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The Chicago Cubs discovered the perfect way to stifle Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper on Sunday: never let him swing the bat.

The reigning National League MVP became the fourth player in MLB history to walk six times in one game, per MASNSports.com’s Mark Zuckerman. Harper was also hit by a pitch. The Cubs would get the last laugh as they held off the Nationals 4-3 in 13 innings.

Before Sunday, no hitter in the last century had reached base seven times in the same game without getting a hit, per ESPN Stats & Info (via ESPN’s Jayson Stark).  

This isn’t the first time Harper has produced a ridiculous stat line despite not being credited with an official at-bat. On Sept. 3, 2015, against the Atlanta Braves, he scored four runs and earned one RBI despite finishing 0-for-0 at the plate:

Chicago had been careful with Harper over the last four games. According to Baseball Tonight, his 13 free passes are the most ever in a single series. MLB.com’s Phil Rogers noted how the Cubs didn’t want to give the left-handed slugger anything to hit:

Cubs pitcher Adam Warren even intentionally walked Harper in the top of the 10th inning with the score tied at 3-3. In doing so, Warren put the go-ahead run 90 feet from home plate, per Nationals on MASN:

The strategy paid off when first baseman Ryan Zimmerman lined out to end the inning. Zimmerman struggled mightily throughout the day, stranding 14 runners, per Inside Edge. Sports Illustrated‘s Jonah Keri believes the game magnified Washington’s need for support behind its best hitter:

With Zimmerman failing to offer much of a threat behind Harper, opposing teams will continue to be content letting him take first base. It’s a trend that began in 2015. According to FanGraphs, he ranked second in walk rate last year (19.0 percent) and sat third (19.2 percent) heading into Sunday.

Cubs manager Joe Maddon explained his approach to Harper after the game, per Jamal Collier of MLB.com: “[Because of] how good he is—why tempt fate? If the other guy gets you, that’s fine. You have no problem with that.”

However, Nationals pitcher Tanner Roark didn’t see it that way, saying he was “very, very surprised” that Chicago walked Harper so many times, per Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post. “I think it’s scared baseball,” he added.

Nationals manager Dusty Baker should be equipped to adjust his lineup if this trend continues or gets even more extreme. Baker managed the San Francisco Giants amid Barry Bonds’ constant parade to first base. From 2000 until 2004, Bonds walked 872 times, including 249 intentional walks in a three-year span (2002-04). 

While Harper is nowhere close to Bonds’ walk rate yet, a trend may now be in motion to send him that way.

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Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Garrett Richards will reportedly undergo Tommy John surgery and is likely out for the season. 

Continue for updates.

Richards Reportedly Tears UCL

Friday, May 6

Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reported Richards tore his right ulnar collateral ligament and is expected to undergo Tommy John surgery. 

Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com added Tommy John is “inevitable” due to the grade of the tear.

Richards Among Angels’ Best Starters 

Richards was one of the Angels’ best starters last year, which is simultaneously an endorsement of the 27-year-old right-hander and an indictment of the team’s starting rotation. According to FanGraphs, the Angels finished 21st in starting pitcher WAR (8.4) and 19th in starter FIP (4.26).

The 2015 season was a bit of a mixed bag for Richards. He failed to capitalize on his breakout 2014 campaign, as his earned run average climbed from 2.61 to 3.65. His 3.3 walks per nine innings were also tied for 12th-highest among qualified starters, per FanGraphs. It’s impossible to ignore his major knee injury in August 2014, though:

There was a good chance he’d bounce back in 2016. Richards didn’t have the benefit of a full offseason to prepare for Opening Day last year, as he was recovering from his injury. That wasn’t a problem this spring.

He pitched 207.1 innings in 2015, and his velocity didn’t register a significant drop—97.1 mph fastball in 2014, 96.1 mph fastball in 2015—following his knee surgery, per Brooks Baseball. Both factors point to his knee surgery playing little role in his performance going forward.

Manager Mike Scioscia has a few different options to replace Richards. Nick Tropeano has starting experience in MLB and would be a good replacement on an interim basis, as would minor leaguer Tyler Skaggs. 

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Baltimore Orioles closer Zach Britton suffered an ankle injury in the Orioles’ 8-7 loss Saturday to the Chicago White Sox, per ESPN.com. 

Continue for updates.

