There have a bunch of seemingly minor deals over the last couple of days, but some of them could have impacts in both fantasy and real baseball.
-- The Rockies gave up just LHP Josh Outman and middle infielder Jonathan Herrera to get OF Drew Stubbs from the Indians and LHP Franklin Morales and inconsequential minor league RHP Chris Martin from the Red Sox. It wasn't too long ago that Stubbs was a viable center fielder, with plenty of homers and a few homers. Someone in Colorado must like Morales, entering his second stint with the Rockies. Outman has shown some promise in years past, but hasn't extended his encouraging numbers over a full season.
-- In another trade, the Braves required versatile C/OF/1B Ryan Doumit for at least bench strength from the Twins for minor league LHP Sean Gilmartin.
-- The Astros, finally showing some creativity and ability to identify sleepers by trading SS Ryan Jackson, recently acquired on waivers from the Cardinals, to the Padres for 1B/OF Jesus Guzman. He is expected to compete for Houston's first base job but even more likely could be at least a right-handed-hitting DH. Guzman has a bat; Jackson has a glove. In the Texas League, Guzman was a far more impressive performer than Jackson. The downside is that Guzman arrived late in the majors and won't have a very long shelf life. But the Astros didn't have Jackson long enough to miss him and essentially acquired a needed bat for nothing.
-- Another good move, countering some of the Mariners' earlier off-season deals, was resigning OF Franklin Gutierrez. He was injured this season, but if he's physically able he could recapture center field, play some right, be a fourth outfielder/DH or at the very least be a defensive replacement for the lumbering players who could end up in Seattle's outfield. Gutierrez is hardly an automatic out at the plate. The loser in the off-season wheeling and dealing seems to be Dustin Ackley. For his sake, he may be able to escape the Mariners and become a viable 2B/OF somewhere else with a fresh start. He's young enough that he should have some value that could bring back a useful player in a trade.
-- The Padres also reportedly signed RHP Joaquin Benoit for $14 million over the next two seasons, pending a physical.
-- The Diamondbacks reportedly have agreed to resign 1B/3B Eric Chavez for a year.
-- The Royals traded OF David Lough to the Orioles for DH/3B Danny Valencia. This is a lefty batter (Lough) for righty trade. Valencia has more power; Lough is far superior defensively.
-- The Orioles' reported signing of RHP Grant Balfour for 2 years and $14 million makes it a de facto trade of closers after the Athletics acquired RHP Jim Johnson from Baltimore. The O's could be gambling that 2B Jemile Weeks, obtained in the Johnson trade, can be a useful major leaguer. I have my doubts but if he succeeds that could be a bonus.
-- In other news, Rays SS Tim Beckham, a former No. 1 draft pick, underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL in a knee. That means he wouldn't be back until somewhere between June and August. I predict that you'll soon hear he'll be ready at the All-Star break, a magical time when so many players seem to heal. And as the break keeps growing, that becomes even more possible.
* * *
Hockey. I seem to be stuck on 63 1/2 points and in third place. I'll pick up a point or so in one category and drop one in another area. The main thing is that I have to avoid continued wrong decisions on goalies. I'm down to six points total in the three goalie categories. Even an average showing in those areas would add 10 1/2 points and put me in second place on most days. Plus/minus also remains a problem. I seem to be taking one step forward and two back.
* * *
Basketball. Through Wednesday, I had a slim 4-3-1 lead this week. Maintaining that would get me up to .500 at last, but I might have to do better to avoid dropping into eighth overall in the 10-team league. There's plenty of room and not a very long way to go to reach the top. Because so many teams are close, it becomes more important to make the right choices and especially to make lineup changes on time.
Showing posts with label Jim Johnson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jim Johnson. Show all posts
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Ellsbury following Damon's footsteps to New York?
Tuesday's flurry of moves continued into the evening, with the biggest
individual move of the day -- CF Jacoby Ellsbury's reported agreement on a
7-year, $153-million contract with the Yankees. If this sounds familiar, it
sort of echoes Johnny Damon's career path, except that Ellsbury is younger than
Damon was when he moved from Boston.
