MLB Weekly Digest 7/31/17

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The last week in MLB was about a team in the National League losing a key player in their lineup, a player reaches a significant milestone, and several individuals are enshrined in Cooperstown.

Diamondbacks Owings Fractures Finger

The Arizona Diamondbacks lost Sunday’s game to the St. Louis Cardinals and suffered a bigger loss. A pitch hit their shortstop Chris Owings earlier in the game, and he was forced to exit.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo mentioned post-game that Owings fractured his right middle finger, per Nick Piecoro of AZ Central Sports.

Fractured right middle finger for Chris Owings, Torey Lovullo says.

— Nick Piecoro (@nickpiecoro) July 30, 2017

Owings was having a solid season for the snakes, given his .269 batting average and .743 OPS in 96 games with 25 doubles, 12 homers and 51 RBIs.

The infielder had been struggling over his past several games, as indicated by him posting a .103 average in his last 10 contests.

The fracture is likely to sideline Owings for a couple of weeks, and it’s possible the team will make a move before Monday’s trade deadline.

One player the Diamondbacks might acquire is Detroit Tigers shortstop Jose Iglesias. Iglesias is hitting .261 in 85 games with 21 doubles, three home runs, and 34 RBIs.

Another option for the club is to promote shortstop Jack Reinheimer from Triple-A Reno. Reinheimer is having a productive season in Reno, by accumulating a .283 average and .708 OPS in 100 games with 14 doubles, 43 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases.

Rangers Beltre Reaches 3,000 Hits

Texas Ranger’s third baseman Adrian Beltre achieved a major career milestone on Sunday. He laced a double in the fourth inning against the Baltimore Orioles, which was the 3,000^th hit of his career.

No. 3,000. #Beltre3k pic.twitter.com/ijGH1cvAPU

— MLB (@MLB) July 30, 2017

Beltre became the 31^st player in MLB history to reach 3,000 hits. He is virtually a lock to be a Hall of Famer.

If you don’t think Beltre is worthy to be in Cooperstown, here is one reason that might cause to reconsider your position about the third baseman.

He is one of four players with over 3,000 hits, 450 home runs, and 600 doubles. The other three (Hank Aaron, Stan Musial, and Carl Yastrzemski) are already in the Hall of Fame.

Beltre has had a phenomenal career filled with many memorable moments and it will great to see if he reaches any more milestones.

Jon Morosi of MLB Network provided an interesting nugget that highlights why Beltre is a unique player:

Adrian Beltre is first 3B in @MLB history with 3,000 hits and 450+ HR. It’s fitting he did so on Hall of Fame Sunday. @MLBNetwork @Rangers

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 30, 2017

Bagwell, Rodriguez, Raines, Selig, and Schuerholz Enshrined In Cooperstown

The Baseball Hall of Fame welcomed in the class of 2017 on Sunday. Jeff Bagwell, Ivan Rodriguez, Tim Raines, former MLB commissioner Bud Selig and executive John Schuerholz were enshrined in Cooperstown.

Bagwell will be remembered as one of the best power-hitting first basemen.

Rodriguez was the complete package for a catcher, as he was a dangerous hitter and impressive behind the plate.

Raines making the Hall of Fame is long overdue as he should’ve been there years ago. Selig accomplished many things during his tenure as MLB commissioner, and Schuerholz was a very successful executive with the Atlanta Braves and Kansas City Royals.

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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