Baseball is truly a great game. On a nightly basis, we see many things of interest. To say that there are surprises would be an understatement. There’s never a shortage of excitement and things to note, so let’s take a look at some items that caught my attention.
So Much for Being a Team Player
Playing in the major leagues isn’t exactly easy. No one is going to make that argument, and you can’t make many assumptions either about learning curves. Rolling out of bed and playing first base doesn’t happen. The ball comes off the bat differently than at other positions, such as third base, and the footwork isn’t the same either. You have to be aware of different responsibilities in the field, but we also aren’t splitting the atom either, especially if you have lengthy experience at third base.
No one is suggesting that Rafael Devers wake up tomorrow morning and become a Gold Glove first baseman. There will be a grace period involved where some mistakes are “allowed” or expected, and pre-game work comes into play here. With Triston Casas sidelined for the rest of the year, there’s a clear need for Boston at first base. For Devers to decline the ask to play first base is simply selfish. Yes, it will be difficult and require some work, but it’s not impossible.
After a slow start to the season while adjusting to DH, Devers has come on strong as of late. In his last 12 games, he’s hitting .383 with four home runs and 11 RBI, so there are no concerns about his bat or his shoulder,s for that matter.
Varsho is Good to Go
A shoulder injury delayed the start to Dalton Varsho’s season, and even after he returned, Toronto is taking things slow with the outfielder. At this point, it appears he’s good to go for back-to-back games.
Based on his performance in the outfield, the gold glove outfielder doesn’t have any restrictions as the highlight reel catchers have been in full effect. The good news is that Varsho’s bat has followed. After a three-hit and three-RBI effort on Thursday, he’s now hitting .273 with three home runs and six RBI while stealing a base.
Neto is Rolling
There is no need for concern here. Zach Neto began the season sidelined as he recovered from a shoulder injury, but the delayed start hasn’t slowed him down. The shortstop appears keen on making up for lost time as he takes a 13-game hitting streak into action on Friday.
While he’s boosted by a .386 BABIP, Neto is now hitting a smooth .300 through 18 games. Before we look for some regression, Neto’s xBA is .322 as he’s smoking the ball with a 14.6% barrel rate and 52.1% hard hit rate. There are truly no concerns with his shoulder as Neto’s ISO is .243. He is up to four home runs, eight RBI, 13 runs scored, and seven stolen bases as he continues to emerge as a key lineup piece for the Angels.
Should we believe?
Sometimes your hand is forced. Entering the season, the Atlanta Braves weren’t expecting Eli White to be a vital contributor to their outfield, but here we are. That’s not meant to be a knock on White, as all he’s done is produce. Through 29 games, White has forced Atlanta’s hand, and until he proves otherwise, he’s become a regular in their outfield.
White is hitting .304, while capitalizing on a .388 BABIP, but even his .263 xBA is enough to keep in the lineup on a regular basis. He has two home runs, 16 runs scored, and nine RBI’s to go along with a career-best .232 ISO. Sometimes production comes from unexpected sources, and that’s certainly the case here.
We Can Breathe, For Now
Seeing a pitcher leave the game due to injury is always concerning. With that injury having to do with the forearm, the concern only heightens. The good news, though, is that it was just cramps, and after Cease did plead his case to stay in the game, he appears to be good to go for his next start.
It’s worth noting that Cease has already thrown 6.2 innings of one-run ball before being forced out of action. The right-hander struck out nine and lowered his ERA to 4.91 in a season that has been better than his statistics would allude to.
While Cease is struggling with walks, 3.79 per nine innings, he’s also striking out almost 11 batters per nine innings. With a ground ball rate of just 35.1%, things are always going to be rough, but his 4.02 ERA and 3.35 FIP should provide comfort.
At Least It’s Not the Arm
We never want to see injuries, but with a pitcher, there is always a sense of relief when the injury doesn’t involve the arm. It’s not ideal to see Hunter Greene head to the Injured List as he’s expected to be out a few weeks, but a strained groin as opposed to something with his arm or shoulder is at least a better outcome.
The problem, though, is that it comes at a less-than-ideal time as Greene is in the midst of the best season of his career. Greene has 61 strikeouts in 45.2 innings to go along with a 2.36 ERA and 0.81 WHIP. Now, Greene just needs to stay healthy.
Kershaw is Back
Well, after one more rehab start in the minor leagues, Clayton Kershaw will be back, but close enough. The Los Angeles Dodgers went from having an embarrassing number of pitchers on their roster to having 13 pitchers on the Injured List. Lost in the shuffle was Kershaw, who logged just 30 regular-season innings last year. His performance wasn’t terrible, 4.50 ERA, but also not up to what we’ve come to expect.
In 2023, Kershaw pitched at a high level, with a 2.46 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 131.2 innings, so there’s still more success left in the arm of the future Hall of Famer. We can expect the Dodgers to take things slow with Kershaw, but he does deserve our attention.
Horton Arrives in the Big Leagues
The Chicago Cubs have a need in their rotation, and Cade Horton happens to be a top prospect. It was only a matter of time before Horton arrived in the big leagues, and the injury to Shota Imanaga was the stimulus needed.
It’s a big stage for Horton as he makes his debut in New York against a tough Mets lineup, but there’s nothing more for the 23-year-old to do in the minor leagues. The former first-round pick was limited to nine starts last year due to a shoulder injury, but there doesn’t appear to be any issues thus far in 2025. Through six starts, Horton has a 1.24 ERA and 0.86 WHIP with 33 strikeouts over 29 innings this year. More starts will likely follow for Horton under the assumption that he will be successful.
