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
Strasburg To Retire
Former World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg plans to retire after 13 seasons. Throughout his career, the 35-year-old has been a three-time All-Star, owning a 3.24 ERA over 1, 470 innings and 247 regular season games.
A press conference is currently scheduled for September 9 when the Nationals host the Dodgers. Strasburg has been sidelined since June 9, 2022, with neck and shoulder injuries. The prior year he was out as he underwent thoracic outlet syndrome surgery. While Strasburg has tried to return to baseball a few times, he was officially shut down from all physical activity back in April.
Ahead of the 2020 season, Strasburg was signed to a seven-year $245 million deal. He has only been able to pitch 31 1/3 innings and is still owed $105 million beyond this season.
Stephen Strasburg was one of the best pitchers in the league when healthy pic.twitter.com/JhX64vic4o
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) August 24, 2023
Another Retirement Announced
The Mets announced yesterday that two new jersey numbers will be retired next year. Dwight Gooden and Darryl Strawberry will be forever enshrined in Mets history.
Gooden played 16 seasons in the majors, 11 of those started with the Mets, where he won NL Rookie of the Year. By the next year, he claimed the NL Cy Young Award and the Triple Crown as he led the MLB with 24 wins, 1.53 ERA, and 268 strikeouts.
Doctor K dominated the ‘80s.
Next year, his number 1️⃣6️⃣ will forever be immortalized in our history. pic.twitter.com/fteq7ohrgI
— New York Mets (@Mets) August 24, 2023
Strawberry is an eight-time All-Star, and won Rookie of Year in 1983, the year before Gooden. He played eight of 17 seasons with the Mets and hit a franchise-best 252 home runs. Both Strawberry and Gooden played key parts in the 1986 World Series Championship.
No one had a sweeter swing than Straw.
Next season, his number 1️⃣8️⃣ comes home for good. pic.twitter.com/KPx8ReruE4
— New York Mets (@Mets) August 24, 2023
Fitted In Black
Fitted In Black, a new documentary was released yesterday. The short documentary highlights the rebrand the White Sox had in the 1990’s, and the intersection with hip-hop, pop culture, and fashion. The iconic fitted black Sox hat went mainstream after appearing in Ice Cube’s Steady Mobbin’ music video in 1991 and rose in popularity within the hip-hop community.
It's time to tell the story.
Fitted in Black, presented by @NewEraCap, is OUT NOW!
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) August 24, 2023
Angels Updates
Many baseball fans woke up yesterday morning to the news of Shohei Ohtani’s injury. Ohtani, who hadn’t pitched since August 9. skipping several starts due to hand cramping and arm fatigue. He was diagnosed with a torn UCL in his pitching elbow. It is still unknown if the injury will require surgery, but Ohtani has previously had Tommy John surgery on his pitching arm in 2018. Another surgery could impact any potential contracts he would receive after the 2023 season.
Shohei Ohtani hit 171 home runs in these past 3 seasons and struck out a total of 542 batters while doing it. 😮
Babe Ruth never once struck out more than 3 batters in a season that he hit 30+ homers. It's true.
No one's ever done anything like this before. pic.twitter.com/ykiTDAVXit
— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) August 24, 2023
Best Moments From Yesterday
Out Of The Park
Joshua Palacios launched a home run ball into the Allegheny River surrounding PNC Park to tie the Cubs in the third. It was Palacios’ sixth home run of the season.
PALACIOS TO THE ALLEGHENY! pic.twitter.com/e8gnBDxHhf
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) August 25, 2023
Tony Taters
Anthony Santander hit his third homer in two games, silencing the Blue Jays as the home crowd roared with delight.
3 homers in 2 games for Tony Taters! pic.twitter.com/yqImlzhR1W
— MLB (@MLB) August 25, 2023
Freeman On Freeman
Tyler Freeman had just about enough of the Dodgers, and the other player that shares his last name, Freddie Freeman. The Guardians shortstop made a nearly impossible catch for the out.
Five hits is enough for Freddie today. 🙅♂️#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/5HulhFEZ84
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) August 24, 2023
Home Run City
Between the Rangers and Twins, eight home runs had happened by the eighth inning, with a tie of 5-5. Ryan Jeffers however knew the ball was gone and the tie was no more.
Ryan Flippin' Jeffers!
(Cut4 x @CoronaUSA) pic.twitter.com/mlsGTc0Ssz
— Cut4 (@Cut4) August 25, 2023
Langeliers Is Cooking
Shea Langeliers goes deep twice on the White Sox pitching to pad the A’s lead.
He's back for seconds!
Shea loves going 𝐃𝐄𝐄𝐏 at the 𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐇 🍕 (x2) pic.twitter.com/weBitMfmYF
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) August 25, 2023
La Pantera Does It All
Luis Robert Jr. not only steals a two-run home run ball with an epic leap but also drills a ball 444 feet to tie the game with Oakland.
Luis Robert Jr.'s glove is golden. 😱 pic.twitter.com/BmYgZz9ysU
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) August 25, 2023
La Pantera can do it all! 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/aXuL9TYHtb
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) August 25, 2023
Injuries and Other Moves
The Reds have placed Joey Votto on the 10-day IL due to shoulder discomfort.
There is a chance Ozzie Albies won’t be activated from the 10-day IL this weekend. Meanwhile, Kyle Wright threw three scoreless innings, only allowing one hit, and struck out four during a rehab start with High-A Rome.
Michael Brantley will remain on a rehab at least through the weekend.
Mike Trout has returned to the injured list with a wrist injury.
Willi Castro will begin a rehab assignment today with Triple-A St. Paul.
Luis Medina will throw a bullpen session with Triple-A Las Vegas today. Mason Miller started moved his rehab assignment to Triple-A Las Vegas as well.
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