Bartolo Colon was the winning pitcher in the Twins’ 12-5 win over the Diamondbacks today, giving the 44-year-old another distinction in the record books. Colon became the 18th pitcher in baseball history to record at least one win against all 30 big league teams. The veteran righty was 0-2 in four previous career starts against the D’Backs, but he finally notched that elusive win in his 20th MLB season. While expansion doesn’t appear to be in the league’s immediate plans, we also probably shouldn’t entirely rule out the ageless Colon’s chances of eventually defeating a 31st team.
Here’s some more from around the American League…
- Justin Upton tells MLB.com’s Jason Beck and other reporters that he hasn’t “really even thought about” whether or not to opt out of his Tigers contract. Upton is focused on finishing the season, and will then take some downtime before discussing the opt-out with his agent and his family “probably a week or two beforehand” when a decision will need to be made. One factor will be whether or not the Tigers will look to contend or rebuild in 2018, and Upton intends to speak to GM Al Avila, who the outfielder feels has “been pretty up front with all the veteran guys here with his plans” to date. Recent reports suggested that Upton wasn’t planning on opting out of the four years and $88MM remaining on his Tigers deal, though given that Upton is enjoying an outstanding season, he could potentially top that guarantee if he re-entered the open market. MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes recently ranked Upton as having the sixth-highest earning power of any potential free agent of the 2017-18 offseason.
- Barring injury, Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen doubts the team will make any significant August waiver trades, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports. “We’re still watching the waiver market through the month of August but I’m not anticipating that there’s going to be major changes outside of what’s in this organization,” Hazen said.
- The Cardinals recalled Stephen Piscotty from Triple-A as their 26th man for their special Little League Classic matchup with the Pirates, though Cards president of baseball operations John Mozeliak told MLB.com’s Jennifer Langosch and other reporters that Piscotty may stick with the club beyond just today’s action. Piscotty has battled injuries and struggled to the tune of a .232/.340/.362 slash line over 291 PA, which led to his demotion earlier this month. It remains to be see how St. Louis would juggle right field playing time between Piscotty, fellow underachiever Randal Grichuk and promising rookie Jose Martinez.
- The Blue Jays started Josh Donaldson at shortstop and Jose Bautista at third base today, and while the lack of a DH for their interleague series at Wrigley Field played a role in the unusual lineup, manager John Gibbons told MLB.com’s Gregor Chisholm and other media that “you may see them out there together again.” Bautista has some past experience at the hot corner, while Donaldson’s first three career games at short all came during this three-game series with the Cubs. This lineup shuffle, if more regularly made, would allow Nori Aoki or Ezequiel Carrera (or a September outfield callup) to see more time in Bautista’s usual spot in right field, and the Jays could then bench one of the light-hitting middle infield duo of Ryan Goins and Darwin Barney.
- Brett Anderson is again going through the process of joining a new team and recovering from another injury, though the veteran southpaw tells Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi that he is still hopeful of becoming a healthy and productive member of a rotation. “It’s a gift and curse that I like baseball enough to keep doing this,” the 29-year-old Anderson said. “I’m not super old by any stretch, but I’ve been around for a while, and hopefully I’ve pushed a button and I age in reverse, got all that stuff out of the way before I’m 30, and have some healthy years going forward.” Davidi’s piece also notes that the Blue Jays have long been intrigued by the lefty’s potential, nearly acquiring Anderson as part of a three-team deal with the A’s and Rangers in the 2013-14 offseason, though issues with Anderson’s physical scuttled Toronto’s interest.
Interesting…… wonder who would’ve been sent where in that three team deal….. anyone here know anything
no clue, interesting though
Another tainted record. I don’t see why so many people worship Colon. Can someone give me an actual good reason?
Look at him. He’s 44 and he’s not in very good shape so the worship he gets is mostly in a jokingly matter though. It’s pretty remarkable that’s he’s still pitching though
Because he’s bartolo colon
Because he’s roughly halfway between Mike Trout’s age and mine? Makes me feel connected.
The guy was in his PRIME in like 2003.. it’s crazy to think he’s better than other major league pitchers, that’s why
Sounds like a question coming from an angry Mets fan. Just saying.
Mets fans love Bartolo… Why would this be coming from an angry Mets fan? That makes no sense
Because he looks like a normal person, not an athlete. And ther s lot many players that enjoy the game and show it as much as he does
“Tainted record”, really? The guy is still winning ballgames and he’s 44, and you’re trying to assert that his record is “tainted”. I suppose he’s been in MLB for 20 years because it’s a fluke, right. Give me a break.
