Homer Bailey says he does not want to leave the Reds, FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports. "To say that I 'want out of Cincinnati' is not true," says Bailey, who is eligible for free agency after the season. "If I am in the organization's future, my priorities are that things make sense for me on the business end, that we are a team that continues to be a highly competitive team in the league and a team that plays the game the right way." Reds GM Walt Jocketty says that extension negotiations with Bailey are on "hold," and Rosenthal writes that they may not pick up until there's more clarity on the free-agent pitching market. Here's more from throughout the big leagues.
- The Angels signed Mark Mulder because they were impressed with his new delivery, writes Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com, who describes in detail the series of events that led Mulder to begin a surprising comeback attempt after not pitching more than 11 innings in a big-league season since 2006. "I haven't had the ball come out of my hand like this in a very long time, and it's fun," says Mulder of his recent workouts. "I never threw like this in all my years in St. Louis. And I mean that. It was smoke and mirrors that first year in St. Louis. … My arm action was kind of deteriorating. And I'm gonna run with it. I'm gonna see what happens."
- Jeff Niemann and Sam Fuld would have interest in returning to the Rays, MLB.com's Sam Chastain writes. Niemann is rehabbing a shoulder injury and plans to be ready by mid-2014. The Rays non-tendered Fuld last month after he hit .199/.270/.267 in 200 plate appearances for them last year.
- Rafael Betancourt is making a comeback from Tommy John surgery, Troy Renck of the Denver Post reports. He believes he could pitch in 2014 despite only having the surgery only late last season. The Dodgers had interest in him as a free agent, but he wants to stay with the Rockies. "If I pitch again, it will be with the Rockies. I can’t see myself anywhere else at this point in my career. I have really enjoyed five years there," Betancourt says.
I hope that mulder has got something here. Hes a good guy….and thats the kind of person you would like to see make a comeback. Were not talking about top of the rotation type stuff, but more like contribution to the club stuff. Regardless…i wish him luck.
Yeah I agree I can get behind that. Wishing him the best.
How is Jeff niemann not signed yet?… injury or not he’s a solid innings eater
Why are no pitchers signed yet? He’ll go soon as the guys in front of him go.
If the Cubs don’t land Tanaka I’d like to see them go after Niemann, obviously they’re not in the same class, but I like him. Give him a two year deal with incentives.
Wouldn’t mind seeing him as a lefty reliever for the Cards somehow
For free….he owes us a few “bonus” innings.
Would love for the Rays to keep Fuld. Wouldn’t mind Niemann either, even with his injury problems past few years.