Braves send postseason star Smith to Astros for RHP Odorizzi
The World Series champion Atlanta Braves bolstered their starting staff ahead of the trade deadline Tuesday by giving up a reliever who played a big part in their 2021 title. Poised for another postseason run, the Braves dealt former closer Will Smith to the Houston Astros for right-hander Jake Odorizzi, giving Atlanta a sixth starting pitcher for the final two months of the regular season. The move was the biggest of three deadline deals pulled off by general manager Alex Anthopoulos, who on Monday gave up minor leaguers for corner outfielder Robbie Grossman from Detroit and infielder Ehire Adrianza from Washington.
news.yahoo.comHouston RHP Odorizzi stretchered off field in Boston
Houston Astros right-hander Jake Odorizzi collapsed running to cover first base in the fifth inning Monday night against the Boston Red Sox and was taken off the Fenway Park field on a stretcher. Odorizzi, who entered the game with a 15 2/3 inning shutout streak, appeared to twist his left leg awkwardly on the delivery to Kiké Hernandez. Odorizzi was 3-2 with a 3.13 ERA this season.
news.yahoo.comAP source: Twins bolster rotation with $8M deal for Happ
FILE - In this Oct. 6, 2020, file photo, New York Yankees pitcher J.A. The Minnesota Twins and Happ agreed Wednesday, Jan. 20, to a one-year, $8 million contract, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. The 38-year-old Happ spent the past 2 1/3 seasons with the New York Yankees. Minnesota was third in the AL in 2020 with a team ERA of 3.58. Happ went 12-8 in 2019 and struggled at the start of the pandemic-delayed 2020 season, prompting the Yankees to skip his turn.
Over in a hurry: A couple bad days end MLB seasons
For fans who enjoy chaos, drama and sheer randomness, the past three days provided it. For good baseball teams that endured months of semi-quarantine, COVID-19 protocols and eerily quiet stadiums, watching a season end in less than 36 hours was brutal. In Thursday's nightcap, the Milwaukee Brewers had their season end after a 3-0 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. With a revised schedule that restricted teams to their geographic regions — East vs. East, Central vs. Central and West vs. West — home teams went 500-398 for a .557 winning percentage, the highest since .559 in 2010, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Whether home or away, the end came quickly for some teams over the past few days.