There are already rumors about Kevin Towers being replaced in Arizona

By Craig CalcaterraMay 20, 2014, 9:45 AM EDT
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When Tony La Russa was hired by the Dbacks over the weekend, a lot of people’s first thought was “welp, Kevin Towers is probably a goner.”  There has been the suggestion that no changes are imminent, but no one has given Towers a vote of confidence either. Into that vacuum comes various people around baseball speculating as to who is gonna take his job. Gammons:

Who knows if LaRocque is going to take the job — or even if there will be a job to take — but it’s inescapable that the Dbacks hired La Russa to create an organization in Arizona akin to the one he left in St. Louis: a deep system, a coherent organizational philosophy and a consistent winner without going too crazy in the payroll department.

Why wouldn’t you hire a Cardinals guy to do that?

Report: Welington Castillo to be suspended 80 games for violating Joint Drug Agreement

David Banks/Getty Images
By Bill BaerMay 23, 2018, 10:29 PM EDT
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Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic confirms a report from journalist Américo Celado that White Sox catcher Welington Castillo will be suspended 80 games for violating baseball’s Joint Drug Agreement. Castillo was believed to have used a steroid, but according to Rosenthal, the substance was not a steroid. More details should come on Thursday.

Castillo, 31, entered Wednesday’s action batting .270/.314/.477 with six home runs and 15 RBI in 118 plate appearances. He has gotten the bulk of the work behind the plate, backed up by Omar Narváez.

Castillo’s absence will likely prompt the White Sox to call up Kevan Smith from Triple-A Charlotte. Smith battled an ankle injury in March and April, so he got a late start to the season. In 102 PA at Triple-A, he has hit .283/.343/.457.