Here’s the first edition of Bases Covered, a roundup of the most interesting stories in baseball today.
Rosenthal calls for split season
With new MLB commissioner Rob Manfred open to suggestions for tweaking the game, Ken Rosenthal has an idea: splitting the season into two halves, “creating September-like urgency throughout the season and giving teams that stink in the first half the chance to start anew in the second.”
Gordon incredulous at Jennings hiring
When Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon heard from teammate Giancarlo Stanton that Dan Jennings, the team’s former GM, had been hired as their new manager, he apparently “thought he was playing.”
Tanaka nearing a return to Yankees
Yankees starter Masahiro Tanaka, who’s been plagued with problems in his right elbow since his debut season and was placed on the disabled list in late April due to wrist and forearm issues, is set to return to his team as early as today, with a start likely next week against the Mariners in Seattle.
Rodriguez shines in major-league debut
Red Sox left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez, just 22, threw 7⅔ scoreless innings and allowed three hits in his MLB debut last night. After facing the Rangers on the road the newbie called the 5-1 win “the best start of my life.”
Hamilton homecoming
As Rodriguez, above, made his debut, so too did Josh Hamilton, in a way. The 34-year-old played his first game at home with the Rangers since being traded back to the team; the former all-star was welcomed with cheers.
Unlucky Oakland
The Oakland A’s sit last in the American League West. Maybe their poor results can be blamed on a terrible bullpen or their generally weak defence. Or maybe they’re just really, really unlucky. A look at the team’s record in one-run games (hint: awful) is either impressive or depressing, depending on where you stand.
