The Minnesota Twins and Tampa Bay Rays are currently in the sixth inning and the Twins have a two-run lead, 4-2.
If there's a save opportunity in the ninth inning, it will be Matt Capps -- not Joe Nathan -- on the mound to close out the game for the Twins, per Kelsie Smith of the Pioneer Press.
With last night's blown save, Nathan has done so in back-t0-back save opportunities and his ERA has increased to 8.44. In those two games, he has allowed four earned runs, three hits and three walks with no strikeouts in 1 1/3 innings.
Nathan said last night, "Coming back from Tommy John isn't easy. It's a tough process and to do it now while I'm closing games out, I think that's a tough gig when you're healthy."
Capps hasn't been much better recently.
In his past two appearances (1 1/3 innings), Capps has allowed three earned runs. And on April 14th, both Capps and Nathan blew save opportunities.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Alex Rodriguez left game in 6th inning, status for Sunday unclear
In today's win over the Rangers, Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez left the game in the sixth inning due to lower back and oblique stiffness.
And it's unclear whether he'll be able to play Sunday or not.
“We’ll see how I wake up,” Rodriguez said, per Zach Berman of the Newark Star-Ledger. “I don’t have a crystal ball, but hopefully I wake up much better and the weather helps.”
“I’ll listen to him, I’ll listen to our doctors and our trainers about him and if he’s stiff tomorrow, he probably won’t play,” manager Joe Girardi said. “But if he comes in tomorrow and says he’s ready to go, I’ll talk to the trainers and the doctors and see what they think.”
With the Yankees being off on Monday, it may make sense to rest him Sunday and play it safe.
Off to a great start, Rodriguez has hit safely in all 12 games and is currently hitting .385 with four home runs and nine runs batted in.
And it's unclear whether he'll be able to play Sunday or not.
“We’ll see how I wake up,” Rodriguez said, per Zach Berman of the Newark Star-Ledger. “I don’t have a crystal ball, but hopefully I wake up much better and the weather helps.”
“I’ll listen to him, I’ll listen to our doctors and our trainers about him and if he’s stiff tomorrow, he probably won’t play,” manager Joe Girardi said. “But if he comes in tomorrow and says he’s ready to go, I’ll talk to the trainers and the doctors and see what they think.”
With the Yankees being off on Monday, it may make sense to rest him Sunday and play it safe.
Off to a great start, Rodriguez has hit safely in all 12 games and is currently hitting .385 with four home runs and nine runs batted in.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Yankees place Phil Hughes on DL, Bartolo Colon to take spot in rotation
The New York Yankees have placed pitcher Phil Hughes on the 15-day disabled list with a "dead" arm, per Marc Craig of the Newark Star-Ledger.
Through three starts, Hughes is averaging only 89.3 miles per hour on his fastball (via FanGraphs.com). He averaged 93.8 and 92.6 mph in 2009 and 2010, respectively.
"It's difficult to go through," Hughes said (via Craig). "I didn't really anticipate this happening."
In his three starts, Hughes has pitched a total of 10.1 innings and the deepest he's gone was 4 1/3 innings. He's allowed five-plus earned runs in all of his starts and has only struck out three batters this season.
The Yankees have called up pitcher Lance Pendleton from Triple-A and Bartolo Colon will move into the rotation.
Through three starts, Hughes is averaging only 89.3 miles per hour on his fastball (via FanGraphs.com). He averaged 93.8 and 92.6 mph in 2009 and 2010, respectively.
"It's difficult to go through," Hughes said (via Craig). "I didn't really anticipate this happening."
In his three starts, Hughes has pitched a total of 10.1 innings and the deepest he's gone was 4 1/3 innings. He's allowed five-plus earned runs in all of his starts and has only struck out three batters this season.
The Yankees have called up pitcher Lance Pendleton from Triple-A and Bartolo Colon will move into the rotation.
Adrian Gonzalez, Red Sox finalize seven-year contract extension
It's official.
The Red Sox and first baseman Adrian Gonzalez have completed a seven-year contract extension worth $154 million, per Ian Browne of MLB.com.
The extension, which is the second-largest in team history, keeps Gonzalez, who was due to enter free agency after the 2011 season, in Boston through the 2018 season.
