Arizona DiamondbacksBaseball Musings Team OffenseBaseball America Top 10 ProspectsLineupChris B. Young CFOrlando Hudson 2BEric Byrnes LFMark Reynolds/Chad Tracy 3BConor Jackson 1BStephen Drew SSJustin Upton RFChris Snyder CRotationBrandon WebbDan HarenRandy JohnsonDoug DavisMicah OwingsEdgar GonzalezYusmeiro PetitDustin NippertMany people called the 2007 Diamondbacks lucky for vastly outplaying their projected finish. Hudson and Byrnes had career years, and the younguns played just well enough to make the playoffs. It will be interesting to see if everyone regresses, or if the young sophomores continue to grow and progress. It will also be interesting to see who's playing third base at the end of the year. Reynolds came in last year after Tracy got hurt, and may have performed well enough to keep the job even after Tracy recovers. The bench features reclamation projects Augie Ojeda and Chris Burke; Burke joins the team this year from the Astros. Also in camp this spring is former
Today marked the first day I appeared on MLB Radio.
Peter McCarthy hosts a Thursday segment called "Know Your Franchise" and I called in and actually got to be on the show.
After a little chit chat we got down to the questions.
Question 1:
Who will be the starting second baseman in 2008
Answer:
Robinson Cano
Q2: Besides Mickey Mantle and Yogi Berra, who else won back-to-back MVPs?
A: Roger
Baseball, as we know it, is about to change at 2pm today. The Mitchell report is being released. The Mitchell report is the 20 month investigation by former senator George Mitchell attempting to uncover steroid abuse by Major League Baseball players. Sources are saying that NY Yankees pitchers Andy Petite and future hall of famer Roger Clemens* is included in this report. I really hope no Cleveland Indians players are included. I will be extremely disappointed. Judgment day arrived for baseball's steroids era, with the Mitchell report set to be released and posted on the Internet for all to see. The first name to emerge Thursday was seven-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens. ESPN.com reported that Brian McNamee, a former trainer for the Yankees and Clemens, said information he gave Mitchell on supplying the pitcher with steroids is in the report. The Web site, citing an unidentified source close to the trainer, said McNamee told investigators he supplied Clemens with steroi
Fire up the Hot Stove it's time to talk free agency in the world of Major League Baseball! I'm going to give you a list of top free agents ranked accordingly plus a small blurb on my thoughts on the player and where I think they'll wind up.1. Alex Rodriguez - 3BWho else did you think was going to be first? Expect to see a really high number wherever he lands as A-Rod's price tag reportedly starts at 10 years, $350 million.Predicted Destination: Dodgers, Giants, Angels2. Jorge Posada - CSure he's old, but the market for catchers is EXTREMELY thin this year. Word on the street is that the Yankees are offering 4 years at 52 million to wrap him up before he can even talk to other teams. That seems like a lot of money and a long period of time, but with Arod gone how else are the Yanks gunna spend their $$?!Predicted Destination: Yankees 3. Torii Hunter - CFGreat on Defense and an underrated offensive player as well. He'd be a great addition to any team. If the Twins let Johan slip that wou
JL Gzz. (jl_gzz@yahoo.com) has sent you a news article------------------------------------------------------------Personal message:Boston wins big with little ball - MLB - Yahoo! Sportshttp://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ti-alcogameseven102107&prov=yhoo&type=lgns============================================================Yahoo! Sports - http://sports.yahoo.com/
I usually don't get all salty because my team loses, but this is different. Just by seeing the differences in strike zones between the teams, you can tell something is not right. Let's look at a comparison of the strike zones. Figure A shows the strike zone when Boston pitches to Cleveland batters. Figure B shows the strike zone when Cleveland pitches to Boston batters. Figure A is a fairly normal strike zone. Figure B's strike zone is right in the middle of almost every batters' power spot. Cleveland pitchers could not get a called strike unless it was within figure B's border. Cleveland pitchers could throw the ball in the same spot as a Boston pitcher and for some reason it wouldn't be called a strike, yet the Boston pitcher would get the strike. So, did MLB umps throw the game? Yes. If anyone who watched the game doesn't agree, you're stupid.
