Marlins president wants faster games
The Miami Marlins needed barely two hours to win their 2013 season finale, in part because their pitcher threw a no-hitter.
That’s one way to speed up the pace of play.
But the other games during Miami’s last homestand were also low-scoring and tended to drag, with several taking around three hours.
That’s too long, team president David Samson said. Win or lose, he wants the Marlins to do it faster this year.
“Pace of game is about our fans,” Samson said. “It’s very much a TV issue and an in-game experience issue. No one is complaining about pace of game where it goes 12 innings and it’s three hours and 20 minutes and it’s a 5-4 game.
“That’s not the issue. If it’s a 3-1, nine-inning game that goes three hours and 12 minutes, that’s not enjoyable.”
Games at Marlins Park last year took an average of 2:56, which tied with Kansas City for second-fastest in the majors, behind Toronto’s 2:55, according to STATS. Houston was slowest at 3:15.
Instant replay may further bog down things, but Samson believes the Marlins can play more quickly. He’d like to get under 2:40.
“My hope is that we lower our average game time from last year to this year, and that we have the highest-percentage decrease of any team,” he said.
Rays pitcher Colome gets 50-game ban
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Alex Colome has been suspended for the first 50 games of the season for a positive steroids test.
The 25-year-old right-hander tested positive for Boldenone, the commissioner’s office said. Boldenone is used primarily for the treatment of horses.
White Sox, Quintana agree on extension
Pitcher Jose Quintana and the White Sox agreed to a $21 million, five-year contract that would increase to $26.5 million if he is eligible for salary arbitration after this season.
The deal includes two team options that could add $22 million plus a 2020 escalator based on Cy Young Award voting.
Quintero agreed this month to an $850,000 contract for this season.
Indians’ Bourn will start season on DL
The Indians will place centerfielder Michael Bourn on the disabled list before their opener at Oakland on Monday.
Bourn may miss only four regular-season games because of the injury, a tight left hamstring.
Outfielder Nyjer Morgan was told by general manager Chris Antonetti and manager Terry Francona that he will be on the Indians’ opening-day roster.
Clearing the bases
Atlanta released pitcher Freddy Garcia, who was contending for a spot in the Braves’ battered rotation. The team announced the decision Monday, the deadline for Garcia to be put on the major league roster – which would have triggered a $1.25 million guaranteed salary. … Rangers catcher Geovany Soto has a tear in his right knee that will sideline him for 10 to 12 weeks. The Rangers said Soto will have surgery Wednesday to repair a torn cartilage. … In need of a replacement for injured infielder Jose Iglesias, the Tigers acquired 37-year-old Alex Gonzalez from the Orioles for infielder Steve Lombardozzi.