Daniel Poncedeleon was going to remember his major league debut regardless of how it went. He made sure others would remember it, too.
Poncedeleon tossed seven no-hit innings against the Reds on Monday in Cincinnati. The right-hander struck out three batters on the night and also walked three and was pulled from the no-no after having thrown 116 pitches.
The 116 pitches were the most the 26-year-old had ever thrown as a pro, and he was slated to lead off in the top of the eighth inning with the Cardinals nursing a 1-0 lead. He also needed 26 pitches to get through the bottom of the seventh. Thus, it wasn’t a surprise to see interim manager Mike Shildt pull the rookie. Unfortunately for Poncedeleon, he was not able to pick up his first major league victory. Bud Norris served up a game-tying solo home run to Eugenio Suarez with two outs in the bottom of the ninth and eventually yielded a walk-off RBI single to Dilson Herrera.
However, while the night didn’t conclude the way Poncedeleon wanted it to, it doesn’t take away the fact that his performance was historic. The young righty became the first pitcher in the last 100 years to toss seven-plus innings of no-hit, no-run ball in his major league debut.
Making the accomplishment even more amazing is that, less than 15 months ago, Poncedeleon didn’t know whether he’d even be able to take the mound again. While pitching for Triple-A Memphis on May 9 of last year, Poncedeleon was struck in the head by a line drive, which resulted in a skull fracture and epidural hematoma that required emergency surgery. The rehab was long and intense, but Poncedeleon completed it and dominated this year at Memphis, posting a 2.15 ERA and 103/48 K/BB ratio over 92 innings to earn a shot in the majors.
As far as Poncedeleon’s fantasy outlook goes, it’s pretty cloudy. He could be optioned back to the minors Tuesday to make room for Austin Gomber, who will also be making his first major league start. Even if Poncedeleon sticks around for another start this weekend against the Cubs, that would probably be it with Carlos Martinez (oblique) tentatively expected back early next week. With that being said, he certainly put himself in good position for future opportunities with how he threw the ball Monday.
Turner to DL, Machado to Third
Earlier this month when he was still an Oriole, Manny Machado indicated that he wouldn’t be interested in moving from shortstop back to third base for his new team. Well, he’s headed back to the hot corner.
Justin Turner returned from a six-game absence due to a right groin injury on Sunday, but he lasted only three innings before aggravating the ailment. He was placed on the disabled list Monday.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts wouldn’t reveal a timetable for Turner’s return, but the veteran infielder is expected to need more than the minimum 10 days.
"Even if we had put him on the DL, he wouldn't have been ready today, tomorrow or the next day," said Roberts. "We tried to play the slice and have him available. It's not that it set him back another week. We played shorthanded, but I don't think it impacted any of the games."
Roberts had a talk with Machado Sunday night and asked him about filling in at third base while Turner was on the shelf. The two-time Gold Glover obliged.
"To replace Turner with Manny and not compromise the defense, that's big for us," said Roberts. "Manny was traded here to be a shortstop, and we understand that. The conversation I had with Manny last night was easy. He wanted to do whatever it was that helps the ballclub win. In this situation, it makes a lot of sense to have him play third. I can't say enough about Manny and his willingness to do whatever asked for the ballclub."
Sliding Machado over to the hot corner makes sense, especially given how shaky Max Muncy has looked defensively there. Muncy played first base Monday in Philadelphia, with Cody Bellinger moving to center field and Chris Taylor shifting back to shortstop. That could be the alignment most days while Turner is sidelined, although Roberts has the ability to mix and match since he has so many versatile players on his roster.
Taking Turner’s spot on the roster was Alex Verdugo. Verdugo did not start Monday’s game but came off the bench to draw a walk. The top prospect has batted .349/.396/.506 with eight homers and four steals at Triple-A Oklahoma City this season and remains an intriguing long-term bat. However, with Yasiel Puig (oblique) due back this weekend, Verdugo’s stay could be short.
Snell Sidelined
Blake Snell has had to hit the pause button on his breakout season.
