It Came From the Game Notes (06/04/08)
Much love to the Detroit Red Wings for winning Lord Stanley's Cup last night. I have come to the sad realization that I am a fair weather hockey fan. I can live with it. On to the Game Notes!
"A's 3B Eric Chavez was given the day off to rest his legs after homering in Tuesday's win over the Tigers. Chavez missed the first 53 games of the season recovering from offseason back surgery." I love Chavev's potential. So far, he has been solid since coming off the DL. Bob Geren is doing the right thing by working Chavez back in slowly. You don't mess around with a back injury.
The Cub's winning streak was broken last night. More importantly, their dominance over NL West teams was ever so slightly diminished. "Chicago lost for just the third time in 19 games against NL West." Keep an eye on your Cubs starters like Soto, Lee, or Fukudome for
games where they play the West and get them in!
Angel's injury news: "The Angels sent OF Vladimir Guerrero (knee) and RHP Scot Shields (ribcage) back to California to get an examination by team medical director Dr. Lewis Yocum. Manager Mike Scioscia says each is progressing and could be available again sometime during the weekend series at Oakland that begins Friday." I'm inclined to try and trade for Guerrero while he's on the DL. I'd have to believe that his owners will sell him after this latest DL stint and his slow start. I still believe he will have a good second half.
"The Braves recalled right-hander Phil Stockman from Triple-A Richmond to replace Smoltz." I have to say it again - I told you so about Smoltz. Now I wish him either a speedy recovery or a happy retirement. Stockman is a 28 year old middle reliever with little fantasy value.
"Rays 1B Carlos Pena went on the 15-day DL with a broken left index finger that was injured when he was hit by a pitch from Boston's Justin Masterson in the first inning Tuesday. OF Justin Ruggiano was called up from Triple-A Durham to fill Pena's roster spot and replaced Upton in center in the eighth." Pena's been laboring at the plate for a while now. This DL stint might do him some good.
"Brewers 3B Bill Hall entered in the seventh. Hall, who has acknowledged he'd like to be traded if he's not an everyday player, has been platooning with Russell Branyan." Those owners in NL-only leagues should pay attention to the Bill Hall saga. Hall is rather pathetic against RH pitching, but against lefties he's shown some pop. I would imagine that the Brewers will do their best to trade Hall and get some value for him. Should he land in a place where he will play everyday, he could be a decent pick up.
We have a Jorge Posada sighting. "Jorge Posada didn't start because he caught the previous two days while rehabilitating his throwing shoulder at extended spring training in Florida. Posada had been out since April 28 with right rotator cuff tendinitis. He is slated to catch Chien-Ming Wang on Thursday in the series finale." Considering how barren for hitting the catching position has been this year, Posada might be a good pick up in a league where he was dumped. Posada is owned in only 69% of leagues.
"Chan Ho Park relieved Clayton Kershaw and struck out six in three innings, including his first four batters." Kershaw is showing himself to be the rookie that he is. Yesterday he was just throwing the heat as hard as he could and letting the Rockies tee off on him. More often than not, the pitch was just fouled off. Kershaw is a fine pick up in deeper leagues or keeper leagues, but for the average fantasy owner he belongs on the wire, not your roster.
"The Rangers will move RHP Vicente Padilla back into the rotation on Friday night to open a three-game series against Tampa Bay. Padilla is expected to return from his native Nicaragua on Thursday after attending to a personal family matter, missing one start." Padilla's return was expected.
"Indians SS Astrubal Cabrera left the game in the fourth inning with a left hip strain." This was his second start in five games. Between his ice cold bat and this injury, it sounds like the Indians will be auditioning Josh Barfield and Jamey Carroll at second. Cabrera will likely be headed to the DL or the minors to work on his swing.
"The Mets placed C Raul Casanova on the bereavement list following the death of his father, Raul Casanova Sr., and selected the contract of C Robinson Cancel from Triple-A New Orleans." Casanova will be back in a week.
"Giants RHP starter Kevin Correia, recovering from a strained left side muscle that landed him on the DL, tried to talk Bochy out of having him make another start for Triple-A Fresno. But the Giants want him to build his pitch count up a little more after Correia's strong outing Tuesday for the Grizzlies. "I'm over being on the DL," the pitcher said. "I'm ready." I love hearing this kind of talk from players on the DL. I wouldn't want him on my fantasy team necessarily, but the attitude is good.
"After a decent season debut on Tuesday, RHP Radhames Liz will stay in Baltimore's rotation and struggling RHP Steve Trachsel will remain in the bullpen." Liz is a spot starter for the Orioles whose position in the starting roatation is tenous. He might serve AL-only leagues as a two start pick up pitcher.
"The Reds will call up RHP Homer Bailey from Triple-A Louisville to make his first start of the season in Thursday's series finale." A lot of owners are looking to Bailey to be the next big rookie sensation. I'm not. Bailey's been erratic in the minors and this call up has more to do with Josh Fogg's incompetence than it does Bailey's skill.
"Joe Crede left the game after the 12th inning with a bruised right wrist. He made a nice stop in the top of the inning on a hard grounder by DeJesus. He said after the game X-rays were negative and he should be fine, even though the wrist was bandaged." So far the news is good for Crede. Treat his availability as day to day.
