Post by John on Jun 5, 2006 9:50:38 GMT -4
6/7 Updates
Gagne to miss time with sore elbow
Eric Gagne will be shut down for a few days because of stiffness in his surgically repaired pitching elbow.
"I had an MRI today and everything looked good, but the nerve's inflamed a little bit," Gagne said. "So it's just day-to-day. I'm sure it will calm down. It'll be a matter of days. They said tomorrow it's going to feel 100 percent better and it's going to be fine after that." Well, there's surely room for skepticism here. Takashi Saito is the top candidate to close in Gagne's place.
Griffey absent with sore quad
Source: Cincinnati Post
Ken Griffey Jr. is out of the starting lineup for Wednesday night's game with a sore left quad.
Griffey is available to pinch-hit. The Cincinnati Post's Marc Lancaster believes Griffey will likely sit out against a left-hander on Thursday and then return to the starting lineup on Friday. Ryan Freel replaced him in center field tonight.
Wood to have shoulder examined
Source: Cubs.mlb.com
Kerry Wood flew to Cincinnati on Wednesday to be examined by Dr. Tim Kremchek and is questionable for his next start.
Kremchek performed the arthroscopic surgery on Wood's shoulder. Trainer Mark O'Neal doesn't expect the examination to reveal new problems. "[Wood] has never used the word 'pain,'" O'Neal said. "[The problem is] going out there and trying to get loose and let him get going in the next inning. It's nothing most people coming back from surgery don't go through. [The shoulder] is a very temperamental joint." Carlos Marmol will be the top candidate to start if Wood can't go on Sunday.
Bonds day-to-day with injury to side
Barry Bonds revealed Wednesday that he injured his left side during the weekend series against the Mets.
Bonds, who was already scheduled for Wednesday off, aggravated the problem on Tuesday. "I don't know yet," Bonds said when asked about the severity of his injury. "I was hurt from the second inning (Tuesday). I played because I didn't want to come out. ... I'm only concerned if somebody's putting me in a coffin." Steve Finley will fill in if Bonds isn't ready to go on Thursday.
Schmidt matches Giants record with 16 strikeouts
Jason Schmidt matched a franchise record with 16 strikeouts while going the distance in the Giants' 2-1 win over the Marlins on Tuesday.
Schmidt got the last three strikeouts after giving up back-to-back singles to start the ninth. He ended up throwing 124 pitches in the game, which isn't excessive for him. Schmidt, already the NL pitcher of the month for May, tied the franchise record for strikeouts set by Christy Mathewson on Oct. 3, 1904. He broke Gaylord Perry's San Francisco record of 15 strikeouts from 1966,
6/6 Updates
Rays activate Baldelli for Wednesday
Devil Rays activated outfielder Rocco Baldelli from the 15-day disabled list.
Now they have to decide where to play him. Baldelli had been playing right field on his rehab assignment, but the Rays are considering putting him back in center. That would result in a better lineup, as Ty Wigginton would get more at-bats than Damon Hollins. If Baldelli plays right, Hollins is basically the lone option in center, as Carl Crawford won't be moved. Wigginton then likely would see time at first base over Travis Lee. Mixed leaguers will probably want to wait a few days before activating Baldelli.
Mets' Floyd suffers sprained left ankle
X-rays were negative, so the Mets are calling Cliff Floyd day-to-day with a sprained left ankle.
Considering that Floyd didn't even try putting any weight in the ankle, we're guessing that a DL stint remains likely here. Endy Chavez will likely get the majority of the playing time in left field while Floyd is out.
D'Backs' Grimsley implicated in steroids probe
Source: Arizona Republic
Jason Grimsley told federal investigators he used illegal performance-enhancing drugs, according to court documents unsealed late Tuesday.
Grimsley was earlier cooperating in an investigation into steroid use after receiving a package containing two kits of human growth hormone April 19 at his Scottsdale home. Grimsley also told investigators that amphetamines were used "like aspirin" in major league clubhouses. He said some major league clubhouses served two types of coffee: with amphetamines or without and that Latino players were cited as a major source of amphetamines, as were major leaguers on California teams who could easily travel to Mexico to buy the drugs. While Grimsley reportedly named names during the investigation, none of those comments were released today.
Clemens goes three innings in A-ball start
Roger Clemens allowed one run in three innings Tuesday in his start for low Single-A Lexington.
He gave up three hits, walked none and struck out six while throwing 62 pitches. The run scored on a homer from Lake County's Johnny Drennen. Clemens is expected to make two more starts in the minors before returning to the majors on June 22.
