New York Mets – Remaining on track, Edwin Díaz appeared in minor league game action on Friday, retiring three in a row, then faced one more batter. If he feels good this weekend, he could appear in Grapefruit League action on Monday or Tuesday per Bill Ladson of MLB.com. Plus, as this tweet shows, his team will enhance his entrances in the regular season with LED lighting while blasting “Narco“. Looking forward to the trumpets sounding soon.
Miami Marlins – After throwing 17 pitches during his inning of work on Friday night, Sixto Sánchez did not return for a second. This could be a sneak preview of his usage pattern this season according to Christian De Nicola of MLB.com in her game recap. Skip Schumaker speaks about Sánchez responding well after his last relief outing, and he could be stretched out for multiple-inning outings, but may fit the roster best as a leverage ladder option. If his velocity continues rising, this role may suit the oft-injured pitcher well. Stay tuned.
Texas Rangers – The last of the relievers vying for the “closer” role this season made his debut on Friday, featured in 3 Texas Rangers observations by Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News. David Robertson worked a clean seventh inning, striking out one. Over the next two weeks, Bruce Bochy will decide who earns the preferred save share at the start of the season between Robertson, José Leclerc, Josh Sborz, and Kirby Yates.
Quick Hits (Game Recaps from March 8)
- Arizona Diamondbacks – Recording his third spring hold, Paul Sewald worked a scoreless third, walking one. After three outings this spring, he owns a 1.00 WHIP with one strikeout and one walk. Kevin Ginkel served up a solo home run (Mike Tauchman) but got credit for his first hold.
- Baltimore Orioles – Securing his first spring hold, Craig Kimbrel tossed a scoreless fifth, walking one. This marked his third spring outing and he owns a 2.67 WHIP with two strikeouts against one walk. Yennier Cano fired a clean sixth, striking out two for his first hold. He’s appeared in two spring contests, posting a 0.50 WHIP with three strikeouts over two innings.
- Kansas City Royals – Will Smith allowed a solo home run (Wyatt Langford) and recorded a strikeout. He’s made three appearances this spring and owns a 1.00 WHIP with three strikeouts versus one walk.
- New York Yankees – Entering in the fifth inning, Clay Holmes retired the side in order, striking out one for his first spring hold. He threw 11 pitches (63.6 Strike%) with one whiff. This marked his second appearance and he’s recorded two strikeouts without allowing a baserunner.
- Oakland A’s – Suffering his first spring loss, Dany Jiménez allowed two hits, three runs (two earned), and a walk while recording all three outs via strikeout in the fifth. Lucas Erceg fired a clean sixth, striking out two. Mason Miller tossed a scoreless seventh, giving up a hit and striking out one. This marked his third spring outing and he’s racked up six strikeouts versus zero walks with a 0.33 WHIP through three innings.
- Philadelphia Phillies – A dominant outing by Gregory Soto. He took over in the fourth and struck out the side on 16 pitches (75 Strike%) with five whiffs (31.3 SwStr%). Seranthony Domínguez allowed a solo home run and a walk while striking out two. He threw 23 pitches (15 strikes – 65.2 Strike%) while inducing four whiffs (17.4 SwStr%). José Alvarado fired a clean seventh, striking out one, needing only seven pitches (71.4 Strike%) without a whiff.
- St. Louis Cardinals – Deploying its leverage ladder in a spring victory over the Nationals, Ryan Helsey entered first, working around a hit and two walks, while striking out one in a scoreless fourth. He received credit for his first hold and owns a 1.67 WHIP with four strikeouts versus three walks over three innings this spring. Giovanny Gallegos allowed a hit, an unearned run, and a walk while striking out one for his first hold. JoJo Romero tossed a scoreless sixth, yielding a hit and striking out two.
- Toronto Blue Jays –Jordan Romano fired a clean eighth, striking out two for his second hold. He threw 12 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and produced one whiff. He’s made four appearances this spring and posted a 0.55 WHIP with five strikeouts against zero whiffs.
Closer Monkey’s Filthy Pitch of the Day award goes to Griffin Jax, courtesy of this tweet by the Pitching Ninja.
Thanks for stopping by before we spring ahead tomorrow. Stay safe and be well.
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