Britton Nearing Return to Mound

Tuesday, May 3

Britton left after fielding a bunt by White Sox outfielder Adam Eaton:

On Sunday, he said the ankle had improved, but he remained in a walking boot, per ESPN.com:

I think I’d be surprised if I had to go on the [disabled list]… It feels pretty good compared to yesterday, how it feels this morning, but it’s still some tenderness in there and obviously I’m not walking great. I think you’ve got to walk fine before I can even start pitching again. Hopefully, it’s just a few days and I can maybe throw a bullpen or something, or at least run on it and see how it feels.

It looks as though the left-hander will get his wish after MLB.com’s Brittany Ghiroli reported the results of an MRI showed only inflammation in his injured ankle. Ghiroli added he’ll start playing catch Tuesday with the goal of returning within the week.

Britton had big shoes to fill when he assumed ninth-inning duties in 2014. Jim Johnson saved a combined 101 games between 2012 and 2013, leading the league in both seasons. Replicating that success would be hard enough for the most experienced reliever, let alone somebody who made two appearances out of an MLB bullpen to that point in his career.

The 28-year-old subsequently recorded 37 saves in 2014 and 36 a year ago. It might be a stretch to call Britton an elite closer, but he has brought stability and consistency to the Orioles bullpen:

Baltimore will need Britton to continue delivering in 2016 if it hopes to make the playoffs coming out of what should be an even better American League East.

Darren O’Day blew the save in Saturday’s game after replacing Britton, but he’ll likely handle any ninth-inning duties until Britton returns. O’Day has been an excellent setup man since arriving in Baltimore in 2012, and during that time, he has saved 12 games.

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The Boston Red Sox announced Monday that third baseman Pablo Sandoval will have surgery on his left shoulder, per Christopher Smith of MassLive.com.

The team has yet to provide a timetable for Sandoval’s return. However, the Boston Globe‘s Pete Abraham reported the prognosis may not be good:

The 29-year-old is in the second year of the five-year, $95 million deal he signed with the Red Sox in November 2014. He had a disappointing first season in Boston, hitting .245 with 10 home runs and 47 RBI, and his second season hasn’t been any better, with his weight becoming a talking point in spring training, per Abraham:

Travis Shaw beat out Sandoval for the starting job at third base ahead of the regular season, and as a result, Sandoval’s involvement with the Red Sox was minimal before the team placed him on the disabled list in April with a sore shoulder. Sandoval is 0-for-6 in his seven plate appearances, with his most memorable moment at the plate coming when the belt around his pants broke:

Since Shaw is hitting .322 with three home runs and 17 RBI in 25 games, Sandoval wasn’t likely to make it back into the starting lineup anytime soon even if he had been healthy.

Monday’s announcement will at least erase any doubt as to how hurt Sandoval is, and it explains in part why he had trouble earlier in the spring. Although this looks to be the end of a rough campaign, the two-time All-Star can now focus on his recovery and preparations for the 2017 season. 

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Major League Baseball won’t punish Detroit Tigers outfielder Tyler Collins after he made an obscene gesture to fans during a game against the Oakland Athletics on Monday night, per MLB.com’s Jason Beck.

“To hear boos after that play hit a trigger inside of me, and I lashed out, completely inappropriately,” Collins said after the game, per ESPN.com’s Katie Strang. “I’m absolutely embarrassed, and I’m very sorry to everyone in Detroit.”

The incident occurred in the sixth inning of what proved to be a 7-3 win over the Oakland Athletics. Collins lost a fly ball by Marcus Semien in the Comerica Park lights. Once the ball hit the ground, the home fans loudly booed Collins, and he reacted:

On Wednesday, the Tigers announced they optioned Collins to Triple-A Toledo after activating right-hander Francisco Rodriguez.

According to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, a suspension would’ve carried somewhat significant ramifications for the team:

The 25-year-old isn’t the first Tigers player to show his dissatisfaction with the Detroit crowd. In August 2014, then-closer Joe Nathan apologized for an inappropriate gesture directed toward fans:

There was also some precedent MLB could’ve used had it decided to suspend Collins. Jonathan Papelbon earned a seven-game ban in September 2014 as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies after grabbing his crotch as he exited the field, as well as making contact with umpire Joe West.

MLive.com’s Chris Iott noted it’s possible the league fined Collins since MLB doesn’t publicly announce monetary forms of punishment.

Considering the threat of missed games loomed, Collins got off relatively easy in the event MLB only hit him in the wallet.

