|
|
| In what is becoming a daily occurrence, Ryan Ludwick went deep again for his 12th home run of the season for the Cardinals. Ludwick went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and three RBI on the night. |
Our View: Hello, Mr. All-Star. Ludwick is on a full season pace of, hold your hats, .350-48-128 right now, numbers that look even a bit high for Mr. Pujols. Ludwick has been shockingly good so far.
|
|
|
|
| Brian Giles had two hits on Monday night, his fifth straight game of at least two hits. |
Our View: This streak has pushed his average from .259 to .311 in a matter of five games thanks to 14 hits. Of course he didn't score a run cause no one on the team can hit behind him right now, but the elder Giles is certainly doing his thing right now.
|
|
|
|
| Wilfredo Ledezma had a very uninspiring outing allowing five hits, two walks and four runs over four innings to lose his first game of the season. |
Our View: Ledezma might own a 3.54 ERA, but focus on the 16 BB in 28 IP and the 1.54 WHIP, they are better indications of his performance.
|
|
|
|
| Todd Wellemeyer improved to 5-1 on the year thanks to six innings of two-run ball for the Cardinals. Wellemeyer had success on the night despite only two K and three BB against the Padres. |
Our View: We have to admit we are a bit surprised that Wellemeyer has done this well, heck, everyone should be as he is doing an excellent Chris Carpenter impersonation right now. It's doubtful he'll keep it up, but he has been a godsend so far.
|
|
|
|
| Chad Huffman went 2-for-4 with his fifth homer of the season for Double-A San Antonio on Monday. |
Our View: Huffman is one of San Diego’s top hitting prospects, and they could certainly use him. He is now hitting .340-5-23 with a 27/29 BB/K ratio this season, though the 23-year-old is unlikely to see the majors until next season with Chase Headley ahead of him on the organizational depth chart.
|
|
|
|
| Mat Gamel went 2-for-4 with his 10th home run of the season for Double-A Huntsville on Monday. He is now hitting .372 this season. |
Our View: Gamel is legitimately an elite prospect now that his power has emerged. The 22-year-old is hitting .372-10-38 with a 1.097 OPS. Triple-A, anyone?
|
|
|
|
| John Raynor had a big game for Double-A Carolina on Monday with a home run and three steals. He now has five homers and 17 steals for the year. |
Our View: The speed is there for Raynor to make a big fantasy impact down the line, but he is old for Double-A at age 24. Still, he is an underrated keeper who could make an impact by next season.
|
|
|
|
| Dallas McPherson hit three home runs for Triple-A Albuquerque on Monday, giving him 15 home runs this season. |
Our View: The Angels’ former top prospect has nothing left to prove in the minors, but the oft-injured power hitter has never been consistent in the majors. The Marlins are very much in contention for the time being, and Jorge Cantu has been able to hold down the fort at the hot corner in spite of poor defensive skills. McPherson is worth a look if he gets a call-up, but that does not seem to be imminent.
|
|
|
|
| Randy Winn extended his hitting streak to 14-games on Monday night with a home run, and he added another hit later in the game to finish the contest with a .299 average. |
Our View: Given the plight of the Giants, it wouldn't be a shock to see Winn wearing another uniform at some point this season as it's clear he can still provide a professional bat on most nights.
|
|
|
|
| Clint Barmes had another big night at the plate going 2-for-4 with his fourth home run of the season for the Rockies to extend his hitting streak to 12 games. |
Our View: With two hits Barmes is now hitting a robust .361 despite just seven walks in 36 games. He is hot now, so ride him hard in NL Only leagues, but he wary of a sudden drop off because his plate discipline is still lacking.
|
|
|
|
| Patrick Misch had a decent start on Monday night as he held the Rockies to three runs over 5.1 innings for the Giants. Misch surrendered five hits and two walks in the no-decision. |
Our View: Kevin Correia is progressing well in his comeback from injury, but it would appear that Misch should still have at least a couple of more starts to make his mark with the G-men.