6/5 Updates
Miller falls to Detroit at #6
The Tigers selected LHP Andrew Miller with the sixth overall pick in the 2006 draft.
Thought to be the No. 1 pick until earlier this week, Miller fell out of favor with the Royals over reported bonus demands. The Tigers are thrilled to grab the consensus best player in the draft with the sixth pick. He could move very quickly through the minors, perhaps debuting next season.
Royals take Hochevar #1
The Royals selected RHP Luke Hochevar with the first overall pick in the 2006 draft.
Andrew Miller was the consensus best player available leading up to the draft, but in the past few days rumors have had Kansas City backing off him. They end up with Hochevar, the 40th overall pick in last year's draft who held out for a bigger bonus than the Dodgers were willing to give him. With a high-90s fastball and dominant secondary pitches, he has ace potential.
MRI sheds little light on Pujols' injury
An MRI on Albert Pujols' right oblique injury revealed little new information on Monday. The Cardinals are still unsure of a timetable for his return.
The MRI was inconclusive and doctors indicated that they wouldn't know more until a second MRI was done in a few weeks. Pujols said he felt better, but acknowledged that it could be a lenghty DL stint. "It could be two weeks, it could be three, four, five or six," Pujols said. "Whatever weeks it's going to be, I'm going to take my time." The most pessimistic projections have Pujols returning after the All-Star break, but a return in late June has yet to be ruled out.
6/4 Updates
Oswalt not expected to go on the DL
Roy Oswalt was scratched from his start against the Reds on Sunday and is day-to-day with back spasms.
Oswalt left his last start with a hamstring injury, but that injury is completely healed according to the right-hander. However, Oswalt also says his back began acting up two days ago and that it worsened after throwing 20 warmup pitches today. Manager Phil Garner said he didn't expect Oswalt to go on the DL, but that the team will monitor the condition. The club has yet to announce who will start tomorrow with Fernando Nieve having to move up a day and pitch this afternoon.
Pujols' injury classified as ''moderate to severe''
Cardinals trainer Barry Weinberg classified Albert Pujols' strained right oblique as "moderate to severe" on Sunday.
He added that the injury was closer to severe than moderate and that Pujols was experiencing pain and limited mobility. "Now, we just go through the steps of getting him better," Weinberg said. "The first thing he has to do is normal things: coughing, sneezing and opening the door. Then we can get more aggressive with the rehab and we can get more aggressive with some baseball activity." All of this doesn't sound too encouraging, and our guess is that Pujols will miss closer to six weeks than two. He's scheduled for an MRI tomorrow.
Athletics' Harden strong in return from DL
Rich Harden, who had been out since April 26 with a back injury, returned to action on Sunday and held the Twins to one run in four innings of work.
Harden was on a strict 80 pitch limit, so he was lifted after throwing 79 batters through four innings. He struck out six, walked three, and gave up four hits before departing. The lone run scored on a solo blast by Joe Mauer in the first inning. Harden will get the Yankees next time out and he probably won't be allowed to approach 100 pitches, but it's safe to activate him in fantasy leagues.
Oswalt scratched with back spasms
Roy Oswalt was scratched from his scheduled start Sunday due to back spasms. Fernando Nieve is pitching in his place.
This after he left his last start with a mild hamstring injury. If Oswalt can't go on Monday, the Astros will have to scramble for a starter. They might have to call up someone from Triple-A. It won't be Jason Hirsh, who started for Round Rock last night.
Cardinals place Pujols on 15-day DL
Cardinals placed first baseman Albert Pujols on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right oblique.
It's going to be a little while longer before the Cardinals will have an idea whether Pujols will miss two-to-three weeks or four-to-six. Jim Edmonds is starting at first base on Sunday and could remain at the position until his abdominal strain heals. After that, Scott Spiezio and Chris Duncan should receive starts.
Prior effective in second rehab start
Mark Prior (shoulder) allowed one run and three hits in five innings Saturday in his rehab start for low Single-A Peoria.
Prior had five strikeouts while throwing 59 pitches, and his fastball reached 90 mph at times. "The goal today was to find my breaking ball and I think I did that in the third inning," he said. "I was able to find another gear and work my way out of trouble." Prior will make at least one more rehab start before rejoining the Cubs.
D'Backs' Easley has three homers in career game
Damion Easley homered three times and drove in seven runs in a 13-9 win over the Braves on Saturday.
Easley hit a pair of two-run homers off John Thomson and Oscar Villareal, then added a three-run blast off Ken Ray in the ninth. The seven RBI is a career-high for the 15-year veteran. The big game might earn him another start tomorrow, but it's not going to lead to much more playing time.
