Stay updated on everything baseball with our morning MLB News & Moments articles. We’ve got you covered to keep you in the know.
Right-handed reliever Zach Agnos made his MLB debut Sunday for the Colorado Rockies in the second game of a doubleheader against the Washington Nationals. But Agnos’ story will move you. There isn’t a social-media video available, but when Agnos made a video call to his mom, Lee, on Saturday to tell her he was getting the call, he couldn’t have timed it any better. You see, his mom was visiting her dad, George Miller, an 85-year-old who is in hospice care. Agnos didn’t know until mom turned the phone to show Miller. After a few moments, she turned the phone back to her and Agnos was a mess. He was still trying to tell his mom that he got the call of a lifetime. Miller, you see, was an inspiration for Agnos. Miller spent 1960-65 in the minors, the final three at Double-A. I won’t spoil the rest of the story. You can read about it here. But a routine pitching line in a rather unmemorable doubleheader between two forgettable teams has a rather fantastic story woven into it.
Don’t forget to watch every game with the Pitcher List community on Playback!
Today’s Headlines
Arraez Back In Clubhouse Following Padres’ Win
A game that started with a very scary situation ended up with a familiar result. Fernando Tatis Jr. hit a tiebreaking homer in the eighth inning as the San Diego Padres continued their torrid start to the season with a 3-2 road win over the Houston Astros. But the win was marred by an injury to Padres designated hitter Luis Arraez, who left Daikin Park in an ambulance after a collision at first base with Astros second baseman Mauricio Dubón. Arraez later rejoined his teammates in the clubhouse. He will spend the night in Houston and expects to travel to Detroit today for the Padres’ next series. With Tatis on first after a leadoff walk, Arraez bunted toward first base. First baseman Christian Walker scooped up the bunt and tossed to Dubon, who was sprinting over to cover first. Dubon took the underhanded throw, stepped on the bag for the out, and his momentum took him past the bag, which is where he collided with Arraez, who went down in a heap. It appeared that Dubon’s elbow went into Arraez’s chin. Arraez was placed on a backboard and transported to an ambulance before going to a hospital. Once play resumed, Tatis came around to score on Xander Bogaerts‘ grounder to second that Dubon threw away trying to complete a double play. Tatis scored all three Padres runs as San Diego improved to an MLB-best 16-6 following the three-game sweep of the Astros.
De La Cruz Shines, Reds Rout Orioles
Sometimes things that happen before a game gets totally out of hand are lost in a weird final score. But when Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz does it, you better not forget. De La Cruz made a sensational diving catch in the bottom of the second inning, then followed that by leading off the top of the third with a home run in what would become a 24-2 Reds laugher over the Baltimore Orioles. De La Cruz’s fifth homer of the season ignited a seven-run third, then the Reds, already up 12-1, added three in the seventh, five in the eighth, and four in the ninth to make it seem like a Cincinnati Bengals-Baltimore Ravens game. To be fair, Orioles shortstop Jorge Mateo pitched the eighth and catcher Gary Sánchez the ninth. Noelvi Marte and Austin Wynns, the Reds’ Nos. 8-9 hitters, tried to steal the show by going a combined 11-for-14 with 13 RBIs and six runs scored. Marte hit an eighth-inning grand slam.
Mariners Overcome 18 Ks Thanks To Raleigh’s 9th HR
Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners was involved in a bit of a stir Saturday when he was allegedly caught sending signals to the batter, and the Toronto Blue Jays took issue, leading to a benches-clearing incident. But Raleigh didn’t need anyone telling him what pitch was coming to him Sunday as the Big Dumper delivered his ninth homer of the season in the Mariners’ 8-4 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. Raleigh is now tied with Tyler Soderstrom of the Athletics for the MLB home run lead. But the Mariners’ win came despite an unusual stat for a triumphant team: They struck out 18 times. Nonetheless, the M’s won their fourth straight series to improve to 12-10.
Rookie Sanoja Powers Marlins Past Phillies
The Miami Marlins continue to work their late-inning magic. It just doesn’t always result in a victory. A day after scoring six runs in the ninth inning of an 11-10 loss, the Marlins again pounced on the Philadelphia Phillies‘ bullpen, this time for five runs in a 7-5 win in 10 innings. The hero for the Marlins this time was rookie outfielder Javier Sanoja, who hit his first career homer, to give the Marlins a brief 5-4 lead. Kyle Stowers pushed the Marlins ahead in the 10th on a sacrifice fly, then Sanoja added an RBI single. Sanoja finished with five RBIs after having three in his previous 74 MLB games. The Marlins’ outburst came after being relatively shut down for seven innings by Phillies left-hander Jesús Luzardo, who allowed two runs (one earned) while scattering eight hits and striking out seven.
