Welcome to The Opener, where every weekday morning you’ll get a fresh, topical column to start your day from one of SI.com’s MLB writers.
The battle for the National League MVP has turned into a war of attrition. Leading contenders Fernando Tatís Jr. and Jacob deGrom have seen their candidacies hampered by a series of injuries—with each player’s latest ailment potentially keeping them out for the rest of the season.
Tatis Jr. partially dislocated his right shoulder last week for the third time this year, with Padres manager Jayce Tingler acknowledging season-ending surgery was on the table if he didn’t show enough improvement after an initial rest period.