MLB Weekly Digest 3/13/17

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The previous week in MLB was about a played that might be sidelined for a quite some time, a young player making history and a veteran being waived.

Desmond Fractures Left Hand

The Colorado Rockies splurged on free agent Ian Desmond this offseason as they inked him to five-year, $70 million contract. He was expected to give their potent lineup more firepower this upcoming season.

However, it might take quite a while until the Rockies can reap the benefits of Desmond.

He was hit by a pitch in Sunday’s spring training game against the Cincinnati Reds.

Rockies PR announced that a diagnosis revealed a fracture in his left hand and that he will see a hand specialist on Monday.

#Rockies Ian Desmond hit by a pitch in the 4th inning. Preliminary diagnosis revealed a left hand fracture. Seeing a hand specialist Monday.

— Rockies PR (@RockiesPR) 12 March 2017

This is a rough injury for the Rockies because they were counting on him to be their everyday first baseman. The club will turn to Mark Reynolds while Desmond is sidelined.

The Rockies still have a solid lineup to absorb this loss with Nolan Arenado, Trevor Story, and Carlos Gonzalez.

Bryant Makes History Once Again

Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant will make $1.05 million in 2017, and it’s very significant. This contract makes Bryant the highest-paid second-year player in MLB history, per Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.

Bryant shined at the plate during the 2016 season.

He posted a .292 batting average and .939 OPS in 155 games with 39 home runs, 102 RBI, 334 total bases and led the National League with 121 runs scored.

The prowess Bryant showed with a bat in his hand allowed him to win NL Most Valuable Player Award.

He came through in the postseason as well for the Cubs, by compiling a .923 OPS and clubbing three home runs in 17 games to help the Cubs win their first title since 1908.

Bryant is a special player and has all the tools to remain great for years to come.

ESPN Stats & Info gave an interesting tidbit about the start to his career:

24 Days Until Opening Day: At age 24, Kris Bryant became youngest to win a World Series & an MVP in same season since Cal Ripken Jr. , 1983 pic.twitter.com/6rdnzuaux5

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) 9 March 2017

Nationals Place Norris on Waivers

The Washington Nationals traded for catcher Derek Norris during the offseason, but he’s not a member of the club anymore. The team has placed Norris on waivers, per Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.

It’s not a surprise that Norris was waived, considering the Nats signed catcher Matt Wieters a couple weeks ago and also have Jose Lobaton and Pedro Severino in camp this spring as well.

Norris only hit .186 last year but managed to hit 14 home runs. He should garner some interest from teams that need a backstop with power.

About Post Author

Chris Lacey

Chris is a New Jersey native whose favorite sports team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously attended Western New England College to study Sports Management. Chris has been following the Diamondbacks since he was 12. You can find him on Twitter at @aecanada12.

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