Mariners Moose Tracks, 4/1/20: Justus Sheffield, Evan Gattis, and A.J. Reed

Good morning everyone! The month of April is upon us. While normally this month is dedicated to the beginning of the Major League Baseball season, we will instead be doing our best to fend off the coronavirus in the hopes that baseball can return soon. Here’s everything you need to know as we get this new month started.

In Mariners news...

• Craig Calcaterra dug into the history of the naming of the Seattle Pilots.
• David Laurila spoke to Mariners left-hander Justus Sheffield about the crafting of his slider.

Around the league...

• Minor leaguers will be receiving some compensation during these tough times for many.

• According to a new study, the 2019 playoff baseballs were not juiced, but Major League Baseball still has no idea why.
• The City of Toronto has set some pretty strict coronavirus guidelines, but those apparently don’t pertain to sporting events, for some reason.

• Former top Astros prospect A.J. Reed decided to retire.
• Speaking of Astros, Evan Gattis announced that his career has come to a close as well.
• Dr. James Andrews, one of the nation’s primary sports doctors, has decided to halt all Tommy John surgeries for the time being in accordance with Florida’s ban. As of right now, that only impacts Seranthony Dominguez, who was a patient of his.

Anders’ picks...

• This is absolutely bonkers.

• I hope all of our friends and colleges in Idaho and surrounding areas are doing alright this morning.