The Weekly Rundown: 3/24/24 - 3/30/24
At last, the 2024 regular season is in full swing.
Good morning and happy Easter Sunday!
We’ve made it. Regular-season baseball is in full swing which means these weekly rundowns will be LOADED from now until November.
So whether you’re a baseball diehard or a casual fan who likes to stay updated on MLB’s top stories, subscribe below to get these rundowns delivered to your e-mail inbox every Sunday morning throughout the year.
Also, all of my predictions for the 2024 MLB season were published just before Opening Day. You can check out my division standings, playoffs, and end-of-season award predictions below:
Now grab a coffee and let’s jump into the first rundown of the 2024 campaign…
Shohei Speaks
Last week, we covered the gambling scandal involving Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani and his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara. Ohtani read a statement to reporters through his new interpreter, Will Ireton.
Here’s the translated statement in its entirety:
“First of all, thank you very much for coming. I wanted to be here today to be able to talk. I’m sure it was very tough — it’s been a tough week for fans and team officials, and I’m very grateful that the media has been patient in this process. Just on a personal note, I’m very saddened and shocked that someone who I trusted has done this.
“Obviously today there’s things that I’m limited in being able to talk about. I hope you understand. I do have a document in front of me that I will refer to that will detail what has happened.
“So, I never bet on baseball or any other sports or never have asked somebody to do that on my behalf. And I have never went through a bookmaker to bet on sports.
“Up until a couple of days ago, I didn’t know that this was happening. Just to kind of go over the result, in conclusion, Ippei has been stealing money from my account and has told lies.
“Last weekend in Korea, media had reached out to a representative in my camp inquiring about my potential involvement in sports betting. So, Ippei never revealed to me that there was this media inquiry, and to the representatives in my camp he told, Ippei told, to the media and to my representatives that I, on behalf of a friend, paid off debt.
“Upon further questioning, it was revealed that it was actually, in fact, Ippei who was in debt. And told my representatives that I was paying off those debts. All of this has been a complete lie. So, Ippei obviously lied about — basically didn’t tell me about the media inquiry.
“So Ippei has been telling everybody around that Ippei has been communicating with Shohei on all of this account — to my representatives, to the team — and that hasn’t been true.
“The first time I knew about this gambling, Ippei’s gambling, was after the first game (in Korea) when we had the team meeting in the clubhouse. So during the team meeting, obviously, Ippei was speaking in English and I didn’t have a translator on my side. But even with that, I kind of understood what was going on and started to feel that there was something amiss.
“Prior to the meeting, I was told by Ippei, ‘Hey, let’s talk one-to-one in the hotel after the meeting.’ So, I waited until then. Up until that team meeting, I didn’t know that Ippei had a gambling addiction and was in debt.
“Obviously at that point, or, obviously I never agreed to pay off the debt or make payments to the bookmaker. And finally, when we went back to the hotel and talked one-to-one, that’s when I found out that he had a massive debt.
“And it was revealed to me during that meeting that Ippei admitted that he was sending money, using my account, to the bookmaker.
And at that moment, obviously it was an absurd thing that was happening and I contacted my representatives at that point. So, when I was finally able to talk to my representatives, that’s when my representatives found out that Ippei has been lying the whole time, and that’s when I started contacting the Dodgers and my lawyers.
“And the Dodgers and the lawyers at that moment found out also as well that they have been lied to. And my lawyers recommended that since this is theft and fraud that we have the proper authorities handle this matter.
“So, in conclusion, I do want to make it clear that I never bet on sports or have willfully sent money to the bookmaker. To summarize how I’m feeling right now, I’m just beyond shocked. It’s really hard to verbalize how I am feeling at this point.
“The season is going to start so I’m going to obviously let my lawyers handle matters from here on out, and I am completely assisting in all investigations that are taking place right now.
“I’m looking forward to focusing on the season. I’m glad that we had this opportunity to talk, and I’m sure there will be continuing investigations moving forward. Thank you very much.”
MLB is conducting an investigation into the matter, so we probably won’t learn anything new about the situation until that investigation includes. All we know is Ohtani vehemently denies any wrongdoing and claims he was just recently made aware of Mizuhara’s alleged gambling addiction.
Montgomery Signs Last-Second
Jordan Montgomery entered free agency as one of the top pitchers available. Despite that, it took him until the eve before Opening Day to find a home.
The left-hander signed a one-year, $25 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks that includes a $20 million player option if he makes at least 10 starts this season. He became a perfect fit for Arizona following a lat injury to fellow offseason addition Eduardo Rodriguez.
Montgomery joins Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Rodriguez, and Brandon Pfaadt in a loaded rotation. He’s coming off a strong 2023 campaign with the St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers. In 32 starts between the two clubs, he notched a 3.20 ERA and 1.19 WHIP. He also played a huge role for Texas during its World Series run.
Montgomery said during his introductory press conference he plans to make his D-backs debut on April 19 in San Francisco.
D’backs Steamroll Rockies
The Colorado Rockies did not enjoy their 2024 Opening Day experience. The Diamondbacks destroyed them 16-1 with 14 of those runs coming in the third inning.
Watch Arizona’s relentless inning at the plate below:
Rhys Hoskins vs. Jeff McNeil
The Brewers-Mets Opening Day showdown featured some fireworks.
In the top of the eighth inning, Milwaukee’s Rhys Hoskins slid late into second base and took out Mets infielder Jeff McNeil, who took exception to what he considered a dirty play.
McNeil stood over Hoskins and for a moment, it looked like we’d have another Jose Ramirez-Tim Anderson situation on our hands. Benches and bullpens cleared as McNeil and Hoskins jawed back and forth.
