Happy Sunday! Let’s dive into some MLB news you should know.
Twins injury report
Just two days after Byron Buxton exited the game during the first inning on Thursday with knee soreness, the Twins were down another player. Right-handed All-Star Sonny Gray was removed from Saturday’s game against the Red Sox. Gray started grabbing at his right hamstring.
After a visit to the mound by trainer Michael Salazar and manager Rocco Baldelli, Gray exited the game, and Josh Winder took over. Gray is considered day-to-day.
Ohtani is getting hot
Shohei Ohtani has now hit three home runs in just two games. Ohtani knocked a 384 ft into right field in the eighth inning. The Angels won 7-2 against the Rangers. The Rangers seem to be having a tough time against Shohei already.
Shohei Ohtani is heating up!
That's three homers in his past two games. pic.twitter.com/JcT7UAhKT2
— MLB (@MLB) April 17, 2022
Donaldson – bringer of hail
In a strange turn of events, it started to hail at Camden Yards. But if we know anything about weird weather delays, it often shifts the momentum. Enter Josh Donaldson.
Hail is coming down at Camden Yards! pic.twitter.com/BBw56C12nf
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) April 17, 2022
Donaldson broke the tied game, pushing the Yankees up 5-2 against the Orioles. It was his first home run in pinstripes.
Josh Donaldson’s first Yankee homer! pic.twitter.com/7OrgkwlIaF
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) April 17, 2022
Perhaps Josh Donaldson should change his Twitter name from @bringerofrain20 to @bringerofhail.
Home run ties
CJ Cron hit his second home run of the evening on Saturday night against the Cubs. This home run was Cron’s fifth of the season, tying him with Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
CJ Cron legitimately might have a thousand feet worth of home runs tonight after taking two swings. pic.twitter.com/9Dqr1l0xMy
— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) April 17, 2022
Petco Park scuffle
Tension was high between Kenley Jansen and home plate umpire Bill Miller. The Atlanta closer had a shortened warmup against the Padres after Miller wouldn’t allow Jansen to continue due to the time it had already taken between innings.
Jansen tried to continue throwing additional pitches until Miller decided to stand between the mound and home plate.
Atlanta manager Brian Snitker left the dugout in an attempt to ease the situation before any escalation occurred. Ron Washington went to the mound to help Jansen calm down. Jansen eventually conceded after a conference with the infield at the mound.
Pitching news
Last night, Hunter Greene set an MLB record for the most 100.0+ mph pitches (38 and counting) in a game.
Justin Verlander showed signs of what once made him the best pitcher in the American League last night in Seattle. After coming back from Tommy John surgery, the Astros star pitcher had his first win since July 2020. Verlander pitched three-hit ball over eight innings for the Astros to beat the Mariners 4-0.
This solid performance comes just a day after watching the Mariners pile up 11 runs on Houston.
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)