Trump says countries that buy Venezuelan oil will face 25% tariff

• March 24, 2025

By JOSH BOAK, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Monday he would be placing a 25% tariff on all imports from any country that buys oil or gas from Venezuela as well as imposing new tariffs on the South American country itself.

In a Truth Social post, Trump said Venezuela has been “very hostile” to the U.S. and countries purchasing oil from it will be forced to pay the tariff on all their trade to the U.S. starting April 2.

Venezuela will face a “Secondary” tariff because it is the home to the gang Tren de Aragua, he said. The Trump administration is deporting immigrants that it claims are members of that gang who illegally crossed into the United States.

Trump’s latest tariffs threat suggests the administration will take bolder moves against China, Venezuela’s largest foreign customer. The Trump administration has already levied universal 20% tariffs on imports from China as an effort to crackdown on the illicit trade in fentanyl.

But Trump has labeled April 2 as “LIBERATION DAY” based on his still unclear plans to roll out import taxes to match the rates charged by other countries, as well as fully levy 25% tariffs against Mexico and Canada, the two largest U.S. trading partners.

The U.S. stock market had been climbing on Monday as investors expect the tariffs to be more targeted than they earlier feared. Still, the S&P 500 index is down so far this year out of concerns that a trade war could hinder economic growth and increase inflationary pressures.

Trump said his social media post on Monday would serve as notification of this policy to the Department of Homeland Security and other law enforcement agencies.

The tariffs would most likely add to the taxes facing China, which in 2023 bought 68% of the oil exported by Venezuela, according to a 2024 analysis by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Spain, Russia, Singapore and Vietnam are also among the countries receiving oil from Venezuela, the report shows. The United States in January imported 8.6 million barrels of oil from Venezuela, according to the Census Bureau.

​ Orange County Register 

2025 AL West season preview capsules

• March 24, 2025

A team-by-team look at the American League West, including key players each club acquired and lost, top hitters, projected rotations, and outlooks for the 2025 season.

HOUSTON ASTROS

2024: 88-73, first place, lost to Detroit in Wild Card Series

Manager: Joe Espada (second season)

Opening Day: Thursday, vs. New York Mets

He’s Here: 1B Christian Walker, 3B Isaac Paredes, INF Luis Guillorme, RHP Hayden Wesneski

He’s Outta Here: 3B Alex Bregman, RF Kyle Tucker, RHP Ryan Pressly

Top Hitters: DH Yordan Alvarez (.308, 35 HRs, 86 RBIs, .959 OPS), C Yainer Diaz (.299, 16, 84, 29 2Bs), LF Jose Altuve (.295, 20, 65, 31 2Bs, 94 runs), 1B Christian Walker (.251, 26, 84, .803 OPS with Arizona), SS Jeremy Peña (.266, 15, 70, 28 2Bs)

Projected Rotation: LH Framber Valdez (15-7, 2.91 ERA), RH Hunter Brown (11-9, 3.49), RH Ronel Blanco (13-6, 2.80), RH Spencer Arrighetti (7-13, 4.53), RH Hayden Wesneski (3-6, 3.86)

Key Relievers: LH Josh Hader (8-8, 3.80 ERA, 34 saves), RH Bryan Abreu (3-3, 3.10, 1 save), RH Tayler Scott (7-3, 2.23), LH Bennett Sousa (0-0, 4.00 in 2023), RH Kaleb Ort (1-1, 2.55, 1 save)

Outlook: The Astros should contend for a fifth straight AL West title despite trading outfielder Tucker and losing longtime third baseman Bregman in free agency. They made a major upgrade at first base with the addition of Walker after failing to find consistency there last season after the release of José Abreu. It will be interesting to see how Paredes fares in replacing Bregman and how Altuve’s move to left field will go after the veteran superstar played second base exclusively for his first 14 seasons. Valdez returns to lead a rotation that will start the season with several young arms but that could get a boost in the summer with the expected returns of Cristian Javier and Luis Garcia after both players had Tommy John surgery last year. General Manager Dana Brown is confident that this team can have a bounce-back year and make another deep playoff run after losing to Detroit in the Wild Card round last season.

SEATTLE MARINERS

2024: 85-77, second place

Manager: Dan Wilson (first full season)

Opening Day: Thursday, vs. Athletics

He’s Here: INF Donovan Solano, INF/OF Miles Mastrobuoni

He’s Outta Here: RHP Yimi García, 3B Josh Rojas, 3B Luis Urías, 1B Justin Turner

Top Hitters: CF Julio Rodríguez (.273, 20 HRs, 68 RBIs, .734 OPS, all career lows), C Cal Raleigh (.220, career-high 34, career-high 100). SS J.P. Crawford (career-low .202, 9, 37 in 105 games), DH Mitch Garver (.172, 15, 51), 2B Jorge Polanco (.212, 16, 45)

Projected Rotation: RH Luis Castillo (11-12, 3.64 ERA, 175 Ks in 175⅓ IP), RH Logan Gilbert (9-12, 3.23, 220 Ks in major league-high 208⅔ IP, major league-best 0.887 WHIP), RH Bryce Miller (12-8, 2.94), RH Bryan Woo (9-3, 2.89 in 22 starts), RH Emerson Hancock (4-4, 4.75 in 12 starts)

Key Relievers: RH Andrés Muñoz (3-7, 2.12 ERA, 22/27 saves, 77 Ks in 59⅓ IP), RH Trent Thornton (4-3, 3.61), RH Colin Snider (3-4, 1.94), RH Troy Taylor (0-0, 3.72), LH Taylor Saucedo (2-0, 3.49, 3 saves)

Outlook: Seattle has finished with winning records in four straight seasons for the first time but has made the playoffs just once in that span, in 2022, when it was swept by Houston in the ALDS. The Mariners went 21-13 last year after Wilson replaced Scott Servais as manager on Aug. 22. The manager swap is likely the biggest change heading into Opening Day from 2024. Seattle’s most notable offseason additions included signing Solano and acquiring Mastrobuoni from the Chicago Cubs. The Mariners hope for a rebound by Rodríguez, who had just four homers and 21 RBIs through June. The lack of offense was a team-wide problem: Seattle hit .224, 29th among the 30 teams, ahead only the 121-loss Chicago White Sox. Right-hander George Kirby (13-10, 3.35, 172 Ks, 19 walks, MLB-low 1.084 walks per 9 innings) is likely to open the season on the injured list because of right shoulder inflammation, leading to an opening for Hancock to join the rotation.

