What's the Buzz? 6/15/06
Just to remain active on the bandwagon, I'll start today with "Congratulations!" to Yankees outfielder Melky Cabrera for hitting his first major league home run today. Cabrera has been one of the bright spots for the injury plagued New York outfield.
Also in today's news...
If you were hoping to get Juan Cruz back in to your rotation, you may have to wait longer than expected. He's experienced some more stiffness in his shoulder and was sent for an MRI today. No results just yet, put Arizona is preparing to endure atleast one more start from Kevin Jarvis. Cruz was having a decent run as the replacement for Russ Ortiz, but this shoulder problem could keep him out through the All Star Break.
Tack on a strained hamstring to the list of injuries Johnny Damon will try to play through. He left today's game and was replaced by Bubba Crosby, who was just activated from the DL. The Yankees will probably sit Damon atleast one game to be on the safe side. He already has the broken bone in his foot so a rest might be good.
Also for the Yankees, MLB handed out suspensions today for Randy Johnson (5 games) and manager Joe Torre (1 game) for yesterday's game against the Indians. It's really not that big of a deal. Johnson will appeal and then even when he does serve it just means he gets a start pushed back for one day. Joe Torre gets a mini-vacation as Lee Mazilli will get the reigns for a day.
I wasn't so sure about Marlins starter Ricky Nolasco a few weeks ago, but after posting 4 quality starts in his last 5 outings, he is gaining more and more attention. His 3.06 ERA will be tested against Baltimore during interleague play where he now has to deal with a DH.
The Twins may be in need of bringing back Scott Baker pretty soon as Carlos Silva, who actually pitched a relatively decent game, was forced to leave today's game with a leg injury. If it was nothing more than a cramp, then Silva might have pitched his way out of a demotion today. Either way, Baker is looming and should be back at some point soon.
So Chad Billingsley had a fairly successful first start today. He went 5 1/3 innings giving up 2 runs on 6 hits. He walked 2, had one wild pitch and one hit batter. He even helped his own cause with a 2 RBI single in his first at bat. He'll need to improve his command, but I'm willing to say that could be attributed to nerves from his debut. He gets the Mariners next so I'd keep him active and see how he progresses.
If you were wondering if the trade of Juan Castro has any significance to fantasy, it really doesn't. The Twins get back a decent prospect in OF Brandon Roberts, but he won't see the majors for some time. Castro goes to the Reds where he will serve as a reserve infielder and compete for at bats with Ryan Freel.
You might be too late if you were looking to get Juan Pierre for cheap. He stole 4 bases tonight, and while his average continues to stink, it was about this time last year that he turned his season around. Think about the potential. He already has 24 steals.
The Mariners are close to dropping Joel Pineiro from their rotation according to manager Mike Hargrove. They really don't have anyone to replace him, so it might just be a motivational tactic. If you own him, though, you may want to keep an eye on this.
With Jim Edmonds healthy enough to return to center field and Scott Speizio out with an upper respiratory infection, Chris Duncan is getting the opportunity to prove he can be the Cardinals' permanent fill in for the injured Albert Pujols. He might be worth a short term look in NL only leagues.
In Pittsburgh, OF Jose Bautista is really pushing for some playing time in center field. He had another great game tonight going 3 for 5 with a homer, and Nate McClouth continues to struggle at the plate. Can anyone tell me when was the last quality center fielder the Pirates ever had? This spot has been a black hole for them for some time now.
If you've been reading my column on addictfantasysports.com, can I say I told you so about Jonny Gomes yet? His 0 for 4 performance today dropped his average to .248
The Indians could be without OF Jason Michaels for a little while as he left today's game with a sprained right ankle. He'll be evaluated tomorrow to decide whether or not he needs to go on the disabled list. This obviously comes on the heels of even worse news as the Tribe was forced to put Casey Blake, one of their strongest hitters, on the DL with an oblique strain. Recent call up Franklin Gutierrez should see some playing time over the next few days.
The Sox, both Red and White, exchanged relievers when Boston sent righty David Riske to Chicago for lefty reliever Javier Lopez. It looks like Chicago got the better end here as Riske will move right into the bullpen while Lopez wasn't even being used. Riske replaces Sean Tracey who was demoted to the minors after landing in Ozzie Guillen's doghouse for failing to hit Texas 3B Hank Blalock the other night. I guess when 'Old School" Ozzie wants someone hit, you better hit him.
Just in time for interleague play, the A's placed DH Frank Thomas on the 15 day DL with a strained right quad. They'll probably use the roster spot on another pitcher as they have their next 9 games in NL parks. Thomas should be back as soon as his 15 days are up.
Here's an interesting twist to the Tampa Bay outfield scene. Apparently the Devil Rays and Angels are talking about a Carl Crawford for Ervin Santana exchange. And while you say that sounds odd for Tampa Bay, it is the Angels who are the ones balking at giving up one of their prized young arms.
Speaking of the Angels and their young arms, it appears that Jered Weaver will be pushing out his brother from the rotation when the team activates Bartolo Colon from the DL. Jeff Weaver will probably go to the bullpen and may even be a candidate for a trade.
The Cubs will activate Mark Prior this Sunday and have him start against the Detroit Tigers. He was consistently throwing in the 90's in his last Triple-A start when he struck out 10, so he appears to be ready. Time to use him now....you never know when he's going down again.
Staying with the Cubs, the timetable on 1B Derrek Lee will not be pushed up as previously hoped by the organization. He had a discouraging outing today in his attempts to swing a bat and doesn't have the arm strength he though he would have right now. He hopes to be hitting off a tee by the end of the weekend.
And finally, my apologies for not reporting the Twins designating Tony Batista for assignment the other day. I missed that like Tony misses the breaking ball. Sorry. I guess now, with that and the trading of Juan Castro, the Twins will start using Terry Tiffee and Nick Punto at the hot corner.
