|
|
| The Mets signed journeyman infielder/outfielder Frank Catalanotto to a minor-league contract on Saturday. |
Our View: After being spurned by Bengie Molina, John Smoltz, Joel Pineiro and Chien-Ming Wang, among others, the Amazins have finally signed somebody. And while it is easy to poke fun at the fact that the player they finally got turned out to be a 35-year-old signing with his fifth organization, the fact of the matter is that Catalanotto is a lifetime .292 hitter with a .358 on-base percentage. Not too shabby. Expect him to make the team's 25-man roster, and to be a spark-plug off the bench.
|
|
|
|
| Frank Catalanotto went 3-for-4 in Wednesday's 10-3 loss to the Cardinals. |
Our View: Catalanotto got the start Wednesday due to his career success against Chris Carpenter, and the diminutive outfielder rapped three hits against the Cardinal ace. It was his first three-hit game of the season.
|
|
|
|
| According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Frank Catalanotto will get the start in right field for Wednesday's game against the Cardinals. He's hitting second. |
Our View: Catalanotto gets the nod Wednesday due to his surprising success against former Cy Young winner Chris Carpenter. He's 5-for-12 in his career against Carp, but the Cards righty has been filthy this season so don't expect a lot of success from Frank.
|
|
|
|
| Frank Catalanotto will be making the start for the Brewers in right field tonight. He is replacing Corey Hart in the lineup. |
Our View: It appears manager Ken Macha is giving the left handed hitting Catalanotto the start in an effort to get as many lefties in the lineup as possible against Marlins pitcher Anibal Sanchez.
|
|
|
|
| Frank Catalanotto went 2-for-3 with two RBI in Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Cardinals at Miller Park. He hit a single and a triple. |
Our View: The Brewers had eight hits in the game, and Catalanotto accounted for their only runs batted in. He started over the struggling Corey Hart, and took advantage to prove his worth with a strong performance.
|
|
|
|
| Frank Catalanotto will start in right field today against St. Louis in place of the struggling Corey Hart, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. |
Our View: This will mark his first start with the Brewers. Catalanotto is a career .292 hitter in the majors, and opposing hurler Todd Wellemeyer is 4-4 with a 5.19 ERA this season. Catalanotto is worth consideration if you have him on your fantasy roster.
|
|
|
|
| Frank Catalanotto has been recalled by the Brewers from Double-A Huntsville, according to the Sports Network. |
Our View: The 35-year-old vet was recalled to provide depth in the infield, but his fantasy value will be limited to deeper leagues while fighting for playing time.
|
|
|
|
| The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel is reporting that Frank Catalanotto will report to Double-A Huntsville where he will begin playing the outfield. |
Our View: Catalanotto should get called up by the Brewers in the near future as long as he swings the bat well. He has no fantasy value, but he could provide some depth for the Brewers when he gets up.
|
|
|
|
| FoxSports.com is reporting that the Brewers have signed free agent outfielder Frank Catalanotto. |
Our View: It is expected that Catalanotto will report to extended spring training first and then proceed to either Double-A or Triple-A. The Brewers hope he can join the big club by June 1. His fantasy value is limited as he will probably only be a pinch hitter or spot starter.
|
|
|
|
| The Reds have discussed Frank Catalanotto, but nothing is close, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. |
Our View: Catalanotto would see limited action as a reserve outfielder and left-handed hitter off the bench with the Reds, and would not hold fantasy value outside of deeper NL-only leagues.
|
|
|
|
| MLB.com reports that the Marlins showed interest in outfielder Frank Catalanotto. Talks slowed after they signed Ross Gload, but Catalanotto won't make Texas' squad and could land somewhere else soon. |
Our View: The Marlins are shaking things up right now. Should they land Catalanotto he would be a nice utility guy/pinch hitter for them, but wouldn't command any real fantasy value outside of deep NL-only leagues.
|
|
|
|
| Frank Catalanotto hit his first homer of the spring Friday against Colorado. He was 1-for-3 with three RBI and a run scored in Texas' 11-5 win. |
Our View: Catalanotto does not stand much of a chance landing a spot in the Rangers' outfield in 2009, but he could offer some value in AL-only leagues through his ability as a solid pinch hitter.
|
|
|
|
| Frank Catalanotto is likely to be dangled in an attempt to add another piece to the Rangers puzzle, according to the Dallas Morning News. |
Our View: With Chris Davis up and hitting well and the impending return of Hank Blalock, there will shortly be few options for Catalanotto to be in the lineup. He is still a solid major league hitter, but where he ends up will determine just how much value he will continue to hold in AL only leagues.
