First Week News
All of the opening day festivities have come to a close, and we've finally gotten our first taste of the 2017 MLB season. Week one was amazing to watch, and here's a recap of that week.
Top stories- Players of the week: Our first pair of players of the week in 2017 were 2 young, up and coming players, OF Nomar Mazara from the Texas Rangers, and C J.T. Realmuto from the Miami Marlins. Mazara got off to a hot start last year, and repeated that this year, having a league lead 9 RBI's through week one, as well as having a .417 batting average with 2 homeruns. That's a very impressive line from a solid young player, and he'll look to keep this up in week 2, and hopefully throughout the season. Heading over to the NL player of the week, Realmuto had an astounding .500 batting average, along with 2 homers and 6 RBI's. Both players had great opening weeks, and it'll be exciting to see them try to continue their surges in the coming weeks. George Springer: After being moved to the lead off spot by the Astros, George Springer's ability to produce was put into question, and after spring training ended, the people got their answer. Springer started his season with a bang, literally, hitting 4 homeruns, including a walk off. Springer's ability to set the table for the 'Stros has already led them to victories in their first 3 games of the season, and, hopefully for Astros fans, many more. Michael Pineda's flirt with perfection: In his second start of this fresh campaign, Yankees pitcher Michael Pineda gave everyone their first good look at a could be perfect game/no hitter. Pineda tossed an astounding 6 1/3 perfect innings before surrendering a 1 out double to Rays slugger Evan Longoria. Pineda hasn't been on top of his game lately, having lost his last start, surrendering 4 runs in 3 2/3 innings to the same Rays team he dominated today. This sign of dominance could be a look of what's to come for Pineda, and it would be key if he can continue this dominance in a contract year.
Wil Myers's cycle: Also on Monday, something special happened in Colorado, when Pardre's first baseman Wil Myers hit for the cycle. Myers went 4-4 in the victory, hitting a single, double, triple, and a homerun to secure the second Padre's cycle in history. It was a phenomenal performance, and after signing a big extension in the offseason, he's proving he deserved it. Injury Updates: As with every sport, injuries play a big role for a team's success, and a player's progression. 2017 has already claimed it's first round of injuries, and here are some updates on these players. Starting in the AL East, Red Sox's pitcher David Price threw a bullpen this week and said he felt well. After having elbow injuries at the start of Spring Training, Price is taking the first steps to a healthy return. Staying in Boston, the Red Sox have placed outfielder Jackie Bradly Jr. on the DL for a right knee sprain, but it is believed to only be a short term issue, nothing serious. Heading over to New York, the Yankees have lost catcher Gary Sanchez for at least 4 weeks, and first baseman Greg Bird is listed as day to day. Going to the other side of New York, Met's pitcher Zack Wheeler made his long awaited return from Tommy John surgery, throwing 4 innings, surrendering 5 runs in a losing effort against the Marlins. Staying in the NL East, Nationals short stop Trea Turner has been placed on the disabled list with a hamstring injury. Heading over to St. Louis, relief pitcher Trevor Rosenthal will return to the Cardinals bullpen, hoping to return to his 2015 form. Finally, Oakland A's pitcher Sonny Gray threw for the first time after sustaining an injury, and, after reporting he felt great, he will throw again Thursday to live hitters. That's it for the news. Enjoy the next week of baseball to come, and for all the news around the diamond, keep it here at Rounding The Bases With Jeff Koff.
