During the past two days, OF Jake Smolinski and RHPs Phil Irwin and Roman Mendez became the 999th, 1,000th and 1,001st players to perform for the Washington Senators II/Texas Rangers.
The count won't stop there.
Even with the influx of new talent?, Rangers pitchers gave up 20 runs and 29 hits in two losses against the Astros. Another defeat Wednesday night could drop Texas to the worst winning percentage in the major leagues.
The Rangers were at .500 until their current 3-17 superslump. Injuries finally caught up to them.
They have 15 players on the disabled list, five of whom -- starters Matt Harrison and Martin Perez, reliever Pedro Figueroa, 1B Prince Fielder and 1B/DH Mitch Moreland -- will not play again this season.
Those absences have led to 15 players who otherwise wouldn't be in the majors making up 60% of the active roster. That necessarily has meant a decline in the talent level. For example, the bottom three hitters in Tuesday's lineup were 1B Carlos Pena, who was out of baseball early this season, and Smolinski and 2B Rougned Odor, who both began the season at Double-A Frisco.
With some questionable talent already on the roster and pretty obviously nowhere to go over the final 70 or so games of the season, there's plenty of flexibility to move players on and off the 40-man roster.
For example, Smolinski was a minor league free agent who already had spent six seasons in the Nationals and Marlins organization. Mendez is on the 40-man roster, and would be out of options next season.
And it's actually a 45-man roster, because there are also five players on the 60-day DL that don't count against the limit.
So what we'll see from the Rangers from now until September will be essentially an open tryout camp. Texas can answer questions about potential players to keep on the 40-man off-season roster. Can this guy make it in the majors? I don't know, let's put him on the 40-man and bring him up from Round Rock or Frisco.
And once this guy shows what he might be lacking, the organization can do the same thing with that guy -- until they eventually run out of guys. If the Rangers find even one keeper that way, it would be worth the mounting losses in a lost season.
* * *
The Red Sox aren't in quite such a precarious position in the standings, but they too are throwing open to rookies the doors of their lineup.
In addition to giving 3B Xander Bogaerts and OF Jackie Bradley futile major league at-bats when they still should be refining their batting skills in the minors, the Red Sox have designated 37-year-old C A.J. Pierzynski for assignment and elevated rookie C Christian Vazquez to the big leagues.
Expect more rookies, especially pitchers, during what's left of a lost season in Boston.
Showing posts with label Matt Harrison. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Matt Harrison. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Oh, my aching back! -- Harrison hurting again
I think I forgot to mention in my previous post about Rangers LHP Matt Harrison.
He's a bit of an enigma. Harrison worked very hard to get himself back into shape -- I remember once referring to him as a "pudgeball" -- and having two very good seasons. Armed with a new contract, he followed those with two starts and two back surgeries in 2013.
Now, Harrison is back in Texas for an MRI exam Monday on his lower back. He also complained of neck pain before the Rangers excused him from a bullpen session in Surprise, Ariz.
Can he come back? Could his problem be something congenital that wasn't picked up in any physical?
Unless Harrison and RHP Neftali Feliz can come back from their succession of injuries, Texas' epic Mark Teixeira trade will lose some of its luster.
Also returning to Texas to see a specialist was C Geovany Soto, who has a sore left Achilles tendon. If he's out for any length of time, that could benefit C J.P. Arencibia, acquired from the Blue Jays.
Harrison could join LHP Derek Holland on the disabled list for an extended period. One pitcher the Rangers could have considered as a stopgap might not be available. LHP Chris Capuano reportedly is in Fort Myers, Fla., for a physical exam preliminary to signing a contract with the Red Sox. He's ticketed for Boston's bullpen. The Chris Capuano Brewers bobble-heads (two different models) above my desk were shaking their head, urging him to hold out for a better deal somewhere.
A former Ranger, OF Nelson Cruz, reportedly is close to signing a contract with the Orioles. Baltimore did lose on waivers a player acquired from the Twins. The Blue Jays claimed RHP Liam Hendriks on waivers.
There's not much real news coming out of spring training yet. Expect more next week when exhbition games begin.
For now, you'll have to be content with "the ball looks good coming out of Soandso's hand," or "Somebodyelse looks good at his new position. He fielded a ground ball."
