WASHINGTON - Catcher Miguel Montero says the Chicago Cubs are letting him go, one day after he blamed pitcher Jake Arrieta for allowing seven stolen bases in a game.
Montero posted a series of tweets Wednesday saying goodbye to fans and the city of Chicago and said on WMVP-AM radio that the Cubs had called to tell him they were designating him for assignment. The team had not announced any moves by early afternoon.
"When the team is not playing well, it's got to go somewhere and I hope I can be the blame and I hope the team will take off from now and I can be a blame for that," Montero said.
Montero said he called Arrieta to apologize and that the right-hander was "totally cool" about the situation, understanding that the comments were made in the heat of the moment after the Cubs' 6-1 loss to the Washington Nationals on Tuesday night.
"It was an honor to play for the Chicago Cubs organization," the 33-year-old tweeted . "Chicago will always be in my heart."
Montero will be remembered for a huge hit late in Game 7 of the World Series that ended the Cubs' famous championship drought last fall. But tensions had been simmering since spring training over his role, and he has thrown out just one of 31 potential base stealers this season, hitting .286 with four home runs and eight RBIs in 44 games.
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Still, the meltdown Tuesday night was unusually strong: Montero unloaded on Arrieta, saying the Nationals were running all over the right-handed ace who's struggled of late because they knew he was slow to the plate with his delivery.
Trea Turner stole four bases, Michael Taylor two and Anthony Rendon one for a Montreal Expos/Nationals franchise record. Montero had a throwing error that led to a run scoring.
"It really sucked because the stolen bases go to me, and when you really look at it, the pitcher doesn't give me any time," Montero said. "So it's just like, `Yeah, OK, Miggy can't throw nobody out,' but my pitcher doesn't hold anybody on."
First baseman Anthony Rizzo said on WMVP that Montero's comments were unprofessional and not acceptable.
"We win as a team, we lose as a team," Rizzo said. "If you start pointing fingers, I think that just labels you as a selfish player. I disagree. I think we have another catcher that throws out anyone who steals," (see full story).
GIANTS: Closer Melancon placed on DL
SAN FRANCISCO -- The San Francisco Giants have placed closer Mark Melancon on the 10-day disabled list for a second time this season with a sore forearm.
Melancon, who signed a $62 million, four-year contract with the Giants during the offseason, was on the disabled list with the same injury in May. Manager Bruce Bochy says he will see doctors on Wednesday and likely have an MRI.
Melancon is 1-2 with a 4.35 ERA and 11 saves in 15 chances. Bochy says he doesn't know how long the 32-year-old right-hander will be out.
San Francisco also promoted right-hander Dan Slania from Double-A Richmond. The 25-year-old Slania was 1-1 with a 1.93 ERA in three starts with Richmond after a disastrous stint at Triple-A Sacramento earlier this year in which he was 0-8 with a 7.82 ERA in 12 starts.
Mariners: Lefty Smyly has Tommy John surgery
SEATTLE - Drew Smyly was the centerpiece to one of Seattle's many offseason moves by general manager Jerry Dipoto. He was a priority acquisition as a proven lefty for the rotation the Mariners believed would thrive pitching at Safeco Field.
Smyly will end his first season in Seattle never having thrown a pitch during the regular season. The Mariners announced Wednesday that Smyly will need Tommy John surgery after being diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament.
"I feel bad for Drew. I know how excited he was when we acquired him, getting a chance to pitch in Seattle, how excited he was to be part of the team," Seattle manager Scott Servais said. "He did everything he could do to try and get back with us, the treatments and procedures and whatnot to figure it out."
Smyly had been on the disabled list since opening day with a flexor strain in his left arm, an diagnosed in spring training one outing after he pitched for the United States during the World Baseball Classic. Smyly had been rehabbing in the hopes of returning after the All-Star break but Servais said Smyly came out of his last 25-pitch simulated game last weekend not feeling great and additional exams revealed the need for surgery.
The operation is scheduled for July 6 and will be performed by Dr. James Andrews. Recovery time is typically 12 to 15 months.
"Everybody was excited about getting him back but that's obviously not going to happen," Servais said. "I don't want to say, `woe is us,' or the `sky is falling.' It is what it is and we've dealt with a lot of things this year and we'll deal with this one." (see full story)
CUBS: President Trump welcomes World Series champs to White House
WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump has welcomed the manager and several players from the World Series champion Chicago Cubs to the White House.
Trump met with manager Joe Maddon and some Cubs on Wednesday, and he calls the Cubs a "great team."
They gave him a team jersey printed with "45" in recognition of his status as the 45th U.S. president.
Maddon had said the visit was voluntary for players and not an official trip. Maddon said he was going to the White House out of respect for the Ricketts family, which owns the Cubs and donated to Trump's campaign.
The Cubs are in Washington to play the Nationals.
In January, the Cubs visited President Barack Obama at the White House after winning the World Series and shortly before his term ended.
