What's the Buzz? 5/26/06
Congratualtions to Derek Jeter for collecting his 2000th hit tonight!!! The play could have been ruled an error, but Jeter singled later in the game to make up for it. He's the second fastest in Yankees history to hit the milestone this quickly, only second to the legendary Joe DiMaggio.
The revolving door in the Kansas City bullpen continues as manager Buddy Bell turned to Joe Nelson with the score 7-5. When it became 7-6 and a man on third with one out he then turned to Andy Sisco who closed it out for his first save of the season. Bell didn't want to use new closer Elmer Dessens who had been hit hard the past two nights. Dessens remains the first option for saves, but I've always like Sisco to eventually take over.
Pirates 1B Sean Casey should be activated in time for Monday's game. He had a rehab start in AA-Altoona and will get two more in over the weekend. This could be a nice boost for the Pirates who are in need of help. Jason Bay can't do it all on his own.
Francisco Liriano vs Felix Hernandez? Round 1 goes to Liriano who despite only going 5 innings (pfffft!! pitch counts are for wussies) shut out the Mariners and picked up the win. Hernandez pitched a respectable game only giving up 3 runs in 7 innings.
Orioles OF Jay Gibbons is probably day to day after crashing into the wall on the Vladimir Guerrero's inside the park HR tonight. Luis Matos came in to replace him.
Ever since the reports on his lingering sore wrist problem, Carl Crawford has been lighting it up. He hit 2 HR in tonight's game and is 10 for 16 with 3 HR and 6 SB in the last 3 games. He needs to keep this up before I reconsider my opinion of him being a first rounder.
Rockies' OF Matt Holliday left today's game with a hand injury. He was hit by Jason Schmidt, but stayed in for another inning before being replaced. Consider him day to day right now.
The Rockies also placed catcher Danny Ardoin on the 15 day DL with a starined left knee and brought up J.D. Closser who will platoon with Miguel Ojeda for now. Yorvit Torrealba could find his way back into the starting position if he can ever get his ass off the disabled list. It is possible he could be activated by the end of next week.
Texas reliever Francisco Cordero continues to prove that despit a decent May, he is a long way off from supplanting Akinori Otsuka in the closer's role. He was charged with a blown save in the 8th but the Rangers came back, took the lead and then Otsuka got the save in the 9th.
Padres manager said that he will rest catcher Mike Piazza over the weekend, giving him both Saturday and Sunday off. It appears that Piazza may find himself in a much more reduced role soon.
Giants manager Felipe Alou said he should have Moises Alou back in the lineup within a week or two, depending on his rehab assignments. I think this is a generous estimate, but this will certainly put Steve Finley back on the bench when it does happen.
Mets 3B David Wright was held out tonight due to back spasms. He is day to day and should be back shortly. Jose Valentin will fill in for now.
The Phillies expect Aaron Rowand to return for Saturday's game. Shane Victorino will ride the pine and take ovver pinch hitting duties. The Phils should also get back catcher Mike Lieberthal as well this weekend. Carlos Ruiz should be sent down to AAA by Monday.
The rumors are swirling in Washington as there is talk that once they realize they are out of contention, the Nationals will probably start shopping 2B Alfonso Soriano. Keep your eyes on this as the right move to the right team could give Soriano's number an even bigger boost.
If you only have a 1 game eligibility requirement in your league, you can add the lumbering Troy Glaus to the list of shortstops. He got the start there tonight before being replaced in the 7th. The Blue Jays are going to make a move soon. There's no way Glaus will find a permanent spot at short but he's probably better there than Shea Hillenbrand or Eric Hinske, both who can play third. They will probably move Aaron Hill over to short and bring Edgardo Alfonzo up to play second, but again, it looks to only be a short term solution.
The Angels have finally decided to bring up pitcher Jered Weaver today. Unfortuantely, they are planning on using him in middle relief to start, but it's just a matter of time before they bump Kevin Gregg from the rotation in favor of the 6'7" righty. Besides, it makes them better puishing Gregg back to the bullpen. Esteban Yan was designated for assignment to make room.
A day after suffering through a Matthew LeCroy disaster, the Nationals activated Brian Schneider from the DL. Strangely, Wiki Gonzalez was sent down and the Nats will use LeCroy and Robert Fick as backups.
The Braves have decided to bring up Horacio Ramirez to start on Saturday against the Cubs, which almost clinches the fact that catcher Brian McCann will be put on the DL with his sprained ankle. You might want to wait before activating Ramirez despite the favorable matchup.
The Tigers will lose starter Mike Maroth to the DL due to an irritation in his elbow. It's been bothering him since Spring Training, but with his performances so far, it wasn't a concern. Roman Colon will probably jump in as the 5th starter now.
Cubs closer Ryan Dempster better get back on track as he was charged with anothe blown save and loss today. With the way closers have been all season around the league he could be the next in line to lose his job.
Speaking of the Cubs, they just brought up Tony Womack from AAA-Iowa today. He will probably be inserted into the lineup this weeknd, get hot for about two days and then go back to being Tony Womack again. This has platoon disasters written all over it.
On the trade front, the Reds sent backup OF Cody Ross to the Marlins for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Cincinnati will stick with Quentin McCracken as their backup outfielder while the Marlins designated Chris Aguila for assignment to make room for Ross on the big club's roster.
The Mets continue to wheel and deal as they sent recently demoted Jeremi Gonzalez to the Brewers in exchange for reliever Mike Adams. A solid deal for New york again, as Adams, who was supposed to be the closer for Milwaukee last year, will probably get some immediate middle relief work.
And finally, suspensions were handed out for the Cubs/White Sox brawl as instigator Michael Barrett got 10 games and White Sox OF Brian Anderson received 5 for his part. Barrett is appealing, but Anderson, who is losing at bats to Rob Mackowiak will probably start serving immediately.
