What's the Buzz? 8/8/06
So how's this for one team trying to screw over another. Apparently the Devil Rays were upset with Boston management and have accused them of illegal contact with pending free agent Julio Lugo, who has since been dealt away. To get even, the Rays put in a waiver claim for Sox OF Adam Stern to block his move to Baltimore as the player to be named in the Javy Lopez deal. Stern was pulled back and will remain on Boston's roster for the season. He'll still probably move in the offseason, but Tampa still wanted to disrupt things right now. Good job keeping it petty, guys. Love to see the gamesmanship.
In other news today...
More injury woes for the Red Sox as 2B Mark Loretta went down with a bruised elbow today. He's being called day to day and it looks like Alex Cora will fill in for the next game or two. It doesn't look like a DL stint is necessary, so don't worry too much.
The Yankees also got hit with the mini-injury bug as Jason Giambi was removed from the game after he was hit on the elbow tonight. He too will probably only miss a game or two at the most.
The good news for the Yanks, though is the return of 2B Robinson Cano. He started tonight and went 3 for 5. He looks like a safe bet to produce for the rest of your season. Miguel Cairo was put on the 15 day DL with a strained left hamstring to make room on the roster.
The Mets swapped out reserve outfielders today as they sent Eli Marrero down to the minors and claimed Ricky Ledee off of waivers from the Dodgers. Neither one has any real value right now and it's in question whether or not Marrero accepts the assignment. If he does, he should be back as a reserve in September.
The Blue Jays made a minor roster move as they put reliever Justin Speier on the DL with forearm tightness and recalled Jason Frasor. Speier may not be back this season, and Frasor's value is fairly limited as Jeremy Accardo and Brandon League have been getting the majority of the important set up appearances.
It's official...both Jason Hirsh (Astros) and Matt Garza (Twins) were both called up today and should make starts this week. Hirsh should go on Saturday while the Twins will re-shuffle their rotation to see exactly where Garza will fit in once they settle on a decision to put Francisco Liriano on the DL. Both should be worth more than just a look for the stretch run.
The Brewers are playing a dangerous game with Ben Sheets right now as he is scheduled to start on Saturday. He's still experiencing soreness in his arm, but supposedly the doctors told him he could still pitch with it. Easily a recipe for disaster. If you have Sheets, I wouldn't recommend starting him this week. See how he responds after (maybe even if) he throws on Saturday.
The oft-injured Mike Sweeney was activated by the Royals today and is set to begin DH duties. Keep an eye on him as he could start off hot making him a power hitter you'd like to have in your lineup. 1 for 3 with a run scored is atleast a decent way to start back up, but tread lightly though as he is always a risk to re-injure himself.
As expected, the Indians put 1B/OF Casey Blake on the DL with an ankle sprain. Ryan Garko was called back up and he should split some time with Victor Martinez at first base. Hopefully, the team will genuinely give him an opportunity and he'll be able to take over at first full time. Just wait and see though.
And finally, the Braves look like they'll be sifting through the bargain bin in their roster and farm system as they learned they could be without lefty Horacio Ramirez for the duration of the season. The results of his MRI revealed a partially torn ligament in his middle finger and manager Bobby Cox didn't soun dvery optimistic about his return. It looks like Lance Cormier and Kevin Barry could be headed into the rotation this week. So much for that late season Atlanta surge.
Catch you next time...
In other news today...
More injury woes for the Red Sox as 2B Mark Loretta went down with a bruised elbow today. He's being called day to day and it looks like Alex Cora will fill in for the next game or two. It doesn't look like a DL stint is necessary, so don't worry too much.
The Yankees also got hit with the mini-injury bug as Jason Giambi was removed from the game after he was hit on the elbow tonight. He too will probably only miss a game or two at the most.
The good news for the Yanks, though is the return of 2B Robinson Cano. He started tonight and went 3 for 5. He looks like a safe bet to produce for the rest of your season. Miguel Cairo was put on the 15 day DL with a strained left hamstring to make room on the roster.
The Mets swapped out reserve outfielders today as they sent Eli Marrero down to the minors and claimed Ricky Ledee off of waivers from the Dodgers. Neither one has any real value right now and it's in question whether or not Marrero accepts the assignment. If he does, he should be back as a reserve in September.
The Blue Jays made a minor roster move as they put reliever Justin Speier on the DL with forearm tightness and recalled Jason Frasor. Speier may not be back this season, and Frasor's value is fairly limited as Jeremy Accardo and Brandon League have been getting the majority of the important set up appearances.
It's official...both Jason Hirsh (Astros) and Matt Garza (Twins) were both called up today and should make starts this week. Hirsh should go on Saturday while the Twins will re-shuffle their rotation to see exactly where Garza will fit in once they settle on a decision to put Francisco Liriano on the DL. Both should be worth more than just a look for the stretch run.
The Brewers are playing a dangerous game with Ben Sheets right now as he is scheduled to start on Saturday. He's still experiencing soreness in his arm, but supposedly the doctors told him he could still pitch with it. Easily a recipe for disaster. If you have Sheets, I wouldn't recommend starting him this week. See how he responds after (maybe even if) he throws on Saturday.
The oft-injured Mike Sweeney was activated by the Royals today and is set to begin DH duties. Keep an eye on him as he could start off hot making him a power hitter you'd like to have in your lineup. 1 for 3 with a run scored is atleast a decent way to start back up, but tread lightly though as he is always a risk to re-injure himself.
As expected, the Indians put 1B/OF Casey Blake on the DL with an ankle sprain. Ryan Garko was called back up and he should split some time with Victor Martinez at first base. Hopefully, the team will genuinely give him an opportunity and he'll be able to take over at first full time. Just wait and see though.
And finally, the Braves look like they'll be sifting through the bargain bin in their roster and farm system as they learned they could be without lefty Horacio Ramirez for the duration of the season. The results of his MRI revealed a partially torn ligament in his middle finger and manager Bobby Cox didn't soun dvery optimistic about his return. It looks like Lance Cormier and Kevin Barry could be headed into the rotation this week. So much for that late season Atlanta surge.
Catch you next time...
posted by Howard Bender at
10:26 PM