The Rays placed the young left-hander on the disabled list Monday with fatigue in his pitching shoulder. Snell admitted that his shoulder has "just been fatigued for a little while" and it “did not feel good” during a bullpen session Sunday, necessitating the move. The good news is an MRI has cleared the southpaw of any structural damage.
"It's just been fatigued for a little while," Snell said. "Talked to [manager Kevin] Cash. Talked to the training staff, [pitching coach] Kyle [Snyder], everybody. We did what we thought was best for me moving forward. I got an MRI, that was good. So I'm happy about that. Just, it's been going on for a little bit. So we felt like taking one start off and resting and having this long break would be the best thing for me moving forward."
Snell is currently on pace for 195 innings this season, which would be over 20 more than the career-high 173 1/3 he threw between the majors and minors last year. It’s not a big jump, though, and at this point this looks to simply be a little shoulder inflammation that most every pitcher goes through at one time or another. Manager Kevin Cash said Monday that he’s “very confident” it will be a short-term injury. If all goes well, Snell could miss just the one turn before rejoining Tampa Bay’s rotation next week. Yonny Chirinos will start Tuesday versus the Yankees in Snell’s place.
American League Quick Hits: Jake Bauers went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer, a double, and two runs scored in a victory over the Yankees on Monday night … Giancarlo Stanton went 4-for-4 with two runs scored, two RBI and a walk in the Yankees' loss to the Rays on Monday … Jerry Crasnick of ESPN has reported that the Yankees are among the teams who have inquired on Chris Archer … Heath Fillmyer allowed two runs -- one earned -- over 6 2/3 innings with six strikeouts on Monday in a no decision against the Tigers … Daniel Robertson went 3-for-4 with a solo home run in the Rays victory over the Yankees on Monday … Logan Morrison went 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBI in the Twins' win over the Blue Jays on Monday … Edwin Encarnacion (hand) sat out Monday but is expected back in the Indians' lineup Tuesday … Daniel Gossett (elbow) has been shut down after experiencing a setback … Michael Pineda (elbow) is on track to begin a rehab assignment with the Gulf Coast League Twins on August 6 … Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic has reported that the Rockies are scouting Kevin Gausman and Dylan Bundy …
National League Quick Hits: Maikel Franco went 3-for-4 with a pair of solo home runs in the Phillies’ loss against the Dodgers on Monday … Patrick Corbin was excellent on Monday, allowing one run over seven innings and striking out nine in a victory over the Cubs … Freddie Freeman went 2-for-5 with a two-run homer, a double, and two runs scored Monday in the Braves' win over the Marlins … Jacob deGrom allowed three runs -- two earned -- over eight innings Monday in a loss to the Padres, fanning 10 along the way … MLB.com's Jon Morosi has reported that the Brewers have considered the possibility of trading for Mike Moustakas and moving Travis Shaw to second base … Ozzie Albies (hamstring) is expected to be held out of the Braves' lineup until Thursday … Jesus Aguilar (hamstrings) remained out of the Brewers' lineup Monday …Max Muncy finished 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Monday’s win over the Phillies … Jhoulys Chacin struck out nine and allowed just two hits and a run over 5 2/3 innings in a victory over the Nationals on Monday … Josh Harrison went 2-for-3 with a three-run homer as the Pirates took down the Indians on Monday … Yoenis Cespedes had an MRI and met with a foot specialist on Monday in regard to his heel condition but the results have not yet been revealed …Trevor Williams whiffed just one but worked six scoreless innings Monday in Cleveland … Brent Suter is expected to have Tommy John surgery after being diagnosed with a torn UCL … Manuel Margot (wrist) returned to action to hit a go-ahead RBI triple Monday in the Padres' defeat of the Mets … Charlie Culberson finished 4-for-6 with three RBI and a run scored Monday in the Braves' rout of the Marlins … Padres shortstop prospect Fernando Tatis Jr. will undergo season-ending surgery Tuesday to repair an avulsion fracture in his left thumb … Arodys Vizcaino (shoulder) is still 2-3 weeks away from beginning a throwing program … The Cardinals placed Kolten Wong on the disabled list with left knee inflammation … According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Phillies are talking to the Blue Jays about outfielder Curtis Granderson …
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