Daniel Poncedeleon’s MLB debut could not have gone better.
Poncedeleon threw seven scoreless innings without allowing a hit on Monday night against the Cincinnati Reds. He threw 116 pitches, walking three and striking out three in the game. After seven innings of work, the Cardinals replaced him with a pinch-hitter. St. Louis lost the no-hitter in the bottom of the eighth when reliever Jordan Hicks allowed a single to Phillip Ervin.
What makes Poncedeleon’s debut even more special is his history.
Poncedeleon was hit in the head by a line drive while pitching on May 9, 2017 and needed surgery to help reduce swelling.
Poncedeleon wasn’t in the least bit thrown off by the scary injury. This year he went 9-3 with a 2.15 ERA in Triple-A, leading to his call-up by the Cardinals. He certainly has earned it.
