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Pirates sign pitcher Vince Velasquez to one-year contract

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Pirates sign pitcher Vince Velasquez to one-year contract

The Pittsburgh Pirates today signed right-handed pitcher Vince Velasquez (pronounced vuh-LAS-kez) to a one-year contract for the 2023 season.

“We are happy to bring Vince into our starting pitching group,” said Pirates General Manager Ben Cherington. “He has a starter’s repertoire and we are looking forward to working with him and watching him start games in black and gold.”

Velasquez spent the entire 2022 campaign with the Chicago White Sox, where he went 3-3 with a 4.78 ERA (75.1ip/40er), 69 strikeouts, 1.23 WHIP and .235 batting average against in 27 appearances (nine starts). He also ranked in the 78th percentile in Zone Miss percentage (19.5%), 74th percentile in Batting Average on Balls In Play (.270), 88th percentile of Four-Seam spin rate (2417) and 73rd percentile for average Slider spin rate (2501) among pitchers with at least 75 innings pitched according to TruMedia.

The 30-year-old righthander also posted a 2.92 ERA (24.2ip/8er), 24 strikeouts, .176 batting average against and 0.93 WHIP in his final 11 appearances, including one start. Among pitchers with at least 10 innings pitched in the second half of the season, he ranked in the 79th percentile in OBP (.267), 75th percentile in WHIP (1.07), 77th percentile in BABIP (.246), 73rd percentile in weighted OBA (.273) and 94th percentile in First Pitch Strike percentage (69.6%) according to TruMedia.

Velasquez, who has averaged 9.7 strikeouts per 9.0 innings pitched during his big league career, was originally selected by Houston in the second round of the 2010 First-Year Player Draft.

Since breaking into the big leagues in 2015, he has posted a career record of 34-47 with a 4.93 ERA (726.1ip/398er), 785 strikeouts, 1.38 WHIP and .255 batting average against in 183 appearances (136 starts) with Houston (2015), Philadelphia (2016-21), San Diego (2021) and the Chicago White Sox (2022).

Pittsburgh’s 40-man roster is now full.

Colorado Rockies transactions

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Colorado Rockies transactions

The Colorado Rockies announced today that they have signed right-handed pitcher Pierce Johnson to a one-year Major League contract.

Colorado currently has 39 players on the 40-man roster.

Red Sox agree to two-year contract with right-handed pitcher Kenley Jansen

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Red Sox agree to two-year contract with right-handed pitcher Kenley Jansen

Three-Time All-Star Led National League with 41 Saves in 2022

BOSTON, MA—The Boston Red Sox today signed right-handed pitcher Kenley Jansen to a two-year contract through the 2024 season. To make room for Jansen on the 40-man roster, Boston designated infielder/outfielder Hoy Park for assignment.

Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom made the announcement.

Jansen, 35, has recorded at least 30 saves in each of his last eight 162-game seasons (2014-19, ’21-22), including 40 or more in 2014 (44), 2016 (47), 2017 (41), and 2022 (41). Since the start of 2014, he leads the majors with 329 saves, 74 more than any other pitcher. A three-time All-Star (2016-18) and 2020 World Series champion, Jansen earned Major League Baseball’s Trevor Hoffman Award as the National League’s top relief pitcher in 2016 and 2017. He ranks eighth all time in saves, having converted 391 of 443 career opportunities (88.3%).

Jansen’s 41 saves in 2022 led the National League, as he joined Cleveland’s Emmanuel Clase (42) as the only pitchers to save 40 or more games. In 65 appearances last season, Jansen went 5-2 with a 3.38 ERA (24 ER/64.0 IP), 1.05 WHIP, .192 opponent batting average, 85 strikeouts, and 22 walks. In his final 11 outings of the regular season, he was 8-for-8 in save opportunities while posting a 0.82 ERA (1 ER/11.0 IP).

In 766 career Major League games with the Los Angeles Dodgers (2010-21) and Atlanta Braves (2022), Jansen is 42-28 with 391 saves, a 2.46 ERA (210 ER/769.0 IP), a 0.94 WHIP, and a .179 opponent batting average. Among pitchers with at least 500.0 innings thrown since the start of 2010, he owns the majors’ lowest WHIP and leads relief pitchers in strikeout-to-walk ratio (4.90). Jansen has pitched in at least 50 games in each of the last 11 full seasons, making 60 or more appearances in nine of those.

