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Friday turned out to be a light slate due to two rainouts, as well as the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres having the day off before beginning a historic two-game series in Mexico City. While there have been exhibition games in Mexico City, these will be the first regular-season games there. Monterrey has hosted the previous 11 games in Mexico. In other international action, the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals will play a series in London on June 24-25.
Today’s Headlines
deGrom Exits With Forearm Tightness
The Texas Rangers have seen everything they wanted to see from Jacob deGrom — as well as what they didn’t want to see.
The superstar right-hander left Friday’s start vs. the New York Yankees after three and two-thirds innings with forearm tightness. Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said deGrom will be reevaluated Saturday.
It is the second time in his last three starts deGrom was forced out of a game with an injury, leaving the April 17th game against the Kansas City Royals with wrist soreness. However, he pitched six days later. He also missed significant time over the last two seasons with the New York Mets.
In Friday’s start, deGrom retired the first 10 batters he faced before issuing a walk, then getting a flyout, and allowing a single. DeGrom knew something was wrong, walking to the back of the mound and being visited by Rangers personnel. The only hit he gave up came on his slowest fastball of the night.
Fans Protest, Urge A’s Owner To Sell
In their first home game since the Oakland A’s purchased 49 acres of land in Las Vegas for a proposed stadium, the fans made sure their voices were heard at the Coliseum. Several had signs and T-shirts with a pointed message for owner John Fisher: “Sell” and “Fisher out.” Fisher has taken the brunt of the fans’ ire since the announcement was made last week. A group of fans marched around the stadium’s lower level, including just behind the A’s dugout on the third-base side.
Yankees’ Judge Has MRI
Yankees slugger Aaron Judge underwent an MRI exam on his right hip before the game against the Rangers, which the outfielder sat out, missing his first game of the season. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said the team was waiting on the results and a complete diagnosis by the team doctor. Judge injured the hip while sliding during Wednesday’s game, then was pulled during the fourth inning of Thursday’s game in the series against the Minnesota Twins.
Cancer-Free Hendriks In Action
The Chicago White Sox sure could use some good news. Liam Hendriks seems ready to provide that. The All-Star closer, who was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma in the offseason, announced last week that he is cancer-free. On Friday, the White Sox posted a video of Hendriks pitching in an extended spring training game. He will join the team before heading out on a rehab assignment.
Meanwhile in Arizona…
Liam Hendriks strikes out FOUR! 💥 pic.twitter.com/3Z9PCEgRl2
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) April 28, 2023
Reds In TV Limbo
The Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing by Diamond Sports Group, which runs 14 MLB regional sports networks under the Bally Sports title, could have its first impact on the fans as early as next weekend. As it has with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Cleveland Guardians, Minnesota Twins, and Texas Rangers, Diamond missed its scheduled payment this month to the Cincinnati Reds. Unlike those other teams, the Reds hold an equity stake in its Ball Sports RSN. That means the MLB could step in and take over broadcasts as soon as May 6th. Five other teams are also stakeholders in their Bally Sports RSN.
Mariners Reveal City Connect Uniforms
The Seattle Mariners became the second team to unveil new City Connect uniforms this season. This set includes a tip of the hat to the Seattle Pilots and the late play-by-play announcer Dave Niehaus. What do you think? (You can read more here.)
The past presents the future. pic.twitter.com/gU6l4QdhpX
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) April 28, 2023
Best Moments From Yesterday
Tough Catch To Top
There are a lot of spectacular defensive plays made on a daily basis. Then, there are ones that defy explanation. That was the case at the college level, where Missouri left fielder Cam Chick made the catch of his life.
What a grab! @CChick_13 with the defensive gem! 🐯⚾️#SCTop10#MIZ | #C2E pic.twitter.com/I4hSsaF3qF
— Mizzou Baseball (@MizzouBaseball) April 28, 2023
South Of The Border
While many folks scratched their heads and were otherwise oblivious as to why the Giants and Padres had Friday off, this will hopefully soothe your Grinch-like heart. The teams spent their day in the community, including this youth clinic, before their series in Mexico City.
The squad kicked off the weekend in Mexico City with a clinic at Liga Olmeca! #MexicoCitySeries pic.twitter.com/j4IyuqOD56
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 28, 2023
Injuries and Other Moves
New York Mets right-hander Justin Verlander (teres major strain) made a rehab start, allowing two hits and no runs while striking out six and walking one in four and two-thirds innings for Double-A Binghamton. His next start will be his Mets debut next week.
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter J.D. Martinez (back) went on the 10-day IL. Catcher Will Smith (concussion) was activated.
Minnesota Twins right-hander Kenta Maeda has a right triceps strain and will be shut down for three to seven days.
Center fielder and reigning NL Rookie of the Year Michael Harris II (lower-back strain) was activated by Atlanta from the 10-day IL.
Colorado Rockies right-hander Germán Márquez (right elbow inflammation) was placed on the 15-day IL. Marquez said he expects to be out for about six weeks.
Tampa Bay Rays right-handed reliever Heath Hembree cleared waivers and elected free agency. He was designated for assignment Wednesday.
Boston Red Sox right-hander Garrett Whitlock (right ulnar neuritis) was placed on the 15-day IL.
Los Angeles Angels right-hander reliever José Quijada (right elbow) went on the 15-day IL. He had an MRI exam after waking up Friday with soreness after pitching Thursday.
Articles You Should Read
How Spencer Strider developed a cheat code to become an ace — Travis Sawchik, The Score
Manny Mota and the Dodgers: Inseparable for 75 years — Jorge Castillo, Los Angeles Times
Baseball America and MLB Pipeline updated their draft rankings on NFL Draft weekend
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