TEXAS RANGERS

2024: 78-84, third place

Manager: Bruce Bochy (third season)

Opening Day: Thursday, vs. Boston

Here’s Here: 1B Jake Burger, C Kyle Higashioka, RHP Chris Martin, LHP Hoby Milner, DH Joc Pederson, RHP Jacob Webb

He’s Outta Here: C Carson Kelly, OF Travis Jankowski, LHP Andrew Heaney, RHP José Leclerc, 1B Nathaniel Lowe, RHP David Robertson, RHP Kirby Yates

Top Hitters: SS Corey Seager (.278, 30 HRs, 74 RBIs, .864 OPS), RF Adolis García (.224, 25, 85, 177 Ks), 2B Marcus Semien (.237, 23, 74), 1B Jake Burger (.250, 29, 76 with Marlins), DH Joc Pederson (.275, 23, 64 with Diamondbacks), OF Wyatt Langford (.253, 16, 74, 19 SBs)

Projected Rotation: RH Nathan Eovaldi (12-8, 3.80 ERA, 166 Ks in 170⅔ IP), RH Jon Gray (5-6, 4.47), LH Cody Bradford (6-3, 3.54), RH Jacob deGrom (0-0, 1.69 in three starts), RH Tyler Mahle (0-1, 4.97)

Key Relievers: RH Chris Martin (3-1, 3.45 ERA, 2 saves in 45 appearances with Boston), RH Luke Jackson (4-3, 5.09 in 52 games with Giants and Braves), RH Jacob Webb (2-5, 3.02 in 60 appearances for Orioles), LH Hoby Milner (5-1, 4.73 in 61 appearances for Brewers), LH Robert Garcia (3-6, 4.22 in 72 appearances for Nationals), RH Dane Dunning (5-7, 5.31 in 26 games, 15 starts)

Outlook: The starting rotation is in good shape with Eovaldi re-signed, and two-time Cy Young Award winner deGrom and Mahle both making late-season debuts last year after recovering from elbow surgery. There is no defined closer after Yates left in free agency and with Josh Sborz rehabbing from shoulder surgery, but Martin joins his hometown team for a prominent role at the back end of a restructured bullpen. Burger and Pederson add pop to an offense that last year hit 57 fewer homers and scored one run less per game than when winning the franchise’s first World Series title with Bochy in 2023. These Rangers might not be far off from at least having a shot at repeating a unique pattern for Bochy, who won three World Series crowns with San Francisco from 2010-14. After each of those first two titles, the Giants missed the playoffs the following year before coming back to win another one. Texas still has Semien, Seager and Jung on the infield. García seeks a bounce-back season in the outfield, likely joined out there by young standouts Langford and Evan Carter.

ATHLETICS

2024: 69-93, fourth place

Manager: Mark Kotsay (fourth season)

Opening Day: Thursday, at Seattle

He’s Here: RHP Luis Severino, 3B Gio Urshela, LHP Jeffrey Springs, RH Jose Leclerc, INF Luis Urias, LHP Jacob Lopez

He’s Outta Here: RHP Ross Stripling, 3B Abraham Toro, LHP Alex Wood, LHP Scott Alexander, RHP Austin Adams, OF Daz Cameron, 3B J.D. Davis, SS Nick Allen, 1B Ryan Noda

Top Hitters: DH Brent Rooker (.293, 39 HRs, 112 RBIs, .927 OPS), C Shea Langeliers (.224, 29, 80, .739 OPS), OF Lawrence Butler (.262, 22, 57, .807 OPS), OF JJ Bleday (.243, 20, 60, .762 OPS), 2B Zack Gelof (.211, 17, 49, 25 SBs)

Projected Rotation: RH Luis Severino (11-7, 3.91 ERA with the New York Mets), LH JP Sears (11-13, 4.38), LH Jeffrey Springs (2-2, 3.27 with Tampa Bay), RH Osvaldo Bido (5-3, 3.41), RH Joey Estes (7-9, 5.01) OR RH Mitch Spence (8-10, 4.58)

Key Relievers: RH Mason Miller (2-2, 2.49, 28/31 saves, 14.4 Ks/9 IP), RH Jose Leclerc (6-5, 4.32, 1 save with Texas), LH T.J. McFarland (2-4, 3.81), RH Tyler Ferguson (4-2, 3.68, 2 saves)

Outlook: The A’s begin a temporary stay in the Sacramento area this season. They will play at least the next three seasons at a Triple-A stadium as they wait for their new home to be built in Las Vegas. Their final season in Oakland was emotional and showed some signs of progress with a 19-win improvement. The A’s increased their spending this offseason as they needed a higher payroll in order to get a full share in revenue sharing. Severino, Butler and Rooker all got deals worth at least $60 million after the franchise had handed out one deal that rich ever before this season. They should be competitive but still likely lack the depth of talent to compete for the postseason.

ANGELS

2024: 63-99, fifth place

Manager: Ron Washington (second season)

Opening Day: Thursday, at Chicago White Sox

He’s Here: LHP Yusei Kikuchi, DH Jorge Soler, RHP Kenley Jansen, RHP Kyle Hendricks, C Travis d’Arnaud, 3B Yoán Moncada, INF Kevin Newman, SS Tim Anderson

He’s Outta Here: 2B Brandon Drury, C Matt Thaiss, RHP Griffin Canning, LHP Patrick Sandoval, RHP Carson Fulmer, RHP Hunter Strickland, LHP Matt Moore

Top Hitters: RF Mike Trout (.220, 10 HRs, 14 RBIs in 29 games), OF Taylor Ward (.246, 25, 75, .748 OPS), C Logan O’Hoppe (.244, 20, 56), SS Zach Neto (.249, 23 , 77, .761 OPS, 5.1 WAR), DH Jorge Soler (.241, 21, 64 with Giants and Braves)

Projected Rotation: LH Yusei Kikuchi (9-10, 4.05 ERA, 206 Ks with Blue Jays and Astros), LH Tyler Anderson (10-15, 3.81, 1.29 WHIP, 3.1 WAR), RH Jose Soriano (6-7, 3.42, 97 Ks in 113 innings), LH Reid Detmers (4-9, 6.70, spent three months at Triple-A Salt Lake), RH Kyle Hendricks (4-12, 5.92 for Cubs).

