Posted on July 30, 2006 by Andrew Flynn
Overnight Dispatches
Mark Mulder will throw a three-inning simulated game Tuesday, his first appearance against hitters since landing on the disabled list June 22 because of a shoulder impingement and inflamed rotator cuff. Mulder is expected to throw 50-60 pitches in the outing. If Mulder does well in the session he could leave for the first of what is expected to be two minor league rehab starts.. Barring any setbacks, Mulder will then head out on a rehab assignment. He is expected to make at least two rehab starts before rejoining the Cardinals.
The Braves placed Chipper Jones on the disabled list Saturday with a strained side muscle, according to ESPN.com. He aggravated the injury during Friday night’s game. It’s going to take some rest,” Braves manager Bobby Cox said. The newly-acquired Willy Aybar will fill in at third base while Chipper is sidelined.
Carlos Quentin started in right field on Saturday, but manager Bob Melvin stated that he isn’t ready to make him a permanent addition to the lineup just yet, according to the AP. “There’s no set thing for him right now,” Melvin said. “He’s not here to be an everyday starter. A lot of his playing time will be based on how he does — and he’s done very well.” Quentin is hitting .350 with four homers and nine RBI in eight games.
Stephen Drew missed Thursday’s game after fouling a ball off his ankle on Wednesday, according to the Diamondbacks website. Drew, who was replaced in the lineup by Damion Easley, was available to pinch-hit. “He could have played if he had to, but it was a day I was looking to get Easley in anyway,” manager Bob Melvin said.
Jeff Kent will miss at least another 10-14 days, according to the AP. Kent has been sidelined since July 18 because of a strained oblique muscle .
Tom Gorzelanny surrendered two runs in seven innings against the Giants on Saturday to earn his first major league victory. A second straight solid outing from Gorzelanny, who should have some job security now. He walked just one and struck out five batters. Also, he got 11 groundball outs. Gorzelanny gets the Cubs next week, so he should be worth activating in NL-only leagues.
Moises Alou, who has been batting third recently, has switched spots with Ray Durham in Saturday’s lineup. Alou is now hitting fifth, which is where he started the year. He had 11 runs scored and eight RBI in 12 games as a No. 3 hitter, but since the team as a whole is struggling, it was determined that a minor shakeup was needed.