Urena taken yard on season’s first pitch
The Florida Marlins watched Jose Urena give up a homer on the first pitch of the season, allow a walk and hit two batters in the first inning before making the first mound visit under MLB’s new rules. Ian Happ homered leading off to start Urena’s troubles.
New Miami owner Derek Jeter watched his Marlins fall instantly behind from his seat two rows back of the Marlins’ dugout.
Urena trailed the Cubs 1-0, loaded the bases and fell behind Jason Heyward before Miami pitching coach Juan Nieves went to the mound. The scoreboard registered the trip and showed the Marlins had five visits left. Major League Baseball is imposing stricter limits on mound visits this year in an effort to speed up games. The general limit is six visits per nine-inning game without a pitching change, whether by a manager, coach or player.
OHTANI A HIT IN DEBUT
Shohei Ohtani got off to a solid start at the plate.
The newcomer from Japan quickly put aside a rugged spring training, hitting a single in his first real at-bat for the Los Angeles Angels Thursday against the Athletics.
Ohtani often looked overmatched in spring training, managing just four singles in 32 at-bats and striking out 10 times.
The 23-year-old will get his first chance to pitch in a game that counts when he starts Sunday against the A’s.
ORIOLES DUO ON DL
The Baltimore Orioles have placed designated hitter Mark Trumbo and pitcher Gabriel Ynoa on the 10-day disabled list.
Both moves are retroactive to March 26. Trumbo has a right quadriceps strain and Ynoa has a shin injury.
GURRIEL BEGINS BAN
Houston first baseman Yuli Gurriel has started the season on baseball’s restricted list to serve his five-game suspension from the World Series. Gurriel was suspended after making an inappropriate gesture directed at Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yu Darvish.