What is going on blog? I hope you all are doing super well! If you haven't already, get on over to facebook.com/ballboyblog and give my facebook some love. I am trying to get to 100 followers by the end of the month!
We have another right amount of news and notes to get into today, so lets jump right in.
If you play MLB, The Show gets used to hearing the same crowd noise this season.
I want to talk about how well the MLB is doing with its testing and keeping players safe. Today July 17th, out of 17949 tests, there have only been 23 positive tests! The MLB shows all other sports that it can be done and can keep players and personnel safe.
In some more COVID-19 news Yasiel Puig who just signed with the Braves tested positive for COVID-19 and is NOT going to sign with the team and sit out until he has two tests back to back negative results. Puig not signing hurts the Braves a little bit more as they can not get a break. Another Braves, Freddie Freeman, feels excellent and on the upswing after his battle with COVID-19. The Braves Touki Toussaint was also cleared to return. But Braves also got news today that Cole Hamels will not be ready for the start of the season. Pirates OF Gregory Polanco tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss the beginning of the season, I don't see this as a damaging blow to the Pirates, and they shouldn't be too competitive this season.
The Washington Nationals were cleared by DC to play in the stadium. That's good for them as at least being in a familiar setting always helps to win games. In other NL East news, Phillies Didi Gregorius will wear a mask during all competitions this season. Players doing this won't be uncommon this season to see plenty of players doing so. NY Mets Jacob deGrom is dealing with a back injury but is still planning to pitch opening day. I think he will, and he will deal with the pain.
Over in the AL East side of things, Rays OF Austin Meadows will be sidelined to start the season after a positive COVID-19 test. This will make him miss at least one week of the season. Big blow to the Rays lineup and OF, but they will be more than okay with all the depth they got this offseason.
Going into some AL Central news, the KC Royals acquired OF Franchy Cordero and Ronald Bolanos from the SD Padres for P Tim Hill. Not a massive move for either side with significant impacts. Cordero will get the right amount of playing time in KC, and Hill is a good depth piece for the Padres. Speaking of an NL West team, the Colorado Rockies P Daniel Bard, who hasn't played in the MLB since 2013, made the opening day roster! Comeback complete- would be an excellent name for the 30-30 ESPN makes about him someday, maybe. Matt Kemp and Chris Owings also made the 30 man roster.
Let's get into some NY Yankees news, which there never seems to be enough of. Gerrit Cole gave up back-back HR to Mike Ford and Miguel Andujar and then stuck out 7 in his final tuneup. Then a super odd message from Domingo German suggests he could be leaving baseball. Random news, I know, but hey, it's the Yankees.