MLB notebook: Machado, Padres reportedly agree to deal

[February 20, 2019]  The San Diego Padres reached an agreement with free agent infielder Manny Machado on a 10-year, $300 million deal, according to multiple reports Tuesday.

It would be the most lucrative free agent contract in the history of American sports, according to MLB.com.

Padres executive chairman Ron Fowler cautioned in an interview with The Athletic the deal was not done. "We do not have a deal. We are continuing discussions," Fowler said.

But The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal characterized Fowler's comments as "semantics," reporting that the financial terms are in place and that the two sides are finalizing the language. Machado also needs to pass a physical.

--St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Carlos Martinez will halt a throwing program and attempt to reboot with strength training due to weakness in his throwing shoulder.

The same issue was a problem throughout the 2018 season, when Martinez eventually shifted to the bullpen.

Cardinals manager Mike Shildt told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that Martinez would be idle for two weeks to focus on strength and flexibility training, then attempt to rejoin the throwing program.

--Oakland Athletics reliever Joakim Soria is experiencing tendinitis in his right hip and will temporarily stop throwing off the mound.

"It will probably be a couple-day thing," manager Bob Melvin said at the team's spring training complex in Mesa, Ariz. "We'll see how he feels after he plays catch."

Soria split the 2018 season between the Chicago White Sox and Milwaukee Brewers, posting a 3-4 record with 16 saves and a 3.12 ERA in 66 bullpen appearances.

--National League MVP and Cy Young Award-winning pitcher Don Newcombe, one of the Dodgers franchise's final links to Brooklyn, died after a lengthy illness. He was 92.

Calling Newcombe "a role model for major leaguers across the country," Los Angeles team president Stan Kasten added in a statement: "He was a constant presence at Dodger Stadium and players always gravitated to him for his endless advice and leadership. The Dodgers meant everything to him and we are all fortunate he was a part of our lives."

 Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Manny Machado (8) celebrates after scoring on a three run home run hit by outfielder Yasiel Puig (66) in the sixth inning against the Boston Red Sox in game four of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Newcombe, a right-hander, pitched for 10 seasons in the majors, earning NL Rookie of the Year honors in 1949 and All-Star selections in 1949, 1950, 1951 and 1955.

--Looking to prevent sign-stealing, Major League Baseball is set to tighten its in-house video rules, Sports Illustrated's Tom Verducci reported.

According to the report, MLB will ban outfield cameras, aside from the live broadcast feed, from foul pole to foul pole. Clubhouse and bullpen televisions will have access to the game feed only on an eight-second delay.

Teams' designated replay-watchers, who determine whether the club should ask the umpires for an official review, still will get access to the live video feed. However, a monitor will make sure those employees have no communication with the rest of the team regarding signs.

--A victory celebration proved to be somewhat costly for Minnesota Twins third baseman Miguel Sano heading into spring training.

After cutting his right foot while reveling in a championship with Estrellas, his Dominican Winter League team, Sano will miss at least a week of full-squad workouts while wearing a walking boot to help protect a laceration above the heel.

According to Twins manager Rocco Baldelli, Sano will wear the boot for seven to 10 days before being re-evaluated.

--Field Level Media

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