Posted on August 26, 2006 by Andrew Flynn
Overnight Dispatches
The D’Backs optioned Alberto Callaspo to Triple-A Tucson Friday. There was little point to calling up Callaspo in the first place if this was how he was going to be used. He made just two starts for the Diamondbacks, the last coming on Aug. 12. He was 4-for-15 with a double.
Stephen Drew will still be the starting shortstop even with Craig Counsell’s return from the DL, but manager Bob Mevin said Drew will get a few more days off so Counsell can play, according to the AP. Drew is currently hitting .314 with three homers and 17 RBI on the year.
Jeff DaVanon will get a second opinion on his sprained left ankle after it failed to improve as expected, according to the AP. DaVanon has been on the DL since Aug. 6. DaVanon isn’t going to return before rosters expand, and with Chris Young up for good, he might not have much of a role once he does come back.
Moises Alou specified that the pain in his leg was not so much in his hamstring, but more behind his knee between his calf and his hamstring, according to the Giants website. Alou, who hasn’t played since Sunday, hopes to be back in the lineup by Saturday.
Mark Mulder (shoulder) threw a side session Friday and reported no problems. He’s scheduled to start Tuesday against the Marlins, but is incredibly risky after giving up nine runs against the Mets Wednesday. Also, from Baseball Prospectus: If the Cardinals were hoping that Mark Mulder was going to provide a spark with his return, well, the only spark might have been one over the flammable pile that the Cards’ second half has become. Drilled. Hammered. Whatever word you want to use for getting soundly beaten applies to Mulder’s first start since late June. He gave up nine runs in three innings against an admittedly solid Mets attack. He had no command, a near-complete lack of control, and nothing resembling an out pitch. In fact, in the limited video I saw of Mulder, he looked like the same pitcher that went on the DL two months ago. That’s a very bad sign.
Rockies purchased the contract of catcher Chris Iannetta from Triple-A Colorado Springs. We’re not sure what the hurry was. Yorvit Torrealba continues to play very well and should enter 2007 as the Rockies’ starting catcher. Iannetta is the future behind the plate for the club, but he doesn’t deserve to start over Torrealba right now, even if he was hitting .336/.433/.567 in 307 at-bats between Double- and Triple-A this year. Two-catcher NL-only leaguers could pick him up and see what happens.
Jose Reyes jammed a finger stealing a base in the fifth inning of Friday’s game, but he was able to remain in against the Phillies. Reyes probably won’t miss a game with the injury, but if he does get a day off this weekend, this will be the reason.
Chad Cordero was held out of a save opportunity Friday against the Braves, allowing Saul Rivera to pick up his first career save. Rivera gave up two runs and three hits before finally finishing the ninth. Cordero, who had worked just once in five days, was unavailable because of an ingrown toenail. This qualifies as good news. Cordero shouldn’t need much time off to deal with this. Saul Rivera closed in his place on Friday.
Mike Jacobs drove in three runs with a pair of doubles to help the Marlins beat the Brewers 6-5 on Friday night. He entered the game with a .156 average this month. Jacobs sore right ankle may take him out of the lineup against certain left-handers, but he’s expected to finish out the season and let his stress reaction/fracture heal over the winter.