What's the Buzz? 6/20/06
We'll start tonight with some good news for all you waiver wire hounds...if he was released in your league (and I'm sure he was in most of your leagues), it's time to pick up outfielder Joey Gathright. Today the speedster was traded to Kansas City along with infielder Fernando Cortez in exchange for pitcher J.P. Howell. The Royals plan to use him immediately in center field, shifting David DeJesus to left and Emil Brown to the bench. Now sure he's going to a worse offensive team and sure he pissed away every chance he got this season in Tampa...but maybe...just maybe, the change of scenery will help get him started. His speed and stolen base potential are just too good to pass up here; in spite of what I've said about him before. A special thanks to "Johnny-on-the-spot" reporter Keith Giordano for this news today.
In other news...
What a great night to have a fantasy roster loaded with White Sox hitters and what a lousy night if your team is loaded with Cardinals pitching. 20-6? Jeez!!! Mark Mulder was horrible; if you didn't get a chance to deactivate Sidney Ponson, then whoops!! Just fantastic numbers all around for every White Sox starting position player; No RBI for Jim Thome was a little weird, but what can you do...?
Watch out for another rough Brad Lidge stretch. He gave up the lead in a tie game tonight and just hasn't even remotely resembled the lights out closer we saw in previous years. He's not going to lose his job (famous last words) but he's not the guarantee he once was.
Maybe Ron Gardenhire has lost his hatred for SS Jason Bartlett. Gardenhire has started him every game since the teams called him up last week and has been nicely rewarded as Bartlett has been 10 for 22 with 3 walks. If he keeps this up you might look into him for AL-only leagues.
So Shawn Camp still remains the favorite for saves in Tampa Bay while Tyler Walker (who will begin throwing this week) remains on the DL, as my dark horse pick for saves, Ruddy Lugo, will be sidelined with a mild back strain. Ironically, Lugo was in the middle of a save opportunity tonight when he left injured.
Speaking of D-Rays pitching, how am I supposed to think they are trying to improve their team when they replace Seth McClung in the rotation with Tim Corcoran and then call up Edwin Jackson to pitch out of the pen? C'mon....really?!? Ugh!!!
My super sleeper, 2B Dan Uggla, is being listed as day to day after suffering from stiffness in his leg during tonight's game...tonight's game in which he hit his 13th HR. He'll probably get tomorrow off, so no big deal. Look for the leading candidate for Rookie of the Year to return either Thursday against Baltimore or Friday against the Yankees, at the latest.
Wow!! Ryan Howard!!! 'nuff said.
Apparently Giants OF Moises Alou is still being bothered by the sore back that put him on the shelf earlier this year. He'll have an MRI done on Wednesday and depending on the results, Alou could be looking at another DL stint. Steve Finley would get the regular playing time, again, if that's the case.
So far, so good on the Albert Pujols watch. He took grounders in the infield, ran in the outfield and took a bunch of cuts in batting practice. Everything looks good so far according to manager Tony LaRussa, and there's slightly better than an outside chance that he could return for this weekend. Aren't you glad you didn't panic and trade him off?
Also coming back soon will be Cubs 1B Derrek Lee. He took a few swings today and it's looking like maybe just another 2 weeks before he's back.
The Diamondbacks may put outfielder Scott Hairston on the DL after he hurt his shoulder on Monday when he crashed into the wall. It doesn't appear to be a big deal, and the move to the DL would be more to get another pitcher on the roster as we suffer through interleague some more.
The Dodgers activate Cesar Izturis today and made him their starting third baseman immediately, having also sent down Willy Aybar. With Bill Mueller still atleast 3 weeks away from returning, Izturis will have plenty of opportunity to re-insert himself into the starting lineup.
The Nationals may lose pitcher Tony Armas, Jr. who has been complaining of elbow and forarm stiffness. He'll be examined by team orthopedists on Wednesday and a decision will be made soon after. If you have healtier alternatives, you might want to get yourself ready.
Although he threw 70 pitches in a simulated game today, the Cubs are not rushing Kerry Wood back just yet. He's just not ready yet and may need another rehab start or two before returning to the majors.
The A's have lost Milton Bradley to the DL again today as he went on for a strained left shoulder this time. He missed more than a month his last stint when he sprained his knee, so it doesn't look like he's that quick of a healer. Better check for a healthier option.
The Indians have officially designated pitcher Jason Johnson for assignment. The team will undoubtedly try to trade him, but they'll probably be on the hook for most of his contract no matter where he ends up. He's just been a disaster this season, again. Rumors have Jeremy Sowers being called up to take his spot in the rotation.
Even thought I reported this a few days ago, Padres OF Dave Roberts officially went on the DL today with his bruised knee. They say it's 2 to 6 weeks, so keep a watchful eye on his rehab process. The move was obviously retroactive to June 18th.
Looks like the return date for Nationals 1B Nick Johnson is this Friday. Nick the Stick has always been injury prone, so better safe than sorry here. I'd rather see him miss a few games now than a few weeks later.
The Yankees may not be getting that boost to their middle relief just yet as they hoped. Octavio Dotel is experiencing triceps tendenitis as he recovers from Tommy John surgery and will probably be shut down until the weekend. The team is downplaying it, but an examination is coming and possibly a precationary MRI.
