rob murphy accused of sexual assault

Woman recounts how fired Detroit Pistons GM Rob Murphy harassed her for months

A former Detroit Pistons employee says a team executive Rob Murphy sexually harassed her over a period of months, preceding his firing as assistant general manager Wednesday. DeJanai Raska when speaking to Detroit Free Press in a story released Thursday said Murphy performed many harassing acts after she started working as his executive assistant in September 2021, this includes: grabbing her buttocks, groping her in front of her 4-year-old daughter and saying he wanted to “put a baby in her”.  Raska also accused Murphy who was president then and general manager of the Pistons’ G League team of trying to force her into having sex. She is suing the Pistons and Rob Murphy for sexual discrimination and harassment. “Silence is not an option,” Raska told Free Press. “It’s not for me. It shouldn’t be for any woman. … This is my chance to voice the truth … and to take my power back.” Murphy was let go from his position as assistant general manager Wednesday, with the Detroit Pistons telling the Free Press in a statement that he was fired “for violation of company policy and the terms of his employment agreement.” “The facts that gave rise to his termination surfaced during a review, assisted by a national law firm, of allegations made by a former employee,” the Pistons said. Murphy who declined to comment on the Free Press, was placed on leave in October at the beginning of the team’s investigation into the allegations. He had been the assistant GM after a promotion in the 2022 offseason. Raska told the newspaper that she was scared of being fired if she brought forth her accusations. She mentioned losing her job in May 2022 when Rob Murphy sent a fake email to the team’s human relations department saying she had resigned. She accused the Pistons of not taking any actions after she reported to the team attorneys what he did, which caused her to sue. “We came forward before filing a lawsuit with the goal of having the Pistons do the right thing,” said attorney Megan Bonanni, one of Raska’s lawyers, adding, “The organization condoned and approved and were complicit in what he did. And they were hoping that Ms Raska would go away.” Murphy has been the Pistons’ G League team president before he became general manager. He was head coach at Eastern Michigan for a decade before joining the Pistons. Like Troy Weaver, Murphy too is a former assistant coach at Syracuse, amongst other positions within college ranks. More From The NBA: Kevin Durant will appear in ‘Call of Duty’ multiplayer

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kevin durant appears on call of duty

Kevin Durant will appear in ‘Call of Duty’ multiplayer

Phoenix Suns’ Kevin Durant will be sharing his talents with “Call of Duty’’. Kevin Durant who adopted the moniker “easymoneysniper’’ on Instagram, will be featured as an Operator skin in Season 03 Reloaded of  “Modern Warfare 2” and “Warzone 2.0’’. Players can buy Durant’s appearance as part of a limited-time store bundle offered in the game. See: Joel Embiid crowned 2022-23 NBA MVP over Nikola Jokić, Giannis Antetokounmpo This bundle contains weapon skins that refer to Durant’s “easymoneysniper’’ and “Slim Reaper’’ nicknames, including a special finishing move and other cosmetics. This is not the first appearance made by a professional athlete in the “Call of Duty’’ franchise. Lionel Messi, Paul Pogba, and Neymar Jr. were among the players featured for the 2022 World Cup; Marshawn Lynch (“Black Ops 3”) and Conor McGregor (“Infinite Warfare”) made cameos too. Related News: Jalen Brunson fires up Knicks fans after Game 2 win vs. Heat without Jimmy Butler