Jansen has pitched in each of the last 10 Postseasons (2013-22), recording a 2.20 ERA (16 ER/65.1 IP) with 94 strikeouts, 18 walks, a 0.80 WHIP, and a .148 opponent batting average. In Major League history, his 59 appearances and 20 saves both rank second all time behind only Mariano Rivera (96 games, 42 saves). In addition, Jansen’s 0.80 Postseason WHIP ranks second behind Rivera (0.76) among pitchers with at least 50.0 innings thrown.

Nominated for the 2019 Roberto Clemente Award, Jansen founded the Kenley Jansen Foundation, whose mission is to impact the lives of families who have seriously ill and chronically ill children, by providing them with daily support through life-improving resources and life-changing experiences.

Born in Curaçao, Jansen pitched for Team Netherlands in the 2009, 2013, and 2017 World Baseball Classics.

Park, 26, was acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates on November 23, 2022. He played in 23 games for the Pirates in 2022 and hit .216 (11-for-51) with two home runs.

BOSTON RED SOX 40-MAN ROSTER (40)

Pitchers (23): Matt Barnes, Brayan Bello, Ryan Brasier, Kutter Crawford, Franklin German, Darwinzon Hernandez, Tanner Houck, Kenley Jansen, Zack Kelly, Chris Martin, Bryan Mata, Chris Murphy, Kaleb Ort, James Paxton, Nick Pivetta, Joely Rodríguez, Chris Sale, John Schreiber, Connor Seabold, Josh Taylor, Brandon Walter, Garrett Whitlock, Josh Winckowski

Catchers (2): Reese McGuire, Connor Wong

Infielders (7): Triston Casas, Bobby Dalbec, Rafael Devers, Jeter Downs, David Hamilton, Eric Hosmer, Trevor Story

Outfielders (4): Wilyer Abreu, Jarren Duran, Rob Refsnyder, Alex Verdugo

Infielder/Outfielders (4): Christian Arroyo, Kiké Hernández, Ceddanne Rafaela, Enmanuel Valdez

Giants agree to two-year contract with RHP Ross Stripling

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Giants agree to two-year contract with RHP Ross Stripling

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.– The Giants and right-handed pitcher Ross Stripling agreed to terms on a two-year Major League contract worth $25 million, which includes an opt-out following the 2023 season. Stripling will make $7.5 million in 2023 and $12.5 million in 2024. In addition, Stripling will receive a $5 million signing bonus. He will also make an annual donation to the Giants Community Fund, donating $62,500 in both 2023 and 2024.

Stripling, 32, completed his seventh Major League season in 2022 and set career highs in wins (10), starts (24), innings pitched (134.1), ERA (3.01) and WHIP (1.02). He appeared in 32 games overall last season with the Blue Jays and posted a 9-4 record with a 2.92 ERA over 24 starts, while going 1-0 with a 4.09 ERA over eight relief appearances. Stripling struck out 111 while allowing only 20 walks over 134.1 innings of work. Over his final 13 starts last season, he went 6-1 with a 2.75 ERA, .221 opponents average against and a 0.93 WHIP.

The Pennsylvania native was originally selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fifth round of the 2012 MLB First Year Player Draft. He spent nine years with the Dodgers organization before being traded to the Toronto Blue Jays at the trade deadline in 2020. Stripling was an All-Star with Los Angeles in 2018.

Stripling is 38-38 with a 3.78 ERA over 204 career Major League games (104 starts) with the Dodgers (2016-2020) and Blue Jays (2020-2022).

To make room on the 40-man roster for Stripling, RHP Miguel Yajure cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Sacramento.

Broadcast teams announced for NFL Network’s Week 15 Saturday Showdown Tripleheader

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Broadcast teams announced for NFL Network’s Week 15 Saturday Showdown Tripleheader

Noah Eagle, Nate Burleson, Tom Pelissero & Lindsay Czarniak to Call Indianapolis Colts vs. Minnesota Vikings at 1:00 PM ET

Rich Eisen, Kurt Warner, Steve Wyche & Stacey Dales to Call Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns at 4:30 PM ET

Kevin Kugler, Mark Sanchez, Laura Okmin & Peter Schrager to Call Miami Dolphins vs. Buffalo Bills at 8:15 PM ET

NFL Network has set its broadcast teams for the Week 15 Saturday Showdown tripleheader on Saturday, December 17.