And finally, while the Indians don't have him in their immediate plans just yet, 3B prospect Andy Marte his a HR in his 5th straight game today and has been on a ridiculous tear these past 2 weeks. Let's see how Aaron Boone responds to all the hype that Cleveland is going to endure.
Catch you next time...
In other news...
What a great night to have a fantasy roster loaded with White Sox hitters and what a lousy night if your team is loaded with Cardinals pitching. 20-6? Jeez!!! Mark Mulder was horrible; if you didn't get a chance to deactivate Sidney Ponson, then whoops!! Just fantastic numbers all around for every White Sox starting position player; No RBI for Jim Thome was a little weird, but what can you do...?
Watch out for another rough Brad Lidge stretch. He gave up the lead in a tie game tonight and just hasn't even remotely resembled the lights out closer we saw in previous years. He's not going to lose his job (famous last words) but he's not the guarantee he once was.
Maybe Ron Gardenhire has lost his hatred for SS Jason Bartlett. Gardenhire has started him every game since the teams called him up last week and has been nicely rewarded as Bartlett has been 10 for 22 with 3 walks. If he keeps this up you might look into him for AL-only leagues.
So Shawn Camp still remains the favorite for saves in Tampa Bay while Tyler Walker (who will begin throwing this week) remains on the DL, as my dark horse pick for saves, Ruddy Lugo, will be sidelined with a mild back strain. Ironically, Lugo was in the middle of a save opportunity tonight when he left injured.
Speaking of D-Rays pitching, how am I supposed to think they are trying to improve their team when they replace Seth McClung in the rotation with Tim Corcoran and then call up Edwin Jackson to pitch out of the pen? C'mon....really?!? Ugh!!!
My super sleeper, 2B Dan Uggla, is being listed as day to day after suffering from stiffness in his leg during tonight's game...tonight's game in which he hit his 13th HR. He'll probably get tomorrow off, so no big deal. Look for the leading candidate for Rookie of the Year to return either Thursday against Baltimore or Friday against the Yankees, at the latest.
Wow!! Ryan Howard!!! 'nuff said.
Apparently Giants OF Moises Alou is still being bothered by the sore back that put him on the shelf earlier this year. He'll have an MRI done on Wednesday and depending on the results, Alou could be looking at another DL stint. Steve Finley would get the regular playing time, again, if that's the case.
So far, so good on the Albert Pujols watch. He took grounders in the infield, ran in the outfield and took a bunch of cuts in batting practice. Everything looks good so far according to manager Tony LaRussa, and there's slightly better than an outside chance that he could return for this weekend. Aren't you glad you didn't panic and trade him off?
Also coming back soon will be Cubs 1B Derrek Lee. He took a few swings today and it's looking like maybe just another 2 weeks before he's back.
The Diamondbacks may put outfielder Scott Hairston on the DL after he hurt his shoulder on Monday when he crashed into the wall. It doesn't appear to be a big deal, and the move to the DL would be more to get another pitcher on the roster as we suffer through interleague some more.
The Dodgers activate Cesar Izturis today and made him their starting third baseman immediately, having also sent down Willy Aybar. With Bill Mueller still atleast 3 weeks away from returning, Izturis will have plenty of opportunity to re-insert himself into the starting lineup.
The Nationals may lose pitcher Tony Armas, Jr. who has been complaining of elbow and forarm stiffness. He'll be examined by team orthopedists on Wednesday and a decision will be made soon after. If you have healtier alternatives, you might want to get yourself ready.
Although he threw 70 pitches in a simulated game today, the Cubs are not rushing Kerry Wood back just yet. He's just not ready yet and may need another rehab start or two before returning to the majors.
The A's have lost Milton Bradley to the DL again today as he went on for a strained left shoulder this time. He missed more than a month his last stint when he sprained his knee, so it doesn't look like he's that quick of a healer. Better check for a healthier option.
The Indians have officially designated pitcher Jason Johnson for assignment. The team will undoubtedly try to trade him, but they'll probably be on the hook for most of his contract no matter where he ends up. He's just been a disaster this season, again. Rumors have Jeremy Sowers being called up to take his spot in the rotation.
Even thought I reported this a few days ago, Padres OF Dave Roberts officially went on the DL today with his bruised knee. They say it's 2 to 6 weeks, so keep a watchful eye on his rehab process. The move was obviously retroactive to June 18th.
Looks like the return date for Nationals 1B Nick Johnson is this Friday. Nick the Stick has always been injury prone, so better safe than sorry here. I'd rather see him miss a few games now than a few weeks later.
The Yankees may not be getting that boost to their middle relief just yet as they hoped. Octavio Dotel is experiencing triceps tendenitis as he recovers from Tommy John surgery and will probably be shut down until the weekend. The team is downplaying it, but an examination is coming and possibly a precationary MRI.
And finally, while the Indians don't have him in their immediate plans just yet, 3B prospect Andy Marte his a HR in his 5th straight game today and has been on a ridiculous tear these past 2 weeks. Let's see how Aaron Boone responds to all the hype that Cleveland is going to endure.
Catch you next time...
posted by Howard Bender at
10:52 PM