Key Relievers: RH Kenley Jansen (4-2, 3.29, 27/31 saves with Red Sox), RH Ben Joyce (2-0, 2.08, 33 Ks in 34⅔ innings), RH Ryan Zeferjahn (0-0, 2.12, 18 Ks in 17 innings), RH Chase Silseth (0-1, 6.75 in two appearances).

Outlook: The Angels finished 2024 at rock bottom, losing a club-record 99 games and extending the majors’ longest streaks to nine consecutive losing seasons and 10 straight non-playoff seasons. The sole sign for optimism was solid play from youngsters O’Hoppe, Neto, Soriano, Joyce and Nolan Schanuel. They’re all back to keep building, although Neto will start on the injured list after right shoulder surgery. Trout is healthy again after four consecutive injury-plagued seasons, and the three-time AL MVP is moving from center to right field to preserve his health. Mickey Moniak and Jo Adell should be the primary center fielders. Anthony Rendon is already guaranteed to miss extended playing time for the fourth straight season after the $245 million third baseman announced he needs hip surgery. The rotation is headlined by newcomer Kikuchi, and longtime Dodgers closer Jansen could form a potent late-game combination with the hard-throwing Joyce.

​ Orange County Register 

2025 AL Central season preview capsules

• March 24, 2025

A team-by-team look at the American League Central, including key players each club acquired and lost, top hitters, projected rotations, and outlooks for the 2025 season.

CLEVELAND GUARDIANS

2024: 92-69, first place, lost to Yankees in ALCS

Manager: Stephen Vogt (second season)

Opening Day: Thursday, at Kansas City

He’s Here: 1B Carlos Santana, RHP Luis Ortiz, RHP Paul Sewald, RHP Jakob Junis, LHP John Means

He’s Outta Here: 1B Josh Naylor, 2B Andrés Giménez, CF Myles Straw, RHP Nick Sandlin, LHP Matthew Boyd, RHP Alex Cobb

Top Hitters: 3B José Ramírez (.279, 39 HRs, 118 RBIs, 41 SBs, .872 OPS), LF Steven Kwan (.292, 14, 44, .793 OPS), 1B Carlos Santana (.238, 23, 71, .749 OPS with Minnesota)

Projected Rotation: RH Tanner Bibee (12-8, 3.47 ERA), RH Ben Lively (13-10, 3.81), RH Luis Ortiz (7-6, 3.92 with Pittsburgh), RH Gavin Williams (3-10, 4.86), RH Triston McKenzie (3-5, 5.11)

Key Relievers: RH Emmanuel Clase (4-2, 0.61 ERA, 47/50 saves, 8.0 Ks/9 IP), RH Cade Smith (6-1, 1.91, 1 save), RH Hunter Gaddis (6-3, 1.57), RH Paul Sewald (1-2, 4.31, 16/20 saves with Arizona), LH Jakob Junis (4-0, 2.69, 1 save with Milwaukee and Cincinnati)

Outlook: With Ramírez leading the way on offense and one of baseball’s top bullpens, the Guardians should contend for their sixth AL Central title since 2016. However, there remain concerns about the rotation and the middle of the batting order. Bibee will be the staff’s ace until Shane Bieber returns later this season after having Tommy John surgery last year. The final two rotation spots are questionable after Williams and McKenzie struggled last season. While Ramírez and Kwan provide plenty of offense at the top of the order, the rest of the lineup needs to keep pace. This could be a pivotal year for catcher Bo Naylor, who had 13 home runs but batted only .201 last season.

DETROIT TIGERS

2024: 86-76, second place AL Central, lost ALDS to Guardians

Manager: A.J. Hinch (fifth season)

Opening Day: Thursday, at Dodgers

He’s Here: 2B Gleyber Torres, RHP Jack Flaherty, RHP John Brebbia, RHP José Urquidy, RHP Tommy Kahnle, RHP Alex Cobb

He’s Outta Here: RHP Shelby Miller, LHP Joey Wentz, RHP Alex Faedo, OF Mark Canha, 3B Gio Urshela

Top Hitters: LF Riley Greene (.262, 24 HRs, 74 RBIs), RF Kerry Carpenter (.285, 18, 57), 1B Colt Keith (.260, 13, 61), OF/IF Matt Vierling (.257, 16, 57), Torres (.257, 15, 63), SS Javier Báez (.184, 6, 37)

Projected Rotation: LH Tarik Skubal (18-4, 2.39 ERA, 228 Ks in 192 IP), RH Jack Flaherty (13-7, 3.17 in 28 starts), RH Reese Olson (4-8, 3.53 in 22 starts), RH Jackson Jobe (0-0, 2 Ks in 4 IP), RH Casey Mize (2-6, 4.49)

Key Relievers: RH Jason Foley (3-6, 3.15 ERA, 28 saves), RH Will Vest (3-4, 2.82, 69 games), RH Tommy Kahnle (0-2, 2.11 in 50 games with New York Yankees, LH Tyler Holton (7-2, 2.19 in 66 games), RH John Brebbia (0-6, 5.86 in 59 games with Atlanta and Chicago White Sox)

Outlook: The Tigers are expected to contend for a spot in the playoffs, a year after a late-season surge ended their decade-long postseason drought. They kept their top players and made some key additions, signing a two-time All-Star (Torres) and bringing back Flaherty as a free agent to rejoin a rotation led by the AL Cy Young and Triple Crown winner (Skubal). Injuries might be a concern in the outfield with Vierling, Parker Meadows, Wenceel Perez and Akil Baddoo already banged up and oft-injured Cobb ailing again. If DH Spencer Torkelson can get in a groove at the plate, it would be a big boost for the lineup.

