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Updates from Saturday, Jan. 11

Richard Durrett of ESPN provides Derek Holland‘s description of what occurred:

It was Holland’s dog, Wrigley, a boxer, who caused the starter to buckle on the stairs of his home and injure his left knee badly enough that he needed arthroscopic surgery Friday morning to repair torn cartilage. 

“He was running up the stairs and clipped me,” Holland said Saturday. “I hit my knee on the step, and if it wasn’t for me grabbing the rail, I might have fallen all the way down the stairs and cracked my head open.”

—End of Update—

Original Text:

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Derek Holland could be out for some time after undergoing offseason knee surgery following a freak injury resulting from a hard fall at his home, according to The Dallas Morning News‘ Gerry Fraley on Twitter:

As The Fort Worth Star-Telegram‘s Drew Davison points out, Holland released a statement expressing his anguish following the mishap:

Losing the 27-year-old left-hander for an extended period of time is sure to hurt the Rangers in the early part of 2014. After all, Holland has won at least 10 games in each of the past three seasons with Texas, finishing 2013 with a career-best 3.42 ERA.

Holland has gone 49-38 in five seasons with the Rangers and boasts a 3-0 postseason record since 2010. 

Holland is heading into the third year of a five-year, $28.5 million contract with the Rangers that includes $11 and $11.5 million club options for the 2017 and 2018 seasons, respectively, according to Spotrac.com.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

The Kansas City Royals have agreed to a four-year contract with veteran second baseman Omar Infante, according to CBS Sports baseball writer and MLB Network insider Jon Heyman:

The deal will reportedly pay Infante $30 million over the next four years through the 2017 season. 

According to Spotrac, Infante’s previous deal paid him $8 million over two years. 

Infante, who will turn 32 on Dec. 26, has spent the past 12 seasons starring for the Detroit Tigers, Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves.

Kansas City wasn’t the only team gunning for the Venezuelan this offseason. As Drew Silva of Hardball Talk pointed out, the New York Yankees were also pursuing Infante to fill the void at second base left by Robinson Cano’s move to Seattle.

Plus, Infante is coming off one of the better years of his major-league career, batting .318 with 51 RBI and 10 home runs in 2013. As ESPN Stats & Info points out, Infante was one of the American League’s best at the plate last season:

Tigers’ play-by-play announcer Mario Impemba had only praise for Infante in the wake of his departure: 

Given his numbers and his experience, there’s no doubt the Royals have added a quality player who’s sure to bolster their infield. While some will debate the price tag, it’s hard to fault a franchise that hasn’t been in contention for decades for aiming to get better.

Infante made his major-league debut with the Tigers in 2002 and spent six seasons in Detroit before joining the Braves in 2008. After three seasons with Atlanta, Infante signed with the Marlins, who traded him back to the Tigers after one and a half seasons. 

Infante has appeared in the postseason on four separate occasions with the Tigers and Braves since 2006, and the Royals hope he can help lead them to the playoffs for the first time since 1985.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

The Los Angeles Angels have agreed to trade slugger Mark Trumbo to the Arizona Diamondbacks this offseason in a three-team deal involving the Chicago White Sox, the Diamondbacks announce:

OFFICIAL: #Dbacks acquire Mark Trumbo and two players to be named later for Adam Eaton and Tyler Skaggs in trade with Angels and White Sox.

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) December 10, 2013

Steve Gilbert of MLB.com later confirmed the trade:

Confirmed that #Dbacks #Angels and #Whitesox trade is now complete.

— Steve Gilbert (@SteveGilbertMLB) December 10, 2013

Fox Sports’ Jon Morosi provides full details:

Full trade: Trumbo and 2 prospects to DBacks, Eaton to White Sox, Santiago and Skaggs to Angels.

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 10, 2013

Steve Gilbert of MLB.com provides this quote from Trumbo:

Trumbo on teaming w/Goldschmidt: “I look forward to sharing a spot in the lineup with him and I think it’s going to be a good situation.”

