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Brewers throwing darts for starts

Could Ned Yost just be throwing darts at a board to choose the Milwaukee Brewers next starting pitcher? The Brewers have decided to move Carlos Villanueva out of the rotation, and make him work out of the bullpen for a while. The choice to replace Villanueva? It’s Seth McClung. Yep Seth McClung, the guy who couldn’t even cut it in Tampa Bay. There’s no doubt Carlos needs some more seasoning, and just time to work through his struggles, but Seth McClung? Read more

Turnbow-ing out of Milwaukee?

Could Derrick Turnbow be on his way out of Milwaukee? According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, it could be happening soon. The paper speculates that the Brewers are considering all options, which could include a demotion to the minor leagues or an outright release.

The role of the relief pitcher has truly become a what have you done for me lately, position. A pitcher can have a great season in the closer role, then start off with a struggle, get dealt or moved out of his role, and the talent never returns. Turnbow in 2005, was lights out, a money closer, showing the talent that could possibly make him an elite closer. He saved 39 games with a 1.74 era that season. Then comes 2006, he did save 24, but all of a sudden he was hittable, well not much more then the previous season, but the catch is those guys found their way home leaving him with a 6.87 era.

Now, he’s the Milwaukee Brewers mop-up reliever. With the off-season acquisitions it was known he’d drop in the bullpen pecking order. Eric Gagne, David Riske and Salomon Torres have all closed, and also had success in the role but much more recently then Turnbow. In the 2007 season, Turnbow was setting up for Francisco Cordero and was actually pretty successful, save the era, 4.63. But to be demoted all the way to a mop up role?? Not even Kyle Farnsworth has been treated that badly yet. But then again, Farnsworth doesn’t have the 15.63 era like Turnbow does so far.

A couple weeks ago, Turnbow and his agent, met with manager Ned Yost and Brewers officials to make it known he wasn’t happy with his role on the team. “I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t bother me,” Turnbow said “It bothers me a lot.” He does take the move in stride thou, and did take blame based on his performance. “You’ve got to earn your right every day you’re here to be in that set-up role. I’ve got to go out there and prove I’m worthy of doing it.” At that point, Turnbow did say he was told by Yost and GM Bob Melvin that he was wanted by the team.

Then again, that was a couple weeks ago. May 1st is when a lot of teams do start to evaluate their players, as the sampling of games has an increased, and could be a better indicator of what type of season the player will have. While this, isn’t completely accurate, it does give a GM an idea of how all the parts will fit. “We’ll talk about the team. The month is over now. We’ll take a look and see. I know he has struggled,” said Melvin.

Turnbow is currently out of minor league options, which would mean he’d have to clear waivers before he can join the AAA boys. He also has a right to refuse a minor league assignment. His salary plays a major role thou in both scenarios. His salary is $3.2 million which would make it highly unlikely any team would claim him off waivers. With that salary, its also unlikely he refuses a minor league stint, if he did that he’d forfeit that money.

Another possibility, an outright release.

Ut-oh Sheets has a boo boo

WHAT A SHOCK!?!?! Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Ben Sheets has an injury. Sheets left tonight’s game after the 5th inning, with what is currently being called right triceps tightness. Sheets was pitching a pretty great game when pulled having gone 5 innings with 2 hits , 4 strikeouts and no runs.

If Sheets needs to visit the disabled list, which I wouldn’t be surprised about, I mean really its Ben Sheets then its a big blow to the rotation. Sheets is off to maybe his best start of his career, as he was 2-0 in 3 starts with a complete game shut out. Tallying 23 innings, 20 strikeouts and a 1.17 era in those starts. That era should drop under 1.00 after tonight’s 5 innings are factored in.

Should Sheets go on the DL, the only bright side would be that the team would be able to straight activate Yovani Gallardo instead of demoting or dropping someone from the rotation. I know not that great of a bright side since you’d lose your ace for at least 15 days, and knowing Sheets that could be 45.

