MLB Weekly Digest April 2nd Edition

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The prior week in MLB was about a team in the National League improving their bullpen, a club in the American League losing their catcher for several weeks, and a young prospect who will miss the 2018 season.

St. Louis Cardinals Sign Reliever Greg Holland Signed to One-Year Deal on Opening Day

The St. Louis Cardinals made a significant upgrade to their bullpen on Opening Day as they agreed to a one-year, $14 million contract with reliever Greg Holland, per Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.

holland and STLCards have a deal now. $14M.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 29, 2018

Holland was one of the last premiere free agents that were still available. It was expected that a team would add him to their roster, and the surprising aspect is that it took place on Opening Day. The right-hander will start the year at Class-A Palm Beach to build up arm strength, per Joe Trezza of MLB.com.

The Cardinals have made the Greg Holland signing official. The NL’s reigning saves leader will soon be in St. Louis. But first, he’ll begin the season at Class A Palm Beach, presumedly to ramp up his arm.

— Joe Trezza (@JoeTrezz) March 31, 2018

He led the National League with 41 saves last year for the Colorado Rockies, while posting a 3.61 ERA in 57.1 innings (61 games) with 70 strikeouts, seven home runs surrendered and a 3.72 FIP.

The addition of Holland was a fantastic move by the Cardinals as he gives them a reliable option to close games. Holland won’t be ready to join the Cardinals for a couple weeks as he missed all of spring training due to being unsigned.

Kansas City Royals Catcher Salvador Perez Out Four to Six Weeks After Freak Injury

The Kansas City Royals had to start the 2018 campaign without one of the best players on their roster.

The club’s catcher Salvador Perez will be sidelined four to six weeks as he suffered a Grade 2 MCL tear while carrying his luggage early last week. The Royals made the announcement one day before the season was set to begin.

Ned Yost has announced Salvador Perez has a grade 2 MCL tear and is out 4-6 weeks. pic.twitter.com/PQ7T9Ftd2e

— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) March 28, 2018

Perez said he missed a step carrying luggage in his house and his left knee hyperextended to cause the injury, per Rustin Dodd of The Athletic.

Salvador Perez says he missed a step while carrying luggage in his house. His left knee hyperextended and the MRI showed a Grade 2 tear of his MCL. He’ll miss four to six weeks: pic.twitter.com/GHNXQaBO9t

— Rustin Dodd (@rustindodd) March 28, 2018

It’s a significant loss for the Royals as Perez had a solid season for the team last year. He accumulated a .268 batting average and .792 OPS with 24 doubles, 27 home runs and 80 RBIs. This was the third straight season in which he hit at least 20 homers. The team had Drew Butera behind the plate for the first two games of the season, and he’ll be the primary option until Perez is recovered.

Tampa Bay Rays Outfield Prospect Garrett Whitley Out for 2018 Season

Tampa Bay Rays outfield prospect Garrett Whitley will probably be sidelined for the 2018 season as he needs to undergo surgery for a torn labrum in his right shoulder, per Chris Bumbaca of MiLB.com.

Whitley is the club’s ninth-ranked prospect and the injury happened last week while attempting a diving catch in the outfield. Whitley had a productive season for Class-A Bowling Green in 2017, as he compiled a .249 average and .792 OPS with 18 doubles, four triples, 13 home runs, 61 RBIs and 21 stolen bases.

Whitley is the third prospect for the Rays to have a season-ending injury in 2018 as pitchers Brent Honeywell and Jose De Leon will both need Tommy John surgery.

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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