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The Minnesota Twins placed starting pitcher Kyle Gibson on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday with a shoulder strain, per MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger.

Continue for updates.

Gibson Optimistic About Quick Return

Tuesday, April 26

According to Bollinger, Gibson started feeling shoulder pain in his last start, and he’s looking to be healthy enough to pitch once his DL stint is over. 

Gibson is coming off a solid 2015 campaign, and a strong case could be made that he was the Twins’ best pitcher. In 32 starts, he finished 11-11 with a 3.84 ERA. According to FanGraphs, his 2.5 WAR was highest among Minnesota pitchers with at least 100 innings logged, and only Trevor May finished with a lower FIP (3.25) than Gibson (3.96). 

Although the 28-year-old right-hander doesn’t look to be a budding ace of the staff, he should be a solid No. 2 or No. 3 starter for a long time in MLB.

Following last year’s 83-79 finish, fans will be expecting more from the Twins in 2016. Taking that into account, Minnesota can ill afford for Gibson to get hurt and/or take a step backward on the mound. The team doesn’t boast a ton of depth in the rotation. 

Ervin Santana is also going on the disabled list as a result of back spasms, per Bollinger, further exacerbating the lack of depth.

The news isn’t all bad for Twins fans, though. According to the Star Tribune‘s La Velle E. Neal III, the team is promoting highly touted prospect Jose Berrios with an eye toward giving him the start Wednesday. Baseball Prospectus ranked Berrios second in Minnesota’s system entering the 2016 season, and he’s 2-0 with a 1.06 ERA through three starts in Triple-A.

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The New York Mets announced Tuesday they placed catcher Travis d’Arnaud on the 15-day disabled list with a right rotator cuff strain. 

Continue for updates.

Collins Comments on d’Arnaud’s Status 

Tuesday, April 26 

Marc Carig of Newsday provided comments from Mets manager Terry Collins:

Injuries Continue to Plague d’Arnaud

Tuesday, April 26

D’Arnaud was a highly regarded prospect early in his career, but injuries became major roadblocks in his development. He didn’t make his MLB debut until his age-24 season (2013), and he appeared in 175 games from 2014-15.

Just 13 games into the 2015 campaign, a pitch from Miami Marlins reliever A.J. Ramos hit him in the hand:

D’Arnaud only made it eight games before he was forced to miss more time after injuring his elbow while attempting to tag out Atlanta Braves catcher A.J. Pierzynski:

Considering he missed nearly 100 games, d’Arnaud’s 2015 numbers are impressive. He hit 12 home runs and drove in 41 runs in 268 plate appearances. He also boasted a .268/.340/.485 slash line. If he can stay healthy, d’Arnaud has the talent to be an All-Star-caliber catcher, but his durability will be a major question mark until he proves otherwise.

At the very least, his previous health issues leave the Mets well-prepared to compensate for his absence. Kevin Plawecki was Plan B at catcher last year, and the same will hold true in 2016 if d’Arnaud is forced to miss a lot of time.

Adam Rubin of ESPN noted d’Arnaud’s catcher ERA is 3.77 and Plawecki’s is 2.74 for their careers.

Meanwhile, Rene Rivera will back up Plawecki behind the plate. Rivera averaged .178 with five home runs and 26 RBI in 110 games with the Tampa Bay Rays last year. In eight appearances with New York’s Triple-A affiliate in 2016, he hit .280 and slugged .320.

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The New York Yankees announced Sunday that 18-year-old infielder Sandy Acevedo died Saturday night in a car accident in the Dominican Republic, per MLB.com’s David Adler. 

Acevedo joined the Yankees organization on July 6, 2015, signing with the team on his 18th birthday.

He had yet to make his professional debut for the Yankees. According to the Associated Press (via ESPN.com), the minor leaguer was going to join one of New York’s two affiliates in the Gulf Coast League, both of which begin their season in June. 

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Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo will miss at least his next few starts after being placed on the disabled list due to “right shoulder bicep tendinitis.” An exact return date has yet to be announced.

Continue for updates. 

Gallardo’s Diagnosis, Treatment Revealed

Monday, April 25

Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com reported the Orioles are “encouraged” by Gallardo’s MRI, noting there was “nothing new” revealed by the test.

Ghiroli also said Gallardo will “probably get an injection and rest for now.”

