LEAGUES News
Maeda throws 2 scoreless innings despite Rays hearing PitchCom calls
This was a different kind of pitch tipping when Minnesota right-hander Kenta Maeda made only his second spring start in his return from Tommy John surgery two seasons ago.
Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said the PitchCom device catcher Tony Wolters was using was loud enough for Tampa Bay hitters to hear every pitch that was called. Home plate umpire Brennan Miller heard them all through the wireless system used by pitchers and catchers to communicate.
Maeda still threw two scoreless innings, allowing two hits. He struck out two and walked one.
“I said nicely done,” Baldelli said. “By the way, something to note, they knew every pitch that was coming.”
Maeda laughed when told by his manager what happened.
Baldelli said the device in Wolters’ ear was projecting significantly louder than normal, and it wasn’t very loud in the domed Tropicana Field with an announced crowd of 2,531.
A conversion with the umpires after the second inning tipped off Baldelli, and adjustments were made to the device.
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AP Sports Writers David Brandt, Jimmy Golen and Pat Graham, and freelance writer Mark Didtler contributed to this report.
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