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Today’s Headlines
Orioles to call up Holliday
The Orioles are finally promoting top prospect Jackson Holliday to the Majors, as the rookie should make his MLB debut playing second base at historic Fenway Park. While it was surprising that Holliday did not make the Opening Day team following an impressive spring, it was only a matter of time before Baltimore made the call. His last seasoning in AAA simply showed that he was too much for that level, as the lefty was slashing .333/.482/.595 with a couple of homers and more walks than strikeouts. With the early call-up, Holliday should be able to accrue a full year of service time if he stays on the active roster for the rest of the season, as the Orioles continue to impress with their young core.
The Orioles will reportedly call up @MLBPipeline's No. 1 overall prospect Jackson Holliday, per multiple reports including https://t.co/Z3s2EpgF39's @Feinsand. pic.twitter.com/ASXAZif5wc
— MLB (@MLB) April 10, 2024
Glasnow that’s what I call Ks
Following the blockbuster trade that brought him to Los Angeles, righty Tyler Glasnow delivered one of the best starts of his career. Facing the Twins in Minnesota, Glasnow was impressive and efficient with his offerings, finishing his performance with a career-high 14 strikeouts over seven innings, needing only 88 pitches while scattering three hits. The Dodgers cruised to a 6-3 win, backed by homers from James Outman and the season’s first for Will Smith. Glasnow is now 3-0 with a 2.25 ERA, becoming an early front-runner for the NL Cy Young conversation, while the Dodgers became the first NL team to reach 10 wins.
Tyler Glasnow was nasty tonight.
A career-high 14 strikeouts over 7 IP. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/K0lQN48Hc5
— MLB (@MLB) April 10, 2024
Yankee Double Digits
Over in the AL, the Yankees joined the 10-win club by taking a narrow win against the lowly Marlins. Despite the uncertainty looming from Gerrit Cole’s injury, the Bombers have found different heroes seemingly in every game, with today’s standout being the beleaguered Carlos Rodón. The lefty, who had a truly terrible 2023, earned his first win of the season and lowered his ERA to 1.72, allowing only a couple of unearned runs over 6 innings, in which he struck out six. While New York’s offense was limited to only 7 hits, they also worked 7 walks and made the most of it, with timely RBIs from Giancarlo Stanton and Juan Soto, capped by an Alex Verdugo solo homerun. As the stat below says, such fast starts usually portend good things for the Yankees.
The @Yankees have won 10 of their first 12 games for just the fourth time since 1920.
Each of the other three times (2003, 1949, and 1922) … they won the AL pennant. 👀 pic.twitter.com/XkuRMRl56y
— MLB (@MLB) April 10, 2024
Best Moments From Yesterday
A Touching Tribute to Wake
The Boston Red Sox were the last team to host their home opener in 2024, but theirs was probably the most memorable one of all. In addition to honoring the 20-year anniversary of the 2004 championship team, they also provided a memorable montage and a tribute video remembering the late Tim Wakefield, who was an integral part of that squad and the franchise as a whole. As always, baseball is the best.
An ode to Wake ❤️
🎙️ Terry Francona | @RedSox pic.twitter.com/W1rJjdwn84
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) April 9, 2024
The Captain Wins It
In what ended up being an extremely weird game, Royals captain Salvador Perez delivered a clutch hit in the tenth inning to earn a walk-off win for Kansas City. Lefty Cole Ragans allowed 10 hits and a walk over five innings but somehow limited the damage to only three runs from the Astros. The upstart Royals tied it and their bullpen came up big with five scoreless innings, paving the way for Perez’s heroics.
Salvy walks it off for the @Royals! 👑 pic.twitter.com/b8nGK6bOk8
— MLB (@MLB) April 10, 2024
Shea with the Trey
It’s hard to be an Oakland A’s fan these days. Between the ownership’s debacle and the poor on-field product, it is hard to think that this team used to be competitive and with a small-but-rowdy fanbase. For a day, it was all as good for the Athletics, courtesy of their catcher. Shea Langeliers hit three homers, with the last one turning a one-run deficit into a one-run lead in the top of the ninth, leading Oakland to their fourth win of the season.
Shea strikes again 😤 pic.twitter.com/CDIQgZGJow
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) April 10, 2024
Trout continues Revenge Tour
When Shohei Ohtani left in the offseason, it was assumed that the Angels would probably capitulate. Instead, they have started the season by playing competitive ball, reminding us many times that they still had arguably the best player of the past decade. Mike Trout hit his sixth homer of the season, which tied him for the league lead. The blast came off a classic Trout uppercut swing, as he continues to look rejuvenated and on a mission.
Home run No. 6 on the season for Mike Trout! 🎣 pic.twitter.com/t5UUIB5DL7
— MLB (@MLB) April 10, 2024
Over the Railing, Over the Moon
In a game that saw Ronald Acuña Jr. steal three bases and the Braves take a close win against a division rival, the real highlight came from the stands. In a section that gets few foul balls, a fan’s decision to bring his glove was vindicated by a Travis D’Arnaud line drive, as the fan made an athletic play over the railing to secure an impressive catch. Since this happened in Atlanta instead of Savannah, D’Arnaud was allowed to finish his at-bat.
And this is why you bring your glove to the game … 👏 pic.twitter.com/3ZOdMjXFE8
— MLB (@MLB) April 10, 2024
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ The Astros have officially placed ace Framber Valdez on the 15-day IL, retroactive to April 6, due to elbow soreness. The team’s immediate plan is to have Valdez shut down for a few weeks and evaluate the severity of the injury. Framber joins a long list of Houston pitchers in the IL, as the team must handle these absences amid a rocky start to the season.
⚾ Josiah Gray was scratched from Tuesday’s start due to a flexor strain, as the Nationals placed him on the 15-day IL, retroactive to April 6. In a bit of good news, initial reports suggest no structural damage and an intact UCL, which should help Gray come back soon. His spot on the rotation was covered by Joan Adon.
⚾ In Boston, the Red Sox announced a couple of significant items. Shortstop Trevor Story is scheduled to have season-ending surgery on his shoulder, adding to his so-far disastrous time in Beantown. Also, pitcher Nick Pivetta was placed on the 15-day IL with a flexor strain that has been described as mild. Barring any setbacks, Pivetta should be back after the IL stint is over.
⚾ Following a rough outing against the Braves, the Mets have designated veteran pitcher Julio Teheran for assignment. While he had signed a $2.5 million contract last week, it was not fully guaranteed and so Teheran will be compensated only for his time on the active roster, translating to a cool $50,000+ for only a week of work.
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