MLB Roundup: Biogenesis worker felt pressured by MLB
Biogenesis whistleblower Porter Fischer said in a Miami court Thursday that he was bullied by Major League Baseball during its investigation of the clinic's ties to players, according to ESPN.
Fischer, a former Biogenesis employee, said he felt intimidated by MLB's requests to turn over documents he has that implicate players in the scandal involving the South Florida-based anti-aging clinic.
MLB attorneys pressed for an emergency court order that claims Fischer failed to respond to their requests to hand over all of the Biogenesis documents he possesses.
Fischer was given a temporary reprieve by Miami-Dade County Circuit Judge Ronald Dresnick. An Aug. 21 court date was set for Fischerto respond to MLB's requests. Fischer, 49, said he did not fully understand the request and needed more time to retain a new attorney.
---The Cleveland Indians designated first baseman/third baseman Mark Reynolds for assignment Thursday.
Reynolds, 30, is batting .215 with a .307 on-base percentage, 15 home runs and 48 RBI in 99 games this season.
The Indians recalled right-handed pitcher Preston Guilmet from Class AAA Columbus. Guilmet was 4-4 with 18 saves and a 1.95 ERA in 42 relief appearances with Columbus. He made his major league debut July 10.
---Arizona Diamondbacks third-base coach Matt Williams is a candidate to take over as manager of the Washington Nationals next year, CBS Sports reported Thursday.
Williams has been a coach for the Diamondbacks since 2010. He has also managed the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League. Nationals manager Davey Johnson said before the season that this would be his last as manager and that he would return to the team as an adviser.
Williams was a finalist for the Colorado Rockies' managerial job last year, which ultimately went to Walt Weiss.
---The Texas Rangers made a waiver claim on Chicago White Sox outfielder Alex Rios this week, but a trade might not be in the offing, according to multiple reports.
The White Sox placed Rios on waivers Monday and the Rangers were awarded the claim on Wednesday. The move means that the White Sox could trade Rios only to the Rangers or choose to pull him back and hold onto him for the rest of the season.
The 32-year-old Rios is hitting .277 with 12 homers, 55 RBIs and 26 stolden bases this season.
