MLB Weekly Digest May 1st Edition: Pirates Extend Reynolds

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The last week in MLB was about an outfielder in the National League who signed a multi-year contract extension, a starting pitcher in the American League who will undergo season-ending elbow surgery, and a starting pitcher who was placed on the injured list with elbow inflammation.

Pittsburgh Pirates Sign Outfielder Bryan Reynolds to Eight-Year Contract Extension

OFFICIAL: We have signed OF Bryan Reynolds to a new contract through the 2030 season, with a club option for 2031. pic.twitter.com/I2OlYqb6gP

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) April 26, 2023

The Pittsburgh Pirates have agreed to an eight-year contract extension with outfielder Bryan Reynolds. The deal runs through the 2030 season and includes a club option for 2031, per a team announcement.

The contract extension is worth $106.75 million over eight years and does not include an opt-out clause, per Robert Murray of Fansided.

BREAKING: Outfielder Bryan Reynolds and the Pittsburgh Pirates are in agreement on an eight-year, $106.75 million contract extension with a team option for 2031, according to sources familiar with the deal. It includes a form of no-trade protection.

— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) April 25, 2023

Reynolds’ extension is the first time the Pirates have given no-trade protection in 17 years and is the largest deal for an outfielder drafted out of college. He was previously slated to hit FA in three years. Now, he’s tied to Pittsburgh for at least the next eight seasons.

— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) April 25, 2023

This is the largest contract in the history of the Pirates franchise and can be worth a total of $122.75 million across nine years if the club option is picked up.

A limited six-team no-trade clause is included in the extension, per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.

The Pirates and Bryan Reynolds have agreed to an eight-year, $106.75 million extension, per source. The deal includes a limited six-team no-trade clause. Deal starts now, making it a seven-year, $100 million extension. @JMackeyPG was on it.

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) April 25, 2023

Reynolds still had two more years of arbitration remaining and was not eligible for free agency until after the 2025 campaign.

The outfielder is coming off a solid 2022 season with the Pirates as he posted a .262 batting average and .807 OPS in 145 games with 74 runs scored, 142 hits, 19 doubles, four triples, 27 home runs, 62 RBIs, and seven stolen bases.

He is off to a better start to the 2023 season, as indicated by his .313 average and .914 OPS in 26 games, 17 runs scored, 31 hits, eight doubles, one triple, five home runs, 22 RBIs, and five stolen bases.

The Pirates have the best record in the National League, and Reynolds has played a significant role in the team’s success.

They made a wise decision by signing him to an eight-year contract extension.

Seattle Mariners Starting Pitcher Robbie Ray Will Undergo Season-Ending Elbow Surgery

The Seattle Mariners will be without starting pitcher Robbie Ray for the rest of the 2023 season.

Ray needs surgery to repair the flexor tendon in his left elbow, said manager Scott Servais several days ago, per Daniel Kramer of MLB.com.

Robbie Ray’s latest development is unfortunately not a good one.

He will need surgery to address a “flexor tendon repair,” Scott Servais just said, and will miss the rest of the 2023 season.

— Daniel Kramer (@DKramer_) April 26, 2023

Ray pitched in one game for the Mariners this season on March 31 and was placed on the injured list with a flexor strain.

He was initially shut down from throwing for two weeks with the expectation he could return later in the season.

However, more testing revealed additional damage in a different area of the tendon that required surgery, per Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times.

Ray underwent more testing and revealed damage in a different area of the flexor tendon

— Ryan Divish (@RyanDivish) April 26, 2023

This is the first significant injury in the career for Ray.

He signed a five-year deal with the Mariners before the 2022 season, and the contract does include an opt-out clause in 2024.

The loss of Ray for the season is monumental for the pitching staff of the Mariners.

Texas Rangers Place Starting Pitcher Jacob deGrom on Injured List with Elbow Inflammation

According to a team announcement, the Texas Rangers have placed starting pitcher Jacob deGrom on the injured list with elbow inflammation.

The Rangers have placed RHP Jacob deGrom on the 15-day Injured List with right elbow inflammation.

RHP Yerry Rodríguez (#57) has been recalled from Round Rock (AAA) and will be available for tonight's game vs. NYY.

— Texas Rangers PR (@TXRangersPR) April 29, 2023

With forearm tightness, he was forced to exit his outing early on Friday against the New York Yankees.

This is the third time in his career he has been placed on the injured list with an elbow injury.

The Rangers signed the starting pitcher to a five-year, $185-million contract in the offseason.

He started the season well by posting a 2.67 ERA (six starts) in 30 1/3 innings pitched with 45 strikeouts, four walks issued, two home runs allowed, a 166 ERA+, 1.65 FIP, and a 0.75 WHIP.

The Rangers hope that deGrom can return to the rotation in a few weeks and that the injury is not severe.

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Chris Lacey

Chris is a 29-year old New Jersey native whose favorite sports team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously attended Western New England College to study Sports Management. Chris has been following the Diamondbacks since he was 12. You can find him on Twitter at @aecanada12.

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