As Browne points out, there were two main reasons for waiting to announce the deal. First, it allowed the Red Sox to make sure there were no lingering effects from his off-season shoulder surgery. Second, the Red Sox saved $6.2 million in luxury tax by announcing the deal after the season started.
Gonzalez is off to a slow start -- .268 with one homer and seven runs batted in over 11 games.
With playing half of his games a park much more hitter-friendly than his previous home (Petco Park), however, Gonzalez should be in store for huge numbers year in and year out.
Here are his career splits:
The Red Sox and first baseman Adrian Gonzalez have completed a seven-year contract extension worth $154 million, per Ian Browne of MLB.com.
The extension, which is the second-largest in team history, keeps Gonzalez, who was due to enter free agency after the 2011 season, in Boston through the 2018 season.
As Browne points out, there were two main reasons for waiting to announce the deal. First, it allowed the Red Sox to make sure there were no lingering effects from his off-season shoulder surgery. Second, the Red Sox saved $6.2 million in luxury tax by announcing the deal after the season started.
Gonzalez is off to a slow start -- .268 with one homer and seven runs batted in over 11 games.
With playing half of his games a park much more hitter-friendly than his previous home (Petco Park), however, Gonzalez should be in store for huge numbers year in and year out.
Here are his career splits:
- Home: .263, 199 runs, 61 homers (140 extra-base hits), 216 RBIs in 431 games
- Away: .303, 294 runs, 108 homers (226 extra-base hits), 316 RBIs in 438 games
Twins place Joe Mauer on 15-day disabled list
The Minnesota Twins have placed catcher Joe Mauer on the 15-day disabled list (DL) due to "bilateral leg weakness," per La Velle Neal of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.
Obviously, it's bad news that Mauer has landed on the DL, but the moderately good news is that his knee, on which he had surgery in December, appears to be fine.
"He is definitely very, very sore over the last few days -- his shoulder, his elbow -- and we think it's his legs just not strong enough underneath him and he says he feels terrible," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "His knee is actually feeling OK but he's compensating for the weakness in his upper leg ... that's causing a lot of other problems."
Mauer, who came down with a bout of the flu last night, is scheduled to go to Baltimore today to visit with the same specialist that treated his sacroiliac joint in 2009.
To take Mauer's roster spot, the Twins have recalled catcher Steve Holm from Triple-A Rochester.
From a fantasy perspective, a couple of waiver-wire possibilities include Toronto's J.P. Arencibia (owned in 49.5 percent of ESPN leagues), Philadelphia's Carlos Ruiz (27.9 percent), San Diego's Nick Hundley (22.0 percent) and Detroit's Alex Avila (7.4 percent).
Obviously, it's bad news that Mauer has landed on the DL, but the moderately good news is that his knee, on which he had surgery in December, appears to be fine.
"He is definitely very, very sore over the last few days -- his shoulder, his elbow -- and we think it's his legs just not strong enough underneath him and he says he feels terrible," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "His knee is actually feeling OK but he's compensating for the weakness in his upper leg ... that's causing a lot of other problems."
Mauer, who came down with a bout of the flu last night, is scheduled to go to Baltimore today to visit with the same specialist that treated his sacroiliac joint in 2009.
To take Mauer's roster spot, the Twins have recalled catcher Steve Holm from Triple-A Rochester.
From a fantasy perspective, a couple of waiver-wire possibilities include Toronto's J.P. Arencibia (owned in 49.5 percent of ESPN leagues), Philadelphia's Carlos Ruiz (27.9 percent), San Diego's Nick Hundley (22.0 percent) and Detroit's Alex Avila (7.4 percent).
Monday, April 11, 2011
Ryan Zimmerman to go on the 15-day disabled list
The Washington Nationals will place third baseman Ryan Zimmerman on the 15-day disabled list (DL), per Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post.
Zimmerman, who strained his oblique on Saturday, sat out of Sunday's game and would be eligible to return as early as April 24th.
However, Kilgore notes that the Nationals "hope" that Zimmerman will be able to return in three weeks.
With Zimmerman out, Alex Cora, who started Saturday, and Jerry Hairston will split time at third base. Meanwhile, Jayson Werth is expected to move into Zimmerman's third spot within the batting order.
In the three seasons from 2008 to 2010, Zimmerman missed a combined total of 81 games.
