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After Mets manager Luis Rojas exploded on the umpire, which led to his first inning ejection on Sunday, MLB handed him a two-game suspension for "exce sive arguing.""I'm a little upset that Austin Corbett Jersey I'm going to be mi sing the next two games," said Rojas prior to the Mets' series with the Cincinnati Reds."But, the leagues gotta do what they gotta do."For Rojas, this is the first time he has been suspended at any level in profe sional baseball. And as he also noted, he did not have a chance to appeal.However, he says nothing will change as far as their preparation to play the Reds, as both he and the rest of the Mets' coaching staff are Larry Ogunjobi Jersey all on the same page with how they plan to approach this matchup. Bench coach Dave Jau s will take over managing duties, and Brian Schneider will fill Jau s' role, which he already a sists with regularly.Scroll to ContinueRojas will also be allowed to be in the clubhouse during pregame, and will be on the field throwing batting practice. But Damarious Randall Jersey once their workout ends, he must leave."My intention is not to get suspended," he said. "But my intention will always be to fight for the guys out there."Rojas' eruption was due to a controversial call in Ray-Ray Armstrong Jersey the first inning yesterday against the Pirates, where Taijuan Walker threw a dribbler away, which he believed to be in foul territory. Instead, three runs scored, and the call was non-reviewable.Rojas still believes this was a foul ball, and should be a reviewable play in the future.According to a source, this argument was more fierce than most and nearly got physical, which is what led to the league's decision Seth DeValve Jersey to suspend Rojas.Rojas appeared to have bumped chests with the umpire, as he was barking at him.

When it comes to Game 1 of the ALCS, baseball fans could not ask for a more intriguing duel between one of the game's best right-handed power pitchers and a lineup Tony Gonzalez Jersey of right-handed sluggers. Corey Kluber may not win the 2016 Cy Young Award, but he did strike out 227 hitters this season, fifth-most in the American League. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays hit 221 home runs on the season, most of which came from their dangerous right-handed hitters, Edwin Encarnacion (42 Khalen Saunders Jersey ), Josh Donaldson (37), Troy Tulowitzki (24), and Jose Bautista (22). Left-handed hitting Michael Saunders belted 24 homers on the season, but 16 of those came before the All-Star Break and he has not been as much of a threat since July. Although no one would feel "safe" against Toronto's offense, having an overpowering right-hander like Kluber gives the Tribe the best chance "on paper" to contain a potent offense.Scroll to Continue Even Cole Hamels, an elite lefty, was no match for those right-handed power hitters and Toronto made quick work of the Texas Rangers, largely because Eric Fisher Jersey of their dominant win over Hamels in Game 1. Along with Kluber, the Indians have another right-handed power pitcher in Trevor Bauer, but how he responds to a finger injury is yet to be seen. The Tribe may have their hands full in Game 2, when Josh Tomlin, who is prone to giving up Marcus Allen Jersey home runs, takes on the Blue Jays. But we will take a look at that matchup on Saturday. For now, the good news is that Kluber gives the Tribe as great a chance to win as anyone. And if he can produce a long outing, ideally seven innings or more, it helps the bullpen remain fresh for the nights when he is not on the mound. If this postseason has revealed anything, it's how valuable a strong bullpen can be, especially when the starting rotation Armani Watts Jersey is as banged up as Cleveland's.

