On the heels of this morning’s big Pirates news, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:
1. Drohan to make MLB debut:
The Brewers promoted left-hander Shane Drohan to the majors earlier this week, and now he’s poised to make his MLB debut against his former club. Acquired from the Red Sox in the Caleb Durbin trade, Drohan was a fifth-rounder drafted by the Red Sox back in 2020 who posted a 2.27 ERA in 47 2/3 innings of work at Triple-A last year. Drohan made just one start with the Brewers at Triple-A this year before being promoted, but now he’ll face off against veteran righty Sonny Gray (4.28 ERA in 2025) at Fenway Park later today. The game is scheduled for 1:35pm local time in Boston this afternoon.
2. Braves, Angels brawl:
The Braves and Angels got into a brawl yesterday when right-hander Reynaldo Lopez hit slugger Jorge Soler with a pitch during last night’s game. As noted by Rhett Bollinger and Courtney Hollman of MLB.com, Soler charged the mound following the plunking and threw punches at Lopez, who retaliated by punching back. Both benches cleared as Lopez and Soler fought, and the pair were eventually ejected from the game. Suspensions and fines haven’t yet been handed down from MLB after the brawl, but it seems likely that disciplinary action could come as soon as today. Meanwhile, the clubs will have the opportunity to work out any lingering tensions during this afternoon’s game, where Grant Holmes will face off against Reid Detmers at 1:07pm local time in Anaheim.
3. Pitchers’ Duel today:
A rematch of the 2025 World Series is currently ongoing, and tonight’s game in that rematch features a particularly exciting pitching matchup. Shohei Ohtani will be taking the mound for the World Champion Dodgers in his second start of the season. He threw six scoreless innings in his first outing of the year, racking up six strikeouts while allowing just one hit. His opponent will be newly-signed Blue Jays ace Dylan Cease, whose first two starts in Toronto have seen him post a 2.79 ERA with 18 strikeouts in just 9 2/3 innings of work. The game is scheduled for 3:07pm local time in Toronto and comes as the Jays look to avoid a sweep at the hands of Los Angeles, who won the first two games by a combined score of 18-3.
Lopez was trying to play whack-a-mole on Solers helmet with the ball still in his hand haha.
Very funny. Going into the game, Soler had a career 1.898 OPS against Lopez. In the first inning, Soler hit a two run homer, taking his Lopez OPS over 2.000 and giving him five HRs in 23 career Lopez ABs. The third inning HBP, Soler’s next AB, with two outs and first base open, was no accident and Lopez should have been ejected immediately.
Pitchers don’t seem to retaliate against teams who hit their batters. Otherwise the Red Sox would have taken action after Contreras got plunked for the 22nd time (!) by the Brewers on Monday. Crochet did hit former Boston player Hamilton on Tuesday, but that was with the bases loaded in a three run game and it surely wasn’t a purpose pitch.
Nobody wants to see pitchers hitting, but all these HBPs are an unfortunate downside of the DH rule (not likely Lopez is so aggressive if he has to get in the batter’s box the next inning). Now that we have DH in both leagues, to protect players MLB has got to take more stringent measures against intentional HBPs.
You think the DH causes more HBP? Interesting take. Especially since the AL is not new to the DH.
I’ve long thought that. Dudes throw up and in or bean guys knowing they won’t get it in return.
Always thought Pedro Martinez was a prime example of pitching up and in knowing he’d never face consequences.
fred – It doesn’t cause more HBP, but it prevents teams from retaliating directly against the pitcher.
Lou – Good post, but it’s impossible to prove intent with pitchers hitting batters.
Lopez and the Braves should have been warned and the Angels should have beaned one of their guys. It was an obvious Lopez revenge pitch.
Detmers is gonna drill Acuna in the ribs today Bob Nightingale said so
Bob Nightingale gonna plunk Ken Rosenthal in the noggin cause he roll that way. Passan gonna run and hide
Divin – Can Bob reach down that far?
Not much of a brawl
Soler hitting mostly air
Reynaldo waving his hands like he tryna get away from a mosquito
the only hit that landed was the Walt Weiss text book tackle in the open field on Soler!…Saw the Falcons home page has offered Weiss a contract already lol. “Come put on the pads Walt” 😂
Lopez was way less tough when Soler got close, lol.
I mean Soler listed at 6’4 240, I dont blame him.
Soler didn’t “charge the mound following the plunking”
Soler hit a home run in the first, then was hot by a pitch in his 2nd at bat in the 3rd.
Then in the 5th with Soler up again, Lopez throw one WAY high and a little in that went to the backstop. Then there was a play at 2nd as the baserunner went to 2nd on the wild pitch. As Lopez went back to the mound for the next pitch Soler then walked toward the mound.
Yeah, I came to to mention that. Thanks for doing it and hopefully they correct the story.
This is correct. Just to clarify, it did not appear that Soler was hit intentionally during his 2nd at bat by Lopez. Just a pitch that went too far inside. But I could see how Soler objectively thought it was aimed at him.
Forget any bench-clearing brawl for a moment. Venezuela are correctly the world champion of baseball by winning the recent World Baseball Classic. The Los Angeles Dodgers have never been “World Champion” of anything other than Murica, F@&k Yeah!
Way too early in the day to be drinking.
If MLB really wanted to grow the game they would concentrate less on base size and umpire challenges, and make fighting legal.
Soler owns Lopez at the plate. Soler took exception to the ball being thrown over his (and everyone else’s) head. It was a stare down until Lopez mouthed off. Not much of a brawl, but Weiss’ tackle was hilarious
The home plate umpire basically let it happen then back pedaled faster than a cornerback when it started.
Lopez can’t get Soler out so he beans him then throws up and in. Classless and deserving of getting piuched in the face. Wish that happened.
Great, ATL now has to look for more SP reinforcements when Lopez inevitably misses 1 and most likey 2 GS due to suspension since he made contact with Soler’s head with baseball in-hand. MLB doesn’t like when you use equipment (i.e. batting helmets, bats, batting gloves???, cups, etc.) in fights.
I would love to see a slap fight with some Franklin neon batting gloves. Maybe combine that with the mound and play king of the hill. Manfred, get on it.
Why isn’t anyone talking about the Drohan? LOL!
Looking forward to seeing what he’s got. It’s a lousy way to make your MLB debut though, against the team that knows you the best.