With two of the top three fantasy third basemen (Zimmerman and Tampa Bay's Evan Longoria) on the DL, one player to consider adding is Detroit's Jhonny Peralta, who's eligible at third base and shortstop.
Through nine games, Peralta is hitting .379, but he's a career .264 hitter that hit above .276 only once.
That said, Peralta, who is owned in only 30 percent of Yahoo! leagues and 46 percent of ESPN leagues, has driven in 80-plus runs in each of the past three seasons.
Zimmerman, who strained his oblique on Saturday, sat out of Sunday's game and would be eligible to return as early as April 24th.
However, Kilgore notes that the Nationals "hope" that Zimmerman will be able to return in three weeks.
With Zimmerman out, Alex Cora, who started Saturday, and Jerry Hairston will split time at third base. Meanwhile, Jayson Werth is expected to move into Zimmerman's third spot within the batting order.
In the three seasons from 2008 to 2010, Zimmerman missed a combined total of 81 games.
With two of the top three fantasy third basemen (Zimmerman and Tampa Bay's Evan Longoria) on the DL, one player to consider adding is Detroit's Jhonny Peralta, who's eligible at third base and shortstop.
Through nine games, Peralta is hitting .379, but he's a career .264 hitter that hit above .276 only once.
That said, Peralta, who is owned in only 30 percent of Yahoo! leagues and 46 percent of ESPN leagues, has driven in 80-plus runs in each of the past three seasons.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Clay Buchholz, Red Sox agree to four-year extension
The Boston Red Sox and starting pitcher Clay Buchholz have agreed on a four-year extension worth roughly $30 million.
Buchholz will earn $550,000 this year, the extension covers 2012 through 2015 and the Red Sox have club options for two additional years (2016 and 2017).
“That was just something that was important to the club,” Sox general manager Theo Epstein said, per Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald. “Obviously, we think very highly of Clay or we wouldn’t be doing this deal. With Clay being just 26 years old, the contract guarantees the salaries through the age of 30, and having two club option years helps us. We expect Clay to be pitching very well at that point and can still be here in his age 31, age 32 seasons. Just gives the club a little more flexibility in exchange for the security that we’re providing through the deal. It seems to make sense.”
Before the deal, Buchholz would have been eligible for free agency after the 2014 season.
Despite his rough start (0-2, 7.20 ERA) this year, Buchholz finished with a 17-7 record and the American League's second-best ERA (2.33) in 2010.
Buchholz will earn $550,000 this year, the extension covers 2012 through 2015 and the Red Sox have club options for two additional years (2016 and 2017).
“That was just something that was important to the club,” Sox general manager Theo Epstein said, per Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald. “Obviously, we think very highly of Clay or we wouldn’t be doing this deal. With Clay being just 26 years old, the contract guarantees the salaries through the age of 30, and having two club option years helps us. We expect Clay to be pitching very well at that point and can still be here in his age 31, age 32 seasons. Just gives the club a little more flexibility in exchange for the security that we’re providing through the deal. It seems to make sense.”
Before the deal, Buchholz would have been eligible for free agency after the 2014 season.
Despite his rough start (0-2, 7.20 ERA) this year, Buchholz finished with a 17-7 record and the American League's second-best ERA (2.33) in 2010.
Jered Weaver strikes out 15, now 3-0 on season
Last year, Angels ace Jered Weaver finished with an ERA of 3.01 and led the American League in strikeouts (233) while making his first-ever All-Star appearance.
Through three starts in the young season, however, Weaver has been even more dominant than he was last year.
In today's win over the Blue Jays, Weaver allowed just one run while striking out 15 batters in 7 2/3 innings.
Over his three starts, Weaver has three wins, lowered his ERA to 0.87 and has struck out 27 batters in 20 2/3 innings pitched (11.76 K/9).
Through three starts in the young season, however, Weaver has been even more dominant than he was last year.
In today's win over the Blue Jays, Weaver allowed just one run while striking out 15 batters in 7 2/3 innings.
Over his three starts, Weaver has three wins, lowered his ERA to 0.87 and has struck out 27 batters in 20 2/3 innings pitched (11.76 K/9).
Ryan Zimmerman to miss a few games with abdominal strain
Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, who has an abdominal strain, is not in today's lineup and will likely miss a few additional days, per MLB.com's William Ladson.
With three consecutive games with two hits per game, Zimmerman has raised his average on the season to a team-leading .357.
