MLB Player Notes
Monday, April 30, 2007 - MLB Player Notes
National League
Orlando Hernandez - SP - Mets
Mets placed RHP Orlando Hernandez on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 25, with shoulder tightness. The Mets had to know when they were re-signing El Duque that they'd be fortunate to get 150-160 innings per year from him. Going carefully with him now with an eye towards having him close to 100 percent in October is the correct strategy. Chan Ho Park will start in his place tonight.
Xavier Nady - OF - Pirates
Xavier Nady tested his hamstring prior to Sunday's game by taking batting practice and running the bases. Nady, who struck out while pinch hitting in the game, still has no timetable for a return to the starting lineup.
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Wilson Betemit - 3B - Dodgers
Wilson Betemit, who missed Saturday's game due to food poisoning, is expected to return to the starting lineup on Monday. Betemit is hitting just .133 this season. Wilson Valdez will continue to see increased playing time while Betemit struggles.
Source: Los Angeles Times
Jason Jennings - SP - Astros
Jason Jennings (elbow) threw a bullpen session using breaking balls on Sunday. "Just trying to get command back and get the feel of it back and throwing where I want to," Jennings said. "I'll see how I feel (Monday) and Tuesday, but (Sunday) was pretty good. I can't be disappointed, I guess." Jennings could return from the disable list in a week if his rehab continues to go smoothly.
Source: Houston Chronicle
Jorge Julio - RP - Marlins
Jorge Julio (calf strain) gave up three unearned runs on six hits during a three inning rehab start with Single-A Jupiter on Sunday. Julio had four strikeouts and did not walk a batter. The former closer is able to be activated from the disabled list on Thursday.
Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Sergio Mitre - SP - Marlins
Sergio Mitre (finger) will make his second rehab appearance with Single-A Jupiter on Monday. Mitre is expected to be activated from the disabled list to start Saturday or Sunday's game. Lee Gardner or Wes Obermueller will be returned to the minors when Mitre is activated.
Source: Miami Herald
Kaz Matsui - 2B - Rockies
Kaz Matsui (lower-back) has started to play catch and swing a bat, but hasn't resumed running yet. The Rockies are being very careful with Matsui's rehab program. He won't begin a minor league rehab assignment for another week at the earliest.
Source: Denver Post
Rodrigo Lopez - SP - Rockies
Rodrigo Lopez threw Sunday for the first time since feeling tightness in his right elbow. Lopez threw lightly from a distance of 50 feet. He is still a few weeks away from pitching in a game situation.
Source: Denver Post
Ken Griffey Jr. - OF - Reds
Ken Griffey Jr. (pleurisy) was feeling much better Sunday and should return to the starting lineup on Tuesday. "He looks better," manager Jerry Narron said. "He's talking, laughing. The other day he hurt so bad he couldn't talk or laugh. Hopefully, he'll be 100 percent by Tuesday." Griffey hasn't played since waking up with chest pains on Thursday morning.
Source: Cincinnati Enquirer
Angel Guzman - RP - Cubs
Angel Guzman, who was penciled in to start for the Cubs on May 1, will start for Triple-A Iowa instead. The Cubs didn't need their fifth starter due to the postponement of Sunday's game against the Cardinals. Guzman is expected to be recalled to start Sunday's game against the Nationals.
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
Troy Tulowitzki - SS - Rockies
Troy Tulowitzki turned the 13th unassisted triple play in the game's history on Sunday. With Kelly Johnson and Edgar Renteria running from first and second on a 3-2 pitch, Tulowitzki caught a liner by Chipper Jones behind the second base bag. Tulo stepped on second base to double off Johnson, then tagged Renteria for the third out of the inning. Tulo was unsure if he had completed the play properly, so he went back to touch second again and then threw to first even though the inning was already over.
Matt Diaz - OF - Braves
The Braves' trade of Ryan Langerhans to Oakland appears to make Matt Diaz the club's primary left fielder. For now. If Diaz doesn't start hitting .300 with decent power, it shouldn't be too difficult for the team to upgrade in a trade. Craig Wilson and Willie Harris also figure to see some time in left field.
Randy Johnson - SP - Diamondbacks
Randy Johnson, making his second start since coming off the disabled list due to a back injury, gave up three runs -- two earned -- in six innings against the Giants on Sunday. Johnson struck out five and walked just one, but gave up six singles and a homer to account for the three runs. Although he didn't factor into the decision, it was an encouraging outing for Johnson. He has a tough matchup against the Mets later in the week, but NL-only leaguers will have to stick with him.