It seems likely that Brett Gardner would move to Yankee Stadium's spacious left field, that OF Vernon Wells would hit the road again and OFs Ichiro Suzuki and Alfonso Soriano would fight it out to see who plays in the field and who joins the DH picture.
Another apparently imminent free-agent signing would have 1B Justin Morneau moving to the Rockies for 2 years and $13 million.
Colorado already was a major player Tuesday, dispatching CF Dexter Fowler to the Astros for CF Brandon Barnes and RHP Jordan Lyles.
The Rockies, on a smaller level than the Athletics but with greater needs, may have helped themselves in several places. Despite Morneau's disappointing stretch run with the Pirates, he still has more tread on his tires than the 2013 1B, Todd Helton. To avoid Morneau's difficulty hitting lefties, Colorado could give C Wilin Rosario more playing time by putting him at first against southpaws. OF Michael Cuddyer, who spent plenty of time at first during his career season, can go back to right field. Barnes would replace the more athletic Fowler in center field, which looks like a win for Houston. Lyles was just 7-9 with a 5.59 ERA for the last-place Astros. He might not be able to do even that well at Coors Field, but that still could be an improvement over some of the cast of characters who started games for the '13 Rockies.
In addition to jettisoning RHP Jim Johnson to Oakland for discredited 2B Jemile Weeks and a player to be named, the Orioles avoided arbitration with OF Nolan Reimold by signing him to a 1-year contract for $1 million. Reimold already will be 30 next season and, really, how much has he done in the majors.
The Tigers continued to be active players in the market. They reportedly are giving RHP Joe Nathan a 2-year contract to fill a sinkhole as their closer. Detroit's rotation won't be quite as good, because they traded RHP Doug Fister, a 14-game winner, to the Nationals for utility infielder Steve Lombardozzi (not the original, a 2B for the Twins when they won the 1987 World Series, but his son) and LHPs Ian Krol and Robbie Ray. Krol reached the majors in 2013 without much distinction (3.95 ERA in Washington's bullpen). As a starter, Ray was a combined 11-5 with a 3.36 ERA in high A and Double-A.
Fister always has ranked high in my Rule of 25 listing of pitchers' true ability (aiming for a .250 opponents' average and 2.5:1 K/W ratio), even when he was losing games for Seattle. The soon-to-be 30-year-old had more than three strikeouts for every walk, and earned 54 per cent of his outs on ground balls. Those stats helped lead to a 14-9 record and 3.67 ERA.
His new home park may not be as pitcher-friendly, but he'll remain a vital cog in a deep rotation in Washington that would include RHPs Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmerman and LHP Gio Gonzalez.
Detroit also made a bargain-basement signing to avoid arbitration with OF/IF Don Kelly. He will receive $1 million for 2014.
The Yankees freed up some loose change to help pay Ellsbury when they traded C Chris Stewart to the Pirates for a PTBN. Pittsburgh and Stewart reportedly agreed on a $1-million contract for him to back up C Russell Martin as he did in New York. The loser in that transaction was C Michael McKenry, who was designated for assignment.
Still a few player moves needing comments. I'll do those after I get home. Maybe Wednesday if I'm tired tonight.
It seems likely that Brett Gardner would move to Yankee Stadium's spacious left field, that OF Vernon Wells would hit the road again and OFs Ichiro Suzuki and Alfonso Soriano would fight it out to see who plays in the field and who joins the DH picture.
Another apparently imminent free-agent signing would have 1B Justin Morneau moving to the Rockies for 2 years and $13 million.
Colorado already was a major player Tuesday, dispatching CF Dexter Fowler to the Astros for CF Brandon Barnes and RHP Jordan Lyles.
The Rockies, on a smaller level than the Athletics but with greater needs, may have helped themselves in several places. Despite Morneau's disappointing stretch run with the Pirates, he still has more tread on his tires than the 2013 1B, Todd Helton. To avoid Morneau's difficulty hitting lefties, Colorado could give C Wilin Rosario more playing time by putting him at first against southpaws. OF Michael Cuddyer, who spent plenty of time at first during his career season, can go back to right field. Barnes would replace the more athletic Fowler in center field, which looks like a win for Houston. Lyles was just 7-9 with a 5.59 ERA for the last-place Astros. He might not be able to do even that well at Coors Field, but that still could be an improvement over some of the cast of characters who started games for the '13 Rockies.
