The Weekly Rundown: 8/11/24 - 8/17/24
A new innings rule for starting pitchers? Jarren Duran vs. Tennis Racket Guy, and more.
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Thanks! Here are the top stories from the last week in baseball.
Jarren Duran vs. Tennis Racket Guy
During last Sunday’s game vs. the Astros, Red Sox All-Star outfielder Jarren Duran shouted “Shut up, you fucking faggot” at a heckling fan. The fan yelled “You need a tennis racket!” at Duran during his sixth-inning at-bat. The broadcast mics picked up the exchange, as you can see below:
The clip predictably went viral and the Red Sox suspended Duran for the next two games without pay. Duran later issued an apology.
Duran returned Wednesday vs. the Rangers. Prior to his suspension, he hadn’t missed a game all season. The All-Star Game MVP has been one of Boston’s best players this year, hitting .291/.350/.505 with 15 homers and 59 RBI.
Victor Robles signs extension
The Mariners signed outfielder Victor Robles to a contract extension worth $9.75 million over the next two years. The deal includes a $9 million club option for 2027.
Robles was among the top prospects in all of baseball coming up in the Nationals’ system. He never lived up to expectations during his eight years with the Nats, who released him on June 1.
Seattle took a chance on Robles and it has paid off. Through 46 games with the club, the 27-year-old has slashed .270/.333/.405 with three homers and 13 stolen bases.
Starting pitcher rule proposal
According to ESPN, Major League Baseball is considering a rule that would force teams to keep their starting pitchers on the mound for a minimum of six innings. It sounds like an absurd idea, but don’t jump to conclusions just yet!
There are instances in which the starting pitcher would not have to pitch six innings, including:
He throws 100 pitches
He gives up four or more earned runs
He gets injured (with a required injured list stint to avoid manipulation)
The goal? To say goodbye to “openers” and restore the prestige of starting pitchers. Starters working late into games has become increasingly rare over the last decade or so.
Those intrigued by the potential rule also believe it could lessen the number of arm injuries for pitchers. In theory, starting pitchers would put less emphasis on velocity and more on stamina.
More from ESPN:
"Proponents of a six-inning mandate hope the biggest impact would take place behind the scenes. The belief is that pitchers would have to stop relying so heavily on max velocity and would set up their training around navigating longer starts, rather than overpowering stuff. And, in theory, starters pacing themselves to pitch deeper into games could help curtail the alarming rate of major arm injuries suffered by pitchers — and also give hitters a better chance at the plate."
My opinion? This actually isn’t the worst idea. However, it feels like it would take several years for such a drastic change to be implemented correctly. At every level of baseball, it would completely change how pitchers train and approach their start days.
Still, it’s an interesting proposal and one that could help make the game more like the pre-2010s style that was undeniably more fun to consume than the current product.
Weston Wilson hits for the cycle
Phillies outfielder Weston Wilson completed the cycle in Thursday’s game against the Nationals. Check out the highlights below:
Dominant on the Bump
Chris Sale, Atlanta Braves
7.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 12 K, 0 BB vs. San Francisco Giants
Blake Snell, San Francisco Giants
6.1 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 11 K, 3 BB vs. Atlanta Braves
Bowden Francis, Toronto Blue Jays
7.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 8 K, 0 BB vs. Los Angeles Angels
Nestor Cortes, New York Yankees
7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 9 K, 0 BB vs. Chicago White Sox
Bryan Woo, Seattle Mariners
7.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 6 K, 0 BB vs. Detroit Tigers
Bryce Miller, Seattle Mariners
7.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 9 K, 0 BB vs. Detroit Tigers
Logan Webb, San Francisco Giants
7.2 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 7 K, 1 BB vs. Atlanta Braves
Luis Severino, New York Mets
9.0 IP (CG), 4 H, 0 ER, 8 K, 1 BB vs. Miami Marlins
Cristopher Sanchez, Philadelphia Phillies
9.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 4 K, 0 BB vs. Washington Nationals
Big Bombs
Dodgers star Mookie Betts homered in his first game back from injury.
Juan Soto recorded his first three-homer game in the Yankees’ win over the White Sox on Tuesday. He homered six times in four games.
Kyle Schwarber crushed a grand slam vs. the Marlins.
Braves outfielder Michael Harris II hit a grand slam into McCovey Cove against the Giants.
Aaron Judge became the quickest ever to reach the 300-homer milestone.
The Nationals were down to their last strike vs. the Giants when Luis Garcia Jr. hit a game-tying three-run bomb.
Web Gem of the Week
Chris Sale showed off the reflexes with a crazy catch on a comebacker vs. the Giants.
Welcome to the Show
Blue Jays third base prospect Will Wagner, son of former All-Star closer Billy Wagner, went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI in his big-league debut Monday vs. the Angels.
Twins pitching prospect Zebby Matthews allowed two runs on five hits and struck out five in five innings during his debut Tuesday vs. the Royals.
Nationals third base prospect Andres Chaparro went 3-for-4 with three doubles and an RBI in his debut Tuesday in Baltimore.
Giants outfield prospect Grant McCray debuted Wednesday and collected his first two career hits — including his first homer — Thursday vs. the Braves.
Tigers shortstop prospect Trey Sweeney recorded his first career hit in his debut vs. the Yankees on Friday.
Tigers infield prospect Jace Jung collected his first two career hits on Saturday vs. the Yankees after debuting on Friday.
A’s pitching prospect Grant Holman made his debut Saturday vs. the Giants, allowing one hit and striking out one in 0.2 innings of relief. Holman famously pitched a no-hitter in the Little League World Series 11 years ago.
Notable Injuries
The Phillies placed outfielder Austin Hays on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain.
Dodgers rookie starter River Ryan will undergo Tommy John surgery.
The Braves placed left-hander A.J. Minter has been placed on the 15-day IL due to left hip inflammation. Minter will undergo hip surgery.
The Rockies placed outfielder Kris Bryant on the 10-day IL with a back strain.
The Pirates placed starter Marco Gonzales on the 60-day IL due to a forearm strain.
Red Sox left-hander James Paxton suffered a partial tear of his right calf muscle and is a “long shot” to return this season.
The Yankees placed outfielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. on the 10-day IL due to a left UCL injury.
The Twins placed outfielder Byron Buxton on the 10-day IL with right hip inflammation.
Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich will undergo back surgery and miss the rest of the season.
The Dodgers placed right-hander Tyler Glasnow on the 15-day IL with elbow tendinitis.
The Reds have placed righty Hunter Greene on the 15-day IL with right elbow soreness.
The Astros placed reliever Ryan Pressly on the 15-day IL with a low back strain.
The Pirates placed Andrew McCutchen on the 10-day IL due to left knee inflammation.
The Rays placed right-hander Zack Littell on the 15-day IL due to fatigue in his throwing shoulder.
Rapid Fire
The Red Sox designated infielder Jamie Westbrook for assignment.
The Angels released right-hander Zach Plesac.
The Dodgers DFA’d infielder Amed Rosario.
The Mariners released right-hander Mauricio Llovera.
The Nationals DFA’d infielder/outfielder Harold Ramírez.
The Rockies released veteran catcher Elias Díaz.
The Angels DFA’d first baseman/outfielder Willie Calhoun.
The Mets signed outfielder Eddie Rosario to a minor league contract.
The Red Sox signed veteran lefty Rich Hill, marking his fourth official stint with the organization.
The Tigers DFA’d infielder Gio Urshela.
The Red Sox DFA’d first baseman Dom Smith.