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red sox win blue jays

Red Sox win Blue Jays 8-3 extend winning streak to 5

Emmanuel Valdez, Triston Casas and Masataka Yoshida all drove in two runs and the Boston Red Sox maintained their winning streak to five games, sealing that deal with an 8-3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday night. “We’ve been doing that since Day One,” manager Alex Cora said. “Just moving the ball forward, hitting behind runners, running the bases well.” See: Mets’ Max Scherzer struggles in return from suspension, eager to ‘move forward’ Nick Pivetta (2-2) went for six innings and gave up three runs, including single homers by Daulton Varsho and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. who cleared the Green Monster with a shot in the third that left Fenway Park. “They’re a really aggressive lineup,” Pivetta said. “I was able to execute my offspeed early and then use my fastball later and then flip-flop that around. I’m not just here to throw. I’m here to pitch and execute all pitches in the zone.” Alex Manoah (1-2) allowed five runs, two earned, and eight hits in five innings. Manoah staged Boston hitless until there were two outs in the third, but caught a rough stretch after a sharp line drive off  Rafael Devers’ bat with one out in the fourth hit his right calf. Dever placed second when Alejandro Kirk fielded the carom and threw the ball into right field. Devers moved to the third after Manoah’s pick-off effort entered into center and scored on Jarren Duran’s double. Casas’ single tied the game at 2. Read: 2023 MLB monthly award winners for April announced The Blue Jays took the lead in the fifth when Kevin Kiermaier led off with a double, took third on George Springer’s sacrifice fly and scored on a baulk by Pivetta. However, the Red Sox went on to 5-3 in the bottom of the inning by scoring three unearned runs off, Manoah with two outs, plus Valdez’s two-run singles. “I thought he was getting on a roll a little bit,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said of Manoah. “It was kind of typical Alek. He was making good pitches, but we didn’t help him defensively. You can’t have four errors, throw the ball around and expect to win. I thought he was good.” Red Sox and Blue Jays combined for six errors, including four by Toronto that caused four unearned runs. Anthony Bass the Blue Jays reliever, replaced Manoah, he also took a line drive off himself in the sixth. Yoshida’s shot scored Connor Wong and extended Yoshida’s hitting streak to 13 games. Justin Turner’s single to center drove Bass from the game with Boston up 6-3. Yoshida’s two-out RBI double in the seventh of Trevor Richards made it 7-3. Boston added another run in the eighth when Casas reached a one-out single to left, took second on left fielder, Varsho’s throwing error and scored on Kiké Hernández’s single. Kutter Crawford, a Red Sox reliever who started the eight, left with one out in the ninth, seemingly slipping on the mound. Ryan Brasier got the last two outs to seal the victory. Related News: Robbie Ray likely to miss start of ‘24 due to Tommy John surgery

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max scherzer back from suspension

Mets’ Max Scherzer struggles in return from suspension, eager to ‘move forward’

New York Mets ace Max Scherzer struggled with his first game since being suspended Wednesday night, he allowed six runs on eight hits in 3 ⅓  innings against the Detroit Tigers during the second match of a doubleheader. “I was spraying the ball, especially out of the stretch, and that’s what you expect coming off a long layoff,” Scherzer said. “The No. 1 thing was getting through this start healthy, and we did that. Now we can move forward.” The Tigers won 8-1 to sweep the twin bill. Read: Robbie Ray likely to miss start of ‘24 due to Tommy John surgery Major League Baseball suspended Scherzer for 10 games on April 20 after a foreign substance was found in his pitching hand during his April 19th start against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Max was facing the Tigers for the third time since exiting the team after the 2014 season. In the first of those starts, he matched a league record for a nine-inning game with 20 strikeouts in a May 2016 win in Washington. Then he scored 14 more over eight innings when he returned to Comerica Park. Scherzer walked Zach McKinstry to start the first inning, the first walk Detroit had gotten from him since he left town. He allowed two runs in a 22-pitch inning. In the second inning, Scherzer retired Matt Vierling on the first pitch, but Eric Haase delivered his second home run to make it 3-0. Andy Ibanez followed with a base hit, but Scherzer scaled through the inning without more damage. He then got a drama-free check for sticky substances from first base umpire Adam Beck. “It was just a normal check,” Scherzer said. When the Detroit Tigers went down in order in the third, Akil Baddoo was to start the fourth and Vierling ensued with a long home run to left-center field. Scherzer sent out Haase, but Ibanez and McKinstry singled, bringing Buck Showalter out of the dugout and reliever Zach Muckenhirn into the game. “Obviously, we were hoping for a little better results, but I think his command was just off,” Showalter said. “That happens with pitchers. I’m sure he’ll be better the next time out.” Tigers fans gave Max Scherzer a loud ovation as he walked off the field with his head down. “It is hard to enjoy something like that when you pitch badly, but I have always appreciated the support from the fans here,” he said. Ibanez scored on Riley Greene’s single, including another run to Scherzer’s pitching line. Related News: 2023 MLB monthly award winners for April announced

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p.k. subban body shames lizzo

