surprising

Veteran outfielder/DH Corey Dickerson, the former Meridian Community College standout from McComb, was designated for assignment by Tampa Bay on Saturday. Who saw that coming? Dickerson was a starter in the All-Star Game last season and batted .282 with 27 homers and 62 RBIs despite a second-half slump. He is a career .280 hitter. The Rays made the move to clear 40-man roster space after acquiring first baseman C.J. Cron from the Los Angeles Angels. Dickerson was slated to make $5.9 million (not guaranteed money) this season, so finances likely also played a role. There is speculation the Rays already have worked out a trade for Dickerson, 28, whose left-handed power should carry some value. Among the teams said to be seeking a lefty-hitting outfielder is Baltimore, which lost ex-Ole Miss star Seth Smith to free agency. Bottom line is, Dickerson, whose career began in Colorado, will be playing for a third MLB club in 2018.