Media by Associated Press – Several members of the Seattle Mariners and the Los Angeles Angels scuffle after Mariners’ Jesse Winker was hit by a pitch during the second inning of a baseball game Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Los Angeles Angels turned heads by tabbing bullpen arm Andrew Wantz as Sunday’s opener. The reliever began the game by hitting Julio Rodriguez and pegging Jesse Winker, which sent Winker into a frenzy. The outfielder screamed at the opposing dugout and slowly approached them, causing the benches to clear.
Twelve suspensions were handed out in the aftermath of MLB’s largest brawl of the season. Angels manager Phil Nevin earned a 10-game suspension, followed by Winker with seven games. Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford got five games, Angels pitchers Ryan Tepera and Wantz each received three games, and Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez and Angels closer Raisel Iglesias got two games. Four additional Angels coaches also earned suspensions: Assistant pitching coach Dom Chiti (five games), bench coach Ray Montgomery and interpreter Manny Del Campo (two games), and catching coach Bill Haselman (one game).
Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon, who is out for the season, received a significant punishment for his role in the scuffle. Rendon is forbidden from the dugout for seven games and suspended for the next five games he is active, despite having a cast on his arm.
Mariners make a move
Trade season was kicked off by the Mariners, who acquired veteran first baseman Carlos Santana from the Kansas City Royals along with $4.3 million to help pay for his contract. The Royals, who are 26-46 and own the second-worst record in the AL, cleared a spot for top prospect Vinnie Pasquantino.
Santana, 36, was hitting .216 with four home runs through 52 games this season after hitting 19 last year. But he has heat up in June, hitting .357 with a 1.032 OPS and will help fill the void with Ty France on the injured list.
Bobby Witt Jr. has already proven capable in his rookie season with the Royals. Now Pasquantino gets his opportunity alongside MJ Melendez. Pasquantino, an 11th-round pick in 2019, was hitting .280 with 18 homers in Triple-A.
The Royals received Wyatt Mills and William Fleming for Santana, who were assigned to minor league teams.
Twins pitching coach leaving
More details have emerged in Wes Johnson’s decision to leave the AL Central-leading Minnesota Twins. Johnson, the pitching coach, will finish his stint on Thursday before heading to the Bayou to assume the same role at LSU.
Johnson joined the organization in 2019 from Arkansas. Bullpen coach Pete Maki and assistant pitching coach Luis Ramirez will factor into the decisions with the Twins in the short term until the front office lines up a clearer picture.
Cardinals deal with injuries
Jack Flaherty is heading back to the injured list. The 26-year-old made three starts, posting a 5.63 ERA, but heads back to the injured list with shoulder inflammation. The Cardinals’ right-hander was dominant in his first two seasons and showed that form in 2021, but injuries over the last two years have hampered the star’s development.
Outfielder Harrison Bader joined Flaherty on the IL with plantar fasciitis in his right foot, the team said. Bader won a Gold Glove last season for his defense in center field. He’s hitting .256 with seven doubles, three triples, and five home runs this season. He has 15 stolen bases in 17 opportunities.
Returns?
Kris Bryant made his return on Monday after missing more than a month with a back strain. He went 1-for-4 in the Colorado Rockies’ 4-0 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers, when he hit third and played left field. It was his first big-league action since May 22, when he went on the IL for a second time in 2022.
Ronald Acuna Jr. was out Sunday after he reportedly couldn’t put weight on his injured foot. He is listed as questionable for Tuesday’s series opener with the Philadelphia Phillies. Acuna fouled a ball off the top of his foot on Saturday and has had bruising since. He was riding on a scooter to keep it elevated on Sunday.
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