Here are a couple of actual items that illustrate what you can expect to see for the next few days. In the Cubs' camp, a dude named Javier Baez hit a home run that broke a car window. In the parking lot. During batting practice. Wake me up when he breaks a car window on Waveland Avenue. In an actual game. Also, an mlb.com headline indicated that Astros RHP Lucas Harrell hopes for a "bounce-back" season. Shouldn't that be a "bounce" season? Has he ever really been there as an established major leaguer?
* * *
Basketball. Judging by tonight's scores, some NBA teams might still be in All-Star Game mode.
No matter. Four of my players had double doubles, with Carmelo Anthony going off again for 44 points and Victor Oladipo coming oh, so close, to a triple double with 30 points, 14 assists and 9 rebounds. Rookie of the Year, anyone?
Most important, my guys stepped up at the foul line, hitting 29 of 32 (91%). They couldn't do much about my opponent's four-corners stall, which resulted in his two active players going 0 for 0 at the line and still holding a lead of about .034 in free throw percentage. If they keep up that inactivity, Team Fresh Prints might have to go 64 for 64 these last two days of the week to have a chance at an 8-0 week.
Right now, it appears that my lead would be 14 games going into the final three weeks (24 games).
He's a bit of an enigma. Harrison worked very hard to get himself back into shape -- I remember once referring to him as a "pudgeball" -- and having two very good seasons. Armed with a new contract, he followed those with two starts and two back surgeries in 2013.
Now, Harrison is back in Texas for an MRI exam Monday on his lower back. He also complained of neck pain before the Rangers excused him from a bullpen session in Surprise, Ariz.
Can he come back? Could his problem be something congenital that wasn't picked up in any physical?
Unless Harrison and RHP Neftali Feliz can come back from their succession of injuries, Texas' epic Mark Teixeira trade will lose some of its luster.
Also returning to Texas to see a specialist was C Geovany Soto, who has a sore left Achilles tendon. If he's out for any length of time, that could benefit C J.P. Arencibia, acquired from the Blue Jays.
Harrison could join LHP Derek Holland on the disabled list for an extended period. One pitcher the Rangers could have considered as a stopgap might not be available. LHP Chris Capuano reportedly is in Fort Myers, Fla., for a physical exam preliminary to signing a contract with the Red Sox. He's ticketed for Boston's bullpen. The Chris Capuano Brewers bobble-heads (two different models) above my desk were shaking their head, urging him to hold out for a better deal somewhere.
A former Ranger, OF Nelson Cruz, reportedly is close to signing a contract with the Orioles. Baltimore did lose on waivers a player acquired from the Twins. The Blue Jays claimed RHP Liam Hendriks on waivers.
There's not much real news coming out of spring training yet. Expect more next week when exhbition games begin.
For now, you'll have to be content with "the ball looks good coming out of Soandso's hand," or "Somebodyelse looks good at his new position. He fielded a ground ball."
Here are a couple of actual items that illustrate what you can expect to see for the next few days. In the Cubs' camp, a dude named Javier Baez hit a home run that broke a car window. In the parking lot. During batting practice. Wake me up when he breaks a car window on Waveland Avenue. In an actual game. Also, an mlb.com headline indicated that Astros RHP Lucas Harrell hopes for a "bounce-back" season. Shouldn't that be a "bounce" season? Has he ever really been there as an established major leaguer?
* * *
Basketball. Judging by tonight's scores, some NBA teams might still be in All-Star Game mode.
No matter. Four of my players had double doubles, with Carmelo Anthony going off again for 44 points and Victor Oladipo coming oh, so close, to a triple double with 30 points, 14 assists and 9 rebounds. Rookie of the Year, anyone?
Most important, my guys stepped up at the foul line, hitting 29 of 32 (91%). They couldn't do much about my opponent's four-corners stall, which resulted in his two active players going 0 for 0 at the line and still holding a lead of about .034 in free throw percentage. If they keep up that inactivity, Team Fresh Prints might have to go 64 for 64 these last two days of the week to have a chance at an 8-0 week.
Right now, it appears that my lead would be 14 games going into the final three weeks (24 games).
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Romero, Willis continue strong pitching
Blue Jays LHP Ricky Romero became the first pitcher to record three wins this spring, with a pitching line of 552225 in a 13-3 victory over the Orioles. Baltimore CF Adam Jones hit a home run against Romero, who has a 1.93 spring ERA. Orioles RHP Jeremy Guthrie continued to struggle. He gave up two home runs to Toronto OF Travis Snider and one of the two homers C John Buck hit. Buck’s other tater was against RHP Frank Mata. Jays OF/3B Jose Bautista cooled off, with an 0-for-4 game dropping his average to .524.
