Closer Brandon Morrow likely will miss the start of the season from laiyongcai92's blog

CHICAGO (AP) — for the Chicago Cubs following arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow last month.Chicago president of baseball operations Theo Epstein revealed Thursday that Morrow’s operation took place on Nov. 6. The Cubs waited to make an announcement because Morrow’s recovery will impact how they fill out the bullpen.“That’s why we weren’t broadcasting it http://www.diamondbacksfanproshop.com/authentic-a.-j.-pollock-jersey ,” a smiling Epstein said. “We’ll have to set things up a little bit differently the first few weeks of the season. And it kind of underscores the need for depth and late-game options early in the year. I think for him, it will be a positive. It will completely address the issues that were bothering him last year. … It can really help him be strong late in the season as well.”Chicago also hired Tommy Hottovy as pitching coach to replace the departed Jim Hickey.Morrow led Chicago with 22 saves and had a 1.47 ERA in 35 games after signing a $21 million, two-year contract as a free agent. His final appearance was on July 15, with the Cubs ultimately shutting him down because of a bone bruise in his right elbow.Epstein said Morrow still felt discomfort, leading to the decision for surgery. Morrow is expected to start throwing in early February. Epstein said the surgery was similar to the procedure Yu Darvish had on his right elbow in September.Darvish “looks strong, looks healthy” and is “exactly where he should be in his progression,” according to Epstein. The Cubs expect Darvish to start throwing in a few weeks, another big step after a disappointing first season in Chicago. Darvish went 1-3 with a 4.95 ERA in eight starts after signing a $126 million, six-year contract.Epstein said Kris Bryant is “progressing without limitations” after making two trips to the disabled list because of inflammation in his left shoulder, and Javier Baez will start next season at shortstop while Addison Russell continues to serve a 40-game domestic violence suspension.About that suspension, Epstein said “it’s appropriate” for fans to “hold us accountable for our words and to make sure that those translate into actions.”“I can just tell you that we are certainly intent on it Yasmany Tomas Jersey ,” he said, citing the Cubs’ increased training and work in the community.As for Hottovy, he joined the organization in 2015 as a major league scouting coordinator and has spent the past four seasons assisting pitchers and formulating game plans with the coaching staff. He made a combined 17 relief appearances with Boston in 2011 and 2012.Chicago ranked third in the majors last season with a 3.65 team ERA. The Cubs went 95-68 and lost to Colorado in the NL wild-card game.Hickey left after one season. Hitting coach Chili Davis was fired after one season and replaced by Anthony Iapoce.Chicago hired Terrmel Sledge as assistant hitting coach on Thursday after he spent the past two seasons working in the Dodgers’ organization. The Cubs expanded Mike Borzello’s duties, making him associate pitching coach in addition to catching and strategy coach.And they added former major league outfielder Chris Denorfia to manager Joe Maddon’s staff. Denorfia joined the front office a year ago as a special assistant to the president and general manager. LAS VEGAS (AP) — Here along the Strip, the Boston Red Sox are placing their bets on a new leadoff man.AL MVP Mookie Betts will hit second next year, a season after he led the big leagues in batting average and slugging percentage from the top spot.Andrew Benintendi will move up a slot and hit first for the majors’ highest-scoring team, manager Alex Cora said Tuesday at the winter meetings.“I think we’re going to maximize Mookie in a different spot. Flip-flop them, Beni leading off and Mookie hitting second. Talked to him, it makes sense,” Cora said.“You guys saw what happened towards the end of the season, he became very passive again http://www.diamondbacksfanproshop.com/authentic-shelby-miller-jersey ,” he said. “And it’s not that I don’t like that, I know what type of hitter he is. But I think doing that, Beni can be aggressive. … He’s a good runner. He gets on base, and I put it this way to Mookie. And I know Beni’s OK with it. But if you play 162 games, you’re going to come up 162 at-bats with nobody on.”Betts topped the majors in batting (.346) and slugging percentage (.640) and was second in on-base average (.438) for the 108-win Red Sox. He also had 84 extra-base hits, including 32 home runs, and stole 30 bases.“Last year, what I wanted from him in the leadoff spot, we accomplished. It’s a different season and we have to make adjustments, and that’s where we’re going to go,” Cora said.Benintendi hit .290 with 16 homers Chris Owings Jersey , 87 RBIs and a .366 on-base average.Cora actually is hoping someone else bats leadoff when the Red Sox open next season on March 28 at Seattle — that would be Dustin Pedroia.The longtime Red Sox star was limited to only three games last season because of lingering knee problems. As a tribute, Cora would love to put Pedroia in the top spot, where he’s occasionally hit over the years, on that first day against the Mariners.The 35-year-old Pedroia has been working out, trying to get back on the field.“I’m looking forward for him to lead off that game. That’s the only time. I told the guys, if Pedey is going to play, if he’s ready for opening day, he’ll lead off that day. He deserves that,” Cora said.“He’s a huge part of this organization. What he did last year, think about it, man Archie Bradley Jersey , like he didn’t play, but he was there. He was there for them the whole time. And there were a lot of conversations in the cage, in the dugout, in the clubhouse, that he was a part of it,” he said.