MLB notebook: Cubs’ Almora wants fans to be safer

[June 01, 2019] 

Chicago Cubs center fielder Albert Almora Jr. is the latest voice calling for better MLB protection at baseball stadiums after a young girl was struck by a foul ball off his bat on Wednesday night.

"I hope this never happens again," Almora said Friday in St. Louis, before the Cubs played the St. Louis Cardinals. "So whatever the league has to do to make that happen. ... I don't think any kid that goes to a baseball game with their parents or loved one should worry about making out unhealthy. I don't think that should ever cross their mind. So whatever the league needs to do to do that, that should be in place."

The incident occurred at Minute Maid Park in Houston, and Almora was visibly distraught over the girl's injury. He even hugged a security guard close to where the fan was hit and said after the game that he plans to maintain a lifelong relationship with the fan.

"Hopefully, all is well and she's going to make a full recovery, God willing, but it's something I'll never forget for the rest of my life," Almora said. "When they're ready, I'll do whatever I can do to put a smile on that little girl's face."

--The St. Louis Cardinals placed nine-time All-Star catcher Yadier Molina on the 10-day injured list.

Molina has a strained tendon in his right thumb. The move was retroactive to May 29. Rookie catcher Andrew Knizner was recalled from Triple-A Memphis to replace Molina.

Molina, 36, injured the thumb in last Sunday's game against the Atlanta Braves. A nine-time Gold Glover, he is batting .265 with four homers and 33 RBIs in 50 games this season. He has 1,900 career hits and 150 homers.

--The Colorado Rockies demoted struggling Opening Day starter Kyle Freeland to Triple-A Albuquerque.

The left-handed Freeland was 2-6 with a 7.13 ERA in 12 starts this season. He has served up a National League-worst 16 homers in just 59 1/3 innings after allowing only 17 homers in each of his first two seasons covering 156 and 202 1/3 innings, respectively.

Freeland finished fourth in NL Cy Young balloting last season when he went 17-7 with a 2.85 ERA in 33 starts. This season has been much different. Freeland, 26, has allowed five or more runs on five occasions, topped by a high of eight.

--The Tampa Bay Rays activated Mike Zunino from the 10-day injured list and designated fellow catcher Erik Kratz for assignment.

Zunino, 28, hasn't played since May 8 after suffering an injury to his left quadriceps. He was behind the plate and batted eighth in Friday night's home game against the Minnesota Twins.

Batting .220 with three homers and 17 RBIs in 26 games this season, he is in his first season with the Rays after being acquired from the Seattle Mariners in the offseason.

--Free agent left-hander Dallas Keuchel will be ready to pitch for whichever team signs him within about a week of making a deal, his agent said.

MLB Network's Jon Paul Morosi reported that Scott Boras told him on Thursday that Keuchel has pitched simulated games every five days for the past several weeks to be ready.

One of the best pitchers available entering free agency in November 2018 after rejecting a one-year, $17.9 million qualifying offer last fall from the Houston Astros, Keuchel remains out of the league seven months later.

--Field Level Media

[© 2019 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.]

Copyright 2019 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.  Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.