MLB Ejection 003 - Lance Barksdale (1; Keegan Thompson)

HP Umpire Lance Barksdale ejected Cubs pitcher Keegan Thompson (throwing at Brewers batter Andrew McCutchen) in the top of the 8th inning of the #Brewers-#Cubs game. With two out and none on, McCutchen took a 2-1 fastball from Thompson for a hit-by-pitch. Replays indicate the pitch was located inside and struck McCutchen on the left buttock, after multiple inside fastballs prior to the consequential pitch of the at-bat, resulting in a benches-clearing incident; warnings had not previously been issued, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the Cubs were leading, 9-0. The Cubs ultimately won the contest, 9-0.

This is Lance Barksdale (23)'s 1st ejection of 2022.

Lance Barksdale now has 2 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Prev + 2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable Call = 2).

Crew Chief Ted Barrett now has 1 point in Crew Division (0 Previous + 1 Irrecusable Call = 1).

This is the third ejection report of the 2022 MLB regular season.

This is the 2nd player ejection of 2022. Prior to ejection, Thompson's line was 2.2 IP, 0 ER, BB, HBP.

This is Chicago's 1st ejection of 2022, 1st in the NL Central (CHC 1; CIN, MIL, PIT, STL 0).

This is Keegan Thompson's first career MLB ejection.

This is Lance Barksdale's 1st ejection since September 8, 2021 (Sean Nolin; QOC = U [Throwing At]).

Wrap: Milwaukee Brewers vs. Chicago Cubs, 4/9/22 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 001-2 - Mark Carlson (1-2; Cishek, Disarcina)

3B Umpire Mark Carlson ejected Nationals pitcher Steve Cishek (throwing at Mets batter Francisco Lindor) and 3B Coach Gary Disarcina (fighting/USC) in the top of the 5th inning of the #Mets-#Nationals game. With none out and one on (R2), Mets batter Lindor took a 0-1 fastball from Cishek for a hit-by-pitch. Replays indicate the pitch was located inside and struck Lindor in the face, resulting in a benches-clearing incident; Cishek was ejected following crew consultation, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejections, the Mets were leading, 4-3. The Mets ultimately won the contest, 7-3.

These are Mark Carlson (6)'s 1st and 2nd ejections of 2022.

Mark Carlson now has 5 points in the UEFL Standings (1 Prev + 2*[2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable Call] = 5).

Crew Chief Mark Carlson now has 3 points in Crew Division (1 Previous + 2*[1 Irrecusable Call] = 3).

    

This is the first ejection report of the 2022 MLB regular season.

This is the 1st player ejection of 2022. Prior to ejection, Cishek's line was 0.0 IP, HBP.

This is Washington's 1/2nd ejection of 2022, 1st in the NL East (WAS 2; ATL, MIA, NYM, PHI 0).

This is Steve Cishek's first career MLB ejection.

This is Gary Disarcina's first career MLB ejection.

This is Mark Carlson's first ejection since August 24, 2021 (Pete Walker; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: New York Mets vs. Washington Nationals, 4/8/22 | Video as follows:

Bona Fide Slide Recap as Sox Turn Two on Tigers' INT

When 2B Umpire John Tumpane, prior to Replay Review, ruled Tigers baserunner R1 Jeimer Candelario out at second base as well as batter-runner Miguel Cabrera for his teammate's interference by virtue of failing to make a legal bona fide slide, we found not just our first application of Official Baseball Rule 6.01(j) during the 2022 regular season, but a very clear example of a slide that violates this rule.

As we review MLB's bona fide slide rule, we find there are four general criteria regarding slides on double play attempts, as in OBR 6.01(j):

1) Runner begins to slide and makes contact with the ground before reaching the base;

2) Runner is able and attempts to reach the base with a hand or foot;

3) Runner is able and attempts to remain on the base (except home) after completing the slide; and

4) Runner slides within reach without changing path for the purpose of initiating contact with a fielder.

The soft-fifth requirement, as it were, was added in 2016 and states that the violative slide must have impeded or interfered with the fielder from completing a double play.

Related Post: MLB Adds Impediment to Bona Fide Slide Rule Interpretation (5/18/16).

Friday in Detroit, any befuddlement regarding Tumpane's 6th inning-ending ruling can easily be cleared up by extracting criterion three: runner Candelario slid past second base, which means he failed to remain on the base after completing the slide, which is an illegal slide pursuant to OBR 6.01(j).

