Tigers, Scherzer break off contract talks
LAKELAND, Fla. — Max Scherzer and the Detroit Tigers failed to reach agreement on a long-term contract and will not negotiate again until after the season.
The Tigers say in a statement that Scherzer rejected their most recent offer. The 2013 Cy Young Award winner struck out 240 batters in 214 1-3 innings last season, and went 21-3 with a 2.90 ERA.
Scherzer, who will make $15.53 million this season, has said he does not want to discuss contract matters during the season.
The Tigers have two other starters tied up in long-term deals, including 2011 Cy Young and AL MVP winner Justin Verlander, who is set to make $28 million per year through 2019. Anibal Sanchez has a deal set to pay him $16.8 million a year through 2017.
Rangers prospect Profar out 10-12 weeks
SURPRISE, Ariz. — Jurickson Profar, the prized prospect who was supposed to be the opening day second baseman for the Texas Rangers, will be out an estimated 10 to 12 weeks with a muscle tear in his right shoulder.
Assistant general manager Thad Levine made the announcement Sunday. Profar, 21, was a late scratch against the San Diego Padres and an MRI revealed the tear, which will not require surgery.
“He was going to be our everyday second baseman and is a guy we hoped would take a meaningful step forward,” Levine said. “We hope he can get better and be a weapon for us in the second half, if not a bit before.”
Levine said the switch-hitting Profar would have limited baseball activity for the next four to six weeks.
Orioles’ Machado to start season on DL
SARASOTA, Fla. — Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado will start the season on the 15-day disabled, manager Buck Showalter announced on Sunday.
Machado, who had left knee surgery Oct. 14, had visited his Los Angeles-based surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Thursday and was given the go-ahead to resume all activities.
However, Showalter doesn’t want to rush the 21-year-old All-Star, who injured his knee at Tampa Bay on Sept. 23.
“The thought of him starting the season on the active list is not realistic,” Showalter said.
By wire sources