Former NHL star P.K Subban body shames Lizzo on-air

P.K. Subban body-shamed Lizzo live on-air when doing an analysis of an NHL playoff game for ESPN on Tuesday night and his comment was extremely offensive, that many people online are demanding an apology from the ex All-Star. Subban who became a part of ESPN’s hockey coverage after he retired in 2022, made the remark when breaking down Game 1 of the Panthers vs. Maple Leafs Stanley Cup Playoff series. Co-host John Buccigross advised that Toronto should “pack a lunch’’ after they lost 4-2 – insinuating that the team should eat more so that they will be stronger in Game 2. Subban agreed and then used that opportunity to fire a cheap shot at Lizzo, which was uncalled for. “Maybe they need to pack a Lizzo-sized lunch,” Subban said. His words were immediately condemned on social media, with many users asking the former New Jersey Devils to apologize. Others on Twitter called for ESPN to sanction its top hockey analyst for what he said. Related: The New Jersey Devils speedily advance to the second round of NHL playoffs Up until now, neither P.K. Subban nor ESPN has come out to address the controversy. Lizzo, known for immediately setting the record straight with things like this, has not commented too.

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2023 nfl regular season kick off

2023 NFL regular season: Eagles-Chiefs among top kickoff options

Now that the 2023 NFL Draft has happened, it is time for fans to face the 2023 NFL regular-season schedule will be announced later this month. Assuming the NFL upholds the tradition of the past season’s Super Bowl winner hosting the NFL Kickoff Game, then the Kansas City Chiefs led by Patrick Mahomes will be the home team for the first contest of the year. The Chiefs’ home opponents will be the Denver Broncos, LA Chargers, Los Angeles Raiders, Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, and Philadelphia Eagles.  Keeping this in mind, some NFL analysts have answered the following questions: Who would you most want to see the Chiefs play to open the 2023 NFL regular season? Pick: Philadelphia Eagles – Steve Mariucci The loaded nature of the Kansas City Chief’s home schedule should bring about many prime-time appearances for Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes and Co., but the best game fans will get for a kick of the 2023 NFL Regular season is a rematch of the Super Bowl LVII.  The Philadelphia Eagles made it clear this offseason that they will take the crown, keeping a number of veteran playmakers, signing star quarterback Jalen Hurts to a huge extent and nailing the draft. A clash of the two titans in early September would set the stage for the rest of the regular season. Pick: Buffalo Bills – LaDainian Tomlinson Some of the best news in the last few years has been for Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen, including the AFC Divisional Round gem from the 2021 playoffs. Kansas City has something the Buffalo Bills want: the Lombardi Trophy. Buffalo detect the tone again for a Super Bowl-or-bust 2023 campaign by defeating the NFL champs – or the Chiefs will remind everyone why they are still top dogs in the League. It’s a win-win for football fans. Pick: Denver Broncos – Steve Smith Sr. A division game may not be the most popular pick for a team that was the AFC West’s worst in 2022, but with head coach Sean Payton in their ranks, the Denver Broncos now have an advantage they were previously missing a year ago. The people want to know if the Super Bowl winner can straighten out Russel Wilson. This will be a huge challenge right off the bat. Pick: Philadelphia Eagles – Marc Ross Although they are a lot of great options for this spot, Eagles-Chiefs is the right choice. Back in February, these teams showed that they were meant for the spotlight, so it is only natural that the 2023 NFL regular season begins with the two-star quarterbacks and their incredible squads. The last time there was a Super Bowl rematch in the next season’s kickoff game was 2016 when Von Miller’s Denver Broncos defended their victory and defeated Cam Newton’s Carolina Panthers. Can Kansas City beat Philadelphia again? Pick: Cincinnati Bengals – Maurice Jones-Drew Quarterbacks are the kings of the league, and Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow are the two leaders who set the pace for this position now. Mahomes and Burrow faced off in the last two AFC Championship Games, with each of them winning one match. Will this year’s Kickoff Game preview a third consecutive AFC title game matchup? It is possible. Pick: Philadelphia Eagles – David Carr The quarterback games presented by the Chiefs’ home schedule are unbelievable, Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, Jalen Hurts, Justin Fields, Justin Herbert, Jared Goff and Jimmy Garoppolo make an appearance.  Nothing would be more satisfying than seeing Hurts, the main man of the offseason after signing a mega extension, get another shot at dethroning Patrick Mahomes on Thursday night after they both delivered a legendary match in February. Related NFL News: The five most improved clubs of the 2023 NFL offseason

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2023 nfl offseason most improved club