Noah Eagle and Nate Burleson, along with Tom Pelissero and Lindsay Czarniak on the sidelines, will call the Indianapolis Colts vs. Minnesota Vikings game at 1:00 PM ET.

Rich Eisen and Kurt Warner, along with Steve Wyche and Stacey Dales on the sidelines, will call the Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns game at 4:30 PM ET.

Kevin Kugler and Mark Sanchez, along with Laura Okmin and Peter Schrager on the sidelines, will call the Miami Dolphins vs. Buffalo Bills game at 8:15 PM ET.

In addition to airing on NFL Network, each game will be available on local broadcast stations in the respective markets of the competing teams (WXIN in Indianapolis, KSTP in Minneapolis, WBAL in Baltimore, WEWS in Cleveland, WFOR in Miami and WKBW in Buffalo).

Fans can stream these games through NFL digital properties across devices (NFL.com and the NFL app), NFL Network distributors’ apps and sites, and on phones with NFL+. Live game audio will be broadcast nationally by Westwood One and carried on SiriusXM and TuneIn.

Pregame coverage on NFL Network begins with Jamie Erdahl, Emmanuel Sanders, DeAngelo Hall and Michael Irvin from Minneapolis. 

Additional coverage on NFL Network is provided by Chris Rose, Joe Thomas and Mike Garafolo from Cleveland.

Coverage concludes on NFL Network with Colleen Wolfe, Steve Smith Sr., Michael Robinson, Maurice Jones-Drew and Mike Giardi from Buffalo.

Week 15: Saturday, December 17 (NFL Network)

1:00 PM ET – Indianapolis Colts vs. Minnesota Vikings

4:30 PM ET – Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns

8:15 PM ET – Miami Dolphins vs. Buffalo Bills

NBA Preview: Boston Celtics (21-7) at Los Angeles Lakers (11-17)

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NBA Preview: Boston Celtics (21-7) at Los Angeles Lakers (11-17)

While the Boston Celtics find themselves on the tail end of one of their longest road trips of the season, the Los Angeles Lakers finally are home following the longest trek of the campaign.

The longtime rivals can compare travel notes when they meet for the first time this season in a duel at Los Angeles.

Each franchise has won 17 NBA championships, with the teams meeting in the NBA Finals 12 times. This season, though, the Celtics stand out as the top team in the NBA, while the Lakers are only now improving after an abysmal start.

The Lakers six-game East Coast trip ended as a break-even, .500 venture and was a microcosm of their up-and-down season. There were injuries, illnesses, promising victories (in Milwaukee) and disappointing defeats (hello, Philadelphia).

In the end, when the Lakers needed a victory Sunday against the lowly Detroit Pistons, with tired bodies and the desire to be home already, they went with a plan that is delivering the most consistent positive results.

LeBron James and Anthony Davis powered the way to a 124-117 victory at Detroit, scoring 35 and 34 points, respectively. James scored 13 of his points in the decisive fourth quarter, while Davis had Los Angeles ready for its late push with 17 points in the third.

The Celtics were able to stretch their legs in Los Angeles on Monday, yet it merely ended in a non-competitive 113-93 loss to the Clippers. Jaylen Brown scored 21 points while Jayson Tatum scored 20 points with 11 rebounds as Boston was held under 100 points for the first time this season.

The Celtics are now 3-2 on their road trip that ends Tuesday. Boston won each of the first three games since leaving home and had won eight of nine before an NBA Finals rematch against the Golden State Warriors on Saturday. Like last spring’s title matchup, it was the Warriors who got the best out of the meeting with a 123-107 victory.

Against the Clippers, the Celtics played without Al Horford for the fourth consecutive game. Horford missed the first three games of the stretch while in health and safety protocol, with his status Monday labeled as “personal.” He is expected back for Friday’s home game against the Orlando Magic.

The Celtics looked a step slower than the Clippers, who had Kawhi Leonard and Paul George on the court for just the eighth time this season. The duo torched Boston for 51 combined points on a night when the Celtics shot 43.4 percent from the field.

NBA Preview: New Orleans Pelicans (18-8) at Utah Jazz (15-14)

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NBA Preview: New Orleans Pelicans (18-8) at Utah Jazz (15-14)

Progress report week as Jazz, Pelicans renew acquaintances

In October, the Utah Jazz handed the New Orleans Pelicans their first loss of the season after holding on tight to earn a 122-121 overtime road victory.

