What's the Buzz? 8/15/06

::opens up window, sticks head out::

DAVID DELLUCCI!!!!!

::puts head back in, closes window::

There you go. I've shouted it out to the world. If you haven't been reading some of the comments lately, then you missed a David Dellucci fan take issue with the fact that I left him off the first edition of "Power Performers". It wasn't that I was slighting him, it was just for that particular week he wasn't as productive as some of the other guys I listed. Well here we are and after another home run tonight, a 3 run jack off Orlando Hernandez, I will give a nod to my anonymous commentator and let you all know that, before tonight, Dellucci was hitting .357 with 5 HR, 13 RBI, 20 runs scored and a stolen base since the All Star Break. Throw in a 1 for 3 tonight with a home run, a run scored and 3 RBI and you've got some pretty sweet stats. If you're looking for a pretty solid bet for the duration of the season, Dellucci may be your man.

Now for the news...

O.K. wait....one more plug. And it's for Dellucci's partner in crime Shane Victorino. He's also been on a little bit of a tear lately (another HR today) and the Phillies are trying to keep the sparkplug in the lineup. He was great for the team when he filled in during Aaron Rowand's injury, but with Rowand in center and Dellucci and Pat Burrell in the mix, it may be difficult to get Victorino enough time...unless of course the team finds a trading partner for a deal involving Burrell. You never know...

All right...now really the news...

Is it just me or did things just get a little interesting when the Nationals put Alfonso Soriano on waivers today? If he goes through, then a trade can be worked out, but I think that's highly doubtful. If he gets claimed he can always be pulled back so he may stay in Washington for atleast the season. This could be nothing, or....we'll just have to wait and see.
It looks like Orioles 3B Melvin Mora is day to day with a bruised thumb. He was forced from the game after injuring it diving for a line drive. Chris Gomez took over for him and will probably do so on Wednesday unless Mora wakes up and says he's ready to go.
In sort of an unfortunate way, Ivan Rodriguez just got some eligibility at second base today. In the seventh inning infielder Placido Polanco separated his shoulder (going on the 15 day DL on Wednesday) and with the team out of infield options, they let Pudge loose in the infield. If your league has a one game eligibility requirement, Pudge at second could be an interesting option.
So to put some of the Francisco Liriano confusion behind us, let us just say that despite earlier reports from within the Twins organization, Liriano will not throw at all until this coming weekend. He will undergo a barrage of tests then to determine the exact injury and to what extent the damage is. If the Twins don't like what they see, they could shut him down for
It looks like Mets SS Jose Reyes thinks he's a power hitter again as he cracked 3 home runs tonight against the Phillies, the first 3 HR game of his career. Good job, Jose. Maybe Willie will let you bat cleanup one game this year.
Speaking of the Mets, if you're awaiting news on test results for Pedro Martinez, you'll have to wait a few more days. The team announced that they will not reveal anything until atleast Wednesday.
O.K. one more Mets thing....but it's a good one. How about a little 3 team drama? With the Mets still looking to upgrade their right field situation, it was learned that Diamondbacks OF Shawn Green has said he would waive his no trade clause for a move to New York. But not so fast...the Mets still would need to work out a trade. Enter Houston...inadvertantly. They put Preston Wilson on waivers with the purpose of granting him his unconditional release. They couldn't trade him so if he clears waivers, he becomes a free agent. That obviously wouldn't cost the Mets any players but I don't know how much of an upgrade Wilson is right now. Keep your eyes on this one. If either Green or Wilson ends up in Shea, their values could take an nice little increase.
Back to the Phillies real quick....the MRI results on Tom Gordon came back to reveal only inflammation in the shoulder; no structural damage. The team will continue with it's plan to sit him over the next few days. He may not be back until the end of the weekend but atleast it's not a DL stint.
Watch out for Braves OF Andruw Jones. He was scratched from today's lineup and he's now being called day to day with left knee tendenitis. It might no tbe too serious, but you always need to be cautious with a knee.
X-rays on Astros starter Roy Oswalt's wrist came back negative, but it is bruised enough that he will probably miss his next start. The bruise is pretty deep. We'll just call him day to day, how about that?
One guy who's not day to day is Texas hurler Kip Wells. He's full blown DL today. It was discovered that he has a stretched ligament in his foot and he will be in a boot for atleast the next three weeks. It will probably be atleast a month before he's even ready for a quick rehab assignment. The team will probably call up either John Kerplunka (I mean, Koronka) or Robinson Tejeda. If you're in contention, then neither one should be picked up.
It looks like Pirates OF Jason Bay won't be back in the lineup until atleast Friday. He missed his second consecutive game with a hamstring injury and with the off day on Thursday, Pittsburgh can afford to be a little cautious with their all star.
And finally, the closer carousel in Kansas City continues as manager Buddy Bell has officially removed Ambiorix Burgos from the closer's role and replaced him with Joe Nelson. Not everyone's first choice, but he still came through tonight with a perfect ninth for his first save of the season. Who knows how long this will last, but for now, he should now be picked up in AL only leagues and probably some mixed ones too if you need relief help.

Marathon in Houston. Mini-marathon in Colorado. If any serious news breaks from either of those games, I'll hit you with it first thing Wednesday. Until then...

Catch you next time...