NORFOLK, Va. – ODUSports will periodically provide an update on current and former players that are participating in various leagues throughout the year. This update will highlight major league players Justin Verlander, P.J. Higgins and Dan Hudson.
Verlander made a splash on the mound once again, as he was three outs away from producing his third-career no hitter on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Angles. In the last week, Verlander pitched in 16 innings, allowing just five hits and two runs. He accumulated 17 strikeouts and an ERA of .56.
To further these stats, in the month of August he pitched in 36 innings and recorded a 1.50 ERA and fanned 36 batters. The Detroit Tigers will be back in action Sunday when the team takes on the Toronto Blue Jays at 1:00 p.m.
Higgins was selected in the 12th round of the MLB Draft to the Chicago Cubs following his junior campaign. He made his minor league debut with the Arizona League Cubs, before being called up to the Northwest League Eugene Emeralds last week. The Emeralds are located in Eugene, Oregon and are designated as the Class A short season affiliate of the Chicago Cubs.
Higgins has seen action in seven games with the Emeralds and has accumulated a batting average of .360, which currently leads the team. The second baseman has posted three runs, nine hits, two doubles and three RBI. Higgins will be back in action Saturday night against Hillsboro at home at 7:00 p.m. eastern time.
Hudson, a right-handed pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks, has been in the major league for five years. He has recorded a 3.90 ERA in 2015, to go along with his two saves and 55 strikeouts. Hudson has pitched 11.1 innings so far in August, fanning 10 batters and picking up one save in the process.
Follow Old Dominion Baseball on Twitter (@ODUBaseball) and find them on Facebook at facebook.com/ODUBaseball!