Alex Cora is starting today's game at third base and hitting eighth in the lineup, per Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post.
The Nationals play the Mets today, have tomorrow off and then begin a three-game series against the Marlins on Tuesday.
With three consecutive games with two hits per game, Zimmerman has raised his average on the season to a team-leading .357.
Alex Cora is starting today's game at third base and hitting eighth in the lineup, per Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post.
The Nationals play the Mets today, have tomorrow off and then begin a three-game series against the Marlins on Tuesday.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Hanley Ramirez is day-to-day
Considering Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez needed assistance to get off the field in yesterday's game, it certainly could have been worse.
Bill Hall's attempt to break up a double play resulted in a left leg bruise for Ramirez, who is considered day-to-day, per Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald.
Through seven games, Ramirez is hitting only .207 with no home runs and one stolen base.
There's no official word yet on his status for tonight's game against the Astros.
Bill Hall's attempt to break up a double play resulted in a left leg bruise for Ramirez, who is considered day-to-day, per Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald.
Through seven games, Ramirez is hitting only .207 with no home runs and one stolen base.
There's no official word yet on his status for tonight's game against the Astros.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Adam Dunn unlikely to play (or pinch hit) this weekend
Disappointed that he didn't play Thursday, White Sox designated hitter Adam Dunn hoped to play against the Rays on Friday.
Instead it's highly likely that Dunn, who had an emergency appendectomy on Wednesday, won't play on Saturday or Sunday, either, and maybe beyond.
And if manager Ozzie Guillen needs a pinch-hitter, it's probably not going to be Dunn.
"Hopefully we don't have to. I'd rather lose a game than lose a guy for another month," Guillen said, per Dave Van Dyke of the Chicago Tribune. "If I have to pinch-hit Adam Dunn with the game on the line, I'd rather lose the game than have him hurt himself and lose him for we don't know how long."
Mark Teahan, who's batting eighth, started at designated hitter for the White Sox.
Instead it's highly likely that Dunn, who had an emergency appendectomy on Wednesday, won't play on Saturday or Sunday, either, and maybe beyond.
And if manager Ozzie Guillen needs a pinch-hitter, it's probably not going to be Dunn.
"Hopefully we don't have to. I'd rather lose a game than lose a guy for another month," Guillen said, per Dave Van Dyke of the Chicago Tribune. "If I have to pinch-hit Adam Dunn with the game on the line, I'd rather lose the game than have him hurt himself and lose him for we don't know how long."
Mark Teahan, who's batting eighth, started at designated hitter for the White Sox.
Manny Ramirez retires due to drug 'issue'
After failing a second drug test, Rays designated hitter Manny Ramirez has decided to retire rather than appeal or face a 100-game suspension as a repeat offender.
Ramirez would have been the first player suspended 100 games.
Instead of notifying the Rays directly, Ramirez, who wasn't with the team today, notified the league, who issued the following statement (via MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez):
"Major League Baseball recently notified Manny Ramirez of an issue under Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment program. Rather than continue with the process under the program, Ramirez has informed MLB that he is retiring as an active player. If Ramirez seeks reinstatement in the future, the process under the drug program will be completed. MLB will not have any further comment on this matter."
To take the roster spot vacated by Ramirez, the Rays have called up first baseman Casey Kotchman.
On the season, Ramirez was off to a rough start (like most of the Rays, who scored a league-worse eight runs in their first six games): one hit in 17 at-bats.
But as ESPN's Stats & Info blog points out via Twitter, Ramirez is one of only five players in Major League history to have hit .300-plus and 550-plus home runs for his career. The other four are Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Willie Mays and Alex Rodriguez.
Is Manny a Hall of Famer? Let the debate start now ...
Ramirez would have been the first player suspended 100 games.
Instead of notifying the Rays directly, Ramirez, who wasn't with the team today, notified the league, who issued the following statement (via MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez):
"Major League Baseball recently notified Manny Ramirez of an issue under Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment program. Rather than continue with the process under the program, Ramirez has informed MLB that he is retiring as an active player. If Ramirez seeks reinstatement in the future, the process under the drug program will be completed. MLB will not have any further comment on this matter."
To take the roster spot vacated by Ramirez, the Rays have called up first baseman Casey Kotchman.
