Bama in the Big Leagues: All-Star Break Approaching

As Americans wrap up their Independence Day work week, the Major League Baseball season enters the second half of the season and is preparing for the final weekend before the All-Star break.

For Alabama alums in the big leagues, it was an up and down week. Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Jimmy Nelson followed up his best start of the season last week at Cincinnati by striking out eight batters in his victory over Baltimore.

Wade LeBlanc and Tommy Hunter each had solid relief outings for Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay.

Off the field, the Chicago White Sox placed David Robertson on the paternity list as he joined his wife Erin for the birth of their second child, Violet Grace, Monday evening. Thursday evening, the White Sox reinstated Robertson prior to their series against the Colorado Rockies.

Find out how Alabama’s six former players on active MLB rosters have been doing this week.

Alex Avila - Catcher (Detroit Tigers)

2017:

61 games, .301 avg. 11 HR, 29 RBI, 26 runs, 11 doubles, 37 BB, 63 K, 1 error, .425 OBP

This Week:

Monday: Off Day

Tuesday vs. San Francisco: 1-4, K

Wednesday vs. San Francisco: 0-2, K

Thursday vs. San Francisco: 0-2, 2 BB

July 7-9 at Cleveland

Tommy Hunter - RHP (Tampa Bay Rays)

2017:

28 games, 0-2, 1 save, 2.16 ERA, 25 IP, 20 hits, 7 runs (6 earned), 7 BB, 28 K, 1 error, 2 HR allowed

This Week:

Monday: Off Day

Tuesday at Chicago Cubs: 1 IP, 1 hit, 0 runs, 0 BB, 2 K

Wednesday at Chicago Cubs: Did not play

Thursday vs. Boston:

July 7-9 vs. Boston

Wade LeBlanc - LHP (Pittsburgh Pirates)

2017:

32 games, 3-2, 1 save, 4.27 ERA, 46.1 IP, 45 hits, 22 runs (22 earned), 9 BB, 36 K, .250 avg.

This Week:

Monday at Philadelphia: 2 IP, 0 hits, 0 runs, 0 BB, 2 K

Tuesday at Philadelphia: Did not play

Wednesday at Philadelphia: Did not play

Thursday at Philadelphia:

July 7-9 at Chicago Cubs

Jimmy Nelson - RHP (Milwaukee Brewers)

2017:

17 games (17 starts), 7-4, 3.20 ERA, 104 IP, 102 hits, 41 runs (37 earned), 25 BB, 112 K, 1 error, 10 HR allowed

This Week:

Monday vs. Baltimore: Did not play

Tuesday vs. Baltimore: Win, 7 IP, 6 hits, 1 run (0 earned), 0 BB, 8 K

Wednesday vs. Baltimore: Did not play

Thursday at Chicago Cubs: Did not play

July 7-9 at New York Yankees

David Robertson - RHP (Chicago White Sox)

2017:

27 games, 4-2, 12 saves, 3.00 ERA, 30 IP, 20 hits, 10 runs (10 earned), 10 BB, 44 K, 4 HR allowed

This Week:

Monday at Oakland: Did not play

Tuesday at Oakland: Did not play

Wednesday at Oakland: Did not play

Thursday: Off Day

July 7-9 at Colorado

Josh Rutledge - Third Base (Boston Red Sox)

10-Day Disabled List (Concussion)

2017:

37 games, .224 avg. 0 HR, 9 RBI, 10 runs, 1 triple, 2 doubles, 9 BB, 31 K, 1 error, .297 OBP

This Week:

July 3 at Texas: Did not play

July 4 at Texas: Did not play

July 5 at Texas: Did not play

July 6 at Texas: Did not play

July 7-9 at Tampa Bay