Daily Baseball Update - 10/5/2021
In baseball: AL Wild Card tonight, Mets will not pick up Luis Rojas' option, & more.
Good morning. Happy Wild Card Day 1.
It’s October 5th, 2021 and here’s everything going on in the world of baseball.
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The Most Important Thing(s)
The Mets will once again be searching for a new manager (among other things) this offseason.
Everything Else
Today’s Schedule
Injuries/Chatter
MLB’s average game time hit a record high for 2021. Games this season took an average of 3 hours, 10 minutes, and 7 seconds to be completed.
Yankees INF Gio Urshela will play in tonight’s game, says manager Aaron Boone.
Red Sox notes from manager Alex Cora: JD Martinez’s (ankle) status is still unclear for tonight’s game; Kevin Plawecki is likely to start at catcher.
Umpire Joe West has officially informed MLB he will retire after the postseason.
Though he received an emotional sendoff in yesterday’s season finale, Nationals INF Ryan Zimmerman says he’s undecided if he’s retiring or will return again next season. GM Mike Rizzo told reporters Zimmerman “has a place on this roster as a player as long as Mike Rizzo is the GM.”
Here’s the full draft order for next year’s 2022 MLB Draft.
Cardinals RHP Adam Wainwright is guaranteed $17.5 million under his 2022 contract, per the Associated Press.
Mets injury news: INF JD Davis plans to undergo surgery in October to stabilize a torn ligament in his left hand; C Tomas Nido will visit a specialist to determine if surgery is necessary for his sprained left thumb; RHP Drew Smith (shoulder), who did not pitch after August 13th, should be fine after an offseason of rest.
The Mets may reach out to Brad Ausmus for their managerial opening, per Jack Ramsey.
MLB’s 2021 postseason health-and-safety protocols will allow players to return during a playoff series if they are medically cleared, per David O’Brien.
The Orioles will not bring back hitting coach Don Long, per Jon Meoli. Meoli also notes that Triple-A Norfolk manager Gary Kendall is out after 21 seasons in organization.
Roch Kubatko reports Orioles Assistant Hitting Coach Jose Hernandez will move to a different role on the staff. Additionally, Triple-A Norfolk pitching coach Kennie Steenstra, and Rookie-level Florida Complex League manager Alan Mills won’t be returning in 2022.
White Sox notes from manager Rick Hahn: 1B José Abreu dealt with a “non-COVID illness” over the weekend; the team is choosing between RHP Lance Lynn and RHP Lucas Giolito for Game 1 of the ALDS; there is optimism that LHP Carlos Rodon will be able to contribute in the playoffs.
Royals SS Bobby Witt Jr. is Baseball America's 2021 Minor League Player of the Year.
Posts With Your Toast
Everything you need to know about the teams battling for World Series glory.
Carmen Ciardiello gives us a playoff pitching primer.
With Game 162 done, the Mets will begin their annual hiring search, says Tim Healy.
As far as projected win totals go, the Giants were the biggest overacheiver and it wasn’t even close, writes Nick Bromberg.
A painful end to the season should motivate the Blue Jays to be even better in 2022, believes Ben Nicholson-Smith.
Brian McTaggert ranks the top 50 players in the 2021 playoffs. Topping his list is Max Scherzer.
Vinnie Duber explains how the White Sox became Tim Anderson’s team.
Randy Arozarena is ready to be Mr. October again, writes Marc Topkin.
Random Baseball Rewind
Foul Tips
Throwback: Daniel Kramer and David Adler rank the best catches in postseason history.
Mookie Betts, Dodgers Top 2021 MLB Jersey Sales.
God bless and good day!!
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