The five most improved clubs of the 2023 NFL offseason

Now that free agency has begun and the 2023 NFL draft is over, this would be a good time to examine the NFL’s landscape and pinpoint some teams that have significantly improved over the 2023 NFL offseason. From signing top talent in free agency, drafting blue-chip prospects, trading for game-changing pieces or somehow combining all three moves, they now feature rosters built during the 2023 NFL offseason that are far better than the ones fielded in the 2022 season.  That being said, here are the five most improved clubs of the 2023 NFL offseason. Carolina Panthers The Carolina Panthers almost missed the playoffs last year, but they made a series of changes in the last few months that could place them back in the postseason field for the first time since 2017. Carolina’s most noteworthy trading was the No. 1 overall pick to choose Alabama quarterback Bryce Young. This trade-up cost the Panthers some good assets, including DJ Moore their No.1 wideout, but they met most of their remaining draft picks and performed well in free agency. With the support of a cast that includes veteran wide receivers, Adam Thielen and DJ Clark, tight end Hayden Hurst, running back Miles Sanders and second-round wideout Jonathan Mingo, the Panthers’ offense are more put together and deadly than it has been in a long time. The defense may have some trouble adjusting to its 4-3 transition under the new head coach Frank Reich and defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, but veteran pickups DeShawn Williams and Shy Tuttle will help ease this pain. This team is expected to be a real problem in the NFC South if Young stays healthy and plays well with the weight of the team’s expectations on his shoulders. Chicago Bears The Chicago Bears dropped to the bottom last year, but they look ready to pull themselves out of the NFL’s basement in 2023. Things are looking up for the Windy City thanks mainly to quarterback Justin Fields. The young signal-caller displayed great growth last season, giving the Bears the privilege to trade out from the No.1 overall spot in the draft. Those extra assets allowed Chicago to secure D.J. Moore a high-end veteran receiver and cornerstone offensive tackle Darnell Wright at No. 10 overall, and also a group of Day 2 talent that will bolster the defense. They drafted two defensive tackles Gervon Dexter (No.53 overall) and Zacch Pickens (No. 64) and a cornerback in Tyrique Stevenson (No. 56) to upgrade a unit that ranked last in points allowed last season. Add free-agency offerings like linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards, guard Nate Davis and defensive end DeMarcus Walker to the mix, and the Bears will present a different club than what they portrayed in 2022.  It remains to be seen if Chicago has enough ammunition to make the postseason, but they are better off thanks to its 2023 NFL offseason purchases. Houston Texans The Texans may not be a contender in the 2023 season, but they finally have light at the end of their tunnel. Following the drafting of a franchise quarterback in C.J. Stroud at No.2 overall, Houston was traded back up to No.3 to choose a generational defensive talent in Will Anderson Jr. These two should form the pillars for Texan’s rebuild which is in progress. Although Houston did not make any free-agency splashes, it signed veteran wideout Robert Woods as a replacement for Brandin Cooks and add Dalton Schlutz as a quality tight end. They reinforced both sides of the trenches by adding Shaq Mason (trade) and Sheldon Rankins (free agency) too. Putting DeMeco Ryans on the sidelines will not be a bad idea. The ex-San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator will be the first head coach to last in Houston for over a single season since Bill O’Brien left in 2020. Ryans who was a former Texans standout linebacker, is one of the most prominent hires of the offseason. The Texans still have a few loose ends to tighten, but if Stroud is as good as they say he is, then he could be back to compete in the AFC South as early as 2024. Miami Dolphins The Miami Dolphins played every card they hard to build a worthy squad. By signing stars like cornerback Jalen Ramsey, wide receiver Tyreek Hill and outside linebacker Bradley Chubb over the past two seasons, they are set to build on their close Wild Card Round loss from this past year. Miami was stripped of their first-round pick by the NFL by “tampering violations of unprecedented scope and severity’’, but they still got some projected contributors in the 2023 draft. The team scored a high-upside cornerback in Cam Smith and a possible double-threat running back in Devon Achane on Day 2. While the Dolphins were relatively quiet in free agency besides Ramsey’s trade, the team had almost all the pieces they needed to compete in 2023. They can still strengthen their offensive line to defend often-injured quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, but other than that, they have Super Bowl upside. Ramsey may not be the sole missing piece, but his a key part of a puzzle that is nearing completion. Having him in the ranks, in addition to Chubb and Tagovailoa recovered, should place Miami amongst the League’s top teams in 2023. New York Jets No team has shifted the NFL’s landscape more than the New York Jets trading for Aaron Rodgers. By upgrading its quarterback from Zach Wilson to a future Hall of Famer, New York reaffirmed itself as a force in 2023. Although they blew their huge defensive leap last year with unskilled play under center, there should be a few things hindering them in 2023.  They acquired first-round edge-rusher Will McDonald IV to a unit that ranked fourth in both scoring and total defense last year, and they should have gotten enough offensive weapons to compete for their first AFC East crown since Chad Pennington led the squad to one over two decades ago. Rodgers’ protection may