— Steve Gilbert (@SteveGilbertMLB) December 11, 2013

MLB.com’s Alden Gonzalez has more from Trumbo on leaving the Angels:

“I’m a lifelong Angels fan, and all my memories as a kid revolve around the Angels, and as a pro, spent 10 years with the organization. It’s all you ever know and these are the friends you meet. But you also understand as a player that these things are part of the game, and where the Angels stood, there were some holes that they needed to fill and only a few possible options as far as how they were going to do that. For me, looking at that situation, it’s almost painfully obvious that either myself or Howie where the ones who were going to bring back what the team needed.”

Dan Hayes of CSNChicago.com later confirmed who the player to be named later would be:

Per @jimcallisMLB it sounds as if player to be named later from #WhiteSox is Brandon Jacobs, who came over in the Matt Thornton trade.

— Dan Hayes (@DanHayesCSN) December 10, 2013

Hector Santiago had a 4-9 record with a 3.56 ERA and 1.40 WHIP in 34 games last year with the White Sox. He’s 25 years old and pitched 149 innings last season, including 23 starts. Tyler Skaggs compiled a 2-3 mark with a 5.12 ERA and 1.37 WHIP in seven starts with the D-Backs in 2013.

Adam Eaton had this to say about the trade:

Pumped to be a part of the @whitesox organization! Excited to get after winning the #ALCentral. Thank you for this incredible opportunity!

— Adam Eaton (@AdamSpankyEaton) December 10, 2013

Tyler Skaggs also weighed in:

Going back home to where it all started back to the @Angels couldn’t be more excited but I just want to thank the @Dbacks fans you are

— Tyler Skaggs (@TylerSkaggs37) December 10, 2013

Troy Renck of The Denver Post reveals one of the prospects:

A.J. Schugel, a promising propsect from Mountain Vista High in Highlands Rach, headed to #Dbacks in big trade

— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) December 10, 2013

The 27-year-old All-Star Trumbo is coming off a career year that saw him record 100 RBI and 34 home runs in 159 games despite struggling to make a positive impact night in and night out. He batted just .234 with an on-base percentage of .294.

Both of those marks were considerable drop-offs from his career highs of .268 and .317, respectively, in 2012. 

According to CBS Sports baseball insider Jon Heyman (via Mike Axisa), a dozen teams were rumored to be interested in acquiring Trumbo prior to the announcement. 

While there are legitimate concerns regarding Trumbo‘s struggles at the plate, there’s no denying that his versatility makes him a worthwhile addition for the Diamondbacks. He has appeared at four different positions for the Angels in each of the past two seasons, including third base, left field, right field and first base.

Trumbo has shown flashes that suggest he can become a solid all-around defensive player, but he’s certainly no game-changer in that regard, at least not yet.

It will be interesting to see how Trumbo fares in a new city, though, considering he grew up in Anaheim and played his high school baseball in Villa Park, Calif., before being called up to the majors. The 6’4″, 235-pound slugger has made a name for himself by crushing the long ball in L.A., but he will face new challenges as he looks to fulfill expectations in Arizona.

Trumbo was selected in the 18th round of the 2004 Major League Baseball amateur draft by his hometown Angels. However, he wouldn’t make his major league debut until September 2010.   

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter. 

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The National Baseball Hall of Fame has released its ballot for 2014, one that includes 19 new candidates, according to its official website. 

This year’s ballot is highlighted by pitchers Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine. Maddux won four consecutive National League Cy Young Awards from 1992-95 with the Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs and earned eight All-Star nods over the course of his impressive 23-year MLB career.

His former teammate Glavine was a 10-time All-Star and won two National League Cy Young Awards during his 22 professional seasons.

The majority opinion is that Maddux and Glavine have the best shot on the ballot to earn the 75 percent required to be enshrined into the Hall of Fame. In addition to their aforementioned accomplishments, both won more than 300 games over the course of their major league careers, which places them in the top 25 of all time in that category.

Barry M. Bloom of MLB.com provided this quote from Glavine, who spoke on his chances of reaching the Hall of Fame:

I’m confident at some point in time it’s going to happen. Whether it’s on the first ballot, I don’t know. We’ll see. There are a lot of good players eligible. Would I love to have it happen on the first ballot? Sure. If it doesn’t, I’d be disappointed. But we’ll gear up for the following year and hopefully it will happen the following year.