Brewers finally breaking open the bank

Over the years the Milwaukee Brewers have been known for not spending any money. The team just keeps building semi-good prospects and meddling among the league’s worst teams. But over the past 2 or 3 seasons a new crop of youngsters of come up thru the system and the Brewers are now a factor. It’s taking quite a few years but they’ve finally found the right group of prospects that could bring this team back to prominence. With this the big question has been, Will the Brewers finally take the step up to perennial playoff team by paying their players?

Initially it didn’t seem so the team started the year by assigning a contract to superstar in the making, Prince Fielder. Granted the Brewers are still in the “we can pay you what we want” stage, but they gave Fielder only $670,000 instead of the $900k he was requesting. Not much of a difference there, especially for a player who can get you 50 homers a year. “Even the fans don’t want us to lock them up on a basis that doesn’t make sense,” Attanasio said. “What the fans have to understand is that the arbitration system, relative to control of players, favors the clubs their first six years. We’ve got control of these players for four and five more years now. … What fans don’t focus on is that they are going to have the young players here either which way.”

What Attanasio makes sense, Fielder can’t be a free agent till 2010 and Ryan Braun till 2014, so the team has leverage for many many seasons. Well the Brewers ARE looking to keep their players and more importantly keep them happy. The team has begun to give offers to their young guns beginning with these two players. The deals would buy out all 3-years of arbitration, each players first free agent season, and an option for the second season. How much money are we talking about in these offers?

Rotoworld.com reports that Fielder would get a 5-year deal with an option year, while Braun would be 6-years with an option. For Fielder it would take at least $50 million over that span, just by the benchmark that Philadelphia Phillies Ryan Howard set with $10 million in his first arbitration season. Braun its unsure how much he could make as he is still a few years away.

Braun’s has acknowledged the team made an offer to him. “It’s a tremendous honor, and it shows a lot of respect that they would even talk to me about something like that,” Braun said. “But that’s something for Nez. I’m very involved because I have a pretty good understanding of how it all works, but until it gets to the point where something is close to being done, I kind of stay out of it.” His deal should take quite a while to work on.

I’d have to say for Brewers fans, I’m glad your team is willing to spend the money, FINALLY! This is a team that is going to be in the playoff hunt for many years with this group. If they could get 1 or 2 more pitchers they could easily join the Major League elite teams. It’s that good of a team. With record attendance last year, and 3 million fans within reach this year the spending trend should continue

MLB Injury Update, 3/27

Alright boys and girls, here is today’s MLB Injury Update report. There’s 15 players with updates from the Brewers, Rangers, Padres, Mariners, Blue Jays, Twins, Cubs, Yankees, Braves, Rays, Phillies and Marlins. Its a doozy, enjoy.

