MLB Weekly Digest May 13th Edition: Mike Fiers makes history

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The prior week in MLB was about a starting pitcher in the American League accomplishing something special on the mound, another starting pitcher will be sidelined several weeks and an ace provides a list of teams he’ll veto trades.

Oakland Athletics Starting Pitcher Mike Fiers Tosses 300^th No-Hitter in MLB History

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Mike Fiers made history earlier in the week against the Cincinnati Reds as he tossed a no-hitter.

The no-hitter thrown by Fiers was the 300^th in MLB history, including the postseason.

3️⃣0️⃣0️⃣

Mike Fiers is the owner of the 300th no-hitter in @MLB history (includes postseason).

h/t: @EliasSports pic.twitter.com/8y5S2csGRG

— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) May 8, 2019

The exciting part is that it almost didn’t happen.

The start of the game was delayed by more than 90 minutes due to a bank of lights which were only partially lit in left field.

The no-hitter by Fiers was preserved by two great defensive plays in the sixth inning, as infielder Jurickson Profar made a diving catch on a popup and outfielder Ramon Laureano robbed a home run from Joey Votto.

Back-to-back GEMS. ???? pic.twitter.com/VENMI3yBz9

— MLB (@MLB) May 8, 2019

Fiers threw 131 pitches to complete his masterpiece on the mound.

This was the second no-hitter of his career as he threw one on Aug. 21, 2015, with the Houston Astros against the Los Angeles Dodgers, requiring 134 pitches, per MLB Stats.

Mike Fiers threw 131 pitches to complete the no-hitter. That’s the most since …

Mike Fiers threw 134 in his 1st no-no in 2015. pic.twitter.com/lBhnjy8E7q

— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) May 8, 2019

He’s the 35^th pitcher to throw multiple no-hitters, per Sarah Langs of MLB.com.

There are 35 pitchers, including Mike Fiers, who have thrown at least 2 no-hitters in their careers (incl postseason).

Fiers is the only one whose ONLY career complete games have been his no-hitters.

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) May 8, 2019

Fiers is the seventh pitcher to have multiple no-hitters past his 30^th birthday and the seventh pitcher to fire no-hitters for numerous teams.

The brilliance by Fiers on the mound was the 13^th no-hitter in the Athletics franchise and the eighth since the team moved to Oakland in 1968.

He made more history by becoming the fifth active pitcher with multiple no-hitters, joining Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, Jake Arrieta, and Homer Bailey, per MLB Stats.

History! pic.twitter.com/2wICXfpVvA

— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) May 8, 2019

The most surprising aspect regarding the no-hitter is Fiers began the game with a 6.81 ERA.

He showed when a starting pitcher has command of all of his pitches and receives a stellar defense that extraordinary things can happen on a baseball diamond.

NO JINX TONIGHT.

Mike Fiers tosses his second career NO-HITTER. pic.twitter.com/eoObGqUjwT

— MLB (@MLB) May 8, 2019

Tampa Bay Rays Starting Pitcher Tyler Glasnow Out Several Weeks with Forearm Strain

The Tampa Bay Rays will be without a critical member of their rotation for several weeks.

Tyler Glasnow has a mild right forearm strain, per Juan Toribio of MLB.com.

#Rays announce that Tyler Glasnow’s MRI revealed a mild right forearm strain. He will be shut down from throwing for 7-10. Expected to miss 4-6 weeks.

— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) May 11, 2019

Glasnow will miss four-to-six weeks and will be shut down from throwing for seven-to-10 days.

The right-hander was having a breakout season for the Rays as he was leading the American League with a 1.86 ERA.

He exited his last start against the New York Yankees early as he was shaking his arm several times during the outing before signaling team trainers to meet him at the mound.

The loss of Glasnow is significant for the Rays as they’re in first place in the AL East.

The club is hopeful their young starter can return later in the season as they will need Glasnow healthy to have any chance of winning the AL East crown.

San Francisco Giants Starting Pitcher Madison Bumgarner Provides No-Trade List

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner will be a free agent at the end of the season and is expected to be dealt this July at the trade deadline.

Bumgarner has a clause in his contract which allows him to block trades to eight teams and he’s provided those clubs.

The left-hander’s no-trade list includes the Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, and St. Louis Cardinals, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

Madison Bumgarner’s eight-team no-trade list, per sources:#Braves #RedSox #Cubs #Astros #Brewers #Yankees #Phillies #STLCards

Bumgarner chose teams strategically; list comprised solely of contenders that might want to acquire him from #SFGiants, not teams he wants to avoid.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) May 11, 2019

The one thing all these teams have in common is they’re all contenders.

This wasn’t an accident as one of these teams will probably acquire Bumgarner.

The list isn’t about teams he wants to avoid, but it’s a way of Bumgarner gaining leverage.

If one of these teams and Giants reach a deal, then Bumgarner and his new club would presumably work out an extension for him to waive his no-trade clause.

However, if I’m a general manager of one of these teams, I don’t see Bumgarner as a rental.

He’s someone I want to sign to a long-term deal as soon as possible, considering what he’s achieved in his career, especially the postseason.

Bumgarner providing this list early was a smart move as it will allow him to control somewhat where he may end up.

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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