MLB News Roundup: Albert Pujols rejoins LA Angles, Lance McCullers injured and more - February 23 2023
Aaron Judge comments on replicating his at-bat success from 2022.
Aaron Judge expressed uncertainty about whether he could replicate his success from last year when he broke the American League record with 62 home runs during a press conference earlier this week.
During the team's first full training session on Monday, he said he preferred not to set a specific number for the current season, but to focus on what he could control.
Judge was named the AL MVP after surpassing Roger Maris' 1961 record of 61 home runs. He tied with the Mets' Pete Alonso for the most RBIs in the Major Leagues and had a batting average of .311, the second-highest in the AL. Judge became a free agent at the end of the season and agreed to sign a $360 million contract to return to the Yankees for nine years.
Although Judge helped the team reach the playoffs, the Yankees were swept in the Championship Series by the eventual World Series champions, the Houston Astros. Judge was disappointed by his poor offensive performance in that series, but he and the team are determined to end the Yankees' championship drought, which dates back to 2009.
As the team's new captain, Judge plans to continue leading by example and pushing his teammates to reach their goal of bringing the championship trophy back to New York.
Albert Pujols rejoins LA Angels’ as a Special Assistant.
Albert Pujols, who recently concluded a 22-year career as a professional baseball player and became the fourth player in MLB history to hit 700 home runs, has returned to the Los Angeles Angels as a special assistant to the team.
Pujols met with the media on Wednesday to discuss his new role and stated that he always intended to fulfill his 10-year personal service contract with the Angels, even after the team released him during the 2021 season. He plans to be a special instructor during spring training and will also travel to the Dominican Republic to work with the team's prospects there. Pujols is eager to help the organization and is excited about mentoring young players.
There’s a reason why Albert Pujols’ nickname was ‘The Machine’🔥
#STLCards #MLB https://t.co/RBjak0JQLu
Lance McCullers injured. Will miss the spring training opener.
Lance McCullers Jr. of the Houston Astros will miss the team's first spring game of the season due to a pulled arm muscle. McCullers missed the first four and a half months of last season while recovering from a pulled right flexor pronator, but began to feel pain again after a bullpen session last week.
On Tuesday night, he had an MRI, which revealed no structural damage to his elbow. McCullers expressed disappointment on Wednesday, but the injury was not as serious as last year's. Even though he will be delayed, he is confident that he will catch up and be able to pitch for the majority of the season.
More on this: https://www.sportskeeda.com/baseball/news-houston-astros-star-lance-mccullers-jr-remains-positive-despite-muscle-injury-setback-start-new-season
Joey Gallo comments on the benefits of baseball’s new rules.
Major League Baseball's new rules for the 2023 season, including shift restrictions, a pitch timer, and bigger bases, are expected to quicken the game's pace and increase offense. Minnesota Twins slugger Joey Gallo believes that these changes will make the game more exciting and appealing to a wider audience, rather than just die-hard baseball fans.
Gallo said he equated low-scoring MLB games to the 0-0 draws he saw during the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He also thinks that offense and home runs are what casual fans, especially the younger demographic, want to see, rather than just pitching and defense. Although Gallo may or may not personally benefit from the new shift restrictions, he is happy to see baseball adapting to emphasize offense and create more excitement for fans.