In the Dodgers’ 7-3 win over the Cubs, LF Manny Ramirez hit his first homer, a two-run blast against RHP Ryan Dempster.
Tigers LHP Dontrelle Willis continued his comeback with a line of 300012 in their 5-4 victory over the Astros. OF Brennan Boesch drove in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning against journeyman RHP Gary Majewski. Don’t get too excited about Boesch. He led the Double-A Eastern League in home runs last season, but he’ll be 25 in April.
OF Jonny Gomes, who had to sweat out most of the off-season before the Reds re-signed the free agent, hit his third homer. The shot against LHP Jeremy Sowers provided the only runs in Cincinnati’s 6-2 loss to the Indians. File this away: Indians C prospect Jesus Montero played left field in the game as the Tribe look for a position to get his bat into the lineup.
The Twins scored the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning on 3B prospect Luke Hughes’ double against their former teammate, RHP Brian Bass. That gave Minnesota a 5-4 victory over the Pirates. Pittsburgh OF/2B Delwyn Young slugged his fourth homer – against RHP Clay Condrey, whose chances to play a significant role in the Twinkies’ bullpen took a hit from a line of 133300 that inflated Condrey’s ERA to 10.80.
The Mets continued to hit with more power than they showed at just about any time last season. LF Jason Bay homered against Marlins LHP Renyel Pinto, and RF Jeff Francoeur connected against RHP Ricky Nolasco as New York won 5-2. LHP Hisanori Takahashi – not Ken Takahashi, who pitched some for the Mets last year – earned an extended save with a line of 2 1/3 20011. Don’t count on a lot from this Takahashi, who will be 35 (at least) when the season begins.
Rangers LF Josh Hamilton homered for the second consecutive day. His third of the spring was against Brewers LHP Manny Parra, who struggled to a line of 565505. With Texas RHP Tommy Hunter unable to go, RHP Guillermo Moscoso filled in as the starter, with a line of 2 1/3 32204. The Rangers’ pitching star was LHP Matt Harrison, with eight strikeouts in four innings. In Texas’ 6-4 victory, its pitchers struck out 16 Milwaukee batters. Included were three each by 2B Rickie Weeks and RF Corey Hart.
Rays 1B Carlos Pena hit a solo homer, his first this spring, but that wasn’t enough as the Yankees defeated Tampa Bay 6-4.
Sample Scouting Report:
Ricky Romero, LHP, Blue Jays
Ht.: 6-0 Wt.: 210 T: L Age: 25 Inj. Risk: 10 Alt. Pos.: SP
{2010} Romero can strike out major league batters, but his success comes mostly from retiring them on ground balls. He has had a very good exhibition season, in part because of a cut fastball he worked on during the off-season. There’s cause for concern that he might not be able to do as well as he did last season. Romero, whose best minor league ERA was 4.42, slumped to 6-6 with a 5.54 ERA during the second half of his rookie major league season. He might not be able to reach higher expectations this season because he could be making nearly half of his starts against the superior competition of the Yankees, Red Sox and Rays in the American League East. Don’t confuse him with Davis Romero, another recent Toronto left-handed pitching prospect. Born: Nov. 6, 1984, Los Angeles, Calif. 2009: Blue Jays, 178 IP, 13 W, 4.30 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, 0 S, 141 SO.
Projection
IP: 180 W: 11 ERA: 4.15 WHIP: 1.40 S: 0 SO: 138 Value: $2
In the Dodgers’ 7-3 win over the Cubs, LF Manny Ramirez hit his first homer, a two-run blast against RHP Ryan Dempster.
Tigers LHP Dontrelle Willis continued his comeback with a line of 300012 in their 5-4 victory over the Astros. OF Brennan Boesch drove in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning against journeyman RHP Gary Majewski. Don’t get too excited about Boesch. He led the Double-A Eastern League in home runs last season, but he’ll be 25 in April.
OF Jonny Gomes, who had to sweat out most of the off-season before the Reds re-signed the free agent, hit his third homer. The shot against LHP Jeremy Sowers provided the only runs in Cincinnati’s 6-2 loss to the Indians. File this away: Indians C prospect Jesus Montero played left field in the game as the Tribe look for a position to get his bat into the lineup.
