MLB Weekly Digest September 5th Edition: Cease Close to History

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The last week in MLB was about a starting pitcher in the American League who nearly made history, and a pair of pitchers are placed on the injured list with different injuries.

Chicago White Sox Starting Pitcher Dylan Cease Nearly Tosses No-Hitter

Tip of the 🧢 to Dylan Cease on a masterful outing 👏

9 IP
1 H
0 ER
7 K
W (13-6, 2.13 ERA) pic.twitter.com/NW4Ip9EVM4

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) September 4, 2022

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Dylan Cease was masterful in his last outing against the Minnesota Twins and nearly made history.

He held the Twins hitless for eight and two-thirds innings pitched, but Twins infielder Luis Arraez laced a single to center field to end a chance of Cease completing the no-hitter.

After losing a no-hitter with two outs in the 9th Dylan Cease gets a standing ovation 👏👏

🎥: @MLBONFOX pic.twitter.com/IB5hSUQnCd

— FanSided (@FanSided) September 4, 2022

He was able to finish off the shutout but came so close to having a special moment.

The right-hander yielded just one hit with two walks issued and seven strikeouts in a dominating performance.

A gem on the South Side from Dylan Cease. 👏 pic.twitter.com/HLaTjCkeIl

— MLB (@MLB) September 4, 2022

Cease has been one of the best starting pitchers in the American League this season.

He has posted a 2.13 ERA in 156 innings pitched (27 starts) with 197 strikeouts, 64 walks allowed, 14 home runs surrendered, a 187 ERA+, and a 3.03 FIP.

He became the first White Sox pitcher to have a no-hitter broken up with two outs in the ninth inning since Ken Brett on May 26, 1976, per Sportsnet Stats.

Dylan Cease is the first White Sox pitcher to have a no-hitter broken up with 2 outs in the 9th inning since Ken Brett on May 26, 1976

— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) September 4, 2022

Cease has a chance to win the AL Cy Young if he can have a solid final month of the season.

Houston Astros Place Starting Pitcher Justin Verlander on the Injured List with Calf Injury

According to a team announcement, the Houston Astros have placed starting pitcher Justin Verlander on the injured list with a right calf injury.

Justin Verlander has been placed on the 15-day IL with a right calf injury, the Astros announced. pic.twitter.com/LrEmFKR6Lz

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) August 30, 2022

Verlander was forced to leave his last start early as he suffered the injury while trying to cover first base.

Verlander has played a crucial role in the Astros leading the American League West division and owning the best record in the AL.

The right-hander has had a phenomenal 2022 campaign, as he leads the AL with 16 wins and a 1.84 ERA.

He has tossed 152 innings (24 starts), yielding 12 home runs, issuing 26 walks, striking out 154 batters, compiling a 208 ERA+, and 0.85 WHIP.

Verlander is the favorite to win the AL Cy Young Award, as he has had a remarkable season.

The Astros are hopeful the injury to Verlander will be short-term and not something that lingers on going into the postseason.

It would be a crushing blow to the Astros if Verlander were still dealing with the calf injury as the playoffs begin.

Tampa Bay Rays Place Starting Pitcher Shane McClanahan on Injured List with Shoulder Injury

The Tampa Bay Rays placed starting pitcher Shane McClanahan on the injured list with a left shoulder impingement, per a team announcement.

The Rays have placed INF/OF Brandon Lowe (right triceps contusion) on the 10-day IL, retroactive to Aug 28, placed LH Shane McClanahan (left shoulder impingement) on the 15-day IL and recalled INF/OF Vidal Bruján and RH Calvin Faucher from Triple-A Durham.

— Rays Communications (@RaysPR) August 31, 2022

McClanahan did not make his scheduled start last week as he was a late scratch.

The left-handed pitcher had the injury occur did his pregame warmup pitches.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said he did undergo an MRI, which confirmed the diagnosis of the impingement, and that it’s a “best case scenario,” he will get a cortisone shot and could be back in 15 days, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.

#Rays Cash said MRI for McClanahan confirmed diagnosis of impingement, that it’s “best case scenario,” he will get a cortisone shot and could be back in 15 days

— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) August 31, 2022

The silver lining is that the injury was caught early, as it could have been worse if he had made his scheduled start.

McClanahan has pitched exceptionally well for the Rays this MLB season, as indicated by his 2.20 ERA in 147 1 /3 innings pitched (24 starts) with 182 strikeouts, 15 home runs allowed, a 2.65 FIP, and a 0.86 WHIP.

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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