KANSAS CITY ROYALS

2024: 86-76, tied for second place, lost to Yankees in ALDS

Manager: Matt Quatraro (third season)

Opening Day: Thursday, against Cleveland

He’s Here: 2B Jonathan India, RHP Carlos Estevez, INF Cavan Biggio

He’s Outta Here: RHP Brady Singer, INF Adam Frazier, OF Garrett Hampson, 1B/OF Tommy Pham

Top Hitters: SS Bobby Witt Jr. (MLB-best .332, 32 HRs, 109 RBIs, 31 SBs), 1B Vinnie Pasquantino (.262, 19, 97), C/1B Salvador Perez (.271, 27, 104), 2B Jonathan India (.248, 15, 58), INF/OF Michael Massey (.259, 14, 45), INF/OF Maikel Garcia (.231, 7, 58, 37 SBs)

Projected Rotation: LH Cole Ragans (11-9, 3.14 ERA), RH Seth Lugo (16-9, 3.00 in MLB-best 33 starts), RH Michael Wacha (13-8, 3.35), RH Michael Lorenzen (2-0, 1.57), LH Kris Bubic (1-1, 2.67)

Key Relievers: RH Lucas Erceg (2-6, 3.36 ERA, 14 saves with Royals and Athletics), RH Carlos Estevez (4-5, 2.45, 26 saves with Angels and Phillies), RH Hunter Harvey (0-0, 6.35), RH John Schreiber (4-3, 3.66), RH Alec Marsh (9-9, 4.53), LH Angel Zerpa (2-0, 3.86)

Outlook: The Royals went from 106-loss laughingstock in Manager Matt Quatraro’s first season to 86 wins, a second-place finish in the AL Central and a wild-card series win over Baltimore last year. The biggest reason for the abrupt turnaround was an almost entirely rebuilt starting rotation, which produced All-Stars in Ragans and Lugo and dependability in Singer and Wacha. Singer was traded to Cincinnati in the deal that landed on-base machine India to play 2B, but the rotation otherwise returns intact with Bubic, Lorenzen and Kyle Wright in the mix for the open job. The Royals failed to land an offensive upgrade in the corner outfield spots, so they will hope incumbents produce more than last season. They can hardly expect more from Witt, who finished second to the Yankees’ Aaron Judge in AL MVP voting while also winning Silver Slugger and Gold Glove awards during his All-Star season. The Royals play in a relatively weak division, so they expect to be in the mix for their first title since 2015, when they went on to beat the New York Mets for the World Series title.

MINNESOTA TWINS

2024: 82-80, fourth place

Manager: Rocco Baldelli (seventh season)

Opening Day: Thursday, at St. Louis

He’s Here: 1B Ty France, OF Harrison Bader, LHP Danny Coulombe

He’s Outta Here: 1B Carlos Santana, RF Max Kepler, OF Manny Margot, INF Kyle Farmer, OF Alex Kirilloff, LHP Caleb Thielbar, LHP Steven Okert, RHP Josh Staumont

Top Hitters: SS Carlos Correa (.310, 14 HRs, 54 RBIs, .905 OPS in 86 games), CF Byron Buxton (.279, 18, 56, .859 OPS in 102 games), 3B Royce Lewis (.233, 16, 47 in 82 games), RF Matt Wallner (.259, 13, 37, .894 OPS in 75 games), C Ryan Jeffers (.226, 21, 64)

Projected Rotation: RH Pablo López (15-10, 4.08 ERA, 198 Ks in 185⅓ innings), RH Bailey Ober (12-9, 3.98, 191 Ks in 178⅔ innings), RH Joe Ryan (7-7, 3.60, 0.985 WHIP in 23 starts), RH Chris Paddack (5-3, 4.99 in 17 starts), RH Simeon Woods Richardson (5-5, 4.17)

Key Relievers: RH Jhoan Durán (6-9, 3.64 ERA, 23/25 saves, 66 Ks in 54⅓ innings), RH Griffin Jax (5-5, 2.03, 10/16 saves, 0.873 WHIP, 95 Ks in 71 innings), RH Cole Sands (9-1, 3.28, 85 Ks in 71⅓ innings), LH Danny Coulombe (1-0, 2.12 in 29⅔ innings with Orioles)

Outlook: After losing 27 of their last 39 games to tumble out of a spot in the playoffs, the Twins will try to reset on the field while the franchise remains for sale and fan angst is stronger than it’s been in years. Keeping their best players healthy will be the first place to start, after Correa and Lewis missed long stretches with injuries. Buxton was more available than he’d been in seven seasons, but their freefall in mid-August coincided with him hitting the injured list with hip inflammation. Getting a healthy Ryan back for the rotation would also be a big boost, too, after he missed the last six weeks with shoulder trouble. The Twins were 10th in the major leagues in runs in each of the last two seasons despite the series of injuries to several of their key hitters, and their flame-throwing pitching staff that ranked second in baseball in strikeouts in 2024 and first in 2023 features a reliable group of starters and a potentially dominant late-inning trio with Sands and Jax setting up Durán. There’s plenty of potential in a wide-open division for the Twins to bounce right back in 2025.

CHICAGO WHITE SOX

2024: 41-121, fifth place

Manager: Will Venable (first season)

Opening Day: Thursday, vs. Angels

He’s Here: OF/INF Joey Gallo, INF Brandon Drury, LHP Martín Pérez, C Omar Narváez, INF Bobby Dalbec, LHP Tyler Gilbert, LHP Cam Booser, RHP Bryse Wilson, OF Mike Tauchman, OF Austin Slater

He’s Outta Here: LHP Garrett Crochet, 3B Yoán Moncada

Top Hitters: CF Luis Robert Jr. (.224, 14 HRs, 35 RBIs), LF Andrew Benintendi (.229, 20, 64), 1B Andrew Vaughn (.246, 19, 70)

Projected Rotation: RH Jonathan Cannon (5-10, 4.49 ERA), LH Martín Pérez (5-6, 4.53 with Pittsburgh and San Diego), RH Davis Martin (0-5, 4.32), RH Bryse Wilson (5-4, 4.04 in 34 appearances and nine starts for Milwaukee), RH Sean Burke (2-0, 1.42)

Key Relievers: RH Justin Anderson (1-2, 4.39, one save), RH Gus Varland (1-0, 3.42 with Dodgers and White Sox), LH Cam Booser (2-3, 3.38, one save with Boston)

Outlook: The White Sox have nowhere to go but up, right? After all, they set a modern MLB record for losses last year in GM Chris Getz’s first full season running baseball operations. The team has new leadership in the dugout with Venable taking over for Pedro Grifol, who was fired last August. Venable was an associate manager under Bruce Bochy in Texas for the past two years. Chicago dealt Crochet to Boston at the winter meetings. But the White Sox hung onto Robert at least for now coming off an injury-riddled season. Benintendi was expected to miss four to six weeks after breaking his right hand when he was hit by a pitch during a spring training game in late February, and right-hander Prelander Berroa is out for the season. The White Sox announced last week he would have Tommy John surgery, leaving them without a key reliever. The 24-year-old Berroa had a 3.32 ERA in 17 appearances last season.

