FRIDAY’S NOTEBOOK
Judge-ment day
New York star Aaron Judge let his deadline pass for a long-term contract. Judge, who said he will not negotiate during the season, went 2 for 5, including a two-out double in the ninth off Hansel Robles. He was stranded when Stanton struck out for the fourth time.
Award show in Toronto
Before the game, former Blue Jays infielder and current Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Teoscar Hernández were presented with their 2021 Silver Slugger Awards. Semien also got his Gold Glove, while Guerrero received his Hank Aaron Award from Billye Aaron, the late Hall of Fame slugger’s widow.
Hooray Beer
Seth Beer was the hero on opening night for Arizona Diamondbacks fans. On Friday, too, before even taking the field. One day after Beer blasted a game-ending, three-run homer against San Diego, the Diamondbacks capitalized on the publicity with a promotion that gave a free Coors Light to the first 10,000 fans who came to the park that were 21 years and older.
Beer didn’t start on his own beer night because he’s a left-handed batter and the Padres were starting the lefthanded Sean Manaea on the mound.
Beer did pinch-hit in the eighth with two outs and runners on first and third. He flew out to end the inning.
Trainer’s room
Reds: Manager David Bell said LHP Mike Minor (left shoulder soreness) “felt great” while throwing 35 pitches in a simulated game. Minor’s next step could be a minor league rehab assignment unless he first throws another simulated game next week. … RHPS Daniel Duarte and Alexis Diaz made their major league debuts, each pitching a scoreless inning.
Braves: LHP Tucker Davidson may be the most likely candidate to serve as the sixth starter in the rotation on Tuesday against Washington. Manager Brian Snitker said “we plan on slotting someone in” but hasn’t named the starter.
Rangers: RHP Garrett Richards began the season on the 10-day injured list because of a blister on his right middle finger. RHP Jonathan Hernandez (elbow surgery) and RHP José Leclerc (elbow surgery) are on the 60-day IL.
Blue Jays: Toronto has two players on the 10-day injured list to begin the season. LHP Ryan Borucki is out with a strained right hamstring, while RHP Nate Pearson is sidelined with mononucleosis.
Marlins: LHP Sean Guenther underwent Tommy John surgery Thursday in Los Angeles, performed by Dr. Neal Elattrache. … INF José Devers was placed on the 10-day injured list with right shoulder impingement syndrome. RHP Dylan Floro also went on the injured list with right rotator cuff tendonitis. He threw a 25-pitch bullpen session.
Giants: INF Tommy La Stella went on the 10-day injured list with inflammation in his right Achilles tendon, a move retroactive to Monday. INF Evan Longoria, working back from right hand surgery, also went on the IL retroactive to Monday. He worked taking groundballs from a machine. OF Lamonte Wade Jr. was placed on the IL with left knee inflammation retroactive to Monday.
Yankees: Anthony Rizzo was hit on the right hand by a fastball from Eovaldi in the fifth inning that tailed in. He stayed in the game.
Mets: CF Brandon Nimmo had two hits, including a triple, a day after sitting out because of a stiff neck.
Nationals: General manager Mike Rizzo declined to offer a timeline for when RHP Stephen Strasburg (thoracic outlet syndrome surgery last year) might be ready to pitch.