Whereas the Athletics appear extra seemingly than ever to relocate to Las Vegas after Nevada’s governor signed a invoice offering $380M in public funding for an MLB stadium within the state’s greatest metropolis, Mick Akers of the Las Vegas Overview-Journal stories that the membership will stay in Oakland via the top of their lease on the Coliseum, which expires after the 2024 season. As Akers notes, no discussions have taken place concerning the A’s leaving Oakland forward of the 2024 marketing campaign, because the 2024 MLB schedule is already set and poised to be launched later this summer time.
Waiting for 2025 and past, nonetheless, Akers notes that there are a number of choices being explored for the membership’s non permanent house till the Athletic’s deliberate ballpark in Las Vegas is prepared, which isn’t anticipated to occur till 2028. Choices Akers mentions for the A’s are Sacramento, Reno, and even different websites within the Bay Space. Most curiously, Akers factors out that the A’s have an settlement in place with Howard Hughes Corp, the proprietor of the membership’s Triple-A affiliate in Las Vegas, to make use of the Aviators’ 10,000-seat ballpark whereas building of the everlasting ballpark is underway.
After all, there’s nonetheless a lot to do earlier than the membership’s deliberate relocation is official, to say nothing of the steps essential to finalize a short lived house ballpark. The Athletics might want to have their relocation effort accepted by 75% of MLB house owners, and the MLB Gamers Affiliation must give its approval for the membership’s non permanent house ballpark earlier than any plans might be finalized. Nonetheless, Akers’s report nonetheless gives some a window into the choices on the membership’s disposal as they put together to depart Oakland, their house for greater than half a century.
Extra from round AL West…
Astros right-hander Lance McCullers Jr.
underwent flexor tendon surgical procedure earlier this week that may hold him out of motion for the remainder of the season. Whereas that’s absolutely a bitterly disappointing improvement for each McCullers and followers in Houston, the state of affairs may have gone far worse, as The Athletic’s Chandler Rome notes in a latest article that McCullers and Dr. Neal ElAttrache entered the working room ready for the chance that the right-hander would require a second Tommy John surgical procedure moderately than the flexor tendon surgical procedure he in the end wanted. Such a process would have left McCullers unavailable for a minimum of twelve months, however the 29-year-old righty may start throwing once more towards the top of the 2023 marketing campaign or shortly after the season’s conclusion. Sadly, that does little to help an Astros rotation that has additionally misplaced Luis Garcia and Jose Urquidy to damage thus far this season.
The Rangers introduced earlier this afternoon that catcher Sandy Leon had accepted an outright task to Triple-A Spherical Rock. Leon had been designated for task by the membership earlier this week. It’s nice information for the Rangers, as Leon is a well-respected defensive catcher and game-caller. Whereas he slashed simply .146/.186/.195 in 21 video games with the Rangers this season which interprets to an abysmal wRC+ of two, Leon’s presence at Triple-A will present the Rangers with catching depth behind their present trio of Jonah Heim, Sam Huff, and Mitch Garver whereas additionally offering the membership’s younger pitchers on the degree with a veteran catcher who may help of their improvement.