​ Orange County Register 

2025 AL East season preview capsules

• March 24, 2025

A team-by-team look at the American League East, including key players each club acquired and lost, top hitters, projected rotations, and outlooks for the 2025 season.

NEW YORK YANKEES

2024: 94-68, first place, AL champions, lost to the Dodgers in the World Series

Manager: Aaron Boone (eighth season)

Opening Day: Thursday, vs. Milwaukee

He’s Here: LHP Max Fried, RHP Devin Williams, 1B Paul Goldschmidt, OF Cody Bellinger, RHP Fernando Cruz, RHP Carlos Carrasco, C Alex Jackson, RHP Michael Arias, SS Braden Shewmake, SS Andrew Velazquez, RHP Owen White.

He’s Outta Here: RF Juan Soto, 2B Gleyber Torres, RHP Clay Holmes, LHP Nestor Cortes, C Jose Trevino, OF Alex Verdugo, RHP Tommy Kahnle, LHP Tim Mayza, LHP Caleb Ferguson, RHP Cody Poteet, INF Jon Berti

Top Hitters: OF Aaron Judge (.322, MLB-high 58 HRs, MLB-high 144 RBIs, 1.159 OPS), 1B Paul Goldschmidt (career-low .245, 22, 65, career-high 173 Ks for St. Louis), OF Cody Bellinger (.266, 18, 78 for Chicago Cubs), C Austin Wells (.229, 13, 55), SS Anthony Volpe (.243, 12, 60, 28/35 SBs), 2B Jazz Chisholm Jr. (.256. 24, 73, 40/50 SBs).

Projected Rotation: LH Max Fried (11-10, 3.25 ERA, 166 Ks in 174⅓ IP for Atlanta), LH Carlos Rodón (16-9, 3.96, 195 Ks, 175 IP), RH Clarke Schmidt (5-5, 2.85 in 16 starts), RH Marcus Stroman (10-9, 4.31), RHP Will Warren (0-3, 10.32 in five starts and one relief appearance, 6-5, 5.91 in 23 starts at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre)

Key Relievers: RH Devin Williams (1-0, 1.25, 14/16 saves, 38 Ks in 21⅔ IP for Milwaukee), RH Luke Weaver (7-3, 2.89, 103 Ks in 84 IP), RH Mark Leiter Jr. (4-5, 4.50, 86 Ks in 58 IP for Chicago Cubs and Yankees), RH Jake Cousins (2-1, 2.37, 53 Ks in 39 IP), LH Tim Hill (3-0, 2.05)

Outlook: After reaching the World Series for the first time since 2009 and losing to the Dodgers in five games, the Yankees were outbid for Soto, and the All-Star outfielder joined the crosstown Mets. The Yankees quickly pivoted, signing Fried and Goldschmidt and trading for Williams and Bellinger. Gerrit Cole, their ace, needs Tommy John surgery and will miss the season. Gil, the reigning AL Rookie of the Year, will be out until midseason because of a strained lat muscle. Williams, among MLB’s most dominant closers, was acquired from Milwaukee and joins a bullpen where Weaver supplanted Holmes last September. Following the departure of Torres to Detroit at a free agent, the Yankees are looking at Wells as their leadoff hitter – New York hasn’t had a catcher hit leadoff in 19,451 games – 19,014 regular season and 437 in the postseason. Chisholm shifted from third to second as Torres’ replacement. Giancarlo Stanton will start the season on the IL because of tendon injuries in both elbows, leaving Ben Rice as the likely early option at DH. With DJ LeMahieu injured again, Oswaldo Peraza is the best option at third base. Rookie Jasson Domínguez is being given a chance in left field after missing most of 2024 following Tommy John surgery and then a strained oblique. New York improved from 88 wins in 2023 to 94 last year and led the major leagues with 237 homers and the AL with 815 runs. The Yankees tried to improve a defense that cost them in the World Series, especially during a fifth-inning meltdown in Game 5 when they wasted a 5-0 lead and were eliminated. Pitchers Jonathan Loáisiga (final stages of recovering from Tommy John surgery) and Cousins (strained forearm) likely will start the season on IL.

BALTIMORE ORIOLES

2024: 91-71, second place, lost to Kansas City in a Wild Card Series

Manager: Brandon Hyde (seventh season)

Opening Day: Thursday, at Toronto

He’s Here: OF Tyler O’Neill, RHP Andrew Kittredge, RHP Tomoyuki Sugano, OF Ramón Laureano, RHP Charlie Morton, C Gary Sánchez

He’s Outta Here: RHP Corbin Burnes, OF Anthony Santander, C James McCann, LHP John Means, DH Eloy Jiménez, LHP Danny Coulombe, RHP Jacob Webb

Top Hitters: SS Gunnar Henderson, (.281, 37 HRs, 92 RBIs, .893 OPS), 3B Jordan Westburg (.264, 18, 63, .792 OPS), OF Colton Cowser (.242, 24, 69, .768 OPS), C Adley Rutschman (.250, 19, 79, .709 OPS), OF Tyler O’Neill (.241, 31, 61, .847 OPS with Boston)

Projected Rotation: RH Grayson Rodriguez (13-4, 3.86 ERA), RH Zach Eflin (10-9, 3.59 with Tampa Bay and Baltimore), RH Dean Kremer (8-10, 4.10), RH Charlie Morton (8-10, 4.19 with Atlanta), RH Tomoyuki Sugano (15-3, 1.67 with Japan’s Yomiuri Giants)

Key Relievers: RH Félix Bautista (missed 2024 season), RH Andrew Kittredge (5-5, 2.80, 1 save with St. Louis), RH Yennier Cano (4-3, 3.15, 5 saves)

Outlook: After a remarkably successful rebuild that yielded a 101-win season in 2023, the Orioles finally hit some adversity last year, slumping in the second half before being swept out of the playoffs as a wild card. Now Baltimore has to move on without Burnes, an ace who wasn’t replaced by a pitcher of similar stature in the offseason. It feels like anything is possible – both good and bad – with this starting rotation, which is already dealing with an injury to Rodriguez but also has Kyle Bradish working his way back from Tommy John surgery. The bullpen figures to get a boost from Bautista, who is returning from his own Tommy John operation. The lineup is more stable, led by an MVP candidate in Henderson and plenty of young talent elsewhere. If infielder Jackson Holliday improves on a tough rookie campaign, this team could be even better offensively, and top prospect Samuel Basallo has shown off his power this spring.