Last year’s ballot failed to turn in a winning candidate for the first time since 1996 as not a single player was able to win over at least three-fourths of the 600 voters from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. 

Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds are two players that many will have an eye on, as their association with performance-enhancing drugs has been a huge talking point regarding their potential enshrinement.

David Cameron of Fangraphs.com provides an interesting fact about players on this year’s ballot:

Voters have until Dec. 31 to mail in their ballot and results will be announced on Jan. 8.  

As far as potential inductees who made a name for themselves at the plate, two-time American League MVP Frank Thomas (1993-94) and 2000 National League MVP Jeff Kent stand out as first-timers on the 2014 ballot.

With a pair of 300-plus-win pitchers on the ballot this year, it’ll be interesting to see how the voters decide. 

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter. 

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

The month-long journey to become World Series champions begins Tuesday night in Pittsburgh, where the Pirates will host the rival Cincinnati Reds in the National League Wild Card Game. The winner advances to a best-of-five National League Divisional Series while the loser goes home.

The action continues on Wednesday with the American League Wild Card Game, which will pit the Tampa Bay Rays up against the Cleveland Indians.

Four weeks later, a champion will be crowned. 

Below, we’ll get you set for playoff baseball with key dates and television info for every postseason game as well as some bold predictions.

Schedule information according to MLB.com. 

* if necessary

Wild Card

Wild Card Predictions

Pittsburgh Pirates over Cincinnati Reds

The Pirates have won seven of their last 10 coming into the postseason, including three straight against the Reds. Look for them to overcome Cincinnati again inside a raucous PNC Park on Tuesday.

Cleveland Indians over Tampa Bay Rays

There isn’t a team hotter than the Cleveland Indians right now. Winners of 10 straight games to end the regular season, watch for the Indians to send the Rays home early on Wednesday. Tampa Bay has been on a crazy two-game run, beating Toronto and Texas on the road just to get into the playoffs, but pulling out three straight must-wins on the road is awfully tough.

Divisional Series Predictions

Atlanta Braves over Los Angeles Dodgers

Neither team is particular hot coming in, but the Braves have been the more dominant of the two teams, sporting a plus-140 run differential this season. That mark is the fifth-best in baseball and the second-best in the National League.

Plus, the Braves have home-field advantage in this series and no team won more at home this season than Atlanta.

St. Louis Cardinals over Pittsburgh Pirates

The scorching-hot Cardinals will have trouble winning in the Steel City, but they don’t need to win on the road in order to advance. Look for the highest-scoring team in the National League to cruise into the championship series.

Detroit Tigers over Oakland A’s

These are two evenly matched teams, but I give the slight edge to Detroit. The Tigers topped the A’s in five games in the ALDS a year ago and will have the psychological edge in addition to baseball’s best player in Miguel Cabrera on their side.

Boston Red Sox over Cleveland Indians

Don’t bet on Cleveland’s pitching staff being able to cool off Boston’s bats. The Red Sox led the majors in runs this season and will have the advantage of playing three out of five games at home if necessary. There’s a reason this team wrapped up a playoff berth a while back.

Championship Series

St. Louis Cardinals over Atlanta Braves

Not only are the Cardinals the most explosive team in the National League, but they are also playing the best baseball of any team in the league coming into the postseason. They’ll have home-field advantage all the way to the World Series, and it’s difficult to imagine them squandering it.  

Detroit Tigers over Boston Red Sox

The Detroit Tigers have unfinished business after reaching the World Series a year ago, only to be swept by the San Francisco Giants. With Cabrera leading the way, I like the Tigers to upend the Red Sox, who will find runs much harder to come by against one of the league’s most talented pitching staffs. 

World Series

St. Louis Cardinals over Detroit Tigers

St. Louis has the look of a World Series champion. The Cardinals are playing their best baseball at the right time and have the championship pedigree that sets them apart from most other clubs. 

While it is difficult to see the Tigers suffering back-to-back World Series defeats, keep in mind that the Cardinals have won two championships since 2006. That year, they beat the Tigers in five games to take the crown. 

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter. 

