MLB News & Moments You Should Know - 8/29

Stay updated on everything baseball with our morning MLB News & Moments articles. We’ve got you covered to keep you in the know.

Today’s Headlines

Verlander Exits Early with Calf Injury

Few things in this year’s baseball season are as surprising as Justin Verlander’s hasty return to his pre-Tommy John self. If a pitcher is ever to return to their pre-surgery self, that tends to happen in their second season back since the operation. Verlander has gone beyond defying that trend and has kept his ERA below 2.00 through 152 innings.

The righty had been cruising through the season until he left Sunday’s game against the Orioles after throwing just 60 pitches through three innings. Houston announced that Verlander exited early due to “right calf discomfort.”

Verlander will undergo an MRI on Monday. Even if there is no structural damage and the injury is not so serious, it is plausible that Houston may give the pitcher a short stint on the injured list to avoid any further complications and to keep him fresh for October.

Dusty Baker said Justin Verlander will get some “imaging” on his calf tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/NKCjXtBUMu

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) August 28, 2022

Minor Leaguers One Step Closer to Unionizing

Over the last several years, public awareness has spread regarding the plight of many minor leaguers. Minor leaguers are often subject to difficult living conditions among other things, but most importantly are paid minuscule wages and sometimes not compensated at all for certain activities. There is no formal way for minor leaguers to advocate for themselves since they do not have a union. On Sunday evening, however, minor leaguers advanced one step closer to unionizing.

Joon Lee of ESPN first reported this development with a photo of a card that will be sent out to minor leaguers for them to vote on whether or not they would like to be represented by the MLB Players Association.

Minor leaguers by themselves likely would not possess enough leverage to produce a successful union. Choosing to be represented by the MLB Players Association, however, may lead to a product in which meaningful advocacy for minor leaguers can be facilitated.

BREAKING: Minor Leaguers have been sent a card to vote on designating the MLBPA as their collective bargaining representative

More to come at https://t.co/9R0lQQcyRF pic.twitter.com/yhaNDfTlBM

— Joon Lee (@joonlee) August 29, 2022

Mets’ Offense Fails to Capitalize on Another Scherzer Gem

The only person who pitched better than Max Scherzer in the borough of Queens on Sunday was Germán Márquez. The Rockies’ righty lasted seven frames allowing no runs on just one hit and a pair of free passes. He also struck out five Mets batters and lowered his ERA to 4.97.

Mets’ batter managed to reach base just five times during Sunday’s action. The Mets still have the second-best record in the National League and did win the series, but winning as much as possible is essential if they wish to protect their first-place spot.

Although Márquez allowed fewer baserunners and runs, Scherzer struck out more than double the number of batters in the same number of innings. He struck out 11, getting batters to whiff 18 times. The veteran also allowed one run on four hits and one walk.

A matchup that appeared to clearly be in Scherzer’s favor ended up turning into a pitchers’ duel with him on the losing end.

Best Moments From Yesterday

Waino Mic’d up for Warmups

Adam Wainwright was mic’d up during his warmup session in the bullpen for Sunday Night Baseball. During the conversation, he explained his relationship with routine and superstition offering unique insights into the mind of one of the best pitchers from the last couple of decades.

Adam Wainwright: Routine vs. Superstition. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/OfwMblF60o

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 29, 2022

Manoah Welcomes Ryan Aguilar to the Show

The Angels’ Ryan Aguilar collected his first major league hit and was met with a nice message from Blue Jays’ starter, Alek Manoah, on the ball.

Here’s the ball Alek Manoah signed for Ryan Aguilar after collecting his first hit in the big leagues. Baseball is the absolute best. pic.twitter.com/WM8qjgn26I

— Erica Weston (@EricaLWeston) August 28, 2022

White Sox Fans are Tired

White Sox fans are clearly fed up with the mediocrity of their team. This feeling culminated over the weekend when several Chicago fans in the bleachers displayed a sign aimed at ownership.

White Sox fans have seen enough

(via @frecke6) pic.twitter.com/illyD8vUSd

— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) August 28, 2022

Watch Wade Fly…Then Slide

LaMonte Wade Jr. made a catch on Sunday that you will rarely see made. The left fielder made it all the way from his position to the left field line to make a spectacular grab on a ball that was quickly dying and capped off the play with a smooth slide.