What's the Buzz? 7/23/06
So the White Sox made a little tweak deal to upgrade their backup catcher slot and sent Double-A reliever B. J. LaMura to the Dodgers in exchange for veteran catcher Sandy Alomar, Jr. Hmmm. Interseting. Send Chris Widger down to the minors and bring in a 40 year old almost broken down replacement with over-inflated numbers. I can't say that this really has any kind of a fantasy impact whatsoever. Neither Widger or Alomar has any real value. I'm really just reporting it for the sake of keeping the world aware that Sandy Alomar, Jr. is still alive.
And now for some other news...
Keep your eyes on the Phillies newest member of the rotation...well, an old new member, I guess. After rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, veteran lefty Randy Wolf will make his return to the majors next Sunday. It'll be his first outing, so take it with a grain of salt if he struggles with his command a little. An outing or two should get him back in the swing of things. And on a little positive note, look at how many guys come back from this surgery with their arm a little stronger. I'm not saying he's going to be your team's savior, but he could be worth a look for the last 2 months of the season.
No word yet on what's caused the delay on Jose Lopez. He's still in Venezuela tending to a family matter, but the Mariners thought he was coming back on by the end of the weekend. They're being pretty vague about it all, so I say take the chance and leave him active for this week unless you have a strong alternative.
Well, it's all starting to happen to Mike Lamb already. Bench time is coming and it could just be a sign of things to come. When Lance Berkman left today's game with a strained groin, he said that he could still play on Tuesday, but probably not the outfield due to the running. So...where does he go? Why to first, of course. Lamb rides the pine while Berkman is hurting, and either Luke Scott or Willy Taveras will get the starts in right. To complicate it further, once Morgan Ensberg comes back (barring a trade to the Padres?), Aubrey Huff needs another home in the field. Lamb should find himself sitting once again.
Tigers 2B Placido Polanco is day to day after getting hit in the head today with a pitch while attempting to bunt. X-rays were negative and the CT scan showed no damage, but he'll probably be out for a game or two. If he shows any signs of post-concussion though, he could sit for longer.
Taking the day off with hamstring tightness, Pirates first baseman Sean Casey hopes to return to the lineup on Tuesday. He's considered day to day, but he did pinch hit this afternoon.
Keep your eyes on Ryan Church. He was finally brought up by the Nationals in the wake of the injuries to Jose Guillen and Alex Escobar. He's proven he can hit in the majors, albeit a bit streaky, but he could have some nice value in NL only leagues if/when Alfonso Soriano gets traded.
So the Cubs put starter Sean Marshall on the 15 day DL with a strained oblique today and are going to need to replace him in the rotation. On top of that, Carlos Marmol also got hurt during his rocky start this afternoon leaving with a bruised hand. And just when you didn't think the Cubs pitching couldn't possibly be in worse shape...? BAM!!!!! Glendon Rusch's name gets mentioned as a replacement. Ugh!!
And finally, the Twins are making the same mistake with Scott Baker that they did in the beginning of the season. With the off day on Thursday, they will skip Baker in the rotation this week. He'll end up getting his next start on like 8 or 9 days rest, taking him way out of the routine he should be in. Keep him benched until the Ron Gardenhire gets his head out of his ass and stops sticking with Carlos Silva. Someone call Shea Hillenbrand and get him on chalkboard duty in Minnesota.
Catch you next time...
And now for some other news...
Keep your eyes on the Phillies newest member of the rotation...well, an old new member, I guess. After rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, veteran lefty Randy Wolf will make his return to the majors next Sunday. It'll be his first outing, so take it with a grain of salt if he struggles with his command a little. An outing or two should get him back in the swing of things. And on a little positive note, look at how many guys come back from this surgery with their arm a little stronger. I'm not saying he's going to be your team's savior, but he could be worth a look for the last 2 months of the season.
No word yet on what's caused the delay on Jose Lopez. He's still in Venezuela tending to a family matter, but the Mariners thought he was coming back on by the end of the weekend. They're being pretty vague about it all, so I say take the chance and leave him active for this week unless you have a strong alternative.
Well, it's all starting to happen to Mike Lamb already. Bench time is coming and it could just be a sign of things to come. When Lance Berkman left today's game with a strained groin, he said that he could still play on Tuesday, but probably not the outfield due to the running. So...where does he go? Why to first, of course. Lamb rides the pine while Berkman is hurting, and either Luke Scott or Willy Taveras will get the starts in right. To complicate it further, once Morgan Ensberg comes back (barring a trade to the Padres?), Aubrey Huff needs another home in the field. Lamb should find himself sitting once again.
Tigers 2B Placido Polanco is day to day after getting hit in the head today with a pitch while attempting to bunt. X-rays were negative and the CT scan showed no damage, but he'll probably be out for a game or two. If he shows any signs of post-concussion though, he could sit for longer.
Taking the day off with hamstring tightness, Pirates first baseman Sean Casey hopes to return to the lineup on Tuesday. He's considered day to day, but he did pinch hit this afternoon.
Keep your eyes on Ryan Church. He was finally brought up by the Nationals in the wake of the injuries to Jose Guillen and Alex Escobar. He's proven he can hit in the majors, albeit a bit streaky, but he could have some nice value in NL only leagues if/when Alfonso Soriano gets traded.
So the Cubs put starter Sean Marshall on the 15 day DL with a strained oblique today and are going to need to replace him in the rotation. On top of that, Carlos Marmol also got hurt during his rocky start this afternoon leaving with a bruised hand. And just when you didn't think the Cubs pitching couldn't possibly be in worse shape...? BAM!!!!! Glendon Rusch's name gets mentioned as a replacement. Ugh!!
And finally, the Twins are making the same mistake with Scott Baker that they did in the beginning of the season. With the off day on Thursday, they will skip Baker in the rotation this week. He'll end up getting his next start on like 8 or 9 days rest, taking him way out of the routine he should be in. Keep him benched until the Ron Gardenhire gets his head out of his ass and stops sticking with Carlos Silva. Someone call Shea Hillenbrand and get him on chalkboard duty in Minnesota.
Catch you next time...
posted by Howard Bender at
10:45 PM
