Daily ArchiveMonday, August 7th, 2006
Posted on August 7, 2006 by Andrew Flynn
Under the Knife Update
From today’s Baseball Prospectus:
The Dodgers aren’t playing like they’re missing a key offensive cog in their machine. Their streak belies the injuries they’ve had and shows that, at least in the short term, the deadline deals helped the team. Getting Jeff Kent back can in no way be considered a negative, though it will force some interesting choices. Kent is still coming back from a Grade 2 oblique strain and memories of his last comeback is causing the team to sound conservative, at least publicly. Kent is pushing to get back in the lineup while the team is saying that it’d rather keep him out a few extra days if that’s what it takes to be sure there won’t be a recurrence. Grady Little faces a challenge with this, though the streak should give him a little bit more leeway with all sides.
The Cardinals are in freefall, saved by the rest of the division’s failure to capitalize. The team lost no ground despite their recent losing streak. They head into a key road series in Cincinnati hoping that their starters will all be ready. Jeff Weaver gets what may be his final chance to establish himself, with Mark Mulder tossing a solid five innings in Single-A. Mulder will go again on Friday, this time for Triple-A Memphis.
Brandon Webb has been among the most durable young starters in the game. His sinker allows him to be efficient, pounding out grounders instead of fighting for strikeouts. Still, the workload he’s had wears on anyone. His pitching elbow came up sore late last week, sending the Diamondbacks scrambling to check his golden arm. This isn’t the D’Backs of old; their medical staff is now led by former award-winner Ken Crenshaw, who knows how to keep pitchers healthy. Webb had tests, cleared them all, and then threw an easy bullpen session on Friday. The team will give Webb some additional rest in hopes that the mild flexor tendon sprain clears up completely. Another bullpen session will be the final test before Webb returns to the rotation next weekend.
While Andruw Jones deals with his drama off the field (and it was the Astros that had the prevailing claim on him, I’m told), Chipper Jones is just trying to get back on the field. Like Jeff Kent, Jones can often push his way into the lineup, but the Braves are pushing back this time. Eligible to come off the DL next weekend, the team has kept his rehab very conservative. Jones hasn’t yet taken swings while the medical staff attempts to keep their Type-A third baseman from experiencing another setback. The Braves remain in the Wild Card hunt and need Jones’ bat back in the lineup down the stretch.
Expect Ryan Klesko back on the Padres’ active roster when they expand on September 1. He’ll both pinch hit and spell Adrian Gonzalez at first base
The Diamondbacks don’t like to play down a man–at least manager Doug Melvin doesn’t. That could push Jeff DaVanon to the DL with a sprained ankle
Posted on August 7, 2006 by Andrew Flynn
Overnight Dispatches
From Rotoworld:
John Maine lasted six innings to extended his scoreless streak to 23 innings Sunday night in a win over the Phillies. Three times the Phillies had two runners on base with just one out against Maine, but they never could capitalize. Now that Maine has a permanent rotation spot, he shouldn’t have to worry about starting on 10 days’ rest again, like he did tonight. He’s not going to keep pitching like this, and we’d have a hard time recommending him in mixed leagues. Still, he’s a fine play in NL-only leagues right now.
Jose Reyes hit a grand slam off Scott Mathieson in Sunday night’s win over the Phillies. Reyes’ 11th homer broke a tie with Kevin Elster (1989) and Ed Bressoud (1966) for most homers in a season by a Mets’ shortstop. It was his second career grand slam.
Khalil Greene expects to return to the starting lineup for Tuesday’s game versus the Mets. Greene has missed three games with a sprained finger.
Brandon Webb (elbow) is to play catch on Monday, then probably throw a side session on Tuesday to see if he can return to the rotation Friday against the Giants. Webb is probably going to have to be left active in fantasy leagues this week. There’s a real chance he won’t go, but it’d be hard to risk missing a start from a top-10 pitcher.
Posted on August 7, 2006 by Andrew Flynn
August 7th – Standings and Statistics
Standings: 4TH - 75 points - 15 out of first Gained 1 points and 0 standings place since yesterday GOK! 89 / COVER ZERO 83 / X 77 / AARR / SJ 67 / 10PK 64.5 HR AVG RBI R SB W ERA WHIP K'S S -- --- --- --- --- --- ---- ----- --- --- 185 .2845 683 679 108 61 4.52 1.437 673 33 2ND 2ND 3RD 4TH 1ST 4TH 6TH 10TH 7TH 7TH --- --- --- --- --- --- --- + 1 --- --- BOX SCORE FOR 08.06 Atomic Roadrunners ab r h bi | bb so avg --------------------------------------------------------- Ronny Paulino Pit C 4 1 3 1 | 0 0 .318 Prince Fielder Mil 1B 3 0 0 0 | 1 1 .287 Rich Aurilia Cin 2B 1 0 0 0 | 0 1 .276 Jose Reyes NYM SS 4 1 1 4 | 0 1 .294 Adrian Gonzalez SD 1B 4 0 1 0 | 0 1 .306 Adam Dunn Cin OF 3 0 0 0 | 1 1 .255 Moises Alou SF OF 4 1 2 0 | 0 0 .297 Dave Roberts SD OF 4 2 3 0 | 1 1 .312 Geoff Jenkins Mil OF 3 0 0 0 | 0 1 .254 Ryan Langerhans Atl OF 2 0 0 0 | 0 1 .244 --------------------------------------------------------- Totals 32 5 10 5 | 3 8 .312 --------------------------------------------------------- RBI: RPaulino 1(35), JReyes 4(51) 2B: DRoberts 1(14) HR: RPaulino 1(6), JReyes 1(11) GIDP: MAlou 1(11) SB: DRoberts 2(34) PITCHING ip h r er bb ibb so bf era whip ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Aaron Cook L(7-10) 5.3 9 5 5 1 1 1 27 8.49 1.89 John Maine W(2-3) 6.0 3 0 0 3 0 4 24 0.00 1.00 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Totals 11.3 12 5 5 4 1 5 51 3.98 1.42 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- RESERVE HITTING ab r h bi | bb so avg --------------------------------------------------------- Stephen Drew Ari SS 3 1 2 0 | 0 1 .333 Carlos Quentin Ari OF 4 0 1 1 | 0 0 .314 Scott Thorman Atl 3B 1 0 0 0 | 0 0 .241 --------------------------------------------------------- Totals 8 1 3 1 | 0 1 .375 --------------------------------------------------------- RBI: CQuentin 1(13) 2B: SDrew 1(9) RESERVE PITCHING ip h r er bb ibb so bf era whip ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Matt Wise 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 0.00 1.00 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Totals 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 0.00 1.00 ----------------------------------------------------------------------