Marcus Giles - 2B - Padres
Marcus Giles left Sunday's game in the ninth inning with a bruised left rib cage. Giles was hurt trying to break up a double play. He should be day-to-day. Geoff Blum could start in his place on Monday.
Bob Wickman - RP - Braves
Bob Wickman blew a save against the Rockies on Sunday after giving up two runs while retiring just two batters in the bottom of the ninth. Wickman entered a 9-7 game and promptly walked three of the first four batters he faced. An infield single and a groundout scored two runs to tie the game, and Wickman was pulled after hitting Chris Iannetta to load the bases. Luckily for Wickman, Tyler Yates retired Clint Barmes to send the game into extra innings. Wickman blew a save two outings ago and then gave up three runs in a non-save situation on Friday, but unless he's hurt, he's still going to get the next save opportunity the Braves generate. Should he continue to struggle or require some time off, Mike Gonzalez would likely step in.
Chipper Jones - 3B - Braves
Chipper Jones extended his hitting streak to nine games Sunday with a single in six at-bats. Jones is playing through tightness in his quadriceps muscle, but that hasn't slowed him offensively, having gone 14-for-41 (.341 AVG) over the past nine games.
Hunter Pence - OF - Astros
Making his second consecutive start, Hunter Pence went 2-for-4. Pence is quickly proving that he belongs by smacking three hits in his first two games (.429 AVG). He should be picked up in all formats as he looks to replace Houston's Opening Day center fielder -- Chris Burke -- who is homerless and batting just .255 for the season.
John Maine - SP - Mets
John Maine improved to a perfect 4-0 on the season in a win against the Nationals on Sunday. He gave up three hits and three walks while striking out eight in seven shutout innings. Maine has been brilliant this season as he sports a sparkling 1.35 ERA to go with 1.05 WHIP and a 30/17 K/BB ratio. He'll look for win No. 5 in cozy Chase Field against the Diamondbacks in his next start.
American League
Eric Gagne - RP - Rangers
Eric Gagne (hip) is expected to start a throwing program Monday. Gagne is reportedly no longer having pain in his hip and hopes to return from the disabled list when he's eligible on May 8.
Source: Dallas Morning News
Frank Catalanotto - OF - Rangers
Frank Catalanotto left Sunday's game in the fifth inning after feeling a "tearing sensation" in his shoulder while making a throw from left field. "I felt the tearing sensation and then it felt kind of hot, like it was burning," Catalanotto said. "It felt a little like it did when I ended up having surgery on my shoulder 10 years ago." Catalanotto had arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder in 1997, but it's possible what he felt was merely scar tissue tearing. He's expected to undergo an MRI Tuesday.
Source: Dallas Morning News
Jorge Cantu - 1B - Devil Rays
Jorge Cantu made his first career appearance at first base Sunday. The key for Cantu getting significant playing time will be hitting well and learning to handle first base defensively, because the odds are against him seeing time at second base or third base. "I'm ready," Cantu said. "I've been playing there down in Durham and I'm ready to do the job."
Source: Tampa Tribune
Felix Hernandez - SP - Mariners
According to the Seattle Times, Felix Hernandez (forearm) is "penciled in" to start Friday against the Yankees. The Mariners may still decide to give Cha Seung Baek the start Friday and push Hernandez back to Saturday, which would involve bumping Jeff Weaver from the rotation.
Source: Seattle Times
Nick Swisher - 1B - Athletics
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Nick Swisher (hamstring) has "an outside shot" of returning to the lineup Tuesday. Swisher did some light running Sunday, but the newspaper suggests that a return "Friday at Tampa Bay might be more realistic."
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
Bobby Kielty - OF - Athletics
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Bobby Kielty's strained calf may require a trip to the disabled list. The injury reportedly may be related to the knee surgery Kielty underwent during spring training. He remained on the active roster Sunday, but a move could be coming early this week.
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
Jeff Karstens - SP - Yankees
Manager Joe Torre said Sunday that he expects Jeff Karstens (fibula) to miss at least 6-8 weeks. After pitching well in relief of Karstens Saturday, Kei Igawa will be moved back into the rotation in his place. Assuming the Yankees' pitching staff gets reasonably healthy at some point, they may not need Karstens as a starter once he does return in a couple months.