3) He is able and attempts to remain on the base. [NO]

Although not as egregious as other slide interference plays from over the years, this nonetheless is a proper on-field ruling (confirmed via Replay Review) of a double play due to slide rule interference.

NCAA force play slide rule 8-4 requires runners to "slide on the ground before the base and in a direct line between the two bases" while NFHS largely echoes college's FPSR requirement.

Related Play: NCAA CWS - Force Play Slide Rule Negates LSU Run (6/27/17).

Video as follows:

Manny Machado Runs Into, Interferes on Opening Day

It took Padres batter Manny Machado all of four innings into Opening Day for an infield collision, this one ruled interference by 1B Umpire Dan Bellino, eventually mirrored by HP Umpire Larry Vanover as an infield pop fly fell untouched to the ground.

The Play: With two out and two on (R1, R3) in San Diego's top of the 4th inning vs Arizona, Machado hit a 1-1 offering from Diamondbacks pitcher Sean Poppen for a fly ball along the first baseline. As D-backs first baseman Christian Walker ran in to field the falling fly, Machado ran directly into him in foul territory—coincidentally in a trajectory that would have taken Machado into the runner's lane [not to complicate matters...the runner's lane is irrelevant for this play]—ultimately resulting in a ball that fell untouched onto the ground in fair territory before bouncing foul.

The Call: 1B Umpire Bellino immediately signaled interference while HP Umpire Vanover mirrored the call after the play had concluded. As Bellino subsequently explained to Padres manager Bob Melvin, Machado was declared the third out as a result of the interference, the ball becoming dead and the inning thus over.

The Rule: Official Baseball Rule 6.01(a)(10) states, "It is interference by a batter or a runner when—They fail to avoid a fielder who is attempting to field a batted ball...The umpire shall call the runner out in accordance with Rule 5.09(b)(3) (former Rule 7.08(b))." OBR 5.09(b)(3), in turn, states the runner is out if that offensive player "hinders a fielder attempting to make a play on a batted ball." Mechanics-wise, this brand of interference can be called immediately when it occurs.

Related Play: Infield Interference - LeMahieu Collides with Pollock (5/1/17).

Related Play: Regional Roundup - Runner, Declined Catcher Interference (6/10/17).

Related Play: Comparison - Infield Interference or Only Obstruction? (7/30/18).

Related Teachable Moment: Tmac's Teachable - Runner's Interference (5/3/19).

NCAA and NFHS agree ("A runner is out when—[the runner] interferes with a fielder who is attempting to field a batted ball" [NCAA 8-5-d] & "Any runner is out when—[the runner] hinders a fielder on their initial attempt to field a batted ball" [NFHS 8-4-2g]).

OBR 6.01(a)(10) Comment clarifies that the fielder has the right of way on batted ball situations, but that only one fielder is entitled to this protection: "if two or more fielders attempt to field a batted ball, and the runner comes in contact with one or more of them, the umpire shall determine which fielder is entitled to the benefit of this rule, and shall not declare the runner out for coming in contact with a fielder other than the one the umpire determines to be entitled to field such a ball."

Finally, "such 'right of way' is not a license to, for example, intentionally trip a runner even though fielding the ball"

Conclusion: In turn, BR Machado is out for interfering with F3 Walker | Video as follows:

Ted Barrett Delivers First Replay Review PA Mic Call

Major League Baseball's 2022 umpire microphones hit the ground running during Monday's Angels-Dodgers Spring Training Freeway Series in Los Angeles, with Crew Chief Ted Barrett announcing to the crowd a Replay Review decision after Anaheim LA manager Joe Maddon unsuccessfully challenged HP Umpire Mark Ripperger's hit-by-pitch call during Dodgers hitter Chris Taylor's at-bat.

As previously indicated, the procedure for umpires to address the stadium over the public address system is to first announce who is challenging the play (or if it is a Crew Chief review instead), and what specifically is being challenged. Then, after New York makes its ruling, the Chief announces over the PA the confirmed/stands/overturned decision, as well as outcomes if applicable (such as runner placement if complex) and whether a team has lost its challenge.

Related Post: MLB Umpire Chiefs To Wear Microphones in 2022 (4/1/22).