In addition to jettisoning RHP Jim Johnson to Oakland for discredited 2B Jemile Weeks and a player to be named, the Orioles avoided arbitration with OF Nolan Reimold by signing him to a 1-year contract for $1 million. Reimold already will be 30 next season and, really, how much has he done in the majors.
The Tigers continued to be active players in the market. They reportedly are giving RHP Joe Nathan a 2-year contract to fill a sinkhole as their closer. Detroit's rotation won't be quite as good, because they traded RHP Doug Fister, a 14-game winner, to the Nationals for utility infielder Steve Lombardozzi (not the original, a 2B for the Twins when they won the 1987 World Series, but his son) and LHPs Ian Krol and Robbie Ray. Krol reached the majors in 2013 without much distinction (3.95 ERA in Washington's bullpen). As a starter, Ray was a combined 11-5 with a 3.36 ERA in high A and Double-A.
Fister always has ranked high in my Rule of 25 listing of pitchers' true ability (aiming for a .250 opponents' average and 2.5:1 K/W ratio), even when he was losing games for Seattle. The soon-to-be 30-year-old had more than three strikeouts for every walk, and earned 54 per cent of his outs on ground balls. Those stats helped lead to a 14-9 record and 3.67 ERA.
His new home park may not be as pitcher-friendly, but he'll remain a vital cog in a deep rotation in Washington that would include RHPs Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmerman and LHP Gio Gonzalez.
Detroit also made a bargain-basement signing to avoid arbitration with OF/IF Don Kelly. He will receive $1 million for 2014.
The Yankees freed up some loose change to help pay Ellsbury when they traded C Chris Stewart to the Pirates for a PTBN. Pittsburgh and Stewart reportedly agreed on a $1-million contract for him to back up C Russell Martin as he did in New York. The loser in that transaction was C Michael McKenry, who was designated for assignment.
Still a few player moves needing comments. I'll do those after I get home. Maybe Wednesday if I'm tired tonight.
So much for calm before the meetings
I take back what I wrote about teams' being likely to coast into the winter meetings. Now I'm wondering whether there will be any deals left to make.
The Athletics clearly are leaving nothing to chance to alleviate their long dry spell in playoff series, epitomized by Derek Jeter and Jeremy Giambi.
After signing free-agent LHP Scott Kamir to a reported 2-year, $22-million contract, Oakland
-- Traded surplus 2B Jemile Weeks and a player to be named to the Orioles for RHP Jim Johnson, the major league leader in saves each of the last two seasons.
-- As insurance or at least a setup man, acquired RHP Luke Gregerson from the Padres for OF Seth Smith.
-- Dealt young OF Michael Choice and infielder Chris Bostick to the division-rival Rangers for OF Craig Gentry and Quadruple-A RHP Josh Lindblom.
Before I go further, let me interpret what this means for the A's.
Their pitching, top to bottom, could be the best in baseball next season. This is an organization that hasn't made spectacular moves in recent years, but has added incrementally for great improvement. The 2013 season could have been called "Moneyball II"; the coming year could be "Moneyball III."
$11 million a year for Kazmir might seem steep, but he made a major comeback for the Indians this year, and was even better than his 10-9 record down the stretch -- 7-5 with a 3.06 ERA in his last 18 starts. He'll be starting home games in a better pitchers' park.
Can Kazmir, a multi-year All-Star, head a rotation? Possibly, or Oakland might strike paydirt with a young pitcher such as RHPs Sonny Gray, Jarrod Parker, A.J. Griffin and Daniel Straily or LHPs Tommy Milone or Brett Anderson. Parker and Griffin were very tough in the latter stages of 2013, much better than I would have anticipated after seeing them in Double-A. Anderson could be bait in still another trade -- for infield defense? even more bullpen help? left-handed power?
