What's the Buzz? 6/23/06
Do I really start off today with this...? Brett Myers? C'mon man...what's this all about? According to his wife and 2 eyewitnesses Myers hit her in the face. He was arrested and charged with assault in Boston and he pleaded not guilty at his arraignment. Set free on bail. Somewhere here there's a joke to be made that includes Devil Rays SS Julio Lugo slamming his wife's face into the hood of his car, but I just can't find it right now. Right now it doesn't look like this has any fantasy impact but you never know how someone will react when something like this happens.
In real baseball news...
Anyone know the record for most guys in a season to come off the DL just to go back on 2 weeks later? I don't know either, but add Darin Erstad to this year's list. The Angels outfielder who was on the DL for all of May and the first 11 days of June went back on today with a right ankle injury. The move was retro to June 18th, but there's still no set timetable for his return. Juan Rivera and Tim Salmon should see an increase in at bats for a little while. The team also called back up OF Tom Murphy for bench support.
The Reds Ryan Freel is making it as difficult as possible for the team as they await the return of 3B Edwin Encarnacion. He had 5 hits today and stole 2 bases and could push Encarnacion and 2B Brandon Phillips for playing time. The club could also sit Rich Aurilia and/or Scott Hatteberg if they want more speed than pop.
As good as Tigers rookie Justin Verlander has been -- he collected his 9th win today --he seems to be slipping and has not been as dominant as he was early in the season. He gave up 4 runs in 6 innings today for the win, but he gave up 7 hits and 3 walks in the process. His diminishing 58/31 K/BB ratio is another indication that he could be wearing down. You might want to trade him now while his value is at its peak.
Also for the Tigers, the x-rays on Ivan Rodriguez were negative. He took a foul tip off the wrist but remained in the game. When he had trouble swinging the bat in his next plate appearance, the Tigers took him out and sent him to the hospital. Better safe than sorry. Maybe he gets tomorrow off, but he should be fine.
Should I give some props to that "HGH-head" Albert Pujols for his 4 for 4 and a home run tonight? I'll think about it...
The Nationals activated pitcher John Patterson from the DL today and got a solid start out of him against Baltimore. He went 6 innings giving up 2 runs (1 earned) on 6 hits, with no walks and 3 K's. It appears to be safe to activate him. To make room for him on the roster, the team put pitcher Tony Armas, Jr. on the DL, retro to June 20th, with a right forearm strain. Rookie Shawn Hill will remain in the rotation until Armas gets back in 2 weeks.
Braves starter John Smoltz left tonight's game in the second inning with a right groin strain. He'll be re-evaluated tomorrow and the team is calling him day to day. However they're also making contingency plans to have either Chuck James or Lance Cormier make a spot start this coming weekend if Smoltz ends up on the disabled list.
Check back tomorrow for an update on Mets reliever Duaner Sanchez. He left tonight's game with what appeared to be a shoulder injury. He threw a breaking ball and seemed fine but his next pitch sailed wide left and he doubled over in pain with his limp arm hanging. Not good as Sanchez has been one of the brighter spots of the Mets' pen. He is scheduled to return to New York on Saturday and will have an MRI done immediately.
Indians 3B Aaron Boone should officially be considered on the hot seat. He played tonight, after gettin gth epast 2 games off, and is currently mired in a very unproductive 1 for 17 slump. Meanwhile, prospect Andy Marte is on a ridiculous tear in Triple-A right now. There's definitely no timetable, according to manager Eric Wedge, but we all know it's coming soon.
The A's made a few minor bullpen moves when they got back reliever Justin Duchscherer (elbow) and put Jay Witasick on the DL with a bum ankle. Duchscherer will return to his setup duties along with reliever Kiko Calero. If you have a league that counts things like holds or you just need a little relief in the WHIPhole, Oakland's pen has been solid the past 2 weeks.
Consider Cardinals OF Jim Edmonds day to day....again. He sat out again today while he's still recovering from that concussion he got slamming into the outfield wall.
The Phillies claimed reliever Gabe White off waivers from the Reds today. Pffffffft!!!! C'mon, really? His 6.26 ERA doesn't set off any alrms here? If he actually pitched for them I bet his ERA goes over 8.00 faster than it goes under 5.00.
The Yankees got some good news today when Dr. James Andrews declared there was no structural damage in Octavio Dotel's elbow and he should resume throwing just after the weekend. The Yanks hope to have him back just after the All Star Break.
The Indians made a minor move swapping out backup catcher Tim Laker for backup catcher Kelly Shoppach with AAA-Buffalo. Shoppach doesn't gain any value unless something real bad happens to Victor Martinez.
Uh-oh!!! With Mark Mulder on the DL, the Cardinals have announced that Sidney Ponson's 5 day banishment to the bullpen is over and he will start on Sunday. I recommend he stays on your bench. Remember his 1 inning, 6 ER relief appearance this past week? Yuck!!
The word out of Rumorsville has the Orioles interested in Russ Ortiz who was designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks the other day. He officially becomes a free agent on Friday, so they'll probably wait until then. Ortiz would be re-united with former pitching coach Leo Mazzone, whom he played for in Atlanta from 2003 through 2004. He posted an impressive 36-16 record in that time. Hmmmm. Interesting. Might be worth a look.
Congratulations to White Sox pitcher Jose Contreras who not only upped his record to 8-0 tonight, but also has run a streak of 16 consecutive winning decisions. He remains a must start in all leagues.
