NEWSLETTER
MLB Notes —
Jose Abreu talked on Friday about the tough decision to accept his minor league demotion from the Astros last month, which he called the best thing he’s done in his career, before making his return to the Astros on Monday.
Jose Abreu on Minor League Demotion: “Best thing I’ve ever gone through in my career.”
Jose Abreu made his return to the Houston Astros on Monday, playing first base and hitting eighth for the Stros in their game with the Seattle Mariners. Abreu went 1-for-3 with an RBI. Abreu spent the last month in the minors after starting his season with the Astros 7-for-71.
Abreu spoke with The Athletic’s Chandler Rome on Friday in his first public speaking session since he accepted the demotion at the end of April. Abreu called the decision to accept the demotion “tough” at first but said on Friday that it was “the best thing [he’s] ever gone through” in his career.
“This made me realize what I’m made for,” Abreu said Saturday through interpreter Luis Contreras. “Going through this made me realize who I am.”
Abreu told Rome that his struggles during the first month of the season with Houston were so bad that he felt like he had forgotten how to hit. But after a month in the minors, a mental reset that Abreu feels he needed, he says he’s in the right place mentally.
“What I can tell you is my head is in a good spot right now. When I was going through it, when your head is not in a good spot, you feel like everything is going down,” Abreu said. “There was a point, and I’m telling you from the bottom of my heart, I couldn’t even know how to hit, how to field.
“I was a little lost. But I’m humble enough to recognize that and I’m telling you I’m trying to be the best José Abreu I can be and the one you guys know.”
Abreu said that he watched every single Astros game while he was in the minors. Houston was 14-9 in those games, a stark turnaround for the Astros after they opened the season 10-20.
“Every single game. I didn’t (miss) any games. It was a little tough watching them from home, but nowadays, they’re on a good streak,” Abreu said. “They’re playing good ball. They have the talent; it was a matter of time before they put the pieces together and started to win games.”
Angel Hernandez Calls it Quits; Does He Deserve His Villanous Reputation?
Veteran MLB umpire Angel Hernandez has called it quits. According to The Athletic, Major League Baseball approached Hernandez earlier this season about the possibility of retiring. Hernandez declined at the time, but the calls for Hernandez to walk away from the game have only gotten louder since. Hernandez had been sidelined since May 9 while the two sides worked on a financial agreement.
Hernandez’s attorney, Kevin Murphy, told The Athletic that Hernandez was not forced out by Major League Baseball. However, given the events of the weeks that led to his immediate retirement, it seems like he was, in fact, forced out.
Hernandez has been calling MLB games since 1991 but has become public enemy No. 1 when it comes to the fan perspective of officiating in Major League Baseball. Hernandez has been infamous for his large and inconsistent strike zone, his penance for ejections, and his lawsuit against MLB for discrimination in 2017.
MLB released a statement from Hernandez on his retirement last night:
“Starting with my first Major League game in 1991, I have had the very good experience of living out my childhood dream of umpiring in the major leagues,” the statement read. “There is nothing better than working in a profession that you enjoy. I treasured the camaraderie of my colleagues and the friendships I have made along the way, including our locker room attendants in all the various cities.
“I have decided that I want to spend more time with my family. Needless to say, there have been many positive changes in the game of baseball since I first entered the profession. This includes the expansion and promotion of minorities. I am proud that I was able to be an active participant in that goal while being a Major League umpire.”
The Athletic’s Sam Blum and Cody Stavenhagen discussed Hernandrez’s legacy and asked the question: does he deserve the villainous reputation that follows him into retirement?
Shohei Ohtani is Throwing from 60 Feet; Hopes to Return to Pitching in 2025
After eight months post-Tommy John surgery, Shohei Ohtani is now throwing a baseball from 60 feet, with pitches reaching speeds of 80 miles per hour. He is not anticipated to pitch in games until 2025, but he shared an update on his recovery on Monday.
“Usually anywhere from 60-70 pitches, in that distance,” Ohtani said through an interpreter before Monday’s game against the New York Mets. “Just continuing to increase the distance and the pitches, and just seeing where that goes. I’m not quite sure how far I’m going to go out there, but that’s the progression.”
Ohtani had his second Tommy John surgery in September while playing for the Los Angeles Angels. Despite the surgery, he continues to perform well at the plate, leading the majors in batting average (.336). He also tops the National League in slugging percentage (.621) and OPS (1.024) and leads the Dodgers in home runs (13) and stolen bases (13).
Ohtani, who has been the designated hitter in 53 of L.A.’s 55 games, is currently dealing with a hamstring contusion from a pickoff throw last week. Despite this, he has not missed a game since May 12, but manager Dave Roberts advised him to “be smart” about his injury.
Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers this offseason. The two-way star, who won American League MVP awards in 2021 and 2023, is known for his pitching abilities. Over the last three seasons, he posted a 2.84 ERA in 72 starts and racked up 542 strikeouts in 428 1/3 innings pitched.
