MLB Player Notes

Tuesday, May 1, 2007 - MLB Player Notes

American League

Rich Harden - SP - Athletics
The A's reportedly called the Red Sox to gauge interest in Rich Harden, according to Yahoo! Sports' Tim Brown. After he got hurt? No word on what the conversations entailed, but if they progressed it all, it can be assumed the A's asked about both Wily Mo Pena and top pitching prospect Clay Buchholz. A healthy Harden is about as dominant as any pitcher in baseball, but the A's wouldn't be able to get equal value for him unless he comes back this month and then blows AL hitters away for a month or so. An in-season trade is quite unlikely.
Source: Yahoo! Sports

Vernon Wells - OF - Blue Jays
Vernon Wells, out Monday with the flu, is back in the lineup for Tuesday's game. He's batting second against left-hander C.C. Sabathia. Wells will probably remain in the third spot versus righties, but usual No. 2 hitter Adam Lind has been dropped to seventh tonight.

Luis Castillo - 2B - Twins
Luis Castillo, who had been out since April 19 with a quad strain, is finally back at second base on Tuesday.

J.D. Drew - OF - Red Sox
J.D. Drew was scratched from Tuesday's lineup because of an illness. Eric Hinske will start in his place in right field.
Source: Boston.com

Frank Catalanotto - OF - Rangers
Rangers placed outfielder Frank Catalanotto on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 30, with a strained right shoulder. An MRI revealed no tears, so Catalanotto might be back in the minimum 15 days. Brad Wilkerson and Nelson Cruz are in line for more at-bats while he's out, and Victor Diaz will also get some starts in the outfield.

Ryan Shealy - 1B - Royals
The Royals reassigned Ryan Shealy to Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday. This was long overdue, as the first baseman was mired in a season-long, 6-for-53 slump (.113 AVG, 19 strikeouts, three walks). Ross Gload figures to get most of the playing time at first base.

Bobby Kielty - OF - Athletics
Athletics placed outfielder Bobby Kielty on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 29, with a strained left calf. Danny Putnam apparently will stick around until either Kielty or Milton Bradley comes off the disabled list. Dan Johnson could get additional starts against left-handers with Kielty sidelined.

Eric Gagne - RP - Rangers
Eric Gagne (hip) played catch Monday and said afterward that he hopes to return in about a week. "It feels pretty good," Gagne said. "I've worked it pretty hard, hitting the weights and things the last couple of days. I'm just going to have to strengthen it the way I do my back."
Source: Dallas Morning News

Johnny Damon - OF - Yankees
General manager Brian Cashman said Monday that he's not considering placing Johnny Damon (back) on the disabled list. Damon spent Monday visiting a chiropractor in Florida and the Yankees may decide he's best off with some time to rest.
Source: New York Times

Carlos Guillen - SS - Tigers
Manager Jim Leyland said Monday that he's concerned about Carlos Guillen's sore shoulder, but added that "I think it is getting better." "I'm a little concerned about it," Leyland said. "It does feel better, and I think it is getting better, but there are certain times, he told me yesterday, that when he throws it feels like it's pinching. That concerns me a little bit, but it is getting stronger." Guillen is expected to play through the injury.
Source: Detroit Free Press

Jeremy Bonderman - SP - Tigers
Jeremy Bonderman is pitching through a blister, which had to be trimmed during Monday's start. Bonderman has altered the grip on his two-seam fastball and the blister may have led to his leaving one batter into the sixth inning of Monday's win. "I've never had it before," Bonderman said. "It doesn't affect me. I'll be fine."
Source: Detroit News

Rob Mackowiak - OF - White Sox
Despite the presence of Ryan Sweeney on the roster, manager Ozzie Guillen said Monday that Rob Mackowiak will continue to start against right-handed pitching. With Jim Thome and Scott Podsednik out, Guillen has the option of starting both Sweeney and Mackowiak. ''I believe Mackowiak can hit,'' Guillen said. ''He's not the only one not hitting. The whole ballclub isn't. Mackowiak has hit in the past, and he has good at-bats. He's always in on the play and does things, and that's why we keep playing him.''
Source: Chicago Sun-Times