Streaking! "Todd Helton extended his hitting streak to 11 games with an infield single in the first inning."
"A's 3B Eric Chavez was given the day off to rest his legs after homering in Tuesday's win over the Tigers. Chavez missed the first 53 games of the season recovering from offseason back surgery." I love Chavev's potential. So far, he has been solid since coming off the DL. Bob Geren is doing the right thing by working Chavez back in slowly. You don't mess around with a back injury.
The Cub's winning streak was broken last night. More importantly, their dominance over NL West teams was ever so slightly diminished. "Chicago lost for just the third time in 19 games against NL West." Keep an eye on your Cubs starters like Soto, Lee, or Fukudome for
games where they play the West and get them in!
Angel's injury news: "The Angels sent OF Vladimir Guerrero (knee) and RHP Scot Shields (ribcage) back to California to get an examination by team medical director Dr. Lewis Yocum. Manager Mike Scioscia says each is progressing and could be available again sometime during the weekend series at Oakland that begins Friday." I'm inclined to try and trade for Guerrero while he's on the DL. I'd have to believe that his owners will sell him after this latest DL stint and his slow start. I still believe he will have a good second half.
"The Braves recalled right-hander Phil Stockman from Triple-A Richmond to replace Smoltz." I have to say it again - I told you so about Smoltz. Now I wish him either a speedy recovery or a happy retirement. Stockman is a 28 year old middle reliever with little fantasy value.
"Rays 1B Carlos Pena went on the 15-day DL with a broken left index finger that was injured when he was hit by a pitch from Boston's Justin Masterson in the first inning Tuesday. OF Justin Ruggiano was called up from Triple-A Durham to fill Pena's roster spot and replaced Upton in center in the eighth." Pena's been laboring at the plate for a while now. This DL stint might do him some good.
"Brewers 3B Bill Hall entered in the seventh. Hall, who has acknowledged he'd like to be traded if he's not an everyday player, has been platooning with Russell Branyan." Those owners in NL-only leagues should pay attention to the Bill Hall saga. Hall is rather pathetic against RH pitching, but against lefties he's shown some pop. I would imagine that the Brewers will do their best to trade Hall and get some value for him. Should he land in a place where he will play everyday, he could be a decent pick up.
We have a Jorge Posada sighting. "Jorge Posada didn't start because he caught the previous two days while rehabilitating his throwing shoulder at extended spring training in Florida. Posada had been out since April 28 with right rotator cuff tendinitis. He is slated to catch Chien-Ming Wang on Thursday in the series finale." Considering how barren for hitting the catching position has been this year, Posada might be a good pick up in a league where he was dumped. Posada is owned in only 69% of leagues.
"Chan Ho Park relieved Clayton Kershaw and struck out six in three innings, including his first four batters." Kershaw is showing himself to be the rookie that he is. Yesterday he was just throwing the heat as hard as he could and letting the Rockies tee off on him. More often than not, the pitch was just fouled off. Kershaw is a fine pick up in deeper leagues or keeper leagues, but for the average fantasy owner he belongs on the wire, not your roster.
"The Rangers will move RHP Vicente Padilla back into the rotation on Friday night to open a three-game series against Tampa Bay. Padilla is expected to return from his native Nicaragua on Thursday after attending to a personal family matter, missing one start." Padilla's return was expected.
"Indians SS Astrubal Cabrera left the game in the fourth inning with a left hip strain." This was his second start in five games. Between his ice cold bat and this injury, it sounds like the Indians will be auditioning Josh Barfield and Jamey Carroll at second. Cabrera will likely be headed to the DL or the minors to work on his swing.
"The Mets placed C Raul Casanova on the bereavement list following the death of his father, Raul Casanova Sr., and selected the contract of C Robinson Cancel from Triple-A New Orleans." Casanova will be back in a week.
"Giants RHP starter Kevin Correia, recovering from a strained left side muscle that landed him on the DL, tried to talk Bochy out of having him make another start for Triple-A Fresno. But the Giants want him to build his pitch count up a little more after Correia's strong outing Tuesday for the Grizzlies. "I'm over being on the DL," the pitcher said. "I'm ready." I love hearing this kind of talk from players on the DL. I wouldn't want him on my fantasy team necessarily, but the attitude is good.
"After a decent season debut on Tuesday, RHP Radhames Liz will stay in Baltimore's rotation and struggling RHP Steve Trachsel will remain in the bullpen." Liz is a spot starter for the Orioles whose position in the starting roatation is tenous. He might serve AL-only leagues as a two start pick up pitcher.
"The Reds will call up RHP Homer Bailey from Triple-A Louisville to make his first start of the season in Thursday's series finale." A lot of owners are looking to Bailey to be the next big rookie sensation. I'm not. Bailey's been erratic in the minors and this call up has more to do with Josh Fogg's incompetence than it does Bailey's skill.
"Joe Crede left the game after the 12th inning with a bruised right wrist. He made a nice stop in the top of the inning on a hard grounder by DeJesus. He said after the game X-rays were negative and he should be fine, even though the wrist was bandaged." So far the news is good for Crede. Treat his availability as day to day.
Streaking! "Todd Helton extended his hitting streak to 11 games with an infield single in the first inning."