Pitcher Aaron Nola and the Philadelphia Phillies have agr

CLEARWATER http://www.raysfanproshop.com/authentic-evan-longoria-jersey , Fla. (AP) — eed to a $45 million, four-year contract, avoiding a salary arbitration hearing scheduled for this week.The 25-year-old right-hander set career bests last year when he was a first-time All-Star, going 17-6 with a 2.37 ERA. He would have been eligible for free agency after the 2021 season..“I think Aaron Nola brings a preparation we can all look up to and our other players can emulate,” Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said Wednesday. “I think his between-the-lines competitiveness is off the charts. He’s such a fighter, he’s such a grinder, he’s such a battler.”Under a deal announced Wednesday, Nola gets a $2 million signing bonus, $4 million this year http://www.raysfanproshop.com/authentic-evan-longoria-jersey , $8 million in 2020, $11.75 million in 2021 and $15 million in 2022. Philadelphia has a $16 million team option for 2023 with a $4.25 million buyout.“He doesn’t want any of the attention, he doesn’t want the spotlight on him,” Kapler said. “He just wants to compete, compete, compete. That’s what he’s done and that’s why he’s one of the two or three best pitchers in the National League over the course of the last couple of years.”Eligible for arbitration for the first time, Nola had asked for a raise from $573,000 to $6.75 million and the Phillies had offered $4.5 million. Nola is to discuss the deal Thursday.Among the more than 175 players who were eligible for arbitration this year, Nola is the first to get a deal of more than one guaranteed season. Arizona left-hander T.J. MacFarland and Milwaukee catcher Manny Pina agreed to contracts that included 2020 club options.ARRIETARight-hander Jake Arrieta had left knee surgery last month. Kapler described the surgery as minor and said it was a meniscus cleanup with no structural issues.Kapler said Arrieta already has pitched off a mound and the team expects him to be ready for the regular season.“We’re just going to be smart about his running and cutting progression http://www.raysfanproshop.com/authentic-evan-longoria-jersey ,” Kapler said.TRAINER’S ROOMRight-hander Jerad Eickhoff had carpal tunnel surgery on Oct. 1 and recently had a follow-up visit where it was determined he was not a candidate for further surgery. Kapler said Eickhoff will throw a bullpen session next week and be re-evaluated.“I think he’s had so much adversity over the last 12-18 months,” Kapler said. “He just wants to feel 100 percent so he continues to strive toward that goal.”Outfielder Aaron Altherr had surgery on his right foot at the end of the season and was immobilized for six weeks. Kapler said Altherr is gradually building toward running and he is expected to be ready for the start of the season.SEEING BOTH SIDESKapler says he doesn’t have any strong feeling either way on the proposed rule change that will would force a pitcher to face three batters in an inning or get the final out.“It’s fun to be able to mix and match and use one reliever to come in and get a guy out,” he said. “But if the rule was the same for everybody there are things that would work well for our roster.”Kapler said that David Robertson and Tommy Hunter are two relievers he thinks can have equal success against righties or lefties.THIRD BASE BATTLEKapler said Maikel Franco and Sean Kingery could be competing to start at third.“There is some competition at third base,” Kapler said. “And that’s a conversation I’ll have with Maikel and Scott.” TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Bryce Harper went 0 for 2 against New York Yankees opening day starter Masahiro Tanaka on Wednesday night in his third spring training game, and first on the road, since signing baseball’s biggest contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.The slugger is hitless in three at-bats and has walked three times overall.“I feel like I have six at-bats,” Harper said. “Still got to get going and get my timing right. That’s the biggest thing. I think I’m seeing it pretty well. Just got to get timing.”Harper received a mixture of applause and boos from the packed crowd at Steinbrenner Field when he was announced before a first-inning at-bat that ended with a grounder to first base.“He’s obviously not only a star player in the game but also a big attraction,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said.Harper http://www.rangersfanproshop.com/authentic-matt-moore-jersey , who homered for his only hit in five regular-season at-bats against Tanaka, struck out swinging on the eighth pitch of his at-bat in the third.The strikeout came on an 89 mph splitter.“Not just him, I think the whole lineup was close to their opening day starting lineup,” Tanaka said through a translator. “So, it’s always good to be able to pitch against guys that will regularly start a game and you obviously always want to do good against those guys.”Tanaka allowed two runs, six hits and struck out six over 3 2/3 innings.Facing reliever Adam Ottavino in the fifth, Harper was awarded first base on catcher’s interference and then stole second.“I said, ‘Hey, it’s spring training Ivan Rodriguez Jersey , can I stay here?'” Harper said. “(The umpire) said get to first. I tried. I would have liked to get that last at-bat, for sure.”Harper left Washington as a free agent and signed a record $330 million, 13-year contract with Philadelphia this month.“Bryce being here and bringing this attention I think has a chance to create higher expectations, which can create a higher level of play from our guys,” Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said. “And also I think it separates the guys who play with the brightest lights from the guys who can’t, and I think that’s a great thing for our ballclub.”Harper walked twice against Toronto on Saturday. He took a 96 mph fastball for strike three from AL Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell and drew a walk from Jalen Beeks in Monday’s game against Tampa Bay.MEETING MR. OCTOBERHarper talked with Hall of Famer and Yankees adviser Reggie Jackson, who told the six-time All-Star that he is important to the game.“Definitely humbling,” Harper said. “Just to be able to stand there and talk to him and hear what he had to say, it’s pretty incredible.”MULTITASKINGYankees guest instructor Bernie Williams threw the ceremonial first pitch and played “The Star-Spangled Banner” on the guitar while in uniform. The jazz guitarist spent Monday’s off day performing in a concert at nearby Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater. He got a loud ovation walking off the field carrying a guitar case over his shoulder.FRANKLIN’S FAREWELLLongtime minor league manager and coach Tony Franklin is retiring after spring training http://www.rangersfanproshop.com/authentic-matt-moore-jersey , ending a run of 48 years in pro baseball that includes the past 13 with the Yankees. “I enjoyed every minute,” Franklin said. Among his assignments with the Yankees were managing Double-A Trenton and rookie-league Pulaski. He was also rehab coach at the Tampa minor league complex.TRAINER’S ROOMPhillies OF Odubel Herrera (hamstring) and 2B Cesar Hernandez both had five plate appearances in a minor league game. Hernandez will play Thursday against Pittsburgh, and Herrera will be the DH on Saturday against Houston. “A realistic scenario for us is to have both of those guys on our opening day roster ready to go, fully healthy, timing where it needs to be,” Kapler said.