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Top News

• Monday: Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Gregory Polanco was placed on the COVID IL. However, according to reports, it was due to him violating the health and safety protocols–which could have led to a suspension. He returned to action Wednesday against the Cincinnati Reds. 

• Tuesday:  Milwaukee Brewers righty Jordan Zimmerman announced his retirement. The two-time All-Star played for the Washington Nationals, Detroit Tigers, and played only half the season this year with the Brewers. He played a total of 15 years. We at Indians Baseball Insider wish Zimmerman the best as he embarks on the new journey of his life.

• Wednesday: San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. and utilityman Wil Myers tested positive for COVID-19. First baseman Eric Hosmer was taken out of the game against the Colorado Rockies due to contract-tracing purposes. 

• Thursday: Veteran infielder Albert Pujols cleared waivers. He was released by the Los Angeles Angels last week. He signed a 10-year, $240MM deal with the club in 2011. However, Pujols just recently signed with the neighboring team, Los Angeles Dodgers.

• Friday: The MLBPA filed a grievance against the MLB stating that the league didn’t negotiate in good faith to play as many games as they could during the COVID stricken 2020 season. The MLBPA wants $500MM–which is the equivalent to 20 games of additional pay. A resolution isn’t clear, and doesn’t seem like it will happen anytime soon–especially with both parties trying to negotiate a new bargaining agreement.

• Saturday: The MLB has told the Oakland Athletics to start looking for potential new cities to host a team. Oakland mayor Rebecca Kaplan wants the Oakland City Council to vote for a new ballpark on July 20. For years, the A’s have been trying to get a new stadium, but every time it was voted on, it failed. The A’s lease goes until 2024. 

• Sunday: Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager will miss the next four weeks with a fractured right hand he suffered against the Miami Marlins. He will not require surgery. There is no timetable for his return. 

Indians News

• According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, the Cleveland Indians made extension offers to righty Shane Bieber the last two Spring Trainings, but talks never got serious. 

News and Notes

• The Toronto Blue Jays signed righty Carl Edwards Jr. to a minor-league deal. He was assigned to Triple-A Buffalo.

• The New York Yankees placed outfielder Aaron Hicks on the 10-day IL with a left wrist sprain.

• Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reported that the Tampa Bay Rays activated catcher Francisco Meija from the 10-day IL. He was placed on the IL last week due to left intercostal discomfort. 

• According to Marly Rivera of ESPN, the New York Yankees have seven confirmed cases of COVID-19. Three coaches and four non-coaches were the infected. 

• Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reported that Chicago Cubs righty Alec Mills has been placed on the 10-day IL with a lower back strain. 

• The Los Angeles Angels designated righty Noe Ramirez for assignment. This moves open up a spot for newly acquired fellow righty, Hunter Strickland. 

• Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reported that the Miami Marlins have activated infielder Jazz Chilsholm. He was placed on the IL last month due to a hamstring strain. 

• The Arizona Diamondbacks placed catcher Carson Kelly and righty J.B. Bukauskas on the 10-day IL. Kelly suffered a tuff fracture in his left big toe, Bukauskas has a right elbow flexor strain. 

• The Tampa Bay Rays aquired utilityman Wyatt Mathisen from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for cash considerations. 

• According to Fabian Aradaya, the Los Angeles Dodgers are expecting veteran lefty David Price to return soon. He’s been out since the middle of April with a Grade 2 hamstraing strain. 

• Deesha Thosar of The New York Daily News reported that New York Mets outfielder Michael Conforto and second baseman Jeff McNeil left the game against the Tampa Bay Rays with injuries. Conforto left the game in the first inning after running to first base and straining his leg. McNeil left the game in the second inning after suffering left hamstring tightness.