Catch you next time...
Also in today's news...
If you were hoping to get Juan Cruz back in to your rotation, you may have to wait longer than expected. He's experienced some more stiffness in his shoulder and was sent for an MRI today. No results just yet, put Arizona is preparing to endure atleast one more start from Kevin Jarvis. Cruz was having a decent run as the replacement for Russ Ortiz, but this shoulder problem could keep him out through the All Star Break.
Tack on a strained hamstring to the list of injuries Johnny Damon will try to play through. He left today's game and was replaced by Bubba Crosby, who was just activated from the DL. The Yankees will probably sit Damon atleast one game to be on the safe side. He already has the broken bone in his foot so a rest might be good.
Also for the Yankees, MLB handed out suspensions today for Randy Johnson (5 games) and manager Joe Torre (1 game) for yesterday's game against the Indians. It's really not that big of a deal. Johnson will appeal and then even when he does serve it just means he gets a start pushed back for one day. Joe Torre gets a mini-vacation as Lee Mazilli will get the reigns for a day.
I wasn't so sure about Marlins starter Ricky Nolasco a few weeks ago, but after posting 4 quality starts in his last 5 outings, he is gaining more and more attention. His 3.06 ERA will be tested against Baltimore during interleague play where he now has to deal with a DH.
The Twins may be in need of bringing back Scott Baker pretty soon as Carlos Silva, who actually pitched a relatively decent game, was forced to leave today's game with a leg injury. If it was nothing more than a cramp, then Silva might have pitched his way out of a demotion today. Either way, Baker is looming and should be back at some point soon.
So Chad Billingsley had a fairly successful first start today. He went 5 1/3 innings giving up 2 runs on 6 hits. He walked 2, had one wild pitch and one hit batter. He even helped his own cause with a 2 RBI single in his first at bat. He'll need to improve his command, but I'm willing to say that could be attributed to nerves from his debut. He gets the Mariners next so I'd keep him active and see how he progresses.
If you were wondering if the trade of Juan Castro has any significance to fantasy, it really doesn't. The Twins get back a decent prospect in OF Brandon Roberts, but he won't see the majors for some time. Castro goes to the Reds where he will serve as a reserve infielder and compete for at bats with Ryan Freel.
You might be too late if you were looking to get Juan Pierre for cheap. He stole 4 bases tonight, and while his average continues to stink, it was about this time last year that he turned his season around. Think about the potential. He already has 24 steals.
The Mariners are close to dropping Joel Pineiro from their rotation according to manager Mike Hargrove. They really don't have anyone to replace him, so it might just be a motivational tactic. If you own him, though, you may want to keep an eye on this.
With Jim Edmonds healthy enough to return to center field and Scott Speizio out with an upper respiratory infection, Chris Duncan is getting the opportunity to prove he can be the Cardinals' permanent fill in for the injured Albert Pujols. He might be worth a short term look in NL only leagues.
In Pittsburgh, OF Jose Bautista is really pushing for some playing time in center field. He had another great game tonight going 3 for 5 with a homer, and Nate McClouth continues to struggle at the plate. Can anyone tell me when was the last quality center fielder the Pirates ever had? This spot has been a black hole for them for some time now.
If you've been reading my column on addictfantasysports.com, can I say I told you so about Jonny Gomes yet? His 0 for 4 performance today dropped his average to .248
The Indians could be without OF Jason Michaels for a little while as he left today's game with a sprained right ankle. He'll be evaluated tomorrow to decide whether or not he needs to go on the disabled list. This obviously comes on the heels of even worse news as the Tribe was forced to put Casey Blake, one of their strongest hitters, on the DL with an oblique strain. Recent call up Franklin Gutierrez should see some playing time over the next few days.
The Sox, both Red and White, exchanged relievers when Boston sent righty David Riske to Chicago for lefty reliever Javier Lopez. It looks like Chicago got the better end here as Riske will move right into the bullpen while Lopez wasn't even being used. Riske replaces Sean Tracey who was demoted to the minors after landing in Ozzie Guillen's doghouse for failing to hit Texas 3B Hank Blalock the other night. I guess when 'Old School" Ozzie wants someone hit, you better hit him.
Just in time for interleague play, the A's placed DH Frank Thomas on the 15 day DL with a strained right quad. They'll probably use the roster spot on another pitcher as they have their next 9 games in NL parks. Thomas should be back as soon as his 15 days are up.
Here's an interesting twist to the Tampa Bay outfield scene. Apparently the Devil Rays and Angels are talking about a Carl Crawford for Ervin Santana exchange. And while you say that sounds odd for Tampa Bay, it is the Angels who are the ones balking at giving up one of their prized young arms.
Speaking of the Angels and their young arms, it appears that Jered Weaver will be pushing out his brother from the rotation when the team activates Bartolo Colon from the DL. Jeff Weaver will probably go to the bullpen and may even be a candidate for a trade.
The Cubs will activate Mark Prior this Sunday and have him start against the Detroit Tigers. He was consistently throwing in the 90's in his last Triple-A start when he struck out 10, so he appears to be ready. Time to use him now....you never know when he's going down again.
Staying with the Cubs, the timetable on 1B Derrek Lee will not be pushed up as previously hoped by the organization. He had a discouraging outing today in his attempts to swing a bat and doesn't have the arm strength he though he would have right now. He hopes to be hitting off a tee by the end of the weekend.
And finally, my apologies for not reporting the Twins designating Tony Batista for assignment the other day. I missed that like Tony misses the breaking ball. Sorry. I guess now, with that and the trading of Juan Castro, the Twins will start using Terry Tiffee and Nick Punto at the hot corner.
Catch you next time...
posted by Howard Bender at
10:42 PM
