• Home
• Get our widget
• 2008 MLB Predictions
• Contact us
• About Us

• MLB
• NASCAR
• NBA
• NFL
• NHL

 Subscribe

DBacks Tracy back, but in what role

Chad Tracy made his return to the Arizona Diamondbacks in last night’s game. Tracy got the start at first, so the team could give starting first baseman Conor Jackson a day off. Tracy will not be playing their regularly as Conor is having a pretty good season, so where else could he play? Tracy also has experience at third base, but that position is pretty much locked up with Mark Reynolds. So what role is manager Bob Melvin looking at for Tracy? Read more

Cancer cant keep Davis down

In some good injury news, Doug Davis made his first rehab start since being diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Davis had surgery less then a month ago to remove the cancerous thyroid and just last week received a radiation iodine treatment. Arizona Diamondbacks officials expect him to rejoin the team within 10-14 days.

Considering everything he’s been through over the past month his first rehab start was fairly impressive. He pitched 4 and 2/3 innings for Arizona’s AAA affiliate, allowing two runs while throwing 85 pitches. Davis should be making one more start at AAA, and then rejoin the Diamondbacks at the major league level. His return will create a nice problem for the team, as Max Scherzer is expected to be the one demoted. The team now knows they have a solid replacement should any other pitcher goes down with an injury.

This is great news, and we all wish Davis the best. The cancer was caught early enough to where he should lead a fairly normal and productive life. And unlike other types of cancer, he still gets to be a Major League pitcher. Such a quick return couldn’t have come to a better guy, I mean really what other player do you know would of still made his scheduled starts all the way up till the surgery date. Hopefully his first start back is in Arizona so he can get the standing ovation he deserves.

DBacks make another trade

The Arizona Diamondbacks added some bullpen depth today making a minor trade with the Cincinnati Reds. In the deal, the Diamondbacks received left-handed reliever Jon Coutlangus, a player the Reds placed on waivers just a few days ago. Coutlangus did clear waivers and the surprising thing is that almost no team showed any interest him, not a good sign for a lefty. His first and only season in the majors was 2007, where he went 41 innings with a 4.38 era giving up 38 hits. His record was 4-2 with 38 strikeouts while holding left-handed batters to a .231 avg.

Coutlangus’ problem isn’t even the runs he gave up, its been more of a control issue. He’s had problems getting the ball over the plate and being 26 years old there isn’t much time yet to get that together. Regardless, its not a bad trade for depth purposes, the D’Backs will most likely start Coutlangus off in AAA and call him up later in the year when the team needs some bullpen help.

Seeing how its a minor deal, the Reds didn’t receive much. The Reds got minor league OF Daniel Perales. Perales played at Low-A South Bend and earned a .282 average with 16 homers and 92 rbis. He also has some speed to him getting 32 doubles and 10 triples last year. He’ll be starting the year off at Advanced-A Sarasota, with a quick start he could jump up to AA-Chattanooga. According to some scouts, he’ll be a long shot to ever be a productive player in the major leagues.

Conor Jackson taken to hospital

Arizona Diamondbacks’ 1B Conor Jackson was taken to the hospital during tonight’s game verse the Cincinnati Reds. He was pinch-hit for by Chris Burke in the 5th inning and at the time it didn’t seem to be an injury. There had been rumors in press row about a stomach illness had been bothering him over the past few days. Jackson went to the hospital after the game because he was still having trouble breathing. The hospital trip was purely precautionary and initiated by Diamondbacks medical staff.

In the meantime, take Jackson out of your lineups if you have him in fantasy. Chris Burke is almost certain to start tomorrow and maybe the next couple as Jackson tries to get back into good health. Jackson’s a future star in this league and hopefully this illness isn’t to serious to stunt his development.

Diamondbacks swing a trade

A relatively minor trade took place tonight between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Texas Rangers. In the deal, the Rangers receive for Arizona Minor League Pitcher of the Year, Dustin Nippert and the D-Backs get minor league pitcher Jose Marte. Nippert was originally the favorite to take the last spot in Arizona’s bullpen so this deal is a little surprise.

Nippert has gradually slipped down the ladder over the past 3 years. What I mean by that is this, in 2005 he was voted Minor League Pitcher of the Year in the Diamondbacks organization. Since then his career has taken a gradual dip. In 2007, he finally saw action in big league games and started off on fire going 1-0 with a 2.87 in 12 relief appearances. Not bad, I know. His end of the year line thou, 1-1 with a 5.56 era, so basically he more then imploded. Nippert had previously spent most of his career as a starter, so who knows maybe it was just the pressures of relieving? Not sure. He’ll definitely get a chance to regain his touch in Texas thou.

Marte is pretty much a whatever in this deal. Marte was formerly an outfield in the Chicago Cubs minor league system. He was converted to a pitcher and had a pretty bad season in Class A Bakersfield and Clinton last season, going 4-4 with a 5.43 era. Marte is only 24, so he may have a chance at being a middle reliever one day, but its a HUGGGGEEEE long shot.

This looks more like a dump off on Arizona’s part. They basically got tired of dealing with Nippert and waiting for his talent to finally take over. For the Rangers, it is a great deal. They gave up virtually nothing and might have a very effective middle reliever on their hands if he can harness that talent and start to produce.

Davis diagnosed with thyroid cancer

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Doug Davis has been diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Despite the cancer, Davis plans on staying with the team for a few weeks. Tonight, Davis will be making his scheduled start at Chase Field. Davis also plans on making a few starts in the month of April and then undergo surgery at the end of the month. After the surgery, he’ll be sidelined indefinitely. “We’re not sure about the timetable after that,” Hall said. “We’re deeply saddened and concerned for Doug but we’re still in the process of collecting facts and applying that to timing.”

Considering all things, you have to call Davis the ultimate team player. Randy Johnson won’t be back till late-April at the earliest so it sort of looks like he wants to get the team by till then. Davis has always been a favorite of mine, back to his Milwaukee Brewers days. Over this career, Davis has gone 75 and 75, with a 4.34 era over 1200+ innings.

Thyroid cancer is fairly common, striking almost 18,000 Americans a year. Most patients wind up cured or at least live many years with the disease. This is a good sign for Davis, especially if spotted early. Davis is 32 now, so there is a chance he can come back from this and still be an effective pitcher.

Copyright © 2007 MySportsRumors.com · Revolution News theme by Brian Gardner · Log in