This week has been filled with excitement surrounding MLB. From injuries to impressive comebacks, the league has been buzzing with activity. Unexpected heroes have stepped up on behalf of their team and delivered some impressive performances on the field, while umpires have stepped up and dazzled fans with their lack of talent.
Parents in search of recovery
Drew Pomeranz has been out of MLB since August 10, 2021, due to an arm injury, leaving the San Diego Padres without his pitching skills. Unfortunately, it looks like the 34-year-old lefty will be out for the remainder of the season due to his ailment. The Padres are feeling the effects of his absence, especially since Pomeranz is taking a hefty salary for his final year of a four-year, $34 million contract.
Despite his impressive performance on the pitching mound in San Diego, with a 2.21 ERA, 3.03 FIP and 1.066 WHIP in 146.1 innings spread over 64 games, Pomeranz has not earned what the Padres paid to bring him to the team.
Meanwhile, the Padres are patiently awaiting Manny Machado's full recovery. Padres manager Bob Melvin provided an update on Machado's condition prior to Tuesday night's game against the Kansas City Royals at Petco Park.
The player suffered a fractured left hand and was placed on the 10-day injured list on May 19 (he returned on May 16). There is some good news, however, as he is beginning to perform certain activities on the field and can even wear a glove on his left hand.
Nationals' Kuhl pays tribute to his wife
Washington Nationals shortstop Chad Kuhl donned a unique set of cleats during their game against the Padres this Tuesday. In the company of his wife Amanda, who has been battling breast cancer, these cleats will serve as a symbol of support for those facing similar struggles.
Kuhl, who only became part of the Nationals lineup this year, intends to carry this message throughout the season. He will wear cleats at all games as a means of showing solidarity with anyone affected by the disease.
Jhoan Duran shines for Twins
During Wednesday's baseball game between the Minnesota Twins and the San Francisco Giants, Jhoan Duran showed off his impressive skills. Despite only getting two hits in a 13-inning game against the San Francisco Giants, the pitcher's brief display of talent was not forgotten.
However, it appears Duran's success rate is nothing new, as he has posted 24 shutouts in just 18.1 innings over the course of two starts this season. Duran has been with the Twins since the 2022 season, and the 25-year-old Dominican professional has a solid career ahead of him.
Welcome to the JUAN SOTO SHOW!!! 🤩🤩🤩🤩 pic.twitter.com/ZXiLiRA9K8
- San Diego Padres (@LosPadres) May 24, 2023
MLB - The ultimate dramatic TV show
The Phillies emerged victorious over the Diamondbacks in Wednesday's game by a score of 6-5 after a tightly contested game. However, the game was marred by a trivial incident when an umpire made a distracting call on a bag of rosin.
Already this season, fans have been putting a lot of pressure on referees due to countless questionable calls made during games. While it is undeniable that mistakes can happen from time to time, players and the audience anticipate better standards from referees.
The interruption made by the distraction call in the middle of the Phillies-Diamondbacks game amplified viewers' exasperation as intrusive to the game. They saw it as an attempt by the umpire to disrupt the game, and some fans began calling MLB the best drama show on television.