Julian Tavarez - SP - Red Sox
Julian Tavarez said Monday that Daisuke Matsuzaka has agreed to help him learn to throw a cut fastball, with the pair scheduled for a lesson twice per week. "I told him, 'I think you're one of the greatest pitchers I've ever seen,'" Tavarez said. "There are little things I want to learn. He's going to work with me twice a week on a cutter. That pitch has kept a lot of guys in baseball. Mike Timlin, Doug Jones. He says it's OK with him." Oh, to be a fly on the wall for those pitching lessons.
Source: Boston Globe

Jaret Wright - SP - Orioles
Placed on the disabled list with right shoulder soreness, Jaret Wright is expected to meet with Dr. Lewis Yocum regarding potential surgical options. "We'll decide from there whether it's a serious thing," manager Sam Perlozzo said. "I think what we saw was a guy that is a tremendous competitor, and his arm wouldn't let him compete. I'm sure there was a thought in the back of his mind that, 'Maybe I can't pitch anymore.' I don't know."
Source: Washington Post

Maicer Izturis - 3B - Angels
After leaving Sunday's game in the fifth inning, Maicer Izturis (hamstring) was out of the lineup Monday. According to manager Mike Scioscia, Izturis was available to pinch-hit or play defense. With out Izturis out, Robb Quinlan got his second straight start.
Source: Orange County Register

Garret Anderson - OF - Angels
Garret Anderson (hip) sat out his third straight game Monday. Manager Mike Scioscia said that he expects Anderson back in the lineup by the end of the Angels' current four-game series with the Royals.
Source: Orange County Register

Fausto Carmona - SP - Indians
Two days removed from his near complete-game shutout, Fausto Carmona was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday. With Cliff Lee slated to come off the disabled list Thursday night vs. Toronto, Carmona was simply the odd-man out of Cleveland’s rotation. And just when he started falling into a groove, having delivered three straight quality starts in a row. Talk about bad timing. Don’t expect a long stint in the Minors.
Source: MLB.com

Roy Halladay - SP - Blue Jays
Roy Halladay was sensational on Monday against the Rangers, allowing one run on five hits with eight strikeouts in the complete-game victory. Halladay's record now sits at a perfect 4-0 to go along with a sparkling 2.28 ERA and equally impressive 0.89 WHIP. He'll take his 33/7 K/BB ratio to Rangers Ballpark in Arlington for his next start.

National League

David Eckstein - SS - Cardinals
David Eckstein has been dropped to the eighth spot in the Cardinals lineup for Tuesday's game. Skip Schumaker is leading off. It's the first time in three years as a Cardinal that Eckstein has started a game outside of the leadoff spot. Eckstein is batting .226/.290/.262 in 84 at-bats so far this season. He'll go back to batting first as soon as he warms up.

Ricky Nolasco - RP - Marlins
Marlins activated RHP Ricky Nolasco from the 15-day disabled list. Nolasco will make his first start in more than three weeks tonight against the Mets.

Juan Encarnacion - OF - Cardinals
Juan Encarnacion (wrist surgery) is just 2-for-26 (.077) during his rehab assignment with Double-A Springfield. The Cardinals' plan on keeping Encarnacion on the rehab assignment for at least another week and his poor hitting shouldn't convince them to change their mind.
Source: St Louis Post-Dispatch

Chris Carpenter - SP - Cardinals
Chris Carpenter's elbow felt great after Saturday's bullpen session and he will throw a simulated game on Tuesday. "My elbow is doing good," Carpenter said. "No swelling. No nothing. ... There was no reaction." If all continues to go well, Carpenter could return to the rotation next Tuesday.
Source: St Louis Post-Dispatch

Xavier Nady - OF - Pirates
Xavier Nady felt "a little grab" in his hamstring while doing sprints on Sunday. Nady hopes to return to running on Tuesday after giving his hamstring a day off. He won't start the next two games, but remains available as a pinch-hitter.
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Sergio Mitre - SP - Marlins
Sergio Mitre (finger) allowed two hits over six shutout innings during a rehab start with Single-A Jupiter on Monday. Mitre didn't walk or strike out a batter in the outing. He is scheduled to return from the disabled list to start Saturday's game against the Padres.
Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Micah Owings - SP - Diamondbacks
Micah Owings (hamstring) threw a 45-pitch bullpen session on Monday. Owings is healthy and could be activated from the disabled list to start Thursday's game. Edgar Gonzalez is still listed as Thursday's probable starter, but that could change according to manager Bob Melvin. "We still have to iron out exactly what direction we are going in," Melvin said.
Source: East Valley Tribune

