As the weekend fast approaches, here are three things to keep an eye on around Major League Baseball:
1. Randal Grichuk to make D-backs debut:
Outfielder Randal Grichuk is expected to join the Diamondbacks today in Atlanta, according to John Gambadoro of 98.7FM Phoenix. The veteran outfielder signed a one-year, $2MM deal with Arizona this winter but missed spring training after undergoing ankle surgery in January. The D-backs, who recently lost center fielder Alek Thomas to the 10-day IL with a strained hamstring, could certainly use the help in the outfield. Grichuk plays all three outfield positions.
2. MiLB appearances for Edward Cabrera, Justin Verlander, J.D. Martinez:
After making his first rehab appearance for Triple-A Jacksonville last week, Marlins starter Edward Cabrera is set to make his second start for the Jumbo Shrimp this evening (per Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald). He is expected to throw four innings today; he went three in his first appearance.
Meanwhile, Justin Verlander is headed for a minor league rehab assignment, according to the transaction log at MLB.com. He is scheduled to make his first appearance at Triple-A on Sunday (per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com), but he was officially sent to join the Sugar Land Space Cowboys this morning.
Finally, Mets DH J.D. Martinez could make his first minor league appearance of the season today, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. Martinez agreed to be optioned after signing his one-year, $12MM deal with the Mets, so this would not be a rehab assignment. However, it would essentially serve the same purpose, giving Martinez a chance to ramp up before getting back to big league action.
3. Home openers on the schedule:
After the Cardinals and Twins played their home openers on Thursday, a whole slate of teams will begin their first series at home today. That includes the Yankees, Tigers, and Angels in the American League, and the Braves, Giants, Pirates, and Rockies in the National League. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays, Red Sox, and Guardians will have to wait until next week before finally kicking things off at their home stadiums.
It’s a good thing Boston started their season on a 10 game, west coast road trip. It was snowing in Boston yesterday and more snow/rain is expected this weekend.
Next week looks much better with temperatures in the low 60’s.
With the way they’re playing, they should stay on the road all year. 5-2 and an upcoming sweep against the Angels, they could come home a 1st place team.
Now the Sox are off to a nice start. But don’t assume that the Angels are just going to roll over for them.
Bruh, While I am a die hard Red Sox fan you need to slow your roll. Yes, I hope we sweep the Angels but they are playing at home in their home opener and they just don’t roll over for us. Either way I will be attending the series and will be “hoping” for a sweep!
One down, two to go.
I have said for a few years now all new stadiums should be required to have a retractable roof. Probably not cost effective to do the older ones.
It would be ivy across the ceiling and give a new meaning to “green monster.”
It would be disrespectful to put a hat on the oldest stadium in bb. As for Wrigley, they should tear that disgrace down and build a real MLB ball park.
A lot of major leaguers starting in the minors because they signed late and are out of baseball shape.
Maybe a cautionary tale to use their own good sense instead of listening to the agent’s blue sky baloney they ultimately don’t deliver on.
I’ve always said MLB should run a training camp for free agents that way if/when they sign late they are already in game shape
I think they did that one year.
They did briefly after the lockout in ’22 and prior to that in 1995 after the strike
As long as we’re bringing up next week, the Yankees scheduled a day game for Monday but that’s coinciding with the total eclipse of the sun. Bombers have now rescheduled their Monday home date to a night game.
Eclipses are overrated. I’ll just watch the highlights.
Jimmy: You mean you’re not gonna watch the 2 hour pre-eclipse show on various news programs? How un-galaxy of you.
Live from the Red Carpet, The 2024 Eclipse!
Nothing about the dodgers making a fan give up Ohtani’s hoe run ball and Ohtani lied about her giving him the ball and meeting her?
It’s becoming more and more obvious Ohtani is a snake. And for the Dodgers to threaten not to authenticate is ridiculous.
What’s the deal with Ohtani wanting the ball he hit for the 173rd home run of his career? Is he so giddy about being a Dodger that he’s going to collect the first HR ball he hits in Dodger blue in every park he plays in? Money has made him a wacko.
“Grichuk plays all three outfield positions.”
At the same time???