As the 2024 regular season gets underway, here are three things we'll be looking at around the world of baseball throughout the day today:
1. MLB at Rickwood Field to honor Willie Mays:
The Giants and Cardinals will face off tonight in a game at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama scheduled for 6:15pm local time. The game, which will be televised nationally on FOX, was originally planned to honor the Negro Leagues and its illustrious history, but took on additional meaning after the recent death of MLB legend Willie Mays earlier this week. Mays briefly played as a coach in the Negro Leagues during the 1948 season as a member of the Birmingham Black Barons, playing in 13 games for the 17-year-old club during a season in which the Black Barons went on a losing streak. NAL pennant before losing the Negro League World Series final to the Homestead Grays in five games.
The Black Barons (and, by extension, the Mays) call Rickwood Field their home ballpark. First established in 1910, it is the oldest professional ballpark in the US and is two years older than Fenway Park in Boston. More than 75 years after the last Negro League game was played there, Major League action returns to Rickwood Field tonight as the St. Louis and San Francisco against the young right-handers. Andre Pallante again Keaton Winn on the mound. Tonight's game (as relayed by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic) will feature the first black umpires team in AL/NL history and figures to celebrate not only the Negro Leagues' storied history, but Mays' life and career.
2. Abrams will undergo an MRI:
The nation's shortstop CJ Abrams was scratched from yesterday's lineup against the Diamondbacks because of what manager Davey Martinez told reporters (including MLB.com) that his left wrist was not feeling well. Martinez went on to add that Abrams is not sure what is causing the discomfort, and that the club plans to send its young star for an MRI to make sure everything is fine. The 23-year-old Abrams enjoyed a breakout season with the Nationals this year as he slashed .261/.313/.478 with 10 stolen bases and 11 runs scored in 66 games this year. That strong slash line comes despite a rough month of May in which Abrams hit just .205/.216/.304 in 27 games.
Abrams' breakout campaign has helped the Nationals become incredibly competitive this season, as the club is currently tied with the Cardinals for the second of three NL Wild Card spots despite a poor 36-37 record. Going too long without Abrams could negatively impact the Nationals' ability to hold on to that position, as his 1.2 fWAR leads the league. Nasim Nunez He took over for Abrams yesterday and could be the team's best entry if Abrams needs a trip to the injured list.
3. Toro fights shoulder pain:
A football player Abraham Toro is dealing with a shoulder strain, as noted by Martin Gallegos of MLB.com yesterday. The issue first surfaced during Oakland's doubleheader against the Twins on Sunday and has caused him to miss the last two games. Having been referred by Gallegos, Toro was scheduled to meet with team doctors to discuss how to manage the injury but the manager. Mark Kotsay he told the media after the game that he has no information about Toro's condition and more information about the midfielder will be available today.
Toro, 27, had a great season with the A's this year. He posted a nearly .256/.298/381 slash line in 71 games for the club this year while splitting time between first base, second base, third base, and left field throughout the year. After the club's decision to appoint JD Davis with the assignment earlier this week, it appears that Toro will be given the keys to third base full time, although with Toro possibly injured, Oakland will have to find a new solution at the hot corner. Striker Tyler Nevin he has handled third base duties thus far in Toro's absence and could be the team's long-term answer if Toro misses more time, even though he is a rookie third baseman. Brett Harris he's on the 40-man roster after earning a 17-game hitting streak in the majors earlier this year.
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