Gagne to miss time with sore elbow
Eric Gagne will be shut down for a few days because of stiffness in his surgically repaired pitching elbow.
"I had an MRI today and everything looked good, but the nerve's inflamed a little bit," Gagne said. "So it's just day-to-day. I'm sure it will calm down. It'll be a matter of days. They said tomorrow it's going to feel 100 percent better and it's going to be fine after that." Well, there's surely room for skepticism here. Takashi Saito is the top candidate to close in Gagne's place.
Griffey absent with sore quad
Source: Cincinnati Post
Ken Griffey Jr. is out of the starting lineup for Wednesday night's game with a sore left quad.
Griffey is available to pinch-hit. The Cincinnati Post's Marc Lancaster believes Griffey will likely sit out against a left-hander on Thursday and then return to the starting lineup on Friday. Ryan Freel replaced him in center field tonight.
Wood to have shoulder examined
Source: Cubs.mlb.com
Kerry Wood flew to Cincinnati on Wednesday to be examined by Dr. Tim Kremchek and is questionable for his next start.
Kremchek performed the arthroscopic surgery on Wood's shoulder. Trainer Mark O'Neal doesn't expect the examination to reveal new problems. "[Wood] has never used the word 'pain,'" O'Neal said. "[The problem is] going out there and trying to get loose and let him get going in the next inning. It's nothing most people coming back from surgery don't go through. [The shoulder] is a very temperamental joint." Carlos Marmol will be the top candidate to start if Wood can't go on Sunday.
Bonds day-to-day with injury to side
Barry Bonds revealed Wednesday that he injured his left side during the weekend series against the Mets.
Bonds, who was already scheduled for Wednesday off, aggravated the problem on Tuesday. "I don't know yet," Bonds said when asked about the severity of his injury. "I was hurt from the second inning (Tuesday). I played because I didn't want to come out. ... I'm only concerned if somebody's putting me in a coffin." Steve Finley will fill in if Bonds isn't ready to go on Thursday.
Schmidt matches Giants record with 16 strikeouts
Jason Schmidt matched a franchise record with 16 strikeouts while going the distance in the Giants' 2-1 win over the Marlins on Tuesday.
Schmidt got the last three strikeouts after giving up back-to-back singles to start the ninth. He ended up throwing 124 pitches in the game, which isn't excessive for him. Schmidt, already the NL pitcher of the month for May, tied the franchise record for strikeouts set by Christy Mathewson on Oct. 3, 1904. He broke Gaylord Perry's San Francisco record of 15 strikeouts from 1966,
6/6 Updates
Rays activate Baldelli for Wednesday
Devil Rays activated outfielder Rocco Baldelli from the 15-day disabled list.
Now they have to decide where to play him. Baldelli had been playing right field on his rehab assignment, but the Rays are considering putting him back in center. That would result in a better lineup, as Ty Wigginton would get more at-bats than Damon Hollins. If Baldelli plays right, Hollins is basically the lone option in center, as Carl Crawford won't be moved. Wigginton then likely would see time at first base over Travis Lee. Mixed leaguers will probably want to wait a few days before activating Baldelli.
Mets' Floyd suffers sprained left ankle
X-rays were negative, so the Mets are calling Cliff Floyd day-to-day with a sprained left ankle.
Considering that Floyd didn't even try putting any weight in the ankle, we're guessing that a DL stint remains likely here. Endy Chavez will likely get the majority of the playing time in left field while Floyd is out.
D'Backs' Grimsley implicated in steroids probe
Source: Arizona Republic
Jason Grimsley told federal investigators he used illegal performance-enhancing drugs, according to court documents unsealed late Tuesday.
Grimsley was earlier cooperating in an investigation into steroid use after receiving a package containing two kits of human growth hormone April 19 at his Scottsdale home. Grimsley also told investigators that amphetamines were used "like aspirin" in major league clubhouses. He said some major league clubhouses served two types of coffee: with amphetamines or without and that Latino players were cited as a major source of amphetamines, as were major leaguers on California teams who could easily travel to Mexico to buy the drugs. While Grimsley reportedly named names during the investigation, none of those comments were released today.
Clemens goes three innings in A-ball start
Roger Clemens allowed one run in three innings Tuesday in his start for low Single-A Lexington.
He gave up three hits, walked none and struck out six while throwing 62 pitches. The run scored on a homer from Lake County's Johnny Drennen. Clemens is expected to make two more starts in the minors before returning to the majors on June 22.
