Saturday, May 22, 2010

Another solid start for Vazquez, X-rays negative

After getting off to a horrible start (9.78 ERA as of May 1st), New York Yankees pitcher Javier Vazquez looks like he's finally turning the corner.

Vazquez threw six innings of one-hit baseball against the Mets last night although he left the game prematurely (70 pitches) after taking a pitch off his right index finger on a bunt attempt.

"It's frustrating, but the good news is that the finger is good and the X-rays were negative," Vazquez said, per Mark Feinsand of the NY Daily News. "I'm pretty sure I'm going to make my next start."

Over the past 13 1/3 innings, Vazquez has allowed only six hits and two earned runs. In addition, he has struck out 14 batters.

"He picked up right where he left off," [Yankees manager] Joe Girardi said. "The last three times out, he's thrown the ball well. It looks like he's getting his stuff back and locating again."

Next up for Vazquez are the Minnesota Twins on Thursday.

Jimmy Rollins leaves game due to calf strain

More bad luck for Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins and his fantasy owners.

After missing five weeks due to a calf strain, it's possible that Rollins could land back on the disabled list (DL).

Rollins, who returned to the leadoff spot in the Phillies' lineup, left Friday's game in the sixth inning after straining his calf on a single.

When asked about the potential of another DL stint, Rollins responded that he has "about as good (of an idea) as yours," per David Murphy of the Philadelphia Daily News.

As Murphy points out, if Rollins doesn't return to the DL, it's safe to say that he'll be kept out of the lineup for the remainder of the weekend.

In 11 games played, Rollins has an on-base percentage of .458 and has scored 11 runs.

Chad Billingsley wins third straight

In 14 starts after last year's All-Star Break, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Chad Billingsley struggled by posting a record of 3-7 and an ERA of 5.20.

And in his first three starts of 2010, Billingsley posted an ERA of 7.07 and allowed 20 hits and seven walks in only 14 innings pitched.

Since then, he's had only one bad outing (four earned runs in six innings versus Milwaukee on May 5th) in six appearances including Friday's 4-1 win over the Detroit Tigers.

Or, in other words, Billingsley allowed 11 earned runs in 14 innings in his first three starts compared to only 10 earned runs in 37 2/3 innings in his past six starts.