Glasnow Exits, But Dodgers Prevail
The starting pitching depth for the Los Angeles Dodgers is being tested again. Right-hander Tyler Glasnow left the Dodgers’ 1-0 win over the Texas Rangers in the top of the fifth inning due to cramps in his lower leg. Cramping has been an issue previously for Glasnow, but he said he has been working to figure it out. He is expected to make his next start. The Dodgers are already down left-hander Blake Snell (left shoulder inflammation) and right-hander Tony Gonsolin (back tightness). The bullpen stepped up for the Dodgers, who scored the game’s only run in the eighth inning on Freddie Freeman’s sacrifice fly. Rangers right-hander Tyler Mahle turned in a superb start, allowing just two hits in seven innings.
Problems In Atlanta?
Outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. is still working his way back to the Atlanta lineup following last year’s devastating knee injury, but he is still keeping tabs on his team. And taking notes. Acuna responded to a post by an MLB.com beat reporter who had been asked by a fan about Jarred Kelenic’s apparent lack of hustle in Saturday’s game and manager Brian Snitker’s comments about it. Acuna was famously benched six years ago by Snitker for a similar act. Kelenic was not removed from Saturday’s game. Acuna’s response to the reporter’s post? “If it were me, they would take me out of the game.” Some things are tough to forget — or overcome.
Best Moments From Yesterday
Hendriks Returns To Mound
Following 681 days, Liam Hendriks was back where he needed to be: On a major-league mound. Hendriks, who had missed that lengthy time due to a battle with cancer and then Tommy John surgery, pitched the eighth inning of the Boston Red Sox’s 8-4 loss to the Chicago White Sox. It didn’t matter that Hendriks allowed two runs in his lone inning of work; it was just that he had worked his way back to be in that position.
Liam Hendriks takes the mound for the first time in 681 days 💛
Worth Waiting For
Brent Honeywell Jr. hasn’t found a team to pitch for this season. But the 30-year-old, who played a key role in the Dodgers’ run to the World Series championship last year, met up with his former teammates as they visited Texas, where he now lives. There was a reason as Honeywell was presented with his World Series ring.
Yankees Screwed By Own Park?
Yes, it was a Tampa Bay Rays home game, but it was at the New York Yankees‘ spring training stadium, Steinbrenner Field. So when Yankees slugger Aaron Judge’s drive on a 3-2 pitch down the left-field line was ruled foul, it didn’t seem like a huge deal. It was reviewed, and umpires said the call stood. Judge struck out on the next pitch, and that set off Yankees manager Aaron Boone, who was immediately ejected. TV replay showed the ball actually was likely fair, but umps probably had trouble judging due to it being a minor league stadium. You can bet that a new budget item for Steinbrenner Field will address the height of the foul poles this offseason.
Brew Crew Flash Speed
It didn’t take long in the series finale for the Milwaukee Brewers to take advantage of a big weakness on the Athletics. They stole six bases off the combination of catcher Shea Langeliers and pitcher Jeffrey Springs, including a pair of double steals. The six steals were a club record for a single inning. They finished with nine, including three by Brice Turang. Langeliers entered the game having allowed 16 steals in 17 attempts.
A Birthday Treat
Sure, it may have been Easter and 4/20 all wrapped into one day, but it was the Phillie Phanatic’s birthday, too? The Phillies broke out their special Phanatic caps to honor their mascot.
The Phillies are wearing their Phanatic caps today for the Phanatic's birthday 🎂
Injuries and Other Moves
âš¾ Arizona Diamondbacks right-handed starter Merrill Kelly left the game against the Chicago Cubs with cramping in his right leg.
⚾ Rangers outfielder Wyatt Langford returned from the 10-day injured list following a strained left oblique.
⚾ Phillies outfielder Brandon Marsh was placed on the 10-day IL due to a strained right hamstring.
⚾ Marlins left fielder Griffin Conine went on the 60-day injured list with a dislocated left shoulder following his awkward slide into second base in Saturday’s game.
âš¾ Outfielder Eddie Rosario was designated for assignment after just two games with the Dodgers. Rosario was called up from Triple-A when Shohei Ohtani went on the paternity list. Ohtani rejoined the team for the series finale vs. the Rangers.
âš¾ Detroit Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter left the game vs. the Kansas City Royals in the ninth inning due to a strained right hamstring.
Articles You Should Read
Rockies’ Bryant not ready to “give up” despite back injuries — Thomas Harding, MLB.com
Why return to Steinbrenner Field has been “strange” for Yankees reliever — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News
Nationals’ Lara “shocked” to get call for MLB debut — Mark Zuckerman, MASN Sports
Fantasy Baseball Coverage
