outfielders, although left fielder Carlos Quentin and center fielder Cameron Maybin have had a hard time staying on the field because injuries. Kemp probably will play right or left.

Giants close to deal with Romo

Free-agent reliever Sergio Romo is closing in on a $15-million, two-year contract with the San Francisco Giants, a person with knowledge of the negotiations said Wednesday.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because a final detail remained to be worked out and the agreement was subject to a physical scheduled for Thursday. Romo could earn an additional $500,000 annually in performance bonuses based on games finished.

Advertisement

The 31-year-old right-hander has spent all seven of his big league seasons with San Francisco, helping the Giants win three World Series championships in the last five years. He went 6-4 with a 3.72 earned-run average with 23 saves in 64 outings last season as San Francisco earned the wild card and went on to win it all against Kansas City.

Markakis has neck surgery

New Atlanta Braves outfielder Nick Markakis has undergone surgery to repair a herniated disk in his neck. The fusion operation was performed Wednesday in Atlanta by Dr. Steven Wray.

The Braves say the operation was a success and Markakis should be able to resume baseball activities before spring training in late February, though the expected eight-week recovery period leaves little room for setbacks.

The 31-year-old was diagnosed with the condition before the 2013 season with the Orioles. He left to sign a $44 million, four-year contract with the Braves, who felt the neck condition was not a serious risk. Atlanta traded right fielder Jason Heyward and has been considering offers for another outfielder, Justin Upton.

Etc.

Advertisement

Michael Morse and the Miami Marlins have finalized a $16 million, two-year contract. Morse gets a $1 million signing bonus and salaries of $7 million next season and $8 million in 2016 under the agreement announced Wednesday. He can earn a $250,000 performance bonus each year for reaching 550 plate appearances. The Marlins expect Morse to replace Garrett Jones as their first baseman and to bat cleanup. ... Cleveland Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis underwent surgery to repair a damaged tendon in his left ring finger, an injury he sustained while working out with weights in Chicago. Indians head trainer James Quinlan expects Kipnis to be on the field when spring training opens in Goodyear, Ariz., on Feb. 18. Quinlan said Kipnis should be able to run, field and throw, but that it may be a while before he can hit. ...

The Mariners have found a right-handed bat for their outfield, acquiring Justin Ruggiano from the Chicago Cubs. Seattle sent minor league pitcher Matt Brazis to Chicago as part of Wednesday’s trade. ... The Arizona Diamondbacks have avoided arbitration with reliever David Hernandez, agreeing to a $2 million, one-year contract. The hard-throwing right-hander missed all of last season after Tommy John surgery. ... Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter says Chris Davis will be allowed to use Adderall next season after the first baseman received a 25-game suspension this year for using the drug.

Advertisement