Before the 2021 season got underway, the Texas Rangers took a significant step toward the future when the front office . The club had to eat the vast majority of his salary to do so, but the Rangers gained two prospects and paved a clear path for any of their younger players to take hold of the position in 2021.The first one to get a crack at the job was Nick Solak, and after a pedestrian 2020 season, theRangers' 2019 Rookie of the Year got off to a hot start in 2021. Through his first 28 games, Solak slashed .301/..379/.534/.913 with seven home runs and 15 RBI. It looked like the Rangers had their succe sor to Odor, but the grind of a full 162-game season Joe Flacco Jersey reared its ugly head.Solak barely treaded water over the next 64 games, putting up an underwhelming .190/.256/.273/.529 slash line with two homers and 19 RBI. Ultimately, the Rangers decided a demotion to Triple-A Round Rock would serve Solak well, giving him time to clear his head and regain confidence at the plate.Solak returned a month later, and put up numbers that better reflected the player that the Rangers were expecting. Over his final 35 games, Solak slashed .290/.367/.387/.754 with two home runs and 15 RBI. More importantly, the Rangers saw more grind and Mark Andrews Jersey grit from Solak at the plate, which was on full display in a 16-pitch at-bat against Arizona in early September.Overall, Solak slashed .242/.314/.362/.677 with 11 home runs, 49 RBI and an 87 OPS+. The Rangers would have ultimately liked to see a bit more slug out of Solak, but his response after being optioned to Round Rock at least had his arrow pointing in the right direction by the end of the season.One area where Solak did improve considerably was with the glove. After a season where he combined for -13 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) and -5 Outs Above Average (OAA) between second base, left field and center field in 2020, Solak bounced back with a -6 DRS and +3 OAA. The defensive play still needs some work, but he is much closer to the adequate defensive player the Rangers need him to be if he continues to grow with the bat.One Ranger who seized an opportunity in 2021 was Andy Ibez. Despite second base being his primary and best position, Ibez did enoughoffensively and defensivelyto force manager Chris Woodward's hand, keeping him in the lineup on a regular basis even after Solak returned from Round Rock.Despite not earning regular playing time until mid-June and suffering a hamstring injury that forced him to mi s three weeks in September, Ibez played nearly half a season. In 76 games, Ibez slashed .277/.321/.435/.756 with seven home runs, 25 RBI and a 107 OPS+. He also finished with a 1.8 bWAR, which was only behind Isiah Kiner-Falefa Iman Marshall Jersey , Adolis Garca and Nathaniel Lowe of players who finished the season on the Rangers roster.Like Solak, Ibez was better with the glove than expected. In fact, he looked like a Gold Glove defender at times. There is still some inconsistency there, but Ibez's athleticism at second base is no longer Matt Judon Jersey in question.Scroll to Continue2022 OutlookProjected Starter: TBDInternal Options: Nick Solak, Andy Ibez, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Yonny HernandezOffseason Priority: MODERATEThe Rangers don't have to addre s second base externally this fall. It's a position where they have a lot of options, for next season and beyond. He likely won't be ready for the big leagues in 2022, but No. 4 prospect Justin Foscue could be the long-term answer down the line.For next season, expect the position to be in flux. If the Rangers are succe sful at (yes, that is a po sibility), that will likely move Isiah Kiner-Falefa elsewhere. Even though he's won a Gold Glove over at the hot corner, second base would be a po sibility as well with Josh Jung potentially starting 2022 as the starting third baseman.If the Rangers are unable to do so and Kiner-Falefa is the team's shortstop in 2022, there are still the options of Nick Solak, Andy Ibez and Yonny Hernandez. Next Kenny Young Jersey season is still not quite the year the Rangers will put their foot on the gas and make a serious run at contention, so they have another year to evaluate and find out if any of those threeor someone else from the farm systemcan claim the spot for the future.If the Rangers do want to look externally for help, Toronto's Marcus Semien highlights the cla s of free agent second basemen, though Semien would reportedly prefer to play shortstop wherever he signs. Outside of him, Leury Garca, Donovan Solano, Josh Harrison, Jed Lowrie and Jason Kipnis highlight the rest of the cla s. Csar Hernndez could join the cla s as well if the Chicago White Sox decline his $6 million club option.General manager Chris Young said in the club's postseason pre s conference that the Rangers will look to upgrade anywhere they can on the roster. Whether it's a big time shortstop, a trade or some other roster shuffle, second base could look different in 2022.More 2021 Positional Reviews on SI's :

While fans may not be in the stands acro s Major League Baseball this season, that doesn't mean walk-up songs aren't played.From Kanye West to the Rolling Stones, members of the Yankees certainly have a wide range of tunes and artists played at Yankee Stadium. For rookie right-hander Michael King, however, the song that blares from the speakers each time he takes the mound has much more meaning than just a popular song that gets him pumped up."It was a Christmas gift from my sister, actually," King said Rodger Saffold Jersey on Thursday, smiling from ear to ear. "She's the one that wrote the song and sings the chorus in it."The song is called "Me sin' With The King" and if you listen closely enough as his Marcus Mariota Jersey fastballs pop his catcher's mitt while he prepares for his appearances to begin, the lyrics fit perfectly. Just check out the bridge King's sister, Olivia, belts out toward the end of the song.Like her brother, Olivia is also a rising star, just in another industry. She has a follower count approaching six figures on Instagram with tens of thousands more between Facebook, Twitter and Youtube.Scroll to ContinueAs the story goes, King's singer and songwriter sibling debuted the track as a present for her baseball playing brother ahead of his junior year at Boston College. King recalled always having trouble picking the perfect walk-out song throughout his baseball career. After joking with his sister that she should make him one, she surprised him and left him "shocked," making his walk-out song decision-making proce s a whole lot easier."It's A.J. Brown Jersey the best song I've ever heard," King said. "Since my junior year I've had it every year and I try to make sure that every home stadium plays it for me because one, it's really cool, gets me Kevin Byard Jersey pumped up and I'm just trying to get my sister as much publicity as po sible because she's so talented."Along with Olivia, artist Maye Star is featured on the song, rapping out lines like "I step to the mound and I put on my crown" and "ammunition is my mi sion, throwing bombs when I'm pitching."In his first full season with the Adam Humphries Jersey Bombers, King doesn't have a particular role just yet, but he's been a valuable piece of New York's pitching staff, starting three games and making six total appearances.On Friday, in Game 1 of a doubleheader on the road against the Orioles, King didn't hear "Me sin' With The King" played as he took the mound, but he was still able to showcase his potential with his performance. The right-hander threw four innings, allowing three runs and throwing a career-high 74 pitches.

