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MLB News & Moments You Should Know – Aug. 20

Mike Trout back in Angels' lineup; Braves' Marcell Ozuna arrested.

Steve Drumwright
MLB Morning News 8/20/2022

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

Can you sense the intensity picking up with each day? Suddenly, some teams have about 40 games left, which makes the end of the season seem way too close. Home runs, blown saves, and injuries also take on greater significance. Friday saw one superstar back in action and another player finds legal trouble.

 

Today’s Headlines

 

Trout Returns To Angels

It won’t affect the team’s playoff chances, but center fielder Mike Trout is back with the Los Angeles Angels. Trout was activated from the 10-day injured list following his back injury. Trout had been out since leaving a July 12 game with what was originally diagnosed as a ribcage injury. Shortly thereafter, Angels trainer Mike Frostad said Trout had a “costovertebral dysfunction” in his back that was “pretty rare” and would need a lot of treatment. The Angels entered Friday’s action 51-67 and 25 games behind the first-place Houston Astros in the American League West. Trout wasted little time showing he didn’t need a rehab assignment, smoking a single to left in his first at-bat.

Braves’ Ozuna Arrested For DUI

Since signing a four-year, $65 million contract before the 2021 season, outfielder Marcell Ozuna has been nothing but a problem for the Atlanta Braves. The latest chapter came when Ozuna was arrested in the early-morning hours Friday on suspicion of DUI. This comes 15 months after a domestic-violence incident that led to him entering a diversion program and receiving six months of probation. Ozuna was suspended 20 games by MLB for that incident.

Rodriguez Reinstated By Tigers

After missing more than two months due to a family situation, left-handed starter Eduardo Rodriguez was reinstated off the restricted list by the Detroit Tigers. Right-hander Wily Peralta was designated for assignment to clear room for Rodriguez. Originally, Rodriguez, just signed to a five-year, $77 million contract, went on the injured list in May due to a ribcage sprain. But in the early stages of a rehab assignment, Rodriguez left without informing the team of his plans, later reported to be a marital issue. He recently resumed his rehab assignment and returns to hopefully stabilize a beleaguered rotation.

DeRosa To Manage U.S. In WBC

Mark DeRosa, a 16-year MLB veteran who played for eight teams, will manage the Americans in the World Baseball Classic, USA Baseball announced. DeRosa has never coached professionally but has remained around the game as an analyst for MLB Network. The U.S. won the last WBC in 2017, its only title. DeRosa played for the 2009 U.S. team in the WBC, notching a team-high nine RBIs.

 

Best Moments From Yesterday

Injured Little Leaguer Honored At World Series

Easton Oliverson, the player from the Snow Canyon, Utah, team at the Little League World Series, has been at the center of everyone’s thoughts in Williamsport, Pa. after he fell out of his bunk bed a few days ago and fractured his skull. He was given a standing ovation when his younger brother, Brogan, came to the plate for the first time. Brogan replaced Easton on Snow Canyon’s roster. The family started an Instagram page to update Easton’s status, which included him walking Friday.

He Is A Natural

Oswaldo Cabrera is the 12th-ranked prospect in the New York Yankees system and No. 3 shortstop, according to Baseball America. He was called up to the majors Wednesday and played third base and shortstop in his first two games. On Friday, he was the starting right fielder, a position he has played just three games in the minors, catching seven fly balls and committing an error. So of course, Cabrera was tested immediately as Toronto Blue Jays leadoff hitter Lourdes Gurriel Jr. launched the first pitch of the game toward the right-field wall. Cabrera let his athleticism take over, and he made a terrific catch, robbing a home run.

First Things First

Sometimes, the moment just overwhelms you, regardless of the situation, and you forget to do the most basic of things. That happened to Baltimore Orioles shortstop Jorge Mateo when he cranked out a three-run blast in the bottom of the second to erase a 2-0 deficit to the Boston Red Sox. Only he missed first base, forcing him to retreat and touch the bag. It wasn’t his first career homer; it was the 12th of the season and 16th of his young career.

 

Injuries and Other Moves

 

Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto, already on the IL and ruled out for the season, had surgery to repair his left rotator cuff. He could return in spring training.

Colorado Rockies right-handed starter Antonio Senzatela went on the 15-day IL with a torn left ACL. Right-hander Jhoulys Chacín was activated off the IL. Senzatela is expected to miss six to eight months, which could impact his 2023 season.

Houston Astros left fielder Yordan Alvarez left Friday’s game in the fifth inning due to shortness of breath and was taken to a hospital, where he was reported to be in stable condition. His replacement, Mauricio Dubón, was injured in the next inning, crashing into the center-field fence and sustaining a left elbow contusion.

The Chicago White Sox officially announced the signing of shortstop Elvis Andrus, who had been released by the Oakland A’s this week.

Right-hander Kevin Herget, who has pitched exclusively in the minors for nine seasons, was called up by the Tampa Bay Rays. He was a 39th-round draft choice in 2013 and started this season in independent ball.

Outfielder Brett Phillips was designated for assignment by the Baltimore Orioles. Phillips was DFA’d by the Rays at the trade deadline. Outfield prospect Kyle Stowers was called up.

Miami Marlins right-handed reliever Anthony Bender, who went on the IL this week, will have Tommy John surgery.

 

Articles You Should Read

 

Cardinals’ Yadier Molina already has a plan for next career after retirement — James Wagner, New York Times

A barrier-breaking game 67 years ago changed Little League forever — Brian Murphy, MLB.com

There is an alternative to robot umps that could satisfy everyone — Anthony Castrovince, MLB.com

Veronica Alvarez right at home as interim manager for A’s affiliate — Matt Kawahara, San Francisco Chronicle

Top Giants prospect Marco Luciano is happier than ever — Andrew Baggerly, The Athletic

 

Fantasy Baseball Coverage

 

Starting Pitcher Roundup

Hitter Performances

Reliever Ranks

Starting Pitcher Streamers

 

Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)

Steve Drumwright

Steve Drumwright is a lifelong baseball fan who retired as a player before he had the chance to be cut from the freshman team in high school. He recovered to become a sportswriter and have a successful journalism career at newspapers in Wisconsin and California. Follow him on Twitter and Threads @DrummerWrites.

One response to “MLB News & Moments You Should Know – Aug. 20”

  1. iiJayBee says:
    August 20, 2022 at 10:50 AM

    The article on robot umps was good, worth reading. Please fix the link to it.

    Reply

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