At 30, Kazmir should be more mature than he was in his early 20s. His arrival most likely means that 40-year-old RHP Bartolo Colon, an 18-game winner in '13, is free to sign elsewhere as a free agent.
The dependence on young starting pitcher also could blow up in the Athletics' faces. But I don't think so in this case.
Gentry, who can fly, would bring improved defense in a park with a large outfield. He could play center field, or left field -- with OF Yoenis Cespedes available as a DH.
Probably more to come later tonight, after I'm finished with Bobcats-Mavericks.
The Athletics clearly are leaving nothing to chance to alleviate their long dry spell in playoff series, epitomized by Derek Jeter and Jeremy Giambi.
After signing free-agent LHP Scott Kamir to a reported 2-year, $22-million contract, Oakland
-- Traded surplus 2B Jemile Weeks and a player to be named to the Orioles for RHP Jim Johnson, the major league leader in saves each of the last two seasons.
-- As insurance or at least a setup man, acquired RHP Luke Gregerson from the Padres for OF Seth Smith.
-- Dealt young OF Michael Choice and infielder Chris Bostick to the division-rival Rangers for OF Craig Gentry and Quadruple-A RHP Josh Lindblom.
Before I go further, let me interpret what this means for the A's.
Their pitching, top to bottom, could be the best in baseball next season. This is an organization that hasn't made spectacular moves in recent years, but has added incrementally for great improvement. The 2013 season could have been called "Moneyball II"; the coming year could be "Moneyball III."
$11 million a year for Kazmir might seem steep, but he made a major comeback for the Indians this year, and was even better than his 10-9 record down the stretch -- 7-5 with a 3.06 ERA in his last 18 starts. He'll be starting home games in a better pitchers' park.
Can Kazmir, a multi-year All-Star, head a rotation? Possibly, or Oakland might strike paydirt with a young pitcher such as RHPs Sonny Gray, Jarrod Parker, A.J. Griffin and Daniel Straily or LHPs Tommy Milone or Brett Anderson. Parker and Griffin were very tough in the latter stages of 2013, much better than I would have anticipated after seeing them in Double-A. Anderson could be bait in still another trade -- for infield defense? even more bullpen help? left-handed power?
At 30, Kazmir should be more mature than he was in his early 20s. His arrival most likely means that 40-year-old RHP Bartolo Colon, an 18-game winner in '13, is free to sign elsewhere as a free agent.
The dependence on young starting pitcher also could blow up in the Athletics' faces. But I don't think so in this case.
Gentry, who can fly, would bring improved defense in a park with a large outfield. He could play center field, or left field -- with OF Yoenis Cespedes available as a DH.
Probably more to come later tonight, after I'm finished with Bobcats-Mavericks.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Early standings could reveal some weaknesses
We’re getting back toward our five-Emails-per-week regular-season schedule, which would send you News and Notes each Thursday.
NOTE: We have extended the free period for these Emails through Sunday, April 18. After that date, the Emails would go only to those who subscribe.
Before then, we’ll tell you how you can subscribe to receive these Emails five or more times per week, along with timely Articles and other information that will be added to the fantasybaseballscout.com web site.
Subscriptions will include Articles such as our “Pitchers (and Hitters) to Keep and Avoid.” Last year, our recommendation of Rockies LHP Jorge De La Rosa in itself was worth the cost of what you’d pay, and he was only one of our picks that were on the money. Choosing him was inspired; he was 0-6 when we recommended him, and 16-3 thereafter.
You also would have access to whatever content we’re able to get on to the fantasybaseballscout.com web site.
Let us know of your interest and what you’d like to see by Emailing lary@fantasybaseballscout.com.
Subscribers will be able to ask questions specific to their fantasy teams and leagues, and receive answers through these Emails, the web site or personal Emails.
We told you about Benson
There are some surprises among the teams currently leading the major leagues’ division, but the most interesting position is fourth place in four of the six divisions.