|
|
|
|
| Brian Fuentes picked up his sixth save of the season on Monday night in the Rockies 4-3 victory over the Giants. |
Our View: This save was possible because Fuentes picked off pinch runner Eugenio Velez on an attempted steal. If you are a Manny Corpas owner, you might have to wait a long while for Fuentes to give up the closers role.
|
|
|
|
| Brian Moehler needed 95 pitches to hold the Cubs to three runs over five innings as he fell to 1-1 on the year. |
Our View: Moehler continues to allow a boatload of hits, 31 in just 22.2 IP, and with just 11 K in that time it's clear that he needs exquisite control to do any better than he did on this night.
|
|
|
|
| Ted Lilly picked up six strikeouts over 5.1 innings to earn his fifth victory of the season. Lilly walked two, allowed four hits and gave up two runs on the night. |
Our View: Lilly used the elements to his advantage early in the game, the sun was a huge ally in the early going, and he hung around long enough to pick up the victory on this night, the fifth time in six starts that he has allowed three or fewer runs.
|
|
|
|
| Aramis Ramirez had three hits, including his seventh home run, on his way to two runs scored and two RBI. |
Our View: Ramirez continues to be a third baseman who's name doesn't come close to matching his value. Year in and year out the guy gives you 30 bombs and 100 ribbies, you can pretty much bank it, marking him as one tremendous option at third base.
|
|
|
|
| Lost amidst all the hype of Lance Berkman's hit streak, few realized that Hunter Pence was working on a 16-game streak of his own, a streak that ended on Monday when Pence went 0-for-4. |
Our View: Pence was robbed on a 415-foot bomb to center field that was snared, over the shoulder style, by Jim Edmonds. The hit streak raised Pence's batting average from .242 to .282, and he is right about where he should be, from a production standpoint, at this point of the season.
|
|
|
|
| Lance Berkman lost his 17-game hitting streak on Monday night as he went 0-for-4 for the Astros. |
Our View: We guess Berkman will have to be satisfied with being in the top two in each of the Triple Crown categories in the National League.
|
|
|
|
| Geovany Soto hit the first inside the park home run by a Cubs catcher since 1959 on Monday night as he knocked in three runs for the Cubs. |
Our View: For the second night in a row umpires made a bad call on a flyball that should have been a home run, but unlike Carlos Delgado last night who had his ball ruled foul, Soto's ball was in play and it bounced so far away from center fielder Michael Bourn that Soto was able to leg it out.
|
|
|
|
| Mark Mulder has been shut down for 10-14 days with what is being reported as shoulder irritation, according to MLB.com. Mulder made five starts with little issue, but his last two starts haven't gone well at all (18 hits in 9.2 IP). |
Our View: Mulder is slightly ahead of Mark Prior in his comeback attempt, but it's best to realize that it's not 2003, so don't expect either pitcher to have any value this season except for possibly in deep NL Only leagues.
|
|
|
|
| Chase Utley had two hits on Monday night, his first multi-hit game since May 5th. |
Our View: Utley owns a .301 career average, he is currently hitting .311, so it's not like this recent slowdown has damaged his value whatsoever in the batting average category.
|
|
|
|
| Lastings Milledge had two hits and two RBI on Monday night as he continues to try and find a rhythm at the plate. |
Our View: One home run and three steals isn't going to get it done for fantasy owners, and until Milledge can start to show some consistency at the plate, he is better left on your bench.
|
|
|
|
| Cristian Guzman had three hits and three runs scored from the number two hole for the Nationals on Monday night. |
Our View: Guzman pushed his average back over .300, it's now .307, and at the rate he is scoring runs, he certainly is making himself quite the useful play in NL Only leagues.