Conor Jackson - 1B - Diamondbacks
Conor Jackson (hand laceration) won't return to the starting lineup until Wednesday at the very earliest. Jackson could be used as an emergency replacement, but the team hopes to give him a few extra days to allow the cut on his finger to heal.
Source: Arizona Republic

Dave Roberts - OF - Giants
Dave Roberts didn't play in Monday's game against the Rockies because of an inflamed left elbow. Todd Linden started in his place. Roberts could be back on Tuesday.

Clint Barmes - SS - Rockies
The Rockies demoted infielder Clint Barmes to Triple-A Colorado Springs on Tuesday, and recalled infielder Omar Quintanilla to take his place. This just further solidifies Troy Tulowitzki’s job security at shortstop, as Barmes was seen as his main competition there despite going 2-for-20 (.200 AVG) in 10 games.

Rodrigo Lopez - SP - Rockies
Rodrigo Lopez (elbow inflammation) played catch on flat ground on April 29, but still hasn't thrown a bullpen session. It marked Lopez's first action since landing on the disabled list in mid-April. The Rockies aren't counting on him returning anytime soon.
Source: MLB.com

Kazuo Matsui - 2B - Rockies
Kazuo Matsui (lower back) has started swinging the bat again, but running is still an issue. Having baserunning problems isn’t particularly good news for a player who relies on his speed. Matsui appears at least a few weeks away from returning to full strength.
Source: MLB.com

Chris Young - OF - Diamondbacks
Chris Young drilled two solo homers in Monday night’s win over the Dodgers -- Nos. 3 and 4 of the year. The buy-low window appears to be shutting fast on Young, who’s gone 5-for-9 with two homers and a swipe in the last two contests. Another few games like this and you’ll actually have to pay full price for the 20-20 season he’s likely to deliver. The rebound is real.

Felipe Lopez - SS - Nationals
Felipe Lopez struck out in all four of his at-bats against the Padres on Monday. Lopez went 3-for-23 over the final five games of April to finish the month with an underwhelming .266 batting average and .613 OPS. The lack of offense wouldn’t be so bad if he were more active on the basepaths, but Lopez has only three swipes after stealing a career-high 44 bases last year. It may be time to bench the struggling shortstop and check out the other options available on the waiver wire.

Henry Owens - RP - Marlins
Henry Owens tossed a perfect ninth inning to record the save against the Mets on Monday. Owens has settled nicely into his role as Florida's new closer with a pair of saves in as many opportunities and a nifty 2.45 ERA.

Jose Reyes - SS - Mets
Jose Reyes continued his early-season MVP campaign on Monday, going 3-for-5 with two RBIs, a run and a stolen base. It was just another day at the office for Reyes, who is now batting .356 with a Major League-leading 17 stolen bases.

Marcus Giles - 2B - Padres
Marcus Giles was out of the Padres lineup Monday night with a rib injury. San Diego's second baseman was hoping that a day of rest would give his bruised ribs a chance to heal. "[Padres Trainer Todd Hutcheson] said to me that if I play [on Monday], there's a good chance that the ribs would tighten up or blow out," said Giles, "and that would definitely mean the DL and maybe even 3-5 weeks. Hopefully it will be just one day and I'll be in there [on Tuesday]." Utilityman Oscar Robles started in his place and singled in four at-bats.

Bob Wickman - RP - Braves
Braves closer Bob Wickman was placed on the disabled list Monday with a sore upper back. The odds of Wickman staying healthy all season were slim, especially considering his age (38) and checkered health record. Short term, look elsewhere for saves.

Mike Gonzalez - RP - Braves
While Bob Wickman is out with what is believed to be a minor injury, the Braves will use both Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez in the closer's role. If you have the roster space, obviously, both Soriano and Gonzalez are worth snatching up. It's unclear if one of the two young fireballers will see a larger share of save opportunities. The left-handed Gonzalez has fireman experience, with 24 saves for Pittsburgh last year, while the right-handed Soriano has pitched five scoreless innings in his last five appearances.