The American League leaders are Toronto (7-3) in the East, Minnesota (7-3) in the Central and Oakland (7-4) in the West. In the National League, Philadelphia leads the East at 7-2, with Florida not far behind at 6-4; St. Louis tops the Central at 6-3, and San Francisco (7-2) is first in the West.
But look at who’s fourth in the AL divisions – the Red Sox (4-5) in the East, White Sox (4-6) in the Central and Angels (3-7) in the West. All were considered playoff teams going into the season, and all still could be. Our thinking is that that the team in the greatest jeopardy is Boston, which really is beginning to show its age. It didn’t help that CF Mike Cameron couldn’t play because of a strained lower abdomen, which the Sox were checking to make sure it wasn’t appendicitis. With bruised ribs also sidelining LF Jacoby Ellsbury, another 30-something, Bill Hall, played center field and committed an error. Don’t even get us started about Jason Varitek, Mike Lowell, Tim Wakefield and Big Grandpapi.
In the National League, the Dodgers are fourth at 4-5, and it could be difficult for them to finish the season above .500. Their pitching staff is a mess. Is that Russ Ortiz or Ramon Ortiz on the roster? Both? Oh, no!
LA did win, with its 2009 hero, OF Andre Ethier, driving in the winnng run with a walk-off single.
The current order of the NL Central (separating the three teams tied for third) could easily be the way it finishes. It’s also possible that St. Louis could be the division’s only team to finish above .500.
OOO It was getaway day in Cleveland, and the Indians’ 3-2 victory over the Rangers took just 2 hours, 3 minutes to play. It helped that Tribe LHP David Huff pitched a complete-game four-hitter. Texas LHP Matt Harrison was about as good, but was victimized because two errors preceded Indians OF Shin-soo Choo’s three-run homer in the eighth inning.
OOO Hey! We told you the Diamondbacks would bring up RHP Kris Benson to start Saturday’s game, and the team now has announced that fact.
OOO We also told you Blue Jays LF Travis Snider’s current stint in the majors could be short. It won’t help him that Toronto traded cash or a player to be named to the Giants for OF Fred Lewis, who just completed an injury-rehab assignment at Triple-A Fresno. For now, the Jays have optioned OF Jeremy Reed to Triple-A Las Vegas and put RHP Dustin McGowan on the 60-day disabled list to make a roster spot for Lewis.
Cantu can
Marlins 1B/3B Jorge Cantu set a major league record with his 10th consecutive game with at least one hit and one RBI. That performance actually stretched his streak to 14 games over last year and this, four short of the major league record for H/RBI games at any point in a season. Ray Grimes established that mark for the 1922 Cubs. His streak no doubt has helped Florida OF Cameron Maybin score at least one run in each of his last nine games. It hasn’t helped Cantu that LF Chris Coghlan has been out for two games because of bruised left ribs. He could play Friday. OF Brett Carroll started in Coghlan’s place Wednesday and hit a home run.
Another streaking player is Phillies 2B Chase Utley, with four home runs in the last three games. And then there’s Astros LF Carlos Lee, in an 0-for-18 slump. Without his help, Houston won for the first time in 2010 – with the winning pitcher, RHP Bud Norris, striking out nine Cardinals in five innings.
Injuries
LF Felix Pie left the Orioles’ game in the seventh inning, holding his left shoulder. He also had injured it making a throw during Baltimore’s opening game. RHP Koji Uehara (strained left hamstring) threw on the side and could pitch batting practice Saturday.
OOO Yankees RHP Chan Ho Park suffered a right hamstring injury while warming up, so he was unable to pitch in relief.
OOO Phillies RHP Joe Blanton (strained left oblique) is scheduled to throw in the bullpen Friday and could begin an injury-rehab assignment Tuesday.
OOO The Diamondbacks scratched 1B Adam LaRoche (tight right quadriceps). They moved OF/1B Conor Jackson to first base and started OF Gerardo Parra in left field.
OOO RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka (strained neck) could return to the Red Sox soon. In his second injury-rehab start for Triple-A Pawtucket, he had a line of 630002 against Buffalo (Mets organization). He has given up five hits in 11 scoreless innings, and is eligible to come off the disabled list Sunday.