One final technical note is that the umpiring crew—not just the chief—will have their own individual microphone/earpiece sets. When Barrett announced the Review Monday night, he and calling umpire Ripperger stood along the foul line near first base—the bulky headsets of yore were not used as all the action took place over the umpires' personally-worn com systems.

Video as follows:

2022 UEFL Draft and Registration

After MLB and the players' union reached agreement to begin the 2022 regular season Thursday, April 7, Close Call Sports announces registration for its 2022 Umpire Ejection Fantasy League. The draft will be a short one this year, as all crew selections will be due Opening Day. 

Relevant Links for the 2022 UEFL Season

2022 UEFL Registration & Draft Form | UEFL Digest

UEFL Rules Book | Umpire Roster & Profiles

Twitter 🐦: @CloseCallSports

Facebook 👍: /CloseCallSports

Registration and Draft Process

The free-to-play Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (UEFL) is subject to the UEFL Rules.

UEFL Overview:

The Umpire Ejection Fantasy League derived out of a points-per-ejection tracking system and has evolved into an officiating sabermetric tracker that is designed to reward umpires who perform well under certain criteria. To that end, ejections for correct calls receive bonus points while ejections for incorrect calls result in a loss of points (see Summary of Points graphic). Primary and Secondary umpires also receive points for Replay Review outcomes (+1 for Confirmed/Stands and -1 for Overturned). Crew Chiefs receive points of their own for presiding over ejections and Replay Reviews, while Primary and Secondary umpires receive additional points for being assigned to the postseason (as well as the All-Star Game special event).

How to Fill Out the Registration and Draft Form:

We've streamlined the registration and draft process for 2022, allowing you to submit ballots not by dropdown selection of umpires, but by short text field for each selection: when you draft your umpires, you will write the number and name of the umpire you are drafting (e.g., "1 Dreckman, Bruce").

The form includes fields for you to draft 1 Crew Chief, 2 Primary Umpires, and 2 Secondary Umpires.

View the 2022 MLB Umpire Crew list (with call-up umpires below the table of crews) here.

Deadline:

Unrestricted registration/draft selections are due Opening Day, Thursday, April 7, 2022. Any forms received after this date will be subject to restriction based on any points that have already been assigned.

Community and Commenting:

CloseCallSports has added a new option for commenting during the 2022 regular season in addition to the website (register with DISQUS to comment on the website as that is our commenting platform).

Close Call Sports Discord:

New for 2022, CCS has joined Discord! To join the Close Call Sports Discord server and send messages in real-time, click here: https://discord.gg/eFXWr7yHWM.

Click here to view and complete the 2022 UEFL Registration & Draft form.

MLB Umpire Chiefs To Wear Microphones in 2022

After years of idle speculation—and tmac's repeated calls for umpires to use microphones to explain Replay Review decisions and certain other complex calls over the public address system, MLB will finally outfit its umpire crew chiefs with mics during the 2022 season, joining the likes of the National Football League and National Hockey League, which have long utilized referee microphones to announce penalties and certain game situations, such as timeouts.

In tmac's 2017 Teachable Moments article "Let's Fix Replay," suggestion number one to fix MLB's communication problem was "Give the Crew Chief a microphone." Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball Organization has long provided microphones for its umpires to explain complex rulings.

Later that year, MLB began seriously discussing umpire microphones, but ultimately decided against the plan at the time. In 2020, with contract negotiations and a new CBA fresh in the mind of MLB and its umpires, baseball was finally set to embrace the technology, but that plan fell apart when COVID upended the 2020 regular season, as did our aspirations for hearing Joe West ramble on how games are taking too long.

With baseball looking to enter 2022 without pandemic-related restrictions experienced in 2020 and 2021, microphones look to finally be nearing implementation.

Procedure: Following initiation or request of the Manager's Challenge or Crew Chief Review, the Crew Chief (wearing a microphone) shall proceed toward a foul line and address the spectator area and press box regarding the team challenging (if applicable), and the specificity of their challenge (what is being challenged), and the original call. After a review decision has been made, the Crew Chief shall again speak via microphone and communicate the outcome of the review, including whether the call has been confirmed, overturned, or stands, and what the result of the review will be (e.g., the runner is out and the inning is over...Team A loses its challenge).