• San Diego Padres - Mark Prior - shoulder. Prior finally faced live hitters for the first time today. He threw around 25 pitches in batting practice, while throwing about 35 pitches in a bullpen session before that. His fastball was only in the low-80s. Yea I know low 80s, what the hell! But remember the Padres aren’t even considering putting him in game action before June, so he has at least 2 months to build up strength.
• Texas Rangers - Milton Bradley - knee surgery. Bradley is progressing just fine from off-season knee surgery and should open the season with the big leaguers. Bradley played in his second appearance in right but sixth game overall, going 2 for 3 with a homer. He’ll be with the team but don’t expect to see him in the outfield, he’ll most likely need to DH for a while first.
• Mariners - Brandon Morrow - sore shoulder. Morrow has been experiencing a sore shoulder for most of the spring and has struggled mightily in minor league games since returning. The Mariners are considering one of two options. A) starts the season on the DL B) starts the year in the minor leagues. Morrow will be the 8th inning guy thou once his healthy and accuracy has fully returned.
• Toronto Blue Jays - Matt Stairs - sore hip. Stairs has been struggling with soreness in his hip this spring and because of that has only played in minor league games. The good news he’s getting in his work and his swings, downside the pain might still be to much to handle. The only reason he’s been playing in the minors is in case the Jays decide to give him some more healing time and place him on the disabled list. If he goes on the DL it would be backdated quite a bit since he’s been playing with the farm boys.
• Toronto Blue Jays - BJ Ryan - Tommy John surgery. General manager J.P. Ricciardi says BJ Ryan will get to start throwing off a mound sometime next week. He’ll undoubtedly be starting the season on the disabled list but the team somehow expects him to join the club in mid-April. “I think we’ll get Ryan back sooner rather than later,” Ricciardi surmised yesterday. I wouldn’t be surprised if its more of late-April, early-May but we’ll see. In the meantime, Jeremy Accardo will occupy the closing duties till he’s back.
• New York Yankees - Andy Pettitte - back spasms. Daily update number 15,583 for Andy Pettitte. This will be the last time I update on him unless there is a setback. Pettitte is now officially scheduled to start Sunday in a minor league game. That puts him in position to start the fourth game of the season. That would also mean Philip Hughes would likely take his start against the Blue Jays in the #2 spot.
• Milwaukee Brewers - J.J. Hardy - bacterial infection. Hardy missed the last 10 days of action due to a bacterial infection. He rejoined the lineup today and went 2 for 2 with 2 rbis. Not a bad return. Expect him to be in the lineup, Opening Day.
• Milwaukee Brewers - Chris Capuano - damaged ligament in left elbow. Capuano underwent a second opinion on his injured elbow from Dr. James Andrews. After the consultation, Capuano decided NOT to undergo Tommy John surgery. He’ll rest for about a month or so, then work on making a comeback. If there is any pain once he starts working out again then surgery is definitely on the table.
• Chicago Cubs - Scott Eyre - sore left elbow. Eyre was officially placed on the 15-day DL today because of his sore elbow. The move is retroactive to March 22nd. He’ll take time to rest and should miss the first week or so of the season. In the meantime, Sean Marshall will probably take his bullpen spot.
• Atlanta Braves - John Smoltz - sore shoulder. Same deal as Pettitte, barring any setbacks this is the last update about his current problems. Smoltz threw for 20 minutes in the bullpen today and felt great afterwards. “I got everything accomplished that I wanted to,” Smoltz said of today’s session. “It went really well. It was great. It was the best day I’ve had down here.” Smoltz is still starting on the DL but will make his first start on April 6th against Johan Santana and the New York Mets.
• Philadelphia Phillies - Mike Zagurski - Tommy John surgery. Zagurski also went for a second opinion on his elbow but has decided to go for the surgery. He’ll be visiting Dr Andrews down in Birmingham, AL to undergo the surgery at some point within the next 10 days. His goal is to be back for the start of spring training in 2009.
• Minnesota Twins - Carlos Gomez - left leg cramps. Gomez was scratched from today’s lineup due to continued soreness in his left leg. The injury is still considered very minor and the Twins just wanted to give him some extra rest. He should be able to go Friday.
• Minnesota Twins - Jesse Crain - shoulder surgery. Crain will be starting the regular season with the Twins. He’s pitched 5 innings this season with a 1.80 era. He’ll be held back this April, pitching coach Rick Anderson said he will not be used in back to back games for at least one month.
• Tampa Bay Rays - Willy Aybar - hamstring. Aybar is still experiencing problems with his injured hamstring and still not playing in games. He’s only got 28 at bats this season, and to get him some more the team is going to have to use him in minor league games this weekend. He should still be ready for Opening Day thou. “I still believe he’s going to be fine to play in that game,” Rays coach Maddon said. “I’m not hearing anything that leads me to believe that he won’t be.” Hows that for irony, star prospect Evan Longoria, who had a very good spring was sent down to the minors and now his replacement hasn’t even been able to play. Great move by the Rays demote the hot hitting prospect for a guy who’s going to start off pretty cold all to save a dollar.
• Florida Marlins - Jeremy Hermida - tight left hamstring. Hermida played DH today in a minor league game. He hasn’t played in a MLB game since March 15th due to the hamstring injury. The Marlins will place him on the DL retroactive to that date so in all he’ll only miss 4 games, 5 tops. “Worst-case scenario (Hermida could miss) the first four games of the season,” manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

It will be a late night at work tonight, so if there are any injury updates in the night games, I’ll post them. Look out for tomorrow’s MLB Predictions. I’ll give my predicted records, LCS and World Series winners, as well as MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year, and Manager Awards then.

