The Weekly Rundown: 9/3/23 - 9/9/23
Julio Urias arrested, Orioles asserting their dominance, and much more.
Good morning and happy Sunday!
Less than a month remains in the 2023 MLB regular season, but the rundowns will keep on coming throughout the playoffs. There will be more content where that came from, so be sure to enter your e-mail below and subscribe if you haven’t already.
Those who have been subscribed this year, you know the routine. Grab yourself a coffee, and let’s jump in…
Julio Urias Arrested
Dodgers left-hander Julio Urías was arrested and charged with felony domestic violence charges last Sunday night. He was charged with “corporal injury on a spouse” and has a court date set for Sept. 27. The Dodgers released the following statement before MLB placed Urias on administrative leave:
“We are aware of an incident involving Julio Urías. While we attempt to learn all the facts, he will not be traveling with the team. The organization has no further comment at this time.”
This isn’t Urias’ first offense. The 27-year-old was arrested in 2019 for allegedly shoving a woman to the ground. He also was placed on administrative leave for that incident and ended up completing a 52-week domestic violence counseling program. He was handed a measly 20-game suspension. We can expect a much harsher penalty this time around.
Urias is scheduled to become a free agent this offseason.
Tempers Flare In Atlanta
It wasn’t a Tim Anderson-Jose Ramirez situation, but we had ourselves a mini brouhaha during Saturday’s Pirates-Braves game.
Braves star and MVP frontrunner Ronald Acuña took exception to Pirates starter Johan Oviedo pitching him inside. The two exchanged words, benches cleared, bullpens emptied, all that fun stuff (1:22 mark below).
Oviedo didn’t back down after the game, either.
“You never wait for a fight, but you have a man right in front of you, ‘Why are you looking at me?’” Oviedo said. “If you do that, you’re trying to get something out of it. I’m not going to be provoked by what you’re doing, because I’m trying to be locked in on my game. I’m trying to be smart about it.
“If you’re going to make that scene, make it for a reason. Don’t just make a whole lot of noise, make everyone run to the field and the benches clear. It shouldn’t happen. If you’re going to stay chill about it, don’t go over. Get mad and try to hit a homer off me or try to hit a single like he did.”
Later, during Acuña’s third at-bat, Oviedo pitched him inside again. Acuña again was visibly annoyed.
“I was laughing because you already got your chance to do something about it,” Oviedo said. “I don’t know, man. Baseball has become a little bit soft. No one wants to get fastballs in. It's part of the game. You're going to get fastballs in.”
As much as we all love Acuña, Oviedo is right. You can’t get pissed off every time you’re pitched inside. If you’re a good player — never mind arguably the best hitter in the league — you should expect it. If you get drilled, go ahead and give the pitcher a piece of your mind. But bitching about a pitch that brushes you off the plate? Yeah, that’s a sign baseball has gotten a little soft.
The IL
Daniel Bard, RHP, Colorado Rockies: 15-day injured list, fatigue in right forearm.
Michael A. Taylor, OF, Minnesota Twins: 10-day IL, right hamstring strain.
Carlos Carrasco, RHP, New York Mets: Out for season, fractured finger.
Ryne Stanek, RHP, Houston Astros: 15-day IL, right ankle sprain.
Michael Soroka, RHP, Atlanta Braves: 15-day IL, right forearm inflammation, shut down for season.
Collin McHugh, RHP, Atlanta Braves: 15-day IL, right shoulder inflammation.
Andrew McCutchen, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates: 10-day IL, partial tear in left Achilles tendon, out for rest of season.
Sandy Alcantara, RHP, Miami Marlins: 15-day IL, right forearm flexor strain.
Jorge Soler, OF/DH, Miami Marlins: 10-day IL, right oblique strain.
Patrick Bailey, C, San Francisco Giants: Seven-day concussion IL.
Gary Sanchez, C, San Diego Padres: Out for season, fractured wrist.
Matt Manning, RHP, Detroit Tigers: Out for season, fractured foot.
Adolis Garcia, OF, Texas Rangers: 10-day IL, right patellar tendon strain.
Luis Severino, RHP, New York Yankees: Out for season, high-grade oblique strain.
Danny Jansen, C, Toronto Blue Jays: 10-day IL, fractured finger.