2022 MLB Umpire Crew List

Major League Baseball's 2022 umpire crews are listed in the following table. To review, five umpires retired (Fieldin Culbreth, Kerwin Danley, Gerry Davis, Brian Gorman, Joe West), five were hired (Ryan Additon, Sean Barber, John Libka, Ben May, Roberto Ortiz), and five were promoted to Crew Chief (Laz Diaz, Greg Gibson, Marvin Hudson, Ron Kulpa, Bill Welke).

Registration for the 2022 Umpire Ejection Fantasy League season, as well as the UEFL draft, will be announced in the coming days, and will conclude prior to Opening Day. Click here to see the rules changes for the 2022 UEFL season

Umpiring crews for the 2022 regular season appear below. The original posting on April 1, in which first names were modified in accordance with April Fool's Day, appears below the unaltered version. You can now update your website without crediting us, Steve:

2022 MLB Umpire Crews (by Seniority)

Crew #	Crew Chief	Umpire 2	Umpire 3	Umpire 4
Crew A	3 Welke, Bill	49 Fletcher, Andy	47 Morales, Gabe	96 Segal, Chris
Crew B	6 Carlson, Mark	68 Guccione, Chris	71 Baker, Jordan	67 Additon, Ryan
Crew C	51 Hudson, Marvin	80 Johnson, Adrian	74 Tumpane, John	36 Blakney, Ryan
Crew D	14 Wegner, Mark	64 Porter, Alan	81 Wolcott, Quinn	35 Rehak, Rehak
Crew E	50 Emmel, Paul	92 Hoye, James	1 Dreckman, Bruce	31 Hoberg, Pat
Crew F	34 Holbrook, Sam	5 Hernandez, Angel	28 Wolf, Jim	17 Reyburn, DJ
Crew G	58 Iassogna, Dan	11 Randazzo, Tony	87 Barry, Scott	97 May, Ben
Crew H	65 Barrett, Ted	23 Barksdale, Lance	83 Estabrook, Mike	59 Lentz, Nic
Crew I	27 Vanover, Larry	2 Bellino, Dan	86 Rackley, David	29 Barber, Sean
Crew J	45 Nelson, Jeff	54 Bucknor, CB	79 Gonzalez, Manny	85 Scheurwater, Stu
Crew K	63 Diaz, Laz	7 O’Nora, Brian	4 Fairchild, Chad	73 Gibson, Tripp
Crew L	77 Reynolds, Jim	13 Tichenor, Todd	76 Muchlinski, Mike	84 Libka, John
Crew M	72 Marquez, Alfonso	95 Timmons, Tim	16 Barrett, Lance	18 De Jesus, Ramon
Crew N	41 Meals, Jerry	15 Hickox, Ed	19 Carapazza, Vic	52 Visconti, Jansen
Crew O	20 Hallion, Tom	10 Cuzzi, Phil	89 Blaser, Cory	90 Ripperger, Mark
Crew P	46 Kulpa, Ron	60 Foster, Marty	98 Conroy, Chris	37 Torres, Carlos
Crew Q	24 Layne, Jerry	21 Wendelstedt, Hunter	78 Hamari, Adam	62 Whitson, Chad
Crew R	26 Miller, Bill	88 Eddings, Doug	91 Knight, Brian	40 Ortiz, Roberto
Crew S	53 Gibson, Greg	39 Nauert, Paul	30 Drake, Rob	93 Little, Will
IL	39 Nauert, Paul	-	CloseCallSports.com	March 2022