In closing
This is a regular feature of our Emails and blog posts. It lets you know who’s getting saves. Equally important is telling you who’s blowing saves or putting his job in jeopardy by getting shaky saves. There’s also a FREE Article on the old fantasybaseballscout.com web site letting you know which pitcher or pitchers each team is using to close games. It will be updated whenever there’s a change or speculation about a change in a team’s closer.
The biggest news about closers is that the Orioles have put LHP Mike Gonzalez on the disabled list because of a strained shoulder, and moved RHP Jim Johnson into the closer’s role. They also recalled RHP Kam Mickolio, who might have some save opportunities. Gonzalez isn’t expected back for 3-4 weeks. And, by the way, we also told you that Gonzalez appeared to be hurting and that Johnson might replace him.
Yankees RHP Mariano Rivera’s fourth save wasn’t difficult. He entered the game with two out and two runners on base, with New York leading the Angels 6-2. Rivera retired the only batter he faced to end the game.
Nationals RHP Matt Capps also received his fourth save, but had to work harder. In 1 2/3 innings of Washington’s 7-5 victory over the Phillies, he allowed three hits and one run on CF Shane Victorino’s homer.
In the Brewers’ 8-6 win over the Cubs, RHP Trevor Hoffman picked up his third save, but gave up a run tainted by a hit awarded when RF Corey Hart and 2B Rickie Weeks allowed a popup to fall safely.
NOTE: We have extended the free period for these Emails through Sunday, April 18. After that date, the Emails would go only to those who subscribe.
Before then, we’ll tell you how you can subscribe to receive these Emails five or more times per week, along with timely Articles and other information that will be added to the fantasybaseballscout.com web site.
Subscriptions will include Articles such as our “Pitchers (and Hitters) to Keep and Avoid.” Last year, our recommendation of Rockies LHP Jorge De La Rosa in itself was worth the cost of what you’d pay, and he was only one of our picks that were on the money. Choosing him was inspired; he was 0-6 when we recommended him, and 16-3 thereafter.
You also would have access to whatever content we’re able to get on to the fantasybaseballscout.com web site.
Let us know of your interest and what you’d like to see by Emailing lary@fantasybaseballscout.com.
Subscribers will be able to ask questions specific to their fantasy teams and leagues, and receive answers through these Emails, the web site or personal Emails.
We told you about Benson
There are some surprises among the teams currently leading the major leagues’ division, but the most interesting position is fourth place in four of the six divisions.
The American League leaders are Toronto (7-3) in the East, Minnesota (7-3) in the Central and Oakland (7-4) in the West. In the National League, Philadelphia leads the East at 7-2, with Florida not far behind at 6-4; St. Louis tops the Central at 6-3, and San Francisco (7-2) is first in the West.
But look at who’s fourth in the AL divisions – the Red Sox (4-5) in the East, White Sox (4-6) in the Central and Angels (3-7) in the West. All were considered playoff teams going into the season, and all still could be. Our thinking is that that the team in the greatest jeopardy is Boston, which really is beginning to show its age. It didn’t help that CF Mike Cameron couldn’t play because of a strained lower abdomen, which the Sox were checking to make sure it wasn’t appendicitis. With bruised ribs also sidelining LF Jacoby Ellsbury, another 30-something, Bill Hall, played center field and committed an error. Don’t even get us started about Jason Varitek, Mike Lowell, Tim Wakefield and Big Grandpapi.
In the National League, the Dodgers are fourth at 4-5, and it could be difficult for them to finish the season above .500. Their pitching staff is a mess. Is that Russ Ortiz or Ramon Ortiz on the roster? Both? Oh, no!
LA did win, with its 2009 hero, OF Andre Ethier, driving in the winnng run with a walk-off single.
The current order of the NL Central (separating the three teams tied for third) could easily be the way it finishes. It’s also possible that St. Louis could be the division’s only team to finish above .500.
