Less than 15 months ago, Daniel Poncedeleon needed emergency brain surgery after being hit in the head by a line drive.
So after a life-threatening injury, it was pretty amazing the St. Louis Cardinals prospect could even return to the mound this season, let alone thrive at Triple-A Memphis.
Poncedeleon saved the truly incredible for Monday night, his MLB debut, when he tossed 7 no-hit innings before exiting for a pinch hitter. He allowed just three walks in 116 pitches.
The Cardinals bullpen blew the no-hitter (and the game), but that sure seems secondary.
"We weren't in a situation where he would have been able to finish that game with a no-hitter," Cardinals interim manager Mike Shildt said.