Luis Rengifo, INF, Los Angeles Angels: Out for season, bicep tendon rupture.
MacKenzie Gore, LHP, Washington Nationals: 15-day IL, finger blisters.
Dominant On The Bump
Justin Steele, Chicago Cubs
8.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 12 K, 2 BB vs. San Francisco Giants
Cole Ragans, Kansas City Royals
6.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 7 K, 0 BB vs. Chicago White Sox
Merrill Kelly, Arizona Diamondbacks
7.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 12 K, 1 BB vs. Colorado Rockies
Brandon Woodruff, Milwaukee Brewers
7.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 6 K, 2 BB vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
Tyler Glasnow, Tampa Bay Rays
6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 14 K, 1 BB vs. Boston Red Sox
Zack Wheeler, Philadelphia Phillies
6.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 7 K, 2 BB vs. San Diego Padres
Ryan Pepiot, Los Angeles Dodgers
7.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 3 K, 0 BB vs. Miami Marlins
Zac Gallen, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks
9.0 IP (CG), 3 H, 0 ER, 9 K, 1 BB vs. Chicago Cubs
Mike Clevinger, RHP, Chicago White Sox
7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 7 K, 0 BB vs. Detroit Tigers
Jameson Taillon, RHP, Chicago Cubs
6.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 9 K, 1 BB vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
Kevin Gausman, Toronto Blue Jays
8.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 10 K, 1 BB vs. Kansas City Royals
Big Bombs
Rangers slugger Adolis Garcia crushed a walk-off homer against the Twins and celebrated accordingly (7:00 mark below).
Giancarlo Stanton recorded the 400th homer of his career.
Jose Altuve is on fire. The Astros star hit three homers in four consecutive innings Tuesday against the Rangers.
Brandon Lowe propelled the Rays to victory over the Reds Sox on Tuesday with a walk-off blast (8:06 mark).
Jose Abreu hit a grand slam and notched seven RBIs in the Astros’ win over the Rangers on Wednesday (4:22 mark below).
The Giants went back-to-back-to-back against the Rockies.
Yandy Diaz walked it off for the Rays against the Mariners on Saturday.
Web Gem Of The Week
Mariners outfielder Dominic Canzone went over the wall to make a spectacular grab vs. the Rays.
Welcome To The Show
Diamondbacks shortstop prospect Jordan Lawlar made his MLB debut Thursday vs. the Cubs and knocked an infield single for his first big-league hit (3:35 mark below).
Rangers top prospect Evan Carter made his MLB debut and collected his first career hit against the Athletics on Friday (3:11 mark).
Quick Takeaways
Twenty-year-old phenom Jasson Dominguez is giving Yankees fans something to cheer about. The highly-touted outfield prospect, also known as “The Martian,” became the youngest player in the modern era to hit four home runs in his first seven games.
It feels like we aren’t giving Matt Olson enough attention. The Braves slugger has an MLB-leading 48 homers with 21 games remaining.
After a dreadful first few months of the season, Trea Turner finally looks like Trea Turner. Actually, he looks even better. Turner hit seven homers over an eight-game stretch, including in his first at-bat back from the paternity list. He’s one of only 12 players in the 20 homer/20 stolen bases club this year. Something tells me we’re going to get some magic Turner moments in the postseason.
The Orioles are the second team to 90 wins, following the Braves. They’ve won seven straight and are pulling away in the AL East race. They lead the second-place Rays by four games.
The Rangers chose a terrible time to play their worst baseball of the season. They’re slipping in the tight AL West race, falling behind the Astros by three games. The Mariners have cooled off as well and find themselves 1.5 games back of the division lead.
Rapid Fire
The Cardinals designated infielder Taylor Motter for assignment.
The Giants released outfielder A.J. Pollock.
The Yankees shut first baseman Anthony Rizzo (post-concussion syndrome) down for the remainder of the season.
The Cubs designated right-handed reliever Shane Greene for assignment.
The Diamondbacks designated former Gold Glove shortstop Nick Ahmed for assignment.
Angels catcher Max Stassi was been placed on the restricted list and will not return this season due to a “serious family medical issue.”
The Rockies signed right-hander German Marquez to a two-year, $20 million contract extension. He’ll miss most of the 2024 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
Freddie Freeman set a Dodgers record with his 53rd double of the season.
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