Commercials bother me. Commercials bastardizing the music of my youth bothers me even more. The latest example being the Honda commercial that has been run often during the MLB playoffs, using one of The Who's best, if not the best, songs, "I Can See for Miles."The kids were once alright. The two left are now just rich old capitalists.That Pete Townsend and Roger Daltrey are making big bucks licensing their songs to anyone who gives them a briefcase full of 50's and 100's doesn't bother me all that much, as it's their music to do what they wish. It's how the songs are being used totally out of context that gets me.Does Honda, or their advertising agency, actually know the lyrics to "I Can See for Miles?" Here's a sample of the lyrics...Well, here's a poke at youYou're gonna choke on it tooYou're gonna lose that smileBecause all the whileI can see for miles and milesNot exactly the uplifting tune about a grand future that Honda makes it out to be, is it? But the chorus, taken out of co
NLDSColorodo Rockies over Philadelphia Phillies in 5 My heart says Rockies but my head says Philadelphia. I would give the edge to the Phillies based on pitching. Both have tremendous offenses though. I'm a little late with this and the Rockies have already beat Cole Hammels so I will go out on a limb and stay with my heart on this one. The Rockies ride their momentum and beat the Phillies in 5.Arizona Diamondbacks over Chicago Cubs in 5The Cubs were hot down the stretch and have a great line-up but Arizona is built for the playoffs with great pitching and great defense. Their bullpen is leagues better than Chicago's and it will show.ALDSBoston Red Sox over Las Angeles Angels of Anaheim in 3 gamesI think the Red Sox will sweep. They'll probably get Beckett in twice in 4 games if they need him and other than Vlad the Angels have no power. Vlad will be DHing and with Matthews Jr. out their outfield is going to be spread pretty thin. Even though the Angels have K-Rod Scott Shields the Re
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Since the dawn of the football season that's basically all we've talked about. So, with the little free-time that I have I want to throw out so MLB Predictions as we approach the end of the regular season.NLEast Winner= Mets hold off PhilliesCentral Winner= Brewers hold off Cubs and I get $5 from twins15! - PS It would be against my code to pick otherwiseWest Winner= Padres over-take Arizona with great pitching down the stretchWildcard Winner= Arizona DiamondbacksMVP Winner= Prince Fielder, MILCy Yound Winner= Jake Peavey, SDALEast Winner= Boston hold off the Evil EmpireCentral Winner= The IndiansWest Winner= The Angels...Duh!Wildcard Winner= The Evil Empire (NY Yankees for all you non-baseball fans out there)MVP Winner= Alex Rodriguez, NYYCy Young Winner= Josh Beckett, BOSWhat do you think about these predictions? What are yours?...Back with more orgasmic college football posts later in the week!
Hey Sports Flow readers, I am taking on a different role tonight. I'm Bryan, a long time reader of this particular blog and a semi-frequent blogger. I was asked by the good people at TSF to do a post on the MLB non-waiver trade deadline, and I jumped at the chance. So, let's dive right in!Kenny Lofton to the IndiansAs a Tigers fan, I was not excited to read that this trade had went down. I think Kenny improves the Indians tremendously, especially because they didn't have a whole lot going on at the corner outfielder spots. Kenny will get on base for that terrific lineup and improve the speed and defense of the club as well.As for the Rangers, they got a future MLB catcher in Max Ramirez whom they will probably trade within the next year or so. If anything, they just got another piece to trade for when they're relevant again. Can't complain too much there.Dan Wheeler to the Astros for Ty WiggintonOne of the more bizarre trades of the deadline, I'm not so sure that the Astros neede
We are just about one week away from the Major League Baseball trade deadline, and there are plenty of trade rumors to go around. The thing I find the most interesting though, is that it's not the big names on the table, but players who could help a team off the bench, or just be [...]