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

New York Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte pitched a complete game in the final start of his career on Saturday night, as the Yankees earned a 2-1 win over the Houston Astros in the 41-year-old’s final appearance on the mound, per CBS Sports’ Eye on Baseball Twitter feed:

Afterward, Pettitte expressed his love for the game and sadness about calling it quits after 18 years, per Yes Network’s Jack Curry on Twitter: 

Pettitte, facing the only other team he played for over his career, struck out five, allowing five hits and just one earned run in his 11th win over the season and the 256th of his career. MLB.com’s Josh Vitale points out the significance of Saturday’s win:

On Sept. 20, Pettitte announced that he would retire at season’s end, thanking Yankees fans for their support over the years and acknowledging that the time is right.

However, this isn’t the first time Pettitte has retired. In February 2011 he announced his retirement before coming back midway through the 2012 season.

Pettitte has played 15 seasons with the Yankees since making his big league debut back in April 1995. He played three seasons with the Astros from 2004 to 2006 after signing with the team as a free agent after the 2003 season.

He returned to the Big Apple after the 2006 season.

The five-time World Series champion was a clutch performer for the Yankees in the playoffs during both stints. Pettitte went 19-11 in 44 postseason starts for his career, including four games with Houston in 2005.

The Yankees, who failed to qualify for the postseason for the first time in five seasons, will wrap up the regular season on Sunday afternoon against the Astros inside Minute Maid Park in Houston.

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter. 

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips was forced out of Saturday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates after fouling a ball off of his leg in the bottom of the fifth inning.

According to FoxSports.com senior baseball writer Ken Rosenthal on Twitter, Phillips, who hopes to be ready to go for the postseason on Tuesday, is having trouble walking, despite the fact that X-rays on the leg came back negative:

#Reds’ @DatDudeBP tells me X-rays on leg negative, but can’t walk on it right now. Says he will do everything possible to play Tuesday.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) September 28, 2013

Losing Phillips for the final game of the regular season will have little impact on the Reds, who have already clinched a wild-card berth in the National League. Unfortunately, the three-time All-Star will only have a few days to recover before Tuesday’s winner-take-all Wild Card Game against the rival Pittsburgh Pirates. 

If Phillips can’t suit up, 23-year-old Henry Rodriguez or shortstop Cesar Izturis could see some action at second base. Rodriguez is the only other second baseman on Cincinnati’s roster, and he has appeared in just eight games in 2013. The 33-year-old Izturis has played in over 60 games for the Reds this season.

The 32-year-old Phillips is batting .259 this season with an on-base percentage of .308 and a slugging percentage of .395. He also has 18 homers to go along with a career-high 102 RBI. Only right fielder Jay Bruce has more RBI among Reds players this season.

Phillips is currently in his eighth season with the Reds; he’s helped the team reach the postseason twice, including last season. The veteran has been a clutch performer for Cincinnati in eight career playoff games, batting .361 with two home runs and eight RBI.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

The MLB will celebrate the best that baseball has to offer on Tuesday night in the 2013 All-Star Game. The classic midsummer matchup, pitting the American League against the National League, will take place at Citi Field in the Big Apple.

So, who should fans be most excited to see?

Here, we’ll take a closer look at a trio of stars sure to entertain fans on Tuesday. 

Chris Davis, American League, 1B

Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis is the most electrifying player in baseball heading into the All-Star break. No player in the majors has more home runs this season than Davis, who has gone yard 35 times in 93 games for the Orioles.

Every time the 27-year-old steps up to the plate, it’s must-see television, and Tuesday night will be no different.

The 6’3″, 230-pound Davis’ .702 slugging percentage is currently tops in the league among qualified players.

He will warm up in the Home Run Derby on Monday night before looking to blast a few out of the park for the American League on Tuesday in yet another high-stakes All-Star Game.

Matt Harvey, National League, SP

New York Mets breakout star Matt Harvey will be pitching in his home stadium on Tuesday night, which should make for some fun reactions from the crowd.

The 24-year-old made major noise earlier this season after starting off 5-0 and posting a 1.56 ERA through the month of April. Although his numbers have taken a hit as the season has worn on, he’s still sporting a 2.35 ERA and a 7-2 record overall.

Plus, after making a nude appearance in ESPN The Magazine‘s “Body Issue” this summer, the buzz surrounding Harvey has reached a fevered pitch.