|
|
|
|
| According to the Dallas News, Frank Catalanotto hitting .306 (.372 on-base percentage) as a first baseman this season will move to the bench for the foreseeable future, to make room for the Chris Davis-Max Ramirez platoon at first. |
Our View: To the dismay of AL-only owners, Catalanotto appears to be the odd man out, and isn't likely to see much playing time when Blalock returns from the disabled list.
|
|
|
|
| Frank Catalanotto is back in the starting lineup Tuesday after missing seven games with a sore back, according to the AP. |
Our View: Catalanotto is playing first base, which means Chris Shelton is on the bench.
|
|
|
|
| Frank Catalanotto is ready to rejoin the Rangers' lineup, according to the Dallas Morning News. |
Our View: His stiff back has shown great improvement, but won't likely start until Tuesday (at first base) against Tampa Bay righty Andy Sonnanstine.
|
|
|
|
| With Hank Blalock scheduled to move to first base, Frank Catalanotto will lose significant playing time. Blalock will play first base regularly. |
Our View: Catalanotto had already been taken out of the outfield mix by the arrival of Brandon Boggs. While Boggs has slumped at the plate, it's clear he's a huge defensive upgrade, so it's unlikely he's going to be removed any time soon. There are no at-bats at designated hitter since Milton Bradley is still physically limited. And now there is probably no more than one game a week at first base for him.
|
|
|
|
| Frank Catalanotto got the start at first base on Tuesday night. Manager Ron Washington is searching for better hitting out of the spot. "I certainly expected a lot more production than I'm getting out of it," Washington tells MLB.com. "Sometimes you get off to a bad start, and my first basemen have gotten off to a bad start." Ben Broussard, Chris Shelton, and Jason Botts have also played first base, and the group has combined to hit .161 with five homers, 13 RBI, and a .546 OPS. |
Our View: We don't know why the Rangers are being stubborn about not using Jarrod Saltalamacchia at first base. That decision might need to be reversed soon.
|
|
|
|
| Frank Catalanotto went 1-for-3 with a solo homer in Tuesday's loss to the Tigers. |
Our View: Little Cat doesn't play every day, but he's still on pace for nearly 400 at-bats and can deliver okay digits for AL-only teams.
|
|
|
|
| Frank Catalanotto didn't take part in Thursday's game versus the White Sox. He missed the contest after tweaking his groin while running out a double the night prior, according to the AP. His status for the weekend is unclear at this point. |
|
|
|
| Frank Catalanotto picked up a start at first base Wednesday, his first appearance at that position this year. He went 3-for-6 with two runs and two RBI in the first game, then sat out the nightcap. |
|
|
|
| Frank Catalanotto could be available for outfield duty this weekend, the AP reports. Catalanotto's been restricted to DHing since he was activated from the DL on Monday because his throwing has been hampered by right bicep tendinitis. If Catalanotto can throw, he'll play RF Sunday while Sammy Sosa is the DH. |
|
|
|
| As expected, the Rangers activated Frank Catalanotto from the DL Monday. Catalonotto, who had been out with a strained biceps tendon, homered in his first at-bat back. The injury is preventing Catalanotto from playing the outfield (he started at DH), but he hopes to be able to get back in the field by the weekend, according to the Dallas Morning News. "I really don't have any problem with hitting, and it just gets sore after a while when I'm throwing," said Catalanotto. "But I'm ready to go and get back at it." |
|
|
|
| The Rangers will activate Frank Catalanotto from the DL today. Catalanotto, who's coming back from a strained biceps tendon, isn't able to play the outfield yet, but he can DH, according to the Dallas Morning News. That means Sammy Sosa will get some playing time in right, leaving either Victor Diaz or Nelson Cruz relegated to a bench role. |
|
|
|
| The Rangers are expected to activate Frank Catalanotto from the disabled list on Monday, according to the Dallas Morning News. He's been out with a strained biceps tendon and likely will replace Ramon Vazquez on the Rangers roster. |
|
|
|
| The Rangers decided not to activate Frank Catalanotto (right biceps) from the disabled list Tuesday, the AP reports. He is expected to play four games starting Thursday with Triple-A Oklahoma, although the timetable on Catalanotto might need to be pushed forward if the hamstring injury to Brad Wilkerson is anything serious. |
|
|
|