So after the 7-7 tie in Miller Park in 2002 MLB and Commish Bud Selig needed to do something to make sure that the game didn't become irrelevant. It needed to be steered clear of sliding down the road that the NBA All-Star Game crossed years ago. It needed to count. I want to look at the decision to make it count for home-field advantage in the World Series.Truly, I don't mind the rule all that much. In my opinion it's a hell of a lot better than alternating leagues like they used to decide home-field advantage. However, for the game to count I think there were a few other essential changes that were missed by the commish.I agree with Complete Sports halfheartedly on the issue. I do agree that it has to be one or the other here...either it counts or you have fan voting. It doesn't seem right to have it count if the fans are going to vote in their favorite but second-tier players from big market teams over the guys who truly deserve it. I want the game to be about the fans but if i
Here are my midseason awards. I reserve the right to change these by the end of the season. MVP AL: Alex Rodriguez - NYYMagglio Ordonez is the next best choice but it should be a no-brainer. Without Arod the Yankees would be utterly pathetic. He had arguably the best April in baseball history and has driven in about 20% of the Yankees' runs.NL: Prince Fielder - MILI might be a Brewers fan and I might be a homer but I think Fielder makes a great case for NL MVP thus far. The Brewers are winning and he's carrying them and holding them up in first place. Matt Holliday is a guy a lot of other bloggers might go with but I think because of what the Brewers have done in comparison to the Rockies I gotta go with Prince. PS -can't wait to get me one of theseROOKIE OF THE YEAR AL: Daisuke Matsuzaka - BOS Doesn't seem fair that he is so much older and experienced than other rookies but he meets the definition of rookie by the rulebook and therefore he has definitely been the AL ROY thus far I
The Detroit Tigers just got a little bit better this morning....In fact, the Tigers got considerably better. Not in thanks to their calling up Ryan Raburn from Toledo. Turns out that move was made in response to MLB suspending Neifi Perez for 25 games (!) for testing positive for a banned stimulant.Neifi Perez, Tigers tweakerThe Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced today that infielder Neifi Perez of the Detroit Tigers has been suspended 25 games, effective immediately, for testing positive for a banned Stimulant in violation of Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.NEIFI PEREZ?! If he's on the greenies, they sure as Hell can't be all that stimulating.In other MLB news, expect every other team to begin slipping Mickey's full of amphetamines to the 25th man on their rosters, in an attempt to free up valuable roster space.I expect Craig Monroe and Jason Grilli to be the next Tigers to test positive. Soon...
According to the Boston Globe, the Red Sox are scouting Brad Lidge, a player they've coveted for years.
The Chicago Sun-Times is reporting the Sox seem to be on the brink of a fire sale and have had numerous scouts all week looking at not only Contreras but pitchers Mark Buehrle and Javier Vazquez and outfielder [...]
There is a tight race at the top of the SS list. With Jose Reyes, probably the most exciting player in baseball leading Jimmy Rollins by only a few points. There has been no sophomore jinx on Hanley Ramirez, the kid can flat out hit, and run. Derek Jeter is still the American League leader [...]
Wow!!! After posting the idea of winning a $25 Gift Card to Best Buy for the first entry that lists all 30 players and ranks them correctly yesterday, my e-mail was flooded by you guys. So good news/bad news out of that. The bad news is, instead of you ranking the Short Stops, you'll be [...]
***Tomorrow's Contest : Fill in the Blanks for the Top 30 SS, win a $25 Best Buy gift card, for the fasted entry. The Winner will be announce tomorrow night. The list will be out at 9am ET ***
Coming into this year, 3rd Baseman where supposed to be the strongest position at Fantasy Baseball Drafts. [...]
The Trade Rumors are Buzzing, scouts are scrambling, and GM's and there assistants are pondering their next moves. With so much going on in the baseball world, here is the latest breakdown of the Trade Rumors flying around today, June 21st.