It was a solid early win for the streaking Jazz, who were undefeated at the time and worked their way to the top of the Western Conference standings a few weeks later.

When the Jazz and Pelicans play again Tuesday night at Salt Lake City, it is New Orleans that is coming in hot after consecutive victories over the Phoenix Suns extended their winning streak to a season-best seven games.

Zion Williamson is particularly hot at the moment. He scored 35 points in each of the victories over the Suns, while shooting a combined 27 of 38 (71.1 percent) with an average of 7.5 rebounds. He has now reached the 30-point mark in four of his past six games and has averaged 31.2 points in that stretch.

Williamson scored 25 points against the Jazz in the first meeting but didn’t play in the fourth quarter or overtime after crashing hard onto the court when his shot was blocked on a fast break.

Even though the Jazz have slipped of late, falling to 15-14 after their surprising 12-6 start, they have continued to impress, all things considered. They lost at Denver on Saturday night, but the Nuggets didn’t eke out the 115-110 win until a very shorthanded Utah team ran out of juice while playing the second night of a back-to-back.

While losing eight of their last 11 games, the Jazz have been bitten by the injury and illness bug. They were without Lauri Markkanen (illness), Mike Conley (injury management), Jordan Clarkson (bruised right hip) and Collin Sexton (right hamstring strain) in the loss to the Nuggets.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker had the biggest outing for the Jazz. In his second start of the year, he logged a season-high 27 points in 40 minutes by hitting 9-of-16 shots and making five 3-pointers.

Along with Alexander-Walker, the Jazz have received solid contributions of late from Kelly Olynyk, Malik Beasley and Talen Horton-Tucker. But they will be hard-pressed to find success against Williamson & Co., in a rare two-game home set between the teams Tuesday and Thursday, if some of core players are unable to return.

Markkanen, Conley, Clarkson and Sexton average a combined 66.9 points per game for the Jazz. Markkanen, Conley and Clarkson fully participated in the Jazz’s practice Monday, the team announced.

NBA Preview: Phoenix Suns (16-11) at Houston Rockets (8-18)

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NBA Preview: Phoenix Suns (16-11) at Houston Rockets (8-18)

Eager to showcase energy, Rockets host Suns

In the second quarter of Sunday’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks, the youthful Houston Rockets were at their very best, taking full advantage of their vim and vigor to erase an early nine-point deficit.

That the Rockets, laden with high flyers buoyed by seemingly boundless athleticism, don’t always perform in such a manner remains a mystery. But for 12 minutes, they provided a glimpse of their potential when there is an unyielding commitment to playing at a frenetic pace.

Houston earned its fourth consecutive home win by surprising the Bucks 97-92. Although the Rockets sealed the victory by outscoring Milwaukee 23-13 in the fourth quarter, they worked their way back into contention with their 31-point second that featured eight fast break points, six points off four Milwaukee turnovers and 60 percent shooting from inside the 3-point arc.

The Rockets, who will host the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday in the second of seven consecutive home games, concluded the weekend ranked 15th in pace, a middling number for the second-youngest roster in the league. Against Milwaukee, the Rockets changed the tenor of the game by running and dunking with an enthusiasm that was overtly contagious.

Green posted a game-high 30 points plus seven rebounds in the win and is averaging 25.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists in 10 home games. His elevated play at Toyota Center has been a boon to the Rockets.

The Suns, meanwhile, dropped their fourth consecutive game on Sunday, losing the second of back-to-back contests against the New Orleans Pelicans 129-124 in overtime. While Phoenix guard Devin Booker (hamstring) missed his first game and is listed as day-to-day, the Suns’ issues began with Booker on the court, notably in a one-point home loss to Houston on Dec. 2.

Phoenix had won six straight before Houston pulled off the shocker. Since then, the Suns have been unhinged, suffering blowout losses to the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics before dropping a pair in New Orleans that knocked them down in the Western Conference standings.

Ranked 12th in defensive rating, the Suns have yet to validate their reputation for might on that end of the court. The Pelicans scorched Phoenix with 41 points in the third quarter on Sunday.