And finally, if you were thinking that Dodgers 3B Bill Mueller was going to come back and help your team's batting average, he will not. Team trainers and doctors are saying that it looks like his season, and possibly career, is over. He's had 3 surgeries in 3 years and they're saying that he has degenerative, arthritic changes in his knee. Atleast he will be leaving the game with a World Series ring and a batting title. It's been a great ride, Bill. Good luck to you.
Catch you next time...
In real baseball news...
Anyone know the record for most guys in a season to come off the DL just to go back on 2 weeks later? I don't know either, but add Darin Erstad to this year's list. The Angels outfielder who was on the DL for all of May and the first 11 days of June went back on today with a right ankle injury. The move was retro to June 18th, but there's still no set timetable for his return. Juan Rivera and Tim Salmon should see an increase in at bats for a little while. The team also called back up OF Tom Murphy for bench support.
The Reds Ryan Freel is making it as difficult as possible for the team as they await the return of 3B Edwin Encarnacion. He had 5 hits today and stole 2 bases and could push Encarnacion and 2B Brandon Phillips for playing time. The club could also sit Rich Aurilia and/or Scott Hatteberg if they want more speed than pop.
As good as Tigers rookie Justin Verlander has been -- he collected his 9th win today --he seems to be slipping and has not been as dominant as he was early in the season. He gave up 4 runs in 6 innings today for the win, but he gave up 7 hits and 3 walks in the process. His diminishing 58/31 K/BB ratio is another indication that he could be wearing down. You might want to trade him now while his value is at its peak.
Also for the Tigers, the x-rays on Ivan Rodriguez were negative. He took a foul tip off the wrist but remained in the game. When he had trouble swinging the bat in his next plate appearance, the Tigers took him out and sent him to the hospital. Better safe than sorry. Maybe he gets tomorrow off, but he should be fine.
Should I give some props to that "HGH-head" Albert Pujols for his 4 for 4 and a home run tonight? I'll think about it...
The Nationals activated pitcher John Patterson from the DL today and got a solid start out of him against Baltimore. He went 6 innings giving up 2 runs (1 earned) on 6 hits, with no walks and 3 K's. It appears to be safe to activate him. To make room for him on the roster, the team put pitcher Tony Armas, Jr. on the DL, retro to June 20th, with a right forearm strain. Rookie Shawn Hill will remain in the rotation until Armas gets back in 2 weeks.
Braves starter John Smoltz left tonight's game in the second inning with a right groin strain. He'll be re-evaluated tomorrow and the team is calling him day to day. However they're also making contingency plans to have either Chuck James or Lance Cormier make a spot start this coming weekend if Smoltz ends up on the disabled list.
Check back tomorrow for an update on Mets reliever Duaner Sanchez. He left tonight's game with what appeared to be a shoulder injury. He threw a breaking ball and seemed fine but his next pitch sailed wide left and he doubled over in pain with his limp arm hanging. Not good as Sanchez has been one of the brighter spots of the Mets' pen. He is scheduled to return to New York on Saturday and will have an MRI done immediately.
Indians 3B Aaron Boone should officially be considered on the hot seat. He played tonight, after gettin gth epast 2 games off, and is currently mired in a very unproductive 1 for 17 slump. Meanwhile, prospect Andy Marte is on a ridiculous tear in Triple-A right now. There's definitely no timetable, according to manager Eric Wedge, but we all know it's coming soon.
The A's made a few minor bullpen moves when they got back reliever Justin Duchscherer (elbow) and put Jay Witasick on the DL with a bum ankle. Duchscherer will return to his setup duties along with reliever Kiko Calero. If you have a league that counts things like holds or you just need a little relief in the WHIPhole, Oakland's pen has been solid the past 2 weeks.
Consider Cardinals OF Jim Edmonds day to day....again. He sat out again today while he's still recovering from that concussion he got slamming into the outfield wall.
The Phillies claimed reliever Gabe White off waivers from the Reds today. Pffffffft!!!! C'mon, really? His 6.26 ERA doesn't set off any alrms here? If he actually pitched for them I bet his ERA goes over 8.00 faster than it goes under 5.00.
The Yankees got some good news today when Dr. James Andrews declared there was no structural damage in Octavio Dotel's elbow and he should resume throwing just after the weekend. The Yanks hope to have him back just after the All Star Break.
The Indians made a minor move swapping out backup catcher Tim Laker for backup catcher Kelly Shoppach with AAA-Buffalo. Shoppach doesn't gain any value unless something real bad happens to Victor Martinez.
Uh-oh!!! With Mark Mulder on the DL, the Cardinals have announced that Sidney Ponson's 5 day banishment to the bullpen is over and he will start on Sunday. I recommend he stays on your bench. Remember his 1 inning, 6 ER relief appearance this past week? Yuck!!
The word out of Rumorsville has the Orioles interested in Russ Ortiz who was designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks the other day. He officially becomes a free agent on Friday, so they'll probably wait until then. Ortiz would be re-united with former pitching coach Leo Mazzone, whom he played for in Atlanta from 2003 through 2004. He posted an impressive 36-16 record in that time. Hmmmm. Interesting. Might be worth a look.
Congratulations to White Sox pitcher Jose Contreras who not only upped his record to 8-0 tonight, but also has run a streak of 16 consecutive winning decisions. He remains a must start in all leagues.
And finally, if you were thinking that Dodgers 3B Bill Mueller was going to come back and help your team's batting average, he will not. Team trainers and doctors are saying that it looks like his season, and possibly career, is over. He's had 3 surgeries in 3 years and they're saying that he has degenerative, arthritic changes in his knee. Atleast he will be leaving the game with a World Series ring and a batting title. It's been a great ride, Bill. Good luck to you.
Catch you next time...
posted by Howard Bender at
10:32 PM