It had to happen eventually. After letting walk in free agency this past offseason, the Dodgers acquired Marshawn Lynch Jersey eight-time All-Star closer from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for AJ Pollock.After 11 seasons of watching Jansen close games, Dodgers fans were sure to harshly judge Kimbrel on any subpar performances. On Monday night, he blew the first save of his two-month Dodgers career.The Dodgers got the lead late last night against the Pirates thanks to a double in the eighth inning by Justin Turner and a base hit by Nazair Jones Jersey Chris Taylor. Those events set the table for Kimbrel to try to lock down his 11th save of the season.But it was not to be.Scroll to ContinueKimbrel yielded a walk and a Cassius Marsh Jersey double to tie the game. First baseman Freddie Freeman mishandles a ground ball at first which allowed the Pirates to take the lead for good.Blown saves happen, but Dodgers fans have certainly expected more from the 2011 NL rookie of the 12th Fan Jersey year and baseball's active career saves leader.Kimbrel owns a 4.80 ERA in 16 appearances and a troubling 1.40 WHIP. In the month of May, Kimbrel has a 6.30 ERA. Even though his May has been poor, he still ranks in the top 8% of the league in expected batting average (.200) and is in the top 10% of the league in hard-hit percentage (30%).Kimbrel will look to right the ship this week as the Dodgers wrap up their Pirates series and Tedric Thompson Jersey then host the Mets for a four-game set.

Alek Thomas entered the season as one of the ' top prospects before debuting on May 8th. Doug Kotar Jersey He started off his career with a bang, hitting .260 with a .769 OPS with the D-backs in the month of May. His offense had been steadily declining as the season wore on, hitting rock bottom in September with a .130 average and .307 OPS. As a result of his at-bats getting progre sively worse, Thomas has lost out playing time to Jabrill Peppers Jersey other outfielders who have shown improvements. Jake McCarthy has established himself as in the outfield and has recently settled into the No. 3 spot in the batting order. Stone Garrett and Corbin Carroll have both forced their way into a big league evaluation and have been performing well enough to receive more opportunities. Throw in Daulton Varsho, who has been arguably the team's most valuable position player this season, and Jordan Sterling Shepard Jersey Luplow, who will get opportunities against left-handed starters, there were no consistent at-bats for Thomas in the big leagues.After the D-backs lo s to the Giants on Sunday, in which Thomas grounded out with two runners in scoring position in his only at-bat, manager Torey Lovullo was asked about Thomas' approach in that situation.Scroll to ContinueOn a follow-up question about Thomas' swing and approach causing him to pull off the ball and trying to fix that, Lovullo had this to say:Lovullo said the coaching staff Jon Halapio Jersey has identified a couple major i sues with Thomas swing, as the young outfielder has been " ". The coaches have encouraged him to shrink the zone and use an opposite field approach so he isn't pulling off the ball. Lovullo said his last conversation with Thomas was to " " and simplify the approach.Thomas will get a chance to work on those things and get Kareem Martin Jersey consistent at-bats with Reno in their final three regular season games and however deep they go in the Pacific Coast League and AAA playoffs.

