Starting pitching…check. Taco offense…check. Bullpen… Bullpen… Bullpen…?
Diamondbacks News
Zac Gallen was great. Carson Kelly and Asdrubal Cabrera continued to rake. Locastro stole another base. All of that for naught. A great first half of the game was spoiled by Arizona being unable to weather the bullpen allowing six runs over the final five innings.
Gallen Debuts, Strikes Out Eight in Return from IL
Zac Gallen finally made his regular season debut on Tuesday afternoon. The results were impressive, giving the team and fans an uncommon bit of good news and a breathing life into the hopes for the season. Gallen threw 82 pitches in order to clear four full innings in which he surrendered only one run and struck out eight.
Gallen Impressive in 2021 Debut
Not only did the Arizona ace strike out eight Oakland batters, he pitched in with a bunt-hit of his own on the offense.
Peacock Options, R. Smith to Pen
The Diamondbacks needed to make some roster adjustments on Tuesday in order to get Gallen on the mound for his 2021 debut. In order to make room on the active roster, the Diamondbacks optioned reliever Matt Peacock, who will not be on the Taxi Squad due to eligibility restrictions. The team was also forced to make a decision regarding the rotation. The team elected to stick with a 5-man rotation. This forced Riley Smith to the bullpen to make room for Gallen as a starter.
Walker to IL, Andy Young Recalled
Christian Walker has been placed on the IL with a mild oblique strain, a nagging injury that has bothered Walker on and off for the past few days.
Bumgarner, Gallen Embody Arizona’s Worst Fears, Best Hopes (The Athletic)
Madison Bumgarner still has a massive contract owed to him, with the two most expensive seasons on it yet to come. This despite being the the team’s worst-ever starting pitcher. Zac Gallen is a young ace in the making, continuing to establish himself as a true top-of-the-rotation option, all while still playing for pre-arbitration wages. Both were on display back-to-back against the A’s this week.
Other Baseball News
Giolito vs Bieber an Ace Match-up for the Ages
Lucas Giolito and Shane Bieber engaged in the sort of pitching duel rarely seen anymore. Giolito pitched eight shutout innings. Bieber pitched nine. Neither got the decision as the game needed extras to be decided.
William Matthews the Man Who Nearly Broke the Colour Barrier – in 1905
In 1905, 42 years before Jackie Robinson debuted with the Dodgers, the Boston Nationals nearly integrated baseball by playing William Clarence Matthews.
Florida to Host Olympic Baseball Qualifying Tournament May 31 – June 5
After choking in 2019, The U.S. gets a second shot at qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics at a tournament to be held in West Palm Beach and Port St. Lucie. The team will now be managed by Mike Scioscia, the third manager for the club in this Olympic cycle.
2021 Trade Deadline Moved to July 30
In addition to being one day earlier, no afternoon games will be played on the day of the deadline, making it easier for teams to facilitate trades.
Mexican League’s Gudalajara Mariachis Features Plethora of Former MLB Talent
The new expansion team for the Mexican League has a number of former-MLB players on it, including a handful who have played recently and a couple with ties to the Diamondbacks.
Yankee’s Hicks Sits in Wake of Shooting
Aaron Hicks asked manager Aaron Boone to leave him out of the starting lineup on Monday. Giancarlo Stanton nearly did as well, but as game time approached, elected to play. The decision not to play was in observance of the shooting of Daunte Wright in Minneapolis.
New Baseball, Confusing Results
The new baseball has less carry but bounces more. Launch angle results are not performing as one might expect. There is absolutely something going on with the new balls and the results, it is still difficult to tell just what though.
Yasiel Puig Issues Statement on Sexual Abuse Allegations
For those wondering how it is that Puig still has no MLB offers, despite the holes in so many outfields, this might provide part of the answer. Puig and his attorneys full-throatedly deny the allegations and look forward to disproving them in court.
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