From the Chicago Sun-Times
Jacque Jones:
The Cubs have talked with the [...]
These rankings are based off of their 2007 performance. The clear cut #1 Second Baseman during the pre-season is still playing "King of Hill" with the others. Chase Utley is a second baseman in a third basemans body. This guy just puts up monster numbers, and is a Top 5 Fantasy Player because of the [...]
These rankings are based off of their 2007 performance to date. There are no if, ands or buts about it, the "Prince" is here, and he's mashing balls all over the park. One of the biggest surprises in the Top 10 has to be Kevin Youklis. Youklis has shown signs of power, but his best [...]
Former baseball player and ESPN Baseball Analyst Harold Reynolds was hired Tuesday by MLB.com, becoming the sites newest analyst.Starting at next month's All-Star game in San Francisco, Reynolds will provide regular commentary on MLB.com. Soon after, Reynolds will appear five days per week at 1 p.m. CT. He will address hot topics in the game with his insider analysis, bring in news makers through his extensive contacts and interact with users through e-mails, instant messages, chats and a forthcoming MLBlog. Well, in my opinion (and plenty of others), this is huge for MLB.com. This is the next big step as MLB.com tries to get bigger and better with its baseball analysis, commentary, and exposure.Reynolds is (in my perspective) the best baseball analyst to walk the earth till this day. I love his in-depth analysis. He tells it like it is and definitely knows what he is talking about. We have a lot of sports networks out there who have some analysts that are just a joke and never know w
Does anybody else remember this story from the San Diego Union-Tribune on June 8, 2004?By Bill CenterKevin Towers couldn’t hide his delight. "This is a great story," the Padres general manager said yesterday after introducing Mission Bay High shortstop/pitcher Matt Bush as the No. 1 pick of baseball's 2004 draft. And the story started with a report in this newspaper Friday. At the time, Padres director of scouting Bill Gayton was assessing the three collegiate frontrunners for the Padres' No. 1 pick in the draft – right-handed pitchers Jered Weaver of Long Beach State and Jeff Niemann of Rice and Florida State shortstop Stephen Drew. Gayton was asked about Matt Bush. "We've talked about Bush," said Gayton. "We love him." When Bush read that quote Friday morning, a light went on. "I've always loved the Padres," said Bush. "If they love me . . . "Bush put in a call to one of his advisers, Ken Felder. "I asked Ken that, off what I read in the newspaper, would it be OK if I called
Tuesday, May 1, 2007 - MLB Player NotesAmerican LeagueRich Harden - SP - Athletics The A's reportedly called the Red Sox to gauge interest in Rich Harden, according to Yahoo! Sports' Tim Brown. After he got hurt? No word on what the conversations entailed, but if they progressed it all, it can be assumed the A's asked about both Wily Mo Pena and top pitching prospect Clay Buchholz. A healthy Harden is about as dominant as any pitcher in baseball, but the A's wouldn't be able to get equal value for him unless he comes back this month and then blows AL hitters away for a month or so. An in-season trade is quite unlikely.Source: Yahoo! Sports Vernon Wells - OF - Blue Jays Vernon Wells, out Monday with the flu, is back in the lineup for Tuesday's game. He's batting second against left-hander C.C. Sabathia. Wells will probably remain in the third spot versus righties, but usual No. 2 hitter Adam Lind has been dropped to seventh tonight. Luis Castillo - 2B - Twins Luis Castillo, who ha