BOSTON RED SOX

2024: 81-81, third place

Manager: Alex Cora (seventh season, fifth of second stint)

Opening Day: Thursday, at Texas

Here: INF Alex Bregman, RHP Walker Buehler, LHP Garrett Crochet, LHP Aroldis Chapman, LHP Justin Wilson

Outta Here: C Danny Jansen, RHP Luis Garcia, RHP Lucas Sims, RHP Chris Martin, LF Tyler O’Neill, RHP Kenley Jansen, RHP Nick Pivetta, LHP James Paxton

Top Hitters: INF Rafael Devers (.272, 28 HRs, 83 RBIs, .871 OPS), INF Alex Bregman (.260, 26, 75, .768 OPS with Houston), OF Jarren Duran (.285, 21, 75, .834 OPS), OF Wilyer Abreu (.253, 15, 58, .781 OPS), 1B Triston Casas (.241, 13, 32, .800)

Projected Rotation: LH Garrett Crochet (6-12, 3.58 ERA), RH Tanner Houck (9-10, 3.12), RH Walker Buehler (1-6, 5.38), RH Lucas Giolito (8-15, 4.88 with three teams in 2023), RH Quinn Priester (3-6, 4.71 in 11 games, seven starts with Pittsburgh and Boston)

Key Relievers: Liam Hendriks (4-4, 2.81, 37 saves in 41 opportunities in 2022), LH Aroldis Chapman (5-5, 3.79, 14 saves), LH Justin Wilson (1-5, 5.59), RH Garrett Whitlock (1-0, 1.96)

Outlook: Last year’s .500 record snapped a string of back-to-back last-place finishes, and the improvement in the rotation over the offseason gives the Red Sox hope that they might return to the playoffs for the first time since 2021. Crochet came from the White Sox in a trade and could be the ace. Buehler returned from Tommy John surgery for the Dodgers last year and only really clicked in the playoffs, when he pitched 13 consecutive shutout innings over three appearances, including a save in the Game 5 clincher over the New York Yankees. If Giolito can return to form after missing 2024, he is another strong option to go with holdovers Houck and Brayan Bello, who won’t be ready for Opening Day because of shoulder soreness. The big addition in the lineup is Bregman, who is also a Gold Glove third baseman, but Cora will need to manage the defensive positioning to keep Devers happy. The incumbent has led the AL in errors by a third baseman in each of his first seven full seasons, but Cora has so far stood by him.

TAMPA BAY RAYS

2024: 80-82, fourth place

Manager: Kevin Cash (11th season)

Opening Day: Friday, vs. Colorado

He’s Here: C Danny Jansen, SS Ha-Seong Kim, RHP Alex Faedo, DH Eloy Jimenez, RHP Joe Boyle

He’s Outta Here: LHP Jeffrey Springs, LHP Tyler Alexander, LHP Colin Poche, LHP Richard Lovelady, OF Dylan Carlson, OF Jose Siri

Top Hitters: 1B Yandy Diaz (.281, 14 HRs, 65 RBIs), INF-OF Jose Caballero (.227, 9, 44, AL-leading 44 SBs, .630 OPS), INF Ha-Seong Kim (.233, 11, 22 SBs with San Diego), OF Eloy Jimenez (.238, 6, 23 in 98 games with the Chicago White Sox and Baltimore), OF Josh Lowe (.241, 10, 34, 25 SBs), INF Brandon Lowe (.244, 21, 58), 3B Junior Caminero (.248, 6, 18 in 43 games)

Projected Rotation: LH Shane McClanahan (Did not pitch due to injury), RH Zack Littell (8-10, 3.63 ERA, 141 strikeouts, 31 walks), RH Ryan Pepiot (8-8, 3.60), RH Taj Bradley (8-11, 4.11 ERA), RH Shane Baz (4-3, 3.06 ERA)

Key Relievers: RH Pete Fairbanks (3-3, 3.57 ERA, 23 saves), RH Edwin Uceta (2-0, 1.51 ERA, 5 saves), RH Kevin Kelly (5-2, 2.67 ERA), LH Garrett Cleavinger (7-5, 3.75 ERA, 6 saves)

Outlook: The Rays will be playing regular-season home games this season at Steinbrenner Field, the Yankees’ spring training ballpark in Tampa, Florida, after Tropicana Field received major damage from Hurricane Milton last October. A strong beginning will be key as they will play 37 of 54 games at home starting the season to try and avoid as much of Florida’s summer rainy season as possible. McClanahan has been named the Opening Day starter after missing all of last season following his second Tommy John surgery and tops a potentially strong rotation. The Rays, who had a five-year playoff run end in 2024, will need significant offensive improvement to reach the postseason. Tampa Bay hit just .230 last season, which was fourth lowest in the AL. The Rays hit 147 homers, with just the anemic Chicago White Sox (41-121) at 133 homers connecting for fewer in the league. Tampa Bay is hopeful that Jimenez and Jansen can provide long-ball power. Kim will start the season on the injured list with a right shoulder injury that required surgery.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS

2024: 74-88, fifth place

Manager: John Schneider (fourth season)

Opening Day: Thursday, vs. Baltimore Orioles

He’s Here: OF/DH Anthony Santander, RHP Max Scherzer, RHP Jeff Hoffman, 2B Andrés Giménez, RHP Yimi Garcia, RHP Nick Sandlin, OF Myles Straw, RHP Angel Bastardo, Hitting coach David Popkins, Assistant GM David Bell

He’s Outta Here: RHP Jordan Romano, INF Spencer Horwitz, LHP Génesis Cabrera, RHP Dillon Tate, hitting coach Guillermo Martinez

Top Hitters: 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (.323, 30 HRs, 103 RBIs, .940 OPS), OF/DH Anthony Santander (.235, 44, 102, .814 OPS with Baltimore), SS Bo Bichette (.225, 4, 31, .598 OPS in 81 games), RF George Springer (.220, 19, 56), CF Daulton Varsho (.214, 18, 58, won first Gold Glove)

Projected Rotation: RH Kevin Gausman (14-11, 3.83 ERA), RH Max Scherzer (2-4, 3.95 in nine starts with Texas), RH José Berríos (16-11, 3.60), RH Chris Bassitt (10-14, 4.16), RH Bowden Francis (8-5, 3.30)

