MLB Weekly Digest Sept 2nd Edition: Verlander Throws Third No-Hitter

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The previous week in MLB was about a starting pitcher in the American League making history, a pitcher is aiming for a September return, an infielder in the National League is placed on the injured list, and a veteran starting pitcher is hopeful to pitch again this season.

Houston Astros Starting Pitcher Justin Verlander Tosses Third Career No-Hitter

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander added another memorable moment to his career as he tossed the third no-hitter of his career yesterday afternoon against the Toronto Blue Jays.

A storybook ending for the history books! #TakeItBack pic.twitter.com/T9WlQ3QcCH

— Houston Astros (@astros) September 1, 2019

He is the first pitcher ever to throw two no-hitters in the same road stadium (Rogers Centre), per MLB Stats.

.@JustinVerlander is the first pitcher ever to throw TWO no-hitters in the same road stadium (Rogers Centre). pic.twitter.com/9Iqw2hSOzx

— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) September 1, 2019

Verlander made more history as he is the sixth pitcher with at least three career no-hitters, per Sarah Langs of MLB.com.

Justin Verlander is the 6th pitcher with at least 3 career no-hitters.

He joins Nolan Ryan, Sandy Koufax, Larry Corcoran, Cy Young and Bob Feller.

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) September 1, 2019

He joins a prestigious list that includes Nolan Ryan, Sandy Koufax, Larry Corcoran, Cy Young, and Bob Feller.

He’s the third player in MLB history with two no-hitters against the same opponent (Tim Lincecum vs. the San Diego Padres; Addie Joss vs. the Chicago White Sox), per Stats By Stats.

Justin Verlander pitched his second no-hitter in Toronto, becoming the 3rd player in MLB history with 2 no-hitters against an opponent (Tim Lincecum vs. SD; Addie Joss vs. CWS).

Verlander is the first player in MLB history with 2 no-hitters at a visiting ballpark.@astros

— Stats By STATS (@StatsBySTATS) September 1, 2019

Verlander struck out 14 batters and issued just one free pass while throwing 120 pitches to complete the spectacular feat.

The incredible part was his 120^th pitch was at 97 mph.

The ability to maintain his velocity from the first pitch until the last pitch is something that makes the right-hander a rare breed.

He now has a 2.56 ERA in 193 innings pitched with 257 strikeouts on the season.

Tampa Bay Rays Starting Pitcher Blake Snell Aiming for September Return

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Blake Snell is optimistic for a return this season.

Snell threw a bullpen session of 15 pitches a couple of days ago and said he that he felt “really good” after throwing fastballs and mixing in some throws with a changeup grip, per Juan Toribio of MLB.com.

#Rays Blake Snell said he felt “really good” after his first bullpen session and wants to return sooner than you probably expect: https://t.co/bvDQXl3v8g

— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) August 31, 2019

Snell is recovering from arthroscopic surgery to remove loose bodies in his left arm and is set to have another bullpen session before throwing live batting practice.

He’s planning on returning Sept. 13 when the Rays will be facing the Los Angeles Angels.

Snell expects to throw around three innings and have a pitch count once he returns.

The left-hander has posted a 4.28 ERA in 101 innings pitched (20 starts) with 136 strikeouts, 35 walks issued, 14 home runs allowed and a 3.40 FIP this season.

Snell has struggled to find his Cy Young form from last season but was throwing the ball exceptionally well in four outings (22 innings pitched) before having the surgery, as indicated by him authoring a 1.64 ERA and holding teams to a .184 batting average.

The Rays are fighting for a spot in the postseason, they currently occupy the top spot in the American League Wild Card standings.

The addition of Snell would be a significant boost to the Rays’ pitching staff.

Los Angeles Dodgers Place Infielder Max Muncy on Injured List with Wrist Fracture

The Los Angeles Dodgers have placed infielder Max Muncy on the injured list with a fractured wrist, per a team announcement.

The Dodgers have activated IF/OF Kristopher Negrón from the 10-day injured list and placed IF Max Muncy on the 10-day injured list with a right wrist fracture, retroactive to August 29.

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 30, 2019

The fracture is small, and Muncy believes he can return in two weeks, per Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register.

MRI on Max Muncy’s wrist this morning revealed a small fracture. “Its average news. It’s not good news or bad news,” he said. Optimistic that he can return in 2 weeks. Adamant that he will be back for playoffs #Dodgers

— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) August 30, 2019

Muncy is having a solid season for the Dodgers as he’s compiled a .253 batting average and .899 OPS in 129 games with 89 runs scored, 19 doubles, one triple, 33 home runs, and 87 RBIs.

The loss of a hitter like Muncy would be a significant blow to a typical team fighting for a playoff spot at this juncture of the season.

However, the Dodgers are anything but typical as they have an enormous lead in the National League West and aspire of returning back to the World Series.

The key for the Dodgers is ensuring that Muncy is healthy when the playoffs begin.

New York Yankees Place Starting Pitcher CC Sabathia on Injured List with Knee Injury

New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia was forced to leave his last start early a couple of days ago against the Oakland Athletics due to an issue with his right knee.

The Yankees placed him on the injured list Saturday.

Prior to today's game, the Yankees placed LHP CC Sabathia on the 10-day IL with right knee inflammation and recalled RHP Jonathan Loaisiga (#43) from @swbrailriders.

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) August 31, 2019

Sabathia mentioned to reporters that his pain level was at “a 10” during his last inning, per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.

Even with his pain level at what he called “a 10,” Sabathia retired Semien, Chapman and Olson in order in the third. Judge: “They wanted to take him out after the first inning and he said, ‘No, I'm not going to do that. … That was pretty impressive."

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) August 31, 2019

Sabathia who has been on the injured list several times this season is hopeful to pitch again this season.

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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