The Chicago White Sox have released minor league outfielder Michael Saunders. Saunders hit just .151 over 51 plate appearances for Triple-A Charlotte. Saunders made the All-Star team in 2016 but has struggled since. The White Sox were the second organization that Saunders has been with in 2018. The outfielder will have to settle for another minor league deal if he wants to continue his career.
The Chicago White Sox have signed free-agent outfielder Michael Saunders. Saunders opted out of a minor league contract with the Orioles on May 15. Saunders struggled for Triple-A Norfolk with a .161 batting average in 103 plate appearances. Saunders lands in a good spot with White Sox outfielders Avisail Garcia (hamstring) and Nick Delmonico (hand) both on the disabled list. Saunders will first report to Triple-A Charlotte and likely has an opt-out clause if he isnt promoted to the big leagues at a certain date.
Baltimore Orioles outfielder Michael Saunders has been granted his release by the Orioles after exercising the opt-out clause in his contract. An All-Star just two years ago, Saunders had been hitting .161 with one home run for Triple-A Norfolk. Saunders will look for a new team to take a chance on him and reach the majors for the first time this year.
Kansas City Royals outfielder Michael Saunders and starting pitcher Ricky Nolasco were cut by the team, according to a team release. The 35-year-old Nolasco was a disaster in two appearances with the Royals this spring, posting a 19.64 ERA and 2.18 WHIP in his 3 2/3 innings of work. The 31-year-old Saunders was informed that he would not make the Opening Day roster, so the team will give him a few days to try to find another gig elsewhere. Saunders hit .275/.356/.350 with seven RBI and a pair of stolen bases in 45 plate appearances during Cactus League play.
The Kansas City Royals signed free-agent outfielder Michael Saunders to a minor league deal on Friday. Saunders was an All-Star in Toronto in 2016, but he fell off big time last year, hitting just .237/.312/.429 with 14 home runs and 38 RBI in 333 at-bats. It was previously announced that Saunders signed with the Pirates, but it appears that the Pirates signed Saunders on Wednesday and then released him Friday. The trade for outfielder Corey Dickerson probably influenced the Pirates to release Saunders. The loss of outfielder Lorenzo Cain leaves a vacancy in the outfield for the Royals, and Saunders could get time in either center field or right field.
The Pittsburgh Pirates signed free-agent outfielder Michael Saunders to a minor league deal Wednesday. Saunders was an All-Star in Toronto in 2016, but he fell off big time last year, hitting just .237/.312/.429 with 14 home runs and 38 RBI in 333 at-bats. Add Saunders to the list of players competing for playing time in left field in 2018. He'll do battle with Adam Frazier, Jordan Luplow, Sean Rodriguez and Daniel Nava for a platoon role, meaning Saunders will likely only have some NL-only part-time appeal, at best.
After a successful 2016 season that saw outfielder Michael Saunders hit a career-high 24 home runs with the Toronto Blue Jays, many thought he would continue his success in Philadelphia at hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park. With a .205/.257/.360 slash line thus far in 2017, that was not the case. As such, Saunders was let go by Philadelphia and has been picked back up by the Blue Jays on a minor league contract. It's worth noting that Saunders' 2016 success came heavily in the first half of the season, and the second half saw him struggle mightily. So, just because he's back in Toronto, it's far from a guarantee he'll recapture the magic. He'll start out in Triple-A Buffalo, and likely won't be worth fantasy consideration at any point this season.
In a surprise move, the Philadelphia Phillies designated outfielder Michael Saunders for assignment today. The 30-year-old former member of the Toronto Blue Jays was in his first season with the Phillies, having taken part in 61 games this season. Saunders was well on his way to one of the worst seasons of his career, as he was hitting .205 with six home runs and 20 RBI. He was one of two players the club designated for assignment today. In corresponding moves, they promoted outfielder Cam Perkins and pitcher Hoby Milner.
With the Philadelphia Phillies well on their way to yet another defeat, their 20th in the past 24 games, outfielder Michael Saunders provided some positivity down the stretch. The 30-year-old, who suffered a left groin injury last week, drilled a two-run home run in the eighth inning of tonight's 7-2 defeat, providing the only run production the Phillies would record all night. Saunders has continued to struggle as the season progresses, now hitting an abysmal .203 this month. For the season, he's now hitting .225 with four home runs and 15 RBI. He's in danger of losing considerable playing time when outfielder Howie Kendrick returns from the disabled list soon.
In the middle of what would turn out to be an 8-4 loss this afternoon against the Texas Rangers, sealing a sweep, the Philadelphia Phillies lost their starting outfielder Michael Saunders. The Canadian outfielder suffered a left groin injury in the fifth inning, getting replaced in the outfield by Ty Kelly in the sixth. The 30-year-old had recorded a triple and scored a run in the second inning prior to his injury and subsequent exit. The timetable for his absence is currently unknown.
