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MLB News & Moments You Should Know – 6/3/23

Diamondbacks stay hot, beat Atlanta to win sixth straight.

Steve Drumwright
MLB Morning News 6/3/2023

Stay updated on everything baseball with our morning MLB News & Moments articles. We’ve got you covered to keep you in the know.

June 2nd is an important date in MLB history. It is the day in 1925 when Lou Gehrig became the starting first baseman for the New York Yankees. It is also the day in 1941 that Gehrig passed away at the age of 37. Gehrig had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a nervous system disease that weakens muscles and impacts physical function. ALS is incurable. Due to the popularity of Gehrig, the disease took on his name. So Friday was Lou Gehrig Day and marked throughout baseball. Among the ceremonies that took place was before the New York Mets‘ game as MLB.com researcher Sarah Langs was scheduled to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Langs was diagnosed with ALS in 2021.

 

Today’s Headlines

 

Snakes On A Roll

When it comes to surprises in 2023, the Arizona Diamondbacks are emerging as one of the bigger stories of the season. The latest chapter took place in a 3-2 victory over Atlanta. Behind seven strong innings from right-hander Merrill Kelly, the D’backs won their sixth straight and their 15th in 20 games. As they have all season, the D’backs won with a combination of defense, pitching, and just enough offense. The surge has the D’backs tied with the Los Angeles Dodgers atop the National League West at 35-23.

Bassitt’s Memorable Day

Michael Jordan had the flu game. Chris Bassitt had the baby game. Knowing his wife was going into labor with the couple’s second child, the Toronto Blue Jays right-hander overcame a 90-minute rain delay before the game and turned in a dominant performance in a 3-0 victory over the Mets. Bassitt scattered three hits while striking out eight over seven and two-thirds innings, then immediately got onto a jet and flew back to Toronto to be with his wife.

 

Quite The MLB Debut

An MLB debut can go any number of ways. For Detroit Tigers pitcher Reese Olson, it couldn’t have gone much better. The Tigers’ No. 11 prospect took a no-hitter into the sixth inning against the Chicago White Sox. Romy González and Tim Anderson had back-to-back singles to open the sixth before he was lifted. Unfortunately, they both came around to score in the White Sox’s 3-0 victory over Olson and the Tigers. Olson walked one and struck out six.

No Sale: Lefty On IL

Just when it seemed like Chris Sale was back on track, the Boston Red Sox’s left-hander is back on the 10-day injured list. No diagnosis is expected until next week on his left shoulder, which forced him out of Thursday’s game in the fourth inning. Sale has made all 11 starts this season, including posting a 2.42 ERA in 26 innings during May. However, Sale has been plagued with injuries, including missing all of 2020 and most of 2021 due to Tommy John surgery. Right-hander Corey Kluber was activated off the paternity list.

 

Best Moments From Yesterday

 

SB Star

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was among the participants in the Kansas City Royals‘ annual Big Slick celebrity softball game. Needless to say, the former Texas Tech baseball star stole the show on the diamond, too.

Duran Duran

Hitting 100 mph consistently is nothing new for Minnesota Twins reliever Jhoan Duran. In fact, his heat is pretty intense. But back-to-back 105 mph pitches? That’s elite.

How Old Is He?

One of the cool things about scoreboards these days is the propensity for publicizing odd facts about players. Unfortunately, sometimes mistakes are made. Take this factoid about Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki on the scoreboard at San Diego’s Petco Park, for instance.

 

Injuries and Other Moves

 

San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado (fractured metacarpal, left hand) was activated from the 10-day injured list, while infielder-outfielder Alfonso Rivas was called up from Triple-A. Designated hitter Nelson Cruz (strained right hamstring) was placed on the 10-day IL, outfielder José Azocar was optioned to Triple-A and catcher Luis Campusano was transferred to the 60-day IL.

The St. Louis Cardinals placed outfielder Lars Nootbaar (lower back) on the 10-day IL. Key outfield prospect Jordan Walker was promoted from Triple-A.

The Tampa Bay Rays acquired right-handed reliever Robert Stephenson from the Pittsburgh Pirates for minor-league shortstop Alika Williams. The Rays designated right-handed reliever Ben Heller for assignment.

The White Sox activated right-hander Mike Clevinger (jammed right wrist) from the 15-day IL and infielder Elvis Andrus (left oblique) from the 10-day IL. Infielder Hanser Alberto was DFA’d and right-hander Jesse Scholtens was sent to Triple-A.

The Cleveland Guardians placed right-hander Cal Quantrill (right shoulder inflammation) on the 15-day IL. Righty Aaron Civale was activated from the paternity list.

The Mets acquired right-handed reliever Vinny Nittoli from the Chicago Cubs for cash. Nittoli had opted out of his minor-league contract with the Cubs.

First baseman-designated hitter Luke Voit, DFA’d by the Milwaukee Brewers this week, was officially released.

 

Articles You Should Read

 

My best friend is Sarah Langs and she has ALS — Mandy Bell, MLB.com

Where will McCutchen end up in the pantheon of Pirates greats? — Rob Biertempel, The Athletic

Will Sisters controversy help end Kershaw’s Dodgers career? — Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times

 

Fantasy Baseball Coverage

 

Starting Pitcher Roundup

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Steve Drumwright

Steve Drumwright is a lifelong baseball fan who retired as a player before he had the chance to be cut from the freshman team in high school. He recovered to become a sportswriter and have a successful journalism career at newspapers in Wisconsin and California. Follow him on Bluesky and Threads @DrummerWrites.

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