His career has been aided by PEDs use. That’s why the word “tainted” is in play.
Where have you been?
Worship and admiration are different for a non-knuckleballer who is still effective at 44.
I know this doesn’t have anything to do with this thread but speaking of the waiver wire I wonder if anyone will trade for Verlander. The guy is clearly back on track and cools really help a team down the stretch and in the playoffs. If I was the Yankees or Redsox or Dodgers I’d go for it since they have the money to spend.
dodgers might not even need him lol
When did the Red Sox suddenly get the extra room under the cap?
What cap?
A lot of people refer to the Luxury Tax as a cap since most teams don’t like going over it.
Luxury tax. There’s been talk all season they won’t take on huge salary because they don’t want to face the penalties.
Colon has already beaten 31 teams. He beat the expos on June 22nd 2002.
I think MLB is counting them same as the Nationals since the club technically just relocated and changed their name.
True, but he may be the only one who’s done it and that distinction shouldn’t go unmentioned.
1. Al Leiter, April 30, 2002[1][2]
2. Kevin Brown, March 31, 2004
3. Terry Mulholland, July 3, 2004[3]
4. Curt Schilling, September 10, 2004
5. Woody Williams, September 26, 2006
6. Jamie Moyer, May 26, 2008
7. Randy Johnson, April 19, 2009
8. Barry Zito, June 12, 2010
9. A. J. Burnett, July 21, 2012
10. Javier Vázquez, July 21, 2010[4]
11. Vicente Padilla, August 10, 2010
12. Derek Lowe, May 10, 2012
13. Dan Haren, August 9, 2013[5]
14. Kyle Lohse, June 26, 2015[6]
15. Tim Hudson, July 26, 2015[7]
16. John Lackey, April 18, 2016[8]
17. Max Scherzer, May 11, 2016[9]
18. Bartolo Colon, August 20, 2017, defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 12-5 as his final team to beat on August 20, 2017.
and all of them also beat the expos? I think u missed the comment’s point
Didn’t miss any point. They all beat that one franchise. Are you also going to count twice for those that beat the Rays and Devil Rays? Miami Marlins and Florida Marlins? LA Angels and Anaheim Angels? Three times for Nationals, Expos and Expos that played in Puerto Rico?
Baseball!
Yea!
Gotta love Jays and Gibby positioning Donaldson at short, Bautista at 3rd. Two great athletes as well as baseball players. Didn’t work though, Jays pitching sucked at critical times in this series against the Cubbies. It is time for the Jays to blow it up and turn over the old to bring in more prospects. They can win against the weak clubs but have it tough aginst those who can play well. That shows this team will not compete in a playoff race. I suggest that we don’t drink the local Tor media hype or Jays Mgmt kool-aid that the Jays can win anything this year.
The Jays have some good pieces to trade, but are there any good trade partners available?
The White Sox really moved aggressively to get what was out there to get.
News feeds reported the Jays were offered 15 different deals at the trade deadline for some of their pieces and they turned all down except for 2 UFA’s Liriano and Smith. The White Sox made those deals and got what they could. Something tells me we need a new GM in Toronto. A real GM would see that they can’t compete and would at least trade away the other UFA’s like Estrada[Yankees claim] or Bautista or Barney, or some of the other quality pieces with years of control remaining. If the White Sox could do it, why couldn’t the Jays?
It’s funny they call Grichuk and Piscotty underachievers, whenever I see them play the Cubs they look like Mike Trout.
Come on, Colon is great. Look at his HR last year and how happy his teammates were for him.
He’s fat, he’s old, and he can still get outs. Fans love Vince Carter and Jaromir Jagr because they continue to baffle as the oldest players in their leagues, why should Colon be any different?
Even funnier that jose martinez is called a promising rookie. He is a rookie, that is true, but he is more like a career minor league 29 year old.
Vince Carter and Jagr are not disgusting physical specimens and terrible human beings that cheated the game on a variety of levels.
I think it is safe to day Colon will not beat a 31st team. And for beating team number 30 who cares? Big deal. Why is that news. He has pitched for decades in both leagues so the new should be what took so long. Sorry I am not pressed
@JKB If you don’t like it and don’t care, why did you bother spending the time to comment? An utterly ridiculous waste of time and space.
He’s disgusted by this known juicer/liar!!!
@Sid Bream if you don’t like it and don’t care, why would you bother spending the time to reply to his comment? A even more ridiculous waste of time and space.