ESPN analyst Jessica Mendoza is expanding her role at the net to include a position on "Baseball Tonight." Mendoza typically will appear on Monday editions airing at 10:00pm ET and midnight, alongside John Kruk. She also will contribute to select game telecasts (ESPN). SI.com's Richard Deitsch wrote Mendoza will "use her knowledge of swing mechanics and baseball at large" in the expanded role. She will appear "both onsite at games as well as in the studio." Mendoza said that she will be "analyzing and breaking down hitters and giving her opinion on the issues of the day." She will "often be in the dugout, similar to a sideline reporter gig, with a heavy emphasis on the mechanics of the batters." Meanwhile, Mendoza will "continue working college baseball, college football and college softball." She recently "signed a three-year deal with ESPN so the net is investing in her abilities" (SI.com, 3/30).
TAP THE ROCKIES: In Denver, Dusty Saunders profiled former MLBer Ryan Spilborghs, who has "replaced Tracy Ringolsby in pregame and postgame Rockies coverage" on Root Sports Rocky Mountain. Ringolsby, who has "joined the MLB Network as a commentator, will appear regularly on Root Sports as a major-league 'insider.'" Root Sports Exec Producer and director Ken Miller said of Spilborghs, "He's a broadcasting natural. Of course, he needs experience. But we have major plans for him, probably in the game broadcasting booth down the line." Saunders noted Root Sports also signed former MLBers Cory Sullivan and Jason Hirsh as "analysts for pregame and postgame shows, beginning with the Rockies' home opener Friday" against the D-Backs (DENVER POST, 3/31).
CAPTAIN OBVIOUS: On Long Island, Neil Best writes ESPN and Fox have "not been shy about scheduling Yankees games for their ratings pleasure," with SS Derek Jeter's "pending departure as an added lure." But the "majority of his games will appear" on YES Network, which "plans to drop vignettes and features into its coverage during the course of the season, including takes from current and past teammates and opponents" (NEWSDAY, 4/1).