Monday, April 30, 2007 - MLB Player NotesNational LeagueOrlando Hernandez - SP - Mets Mets placed RHP Orlando Hernandez on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 25, with shoulder tightness. The Mets had to know when they were re-signing El Duque that they'd be fortunate to get 150-160 innings per year from him. Going carefully with him now with an eye towards having him close to 100 percent in October is the correct strategy. Chan Ho Park will start in his place tonight.Xavier Nady - OF - Pirates Xavier Nady tested his hamstring prior to Sunday's game by taking batting practice and running the bases. Nady, who struck out while pinch hitting in the game, still has no timetable for a return to the starting lineup.Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Wilson Betemit - 3B - Dodgers Wilson Betemit, who missed Saturday's game due to food poisoning, is expected to return to the starting lineup on Monday. Betemit is hitting just .133 this season. Wilson Valdez will continue to see inc
Saturday, April 21, 2007 - MLB Player NotesAmerican LeagueBrian N. Anderson - OF - White Sox Brian Anderson will make his third start of the season on Saturday against the Tigers and lefty Nate Robertson. Anderson, who was left on the bench in favor of Rob Mackowiak on Friday, needs to have a big game to impress manager Ozzie Guillen.Source: Chicago Sun-Times Jon Lester - SP - Red Sox Jon Lester (cancer) allowed three runs on six hits, including two home runs, in five innings during a rehab start at Single-A Greensville on Friday night. Lester struck out five in the outing. He will meet with the Red Sox medical staff on Saturday and then make a final rehab start at Triple-A Pawtucket on Wednesday. He is expected to be optioned to Pawtucket after Wednesday's start until the Red Sox need him to join their rotation.Source: Boston Globe Ramon Hernandez - C - Orioles Ramon Hernandez (oblique) was able to take batting practice on Friday, but he will remain on the disabled list until a
Tuesday, April 17, 2007 - MLB Player NotesAmerican LeagueVictor Martinez - C - Indians Victor Martinez is in the starting lineup Tuesday for the first time in 12 days. Martinez, recovered from a strained left quad, is doing the catching against the Yankees tonight. Jered Weaver - SP - Angels Angels activated RHP Jered Weaver from 15-day disabled list. Weaver will make his season debut against the A's tonight. Scott Podsednik - OF - White Sox White Sox placed outfielder Scott Podsednik on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 16, with a pulled groin muscle. We're guessing this is related to his offseason hernia surgery. Podsednik was off to a nice start at the plate, hitting .303/.378/.455. Still, the White Sox don't lose much by giving more at-bats to Rob Mackowiak and Brian Anderson against right-handers. Pablo Ozuna will likely continue to play against lefties.Rich Harden - SP - Athletics Rich Harden (shoulder) said Monday that he's "pretty sure" he'll make his schedu
Thursday, April 12, 2007 - MLB Player NotesNational LeagueJosh Bard - C - Padres Padres placed catcher Josh Bard on the 15-day disabled list with a groin strain. He was injured during Wednesday's game. Rob Bowen will get most of the starts behind the plate while Bard is sidelined, and Khalil Greene and Kevin Kouzmanoff figure to move up in the order. Pete Laforest was recalled to serve as a backup. Taylor Tankersley - RP - Marlins Marlins activated LHP Taylor Tankersley from the 15-day disabled list. Tankersley probably won't be put in save situations right away, but he's as good of a bet as anyone to be the Marlins' most effective reliever this year. He's well worth owning in NL-only leagues at least, he may be a potential candidate for the closer role. Jason Schmidt - SP - Dodgers Jason Schmidt's next start has been moved up to Saturday, with Randy Wolf getting pushed back to Sunday. Manager Grady Little says it's because he wanted to separate Schmidt and Brad Penny in the rota
Wednesday, April 11, 2007 - MLB Player NotesNational LeagueAdam LaRoche - 1B - Pirates Adam LaRoche didn't play Wednesday because of back stiffness. LaRoche is expected to be available after Thursday's off day. Brad Eldred replaced him at first base today. Jorge Julio - RP - Marlins Manager Fredi Gonzalez wasn't willing to commit to Jorge Julio as closer after another blown save on Tuesday. A big change from Sunday, when Gonzalez made it clear he was still behind Julio. "We'll do what's best for the team, the organization and the individual," Gonzalez said Wednesday. It sounds like Henry Owens might be the new favorite for saves in Florida.Source: Marlins.mlb.com Chris Duncan - OF - Cardinals Pinch-hitter Chris Duncan homered off Salomon Torres in the top of the ninth to break a tie and help the Cardinals beat the Pirates 3-2 on Wednesday. Duncan had started against a couple of lefties, but So Taguchi got the nod over him versus Paul Maholm today. The home run was Duncan's second
