Injuries

MINOR LEAGUESCatcher Rafael Marchán returns to action, could be important boost to Phillies’ depth

20/05/2024 Raymond 0

Catcher Rafael Marchán, who had been sidelined since spring training with a back issue, returned to action in the minor leagues last week, offering a positive development for the Phillies’ depth behind the plate. Marchán began a rehab assignment with Single-A Clearwater, playing four games and recording a 3-for-11 performance with a home run, three walks, and a hit-by-pitch. More significant than his stats, however, is his presence on the field, given his history of injuries. A healthy Marchán could become crucial for the Phillies this season, especially as backup catcher Garrett Stubbs has struggled offensively and starting catcher J.T. Realmuto recently missed games due to knee soreness.

Boston Red Sox Hitters Need to Meet their Pitchers Halfway

20/05/2024 Raymond 0

During the past offseason, Boston Red Sox fans were primarily focused on the team’s pitching needs. The front office had hinted at the possibility of acquiring Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Jordan Montgomery seemed almost certain to join the team. However, the biggest offseason signing was Lucas Giolito, a reclamation project, which left many fans disappointed. Additionally, the acquisition of Cooper Criswell was met with skepticism and became the subject of jokes aimed at the team’s management.

Fast-forward to a quarter of the way through the season, and the Red Sox pitching staff has exceeded expectations more than any other in baseball. Despite this, the team is in third place in the American League East with a .500 winning percentage after 44 games. To avoid squandering their stellar pitching, the Red Sox’s offense needs to improve quickly.

Despite lacking big names and dealing with injuries, the Red Sox starters have performed exceptionally well. They lead the league in starter ERA at 2.62, are third in WHIP at 1.07, and have allowed the fourth-fewest hard-hit balls. This success is largely attributed to Tanner Houck, who has emerged as a top-tier starter with a 2.17 ERA and leading the league in fWAR. Kutter Crawford has also been impressive, ranking second in fWAR and 11th in ERA among starters.

Emma Raducanu opens up on boyfriend ban and why she was ‘resentful’ of parents

20/05/2024 Raymond 0

Emma Raducanu has revealed that she was prohibited from having boyfriends and felt “forced” into tennis during her childhood. The former US Open champion shared insights into her challenging path to professional tennis, which occasionally caused friction with her “pushy” parents. In an interview with The Times, Raducanu explained, “At the start, my dad forced me into tennis. I didn’t like it, but as I got older and tennis became more of a priority, I started pushing myself.” She described her parents as “pushy,” especially when she was younger, noting that now they advise her on what they think is best but recognize that excessive pressure leads to resistance.

Raducanu also mentioned that her rigorous training schedule left no time for boyfriends and limited her social interactions. “My parents were very much against boyfriends as it interfered with training. When I was younger, I wasn’t even allowed to hang out with my girlfriends,” she said. This led to feelings of resentment, but she believes it also made her confident and comfortable in her own company. Following her breakthrough, Raducanu experienced a series of disappointing results and endured an eight-month injury hiatus due to wrist and ankle surgeries.

Dougie Freedman planning to take Crystal Palace trio with him to Newcastle United

15/05/2024 Raymond 0

Manchester United’s current plight sees them positioned in eighth place within the Premier League standings following a disheartening loss last Sunday, raising concerns about their chances of securing a spot in European competitions for the upcoming season. The team has been significantly hampered by injuries to key players, compounded by tactical challenges under the leadership of manager Erik ten Hag. With the recent involvement of INEOS, significant transformations are anticipated as they prepare for the forthcoming season.

Liam Manning drops Matty James contract hint as Bristol City captain is ruled out of Stoke clash

01/05/2024 Raymond 0

Matty James will miss Bristol City’s final match of the season against Stoke City due to minor surgery for a hernia, but head coach Liam Manning has suggested that the midfielder might continue with the club beyond this summer. James, the team captain, is among four first-team players whose contracts expire next month, and his absence from the upcoming match indicates that his last appearance for the club, unless circumstances change, was the 64 minutes he played in the victory over Rotherham United.

While a contract offer has been made to Joe Williams to extend his stay, there has been no mention of James, who joined the club three years ago. If Williams remains and with Max Bird joining from Derby County after his loan spell, along with Jason Knight and Taylor Gardner-Hickman, Bristol City will have four senior central midfielders for the next season, excluding others who play further forward or younger talents like Adam Murphy and Jed Meerholz. However, Manning has suggested that this number could increase to five, with ongoing discussions and meetings to decide James’ future.