The last week in MLB was about a player suspended for a positive PED test, a third baseman will undergo season-ending surgery, a team in the National League signing a veteran pitcher, and the league releasing the 2022 schedule.
Oakland Athletics Outfielder Ramon Laureano Suspended 80 Games for Positive PED Test
Major League Baseball announced that it had suspended Oakland Athletics outfielder Ramon Laureano for 80 games without pay after testing positive for Nandrolone, a performance-enhancing substance, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
A’s Laureano receives 80-game suspension. pic.twitter.com/XNvtmpd7Ra
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) August 6, 2021
The news that Laureano tested positive for a PED (performance-enhancing drug) was shocking.
The Athletics will be without Laureano for the rest of the 2021 season and part of next year.
The team losing Laureano for the remainder of this year is substantial.
He had a decent 2021 campaign as he compiled a .246 batting average and .760 OPS in 88 games with 21 doubles, two triples, 14 home runs, 39 RBIs, and 12 stolen bases.
The Athletics did acquire outfielder Starling Marte before the trade deadline, and the acquisition has been great.
Marte has posted a .371 average and 1.021 OPS with two home runs, five RBIs, and six stolen bases.
The team has Mark Canha and Stephen Piscotty, who will probably receive most of the playing time at the corner outfield spots with Laureano gone for the year.
They also signed Khris Davis to a minor-league contract last week.
Los Angeles Angels Third Baseman Anthony Rendon Will Undergo Season-Ending Hip Surgery
According to a team announcement, Los Angeles Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon will undergo season-ending surgery to repair a right hip impingement.
The #Angels released the following statement today regarding INF Anthony Rendon:
“Anthony Rendon will undergo season ending surgery to repair a right hip impingement. Additional information will be provided as appropriate.”
— Angels PR (@LAAngelsPR) August 4, 2021
Rendon posted a .240 average and .712 OPS in 58 games with 13 doubles, six home runs, and 34 RBIs.
He is in the second season of a seven-year, $245-million contract, and the last appearance for Rendon was on July 4.
The Angels did not announce a date for the operation, but they expect he will be ready for Opening Day next year, per Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com.
Anthony Rendon is expected to be ready for Opening Day, #Angels announce. https://t.co/ZwpzulrS3U
— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) August 4, 2021
Rendon is not the only major player who missed time for the Angels in 2021 as outfielder Mike Trout has been limited to 36 games and has been out since May 17 with a calf injury.
Los Angeles Dodgers Sign Pitcher Cole Hamels to One-Year Deal
The Los Angeles Dodgers have signed pitcher Cole Hamels to a one-year deal, per a team announcement.
The Dodgers signed four-time All-Star Cole Hamels to a one-year contract through the 2021 season. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers designated Yefry Ramírez for assignment.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 4, 2021
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the veteran left-handed pitcher will earn $1 million guaranteed plus $200,000 per start.
Deal is for $1M guaranteed plus $200K per start, as @Buster_ESPN and @BNightengale said. First to report signing was @JonHeyman. https://t.co/dwx9X7NWaJ
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) August 4, 2021
Hamels will report to the team’s Arizona complex to build up arm strength before heading to the majors, per Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times.
Can confirm, via source that #Dodgers are signing veteran LHP Cole Hamels to a major league deal. Hamels will report to team's AZ complex to build up arm strength first. @JonHeyman was on it.
— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) August 4, 2021
Hamels last appeared in the majors during the 2020 season with the Atlanta Braves but only tossed 3 1/3 innings due to injuries.
He recently held a showcase in July, and the Dodgers were among the teams that appeared.
The Dodgers have emphasized strengthening their rotation as they acquired starting pitchers Max Scherzer and Danny Duffy before the trade deadline.
Due to injuries, the club is without Clayton Kershaw and Dustin May, while Trevor Bauer is on administrative leave.
The Dodgers adding Hamels was a smart move as long as he can remain healthy and pitch effectively.
A healthy Cole Hamels can be huge in the postseason, as he has a 3.41 ERA in 17 postseason games (16 starts).
MLB Releases 2022 Schedule
Major League Baseball released its 2022 schedule last week.
The 2022 schedule is out!
Mark your calendar accordingly. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/BY19ZgWWbU
— MLB (@MLB) August 4, 2021
Opening Day will be March 31, with all 30 teams playing, featuring 11 divisional games and one interleague contest between the Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros in Houston.
The 2022 All-Star Game will occur on July 19 at Dodger Stadium.
Interleague play for the 2022 season will have the AL East against the NL Central, the AL Central against the NL West, and the AL West against the NL East.
The 2022 regular season will end on October 2.
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- 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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