The Twins scored the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning on 3B prospect Luke Hughes’ double against their former teammate, RHP Brian Bass. That gave Minnesota a 5-4 victory over the Pirates. Pittsburgh OF/2B Delwyn Young slugged his fourth homer – against RHP Clay Condrey, whose chances to play a significant role in the Twinkies’ bullpen took a hit from a line of 133300 that inflated Condrey’s ERA to 10.80.
The Mets continued to hit with more power than they showed at just about any time last season. LF Jason Bay homered against Marlins LHP Renyel Pinto, and RF Jeff Francoeur connected against RHP Ricky Nolasco as New York won 5-2. LHP Hisanori Takahashi – not Ken Takahashi, who pitched some for the Mets last year – earned an extended save with a line of 2 1/3 20011. Don’t count on a lot from this Takahashi, who will be 35 (at least) when the season begins.
Rangers LF Josh Hamilton homered for the second consecutive day. His third of the spring was against Brewers LHP Manny Parra, who struggled to a line of 565505. With Texas RHP Tommy Hunter unable to go, RHP Guillermo Moscoso filled in as the starter, with a line of 2 1/3 32204. The Rangers’ pitching star was LHP Matt Harrison, with eight strikeouts in four innings. In Texas’ 6-4 victory, its pitchers struck out 16 Milwaukee batters. Included were three each by 2B Rickie Weeks and RF Corey Hart.
Rays 1B Carlos Pena hit a solo homer, his first this spring, but that wasn’t enough as the Yankees defeated Tampa Bay 6-4.
Sample Scouting Report:
Ricky Romero, LHP, Blue Jays
Ht.: 6-0 Wt.: 210 T: L Age: 25 Inj. Risk: 10 Alt. Pos.: SP
{2010} Romero can strike out major league batters, but his success comes mostly from retiring them on ground balls. He has had a very good exhibition season, in part because of a cut fastball he worked on during the off-season. There’s cause for concern that he might not be able to do as well as he did last season. Romero, whose best minor league ERA was 4.42, slumped to 6-6 with a 5.54 ERA during the second half of his rookie major league season. He might not be able to reach higher expectations this season because he could be making nearly half of his starts against the superior competition of the Yankees, Red Sox and Rays in the American League East. Don’t confuse him with Davis Romero, another recent Toronto left-handed pitching prospect. Born: Nov. 6, 1984, Los Angeles, Calif. 2009: Blue Jays, 178 IP, 13 W, 4.30 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, 0 S, 141 SO.
Projection
IP: 180 W: 11 ERA: 4.15 WHIP: 1.40 S: 0 SO: 138 Value: $2
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Here's what's going on where it's warm
Moves and lack of same:
Free-agent LF Johnny Damon apparently held out long enough to get $8 million on a one-year contract from the Tigers. ESPN reported today that the deal was done. He and agent Scott Boras had sought a two-year deal, but Detroit reportedly added a million to its offer, and that was enough. Damon is hardly a beggar, but it seemed hard to believe that he would be such a chooser.
The Indians have agreed to terms with 1B Russell Branyan, a lefthanded batter who is expected to be in at least a platoon role with 1B/OF Matt LaPorta. After 1B Ryan Garko went to the Giants last year, Cleveland's most frequent firstbaseman was fraudulent 1B/3B Andy Marte. LaPorta is recovering from surgery on both his left hip and left bit toe, so Branyan could see lots of action with his past and present team.
The last viable free-agent catchers apparently have signed. Jose Molina is going to Toronto, where he'd replace C Rod Barajas, another free agent. Barajas reportedly has signed with the Mets, whose offer of a major league contract was enough to tip the balance in their favor instead of toward the Rangers.
RHP Chien-Ming Wang and the Nationals made his deal with them official. To make room, Washington put oft-injured RHP Jordan Zimmermann on the 60-day disabled list. The Blue Jays made a similar move with RHP Jesse Litsch.
Speaking of injuries:
The MRI exam on Cubs LHP Ted Lilly's right knee showed no structural damage, but it's still not clear that he'll be ready in April while he's recovering from shoulder surgery. Given the Cubs' track record on under-reporting or underestimating injuries (see Exhibits A and B, Mark Prior and Kerry Wood), I'd be skeptical of anything the team says that sounds positive.
Rangers LHP Derek Holland injured his right knee during agility drills in this morning's workout, and will undergo an MRI exam Monday. According to Jamey Newberg's "Newberg Report," the injury is not considered serious.
Speaking of the Cubs:
Their shortstop, Ryan Theriot, is the last player going through salary arbitration this year. A victory for management could clinch a victory in this year's series with the players.
