What is up blog, this should be coming out Wednesday, so HAPPY Wednesday!
We are going to get excited to see replays in twice as many angels this year. They are going from 12 to 24. I think this is good for baseball as the MLB keeps trying new things this year. We will not see this from the Blue Jays home park is Canada as the Canadian Government said nope, no baseball. The team is looking into playing at PNC Park, possibly among other options.
We have some good news, well exciting news, and well-deserved honor. Dr. Anthony Fauci will be throwing out the first pitch of the 2020 MLB Season in the Washington Nationals v. New York Yankees game.
We got some more clarity on opening day starters, which I think is exciting. German Marquez of the Colorado Rockies, Aaron Nola of the Philidelphia Phillies is just our latest two that I know for sure. There will be more clarity as the week goes on.
Time to jump into some injury news that's slowly coming out. I did feel injury news would take significant shape this week. But from what I know, none of these are COVID-19 related.
Braves SP Cole Hamels will not be ready for opening day. The injury opens up the door for Mike Folyenwic, who was brilliant at times last season and not. Speaking of the Braves and depleted depth, they signed Matt Adams to a Minors Contact. The move itself makes sense for the Braves. They lost Puig and have tons of positive COVID-19 cases; the team's depth is not as high. Adams can play multiple defensive positions, which is what the Braves need. Along with not seeing Puig, Hamels, or even Felix start the season, we will not see the infamous CHOP ON sign outside the stadium.
The Athletics just got Jesus Luzardo back from Covid-19, budding young star A.J. Puk will hit the I.L. to start the season with a shoulder strain. He is currently getting a second opinion from Dr. ElAttrache, which is a 50/50 outcome. I think its more cautious than anything else.
Two players for Bay Area rivals of the A's, the S.F. Giants, two of their better options in the field at the plate due to missing the start of the season. As manager Gabe Kapler said "not realistic" that either 3B Evan Longoria or 1B Brandon Belt will be ready. The news is tough for Giants fans as Posey has already opted out for the season. Look for Mauricio Dubon and Jaylin Davis, and even the Panda, YES Pablo Sandoval, to get a chance to crack the roster. Sandoval is the most likely to get the job as he can play both 1B and 3B.
Let's go down south to L.A. and the Angels where Joe Maddon thinks Anthony Rendon won't be ready for opening day. The reason is because of a lingering oblique injury.
Time to jump cross country to the East Coast where we start with SP Collin McHugh of the Boston Redsox is sitting out; it's not due to COVID-19. It is expected to a lingering arm injury. We would not be complete in a post without talking about New York. Met's Jed Lowrie was placed on the I.L. with left knee discomfort. Yes, I am tracking A-Rod and J-Lo, putting in 300 Million dollars into their Mets investment.
Lastly, don't mock MLB players for wearing a mask and hitting dingers. Let them do how they do.