Heartbreak: The Pittsburgh Pirates, the greatest player of all time, have terminated his contract to sign a new one.

Heartbreak: The Pittsburgh Pirates, the greatest player of all time, have terminated his contract to sign a new one.

The biggest deal ever offered to a Pirates pitcher goes to one of two National League All-Star right-handers, while the other is anticipated to miss the opening game of the season due to injury.

A source with knowledge of the transaction informed The Associated Press on Thursday that Mitch Keller and the Pirates have reached an agreement on a five-year, $77 million contract. The transaction was still pending a medical and was not yet final, so the person spoke under the condition of anonymity.

The $5,442,500 one-year arrangement that was signed last month will be replaced by this new one. It is likely that the 27-year-old will start on opening day twice in a row.

A first-time All-Star like right-hander Kodai Senga of the Mets, Keller went 13-9 with a 4.21 ERA in the previous season after being selected by the Pirates in the second round of the 2014 amateur draft.

Senga was sidelined during the Mets’ training camp and will probably begin the season on the injured list due to a strained shoulder.

David Stearns, the president of baseball operations for the Mets, announced on Thursday that Senga had an MRI after experiencing shoulder fatigue twice during camp throwing sessions. Stearns characterized the right pitcher’s shoulder strain in the back as mild.

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On Saturday, May 4, 2024, in New York, home plate umpire Ryan Blakney (center) and Aaron Judge (99), manager of the New York Yankees, argue after Blakney removed Judge from the game during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers. (Photo by Mary Altaffer/AP)
In the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers on Saturday, May 4, 2024, in New York, home plate umpire Ryan Blakney, right, ejects New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge, left, from the game. Judge was dismissed for the first time, and Rizzo hits a three-run home run as the Yankees defeat the Tigers 5-3. (Photo by Mary Altaffer/AP)
Aaron Judge, a slugger for the Yankees, was ejected for the first time ever.
Kevin Kiermaier of the Toronto Blue Jays reacts after hitting out in the ninth inning of Friday, April 19, 2024, in San Diego during a baseball game against the San Diego Padres. (Photo by Gregory Bull/AP)
Kevin Kiermaier, an outfielder, is back with the Blue Jays after being injured.
According to Stearns, it’s unknown how long Senga will be absent.

After spending 11 seasons pitching in Japan, the 31-year-old Senga is entering the second season of a five-year, $75 million contract with New York. In 29 starts last season, he went 12-7 with a 2.98 ERA and came in second in the NL Rookie of the Year voting.

REMEMBERING SEIDLER
Before the opening game of spring training, there was a moment of silence in honor of the late San Diego Padres owner, Peter Seidler.

Owner and chairman Seidler passed away in November at the age of sixty-three.

The lone game on Thursday was played at Peoria, Arizona, where San Diego hosted the Los Angeles Dodgers.

This season, the Padres will memorialize Seidler by wearing a memorial patch on their jerseys.

NOW LET THE GAMES start
With a 14-1 victory over the Padres in the opening inning, the Dodgers launched their spring training with eight runs scored.

Right-hander Joe Musgrove was forced to walk in the first inning by Mookie Betts, and Teoscar Hernández—who in January inked a $23.5 million deal—scored the first two runs with a ground-rule double three batters later. Mike Shildt, the new manager of the Padres, then withdrew Musgrove, who was not given an out.

Among the Los Angeles players who could have been starters was Shohei Ohtani. Gavin Lux, who missed the 2023 season due to a knee injury sustained during spring training, walked in his first plate appearance.

STEINBRENNER’S TALKS
Even with what the owner believes to be a championship-caliber roster and a payroll of more than $300 million, Hal Steinbrenner stated that the New York Yankees aren’t done trying to get better and may spend more money if required.

Speaking to reporters in camp on Thursday, Steinbrenner stated, “Given where we are payroll-wise, any addition to the club is going to be a costly one, but I’m still willing to consider anything that comes my way.”

Steinbrenner referred to the Yankees’ fourth-place showing as “a failure on every level.” Their record was 82-80, they finished fourth in a division with seven teams in 1992, and they missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016.