Source: New York Times
Chone Figgins - OF - Angels
The Angels are expected to activate IF/OF Chone Figgins (fingers) from the disabled list Monday. Figgins will join the team in time for Monday night's game in Kansas City and is expected to take over starting duties at third base. Brandon Wood was optioned back to Triple-A to make room for Figgins on the roster.
Source: Los Angeles Times
Ryan Langerhans - OF - Athletics
Athletics acquired outfielder Ryan Langerhans from the Braves for a player to be named or cash considerations. It's odd that the Braves would just give up their primary left fielder for nothing, even if Langerhans was hitting .068 in 44 at-bats. The A's get themselves a fine fourth outfielder capable of playing an above average center field. It's not going to make a lot of sense to use him regularly if Nick Swisher can return this week, but he is decent insurance.
Scott Kazmir - SP - Devil Rays
Scott Kazmir struck out a season-low one batter but still held the Athletics to two runs in seven innings to pick up his second win of the season. Both runs scored when Kazmir gave up back-to-back homers to Mark Ellis and Eric Chavez in the first. The only other trouble the left-hander got into was in the fifth, when he loaded the bases with two outs before retiring Ellis to end the rally. Kazmir will face the Athletics again on Saturday.
Johnny Damon - OF - Yankees
Johnny Damon, who finished April with a .229 average, is going to see a doctor Monday about his bad back. Now that Hideki Matsui is back, maybe it's for the best that Damon rest his back for a week or two. He's a lot more help to the Yankees when he's 100 percent than he is when he's 80. Melky Cabrera could take over in center field. While there's no certainty that Damon will miss time, mixed leaguers may want to sit him for the week.
Jaret Wright - SP - Orioles
One day after coming off the disabled list, Jaret Wright was placed back on the DL Monday with a recurrence of right shoulder soreness. This has the looks of becoming a long-term problem, so don’t rely on Wright contributing anytime soon. Jaret Wright felt soreness in his troublesome shoulder during his outing Sunday and could be on his way back to the DL. "It doesn't feel too good," Wright said. "I tried to get through it. It hurts, basically. It felt bad and kept getting worse. We'll give it 24 hours and come up with a plan." The Orioles don't lose much with Wright gone. What hurts them is trying to use him when he's less than 100 percent. Jeremy Guthrie could be called on to make several starts in his place.
Rocco Baldelli - OF - Devil Rays
Rocco Baldelli, who left Thursday's game with a swollen knee after running into the outfield wall, returned to the lineup Sunday and went 2-for-5 with a solo homer. The club wasn't expecting Baldelli to be ready for the weekend series initially, but he recovered quickly and is fine to activate for this week's games.
Jose Guillen - OF - Mariners
Jose Guillen ended April batting just .239 with two homers and five RBIs. Fielding aside, the mediocre combination of a .292 on-base percentage and .373 slugging percentage won’t cut it as an everyday right fielder. More inconsistent offense could mean less playing time for Guillen, who’s swatted just five extra-base hits.
Al Reyes - RP - Devil Rays
Al Reyes pitched a perfect ninth inning as he recorded his ninth save on Sunday against the A's. Reyes has been surprisingly impressive in the closer role for the Devil Rays, sporting a 1.50 ERA in 12 innings of work. He is tied with Joe Borowski for the American League lead in saves.
Brandon McCarthy - SP - Rangers
Brandon McCarthy struggled with his command again on Sunday against Toronto, issuing four walks in three innings while giving up five runs on six hits. A forgetful season so far for the White Sox farmhand who fell to 1-4 and now sports a 9.90 ERA. Look for him to head back to the bullpen after he pitched two innings of scoreless relief on April 25 against the Indians.
Joe Torre - Manager - Yankees
Yankees manager Joe Torre won't lose his job anytime soon, owner George Steinbrenner revealed in a statement Monday. "The season is still very young, but up to now the results are clearly not acceptable to me or to Yankee fans," the statement read. "However, Brian Cashman our general manager, Joe Torre our manager and our players all believe that they will turn this around quickly. I believe in them. I am here to support them in any way to help them accomplish this turnaround. It is time to put excuses and talk away. It is time to see if people are ready to step up and accept their responsibilities. It is time for all of them to show me and the fans what they are made of. Let’s get going. Let’s go out and win and bring a world championship back to New York. That’s what I want."
