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Players across all major sports continued to speak out on Thursday and seven more MLB games were cancelled. That comes after three games were cancelled on Wednesday as players followed the lead of the Milwaukee Bucks who opted to not play a playoff game to protest the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha Wisconsin. The games cancelled Thursday included the Rockies/Diamondbacks, A’s/Rangers, Twins/Tigers, Red Sox/Blue Jays, Orioles/Rays, Phillies/Nationals and Marlins/Mets.
Perhaps the most powerful show of protest came from the Mets and Marlins who both walked off the field after observing a 42-second moment of silence.
The situation wasn’t without controversy as Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen apologized Thursday saying he falsely accused commissioner Rob Manfred of proposing a plan that would have had the Mets and Marlins stage a one our walkout and then return to play the game. Van Wagenen was caught on video criticizing the commissioner which quickly circulated on social media. In very much Mets fashion, Van Wagenen’s statement indicated that it was actually Mets COO Jeff Wilpon who proposed the walkout idea.
Braves News
No big surprise but the Braves are reportedly prioritizing adding a starting pitcher at the trade deadline. Additionally, they are looking for a rental who won’t be owed money beyond the 2020 season according to MLB.com’s Mark Bowman.
Cory McCartney writes in his weekly Starting Nine column that if the Braves want to make a splash at the deadline, then they should be chasing Indians right-hander Mike Clevinger.
Chasing a starter with an expiring contract may be the route the Braves go but there are plenty of options that could help this season as well as in the future.
I discussed the trade deadline, the third base situation and more in this week’s mailbag.
This week’s Throwback Thursday column takes a look back at a trade at the deadline that did not work out for the Braves.
MLB News
The Toronto Blue Jays made the first splash at the deadline acquiring right-hander Taijuan Walker from the Seattle Mariners. Cash or a player to be named later will be heading to Seattle in the deal.
The Tampa Bay Rays acquired outfielder Brett Phillips from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for infielder prospect Lucius Fox.
The injury bug continues to bite pitchers around the league. The Dodgers placed Walker Buehler on the 10-day injured list due to a blister. Cardinals lefty reliever Andrew Miller hit the injured list with left shoulder fatigue. Pirates reliever Keone Kela and third baseman Colin Moran were also placed on the injured list Thursday. Kela is dealing with right forearm inflammation while Moran is on the seven-day concussion list.