Key Relievers: RH Jeff Hoffman (3-3, 2.17 ERA, 10/13 saves with Philadelphia), RH Yimi Garcia (3-0, 2.70 ERA, 5 saves in 29 games with Toronto before trade to Seattle), RH Chad Green (4-6, 3.21, 17 saves)

Outlook: With Guerrero and Bichette both eligible for free agency following the 2025 World Series, the Blue Jays are under pressure to deliver in what could be the duo’s final season north of the border. The addition of Santander gives Toronto the cleanup hitter it has lacked since trading away Teoscar Hernández following the 2022 season. The switch-hitting Santander whacked a career-high 44 home runs for Baltimore last year. The Blue Jays hit 156 homers in 2024, the fifth-lowest total in the majors, while their 671 runs ranked as MLB’s 23rd highest total. That lackluster production, a second consecutive season of offensive underperformance, led to the firing of hitting coach Martinez, with Popkins hired to replace him. Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, adds another experienced arm to an already veteran-heavy starting rotation, while Hoffman rejoins the organization that drafted him following a career season with Philadelphia.

​ Orange County Register 

Trump assails judge who blocked deportations as the case heads to appeal

• March 24, 2025

By MICHAEL KUNZELMAN, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Monday questioned the impartiality of the federal judge who blocked his plans to deport Venezuelan immigrants to El Salvador, levelling his criticism only hours before his administration will ask an appeals court to lift the judge’s order.

Just after midnight, Trump posted a social media message calling for Chief Judge James Boasberg to be disbarred. Trump reposted an article about Boasberg’s attendance at a legal conference that purportedly featured “anti-Trump speakers.”

The judge, meanwhile, refused Monday to throw out his original order before an appeals court hearing for the case. Boasberg ruled that the immigrants facing deportation must get an opportunity to challenge their designations as alleged members of the Tren de Aragua gang. He said there is “a strong public interest in preventing the mistaken deportation of people based on categories they have no right to challenge.”

“The public also has a significant stake in the Government’s compliance with the law,” the judge wrote.

Boasberg didn’t immediately decide what form a challenge should take.

The Trump administration has transferred hundreds of Venezuelan immigrants to El Salvador under an 18th century wartime law that hadn’t been invoked since World War II. Flights already were in the air on March 15 when Boasberg agreed to bar the deportations temporarily and ordered planes to return to the U.S. with the deportees. That did not happen.

The administration appealed the order. On Monday afternoon, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit is scheduled to hear attorneys’ arguments.

The Alien Enemies Act allows noncitizens to be deported without the opportunity to go before an immigration or federal court judge. Trump issued a proclamation calling the Tren de Aragua gang an invading force.

Government attorneys argued in a court filing that Boasberg’s order was an “unprecedented intrusion upon the Executive’s authority to remove dangerous aliens who pose grave threats to the American people.”

“And even if reviewable, the President’s action is lawful and based upon a long history of using war authorities against organizations connected to foreign states and national security judgments, which are not subject to judicial second guessing,” they wrote.

Civil rights attorneys who sued to stop the deportations said the “implications of the government’s position are staggering.”

“If the President can designate any group as enemy aliens under the Act, and that designation is unreviewable, then there is no limit on who can be sent to a Salvadoran prison, or any limit on how long they will remain there,” they wrote.

During a hearing Friday, Boasberg vowed to determine whether the government defied his oral order from the bench to turn at least two planes around. The Justice Department has said that the judge’s oral directions did not count, that only his written order needed to be followed and that it couldn’t apply to flights that had already left the U.S.

Trump and some Republican allies have called for impeaching Boasberg, who was nominated by President Barack Obama, a Democrat. In a rare statement, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts said “impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision.”

​ Orange County Register 

Judge blocks DOGE from accessing sensitive information at US agencies

• March 24, 2025

By LEA SKENE, Associated Press

A federal judge on Monday temporarily blocked billionaire Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency from accessing people’s private data at the Education Department, the Treasury Department and the Office of Personnel Management.

U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman issued a preliminary injunction in a case filed last month by a coalition of labor unions in federal court in Maryland. Led by the American Federation of Teachers, the plaintiffs allege Trump’s administration violated federal privacy laws when it gave DOGE access to systems with personal information on tens of millions of Americans without their consent.

Boardman, who was nominated to the federal bench by former President Joe Biden, had previously issued a temporary restraining order. The preliminary injunction offers longer-term relief blocking DOGE access as the case plays out.

The judge found the Trump administration likely violated the law. She said the government failed to adequately explain why DOGE needed access to “millions of records” to perform its job duties.

She also said the Trump administration can still carry out the president’s agenda without receiving unfettered access to a trove of personal data on federal employees and people with student loans and government benefits. That includes their income and asset information, Social Security numbers, birth dates, home addresses and marital and citizenship status.

“They trusted the federal government to safeguard their information. That public trust likely has been breached,” Boardman wrote in her opinion.

The lawsuit accused the Trump administration of handing over sensitive data for reasons beyond its intended use, violating the Privacy Act. Instead of carrying out the functions of the federal student loan program, the lawsuit says, DOGE has been accessing loan data “for purposes of destroying” the Education Department.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order last week to dismantle the department, saying that student loans will be handled by the Small Business Administration and programs involving students with disabilities will be shifted to the Department of Health and Human Services.

His administration says DOGE is targeting waste across the federal government by addressing alleged fraud and upgrading technology.

One of the nation’s largest teachers unions, the American Federation of Teachers says it represents 1.8 million workers in education, health care and government. Also joining the suit were six people with sensitive information stored in federal systems, including military veterans who received federal student loans and other federal benefit payments.

The suit also was backed by the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.

The injunction, which could be challenged on appeal, is limited to protecting the personal information of the individual plaintiffs and members of the groups.

“No matter how important or urgent the President’s DOGE agenda may be, federal agencies must execute it in accordance with the law,” Boardman wrote. “That likely did not happen in this case.”

In a separate Maryland case last week, a judge temporarily blocked DOGE from accessing Social Security databases that similarly contain vast amounts of personal information.

​ Orange County Register 

Laguna Beach church submits plan for affordable housing and spirit center

• March 24, 2025

A Laguna Beach church that wants to take advantage of state legislation streamlining the process for religious institutions and schools to build affordable housing on their properties has submitted an updated application to the city for a mixed-use, 44-unit affordable development.

