The San Francisco Giants designated outfielder Hunter Pence for assignment on Sunday, prematurely ending a reunion that brought the fan-favorite outfielder back to a franchise that he had helped win two World Series titles.

Pence re-signed with the Giants after spending the 2019 season with the Texas Rangers, where he seemed to have revitalized his career after hitting .297 with 18 home runs in only 83 games after being picked up by the AL West club.

After inking a one-year, $3 million deal with his old team over the offseason, San Francisco and manager Gabe Kapler hoped that Pence would give them some offensive production during what looked to be a rebuilding season, but that didn’t end up being the case.

Pence has batted only .096 in 56 plate appearances, notching a pair of home runs and just 6 RBI. He totaled only 5 hits in 17 games.

Kapler mentioned the desire to give younger players a chance to prove themselves as opposed to continuing to play the 37-year-old yet was part of the team’s decision.

The veteran outfielder will now have to either be traded to another team or sign with a club after clearing waivers if he is to have another shot in the big leagues.

The post Giants Designate OF Hunter Pence for Assignment appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Los Angeles Angels might’ve released veteran catcher Jonathan Lucroy earlier this week, but the backstop didn’t last long on the free-agent market.

The Chicago Cubs picked up the former Brewers catcher in order to replace the injured Willson Contreras, who might not return until September to the lineup. Lucroy gives them a trusted veteran option that will handle their pitching staff well as they look to win the NL Central after missing out on the crown last season.

Lucroy will join the Cubs for the rest of the season, looking to rebound on what was a difficult stint with the Angels.

The veteran catcher was released after batting .242 in 74 games with LA. He disappointed with poor hitting and defense after signing a one-year deal with the Angels during the winter.

Now, he will have the chance to serve as Chicago’s primary catcher in the midst of the team’s current playoff run. He is expected to join the team over the weekend, becoming the club’s primary option at catcher until the return of Contreras.

The Cubs are surely lucky to have found a veteran catcher like Lucroy for their stretch run and will hope that he regains his current form as they speech for a playoff spot.

The post Cubs Sign Free Agent Catcher Jonathan Lucroy appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Los Angeles Angels made a move that surprised no one on Sunday, cutting bait with former All-Star starting pitcher Matt Harvey.

Harvey signed a one-year, $11 million deal with Los Angeles last offseason after a decent 2018 campaign with the Cincinnati Reds. While he wasn’t the “Dark Knight” of old, he still managed to post respectable numbers and show some of the promise that led him towards being one of the game’s top starters in his first few seasons.

However, the 30-year-old posted horrendous numbers in 12 starts with the Angels, posting a 7.09 ERA and allowing 13 home runs. He walked 29 batters and only struck out 39 in 59.2 innings of work.

It’s been a long fall from grace for Harvey, who burst into the scene with the New York Mets in 2012 and 2013 as one of the hottest commodities in the game. In fact, in 2013, he made the NL All-Star team and recorded an excellent 2.27 ERA in 29 starts, finishing 4th in Cy Young voting. He was a bonafide celebrity, appearing in New York tabloids and headlining stories.

However, after a Tommy John surgery at the end of the 2013 season and a 2016 bout with thoracic outlet syndrome, Harvey has been reduced to a shell of his former self.

He might receive another opportunity from a team to revive his career, but it appears that his baseball days may be on their last legs.

The post Angels Release Former All-Star Matt Harvey appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The San Francisco Giants designated outfielder Hunter Pence for assignment on Sunday, prematurely ending a reunion that brought the fan-favorite outfielder back to a franchise that he had helped win two World Series titles.

Pence re-signed with the Giants after spending the 2019 season with the Texas Rangers, where he seemed to have revitalized his career after hitting .297 with 18 home runs in only 83 games after being picked up by the AL West club.

After inking a one-year, $3 million deal with his old team over the offseason, San Francisco and manager Gabe Kapler hoped that Pence would give them some offensive production during what looked to be a rebuilding season, but that didn’t end up being the case.

Pence has batted only .096 in 56 plate appearances, notching a pair of home runs and just 6 RBI. He totaled only 5 hits in 17 games.

Kapler mentioned the desire to give younger players a chance to prove themselves as opposed to continuing to play the 37-year-old yet was part of the team’s decision.

The veteran outfielder will now have to either be traded to another team or sign with a club after clearing waivers if he is to have another shot in the big leagues.

The post Giants Designate OF Hunter Pence for Assignment appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Los Angeles Angels might’ve released veteran catcher Jonathan Lucroy earlier this week, but the backstop didn’t last long on the free-agent market.

The Chicago Cubs picked up the former Brewers catcher in order to replace the injured Willson Contreras, who might not return until September to the lineup. Lucroy gives them a trusted veteran option that will handle their pitching staff well as they look to win the NL Central after missing out on the crown last season.

Lucroy will join the Cubs for the rest of the season, looking to rebound on what was a difficult stint with the Angels.

The veteran catcher was released after batting .242 in 74 games with LA. He disappointed with poor hitting and defense after signing a one-year deal with the Angels during the winter.

Now, he will have the chance to serve as Chicago’s primary catcher in the midst of the team’s current playoff run. He is expected to join the team over the weekend, becoming the club’s primary option at catcher until the return of Contreras.

The Cubs are surely lucky to have found a veteran catcher like Lucroy for their stretch run and will hope that he regains his current form as they speech for a playoff spot.

The post Cubs Sign Free Agent Catcher Jonathan Lucroy appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Los Angeles Angels made a move that surprised no one on Sunday, cutting bait with former All-Star starting pitcher Matt Harvey.

Harvey signed a one-year, $11 million deal with Los Angeles last offseason after a decent 2018 campaign with the Cincinnati Reds. While he wasn’t the “Dark Knight” of old, he still managed to post respectable numbers and show some of the promise that led him towards being one of the game’s top starters in his first few seasons.

However, the 30-year-old posted horrendous numbers in 12 starts with the Angels, posting a 7.09 ERA and allowing 13 home runs. He walked 29 batters and only struck out 39 in 59.2 innings of work.

It’s been a long fall from grace for Harvey, who burst into the scene with the New York Mets in 2012 and 2013 as one of the hottest commodities in the game. In fact, in 2013, he made the NL All-Star team and recorded an excellent 2.27 ERA in 29 starts, finishing 4th in Cy Young voting. He was a bonafide celebrity, appearing in New York tabloids and headlining stories.

However, after a Tommy John surgery at the end of the 2013 season and a 2016 bout with thoracic outlet syndrome, Harvey has been reduced to a shell of his former self.

He might receive another opportunity from a team to revive his career, but it appears that his baseball days may be on their last legs.

The post Angels Release Former All-Star Matt Harvey appeared first on SportzBonanza.