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A lot of attention is paid to the teams at the top of the standings. Rightfully so. Winners get trophies. Losers get draft picks. But there are three teams that seem to be in a race to the bottom. The Chicago White Sox, Colorado Rockies and Miami Marlins. The White Sox have taken the mightiest fall. Remember, this was a team in 2021 that went 93-69. But they followed that up with an 81-81 in 2022 and 61-101 last year. Now, they will seemingly need a miracle to even reach 60 wins in 2024. The Rockies are an enigma wrapped in another enigma wrapped in another enigma. If you can figure out what is happening in Colorado, congratulations. Finally, the Marlins are doing Marlins things. They can’t seem to get a stable front office together and execute a long-term plan. This year, pitching injuries are taking a toll on a team that plays in a division with two playoff contenders and, so far, another surprise team. Will those three teams combine for 200 wins?
Today’s Headlines
10 Trout Taters
Mike Trout was the best player in baseball before Shohei Ohtani joined him on the Los Angeles Angels and took that title away. Injuries hampered the Angels’ center fielder in recent seasons, but we are seeing vintage Trout power to begin 2024. The 32-year-old became the first MLB player to hit 10 home runs this season when he pulled one 417 feet down the left-field line in a 6-5 loss to the Baltimore Orioles.
Quick starts aren’t new for a healthy Trout. This is the third time he has hit 10 homers in the Angels’ first 25 games, also doing so in 2018 and 2020. He also has five stolen bases, putting him in rare company of at least 10 homers and five steals in his team’s first 25 games twice in his career, joining Reggie Jackson (1969, 1974). This is also the third time in his career Trout has been the first player to reach 10 homers.
Mike Trout is the first Major Leaguer this season to hit 10 home runs. 💥 pic.twitter.com/jeceqUx7Y9
— MLB (@MLB) April 24, 2024
Snell’s Bad Start Gets Worse
Blake Snell had a platform year in 2023, winning his second Cy Young Award as he was set to become a free agent. But the big, long-term contract never came, settling instead for a two-year, $62 million deal with the San Francisco Giants that was signed just before Opening Day.
His first three starts in orange and black have not gone well, posting an 11.57 ERA in 11⅔ innings. Now, the left-hander is headed to the 15-day injured list with a left adductor strain, an injury he has dealt with in the past. Snell felt the injury in a bullpen session and was slated to start Wednesday before being scratched. Snell had the same injury in the 2021 and 2022 seasons and is hoping for a short IL stint.
Bellinger To IL, Crow-Armstrong Called Up
The Chicago Cubs were hoping for the best Tuesday when X-rays on center fielder Cody Bellinger, who crashed into the brick wall in left-center field, showed no damage. But Wednesday brought more testing, including a CT scan that revealed Bellinger had two fractured ribs on his right side, landing the slugger on the 10-day IL. Rookie center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, a top prospect, was recalled from Triple-A.
Manager Craig Counsell did not have an estimate on how long Bellinger will be out. Bellinger was re-signed by the Cubs after having a renaissance season in 2023, slashing .307/.356/.525 with 26 homers and 97 RBI, but was off to a slow start in 2024 at .226/.320/.440 with five homers and 17 RBI in 22 games.
Hot Henderson
Sometimes after a successful rookie season, a player will fall victim to a sophomore slump. Not Gunnar Henderson. The Orioles’ shortstop and reigning American League Rookie of the Year continued his torrid start to the season, going 3-for-3 with a homer, three RBI and three runs scored in the 6-5 win over the Angels. The left-handed-hitting leadoff man homered off a left-handed pitcher for the second straight game, his eighth blast of 2024. Henderson is slashing .309/.373/.649 at this early stage of the schedule.
Already considered one of the game’s best young players, if he continues at this rate, he will be discussed as one of the best in baseball regardless of age.
"MVP right there." pic.twitter.com/qMDt1oHF4t
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) April 24, 2024
Best Moments From Yesterday
Getting Her Flowers
In case you needed another reason to like Cleveland Guardians catcher Josh Naylor, we present the following.
We're not crying, it's just the cold. 🥹❤️
Josh Naylor surprised a long-time Guardians fan, Carolyn, with flowers and a visit at today's pregame batting practice. Carolyn is currently in hospice care and was able to attend today’s game to watch her favorite team and favorite… pic.twitter.com/OGpyQUhkzp
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) April 24, 2024
No ghost runner
There have been more than a handful of rules changes since Sixto Sánchez last made a start in an MLB game. Sánchez on Wednesday made a spot start for the Miami Marlins for the first time since Game 3 of the 2020 National League Division Series against Atlanta, the same team he faced on this day. So maybe his PitchCom got crossed up or he imagined he was in extra innings when he made this spin move. Sánchez, who has battled shoulder injuries, has been in a relief role this season for the Marlins before being needed to open the series finale.
Sixto Sánchez balks in the first run of the game. Not ideal. pic.twitter.com/ShvWSb4aoe
— Fish On First (@FishOnFirst) April 24, 2024
Just A Man And His Dog
A video would have been better, but you can draw the picture yourself.
Bark in the Park, redux:
It’s 10:26 p.m., the game has been over for more than an hour, and Joe Ryan is alone on the field hitting fungoes to his dog. pic.twitter.com/VeuVA34UAf
— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) April 25, 2024
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ Oakland A’s second baseman Zack Gelof is headed to the 10-day IL after straining his left oblique. Gelof was scratched from Wednesday’s starting lineup.
⚾ Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Kevin Kiermaier (inflamed left hip flexor) was placed on the 10-day IL and outfielder Addison Barger was called up from Triple-A to make his MLB debut.
⚾ Boston Red Sox right-handed starter Brayan Bello (right lat tightness) was placed on the 15-day IL.
⚾ The St. Louis Cardinals optioned outfielder Jordan Walker to Triple-A following his .155/.239/.259 slash line to open the season.
⚾ Washington Nationals outfielder Lane Thomas (sprained left MCL) was put on the 10-day IL. Infielder Trey Lipscomb was promoted from Triple-A.
⚾ Miami Marlins left-hander A.J. Puk will be moved to the bullpen when he returns from the 15-day IL. Puk went on the IL over the weekend due to left shoulder fatigue. In four starts covering 13⅔ innings, Puk has allowed 17 runs (14 earned) for a 9.22 ERA. He has also walked 17.
⚾ Cleveland Guardians right-handed starter Gavin Williams, on the IL for right elbow soreness, will be shut down for a week and receive an injection. Williams experienced more soreness after facing live hitters at the team’s complex in Arizona.
Articles You Should Read
What teams have the best front offices? Execs weigh in — Andy McCullough, Patrick Mooney and Tyler Kepner, The Athletic
What is Houston’s problem? — Jake Mintz, Yahoo Sports
Ohtani ‘grateful’ for support from Dodgers following scandal — Andy McCullough, The Athletic
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