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new jersey devils advance to playoffs

The New Jersey Devils speedily advance to the second round of NHL playoffs

The New Jersey Devils who had gone a decade without winning a playoff series, last Monday beat the New York Rangers using speed and a phenomenal rookie goal. Now they are about to tame a hurricane. Jack Hughes thought he had accomplished all he can as a professional ice hockey player. He was the No. 1 draft pick in 2019, living his best life over the following four seasons, playing for the Devils and becoming a legend in the NHL. Then Hughes got to the postseason. “I used to think the regular season in the NHL was a blast,’’ he said, all smiles. “It doesn’t even come close to the playoffs.’’ Jack and the other Devils were flying Monday night in Newark, N.J., after winning 4-0 over the Rangers in Game 7 of their first-round playoff series. They beat off their larger and more skilled neighbours and passed a strong message that may have been delivered a year or two before now. The last time New Jersey Devils won a playoff series was in 2010, winning just 27 games last season as they rebuilt under Tom Fitzgerald, their general manager since 2020. They included top-end draft picks, like Hughes and Nico Hischier, the first overall pick in 2017, made some hopeful trades and brought in top free agents. Fitzgerald built a team that is lightning-fast and experienced, and these signs hint at improvement this year. Now they hope to they hope a steady climb across the next several seasons will follow. When the ages of these young players, the blooming talent and cohesion, and the evidence on the ice in the series are considered, it is not unreasonable to expect the NHL and Ranger fans to have the New Jersey Devils to be content with well beyond 2023.  This is the time of the year we want to be playing in for the next 10 years, “Hughes said, he also stated that Devils fans now have regional bragging rights, until next spring. Monday’s Game 7 concluded a wild first round of the NHL playoffs, where road teams won a record 31 of the 50 games. Fourteen games moved to overtime, with the road team winning 11 of those matches. The best regular-season team in history, the Boston Bruins, lost to the Florida Panthers, the second and final wild card in the East. Colorado Avalanche the defending champions bowed to the Seattle Kraken, a second-year expansion team playing in its first postseason. The Toronto Maple Leafs secured a win in a first-round playoff series for the first time since 2004, winning the Tamp Bay Lightning in Game 6 in Tampa, Fla., to become one of six teams to win the series on the road. Out of the remaining eight teams, the Carolina Hurricanes are the Stanley Cup’s most recent champions, all the way back to 2006. They won the New York Islanders on Long Island in overtime of Game 6 and now host the Devils for Game 1 on Wednesday. New Jersey will most likely stick with Akira Schmid, the sensational rookie goalie who reversed the series against the Rangers. Following their loss in the first two home games, Coach Lindy Ruff sat Vitek Vanecek for Game 3 and gave Schmid the net. The Devils won four of the next five games. Schmid posted two shutouts and 1.38 goals against average in the series and emerged as the fifth rookie to get a shutout in a Game 7, the first since Montreal Canadiens Carey Price in 2008. “The biggest thing was that Schmido, obviously, came in and played unreal,” Hughes said about the team’s turnaround. “He was a brick wall for us.’’ Akira may be another piece in New Jersey’s promising future. He turns 23rd on May 12, and began only 14 regular-season games, leaving the bench in four other matches for the Devils, who signed Vanecek to a three-year contract last summer. Vanecek was great during the regular season, but desperation spurred a move. Schmid is from Bern, Switzerland, 6-foot-5, 205 pounds and nicknamed Schimdo the Torpedo by his teammates. He played 23 games in the minors for the American Hockey League’s Utica Comets this season, and his goals-against average was higher there (2.62) than it was in his regular-season games with New Jersey (2.13). This may not be a surprise. That statistic reflects the team’s play in general, and Akira explained that playing in the NHL can be less chaotic for a goalie. The structure in front of the goal is better, and defenders are more skilled at clearing rebounds and curbing tip-ins. “It almost makes it easier to read the play sometimes,” Schmid said. While New Jersey is noticeably fast, they also showed desire and tenacity, particularly in Game 7. Ondrej Palat’s relentless forechecking and unremitting desire directly led to the first goal on Monday. Palat, who won two Stanley Cups while with Tampa Bay, was signed in July to bring playoff experience and showed his team what it took to win in the playoffs. “This team has no quit,” Ruff said. “They give me everything they have.” Erik Haula is another veteran hockey player purchased last off-season, through a trade with the Bruins, to augment the team’s playoff savvy. He appeared in 41 games for Carolina in 2019-20 and faced off against them in the playoffs last year as a member of the Bruins, who lost in seven games. On Monday, Haula scored a third goal for his team, another example of the Devils’ perfect blend of hard work with finesse, determination, and skill. Palat won a puck battle on the boards and kicked the puck up to Hughes, who facilitated a pass for Haula to send home. The New Jersey Devils will need to bring this energy for the Hurricanes, who got the home-ice advantage in the series by winning the Metropolitan Division by one point over the Devils.  But when they go home to Newark for Games 3 and 4, Haula predicted the atmosphere