|
|
|
|
| Tim Redding was masterful for 6.1 innings as he shutout the Phillies on his way to his sixth victory of the season. |
Our View: Redding only struck out two guys on the night, but he limited his walk total to two which led to this great outing. Redding lowered his ERA to 3.16, and despite his deficiencies, it's hard to argue against that number.
|
|
|
|
| Brett Myers lasted six innings on Monday night, and though the results weren't bad he still fell to 2-5 on the year with the loss. Myers allowed eight hits and three runs on the night. |
Our View: Losing was the bad news, but the good news is that he kept the ball in the yard and gave his team the chance to win. As long as he continues to do that, the results will more often than not be positive.
|
|
|
|
| Jason Hirsh (strained forearm) is scheduled to throw a simulated game on Tuesday as is Luis Vizciano (shoulder), according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Hirsh and Vizciano should both give rosters in NL Only leagues a boost when they return, but neither figures to be a difference maker.
|
|
|
|
| Troy Tulowitzki has started to partake in light workouts in his attempt to come back from his injured quad, but all he is currently doing is taking ground balls, according to MLB.com. "If I'm feeling good, I can keep moving the exercises with more intensity and I can be back pretty quick," Tulowitzki said. "But if I have a setback, it can take a little longer. I haven't done anything at game speed, so it's tough to tell." |
Our View: Because the injury is really hard to pin down, there really isn't a definitive timetable for his return to the Rockies, so continue to maintain your patience with an eye on the injury updates.
|
|
|
|
| Jake Peavy is likely headed to the DL, according to a report on the San Diego Tribune. Apparently Bud Black told reports that though the results of Peavy's MRI are still not in, the team will likely place him on the DL regardless. |
Our View: Not at all surprising. If Peavy blows out his arm the Padres are toast, so look for them to be extremely careful with their ace no matter what the MRI says. Hopefully it won't be more than a couple of weeks.
|
|
|
|
| Pedro Martinez threw a simulated game on Monday tossing 77 pitches over 4.1 innings, according to the Associated Press. The next step is for Pedro to throw a bullpen session on either Wednesday or Thursday. |
Our View: Pedro looks to be a couple of weeks out, but his progress has been slow and steady from his injured hamstring which is just what the Mets had hoped for.
|
|
|
|
| Garrett Atkins was moved into the cleanup spot on Wednesday since the Rockies are facing a left-handed pitcher, according to the Denver Post. Todd Helton was dropped to fifth in the order with Ryan Spilborghs batting sixth in place of Brad Hawpe. |
Our View: Atkins is hitting .500 in 24 AB against left handers so this move makes sense, as does the benching of Hawpe who is hitting just .200 with a .619 OPS in 25 AB against lefties.
|
|
|
|
| Austin Kearns missed his second straight game on Monday because of a sore right elbow, according to MLB.com. Kearns said the elbow is still swollen, but he was able to hit off a tee on Monday and hopes to be back in the lineup soon. "I'm fine. It's better today. We'll see how it goes," Kearns said. |
Our View: Perhaps Kearns can use a few days off to find his lost swing that has seen him "produce" at the worst levels of his major league career (.187-3-16), or perhaps he needs to actually keep his eyes open when he swings.
|
|
|
|
| Roy Oswalt tested his injured hip by throwing off flat ground on Monday and he pronounced himself fit to start on Thursday, according to MLB.com. "It's not a muscle strain, so that's a good thing," he said. "I think it's more of a tendon ... I think it's just inflamed more than anything." |
Our View: Oswalt was relieved when it became clear it was a hip problem and not a groin issue since he has had trouble in the past with the groin. Starting Oswalt this week isn't for the faint of hear, but it looks like he will be out there to face the Phillies on Thursday.
|
|
|
|
| Kris Benson, who threw a simulated game on Saturday, is "still a long ways away" according to assistant GM Ruben Amaro Jr. in a report on MLB.com. "He's going to have to show some improvement to pitch in the big leagues," Amaro said. "He's going to have to pitch like a big leaguer to pitch in the big leagues. |
Our View: Benson apparently is not ready to enter a minor league game, yet alone a big league game, as he is still trying to make his way back from right shoulder surgery, a comeback that has been plagued by issues to his biceps and groin.