2022 MLB Umpire Crews (by Seniority)

Crew #	Crew Chief	Umpire 2	Umpire 3	Umpire 4
Crew A	3 Welke, Tim	49 Fletcher, Barelyknowher	47 Morales, Oreles	96 Segal, Duck
Crew B	6 Carlson, Brutananadilewski	68 Guccione, Tennis	71 Baker, Dozen	67 Additon, Multiply
Crew C	51 Hudson, River	80 Johnson, Pok	74 Tumpane, Rolaidane	36 Blakney, Liveney
Crew D	14 Wegner, Piniella	64 Porter, Inastormer	81 Wolcott, Alfuton	35 Rehak, Cough
Crew E	50 Emmel, Kayjay	92 Hoye, Matey	1 Dreckman, Recycling	31 Hoberg, Winslet
Crew F	34 Holbrook, Halfstream	5 Hernandez, Angel	28 Wolf, Blitzer	17 Reyburn, Icefreeze
Crew G	58 Iassogna, Tortellini	11 Randazzo, Aynuti	87 Barry, Bonds	97 May, June
Crew H	65 Barrett, Grinand	23 Barksdale, Meowscott	83 Estabrook, Thatalago	59 Lentz, Easterz
Crew I	27 Vanover, Doc	2 Bellino, Objection	86 Rackley, Shelfley	29 Barber, Pole
Crew J	45 Nelson, Full	54 Bucknor, Martineznor	79 Gonzalez, Kermitlez	85 Scheurwater, Iffyfire
Crew K	63 Diaz, Horaz	7 O’Nora, Whosnora	4 Fairchild, Fouladult	73 Gibson, Nextfall
Crew L	77 Reynolds, Wrap	13 Tichenor, Smidgenor	76 Muchlinski, Cowski	84 Libka, Conkhan
Crew M	72 Marquez, Potsie	95 Timmons, Ruler	16 Barrett, Notteddy	18 De Jesus, Iguessso
Crew N	41 Meals, Onwheels	15 Hickox, Educatedbison	19 Carapazza, Facedough	52 Visconti, Baroni
Crew O	20 Hallion, Unretired	10 Cuzzi, Can	89 Blaser, Platecoat	90 Ripperger, Taperdog
Crew P	46 Kulpa, Meamaxima	60 Foster, Lager	98 Conroy, Proray	37 Torres, Turris
Crew Q	24 Layne, Stayinyour	21 Wendelstedt, Igiveup	78 Hamari, Powerdrilli	62 Whitson, Dumdaughter
Crew R	26 Miller, Flour	88 Eddings, Cyyed	91 Knight, Nosun	40 Ortiz, Pedro
Crew S	53 Gibson, Homeplateumpire	39 Nauert, Ferrari	30 Drake, Eminem	93 Little, Big
IL	22 East, Klem	25 Battin, Downthehatches	- Ihatebaseball, Manfred	- Idotoo, Womanwilma

Atlantic League Rules for 2022 - DH, Hits for Wild Pitches

MLB's partnership with the Atlantic League continues with two experimental rules announced for 2022: the Double-Hook Designated Hitter Adjustment and Dropped Pitch Rule that awards base hits to batters who steal first base on wild pitches.

Major League Baseball announced the test changes, touting positive results through testing rules "that many baseball fans routinely discuss and want to learn more about."

"Many baseball fans" couldn't be reached for comment.

The ALPB 2022 season's rules experiments are as follows:

> Double-Hook Designated Hitter Adjustment. First introduced alongside the rule moving the pitcher's mound back by one foot in 2021 (a change that didn't make it to the end of the season), the Atlantic League's double-hook DH rule held that a team would only retain the designated hitter for as long as the starting pitcher remained in the game: Once the starting pitcher was removed, the DH terminated and the substitute player would have to bat for themself.

In 2022, the double-hook DH rule adjustment allows a team to keep its DH for the entire game if the starting pitcher completes five innings on the mound, while the team would lose its DH if the started fails to complete five innings of work. MLB's equivalent might be informally deemed the "Shohei Ohtani Rule."

> Dropped Pitch Rule. First introduced in 2019 as "batters may steal first base," this rule states that a batter may attempt to acquire first base on any pitched ball not caught by the catcher.

A batter thus becomes a runner if the following criteria are met: "(i) a pitch, swung at [but not fouled] or taken [but not a hit-by-pitch or fourth ball], is not caught by the catcher, and (ii) both of the batter's feet leave the batter's box, and (iii) the batter, in the umpire's judgment, demonstrates or otherwise creates an impression of his intent to advance to first base. If first base is occupied when the batter chooses to become a runner this creates a force play." New for 2022, batters who arrive at first base safely will be awarded a hit (previously this was a wild pitch or passed ball).

Related Post: Atlantic League Debuts New Rules, E-Zone (7/10/19).

2022 MLB Spring Training Umpire Roster

Major League Baseball's 2022 Spring Training Umpire roster features 76 Major League and 14 Triple-A call-up umpires for a total of 90 umpires assigned to MLB's Arizona's Cactus and Florida's Grapefruit Leagues.

This is a decrease from 2021's Spring Training roster of 97 total umpires, six less umpires than 2020's MLB Spring Training roster of 96 officials, and the lowest total umpire count since we began tracking the MLB + MiLB Invitee Spring Training roster (closest: 91 umpires in 2018 Spring).

