Headlines going into Opening Day

 
Photo courtesy of NBC News
Headlines going into Opening Day

By Adam Ide

Bear News Sportswriter

            Major League Baseball’s Opening Day is this Thursday, March 29^th. Grapefruit and Cactus league games have finished and a few teams are playing exhibition games Monday and Tuesday before playing for real on Thursday.

            It’s been a somewhat quiet spring training, but there have been a few headlines. Most notably is Angels pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, who has struggled to adjust to the big leagues.

            On the mound this spring, Ohtani went 0-1 with an ERA of 27.00, allowing nine runs (eight earned) in 2.2 innings. At the plate, he went 3 for 28 with nine strikeouts. Nevertheless, Ohtani did manage to make the Angels 25-man roster, and he’s slated to be the team’s No. 3 starter.  Anaheim is hoping he can adjust and live up to the hype.

            Some quality free agents remain unsigned, including closer Greg Holland. One possible fit is the St. Louis Cardinals, who will break camp with Dominic Leone and Tyler Lyons getting the first opportunities to close games. Neither took the job and ran with it this spring, so signing Holland would give the Redbirds a lock down pitcher in the ninth inning.

            With the additions of Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain, and Domingo Santana supplanted in right field, the Milwaukee Brewers had some flexibility with Ryan Braun. Braun has apparently found a new position, as he’s set to be the team’s Opening Day first baseman. Eric Thames had a down second half last season and the Brewers are hoping Braun can play a healthy year at first base.

            Clayton Kershaw had a dominant spring, not allowing a run in 21.1 innings. The Dodgers are hoping Kershaw can stay healthy and propel them to another World Series appearance.

            Some key players have gone down with injuries this spring, including Madison Bumgarner, Justin Turner and Greg Bird. MadBum will miss six to eight weeks after a comebacker fractured his left hand. Turner is out indefinitely after getting hit by a pitch and fracturing his wrist. Bird is also out six to eight weeks after surgery to remove a bone spur in his ankle.

            With Bumgarner’s injury and Jeff Samardzija also injured, southpaw Ty Blach will get the Opening Day nod for the Giants.

            A few young players got contract extensions while in camp, including Phillies prospect Scott Kingery, Paul DeJong and Ketel Marte. Kingery’s is most surprising, considering he is yet to make his MLB debut. He joins Jon Singleton as the only players to ink multi-million dollar extensions before playing a game in The Show.

            All of us at Bear News can’t wait for Opening Day. Be sure to stay tuned for all the highlights.