Tuesday, April 10, 2007 - MLB Player NotesNational LeagueNick Johnson - 1B - NationalsNick Johnson (broken leg) will travel with the Nationals so that he can continue to rehab with head trainer Lee Kuntz. Johnson has resumed throwing and running, but hasn't started taking batting practice. He is expected to miss the first two months of the season.Source: Washington Post Andre Ethier - OF - DodgersManager Grady Little said prior to Monday's game that Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp are in a competition to be the starting right fielder. "They have never said one word to me," said Ethier. "But you have competition on every team. I guess the writing is on the wall for me, at least. If I want this spot, I have to not only earn it, but keep it." Kemp is expected to miss a few games after injuring his shoulder on Monday. After Tuesday's game, which Ethier will start, both players will have started four games at the position.Source: Los Angeles Daily News Carlos Quentin - OF - DiamondbacksCarlos
Monday, April 9, 2007 - MLB Player NotesAmerican LeagueVictor Martinez - C - IndiansIndians manager Eric Wedge said Victor Martinez (quad) was feeling a little better on Monday and could be carried on the active roster for the beginning of Tuesday's series. The one plus for the Indians after four straight postponements is that they've been able to avoid putting Martinez on the DL. He's still likely to miss most of this week, but the Indians could decide not to disabled him if they think he'll be ready in 5-7 days. Daniel Cabrera - SP - OriolesDaniel Cabrera yielded two runs in 7 2/3 innings in a victory over the Tigers on Monday. We're not pleased that Cabrera was left in to throw 122 pitches in a game that was 6-1 after seven innings. Still, it's not a big problem unless it becomes a trend. Cabrera walked none today. The Tigers never attempted a steal after the Twins were 4-for-4 against him and Alberto Castillo six days ago.Chad Durbin - RP - TigersChad Durbin was roughed up by the
Sunday, April 8, 2007 - MLB Player NotesAmerican LeagueKevin Youkilis - 1B - Red Sox Kevin Youkilis said he expected to be fine to play Sunday after tweaking an ankle during Saturday's game. Youkilis left Saturday's game in the eighth inning.Source: Boston.com Sammy Sosa - OF - Rangers Sammy Sosa went 2-for-5 with the first home run of his comeback as the Rangers beat the Red Sox 8-4 on Saturday night. 11 to go until No. 600. Sosa's homer was a two-run shot off J.C. Romero in the sixth inning, doubling the Rangers' lead to four runs. Sammy is now 4-for-15 with three RBI and a 5/1 K/BB ratio in four games.John Lackey - SP - Angels John Lackey surrendered one run in seven innings to beat Dan Haren and the A's on Saturday night. Haren, who was outpitched by Felix Hernandez on Opening Day, was a hard-luck loser again in the 2-1 game. Lackey allowed seven hits, walked none and struck out six. He snapped a string of poor Aprils by getting off to a good start last year, and he seems po
Friday, April 6, 2007 - MLB Player NotesAmerican LeagueBartolo Colon - SP - AngelsBartolo Colon (shoulder) fanned five in four scoreless innings Thursday for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga. He allowed one hit and walked one. Colon is expected to make two or three more starts in the minors before coming off the DL, probably by the end of the month. Once healthy, he'll push Joe Saunders out of the rotation.Chien-Ming Wang - SP - YankeesChien-Ming Wang (hamstring) reported no problems Thursday after throwing 40 pitches from the top of the mound. Wang might throw batting practice in the next few days. He could rejoin the rotation in about two weeks. Mark Buehrle - SP - White SoxMark Buehrle thinks he'll make his next start after leaving Thursday's game with a bruised forearm. Buehrle, who was hit by a comebacker today, is due to pitch Tuesday against the A's.Source: WhiteSox.mlb.com Johnny Damon - OF - YankeesAlthough he said he was feeling better than he was Wednesday, Johnny Damon was sent