MLB Injury Update, 3/26

Here’s today injury update from around Major League Baseball. Today we’ve got updates on the Yankees, Royals, Cubs, Rangers, Twins, Padres, Giants, Mets, Brewers and Angels. Like usual its a long read.

• San Francisco Giants - Kevin Frandsen - Ruptured Achilles tendon. This is an unfortunate injury that will cost Frandsen the entire baseball season. Surgery is needed but has not been scheduled yet. He’s expected to be on crutches for around two months after he does have the surgery. Eugneio Velez should take over his backup role
• Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - Scot Shields - Inflamed forearm. An MRI revealed no ligament damage which is a good thing. He’s still expected to start the season on the disabled list. He pretty much just needs to stay behind in extended spring training to get some more action in before facing major leaguers. “He’ll need to pitch and to work out some things, and he can do that better in camp games,” Scioscia said. “If we back-date a DL stint, he’d only miss the first six or seven games. It’s worth the price to pay short term, rather than risk a month or two of the season because he’s doing something he’s not ready for.”
• Kansas City Royals - Hideo Nomo - pulled groin. Nomo pulled his groin in a start Tuesday against the San Diego Padres. He’s now expected to start the season in the minors as he won’t be ready to pitch come opening day. He was already a long shot to make the roster thou.
• Chicago Cubs - Mark DeRosa - sinusitis. This guy has had one rough spring. First an irregular heartbeat, then the flu, now he’s missing game due to sinusitis. The good news for him thou is that the team has finally decided to break off negotiations with the Baltimore Orioles’ about Brian Roberts. His job as the starting second baseman is safe.
• San Diego Padres - Jim Edmonds - strained right calf. Edmonds feels his strained right calf is finally healed enough to at least attempt game action. He’s been running and working out on the side. He will test the calf out this upcoming week in minor league games. He’s still expected to start the season on the DL, just to get in his at-bats.
• Milwaukee Brewers - Yovani Gallardo - knee surgery. Gallardo made his second minor league start today in his recovery from arhroscopic knee surgery. He went three innings giving up one hit and a walk, but no runs. He’s expected to re-join the team in mid-April after a brief DL stint as he is working on strengthening that knee.
• Texas Rangers - Luis Mendoza - finger blister. Mendoza will start the season on the DL because of the blister. This injury really doesn’t affect the rotation thou as he’s the fifth starter and won’t be needed till April 12th. This is more just to get an extra reliever on the Rangers roster during that time. Mendoza will start on the 12th when needed
• Minnesota Twins - Carlos Gomez - left hamstring cramping. The injury isn’t as severe as originally thought. During today’s game, Gomez came up lame after going to the left-center field gap to make a play. The way it looked, it seemed like a strained or pull but luckily it was just cramping. He’ll be considered day-to-day as the team will take it easy with their starting center fielder since this is the hamstring that caused him to miss a few games last season.
• New York Mets - Moises Alou - hernia surgery. Alou showed up at training camp today for the first time since having hernia surgery on March 6th. The recovery time is 4 to 6 weeks, and Alou is hopping to be cleared to at least start jogging shortly. He’s definitely starting the season on the DL with an estimated return of late April, early May.
• Mets - Ramon Castro - strained hamstring. Castro hasn’t played in a game since March 16th and may need to start the season on the DL now. He recently suffered a setback in his recovery efforts.
• New York Yankees - Sean Henn - shoulder tendinitis. Unfortunately for Henn, he’s a victim of the numbers games. Henn is out of options and recently lost his left-handed specialist job to Billy Traber. Due to that, he’ll start the season on the disabled list with shoulder tendinitis. It’s been a while since he’s pitched in a major league spring training game so the Yankees were at least able to back date this and he could return April 5th. Henn pitched in a minor league game this afternoon and experienced no problems.
• New York Yankees - Brett Gardner - split lip. Gardner suffered a split lip today after foul ball bounced back up and hit him in his mouth. He went to see a dentist after the game, this is clearly a day-to-day injury. Gardner may open the season with the big boys if Melky Cabrera serves out his suspension to start the season.
• New York Yankees - Johnny Damon - flu. Damon was scratched from today’s game due to the flu, he’ll most likely miss another day or two with it. Maybe its a good thing, it will leave him well rested for Opening Day in the Bronx.
• New York Yankees - Andy Pettitte - back spasms. And now the daily Pettitte update. Pettitte had a 10-minute bullpen session today throwing 36 pitches and is now fully on target to pitch in the 4th or 5th game of the season. “It makes me feel good that I got through that and I felt good,” Pettitte said. “I could just tell that I felt a whole lot better this morning when I woke up. It loosened up nice for me.”