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sergio contreras pleads guilty

Ex-MLS player Contreras pleads guilty to being leader of drug cartel

A former Malaga player Sergio Contreras, known popularly as “Koke,’’ pleaded guilty to being the leader of a gang of drug traffickers and received a six-year prison sentence. Contreras, 40, who also played for Major League Soccer club Houston Dynamo, Marseille and Sporting Club, accepted a plea deal at a law court in Malaga on Tuesday after prosecutors previously asked for a 16-year prison sentence. Koke’s sentence will be handed down over the next few days and cannot be appealed. He was one of the 17 defendants charged with buying large amounts of drugs that were smuggled in lorries into various European countries. The Spanish police disbanded the ring led by Contreras in November 2019 after an intense investigation.  Koke began his football career at Malaga his home club, where he then made his senior debut in 2002. He made seven appearances in MLS for Houston in the 2011 season. Contreras’ best seasons were spent at Aris where he scored 31 goals in 141 appearances during two stints with the Greek side before he retired in 2016.

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2023 mlb monthly award

2023 MLB monthly award winners for April announced

Now that the regular season has completed one month, it is time to award eight players some due recognition for their performance with the 2023 MLB monthly award. These are the winners of the Players of the Month, Pitchers of the Month, Rookies of the Month and Relievers of the Month for April, as listed on Wednesday on MLB Network. The Players of the Month honor is presented by Chevrolet. Without further ado, here is the list for the 2023 MLB monthly award: Matt Chapman, TOR, AL Player of the Month The Toronto Blue Jays’ third baseman led all MLB hitters in OPS (1.152), wRC+ (219) and fWAR (2.0).  An adjustment in the batter’s box had Chapman record an MLB-best 67.1 hard-hit rate. Ronaldo Acuña Jr., ATL, NL Player of the Month Acuña posted a strong .352/.440/.546 slash line and unleashed unimaginable terror once he made it to base, pacing all the players within 13 stolen bases. No player had more multihit games during the season’s first month than Acuña’s 13. Gerrit Cole, NYY, AL Pitcher of the Month Cole the Yankees’ ace led the Majors with 40 2/3 innings and allowed just five runs during this span. He won five of his six starts, including a two-hit, 10-strikeout shutout of the Minnesota Twins on April 16. Clayton Kershaw, LAD, NL Pitcher of the Month Kershaw wins Pitcher of the Month for the seventh time in his illustrious career and the first time since 2016. His April he gathered a 1.89 ERA, a .174 opponents’ batting average and his 200th career victory. Josh Jung, TEX, AL Rookie of the Month Jung led AL rookies in hits (27), home runs (six) and total bases (44), amongst other categories. He drove in 21 runs, the highest among all rookies. James Outman, LAD, NL Rookie of the Month Outman’s .973 OPS and 164 wRC+ were not only the best among rookies; they each rank in the top 15 among all qualified hitters. Félix  Bautista, BAL, AL Reliver of the Month Bautista was essential to the Baltimore Orioles; hot start, getting all seven of his save chances. He struck out 25 batters in 13 2/3 innings and produced a robust 46.4% whiff rate. Josh Hader, SD, NL Reliver of the Month Hader was all except unhittable in the opening month. That is backed up by his .093 opponents’ batting average. He save an MLB-best 10 games and allowed just one run in 13 innings. Related News: Robbie Ray likely to miss start of ‘24 due to Tommy John surgery.

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