Posted on September 30, 2006 by Andrew Flynn
Overnight Dispatches - Alumni Edition
Ryan Zimmerman had an RBI single Friday. That’s 110 RBI for the rookie who keeps padding his numbers as he seeks the NL ROY Award.
General manager Brian Sabean revealed that closer Armando Benitez could require surgery on his ailing knee. he said the Giants will seek other closing candidates — either through trade or free agency — to protect themselves against the possibility that Benitez is not healthy in 2007. They don’t want to run into another Robb Nen situation.
Matt Wise, who underwent surgery three weeks ago to relocate the ulnar nerve in his elbow, played catch twice in the past week. He did not experience the uncomfortable tingling he felt before the procedure and Wise plans to play catch again Saturday and continue with his rehab and normal off-season conditioning after that. He’ll be fine for spring training.
Rich Aurilia homered and drove in three runs in a 5-2 win over the Pirates on Friday. Aurilia also singled twice, scored once, and swiped a bag in the contest. The right-hander has hit .300 with 23 homers in his age 34 season, which is easily his best performance since his career year back in 2001. He’s not a good bet to maintain that production again next season, particularly if the free agent doesn’t return to the Reds.
Juan Cruz (shoulder, thigh) will get a spot start for Arizona on Saturday, replacing Edgar Gonzalez as the starter against San Diego. Cruz hasn’t seen much action of late, and the D-Backs would like to get one more look at him before the year ends, as they determine who’ll contend for rotation berths in the spring.
Tom Gorzelanny closed out his season with a strong performance Thursday, allowing three runs in seven innings to the Astros. The 24-year-old lefty was perfect through 4 1/3 innings. Gorzelanny made three starts following a bout with elbow tendinitis, satisfying his manager, Jim Tracy. “I don’t think there’s any doubt in our mind that his arm is as sound as can be,” Tracy told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “He just had a little lapse and, against Roy Oswalt, that’s all it takes.”
Adrian Gonzalez strained a thigh muscle on Wednesday, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. He remained in the game and started Thursday’s contest. This injury does not sound like a big deal at all. He is currently enjoying his second-best month of the season: .365/.450/.553 with three homers and 16 RBI. Adrian should stay in your lineup, but keep in mind that if the Padres clinch the N.L. West, Gonzalez might get a day or two off. San Diego can clinch the division on Friday if they win and the Dodgers lose.