The Braves are a “stealth landing spot” for Brian Dozier

By Jan 6, 2017, 10:20 AM EST
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While they seem like a basic part of our world now, years and years ago, back when the earth was young, there were no trade rumors about Brian Dozier. It’s hard to picture that world, but carbon dating and ice core samples have established it as fact.

In our current world, Brian Dozier rumors continue on, unabated. The latest:

The Dodgers have long been seen as the most likely landing spot for the Twins second baseman. They have the need and, while their system is not quite as stocked as the Braves, they have plenty of prospects they could deal to the Twins.

The Braves, though, have been said to be interested in Dozier in the past. While they signed Sean Rodriguez this offseason and while second base is probably his best defensive position, Rodriguez can play all over the field and likely will be used as a super utilityman in Atlanta, spelling Matt Kemp and Nick Markakis at the outfield corners, playing a good bit of third base and covering at short if he has to. Dozier and Rodriguez could fit together on this roster.

Dozier, 29, hit .268/.340/.546 with 42 homers and 99 RBI over 691 plate appearances in 2016. If the Braves were to land him it would be latest big move in an offseason that has been surprisingly transformational for the rebuilding club.

 

MLB homer leader Pete Alonso to IL with bone bruise, sprain in wrist

Associated PressJun 9, 2023, 10:43 PM EDT
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Dale Zanine/USA TODAY Sports
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PITTSBURGH — The New York Mets will have to dig out of an early-season hole without star first baseman Pete Alonso.

The leading home run hitter in the majors will miss three-to-four weeks with a bone bruise and a sprain in his left wrist.

The Mets placed Alonso on the 10-day injured list Friday, retroactive to June 8. Alonso was hit in the wrist by a 96 mph fastball from Charlie Morton in the first inning of a 7-5 loss to Atlanta on Wednesday.

Alonso traveled to New York for testing on Thursday. X-rays revealed no broken bones, but the Mets will be missing one of the premier power hitters in the game as they try to work their way back into contention in the NL East.

“We got better news than it could have been,” New York manager Buck Showalter said. “So we take that as a positive. It could have been worse.”

New York had lost six straight heading into a three-game series at Pittsburgh that began Friday. Mark Canha started at first for the Mets in the opener. Mark Vientos could also be an option, though Showalter said the coaching staff may have to use its “imagination” in thinking of ways to get by without Alonso.

“I’m not going to say someone has to step up and all that stuff,” Showalter said. “You’ve just got to be who you are.”

Even with Alonso in the lineup, the Mets have struggled to score consistently. New York is 16th in the majors in runs scored.

The team also said Friday that reliever Edwin Uceta had surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. Uceta initially went on the IL in April with what the team called a sprained left ankle. He is expected to be out for at least an additional eight weeks.

New York recalled infielder Luis Guillorme and left-handed reliever Zach Muckenhirn from Triple-A Syracuse. The Mets sent catcher Tomás Nido to Triple-A and designated reliever Stephen Nogosek for assignment.

Nogosek is 0-1 with a 5.63 ERA in 13 games this season.