Jim Edmonds said last week that he was “hopeful” about being ready for the playoffs after suffering an injury that was initially believed to be a torn achilles’ tendon, but that was never particularly likely and the Reds officially announced that he won’t be on the playoff roster.
Cincinnati opted to give the final spot to 23-year-old rookie Juan Francisco, who logged just 59 plate appearances for the Reds after spending nearly the entire season at Triple-A. He hit .286 with 18 homers in 77 games at Louisville, but also posted an ugly 81/16 K/BB ratio. Francisco will likely be limited to pinch-hitting duties, although he does offer some defensive versatility in the infield and outfielder corners.
As expected, Aaron Harang was also left off the Reds’ playoff roster.
Cardinals sign pitcher Miles Mikolas to 3-year, $55.75M deal
Rhona Wise/USA TODAY Sports
ST. LOUIS — Miles Mikolas is sticking with the St. Louis Cardinals.
The right-hander signed a three-year, $55.75 million contract on Friday that will carry through the 2025 season.
The new deal replaces a $68 million, four-year contract signed in February 2019 that covered the 2020-23 seasons and was set to pay $15.75 million this year.
Mikolas will receive a $5 million signing bonus payable July 1 and will make $18.75 million in 2023 and $16 million in each of the following two seasons. Mikolas can earn a $250,000 bonus for winning a Cy Young Award, $50,000 for All-Star election or selection or winning a Gold Glove, $100,000 for League Championship Series MVP and $150,000 for World Series MVP.
Mikolas is scheduled to make the second opening-day start of his big league career next Thursday when the Cardinals host Toronto. Mikolas went 12-13 with a 3.29 ERA last season while helping St. Louis to the NL Central title.
“Miles stands among the top pitchers in the game today, and has continued to provide a steady presence for us both in the rotation and inside the clubhouse,” St. Louis general manager John Mozeliak said in a statement.
Mikolas is 45-40 with a 3.79 in 143 games with San Diego, Texas and St. Louis. He recently pitched six shutout innings in two appearances for the U.S. in the World Baseball Classic.