Romo, three-time World Series winner, to retire with Giants

AP Photo/Ben Margot
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PHOENIX – Sergio Romo will retire as a member of the San Francisco Giants after helping the franchise win three World Series titles.

The 2013 All-Star was an integral part of the team’s bullpen from 2008 to 2016; the Giants won titles in 2010, 2012 and 2014. He also pitched for the Twins, Athletics, Rays, Dodgers, Mariners, Marlins and Blue Jays.

Romo signed a minor league deal with an invite to big-league spring training. He’ll officially retire during San Francisco’s final exhibition game on March 27 when the Giants host the A’s at Oracle Park.

“The relationship that Giants fans have with their players is unique – few exemplify that bond more than Sergio,” Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi said in a statement Saturday. “After all that he accomplished as a Giant from 2008 to 2016, including his huge contributions to the championship teams, it’s a thrill to have him back in a San Francisco uniform.”

Romo is one of the most accomplished relievers in franchise history. His 515 games pitched with the team rank fifth all-time, while his 84 saves rank seventh.

Romo’s 27 postseason games pitched are also the most in franchise history. He struck out Miguel Cabrera to clinch the Giants’ sweep of the Tigers in the 2012 World Series.

Romo had a 42-36 record, a 3.21 ERA, 137 saves, 789 strikeouts in 15 big-league seasons.

NIMMO STRAINS

Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo has a strained knee and ankle and will be re-evaluated on a week-to-week basis, general manager Billy Eppler told reporters on Saturday.

Nimmo was trying to break up a double play at second base on Friday but slid awkwardly into the bag. He stayed down for a few moments before limping off the field with medical personnel.

It’s been a tough injury week for the Mets. Closer Edwin Díaz suffered a torn patellar tendon and is expected to miss the entire season after hurting his right knee while celebrating Puerto Rico’s victory over the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic.

Cardinals sign pitcher Miles Mikolas to 3-year, $55.75M deal

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Rhona Wise/USA TODAY Sports
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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.