|
|
|
|
| Contrary to earlier reports, Kyle Kendrick will not start on Friday as originally planned, he will now start on Thursday instead, according to MLB.com. Adam Eaton will now start on Friday. |
Our View: Kendrick's last start was cut short by rain (12 pitches), so the team ultimately decided to move him up a day in the rotation.
|
|
|
|
| Updating an earlier report, Matt Chico will indeed replace an injured Shawn Hill to start the Nationals game on Wednesday, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: This plan could still change if Chico is forced to come out of the pen to support Tim Redding on Monday night, but it appears that Chico should he ready to start against the Phillies, though that certainly doesn't mean you should have him in your starting lineup.
|
|
|
|
| Ronny Paulino has reclaimed his starting role in the absence of Ryan Doumit, and Paulino is intent on proving he deserves the starting gig even when Doumit is healthy, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Paulino is hitting just .218 in 78 AB this year and provides a much less dynamic presence at the plate that Doutmit. Considering how well Doumit did before going down to injury, Paulino is going to have to set the world on fire to maintain a starting spot once Doumit is healthy.
|
|
|
|
| Jimmy Rollins suffered a scare on Sunday when he tweaked his left ankle, but on Monday he reported that he was fine, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Rollins should continue to man the shortstop position for the Phillies, something he has done extremely well while on the field considering his .342 average, but it will be interesting to see if he curtails his running to make sure his ankle is healed.
|
|
|
|
| Rich Hill has been placed on the seven day disabled list at Triple-A Iowa because of back spasms, according to the Chicago Tribune. However, it really doesn't sound like he is hurt. “I don’t think it’s serious,” Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. “Probably more of a mental break than anything, I’d assume. That’s just my assumption. [The break] may not be bad. It might be the best tonic of all. But I haven’t heard anything wrong of a serious nature, anything fundamentally wrong with his back.” |
Our View: How the mighty have fallen huh? Hill has gone from a top-25 starting pitcher selection this year to a spare part in the minor leagues in record time. In fact, the Tribune even went as fur to opine that Sean Marshall and Kevin Hart might be ahead of Hill in terms of being promoted to the big league club.
|
|
|
|
| Alfonso Soriano was named the NL Player of the Week after putting up 16 hits leading to seven home runs, 14 RBI and a 1.258 SLG for the week, according to MLB.com. "I have my confidence back," Soriano said. |
Our View: Soriano is as hot as anyone on the planet not named Lance Berkman, so it's only fitting that the Cubs and the Astros play each other at the start of the this week.
|
|
|
|
| Infielder Abraham Nunez singed a minor league contract with the Mets and was assigned to Triple-A New Orleans, according to the Associated Press. |
Our View: Nunez, previously with the Brewers, batted .235 with just 16 RBI in 252 AB with the Phillies last year and is nothing more than a depth/bench type player who offers no fantasy value except for those who are desperate in NL Only leagues.
|
|
|
|
| John Lannan received the bulk of the credit Sunday afternoon, when his 7.1 innings of one-run ball inspired the Washington Nationals to a 2-1 victory, denying the Baltimore Orioles a sweep of the interleague series. |
Our View: Lannon evened his record at 4-4 on the season, lowered his ERA to 3.40 and improved his suspect K:BB ratio (34:20). Lannon has been the beneficiary of a high Strand Rate which is reflected in his 1.43 WHIP.
|
|
|
|
| Nick Masset hadn't pitched since May 11, but he'll certainly be remembered for how he preserved the White Sox's 13-8 victory Sunday to secure a three-game sweep of the Giants. Masset bailed the Sox out of a bases-loaded jam in the eighth inning by stranding the tying and go-ahead runs, then pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his first major-league save. |
Our View: Masset has appeared in nine games this year and started one. In 21 innings of work he has allowed 18 hits, walked 11 and struck out 21. His 3.86 ERA and 1.38 WHIP are respectable as a starter, but as a reliever not so much.