Thursday, April 5, 2007 - MLB BustsAndy Pettitte - SP - Yankees Andy Pettitte surrendered four runs -- two earned -- in four-plus innings Thursday against the Rays. It's not surprising that Pettitte would get off to a slow start after missing the end of the spring with back troubles. He was hurt by his defense tonight, but he wasn't very good anyway. Expect a better showing next time out.Jason Bergmann - SP - Nationals Jason Bergmann gave up four runs and walked six in 3 2/3 innings Thursday in a loss to the Diamondbacks. Bergmann walked three during a three-run first. He was better after that, but the Nationals don't have the firepower to come back very often and they fell a little short tonight. Bergmann is expected to make at least two or three more starts before Jason Simontacchi returns.Adam Eaton - SP - Phillies Adam Eaton was pounded for eight runs -- seven earned -- in 4 2/3 innings Thursday in a loss to the Braves. Including his final two starts of the spring, Eaton has
Thursday, April 5, 2007 - MLB StandoutsMike Piazza - DH - Athletics Mike Piazza went 3-for-5 with a solo homer off Francisco Rodriguez in the top of the ninth to help the A's beat the Angels 4-3 on Thursday night. One of his other hits was a double. After Piazza's homer, Huston Street pitched a scoreless ninth for the save, with the final out coming when Erick Aybar was caught stealing. The homer was Piazza's first ever at Angel Stadium. Matt Morris - SP - Giants Matt Morris was sharp in his first start of the year, allowing one run and five hits over six innings in a win against the Padres. This after Morris gave up 22 runs -- 14 earned -- and 28 hits in 18 2/3 innings last month. Little can be expected from Morris this year. He lost his best fastball years ago, and his strikeout rate has suffered as a result. The Giants should be content if he bounces back with an ERA around 4.50.Ryan Klesko - 1B - Giants Ryan Klesko went 3-for-4 against the Padres Thursday in his first start fo
Thursday, April 5, 2007 - MLB Player NotesAmerican LeagueShea Hillenbrand - DH - Angels Shea Hillenbrand (groin) said Wednesday that he's not sure how long he'll be sidelined. The Los Angeles Times reports that Hillenbrand is not expected to be placed on the disabled list, but Hillenbrand said, "I've never done anything to my groin before, so I have no clue how long I'll be out."Source: Los Angeles Times Octavio Dotel - RP - Royals Royals placed RHP Octavio Dotel on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 30, with a left oblique strain. David Riske is set to act as the Royals' closer until Dotel returns. The Royals hope to have him back as soon as his 15 days are up, but oblique injuries can be very tricky.Francisco Rodriguez - RP - Angels Francisco Rodriguez was photographed with what appeared to be a foreign substance under the bill of his cap following his first save of the season on Monday. K-Rod was seen rubbing his thumb in the area following several pitches. Derek Z
Wednesday, April 4, 2007 - MLB BustsMiguel Batista - SP - Mariners Miguel Batista was pounded for eight runs in 4 2/3 innings to take the loss to the A's in his Mariners debut Wednesday. In signing Batista, the Mariners paid $25 million for an innings-eating fourth starter. He'll give the club 200 innings this year and win about a dozen games, but he's not going to be of any real use in fantasy leagues.Woody Williams - SP - Astros Woody Williams gave up five runs -- three earned -- in 4 2/3 innings Wednesday in a loss to the Pirates. It's not only their fourth and fifth starters the Astros have to be concerned about. Williams didn't show much this spring, and he started off his regular season by giving up eight hits, walking two, hitting two batters and striking out none. He's not the same kind of option in NL-only leagues that he was as a Petco pitcher.Jaret Wright - SP - Orioles Jaret Wright was pulled from Wednesday's game after giving up six runs -- four earned -- and walking