For the sake of argument, and to give the OC a rare thrill, lets say the Dodgers play the Angels in the 2020 World Series, around Thanksgiving. Cold-weather solved. Genius!But if its the Cubs versus the Yankees in the Fall Cla sic, problem. Big problem. You want to tell fans in Philadelphia Eagles Jersey those towns the games will be played on neutral sites? Knock yourself out, pal, because if you dont, they will.With action acro s the sports world shut down indefinitely because of COVID-19, these are the types of conversations that are going on in the offices of Major League Baseball, the clubs and theMajor League Baseball Players A sociation. Or the virtual offices, anyway. And while the recent agreement between MLB and the MLBPA focuses on salary, service time, the amateur and international drafts, notes that the " f lexibility of both sides was seen in the willingne s to extend the Derek Barnett Jersey regular season into October, play neutral-site playoff games in November and add doubleheaders to the schedule."For the purposes of this discu sion the key phrase there is "neutral-site playoff games in November."Nothing is even close to being finalized, and probably won't be until the last minute, but I imagine that "neutral-sites" will translate to relatively fair-weather locales including but not limited to Anaheim, Los Angeles, San Diego, Seattle and Texas, Jake Elliott Jersey along with domed stadiums cities, such as Milwaukee and Tampa (gasp!), plus Arizona, which qualifies on both the weather and indoor-outdoor front. And if need be, Toronto. As much as it will annoy the L.A. faithful to hear it, Houston works too.Scroll to ContinueThat puts a third of the sport's ballparks in play as neutral-site options before a ball has been thrown in the 2020 season. And while I wouldn't make a prediction like this, it's a physical po sibility that the teams in those 10 cities will represent the entirety of the postseason tournament. Unlikely, sure, but it gives you an idea how few neutral sites may be required, andhow Chuck Bednarik Jersey many solutions exist.If in the end a couple of series do need to be played on neutral turf, Dodgers fans will travel to Anaheim, San Diego and Arizona for road games in November, just as they do from March through September every year as it is. Without mi sing a beat. In fact, they'd view it as an opportunity they wouldn't have in any other year but this one. And they'll embrace Shareef Miller Jersey it.Finally, I'll add this:There's no raining in baseball. The most important games of the year in a driving rain? Pa s. And after all the country will have been through come fall, a handful of well-executed postponements on account of the weather -- with the open dates they'll create in the playoff schedule -- will seem like a charming little alternative to, say, a Red Sox vs. the Mets World Series at Tropicana Field.And remember, glove conquers all. .

Articles about Opening Day rosters are no longer appropriate. Projections pieces about struggling outfielders are at best unfortunate, and at worst mean-spirited.Would I write a critical today? No. Will I write Alex DeBrincat Jersey of much anything baseball-related that falls outside the scope of Covid-19 topics tomorrow? I dont know. And frankly, I dont know what Ill be doing for at least the next month with .Which makes me like the countle s others whose work is affected by events surrounding the pandemic, and governmental responses to the current strain of coronavirus. And I dont think Im special.I do have some thoughts about how Major League Baseball might proceed, however. I cant give you much of a timetable, but whenever the sport becomes active again, another two weeks of ST will almost certainly be required.Pitchers are going to be especially affected. To use the Dodgers as an example, starters Marcus Kruger Jersey Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler, David Price, Julio Urias and Alex Wood were a couple of starts away frompitching five and six innings per outing. The longer the delay for the sport's pitchers, the more work theyre going to need to build back up.Since Los Angeles has a good eight to 10 starting pitching options, they'll be in better shape than most clubs. Per a league decision over the winter, .My gue s is, to a suage concern about new injuries which may occur, the league will go with a 30-man roster (with four spots for pitchers added) for a period of time at the start of the regular season, whenever that turns out to be.The term regular season really isnt apt this year, however. There will be nothing regular about the 2020 season. Contrary to what you may have read, I dont believe MLB will make any attempt to play a full 162-game schedule.Scroll to ContinueOff days Chris Kunitz Jersey are mandated via collective bargaining, remember, so they cant just stick postponed games into the schedule randomly, or thoughtfully. And because of fall weather, a postseason extending deep into November is also unlikely.I believe the league will make its first cut to 154 games, as was the norm prior to 1961-1962 baseball expansion. Next, and if nece sary, theyll cut it to 144, as was the case during the work-stoppage season of 1995, which began on April 25th of that year. If they have to cut some more, they'll cut some more.I imagine that the Dodgers David Kampf Jersey will be as careful as any team in baseball and any in all of sports taking every precaution po sible to a sure the health of their players, employees and fans. Whatever protocols are prescribed, the club will look for ways to go beyond what is suggested.Though it's been reported that , I don't believe that'll hold for more than a day or two. Players will be sent home (to their Arizona homes, or their L.A. homes) to await word on what happens next.After a beat, the Dodgers might begin some form of workouts at the Glendale, Arizona facility, or at Dodger Stadium. If thats not feasible in a week or so, look for individual players to host Jan Rutta Jersey private workouts in their own communities. If its po sible for me to attend workouts at Chavez Ravine or elsewhere, I will, and I'll report what I see. Video if at all po sible. When I predicted that , this is not what I had in mind.And remember, glove conquers all. .

