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
Detmers Makes History
After throwing a no-hitter earlier this year, then struggling and getting optioned to Triple-A, Reid Detmers has been nothing but impressive as of late. On Sunday, he was the most impressive that he has been since his no-hitter back in May.
Facing the Rangers on Sunday, Detmers tossed seven strong innings, allowing one earned run on just three hits. He did allow three free passes, but also struck out a dozen Texas batters.
On top of his great start, Detmers also threw the 109th immaculate inning in MLB history. It was the first time in seven years that anyone has thrown a no-no and an immaculate inning in the same season.
Reid Detmers now has a no-hitter AND an immaculate inning this season! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/m1cp1Ww17f
— MLB (@MLB) July 31, 2022
Rodon’s Fantastic Start
With Luis Castillo having been dealt, baseball fans were led to believe Frankie Montas was the best starting pitcher on the market. Carlos Rodón said, “think again,” on Sunday.
Rodon carved through the Cubs over seven shutout innings. He allowed just a pair of hits, punched out 10, and did not allow a walk. Over the course of his outing, Rodon compiled 15 whiffs: 10 of them on his four-seamer which nearly reached 99 MPH. That pitch, along with his slider and seldom-used curveball helped the southpaw lower his season ERA to an even 3.00.
Sunday’s outing undoubtedly opened eyes in front offices across the country. Some executives likely came to believe recently that the dominant Rodon was a phenomenon of the first half. This start will only serve to make the starting pitcher market all the more interesting over the next day and a half.
https://twitter.com/JustBBMedia/status/1553907883183509505?s=20&t=-5QuauunM4KzmftCU_MRVQ
Latest on Juan Soto Sweepstakes
The suspense is still very much there when it comes to where Juan Soto will land and what will be the return package. Nevertheless, Jim Bowden did narrow the superstar’s potential landing spots down to three teams on Sunday. The Padres, Cardinals, and Dodgers are the only teams left in serious contention for Soto.
The #Nationals now have only 3 teams left in the bidding for a Juan Soto trade according to club sources. The teams are believed to be #Padres #Cardinals and #Dodgers with the #Cardinals offering the most talent off their major league club and the Padres the most talent from Farm
— Jim Bowden⚾️🏈 (@JimBowdenGM) July 31, 2022
Jeff Passan added to the conversation as well. He said not to be surprised if Soto is not moved prior to this deadline. It seems that the Nationals are not overly eager to move Soto now and that they are fully committed to waiting until this offseason if they do not hear an offer with which they are comfortable.
Best Moments From Yesterday
Salvy with the Bomb
The Yankees were looking to complete a four-game sweep against the Royals on Sunday. However, when the Royals entered the top of the ninth, down a run, Salvador Perez had something else to say. In his third game since coming off of the injured list, Perez took Clay Holmes deep for a 112 MPH three-run shot helping Kansas City avoid the sweep.
The one and only.@SalvadorPerez15 // #TogetherRoyal pic.twitter.com/FGAabE3Y5J
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) July 31, 2022
Larceny in the Bay Area
Christopher Morel nearly took Carlos Rodón deep on his fifth pitch of the game on Sunday, but Giants’ left fielder, Luis González committed a perfect robbery of Morel’s fly ball. The hit was in the air for a while, but Gonzalez timed his jump up perfectly and caught the ball with ease.
Luis González robbed the home run and bounced off the wall 😤 pic.twitter.com/KDBn0sEQ6V
— ESPN (@espn) July 31, 2022
Big-Time Debut
James Outman made his major league debut for the Dodgers on Sunday. He did not just homer in his first at-bat, but he also got himself within a triple of the cycle, knocked in three runs, and scored twice. He is the first player in Dodgers’ franchise history to debut with such a stat line.
James Outman homers in his first MLB at-bat! 😱 pic.twitter.com/gjEYyTVesq
— MLB (@MLB) July 31, 2022
Injuries
Josh Naylor (ankle) was held out of the lineup on Sunday and is day-to-day.
Bobby Witt Jr. left Sunday’s game with a minor hand injury and is day-to-day.
Mike Trout (rib cage) is expected to return from the 10-day IL around mid-August
Chris Taylor (foot) is set to begin a rehab assignment on Monday.
Luis Severino (lat) will begin throwing on Monday.
Mitch Haniger (ankle) may return from the 60-day IL as early as Friday.
Julio Rodríguez (wrist) was placed on the injured list on Sunday and is expected to be shut down for five days; the injury is not considered major.
Articles You Should Read
Injury Report – July 31 – Dave Funnell
The Trailing Runner: July 24 – July 30 – Evan Lobdell
Rosenthal: What I’m Hearing Ahead of the MLB Trade Deadline – Ken Rosenthal
Fantasy Baseball Coverage
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)