Today’s Headlines
The Rangers Dismiss Manager Chris Woodward
The Texas Rangers announced a change of leadership on Monday. Manager Chris Woodward was fired after nearly three years at the helm. Third base coach Tony Beasley was named the team’s interim manager beginning with Monday night’s game against the A’s.
Texas Rangers dismiss Chris Woodward as manager. pic.twitter.com/1d1ZLDp73f
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) August 15, 2022
Texas played their way to a 211-287 record under Woodward’s direction, including a 51-63 record so far in the 2022 campaign. Although the Rangers aren’t in playoff contention this season, the move comes only a year after Woodward signed a contract extension through 2023.
When he signed the extension last November, president of baseball operations Jon Daniels even went so far as to describe the deal as a “foregone conclusion” and refer to Woodward as the heart and soul of the organization.
Daniels and general manager Chris Young framed the dismissal squarely as a move toward becoming more competitive from 2023 onward.
In the meantime, interim manager Tony Beasley will do his best to ensure the Rangers finish their season on a positive note. He brings a wealth of both minor- and major-league coaching experience to the role. He’s been part of the Rangers organization since 2015 after stints as third base coach for the Pirates and Nationals.
Dodgers’ Buehler Will Miss Rest of Season to Surgery
Los Angeles announced on Monday that ace Walker Buehler will undergo season-ending elbow surgery on August 23.
Walker Buehler will have season-ending elbow surgery on August 23 performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 15, 2022
It’s a huge blow for MLB’s Goliath. If the Dodgers had any weakness heading into 2022, it was a lack of depth in their starting rotation. They’ve hit their worst-case scenario with Andrew Heaney, Dustin May, Clayton Kershaw, and Buehler all spending extended time on the IL. Now, they’ll have to make their way through the remaining month of the regular season and the postseason without him.
The good news is that May is expected to return from the IL this Saturday and can slot right into the rotation. Additionally, Urias and Gonsolin have been reliably dominant and Heaney has looked strong when he’s healthy.
Every team faces adversity through an MLB season. If there’s one team that can absorb the loss of a pitcher of Buehler’s caliber and win in the postseason anyway, it’s the Dodgers.
Best Moments From Yesterday
Mariners Outfielders Help Angels Hit Home Run
With two outs and nobody on in the bottom of the first, Angels infielder Luis Rengifo crushed a Luis Castillo fastball into center field. Seattle’s Julio Rodríguez had a good jump on it… but so did fellow outfielder Mitch Haniger. The two converged on the ball, and this was the result:
Luis Rengifo's triple was changed to a HR upon review. The #Angels tied it 1-1 after Jesse Winker hit a HR off Shohei Ohtani in the top of the inning. pic.twitter.com/QAA1F87ygB
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) August 16, 2022
Javy Baez Proves He Will Swing at Anything
Facing Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase down 4-1 in the bottom of the ninth, the notoriously free-swinging Baez saw a pitch he liked and golfed it into center field. The problem was, the ball in question happened to get a face full of dirt before Baez’s bat made contact.
Javy Báez flew out to CF on a slider that hit the dirt 😭 pic.twitter.com/jaIPkELrAL
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) August 15, 2022
The hit fell harmlessly into the glove of center fielder Miles Straw for the out. It’s hard to know whether we should be impressed or dismayed by Baez’s performance, but regardless it was an entertaining sequence.
Mookie Earns a Life-Long Fan
As he came out to warm up on Monday, Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts noticed a kid in the stands holding a sign that said, “Mookie, wanna play catch?” Being the consummate pro he is, he exchanged a few lobs with his new number one fan.
This is why mother's across America love Mookie Betts.👏👏 https://t.co/UUcCo7wCKp
— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) August 16, 2022
Injuries
- Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler will miss the rest of the season to elbow surgery
- Yankee’s second baseman DJ LeMahieu has inflammation in his toe and is day-to-day
- Diamondback’s second baseman was not in the lineup Monday due to hamstring issues
- White Sox outfielder Luis Robert missed another game to a wrist injury
- Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña was removed from the lineup due to neck stiffness
- Guardians first baseman Josh Naylor left the game with an ankle injury
Articles You Should Read
- The Leadoff: Previewing the Week Ahead – Steve Drumwright
Fantasy Baseball Coverage
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)