Merrifield signs with Phillies; Whisenhunt reports; Martin twins getting playing time

Published 6:41 am Monday, February 19, 2024

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

After weeks of sitting and waiting and negotiating, Whit Merrifield has a new home: Philadelphia.

The second baseman/outfielder from Davie County signed a one-year, $8M contract last week with the Phillies.

Last year for Toronto, Merrifield’s slash line was .272/.318/.382. He made his third All-Star Game while hitting 11 homers, driving in 67 runs and stealing 26 bases.

Now at age 35, he’s headed to Philly.

Matt Gelb of The Athletic wrote: “Whit Merrifield has never been a part-time player and, all winter, the Philadelphia Phillies made a pitch to him that meant sacrificing at-bats. The Phillies could not guarantee him playing time and they were not willing to sign him to a two-year deal. But they liked the idea of a versatile righthanded bat who plays left field and second base.”

•••

The San Francisco Giants extended non-roster invitations for spring training to 25 players and 15 pitchers, including Davie lefthanded starter Carson Whisenhunt, who will likely begin the season in Triple-A.

•••

The Martin twins are playing significant minutes again this year in the NBA.

Caleb Martin of the Miami Heat (30-25) is averaging 10.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 26.6 minutes per game. He has appeared in 37 games with 16 starts.

Cody Martin’s averages for the Charlotte Hornets (13-41) through Feb. 14: 7.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.05 steals in 26.2 minutes. He has started 15 of his 21 games after missing considerable time with an injury.