Zac Gallen etched his name in Arizona Diamondbacks history Sunday afternoon at Coors Field, when he struck out Colorado Rockies first baseman C.J. Cron on a breaking ball in the dirt to end the bottom of the first inning.The punch-out extended Gallen's scorele s innings Chris Taylor Jersey streak to 42.1 innings, a new Diamondbacks' franchise record.Gallen surpa ses former Diamondbacks pitcher Brandon Webb's scorele s innings streak of 42, a record Webb set during the 2007 Major League season. The record hasn't been touched in 15 years, until now.Webb appeared on the Diamondbacks' telecast shortly after Gallen surpa sed his record to comment on the 27 Julio Urias Jersey -year-old righty's achievement.Coming out of a commercial break prior to the start of the second inning, Webb offered a heartfelt congratulations to Gallen on the Diamondbacks' broadcast on Bally Sports Arizona."In all seriousne s, it's been amazing to watch," Webb Babe Herman Jersey said, speaking with Diamondbacks broadcasters Bob Brenly and Steve Berthiaume. "I said it throughout my career, it was one of the coolest things I ever got to do. I just hope you appreciate that and realize Max Muncy Jersey what you're doing right now is spectacular. It's been fun to watch, congratulations, keep it going and we'll check in on you on the next one."Gallen last gave up a run 40 days ago, inan August 2 game in Cleveland, a game his team won, 6-3.Gallen has allowed just 16 hits Kenta Maeda Jersey and eight walks over his last seven starts, good for a 0.57 WHIP, .122 opponent batting average, and of course, and ERA of 0.00.

Some things have changed since the Indians gathered in Rodney McGruder Jersey Goodyear, Arizona last spring, besides the pandemic.The Tribe will have a new shortstop, two of the pitchers who opened the season in the starting rotation are gone, and there is no slated in right now to be the closer.However, for three players this spring is much like a year ago, except they are a year older, and in their current situations that is not good.It is kind of make it or break it for Bobby Bradley, Yu Chang, and Bradley Zimmer, and it didnt help any of them that last year was reduced to producing in the satellite camp in Eastlake.Now, they need to have big springs to make an impre sion on the front office and Terry Francona.Bradley, who will turn 25 in May, didnt get a chance with the big club last season despite the Tribes offensive woes.Thats because he was blocked at DH by Franmil Reyes and at first base by Carlos Santana. He had a 912 OPS in his last minor league season with Columbus in 2019, but did get 49 plate appearances with the Indians, but only hit one homer and struck out 20 times Kawhi Leonard Jersey .Thats the i sue for the left-handed swinger, contact. He fanned 153 times at AAA (453 plate appearances), but did belt 33 round trippers.He will get an opportunity to win the job at first this spring, but will have to battle Jake Bauers with Josh Naylor also in the mix.If an outfielder hits well, that will push Naylor to first and Tobias Harris Jersey probably knock Bradley off the roster.It is difficult to judge Bradley in spring training because he wont likely see the quality breaking pitches he needs to demonstrate he can hit to make the team. Our gue s is he has an uphill fight to open the season with the Indians.Scroll to ContinueChang will turn 26 during the 2021 campaign, and was the sensation of the summer camp, hitting home runs seemingly in every intersquad game.He did get 11 at bats in the regular season, getting two singles. He has 97 big league plate appearances, recording a .179 batting average (551 OPS).His problem in the minor leagues has been getting on base (.326 on base). He has some pop, but has a low batting average and doesnt draw a lot of walks, although he has 13 in the majors.He is in the mix at shortstop with the two newcomers from the Mets, Andres Gimenez and Amad Rosario, and could also make the squad as a reserve because he has played second and third base.For Zimmer, time is really getting against him as the former first round pick in 2014 is now 28 years old.Hes had the most extensive look at the big league level, registering 510 plate appearances with a 649 OPS. Hes battled injuries, but hes another player with contact i sues, fanning 164 times versus just 41 walks.Since the second half of his rookie year, Zimmer has hit .194 with 6 HR and 26 RBI Wesley Johnson Jersey in 304 at bats, striking out 121 times against 29 walks.Zimmer is an athletic freak, his speed is off the charts, but as the saying goes, you cant steal first.Hes competing for the CF job with Oscar Mercado, the newest Indian Harold Ramirez, non-roster invitee Jerome Robinson Jersey Billy Hamilton and perhaps Ben Gamel. He needs to hit and get on base.Hes probably the best defender of the group, but it doesnt matter how good you are with the glove, you have to be able to contribute offensively.Its really a cro sroads for these three players. If that dont make an impact in spring training, its doubtful any of the trio will be back in Goodyear a year from now trying to make the 2022 Cleveland Baseball Team.