| Frank Catalanotto is expected to DH in his return to action on Tuesday, according to the Dallas Morning News. However, manager Ron Washington said he plans for Catalanotto to be limited to pinch-hitting duties the next four to five games, as the Rangers face two lefties before facing the Astros without a DH. He's recovering from a strained biceps tendon. |
|
|
|
| Frank Catalanotto has begun playing rehab games as the designated hitter at the Double-A level, according to the Dallas Morning News. He's recovering from a strained tendon in his right biceps and said he should begin throwing any day now. It looks like he should come off the disabled list when eligible on Tuesday, though he might be limited to DH duties until his arm is up to par. |
|
|
|
| Frank Catalanotto swung a bat for the second consecutive day Wednesday without any significant soreness, the Dallas Morning News reports. Catalanotto (biceps tendinitis) hopes to start throwing Thursday or Friday, with the goal of being activated May 15. |
|
|
|
| Rangers manager Ron Washington threw batting practice to Frank Catalanotto Tuesday, the AP reports. Catalanotto is on the disabled list with right biceps tendinitis. "He swung the bat extremely well," Washington said. "I was trying to get him out." Catalanotto is expected to come off the DL when he is eligible on May 16. |
|
|
|
| Frank Catalanotto said his strained right biceps tendon felt better Sunday, so he didn't get a cortisone shot, according to the Dallas Morning News. He hasn't been throwing and has been swinging his bat with only one hand, but he still thinks he'll be ready to come off the disabled list when eligible May 15. |
|
|
|
| An MRI on Frank Catalanotto's shoulder revealed an acute strained biceps tendon, according to the Dallas Morning News. This was a good sign, and doctors have told him that he should be able to return from the disabled list when he's eligible on May 15. "I finally found out and got the news, and I'm happy," Catalanotto said. |
|
|
|
| The Rangers put Frank Catalanotto on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday after an MRI exam showed a strained tendon in his right biceps, according to the AP. He said he felt a "tearing sensation" when he made a throw during Sunday's game at Toronto. Catalanotto hasn't played since, and his assignment was made retroactive to Monday. He is expected to be ready when he's eligible to come off the disabled list May 15. |
|
|
|
| Frank Catalanotto is scheduled to undergo an MRI exam today to determine if he's torn anything in his right shoulder, according to the Dallas Morning News. He said felt a "tearing sensation" Sunday when throwing a ball in from the outfield. The Rangers will likely wait to hear the results of the exam before deciding whether or not to make a DL move. |
|
|
|
| Frank Catalanotto was held out of the lineup on Monday because of a sore shoulder, according to the AP. If his shoulder problem persists, manager Ron Washington said either Marlon Byrd or Victor Diaz could be called up from Triple-A Oklahoma to provide some depth in the outfield. Catalanotto is scheduled to undergo an MRI this week. |
|
|
|
| Frank Catalanotto felt a "tearing sensation" while making a throw from left field to third base in the fifth inning of Sunday's 7-3 loss to Toronto, the Dallas Morning News reports. He was removed from the game after the inning, and it's feared he may need surgery. He'll have an MRI this week. If Catalanotto does go on the disabled list, it's possible the Rangers will recall Victor Diaz or Marlon Byrd as a replacement. |
|
|
|
| The Dallas Morning News reports that the Rangers may use Frank Catalanotto at their leadoff hitter now that Gary Matthews has signed with the Angels. Catalanotto spent most of his time last year with the Blue Jays batting second. |
|
|
|
| Frank Catalanotto has agreed on a three-year, $13 million deal with the Rangers, according to the AP. The deal contains an option for a fourth year. Catalanotto, who should man left field for the Rangers, batted .300 with seven homers and 56 RBI in 437 at-bats for the Blue Jays last year. He was with the Rangers from 2000-2002 and had a career year in '02, hitting .330 with 11 homers and 54 RBI. |
|
|
|
| Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi said that the signing of Frank Thomas likely means that the team will not re-sign free agent Frank Catalanotto. "I don’t think we’ve ruled him out but, obviously, it’s going to be a lot harder to get playing time for him," Ricciardi said. |
|
|
|
| When Alexis Rios returns from the disabled list, manager John Gibbons plans to give Reed Johnson the majority of the playing time in left field, according to the Blue Jays website. However, though this should affect the playing time of Frank Catalanotto, it won't affect it as much as it initially seem because Catalanotto should get several starts at designated hitter every week. |
|
