What's the Buzz? 5/17/06
While Brewers closer Derrick Turnbow is supposedly not in danger of losing his job, he has struggled in his past few outings. The fact that he started the season so well probably means this is just a funk he is in, but with so many closers losing their jobs this year, it's hard not to be nervous.
And speaking of closers losing their jobs, Ambiorix Burgos has been deposed in Kansas City. His replacement will be Elmer Dessens right now. With Mike MacDougal still a ways away, Dessens should be picked up if you need relief help.
As expected, the Cardinals will call up Anthony Reyes to start Saturday's game. If he's available, he would be a decent pick up. Worry about what happens when Sidney Ponson comes back later.
Yankees starter Carl Pavano continues to face setback after setback in his rehab. He left a AA-Trenton game after one inning with tightness in his triceps. Biceps, triceps, buttocks, whatever. I can still hear GM Brian Cashman banging his head against the wall after this signing.
How about Tigers starter Justin Verlander outdueling Twins ace Johann Santana tonight? Verlander looked great tonight although he needs to raise that strikeout total. Santana, who continues to dominate may find his win total a bit low this season as their offense is becoming quite pitiful. Maybe 1B Justin Morneau can bring up that .242 average now that he's not platooning anymore. That would be a help.
Speaking of the Twins, they finally shook up their pitching staff by sending Kyle Lohse down to the minors and called up Boof Bonser. The urge to pick up Bonser stems only from his name. And I kid you not....I have been known to do that sometimes and it has panned out on several occasions...Coco Crisp, Dan Uggla, J.J. Putz, just to name a few. Bonser is likely a 4th or 5th starter at best, so you might not want to rush out there just yet.
The expected return of Braves starter Horacio Ramirez is May 30th although if he dazzles in his next rehab start they may activate him sooner. They may need him sooner as recent DL casualty Kyle Davies will require surgery to repair his torn groin muscle. Davies is expected to be out for atleast 2 to 3 months.
Marlins SS Hanley Ramirez is still being called day to day after his MRI revealed just a strain in his shoulder. He'll probably get another day or two off and see where he's at then. In the meantime, the Marlins sent OF Eric Reed to the minors and called up Robert Andino to play short.
Royals OF David DeJesus had yet another setback today and will continue to remain sidelined for far too long. The Royals may get Shane Costa back this weekend, which could give them a little offensive jolt.
Although it seems a bit inconsequential, the Indians swapped out Ramon Vasquez for Lou Merloni with their AAA affiliate in Buffalo. Just a little bench twealk there as Vasquez has been a bust at the plate.
Anyone else laughing at Josh Beckett? Methinks thou doth protest too much, blister boy.
The Brewers put J.J. Hardy on the DL with a sprained ligament in his ankle. His timetable for a return is 2 to 6 weeks. Hmmm. Not sure what kind of window that is....it's like waiting for the cable guy to get there.
The Pirates are hoping to get 1B Sean Casey back sooner than expected as he has been rehabbing pain free for a little bit. If he remains like this, he could be back by mid to early June.
Lastly, the timetable for Roger Clemens to return has been stepped up a bit as he apparently has "accelerated his workout program". He'll either end up with the Astros, Rangers, Yankees, or The Red Sox, but I'm going to put my money on a Texas team.
Catch you next time...
And speaking of closers losing their jobs, Ambiorix Burgos has been deposed in Kansas City. His replacement will be Elmer Dessens right now. With Mike MacDougal still a ways away, Dessens should be picked up if you need relief help.
As expected, the Cardinals will call up Anthony Reyes to start Saturday's game. If he's available, he would be a decent pick up. Worry about what happens when Sidney Ponson comes back later.
Yankees starter Carl Pavano continues to face setback after setback in his rehab. He left a AA-Trenton game after one inning with tightness in his triceps. Biceps, triceps, buttocks, whatever. I can still hear GM Brian Cashman banging his head against the wall after this signing.
How about Tigers starter Justin Verlander outdueling Twins ace Johann Santana tonight? Verlander looked great tonight although he needs to raise that strikeout total. Santana, who continues to dominate may find his win total a bit low this season as their offense is becoming quite pitiful. Maybe 1B Justin Morneau can bring up that .242 average now that he's not platooning anymore. That would be a help.
Speaking of the Twins, they finally shook up their pitching staff by sending Kyle Lohse down to the minors and called up Boof Bonser. The urge to pick up Bonser stems only from his name. And I kid you not....I have been known to do that sometimes and it has panned out on several occasions...Coco Crisp, Dan Uggla, J.J. Putz, just to name a few. Bonser is likely a 4th or 5th starter at best, so you might not want to rush out there just yet.
The expected return of Braves starter Horacio Ramirez is May 30th although if he dazzles in his next rehab start they may activate him sooner. They may need him sooner as recent DL casualty Kyle Davies will require surgery to repair his torn groin muscle. Davies is expected to be out for atleast 2 to 3 months.
Marlins SS Hanley Ramirez is still being called day to day after his MRI revealed just a strain in his shoulder. He'll probably get another day or two off and see where he's at then. In the meantime, the Marlins sent OF Eric Reed to the minors and called up Robert Andino to play short.
Royals OF David DeJesus had yet another setback today and will continue to remain sidelined for far too long. The Royals may get Shane Costa back this weekend, which could give them a little offensive jolt.
Although it seems a bit inconsequential, the Indians swapped out Ramon Vasquez for Lou Merloni with their AAA affiliate in Buffalo. Just a little bench twealk there as Vasquez has been a bust at the plate.
Anyone else laughing at Josh Beckett? Methinks thou doth protest too much, blister boy.
The Brewers put J.J. Hardy on the DL with a sprained ligament in his ankle. His timetable for a return is 2 to 6 weeks. Hmmm. Not sure what kind of window that is....it's like waiting for the cable guy to get there.
The Pirates are hoping to get 1B Sean Casey back sooner than expected as he has been rehabbing pain free for a little bit. If he remains like this, he could be back by mid to early June.
Lastly, the timetable for Roger Clemens to return has been stepped up a bit as he apparently has "accelerated his workout program". He'll either end up with the Astros, Rangers, Yankees, or The Red Sox, but I'm going to put my money on a Texas team.
Catch you next time...
posted by Howard Bender at
10:25 PM