Related California, a company operated by longtime Laguna Beach resident Bill Witte, has partnered with the Neighborhood Congregational Church to propose a beachy-looking development at the church’s property at Glenneyre Street and St. Ann’s Drive.

The location is within walking distance to downtown, popular surf beaches, shopping, restaurants and Laguna Beach High. It also includes a plan for a modern-looking spirit center and a community gathering spot.

“We had this dream to create this place in Laguna Beach focused on love and justice, while also promoting economic equity,” said The Rev. Rod Echols, the church’s pastor. “That commitment to economic equity placed us in a really interesting space, an ability to look at affordable housing with clear eyes to see the need and how we might be able to fulfill the need in our own town.”

“Laguna Beach needs more affordable housing, and it needs it for seniors, artists and many others who work lower-wage jobs,” Echols added.

The proposal calls for a mix of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments that could be homes for extremely low-income households, people with disabilities, and homeless people. In a subterranean parking structure, there would be one space per unit and another 41 spaces for the public and the church.

The new development proposal is a reduction of nearly 40% from an initial proposal last year that would have included 72 units.

The 7,000-square-foot spirit center would be available for community gatherings, weddings, meditation and cultural events.

Under California legislation enacted in 2023, 100% affordable housing projects are exempt from the typical environmental review process, and the law requires the approval process to take place within 90 days of an application being submitted.

Echols said, as with many other churches, Neighborhood Congregational Church has experienced declining membership and its facilities are going underutilized. Over several years, the membership has been thinking about better using the property to “deepen the benefit for the community,” he said.

And, as with many other California cities, Laguna Beach faces state mandates to plan for more affordable housing. The city must plan for and accommodate the development of 394 housing units over the next five years; at least 198 units should be earmarked for lower-income households.

“Only four more years are left,” Echols said. “Our project helps the city fulfill these goals.”

He added that the average rent for a 590-square-foot, one-bedroom apartment in Laguna Beach is approximately $2,600 a month, which he said is 73% higher than the national average rent. He said priority for the new units the project would build would be given to those who work in town.

“Even more than numbers, we understand that safe, affordable housing makes the most dramatic impact on families,” Echols said. “There is a dramatic need in our community for more affordable housing.”

In May, the Laguna Beach City Council identified the church site and the former Ti Amo Restaurant, another city-owned property in South Laguna, as potential locations for affordable housing. Both also appeared in the city Housing Element.

A month earlier, the council had voted to pull money from other housing-related funds to create a trust fund to support affordable development. The new pot of money is meant to help with rent subsidies, accessory dwelling unit development loans and new affordable units.

The city then put out the notice of the new funding opportunity, pledging up to $2.5 million from the housing trust fund to match state grants projects might receive. Developers responded with project proposals to build housing at those two locations.

However, the plan, especially at the church property, drew concern from neighbors who worried about the size of the initially proposed project and its impacts on the neighborhood vibe and their views. They also expressed concern that it would add even more traffic congestion to an already heavily traveled area. There are still signs up opposing the project’s size.

In October, Echols said people representing 200 households within 500 feet of the project attended a meeting about the development. The church has also sent letters to 60 neighbors and emails to 300 residents who have asked to be kept informed. He said he and others have attended 16-plus meetings to familiarize neighbors and interested community groups about the project.

“The feedback we gained has been helpful and made a difference; we heard really good ideas,” he said, adding that a third level was removed from the proposal. “Many of those ideas have been incorporated into our project. The input has yielded a reduction in units by nearly 40%.”

The project will also widen the sidewalks along Glenneyre and create more community space for residents and the public, additional parking and landscaping, he said.

Witte, who said he and his family have lived in Laguna Beach for more than 30 years, said he already has a proven track record of successfully building affordable housing in town, pointing to the 26-unit Alice Court built 21 years ago. The low-income housing is also on Glenneyre Street,  just a few blocks closer to the city’s downtown.

“Because of our local connection, the church decided to work with us,” Witte said, adding that his company has an extensive portfolio throughout the state and has built many affordable housing projects.

“Most people would never know it’s affordable housing,” he said of Alice Court.

​ Orange County Register 

70-unit Westside Costa Mesa affordable housing project for seniors approved

• March 24, 2025

A 70-unit senior affordable housing complex approved by the City Council at its last meeting could be opened by 2027 in Westside Costa Mesa.

The affordable housing project will take over part of the parking lot at the Costa Mesa Senior Center at 19th Street and Pomona Avenue. The excess space was identified as a potential spot for adding more affordable housing for seniors as far back as the early 1990s.

“This is a needed project,” Costa Mesa Mayor John Stephens said March 18 before the council unanimously voted to approve the project. “There is no other demographic or group at risk of homelessness more than our seniors.”

The plan is for construction to start later in November this year and welcome the first residents in fall 2027. Priority will be given to Costa Mesa seniors who meet income requirements.

Jamboree Housing Corporation, an affordable housing developer in the region, will lease the land from the city for $1 a year. The project is also supported by county funds and housing vouchers, the waiving of city fees and federal grant money.

City Manager Lori Ann Farrell Harrison said the federal grant money is already in the city’s account after Councilmember Andrea Marr raised concerns about the potential loss of  funding amid recent news the Trump administration had ordered the freezing of some aid.

The apartment building will be four stories with 35 units for low-income seniors and another 34 for very-low income seniors. One unit will be set aside for a manager.

There will be a fitness room, computer room, pet spa and dog run. The building will have no setback along West 19th Street.

Stephens said Jamboree’s housing developments are first class and typically the nicest complexes in the neighborhood once they are built. “I have no doubt that that will be true here,” he said.

Stephens said the average age of somebody homeless in Costa Mesa is over 60. From 2022 to 2024, Costa Mesa saw a 45% increase in its unsheltered homeless population.

Officials said a parking study indicated there will be enough spaces for both the Senior Center and the housing development, which will have covered parking under the building.

Councilmember Arlis Reynolds, who represents the area, lauded the project and said it is an excellent central location with access to transit, the Senior Center and neighborhoods to walk in.

“It allows seniors to be centered in our community,” she said. “I think so many senior housing projects move seniors out to the corners of the community where they don’t necessarily get to interact with the rest of the community on a daily basis.”

​ Orange County Register