That is tonights update. It’s still relatively early in the evening almost 9pm. If there’s enough updates then I’ll send out a Part 2 around midnight.

Injuries around baseball

As spring training ends, injuries tally up and some stars wind up missing opening day. Here’s a run down of some of the more notable injuries this past weekend.

• Detroit Tigers - OF Curtis Granderson - What was originally believed to be just a bruise on his right hand, he wound up breaking his middle finger. Technically he has a non-displaced fracture of the metacarpal at the base of the middle finger. This injury has already sent him to the DL, so he’s guaranteed to miss the first week of the season. While Granderson is on the DL, look for Brandon Inge to be the starting centerfielder.
• Atlanta Braves - SP John Smoltz - Smoltz has missed time due to a sore shoulder and it looks like the team may put him on the DL as well. If that happens he’d miss his first start of the season. The Braves could back date his DL start as he hasn’t appeared in any games, which would make him available April 6th against the New York Mets. That would also be the first time the Braves actually need a fifth starter. “I don’t know how the scenarios are going to shake out to,” Smoltz said. “But whatever it is, it is and I’m going to embrace it.”
• New York Yankees - SP Andy Pettitte - The back spasms that forced Andy to miss Saturday’s start, have not gone away. “I felt real positive about how I was progressing, and I was hoping today I’d come in and feel great, but I can’t,” Pettitte said. “I’m definitely optimistic, because I think it’s going to clear up.” Pettitte had a similar situation last spring after working out, and the pain went away just a few days later. He fully feels he’ll be ready to go April 2nd in the Yankees second game against the Toronto Blue Jays. If his start gets pushed back from Thursday to Friday, you can expect him to start the Yankees 4th or 5th game instead. No DL will be needed.
• Boston Red Sox - SP Josh Beckett - Beckett will not be making the trip to Japan, but should be ready for the Red Sox around April 8th. Beckett threw 2 innings in a minor league contest on Saturday, throwing 32 pitches and feeling no pain. In 5 days, he’ll pitch again this time 4 innings, and then most likely need one more start to get ready for the season. If he does make it back in time for the 8th, his first starts will be against the Yankees and Tigers.
• Milwaukee Brewers - SP Chris Capuano - OUT FOR THE SEASON. Capuano needs to undergo Tommy John surgery as he has a tear in his UCL. He’s not officially out for the year, but I have a feeling he will be. Capuano has already had Tommy John in his career so this would be the second surgery of this kind for him. What it comes down to, is it a full or partial tear. If its partial, he could theoretically be ready to go in just a few months, with rehab. Definitely look for him to start on the DL, and if you have him in fantasy I’d cut him and just look at him out for the year.

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