On the season, Ramirez was off to a rough start (like most of the Rays, who scored a league-worse eight runs in their first six games): one hit in 17 at-bats.
But as ESPN's Stats & Info blog points out via Twitter, Ramirez is one of only five players in Major League history to have hit .300-plus and 550-plus home runs for his career. The other four are Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Willie Mays and Alex Rodriguez.
Is Manny a Hall of Famer? Let the debate start now ...
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Adam Dunn hopes to play Friday
Despite having an emergency appendectomy Wednesday morning and expectations that he'd miss five games, Adam Dunn was hopeful that he'd be able to play in the home opener for the White Sox.
"I'm really disappointed that I'm not playing in this game today," Dunn said, per Scott Merkin of MLB.com. "I know it probably doesn't mean a lot, just another game to a lot of people, but home openers are really special -- especially when it's your first one. I definitely wanted to be out there and it's not going to work."
Dunn also said, "... I feel like when I swing, my belly button is going to go shooting at the pitcher. That's a bad visual. Seriously. That's what it feels like."
With a 13-strikeout performance from Edwin Jackson today, the White Sox beat the Rays, who are now 0-6 on the season. Although they didn't need Dunn tonight, he is hopeful that he'll be able to play on Friday.
Since 2004, Dunn has hit 38-plus home runs every year and has driven in 100-plus runs every year except 2006 (92 runs batted in).
Through four games this season, Dunn has one home run and five runs batted in.
"I'm really disappointed that I'm not playing in this game today," Dunn said, per Scott Merkin of MLB.com. "I know it probably doesn't mean a lot, just another game to a lot of people, but home openers are really special -- especially when it's your first one. I definitely wanted to be out there and it's not going to work."
Dunn also said, "... I feel like when I swing, my belly button is going to go shooting at the pitcher. That's a bad visual. Seriously. That's what it feels like."
With a 13-strikeout performance from Edwin Jackson today, the White Sox beat the Rays, who are now 0-6 on the season. Although they didn't need Dunn tonight, he is hopeful that he'll be able to play on Friday.
Since 2004, Dunn has hit 38-plus home runs every year and has driven in 100-plus runs every year except 2006 (92 runs batted in).
Through four games this season, Dunn has one home run and five runs batted in.
Edwin Jackson: 2-0 and 20 K's in two starts this year
With today's victory over the Rays, White Sox starter Edwin Jackson allowed only one run while striking out 13 batters as he improved to 2-0 on the season.
The Rays have lost all six of their games and scored a league-low eight runs to start the season.
Jackson, who is owned in 58 percent of Yahoo! leagues, has struck out 20 batters in only 14 innings and has an ERA of 1.93 in his two starts.
In his 13 starts since being traded from Arizona to Chicago, Jackson has struck out 97 batters in 89 innings.
The Rays have lost all six of their games and scored a league-low eight runs to start the season.
Jackson, who is owned in 58 percent of Yahoo! leagues, has struck out 20 batters in only 14 innings and has an ERA of 1.93 in his two starts.
In his 13 starts since being traded from Arizona to Chicago, Jackson has struck out 97 batters in 89 innings.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Ubaldo Jimenez to go on DL
Rockies ace Ubaldo Jimenez got off to an incredible start in 2010. The same cannot be said about his start to the 2011 season.
The Rockies will place Jimenez on the 15-day disabled list (DL) due to a thumb injury, retroactive to April 2nd, which means he'll be eligible to come off the DL on April 17th.
"It's never good to go on the DL," Jimenez said, per Troy Renck of the Denver Post. "But I need to be able to help the team. It's getting better, but I still feel pain when I grip the ball."
Right-handed pitcher Greg Reynolds, who has been recalled from Triple-A, will take his roster spot.
In his one start this season, Jimenez allowed five earned runs and only struck out one batter in six innings.
The Rockies will place Jimenez on the 15-day disabled list (DL) due to a thumb injury, retroactive to April 2nd, which means he'll be eligible to come off the DL on April 17th.
"It's never good to go on the DL," Jimenez said, per Troy Renck of the Denver Post. "But I need to be able to help the team. It's getting better, but I still feel pain when I grip the ball."
Right-handed pitcher Greg Reynolds, who has been recalled from Triple-A, will take his roster spot.
In his one start this season, Jimenez allowed five earned runs and only struck out one batter in six innings.
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