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PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Pirates released the names of 13 players invited to attend Major League camp as non-roster invitees this season and five them are in the MLB Pipeline Top 100 Prospect list.
Leading the way on that list is pitcher Paul Skenes, who is No. 1 out of LSU. He made a combined five starts between the Florida Complex League, Bradenton and Altoona last season.
No. 12 on that list is infielder Jack Branigan. He hit a combined .275 with 19 home runs and 54 RBIs last year between Bradenton and Greensboro. He had an OPS of .987. Coming in at No. 44 is Termarr Johnson, an infielder who played at Bradenton and Greensboro last season. He hit 18 homers and finished the season on a 30-game hitting streak.
Bubba Chandler, a pitcher, comes in at No. 93. He worked in Greensboro and Altoona last season, combining to go 10-4 with 128 strikeouts in 111 innings. He had an ERA of 1.85 at Greensboro.
The fifth and final top 100 Pipeline player is pitcher Anthony Solometo, who comes in at No. 82. Working between Greensboro and Altoona, he had a 3.26 ERA. His ERA at Greensboro was 2.30.
Other non-roster invitees include pitchers Sean Sullivan, Thomas Harrington and Jared Jones, Joe Perez (Inf.-OF), Matt Gorski (OF), Abraham Gutierrez and Carter Bins (catchers).
Pitchers and catchers report to camp on Wednesday, Feb. 14. The rest of the team will follow on Monday, Feb. 19.
A buyer in Baltimore
BALTIMORE -- A person with knowledge of the deal says Carlyle Group Inc. co-founder David Rubenstein has reached an agreement to buy the Baltimore Orioles for $1.725 billion.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been announced. Rubenstein is a Baltimore native.
He will take over as the team's controlling owner, and he's assembled an investment team that includes Ares co-founder Michael Arougheti. The Angelos family has been in control of the Orioles since 1993, when Peter Angelos purchased the team for $173 million. Angelos' son John is the team's current chairman.
Surgery on MVP
FORTH WORTH, Texas -- World Series MVP Corey Seager had surgery Tuesday for a left sports hernia repair, and the Texas Rangers' All-Star shortstop will miss most of spring training.
General manager Chris Young says Seager had the operation Tuesday in Arizona, where the team holds spring training, and will remain there for rehab. The Rangers hope to have him ready by opening day.
The hernia issue came up during the postseason, and after some extended rest was still bothering Seager during offseason workouts. Seager hit .318 with six homers, 12 RBIs and 15 walks in 17 postseason games last year.
Frazier signs with KC
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas City Royals signed utility man Adam Frazier to a $4.5 million, one-year contract on Tuesday, rounding out a vastly overhauled club by adding a left-handed bat and some versatility to their lineup. Frazier will make $2 million this season as part of a deal that includes an $8.5 million mutual option for 2025 with a $2.5 million buyout.
The 32-year-old spent last season with the AL East champion Orioles where he hit .240.
He had career highs of 13 homers and 60 RBIs across 141 games. He primarily played second base in Baltimore, but the Royals plan to use him a variety of spots, including all three outfield positions.