MLB Weekly Digest 4/3/17

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The last week in MLB was about a player receiving a suspension, a premiere catcher signing an extension and a great individual not planning to retire anytime soon.

Familia Suspended 15 Games For Violating Domestic Violence Policy

New York Mets closer Jeurys Familia was suspended 15 games earlier this week as he was arrested for domestic violence last October.

The official statement from MLB was given by Big League Stew:

It will be a significant loss for the Mets without Familia being available for a couple of weeks. He led all National League relievers with 51 saves last season in 77.2 innings, and he also posted 2.55 ERA.

The Mets will turn to Addison Reed as the team’s closer while Familia serves his suspension. Manager Terry Collins already informed Reed to begin preparing as their closer in February, per Billy Witz of the New York Times.

Reed is a solid option to handle duties in the ninth inning. He compiled a 1.97 ERA in 80 games (77.2 innings) last year, yielding only four home runs and striking out 91 batters.

Reed has experience being a closer as indicated by the reliever accumulating 106 saves in six MLB seasons.

The Mets will be in capable hands, and Familia will be eligible to pitch in games starting on April 20 against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Molina Signs Three-Year Extension with Cardinals

Yadier Molina has been the catcher for the St. Louis Cardinals over the last 13 years and will be sticking around for more seasons.

The Cardinals have signed Molina to three-year, $60 million contract extension, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

The backstop will have the highest average salary for a catcher, per Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Molina has immense value to the Cardinals that can’t be measured very easily.

He does a phenomenal job handling the pitching staff for the team, providing solid defense the plate, and adding offense in the lineup.

He posted a .307 batting average and .787 OPS in 147 games last year with 38 doubles, eight home runs, and 58 RBI.

Molina has always been a great defensive catcher but has become a better hitter with each passing season.

The Cardinals were smart to lock up Molina as he’ll be integral to their success in 2017 and beyond.

Ichiro Has No Plans to Retire

Ichiro Suzuki has had a terrific career in the Majors. He’s won two batting titles, selected as an All-Star 10 times, and captured an American League MVP Award.

However, he doesn’t plan to stop playing anytime soon. Ichiro, who is 43 years old, said he would like to play until he’s 50 years old, per Nicholas Parco of the New York Daily News.

It might seem hard to imagine Ichiro playing in MLB for many more years. The one aspect in his favor is that he’s not an everyday player and still remained productive for the Marlins in 2016.

He hit .291 in 327 at-bats (143 games) with 15 doubles, five triples, 22 RBI and 10 stolen bases.

The only thing that could prevent Ichiro from continuing to play would be his health. If he stays off the disabled list, it’s possible the Japanese sensation will be in the sport for several seasons.

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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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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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