NBA Preview: Golden State Warriors (14-13) at Milwaukee Bucks (19-7)

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NBA Preview: Golden State Warriors (14-13) at Milwaukee Bucks (19-7)

Two teams coming off emotional games — with different results — will go head-to-head Tuesday night when the Golden State Warriors visit the Milwaukee Bucks for a nationally televised affair.

Coming off a 123-107 home win over the Boston Celtics on Saturday night in a highly anticipated rematch of June’s NBA Finals, the Warriors will endure the difficult task of facing the team with the second-best record in the Eastern Conference one game after having dealt with the top club.

The Warriors tightened the defensive screws on the Celtics, who entered the game with the league’s highest scoring attack. Even without defensive standout Andrew Wiggins, the Warriors harassed Boston star Jayson Tatum into 6-for-21 shooting as the Celtics were held to 43.7 percent overall as a team and 30 percent (12 of 40) on 3-pointers.

The impressive defensive effort wasn’t something the Warriors had put out much during a 13-13 start, coach Steve Kerr observed afterward.

The Warriors now open a six-game Eastern swing and are still without Wiggins, who will miss a fourth straight game with a strained right adductor.

The Bucks were nearly down a key man as well, with Khris Middleton having suffered a sprained left ankle early in Sunday’s 97-92 loss at Houston. But Milwaukee listed him on Monday’s injury report as probable.

The defeat came on a night when the Rockets were inspired to win one for their coach, Stephen Silas, whose father, former NBA forward Paul Silas, had died earlier in the day. John Lucas directed the win, with Stephen Silas having left the team upon getting the news.

Lucas’ game plan was similar to what the Warriors threw at the Celtics: Limit the layups at the expense of possible 3-pointers. The Bucks shot just 36.7 percent overall, a mark dragged down by a 12-for-43 night from beyond the arc.

Defense was the key when the clubs split two games, each winning at home, in last year’s season series. The Bucks held the Warriors to 34.7 percent shooting in a 19-point home win, then were held to just 41.3 percent accuracy in a 13-point defeat in San Francisco.

Tuesday’s game features an intriguing matchup of Bucks standout Giannis Antetokounmpo against Warriors defensive ace Draymond Green.

Green has gotten the better of his rival in 10 lifetime head-to-heads, holding Antetokounmpo to an average 18.4 points, benefitting from the two-time MVP’s 22.7 percent shooting from beyond the arc. Green has countered with 13.2 points per game as well as an advantage in rebounds (7.2-7.0), assists (5.8-4.4) and steals (1.7-1.3). The Warriors have won seven of those 10 games.

Green appeared on the Warriors’ injury report Monday as probable with a left ankle sprain.

NBA Preview: Sacramento Kings (14-11) at Philadelphia Sixers (14-12)

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NBA Preview: Sacramento Kings (14-11) at Philadelphia Sixers (14-12)

Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid has finished as the runner-up for the NBA MVP award in back-to-back seasons.

Through his team’s 26 games this year, Embiid continues to make a bold statement for consideration as the best player in the league.

Embiid scored 53 points — the second time he has eclipsed 50 this season — in a 131-113 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday to become the first Sixers player with multiple games of 50 or more points in a season since Allen Iverson had three during the 2004-05 campaign.

Embiid will look to stay hot when the Sixers search for their third consecutive victory when they host the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night.

Against the Hornets, Embiid was 20 of 32 from the field and 11 of 11 from the free-throw line for his fourth career game of at least 50 points and 10 rebounds. He finished with 12 boards.

James Harden added 19 points, 16 assists and nine rebounds for the 76ers. Following the victory, Harden was quick to credit his MVP candidate teammate.

The Sixers will face the Kings without Tyrese Maxey for a 12th consecutive game because of a fractured left foot. Danuel House Jr. (lacerated left foot) has missed the past two games, and his status is unclear.

The Kings will look to rebound following a 112-99 road loss to the New York Knicks on Sunday.

Domantas Sabonis scored 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, Keegan Murray added 18 points, and Kevin Huerter had 17 for the Kings, who failed to score at least 100 points for the first time this season.

Harrison Barnes scored 15 and Malik Monk had 12 off the bench.

Yet the lack of offensive firepower was noticeable without leading scorer De’Aaron Fox, who has missed the past two games with right-foot soreness. Fox (22.8 points per game) is considered day-to-day.

The Kings shot just 10 of 39 from 3-point territory against the Knicks.

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