Wednesday, April 4, 2007 - MLB StandoutsMarcus Giles - 2B - Padres Marcus Giles went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer as the Padres topped the Giants 5-3 on Wednesday night. Khalil Greene and Adrian Gonzalez also homered, accounting for all five Padres runs. Chris Young and Matt Cain had pretty much identical outings in the game, but Padres relievers Cla Meredith, Scott Linebrink and Trevor Hoffman combined to pitch 3 1/3 scoreless innings, while Brad Hennessey and Jack Taschner both gave up runs for the Giants. It's a difference between the two teams that figures to be a big factor in the NL West standings this year. Rich Harden - SP - Athletics Rich Harden allowed three hits in seven innings Wednesday in Oakland's 9-0 shutout of Seattle. Harden struck out seven and walked two while throwing 94 pitches. Jay Marshall and Huston Street completed the three-hitter with perfect innings of relief. Harden should remain one of the game's very best pitchers for however long he stays healthy. F
Wednesday, April 4, 2007 - MLB Player NotesNational LeagueChris Carpenter - SP - Cardinals The Cardinals decided against performing an MRI on Chris Carpenter's elbow. He'll miss his next start with what the team is calling inflammation. Carpenter said his elbow wasn't bothering him during Sunday's game, though he did notice some swelling later that night. "Everybody I've talked to, the doctors and trainers, are not alarmed," he said. "They're trying to make sure I know everything will be OK." Carpenter will be evaluated over the next three days before the Cardinals decide when he'll pitch next. Rafael Furcal - SS - Dodgers Rafael Furcal (ankle) was again limited to playing catch on Tuesday. He won't be ready Saturday as hoped. "He's having a hard time getting from jogging to running," trainer Stan Conte said. "It's a transition, and we expected it. If you push at the wrong time, you can irritate it and cost more days. It was a significant ankle injury, and this is not very much tim
Tuesday, April 3, 2007 - MLB BustsVicente Padilla - SP - Rangers Vicente Padilla was tagged for six runs and nine hits in 4 2/3 innings by the Angels on Tuesday. Little more should have been expected the way he finished up the spring. Padilla might be pitching through some pain. He's not going to be worth using in AL-only leagues until he turns it around.Nelson Cruz - OF - Rangers In his first start, Nelson Cruz went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts and committed an error in right field on Tuesday. Cruz replaced Brad Wilkerson in the outfield tonight. Sammy Sosa has started both games, going 1-for-7 so far. The three are sharing two spots, and whoever gets hot first could take away quite a bit of playing time from the other two.Jose Valverde - RP - Diamondbacks Jose Valverde blew a one-run lead and took the loss in the 10th Tuesday against the Rockies. Valverde did deserve the blown save, but it easily could have gone the other way. While Troy Tulowitzki's game-tying double with two o
Tuesday, April 3, 2007 - MLB StandoutsVladimir Guerrero - OF - Angels Vladimir Guerrero went 4-for-4 with a homer and a walk as the Angels defeated the Rangers 8-3 on Wednesday night. The top three men in the order -- Gary Matthews Jr., Orlando Cabrera and Guerrero -- combined to go 8-for-12 with three walks in the game. With only Garret Anderson and Shea Hillenbrand hitting behind him, Guerrero should be looking at a lot of intentional walks when he's hot like he is now. He's still capable of an MVP-type season, but he's going to have a hard time putting up monster run and RBI numbers while being surrounded by little more than average regulars.Ian Kinsler - 2B - Rangers Ian Kinsler homered and walked twice as the Rangers' No. 9 hitter on Tuesday night. He also homered in Monday's opener. Kinsler won't keep batting ninth versus righties if he remains hot. He's already expected to bat second versus lefties.Richie Sexson - 1B - Mariners Richie Sexson homered for the second straight
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