Stay updated on everything baseball with our morning MLB News & Moments articles. We’ve got you covered to keep you in the know.
Hope you had a restful and reflective Memorial Day Weekend. MLB featured 11 games on the schedule, with wall-to-wall contests from noon eastern through a 9:40 pm start.
Today’s Headlines
Hendriks Returns
Liam Hendriks was activated off the IL on Monday, and made his first appearance since announcing his non-Hodgkins lymphoma diagnosis in January. It was a 1-2-3 inning for the White Sox closer, and hopefully a harbinger of more devastating sliders and good health to come.
Comeback complete.
Liam Hendriks fires a strike for his first pitch of the 2023 season. 💚 pic.twitter.com/GwTyLXlgUC
— MLB (@MLB) May 30, 2023
The Stro Show
Marcus Stroman threw an absolute gem Monday, going 9 innings and striking out 8 while giving up just one hit and walk apiece against the… (checks notes) Rays? They’re human after all!
The Greatest Stroman. pic.twitter.com/dO4aiRMUle
— MLB (@MLB) May 29, 2023
Padres Claim Gary Sánchez
The Padres have struggled to get offensive production from their catchers this season, and as a result were quick to scoop up Sánchez, who the Mets had designated for assignment last week.
For his part, Sánchez has appeared in just three game for the Mets in 2023, but over the past two seasons has been around a league-average hitter. The Padres catchers meanwhile, have managed just a 35 wRC+ so far.
The San Diego Padres are signing Gary Sanchez, per @sdutKevinAcee & @Miriamluzzzz pic.twitter.com/fHIIjLcyzb
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) May 29, 2023
Best Moments From Yesterday
Royce Rolls
Twins top prospect Royce Lewis made his 2023 major league debut after tearing his ACL last season, and kicked it off with a fairly good game, going 2-5 with a homer, four RBI, and the game-tying single. The Twins beat the Astros by two, and Lewis continues his hot hitting that began with his 10-game stint in the minors this season, where he hit .333/.371/.727 with four homers.
One year to the day that he tore his ACL, former No. 1 overall pick Royce Lewis returns and hits a homer! 👏 pic.twitter.com/t0lCVUqnIh
— MLB (@MLB) May 29, 2023
More Homer Theft in Oakland
Atlanta left fielder Eddie Rosario robbed a homer from Aledmys Díaz, marking the second day in a row Atlanta has taken one back from the A’s. Surely this will be the worst thing to happen to the Oakland club this year.
Back-to-back days with a home run robbery for the @Braves! pic.twitter.com/3yZk7K8G5Q
— MLB (@MLB) May 30, 2023
Victory Vest!
Oh your team celebrates homers? That’s cute. The Diamondbacks unveiled a victory vest after a 7-5 win over the Rockies. Honestly? I think it’s pretty rad. Even more rad, the D-backs are 31-23, the third-best record in the National League.
Victory vest for the snakes out west. pic.twitter.com/Qc860ORfcT
— Cut4 (@Cut4) May 29, 2023
Injuries
Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar was removed from Monday’s game with back spasms. The Cardinals are calling it day-to-day.
The Rays keep winning, but their pitching depth is really being put to the test. Pete Fairbanks was placed on the 15-day IL on Monday with left hip inflammation. He is scheduled for an MRI to determine the extent of the injury.
Cedric Mullins had to leave the game after attempting to beat out a grounder in the eighth inning of the Orioles’ loss to the Guardians on Monday. The extent of strain is not yet known, but any absence will be a tough one for the Orioles, who were enjoying Mullins’ fantastic season (133 wRC+, 8 HR, 13 SB) in the early going.
Articles You Should Read
Former Brewer Keon Broxton Returns to Wisconsin with the Monarchs, Trying to Get Back to MLB – Ricardo Torres, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
‘Liam! Liam!’ Hendriks Welcomed Back to Mound with Thundering Ovation – Scott Merkin, MLB.com
Fantasy Baseball Coverage
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Week Nine
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)
Glad to see Hendriks back, but he most certainly did not have a 1-2-3 inning, unless you mean 1 BB, 2 ER, and 3 hits.