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
Jose Altuve hits 200th career home run and Justin Verlander, back with Astros, posts a quality start.
Scheduled Jose Altuve HR vs. the Yankees. pic.twitter.com/axj8cH68Ol
— Houston Astros (@astros) August 5, 2023
New York Yankees‘ starter Nestor Cortes made his return from the injured list on Saturday. He’s been sidelined with a left rotator cuff strain since late May. Despite allowing a solo home run to Jose Altuve and on a pitch limit, Cortes pitched well. In four innings of work, his only hit allowed was Altuve’s home run. He also walked one and struck out eight. Cortes’ start helped the Yankees defeat the Astros 3-1.
The buzz, however, surrounded the return of Justin Verlander to the Houston Astros. He, of course, waived his no-trade clause that allowed the Mets to trade him to the Astros on Tuesday. In seven innings, Verlander allowed two runs on seven hits, two walks, and struck out four.
Trea Turner rewards the Phillies’ faithful fans.
HE ANSWERED THE CALL#RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/TquMSmVkV8
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) August 5, 2023
Trea Turner’s career in Philadelphia hasn’t started off the way he had hoped. He’s putting up career-low numbers in a bunch of categories and frustrations have bubbled over. However, Saturday night was different. Phillies fans gave Turner standing ovations on Friday night, signaling that his slow start had not changed their faith in him, and he gave them something to cheer about on Saturday. Down by a run in the sixth with two runners on base, Turner stepped to the plate and swatted the first pitch he saw for a go-ahead home run. As Turner rewarded the fans for their faith in him, they gave him a curtain call after the home run.
And oh yeah, there was a brawl in the White Sox/Guardians game.
It's fight night in Cleveland 😳 pic.twitter.com/3NEIpBEbSf
— White Sox Talk (@NBCSWhiteSox) August 6, 2023
There was a lot going on here and I don’t want to speculate, so I’ll just state the obvious: José Ramírez slid head-first into second base and Tim Anderson, standing over him, applied the tag. Ramírez stood up, pointed in Anderson’s face, and the two shoved each other. But I’ll turn it over to Guardians’ broadcaster Tom Hamilton’s radio call for the rest: “Now José and Anderson square up. They’re fighting, they’re swinging! Down goes Anderson! Down goes Anderson!”
wow. the synced up radio call is absolutely bananas pic.twitter.com/FDQmHRmCJt
— Clinton Yates (@clintonyates) August 6, 2023
Best Moments From Yesterday
Minnesota Twins induct Joe Mauer into the team’s Hall of Fame.
What a great night. #MNTwins Hall of Fame, including its newest member. #MauerHOF #JM7 pic.twitter.com/GvXTMrhmJ2
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) August 6, 2023
Joe Mauer became the 38th member of the Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame on Saturday. The hometown kid spent 15 memorable seasons with the Twins, earning three batting titles and Gold Gloves, five Silver Sluggers, six All-Star nods, and the 2009 AL MVP.
Another cool nugget: the Twins also hosted Paul Feiner, the only person to strike out Joe Mauer in high school!
Incredible pic.twitter.com/zTFrNFO3Eb
— Melissa Berman (@Melissa_Berman) August 5, 2023
Bryce Harper is great with kids.
A family reunited courtesy of #3 https://t.co/bbB1wSAbIk pic.twitter.com/qVLEe2mwtZ
— Taryn Hatcher (@TarynNBCS) August 5, 2023
A young Phillies fan appeared to be in tears after getting separated from his brothers and Bryce Harper took it upon himself to calm the child down and get him back to his family. Harper is a man of the people!
A great brawl spurs great jokes.
Here are some of my favorites…
Lucas Giolito properly reenacting how Jose Ramirez knocked Tim Anderson on his ass 😭😂 pic.twitter.com/5h3QNJvcpQ
— swilly ☻ (@swillysports) August 6, 2023
https://t.co/TQn40UTRyM pic.twitter.com/6a4vkWJoRw
— Céspedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) August 6, 2023
My favorite part of the night is going from an intense brawl immediately to "SpongeBob SquarePants" playing on the PA system.
— Mandy Bell (@MandyBell02) August 6, 2023
Injuries & Transactions
OF Jazz Chisholm Jr. left Saturday’s game early with a right hamstring cramp, but it appears to be a minor issue.
OF Jake Fraley was placed on the IL with a stress fracture in his toe.
OF Ramón Laureano was designated for assignment.
SP Eury Pérez will be called back up from the minor leagues and will start on Monday night in Cincinnati.
Articles You Should Read
Will Ohtani’s 2023 be the best season in baseball history? — Mike Petriello, MLB.com
Fantasy Baseball Coverage
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)