Toronto Blue Jays centre fielder Kevin Kiermaier earned MLB’s Play of the Week with his robbery of Detroit Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter on Tuesday.
In Toronto’s home opener, Kiermaier made a quick impression on Blue Jays fans, leaping to pull back a home run over the Rogers Centre’s newly renovated wall in the second inning.
The 32-year-old only built on his strong home debut from there. He went 1-for-4 at the plate with his first home run in a Blue Jays jersey, helping Toronto to a 9-3 victory over the Tigers.
MLB also named New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole the American League Player of the Week after he threw 16 innings in two starts, posting a 2-0 record with a 1.13 ERA and 13 strikeouts.
Arizona Diamondbacks righty Zac Gallen was named the National League Player of the Week. Like Cole, he made two starts, collecting the win in both while throwing 13.2 scoreless innings and striking out 18.