Mookie Betts, one of last year’s breakout stars across Major League Baseball for the Boston Red Sox, has been struggling so far this year, as has his entire team. Betts took the blame upon himself on Monday afternoon, declaring that his play and leadership were “unacceptable.” That’s quite the drama for April, but with the Yankees struggling — they added another player to the injured list Monday — Boston needs to improve quickly on its 6-11 record. The Red Sox also designated a heralded young catcher for assignment. Meanwhile, Shohei Ohtani is getting closer to his return (as a hitter) and Carlos Zambrano is making a much less likely comeback attempt himself.
Mookie Betts is hitting .222, and the 6-11 Red Sox desperately miss his big bat at the top of the lineup.
Mookie Betts is a bit of a mess at the plate right now. He takes a fat change up at the top of the zone over the plate for strike two then swings at a fastball way outside for strike three pic.twitter.com/igz0jNdmen
— Matthew Kory (@mattymatty2000) April 15, 2019
The Red Sox also gave up on catcher Blake Swihart, who had struggled defensively but was one of the game’s top prospects at the position not long ago.
I’m genuinely bummed about Blake Swihart. It’s no one singular person’s fault, but my God was he mishandled from the jump as a former first-round pick who was regarded as the top catching prospect in the game at one point. Hope for nothing but the best for him.
— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) April 16, 2019
Speaking of last year’s most exciting players, the Angels’ Shohei Ohtani had Tommy John surgery but should return as a hitter soon.
Angels’ Shohei Ohtani cleared to face pitchers throwing full-force (via @maria_torres3) https://t.co/J1JNimVIrF pic.twitter.com/zjH8GP9bdH
— L.A. Times Sports (@latimessports) April 15, 2019
Meanwhile, in the Bronx, the Yankees are back up to 12 players on the injured list. CC Sabathia returned, but now Greg Bird is out.
CF Aaron Hicks
RF Giancarlo Stanton
C Gary Sanchez
1B Greg Bird
3B Miguel Andujar
2B Troy Tulowitzki
SS Didi Gregorius
LF Jacoby Ellsbury
P Luis SeverinoRP Ben Heller
CP Dellin Betances— GARDY SZN (@BrettGardnerSZN) April 16, 2019
Finally, remember Carlos Zambrano? He’s only 37 and thinks he can make a comeback.
Carlos Zambrano announced he’s making a comeback with independent Chicago Dogs pic.twitter.com/S3lcoLsczE
— Baseball Bros (@BaseballBros) April 16, 2019
TOP STORIES
• Betts: ‘What I’m doing is unacceptable’ | MLB.com
• Red Sox give up on Blake Swihart in surprising release | New York Post
• Angels’ Shohei Ohtani gets positive news from latest check-up | Orange County Register
• Yankees add Bird to crowded IL; Voit to start | ESPN.com
• Former Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano launches comeback with Chicago Dogs | Chicago Sun-Times