He is one of the best young pitchers in the game, and everything he’s done this season has been fun to watch.

Bryce Harper, National League, OF

Whether he’s hitting himself in the head with a bat or playing with a reckless abandon, crashing into outfield walls, Washington Nationals sensation Bryce Harper is always worth the price of admission.

Despite missing a chunk of time to injury, he has been playing solid baseball this season, sparking the Nats, smashing 13 homers and batting in 29 runs in 53 games.

Like Davis, Harper is a big-time power hitter who will be participating in the Home Run Derby 24 hours before the All-Star Game. Remember, Harper hit 22 dingers as a 19-year-old in his debut season a year ago.

But whether he’s at the plate or in the field, Harper is the most consistently entertaining player in the majors. And you can bet his presence will delight fans at Citi Field on Tuesday night.

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter.  

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Longtime Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo is drawing interest as the July 31 MLB trade deadline draws closer.

According to CBS Sports baseball insider Jon Heyman, the Cleveland Indians have discussed the possibility of acquiring the 27-year-old right-hander this summer:

The Indians seek a starting pitcher and have held discussions about Matt Garza and Yovani Gallardo.

It’s no surprise the Indians would like to add a starter. The twist is that they are limiting themselves to a top-of-the-rotation type.

…for now, Garza and Gallardo are the Indians’ main and only pitchers of interest.

Gallardo has made 19 starts for the Brewers in 2013 and boasts a 7-8 record. To say he’s struggled would be an understatement, however. The Mexican ace is sporting a career-worst 4.85 ERA through the first half of the year and has more hits allowed (116) than strikeouts (88) through his first 19 appearances on the mound for Milwaukee.

For his career, though, Gallardo is 76-51 with a 3.76 ERA. He’s also made four postseason starts for Milwaukee, sporting a 2.08 ERA in those appearances. 

Gallardo, who has never finished a season with a losing record in the majors, is batting .286 in 35 at-bats this season as well. He made the All-Star team and won a Silver Slugger Award three years ago in 2010.

Cleveland could certainly use his services during the second half of the season. Although the Indians rank fifth in runs this season and are right on the Detroit Tigers’ heels in the AL Central race, the team ranks 28th in the majors in team ERA (4.46). 

Only Minnesota and Houston have fared worse.

Gallardo has another season remaining on his contract and then a club option for the 2015 season; unlike Matt Garza and Joba Chamberlain, Gallardo won’t hit the free-agent market this coming fall, potentially making him a more attractive piece this July.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

The New York Yankees and superstar Robinson Cano are reportedly nowhere near agreeing on a new contract for the second baseman, according to CBS Sports baseball insider Jon Heyman.

Cano will become a free agent at season’s end, and at the moment, it looks very likely that the 30-year-old will wind up testing the market next fall assuming neither side budges.

Here are the details, via Heyman’s report:

While Cano isn’t speaking abut contract talks publicly, he is said to have suggested to some friends that he’d like somewhere in the neighborhood of $275 million—yes, the very same as the famed Alex Rodriguez Yankees contract. The Yankees aren’t believed to be anywhere near that neighborhood and, in fact, at one point suggested something a lot closer to the neighborhood of a different New York infielder, David Wright, who signed his $138 million, eight-year Mets contract last winter with a year to go before free agency.

According to Heyman, it’s thought that Cano’s representatives and the Yankees will resume contract talks after the MLB All-Star break this July. 

Heyman adds that players close to the situation believe that the Yankees are Cano’s preferred club at this point.

Cano has come on strong for the Yankees since the 2009 season, hitting 25 or more home runs in each of the past four seasons and batting over .300 in each of those campaigns as well.

A native of the Dominican Republic, Cano is a four-time AL All-Star and a World Series champion, helping the Yankees win their 27th title back in 2009.

Cano is in the midst of his ninth season with the Yankees. The two-time Gold Glove Award winner and four-time Silver Slugger Award winner made his MLB debut with the club in May 2005.

Cano has played in over 70 games this year, batting just .275, his lowest regular-season average since 2008. The good news for Yankees fans, though, is that he’s still finding other ways to make an impact. Cano has smashed 16 homers and has plated over 40 runs thus far in 2013.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com