Watch the entire ordeal below with a fantastic breakdown from Jomboy:
Much to McNeil’s chagrin, umpires ruled it a clean slide and no action was taken.
Here’s what McNeil had to say about the incident after the game, which the Brewers won, 3-1:
“Just a late slide,” McNeil said. “We’ve had a little bit of a past, so I knew that there was a chance he’d be coming in like that. I just didn’t like his slide.”
Hoskins shared his side of the story:
“I'm just trying to play baseball, right?” Hoskins said. “We've got a chance in the eighth with a runner on to tack on another run, and the last thing I want to do is give them a clear lane to make a double play. A certain someone took -- McNeil took -- exception to my slide, but I didn't really think much of it, to be honest. I ended up hitting him, but that's what happens with a slow-developing play where I’m trying to make sure he doesn’t turn the double play.”
Hoskins homered and drove in four runs in the next game on Saturday. His success didn’t sit well with the Mets, who threw up and behind him later in the game and stirred up even more drama:
Today’s matchup could get interesting.
Benches Clear in Jays-Rays
Hoskins vs. McNeil wasn’t the only altercation over the week. During Saturday’s Blue Jays-Rays matchup, Rays infielder Jose Caballero slid into third base and bumped into Jays pitcher Genesis Cabrera. Caballero took exception to Cabrera standing there, for some reason, and it was on.
Cabrera shoved Caballero, causing the benches and bullpens to clear. Watch below:
That all seemed pretty unnecessary, but hey, baseball!
Dominant on the Bump
Corbin Burnes, Baltimore Orioles
6.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 11 K, 0 BB vs. Los Angeles Angels
Shane Bieber, Cleveland Guardians
6.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 11 K, 1 BB vs. Oakland A’s
Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers
6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 6 K, 0 BB vs. Chicago White Sox
Bobby Miller, Los Angeles Dodgers
6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 11 K, 1 BB vs. St. Louis Cardinals
George Kirby, Seattle Mariners
6.2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 11 K, 1 BB vs. Boston Red Sox
Nick Pivetta, Boston Red Sox
6.0, 3 H, 1 ER, 10 K, 0 BB vs. Seattle Mariners
Freddy Peralta, Milwaukee Brewers
6.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 8 K, 1 BB vs. New York Mets
Big Bombs
Cincinnati Reds outfielder Nick Martini blasted two homers on Opening Day.
Red Sox outfielder Tyler O’Neill set a new MLB record with a homer in five consecutive Opening Days.
Toronto Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. demolished a 450-foot homer off Tampa Bay Rays starter Zach Eflin.
Matt Chapman hit the first two homers of his San Francisco Giants career during Friday’s win over the San Diego Padres.
Teoscar Hernandez hit his first two homers with the Dodgers during Friday’s win over the Cardinals.
Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. hit two homers in Friday’s loss to Giants.
Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe crushed a 450-foot grand slam off Blue Jays starter Chris Bassitt.
Michael Conforto hit a grand slam to lead the Giants to victory over the Padres.
Web Gem of the Week
Braves outfielder Jarred Kelenic made a sick diving grab to rob Bryce Harper of a hit.
Welcome to The Show
Giants free-agent signing Jung Hoo Lee recorded his first big-league hit on Opening Day. The South Korean outfielder signed a six-year, $113 million contract this past winter.
Lee also logged his first MLB home run Saturday against the Padres.
Texas Rangers rookie outfielder Wyatt Langford legged out an infield single for his first MLB hit. The 2023 No. 4 overall pick is my pick to win the 2024 AL Rookie of the Year award.
Tigers top prospect Colt Keith hit a soft grounder up the middle for his first career hit.
Brewers top prospect Jackson Chourio recorded his first hit and RBI while making multiple impressive catches in the outfield in his MLB debut vs. the Mets.
Brewers third baseman Oliver Dunn collected his first big-league hit.
White Sox pitcher Jordan Leasure made his MLB debut in relief against the Tigers. The 25-year-old allowed just one hit and one walk in his inning of work and collected his first strikeout.
Pirates prospect Jared Jones allowed three runs and two talks while striking out 10 Marlins hitters through 5.2 innings in his MLB debut.
Notable Injuries
Chicago Cubs ace Justin Steele exited his Opening Day start vs. the Rangers with a hamstring injury and will be out until at least May.
The Minnesota Twins placed third baseman Royce Lewis on the 10-day IL with a quad strain. Lewis isn’t expected to return until mid-May at the earliest.
The Atlanta Braves placed catcher Sean Murphy on the 10-day IL with an oblique injury.
Washington Nationals third baseman Nick Senzel suffered a broken thumb during warmups before Opening Day.
Diamondbacks top prospect Jordan Lawlar will miss at least two months after undergoing thumb surgery.
Reds infielder Matt McLain underwent shoulder surgery and is out indefinitely.
Cardinals outfielder Dylan Carlson was placed on the IL with a shoulder injury after colliding with teammate Jordan Walker.
The Seattle Mariners placed starter Bryan Woo on the 15-day IL with elbow inflammation.
The Philadelphia Phillies placed starter Taijuan Walker on the 15-day IL with a shoulder injury.
Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu was diagnosed with a non-displaced fracture in his foot and will miss time.
Rapid Fire
The Yankees, Marlins, and Rays agreed to a three-team deal just before Opening Day. Miami sent infielder Jon Berti to the Yankees, who sent catcher Ben Rortvedt to the Rays. The Marlins ended up with outfield prospects John Cruz (via NY) and Shane Sasaki (via TB).
The Rockies signed young shortstop Ezequiel Tovar to a seven-year, $63.5 million contract extension.
The Dodgers locked up star catcher Will Smith to a 10-year, $140 million contract extension.
The Phillies inked pitcher Matt Strahm to a $7.5 million contract extension through the 2025 season.
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