Catch you next time...
The revolving door in the Kansas City bullpen continues as manager Buddy Bell turned to Joe Nelson with the score 7-5. When it became 7-6 and a man on third with one out he then turned to Andy Sisco who closed it out for his first save of the season. Bell didn't want to use new closer Elmer Dessens who had been hit hard the past two nights. Dessens remains the first option for saves, but I've always like Sisco to eventually take over.
Pirates 1B Sean Casey should be activated in time for Monday's game. He had a rehab start in AA-Altoona and will get two more in over the weekend. This could be a nice boost for the Pirates who are in need of help. Jason Bay can't do it all on his own.
Francisco Liriano vs Felix Hernandez? Round 1 goes to Liriano who despite only going 5 innings (pfffft!! pitch counts are for wussies) shut out the Mariners and picked up the win. Hernandez pitched a respectable game only giving up 3 runs in 7 innings.
Orioles OF Jay Gibbons is probably day to day after crashing into the wall on the Vladimir Guerrero's inside the park HR tonight. Luis Matos came in to replace him.
Ever since the reports on his lingering sore wrist problem, Carl Crawford has been lighting it up. He hit 2 HR in tonight's game and is 10 for 16 with 3 HR and 6 SB in the last 3 games. He needs to keep this up before I reconsider my opinion of him being a first rounder.
Rockies' OF Matt Holliday left today's game with a hand injury. He was hit by Jason Schmidt, but stayed in for another inning before being replaced. Consider him day to day right now.
The Rockies also placed catcher Danny Ardoin on the 15 day DL with a starined left knee and brought up J.D. Closser who will platoon with Miguel Ojeda for now. Yorvit Torrealba could find his way back into the starting position if he can ever get his ass off the disabled list. It is possible he could be activated by the end of next week.
Texas reliever Francisco Cordero continues to prove that despit a decent May, he is a long way off from supplanting Akinori Otsuka in the closer's role. He was charged with a blown save in the 8th but the Rangers came back, took the lead and then Otsuka got the save in the 9th.
Padres manager said that he will rest catcher Mike Piazza over the weekend, giving him both Saturday and Sunday off. It appears that Piazza may find himself in a much more reduced role soon.
Giants manager Felipe Alou said he should have Moises Alou back in the lineup within a week or two, depending on his rehab assignments. I think this is a generous estimate, but this will certainly put Steve Finley back on the bench when it does happen.
Mets 3B David Wright was held out tonight due to back spasms. He is day to day and should be back shortly. Jose Valentin will fill in for now.
The Phillies expect Aaron Rowand to return for Saturday's game. Shane Victorino will ride the pine and take ovver pinch hitting duties. The Phils should also get back catcher Mike Lieberthal as well this weekend. Carlos Ruiz should be sent down to AAA by Monday.
The rumors are swirling in Washington as there is talk that once they realize they are out of contention, the Nationals will probably start shopping 2B Alfonso Soriano. Keep your eyes on this as the right move to the right team could give Soriano's number an even bigger boost.
If you only have a 1 game eligibility requirement in your league, you can add the lumbering Troy Glaus to the list of shortstops. He got the start there tonight before being replaced in the 7th. The Blue Jays are going to make a move soon. There's no way Glaus will find a permanent spot at short but he's probably better there than Shea Hillenbrand or Eric Hinske, both who can play third. They will probably move Aaron Hill over to short and bring Edgardo Alfonzo up to play second, but again, it looks to only be a short term solution.
The Angels have finally decided to bring up pitcher Jered Weaver today. Unfortuantely, they are planning on using him in middle relief to start, but it's just a matter of time before they bump Kevin Gregg from the rotation in favor of the 6'7" righty. Besides, it makes them better puishing Gregg back to the bullpen. Esteban Yan was designated for assignment to make room.
A day after suffering through a Matthew LeCroy disaster, the Nationals activated Brian Schneider from the DL. Strangely, Wiki Gonzalez was sent down and the Nats will use LeCroy and Robert Fick as backups.
The Braves have decided to bring up Horacio Ramirez to start on Saturday against the Cubs, which almost clinches the fact that catcher Brian McCann will be put on the DL with his sprained ankle. You might want to wait before activating Ramirez despite the favorable matchup.
The Tigers will lose starter Mike Maroth to the DL due to an irritation in his elbow. It's been bothering him since Spring Training, but with his performances so far, it wasn't a concern. Roman Colon will probably jump in as the 5th starter now.
Cubs closer Ryan Dempster better get back on track as he was charged with anothe blown save and loss today. With the way closers have been all season around the league he could be the next in line to lose his job.
Speaking of the Cubs, they just brought up Tony Womack from AAA-Iowa today. He will probably be inserted into the lineup this weeknd, get hot for about two days and then go back to being Tony Womack again. This has platoon disasters written all over it.
On the trade front, the Reds sent backup OF Cody Ross to the Marlins for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Cincinnati will stick with Quentin McCracken as their backup outfielder while the Marlins designated Chris Aguila for assignment to make room for Ross on the big club's roster.
The Mets continue to wheel and deal as they sent recently demoted Jeremi Gonzalez to the Brewers in exchange for reliever Mike Adams. A solid deal for New york again, as Adams, who was supposed to be the closer for Milwaukee last year, will probably get some immediate middle relief work.
And finally, suspensions were handed out for the Cubs/White Sox brawl as instigator Michael Barrett got 10 games and White Sox OF Brian Anderson received 5 for his part. Barrett is appealing, but Anderson, who is losing at bats to Rob Mackowiak will probably start serving immediately.
Catch you next time...
posted by Howard Bender at
10:43 PM
