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A rare full slate of games on a Monday with several teams’ home openers made for a busy night. Let’s get into it!
Today’s Headlines
Anthony Rendon Suspended
MLB announced a suspension for Anthony Rendon for five games after his altercation with a fan over the weekend in Oakland. A negotiated settlement between MLB and MLBPA reduced it to four games, and Rendon began his suspension Monday night. Rendon has said that he and the fan have apologized to each other, so hopefully, all parties are satisfied and can move forward amicably.
MLB Suspends Anthony Rendon For Five Games Due To Fan Altercation https://t.co/SwT2sEX0nu pic.twitter.com/uQ14VkkBET
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) April 3, 2023
Friars Walk it Off
Ha-Seong Kim hit the second of two homers in the bottom of the ninth to walk off the Diamondbacks, 5-4. David Dahl hit the game-tying homer as a pinch hitter to set up Kim’s heroics. The Padres are now 3-2.
There was no doubt about this #walkoff! pic.twitter.com/uyiX9IckkQ
— MLB (@MLB) April 4, 2023
Bryan Reynolds Homers Twice
Bryan Reynolds either really wants to be traded, or is really making the case for a long-term extension with the Pirates. He had two homers, and the Bucs needed them both as they got by the Red Sox, 7-6.
BRYAN REYNOLDS AGAIN! pic.twitter.com/C2G80r4yoV
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) April 4, 2023
Yordan Hits the Century Mark
Meanwhile, Yordan Alvarez hit his 100th home run in just 372 career games played, the fifth-fastest to that mark in MLB history. Unfortunately for the Astros, it wasn’t enough as the Tigers edged out Houston 7-6 in 11 innings. The Phillies are now MLB’s only winless team.
Yordan Alvarez gets No. 100! pic.twitter.com/M5Z37QYa2S
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) April 4, 2023
Giant Day for Dingers
The Giants smacked a bajillion homers in a 12-3 rout against the White Sox Monday afternoon. David Villar had a two-homer day, including a solo shot and a grand slam.
The Bay Area boys brought the power to the Windy City! pic.twitter.com/M9Rpflj2mf
— MLB (@MLB) April 3, 2023
Best Moments From Yesterday
Brice Turang Hits First Career Homer, Nickname Revealed
Brewers rookie Brice Turang made his first career home run in the big leagues count, smashing a grand slam off Tommy Hunter as part of a seven-run fifth inning against the Mets. Turang was (deservedly) excited, to say the least. Teammate Garrett Mitchell noted, “Slim Shady, he’s the man.”
BRICE TURANG GRAND SLAM 😱
What a way to get your first-career HR 👏
(via @MLB)pic.twitter.com/fvneFmWnXf
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 3, 2023
Pictured: Three of the Best Players Ever
Shohei Ohtani and Mariners special assistant Ichiro Suzuki caught up on the field before the Angels and Mariners series kicked off on Monday night. If anyone has audio of their conversation, please, I’ll pay anything. We need this.
Game recognize game. 🇯🇵❤️ pic.twitter.com/pqDvkpliS3
— MLB (@MLB) April 4, 2023
Gallo is Back?
Don’t look now, but Joey Gallo has three home runs in two games. Gallo struggled last year, clubbing “only” 19 round-trippers with a sub-.300 OBP. If he can get back to a 30-homer, mid-.300s on-base percentage, the Twins’ chances in the AL Central get a significant boost.
Joey Gallo is heating up. That's 3 home runs in 2 days!
(MLB x @Adobe) pic.twitter.com/t1PvUNLqgs
— MLB (@MLB) April 3, 2023
Injuries
Everyone’s favorite fantasy breakout candidate, Lars Nootbaar, was placed on the 10-day IL with a thumb contusion. Nootbaar apparently tested it out in the outfield before the game, so hopefully, this won’t be too long of an absence.
Johnny Cueto left his start against the Twins in the second inning with an apparent injury. Cueto was good for the White Sox last year, pitching a 3.35 ERA and 3.79 FIP. The Marlins signed Cueto to a one-year deal in the offseason with a club option for 2024.
Good news from Liam Hendriks, who recorded a video for the White Sox saying he’s beginning his last round of chemotherapy on Monday, and hopes to be back soon. Best wishes to Hendriks for a speedy recovery.
Madison Bumgarner struggled through his first outing, allowing five runs in four innings. After going in for testing for “arm fatigue,” D-backs manager Torey Lovullo reported that all was good, and Bumgarner is expected to make his next scheduled start on Friday.
Articles You Should Read
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Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)