Here is some of the latest news within Major League Baseball:
Judge Still Not Swinging Bat
New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge has still not swung a bat as he tries to recover from injury. Judge was on the field prior to the Yankees game on Monday night and participated in base-running and fielding drills for a half hour. Judge suffered a fractured right wrist when he was hit by a pitch thrown by Royals pitcher Jakob Junis on July 26. He has not picked up a bat since that date. The Yankees initially believed that Judge would miss just three weeks with the injury, but setbacks have kept him out longer. The All-Star right fielder has a .285 batting average to go along with 26 home runs and 61 runs batted in this season. The Yankees have cut the Red Sox lead in the American League East to just 6.5 games entering play on Tuesday.
Ohtani Plans to Pitch Again in 2018
Japanese sensation, Shohei Ohtani believes that he will be able to return to the mound for the Los Angeles Angels this season. Ohtani threw three innings, 50 pitches, in a simulated game at Angels Stadium on Monday afternoon. This was the next step in Ohtani’s comeback after suffering a sprained elbow ligament earlier this season. The two-way player has not pitched in a game since June 6, but he has remained in the Angels lineup. On Monday night, Ohtani connected for his 15th home run of the season in the Angels 10-7 victory over the Colorado Rockies. The hard-throwing right-hander made nine starts for the Angels this season, posting a 4-1 record to go along with a 3.10 earned run average.
Trammell’s Jersey Retired By Tigers
Hall of Fame shortstop Alan Trammell had his number three jersey retired over the weekend by the Detroit Tigers. The Tigers honored Trammell with a short pregame series before their game on Sunday afternoon. Trammel played for the Tigers from 1977-96 and was a part of the 1984 Detroit Tigers team that won the World Series. He was a career .285 hitter and belted 185 home runs during his career, but he was more well known for his defensive prowess. Trammell was inducted into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame in July with former teammate Jack Morris.
McCullers Jr. Unlikely To Rejoin Houston Rotation
Houston Astros manager AJ Hinch does not expect Lance McCullers Jr. to rejoin the Astros starting rotation this season. McCullers has been on the disabled list since August 5, one day after he left a start against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was diagnosed with a right forearm strain, and will not resume throwing until September. Hinch doesn’t think that McCullers will have time to build up his stamina to the level he needs it to be a starter. If McCullers comes back healthy, that will give the Astros another weapon in what is already a dominant bullpen. The Astros have a 2.5 game lead over the Oakland Athletics in the American League West Division entering play on Tuesday.
Morales Sees Home Run Streak End
Toronto Blue Jays slugger Kendrys Morales saw his streak of seven straight games with a home run come to an end on Monday night. Morales fell just one game shy of tying the Major League record of eight consecutive games set by Ken Griffey Jr. (1993), Don Mattingly (1987), and Dale Long (1956). Instead, Morales joins six other players who have recorded a home run in seven straight games. Morales went 0-3 with a walk in the Blue Jays 7-0 loss to the Baltimore Orioles. The veteran earned Player of the Week honors in the American League for his impressive streak.
Torres, Andujar Set Record For Yankees
Gleyber Torres and Miguel Andujar are putting together Rookie of the Year type seasons for the Yankees, and now find their names in the record books. Torres and Andujar became the first pair of rookie teammates in Yankees history to both record 20 home runs. Torres blasted his 20th home run of the season in the Yankees loss on Monday night to join Andujar who already has hit 21. This is the eighth time in Major League Baseball history that a pair of rookies have hit 20 homers in the same season. The last time it happened was in 2008 when the Cincinnati Reds Joey Votto and Jay Bruce accomplished the feat.
