MLB notes: Marlins’ Jarred Cosart denies betting charges
Speaking directly about the topic for the first time since gambling-related tweets appeared on his Twitter account last week, Miami Marlins pitcher Jarred Cosart denied ever betting on baseball.
“I never have, never will bet on baseball,” Cosart said Wednesday.
Tweets that appeared on Cosart’s account discussed gambling advice received from a gambling expert. They did not appear to involve baseball bets.
Cosart briefly addressed the situation last week, stating he was cooperating with Major League Baseball’s investigation.
“Still following the MLB protocol. Hoping that everything gets done by opening day,” Cosart said.
Nationals Rendon to start season on disabled list
Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon will start the season on the disabled list because of a sprained left knee
Rendon was hurt March 9 diving for a ball in the field. The Nationals expected Rendon to return within a week, but pain lingered. He was diagnosed with a sprained medial collateral ligament and was examined this week by Drs. James Andrews and Steven Singleton. He will need rehabilitation time.
“He’s missed so much time, it will be a fairly lengthy one, I’m sure, to get him back in shape,” manager Matt Williams said. Rendon hit .287 with 21 homers and 83 RBIs last year.
Bumgarner outpitches Kluber in Giants win
World Series MVP Madison Bumgarner outpitched A.L. Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber, and the San Francisco Giants completed their Arizona portion of the exhibition season by beating the Cleveland Indians 5-2 in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Bumgarner allowed one run and five hits in four innings with four strikeouts in his final tuneup for Monday’s opener at Arizona. He did not get a decision, leaving his spring training record at 0-3.
Rockies’ Tulowitzki, Gonzalez show off power
Troy Tulowitzki homered twice and Carlos Gonzalez added his first spring home run for the Colorado Rockies in a 10-4 victory over the Texas Rangers in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Both sluggers have impressed in their return from season-ending injuries. Tulowitzki’s two-run homer in the first traveled 436 feet and his solo shot in the third 441 feet. He went 3 for 5 and is hitting .385 with five home runs.
Gonzalez hit a solo homer to center in the third and later had an RBI double. All three homers came off Texas starter Colby Lewis.
Clearing the bases
Utilityman Kevin Frandsen has been put on unconditional release waivers by the Washington Nationals. Frandsen agreed in November to a $1 million, one-year contract that was not guaranteed. … Boston Red Sox catcher Christian Vazquez will have Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. He was placed on the 60-day disabled list on Monday, when the Red Sox acquired Sandy Leon from Washington. … First baseman Jon Singleton was among four players optioned to the minor leagues by the Houston Astros, who said rookie Asher Wojciechowski had made their starting rotation and will start April 9 against Cleveland. Singleton was optioned to Triple-A Fresno along with pitcher Kevin Chapman and outfielder L.J. Hoes. … Doctors have told Miami reliever Aaron Crow he needs season-ending elbow ligament-replacement surgery.