6/5 Updates
Miller falls to Detroit at #6
The Tigers selected LHP Andrew Miller with the sixth overall pick in the 2006 draft.
Thought to be the No. 1 pick until earlier this week, Miller fell out of favor with the Royals over reported bonus demands. The Tigers are thrilled to grab the consensus best player in the draft with the sixth pick. He could move very quickly through the minors, perhaps debuting next season.
Royals take Hochevar #1
The Royals selected RHP Luke Hochevar with the first overall pick in the 2006 draft.
Andrew Miller was the consensus best player available leading up to the draft, but in the past few days rumors have had Kansas City backing off him. They end up with Hochevar, the 40th overall pick in last year's draft who held out for a bigger bonus than the Dodgers were willing to give him. With a high-90s fastball and dominant secondary pitches, he has ace potential.
MRI sheds little light on Pujols' injury
An MRI on Albert Pujols' right oblique injury revealed little new information on Monday. The Cardinals are still unsure of a timetable for his return.
The MRI was inconclusive and doctors indicated that they wouldn't know more until a second MRI was done in a few weeks. Pujols said he felt better, but acknowledged that it could be a lenghty DL stint. "It could be two weeks, it could be three, four, five or six," Pujols said. "Whatever weeks it's going to be, I'm going to take my time." The most pessimistic projections have Pujols returning after the All-Star break, but a return in late June has yet to be ruled out.
6/4 Updates
Oswalt not expected to go on the DL
Roy Oswalt was scratched from his start against the Reds on Sunday and is day-to-day with back spasms.
Oswalt left his last start with a hamstring injury, but that injury is completely healed according to the right-hander. However, Oswalt also says his back began acting up two days ago and that it worsened after throwing 20 warmup pitches today. Manager Phil Garner said he didn't expect Oswalt to go on the DL, but that the team will monitor the condition. The club has yet to announce who will start tomorrow with Fernando Nieve having to move up a day and pitch this afternoon.
Pujols' injury classified as ''moderate to severe''
Cardinals trainer Barry Weinberg classified Albert Pujols' strained right oblique as "moderate to severe" on Sunday.
He added that the injury was closer to severe than moderate and that Pujols was experiencing pain and limited mobility. "Now, we just go through the steps of getting him better," Weinberg said. "The first thing he has to do is normal things: coughing, sneezing and opening the door. Then we can get more aggressive with the rehab and we can get more aggressive with some baseball activity." All of this doesn't sound too encouraging, and our guess is that Pujols will miss closer to six weeks than two. He's scheduled for an MRI tomorrow.
Athletics' Harden strong in return from DL
Rich Harden, who had been out since April 26 with a back injury, returned to action on Sunday and held the Twins to one run in four innings of work.
Harden was on a strict 80 pitch limit, so he was lifted after throwing 79 batters through four innings. He struck out six, walked three, and gave up four hits before departing. The lone run scored on a solo blast by Joe Mauer in the first inning. Harden will get the Yankees next time out and he probably won't be allowed to approach 100 pitches, but it's safe to activate him in fantasy leagues.
Oswalt scratched with back spasms
Roy Oswalt was scratched from his scheduled start Sunday due to back spasms. Fernando Nieve is pitching in his place.
This after he left his last start with a mild hamstring injury. If Oswalt can't go on Monday, the Astros will have to scramble for a starter. They might have to call up someone from Triple-A. It won't be Jason Hirsh, who started for Round Rock last night.
Cardinals place Pujols on 15-day DL
Cardinals placed first baseman Albert Pujols on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right oblique.
It's going to be a little while longer before the Cardinals will have an idea whether Pujols will miss two-to-three weeks or four-to-six. Jim Edmonds is starting at first base on Sunday and could remain at the position until his abdominal strain heals. After that, Scott Spiezio and Chris Duncan should receive starts.
Prior effective in second rehab start
Mark Prior (shoulder) allowed one run and three hits in five innings Saturday in his rehab start for low Single-A Peoria.
Prior had five strikeouts while throwing 59 pitches, and his fastball reached 90 mph at times. "The goal today was to find my breaking ball and I think I did that in the third inning," he said. "I was able to find another gear and work my way out of trouble." Prior will make at least one more rehab start before rejoining the Cubs.
D'Backs' Easley has three homers in career game
Damion Easley homered three times and drove in seven runs in a 13-9 win over the Braves on Saturday.
Easley hit a pair of two-run homers off John Thomson and Oscar Villareal, then added a three-run blast off Ken Ray in the ninth. The seven RBI is a career-high for the 15-year veteran. The big game might earn him another start tomorrow, but it's not going to lead to much more playing time.