The San Francisco Giants brought their Black minor leaguers to Birmingham's historic Rickwood Field to honor Willie Mays and the legacy of the Negro Leagues. The event featured former MLB stars and included a celebrity softball game. The Giants hope to make this an annual event, potentially as the Willie Mays Classic.
Former Pirates manager Jim Leyland, recently elected to the Hall of Fame, revealed that the text messages that touched him the most were from former minor leaguers he had to tell their careers were over. Leyland, who managed the Pirates from 1986 to 1996, expressed gratitude for the messages from players like Barry Bonds and Justin Verlander, but emphasized the impact of hearing from those who never made it to the big leagues. He also discussed his son Patrick's career in baseball and his own willingness to continue learning about the game.
The Atlanta Braves have acquired reliever Pierce Johnson from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for minor leaguers Victor Vodnik and Tanner Gordon. Johnson, who has a 6.00 ERA and a 4.57 FIP in 43 games this season, could provide insurance for the Braves' injured pitcher Nick Anderson. Vodnik, the Braves' No. 10 prospect, has a 3.10 ERA in Double A, while Gordon has struggled with an 8.28 ERA in Triple A.
The Houston Astros have added outfielder Corey Julks and catcher César Salazar to their opening day roster, while optioning top prospect Korey Lee to Class AAA Sugar Land. Righthanders Seth Martinez and Ronel Blanco nabbed the club’s final two bullpen spots, while catcher Yainer Diaz completed the team’s bench. Houston will carry two backups to starter Martín Maldonado, a roster permutation that grew more clear once Michael Brantley’s recovery from shoulder surgery was delayed. Diaz and Julks are on their first career opening day rosters.