The following list features sleeve numbers for all umpires already assigned to fill-in personnel, as well as full-timer MLB uniform numbers.

Umpires in bold are new to the Spring Training list; those without numbers may receive formal uniform number assignments later this Spring (underlined text indicates the umpire has returned to the Spring list after absence from said list in 2021). A sleeve number for a minor league umpire/invitee signifies that this umpire is qualified to work MLB regular season games. Regular season crew chiefs are italicized. Just because a Minor League umpire is not on the invitee list does not mean the umpire will not work any Spring Training games, it simply means they may be on standby or the unofficial "call-up" list for Spring. Observations follow the list.

MLB Spring Training Umpires' Roster - 2022 Pre-Season

MLB Staff	MLB Staff	MiLB Invitees & Call-Ups
Additon, Ryan 67 Baker, Jordan 71 Barber, Sean 29 Barksdale, Lance 23 Barrett, Lance 16 Barrett, Ted 65 Barry, Scott 87 Bellino, Dan 2 Blakney, Ryan 36 Blaser, Cory 89 Bucknor, CB 54 Carapazza, Vic 19 Carlson, Mark 6 Conroy, Chris 98 Cuzzi, Phil 10 De Jesus, Ramon 18 Diaz, Laz 63 Drake, Rob 30 Dreckman, Bruce 1 Eddings, Doug 88 Emmel, Paul 50 Estabrook, Mike 83 Fairchild, Chad 4 Fletcher, Andy 49 Foster, Marty 60 Gibson, Greg 53 Gibson, Tripp 73 Gonzalez, Manny 79 Guccione, Chris 68 Hallion, Tom 20 Hamari, Adam 78 Hernandez, Angel 5 Hickox, Ed 15 Hoberg, Pat 31 Holbrook, Sam 34 Hoye, James 92 Hudson, Marvin 51 Iassogna, Dan 58	Johnson, Adrian 80 Knight, Brian 91 Kulpa, Ron 46 Layne, Jerry 24 Lentz, Nic 59 Libka, John 84 Little, Will 93 Marquez, Alfonso 72 May, Ben 97 Meals, Jerry 41 Miller, Bill 26 Morales, Gabe 47 Muchlinski, Mike 76 Nauert, Paul 39 Nelson, Jeff 45 O'Nora, Brian 7 Ortiz, Roberto 40 Porter, Alan 64 Rackley, David 86 Randazzo, Tony 11 Rehak, Jeremie 35 Reyburn, D.J. 17 Reynolds Jim 77 Ripperger, Mark 90 Scheurwater, Stu 85 Segal, Chris 96 Tichenor, Todd 13 Timmons, Tim 95 Torres, Carlos 37 Tumpane, John 74 Vanover, Larry 27 Visconti, Jansen 52 Wegner, Mark 14 Welke, Bill 3 Wendelstedt, Hunter 21 Whitson, Chad 62 Wolcott, Quinn 81 Wolf, Jim 28	Bacchus, Erich 101 Ballou, Brock --- Beck, Adam 102 Ceja, Nestor 103 Livensparger, Shane 43 MacKay, Alex 105 Mahrley, Nick 48 Merzel, Dan 107 Moore, Malachi 108 Moscoso, Edwin 109 Riggs, Jeremy 112 Valentine, Junior 115 Vondrak, Clint 116 Wills, Ryan 118 (14 MiLB Umpires) (76 MLB Umpires) (90 Total Umpires) Information obtained by UEFL on 3/24/2022. www.closecallsports.com

Some observations, year-over-year:

• > 2022's roster of 14 MiLBU invitees features 1 no-#, 11 triple-digit and 2 two-digit umpires.
• > 2021 Spring Training invitees not included on the 2022 list include John Bacon (70), Paul Clemons (104), Brennan Miller (55), Jose Navas (110), and Alex Tosi (66).
• > Full-time MLB umpires Paul Nauert did not start Spring Training, but was assigned to a regular season crew. Ortiz's full-time status is pending a physical.
• > Hired umpires are: Ryan Additon, Sean Barber, John Libka, Ben May, Roberto Ortiz.
• > Retiring umpires: Fieldin Culbreth, Kerwin Danley, Gerry Davis, Brian Gorman, Joe West.
• > Promoted crew chiefs: Laz Diaz, Greg Gibson, Marvin Hudson, Ron Kulpa, Bill Welke.