OOO It was getaway day in Cleveland, and the Indians’ 3-2 victory over the Rangers took just 2 hours, 3 minutes to play. It helped that Tribe LHP David Huff pitched a complete-game four-hitter. Texas LHP Matt Harrison was about as good, but was victimized because two errors preceded Indians OF Shin-soo Choo’s three-run homer in the eighth inning.
OOO Hey! We told you the Diamondbacks would bring up RHP Kris Benson to start Saturday’s game, and the team now has announced that fact.
OOO We also told you Blue Jays LF Travis Snider’s current stint in the majors could be short. It won’t help him that Toronto traded cash or a player to be named to the Giants for OF Fred Lewis, who just completed an injury-rehab assignment at Triple-A Fresno. For now, the Jays have optioned OF Jeremy Reed to Triple-A Las Vegas and put RHP Dustin McGowan on the 60-day disabled list to make a roster spot for Lewis.
Cantu can
Marlins 1B/3B Jorge Cantu set a major league record with his 10th consecutive game with at least one hit and one RBI. That performance actually stretched his streak to 14 games over last year and this, four short of the major league record for H/RBI games at any point in a season. Ray Grimes established that mark for the 1922 Cubs. His streak no doubt has helped Florida OF Cameron Maybin score at least one run in each of his last nine games. It hasn’t helped Cantu that LF Chris Coghlan has been out for two games because of bruised left ribs. He could play Friday. OF Brett Carroll started in Coghlan’s place Wednesday and hit a home run.
Another streaking player is Phillies 2B Chase Utley, with four home runs in the last three games. And then there’s Astros LF Carlos Lee, in an 0-for-18 slump. Without his help, Houston won for the first time in 2010 – with the winning pitcher, RHP Bud Norris, striking out nine Cardinals in five innings.
Injuries
LF Felix Pie left the Orioles’ game in the seventh inning, holding his left shoulder. He also had injured it making a throw during Baltimore’s opening game. RHP Koji Uehara (strained left hamstring) threw on the side and could pitch batting practice Saturday.
OOO Yankees RHP Chan Ho Park suffered a right hamstring injury while warming up, so he was unable to pitch in relief.
OOO Phillies RHP Joe Blanton (strained left oblique) is scheduled to throw in the bullpen Friday and could begin an injury-rehab assignment Tuesday.
OOO The Diamondbacks scratched 1B Adam LaRoche (tight right quadriceps). They moved OF/1B Conor Jackson to first base and started OF Gerardo Parra in left field.
OOO RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka (strained neck) could return to the Red Sox soon. In his second injury-rehab start for Triple-A Pawtucket, he had a line of 630002 against Buffalo (Mets organization). He has given up five hits in 11 scoreless innings, and is eligible to come off the disabled list Sunday.
In closing
This is a regular feature of our Emails and blog posts. It lets you know who’s getting saves. Equally important is telling you who’s blowing saves or putting his job in jeopardy by getting shaky saves. There’s also a FREE Article on the old fantasybaseballscout.com web site letting you know which pitcher or pitchers each team is using to close games. It will be updated whenever there’s a change or speculation about a change in a team’s closer.
The biggest news about closers is that the Orioles have put LHP Mike Gonzalez on the disabled list because of a strained shoulder, and moved RHP Jim Johnson into the closer’s role. They also recalled RHP Kam Mickolio, who might have some save opportunities. Gonzalez isn’t expected back for 3-4 weeks. And, by the way, we also told you that Gonzalez appeared to be hurting and that Johnson might replace him.
Yankees RHP Mariano Rivera’s fourth save wasn’t difficult. He entered the game with two out and two runners on base, with New York leading the Angels 6-2. Rivera retired the only batter he faced to end the game.
Nationals RHP Matt Capps also received his fourth save, but had to work harder. In 1 2/3 innings of Washington’s 7-5 victory over the Phillies, he allowed three hits and one run on CF Shane Victorino’s homer.
In the Brewers’ 8-6 win over the Cubs, RHP Trevor Hoffman picked up his third save, but gave up a run tainted by a hit awarded when RF Corey Hart and 2B Rickie Weeks allowed a popup to fall safely.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)