Showalter Comments After Gallardo Placed on DL

Sunday, April 24

The Orioles announced Saturday that Gallardo was placed on the 15-day disabled list.

“Until we get the MRI and [team orthopedist] Dr. [Michael] Jacobs sees it, you don’t know exactly what it is,” said Orioles manager Buck Showalter, per the Associated Press (via ESPN.com). “I don’t think anybody knows what’s causing the symptoms he has. It’s not acute pain or anything. It was just general weakness there.”

Orioles GM Comments on Gallardo’s Recovery

Saturday, April 23

General manager Dan Duquette provided more insight as to the team’s plans for the right-hander, per MASN’s Roch Kubatko: “Hopefully (Gallardo) will respond to a period of rest and rehabilitation and return to contribute to the team.”

Gallardo Comments on Injury

Friday, April 22

After the game, he discussed how his shoulder was giving him problems on the mound, per the Baltimore Sun‘s Eduardo A. Encina:

My shoulder just didn’t feel right. To be honest, it was one of those feelings that I’ve never had my whole career. I’ve never had any issues with my shoulder and I hadn‘t been. For some reason, in the bullpen it just didn’t feel right. I wasn‘t able to extend to get that release point. I think that’s why the ball was just up and all over the place. Felt like the ball was coming out of my hand and the strength wasn‘t there. Hopefully it wasn‘t anything serious.

Gallardo only lasted two innings in his last start—a 4-2 loss to the Kansas City Royals on Friday night:

Gallardo’s Velocity Dipping in 2016 from 2015

The injury is concerning since shoulder/elbow fatigue can foreshadow a much larger problem, such as a need for Tommy John surgery. According to BrooksBaseball.net, Gallardo‘s fastball velocity is 87.95 mph through four starts in 2016. That’s nearly a four mph drop from 2015, another worrying sign.

While the extent of his shoulder issues remain unknown, major surgery is at least a possibility.

Showalter won’t need to worry about finding a replacement for Gallardo in the rotation, with Kevin Gausman set to take the hill Monday against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Gausman made 17 starts and appeared in 25 games last year, finishing 4-7 with a 4.25 ERA. Once considered a top prospect in MLB, the 25-year-old has yet to fulfill those massive expectations. Especially if Gallardo is forced to miss a long period of time, the Orioles will need Gausman to take a major step in his development.

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Beecher, Illinois, police confirmed Tuesday former MLB pitcher Milt Pappas died at the age of 76, per the Chicago Tribune.

The Cubs released an official statement on Pappas’ death, via MLB.com:

“The Cubs organization is sad to learn of the passing of Milt Pappas, who not only had a special place on the field with the team in the early 1970s, but also maintained a relationship with Cubs fans as a frequent guest at Wrigley Field, the Cubs Convention and other team events. Milt will forever be remembered for one of the most dramatic pitching performances in team history as he delivered a no-hitter that neared perfection in 1972. Pappas ended his impressive career wearing a Cubs uniform and we will always consider him part of the Chicago Cubs family. Our thoughts and prayers are with his friends, relatives and fans as we mourn this loss.”

Pappas played 17 years in the league, finishing with a 209-164 overall record and a 3.40 ERA. He split those 17 years with four different teams, his most successful stretch coming with the Baltimore Orioles from 1957 to 1965. He reached the All-Star Game twice as an Oriole in 1962 and 1965, and his 110 wins are the ninth-highest in franchise history, per Baseball-Reference.com.

Pappas’ most famous moment on the diamond arguably came during his time with the Chicago Cubs. On Sept. 2, 1972, he was one strike away from a perfect game against the San Diego Padres. On a 3-2 count with two outs in the ninth, he walked Padres pinch hitter Larry Stahl:

“The pitch was outside,” said home plate umpire Bruce Froemming in a 2010 interview with the New York Times‘ Tyler Kepner. “I didn’t miss the pitch; Pappas missed the pitch. You can look at the tape. Pappas, the next day, said, ‘I know the pitch was outside, but you could have given it to me.’ That pitch has gotten better over the years. That pitch is right down the middle now.”

“I have to admire the guy for lasting as long as he did, but I still feel in my own heart that he robbed me of a perfect game,” Pappas said in 2007 of Froemming, who retired that year after working in MLB since 1971, per ESPN.com’s William Weinbaum. “I wish him nothing but the best. I just wish he had retired 37 years ago.”

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