Stay updated on everything baseball with our morning MLB News & Moments articles. We’ve got you covered to keep you in the know.
Today’s Headlines
Andrew Abbott’s big league debut
The 2022 Reds’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year, Abbott posted a 2.50 ERA and 0.93 WHIP over ten starts while leading the minors in strikeouts this season before he got the call. Last night, he earned his first win by shutting down the Brewers over six scoreless innings. Former NL MVP Christian Yelich was his first strikeout.
Andrew Abbott’s 5th and 6th Ks. pic.twitter.com/IdVwRjCedP
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 6, 2023
Andrew Abbott is the 2nd Reds pitcher since 1893 (when the mound was moved to its current distance) to go 6+ innings and allow 1 or fewer hits in his MLB debut, joining Johnny Cueto in 2008. pic.twitter.com/zuEVOH2wsU
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 6, 2023
Aaron Nola dazzles
Nola, who turned 30 two days ago, struck out a season-high 12 in an 8-3 win over Detroit. He had a no-hitter in the seventh that was broken up by his former teammate Nick Maton, the hit coming in the form of a big, three-run blast to right which made it a 5-3 game. The runs were unearned however as an error from third baseman Edmundo Sosa preceded the dinger. The Phillies added to their lead in the bottom of the seventh with a two-run double from J.T. Realmuto.
Aaron Nola with 10 Ks thru 6
??Aaron Nola has 29 double digit strikeout games. He is now tied with Cole hamels for the third most in Phillies history pic.twitter.com/DaFtnh1EDZ
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) June 6, 2023
Aaron Nola, K’ing the Side.
2 Wicked Knuckle Curves and Filthy Timer Violation. pic.twitter.com/SqGQQUDaBZ
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 5, 2023
AJ Smith-Shawver is getting his first start
Atlanta’s 20-year-old pitching phenom should be making his first career start either Friday or Saturday against the Nationals. His ascension is remarkable given that he didn’t even start pitching until his senior year of high school in 2020. He didn’t even throw 10 starts in high school, but it was enough to convince Atlanta to draft him in the seventh round of the 2021 draft with a signing bonus of just under $1 M.
Alek Manoah’s 2023 season gets even worse
The second batter of the game, Jeremy Peña laid down a bunt which Manoah tried to blow foul but to no avail. When the big righty’s start ended seven batters later, the Astros had a 6-0 lead, and he had a 6.36 ERA and 1.90 WHIP.
Alek Manoah’s entire outing today:
single
bunt single he tried to blow foul ?
single
flyout
single
walk
grand slam
single
singleCrazy.pic.twitter.com/maCoAyVaxN
— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) June 5, 2023
Best Moments from Yesterday
Trea Turner has a big night
Turner entered last night’s game hitting .232 with a .642 OPS. It’s probably not quite what the Phillies imagined when they signed the star shortstop to an 11-year deal this past offseason. Regardless, last night’s performance was a step in the right direction. He hit a 420-foot home run to center in his second at-bat and then tagged Tigers lefty Joey Wentz again with his seventh of the year. Turner almost had five hits if not for a nice play from Nick Maton.
Trea Turner came this close to a five-hit night. Would have been Phillies first since Matt Vierling on Sept. 22 vs. TOR.
Exit velo: 105.4 mph
xBA: .670 pic.twitter.com/oSjd3v7m1i— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) June 6, 2023
Apparently, the Phillies’ analytics department and hitting coach Kevin Long found something wrong with his swing and he’s been working the past few days to change it. So maybe this is the beginning of a turnaround.
Luis Arraez keeps hitting.
The former Twin went 3-for-4 last night against the Royals and he’s now on the verge of a batting average that baseball has not seen in quite some time.
Luis Arráez is batting .399 on the year ?? pic.twitter.com/r3KzbAgYQL
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) June 6, 2023
highest BA in team’s 1st 61 games, qualified hitters in expansion era (1961):
2008 Chipper Jones: .418
1997 Larry Walker: .416
1994 Paul O’Neill: .411
1983 Rod Carew: .411
1997 Tony Gwynn: .405
1996 Roberto Alomar: .399 (ahead of Arraez by next decimal)
2023 Luis Arraez: .399 https://t.co/otsbgrp5q4— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) June 6, 2023
Injuries and Transactions
Jesse Winker will start a rehab assignment Wednesday with Triple-A Nashville.
The Rangers demoted Jonathan Hernández and activated Spencer Howard.
Eduardo Rodriguez will most likely miss months with an injury to his left index finger and will visit a hand specialist today.
Xander Bogaerts is hoping to return to the lineup today and remains adamant that surgery will not be required for his wrist injury, which a cortisone shot relieved earlier this spring.
Atlanta demoted Michael Soroka to Triple-A Gwinnett.
Nick Senzel was a late scratch with soreness in his right knee and is considered day-to-day.
Trent Grisham was a late scratch with low back soreness.
The Rangers transferred Jacob deGrom to the 60-Day IL; He won’t be eligible to return until June 28th.
The Brewers activated Luis Urías from the 60-day IL.
Jorge Soler missed last night’s game with a sore thumb.
Articles You Should Read
Mix and Mitch: How a Deeper Repertoire is Fueling Mitch Keller’s Breakout – Tim Cheng
Fantasy Baseball
Expected SP Schedules: Who Has the Best Matchups in Weeks 10 and 11
Hitters to Start and Avoid in Week 10 (6/5 – 6/11)
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)