In the first seven hearings, the owners won four times -- against Nationals LHP Sean Burnett, who still got $775,000, and RHP Brian Bruney, who also shouldn't complain about $15. million; Astros LHP Wandy Rodriguez, whose $5-million award was almost twice what he made in 2009, and Rays CF B.J. Upton, $3 million (for what?).
The three winning players were Angels C Jeff Mathis ($1.3 million); Brewers RF Corey Hart ($4.8 million -- Really? Bud Selig will have to jack up the price on those clunkers he sells), and Marlins OF Cody Ross ($4.45 million, because chicks dig the long ball and Florida must have low-balled him).
Working it out:
The teams that worked out today for the first time were the Red Sox, Braves, Marlins, Astros and Mets in Florida, and the Diamondbacks in Arizona. Reporting today, and holding their first workouts Sunday, will be the Nationals in Florida and the White Sox, Athletics and Dodgers in Arizona.
Weight watchers:
Adding ammunition for those who insist that players today don't go to spring training to lose weight are two pitchers. Rangers LHP Matt Harrison, a pudgeball last season, has dropped 30 pounds, to 205, and Rockies RHP Aaron Cook is 20 pounds lighter than in 2009, weighing in at 200.
Free-agent LF Johnny Damon apparently held out long enough to get $8 million on a one-year contract from the Tigers. ESPN reported today that the deal was done. He and agent Scott Boras had sought a two-year deal, but Detroit reportedly added a million to its offer, and that was enough. Damon is hardly a beggar, but it seemed hard to believe that he would be such a chooser.
The Indians have agreed to terms with 1B Russell Branyan, a lefthanded batter who is expected to be in at least a platoon role with 1B/OF Matt LaPorta. After 1B Ryan Garko went to the Giants last year, Cleveland's most frequent firstbaseman was fraudulent 1B/3B Andy Marte. LaPorta is recovering from surgery on both his left hip and left bit toe, so Branyan could see lots of action with his past and present team.
The last viable free-agent catchers apparently have signed. Jose Molina is going to Toronto, where he'd replace C Rod Barajas, another free agent. Barajas reportedly has signed with the Mets, whose offer of a major league contract was enough to tip the balance in their favor instead of toward the Rangers.
RHP Chien-Ming Wang and the Nationals made his deal with them official. To make room, Washington put oft-injured RHP Jordan Zimmermann on the 60-day disabled list. The Blue Jays made a similar move with RHP Jesse Litsch.
Speaking of injuries:
The MRI exam on Cubs LHP Ted Lilly's right knee showed no structural damage, but it's still not clear that he'll be ready in April while he's recovering from shoulder surgery. Given the Cubs' track record on under-reporting or underestimating injuries (see Exhibits A and B, Mark Prior and Kerry Wood), I'd be skeptical of anything the team says that sounds positive.
Rangers LHP Derek Holland injured his right knee during agility drills in this morning's workout, and will undergo an MRI exam Monday. According to Jamey Newberg's "Newberg Report," the injury is not considered serious.
Speaking of the Cubs:
Their shortstop, Ryan Theriot, is the last player going through salary arbitration this year. A victory for management could clinch a victory in this year's series with the players.
In the first seven hearings, the owners won four times -- against Nationals LHP Sean Burnett, who still got $775,000, and RHP Brian Bruney, who also shouldn't complain about $15. million; Astros LHP Wandy Rodriguez, whose $5-million award was almost twice what he made in 2009, and Rays CF B.J. Upton, $3 million (for what?).
The three winning players were Angels C Jeff Mathis ($1.3 million); Brewers RF Corey Hart ($4.8 million -- Really? Bud Selig will have to jack up the price on those clunkers he sells), and Marlins OF Cody Ross ($4.45 million, because chicks dig the long ball and Florida must have low-balled him).
Working it out:
The teams that worked out today for the first time were the Red Sox, Braves, Marlins, Astros and Mets in Florida, and the Diamondbacks in Arizona. Reporting today, and holding their first workouts Sunday, will be the Nationals in Florida and the White Sox, Athletics and Dodgers in Arizona.
Weight watchers:
Adding ammunition for those who insist that players today don't go to spring training to lose weight are two pitchers. Rangers LHP Matt Harrison, a pudgeball last season, has dropped 30 pounds, to 205, and Rockies RHP Aaron Cook is 20 pounds lighter than in 2009, weighing in at 200.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)