Fan News

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. — Down here in the Atlantic League, the players hear the stories of what Shane Spencer did.

He came out of nowhere and became an instant star. He walked out of the minor leagues and into the World Series.

The 2015 MLB waiver trade deadline provided contending clubs with a last chance to find the elusive missing pieces they need.

Some teams made great use of the opportunity. The Texas Rangers snagged Mike Napoli, and the San Francisco Giants grabbed Marlon Byrd and Alejandro De Aza, per Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.

September is here, and that means two things. First, MLB rosters will expand and a raft of call-ups and newbies will arrive in the big leagues. Second, you'll read articles about how baseball needs to change its September roster-expansion rules.

Ahem.

The idea of giving managers fresh meat in the season's final month makes sense. The 162-game grind is long, winding and arduous, and there isn't a club in either league that couldn't use an injection of new blood.

The Los Angeles Dodgers added outfield depth for the stretch run in the face of injury concerns late Monday night in the form of Justin Ruggiano.

The San Francisco Giants acquired outfielder Alejandro De Aza late Monday from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for minor league left-handed pitcher Luis Ysla, the Giants announced. 

The Giants will also receive $650,000 from the Red Sox, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. 

Things like this make the world appreciate slow-motion video.

During the Colorado Rockies-Arizona Diamondbacks game Monday night, outfielder Charlie Blackmon tried to steal second base.

The throw beat him, and D-Backs shortstop Chris Owings had his glove in position for the tag. But Blackmon—who we now know is some sort of ninja—pulled his leg back to evade the glove and slipped it onto the bag just in time.

Los Angeles Dodgers utility man Kike Hernandez has had a rough couple of days. On Sunday night, he and his Dodgers teammates were no-hit by Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jake Arrieta. On Monday, the 24-year-old landed on the 15-day disabled list.

Continue for updates.

The Kansas City Royals added outfield depth Monday before the stretch run of the 2015 season in the form of Jonny Gomes, announced the team.     

In the bottom of the first inning during Monday’s contest between the Tampa Bay Rays and Baltimore Orioles, O’s slugger Manny Machado drilled a bullet that appeared to be destined for the right-center field seats.

Rays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier had other ideas.

The Texas Rangers arrived in San Diego on a hot streak, but had a cold showing Monday night in a shutout loss to the Padres. 

Rangers starting pitcher Colby Lewis gave up five earned runs (six total) and seven hits through 5.2 innings pitched after showing good command of his pitches early in the game.