|
|
|
|
| Bronson Arroyo will try and build on back-to-back strong starts in the series opener at Los Angeles tonight. Arroyo was 1-4 with an 8.63 ERA after being torched by Atlanta for seven runs in 1.1 innings, the shortest outing of his career on May 4. In two starts since, he's 1-0 with an 0.60 ERA, allowing one earned run and striking out 14 in 15 innings. |
Our View: In his last start, he left after seven innings with a 6-0 lead, but the bullpen couldn't hold it in what became a 7-6, 10-inning victory over Florida. Arroyo was working on short rest in his start against the Reds, something that has been favorable for him in the past. Despite the claims that Arroyo has some sort of injury, he continues to claim he's never felt better.
|
|
|
|
| Nate McLouth's numbers suggest a prototypical heart-of-the-order-type hitter, this according to the team website.
The outfielder has 12 homers, the most among all center fielders in baseball. His 36 RBIs trail just Houston's Lance Berkman for the National League lead. He also sports a .629 slugging percentage, and the 53 hits, the 14 doubles are all team-high totals.
|
Our View: With cleanup hitter Ryan Doumit sidelined until further notice, the Pirates could use some power in the middle of the order. However, despite McLouth's power numbers, manager John Russell said he likes McLouth in the No 2 spot behind Fred Sanchez.
|
|
|
|
| According to the Palm Beach Post, the Marlins will eventually start Jacque Jones in center field. The job currently is being shared by utility player Alfredo Amezaga and outfielder Cody Ross. Combined, they are hitting .216.
When Jones joins he team, infielder Robert Andino is likely to be sent back to Class AAA Albuquerque. Amezaga would go back to being a reserve infielder with Cody Ross a reserve outfielder.
|
Our View: Jones will have value in NL-only leagues but isn't a mixed league option.
|
|
|
|
| Shawn Estes cleared another hurdle as the issue of his elbow never came up while discussing his two-hit, 6.1-inning outing against the Mariners, reports the Union Tribune. "On paper, we should have won that game," said Estes, who departed with the Padres leading 2-1. As for himself: "My curve was not working too well (Sunday). But my two-seamer (fastball) was breaking down and away from the righties. "What is the point of throwing the breaking ball if the fastball is working like it was? Keep it as simple as you can." |
Our View: Only 45 of Estes' 89 were strikes. But he issued only two walks in the no-decision. His first two starts has solidified his station with the Padres. He is now officially the No. 5 starter and will be for the rest of the year, barring an injury.
|
|
|
|
| Closer Kevin Gregg was approaching one week since his last outing so on Saturday he approached manager Fredi Gonzalez about getting on "the list to get into the game."
So on Saturday, with the Marlins ahead 7-4 entering the ninth, Gregg allowed one hit in a scoreless ninth inning, according to the Palm Beach Post.
"I wanted to pitch no matter what," said Gregg, who also pitched a scoreless ninth on Sunday.
|
Our View: Gregg has seven saves on the season with a respectable 2.61 ERA.
|
|
|
|
| Hunter Pence went 1-for-3 with a run scored in Houston's win over the Rangers, extending his hitting streak to 16 games.
|
Our View: Pence is warming up and beginning to live up to his preseason expectations. Sunday's performance gives him six extra-base hits with 11 runs scored, 13 RBIs and a .564 slugging percentage in 59 at-bats this month -- an outstanding display of hitting after a meager showing in April (.680 OPS).
|
|
|
|
| Nomar Garciaparra's recovery from a strained left calf appears to have stalled, and the Dodgers third baseman is scheduled to undergo a battery of tests this week. "This thing just won't go away," Torre told the LA Times. "He's tried to run and jog and it's still there." |
Our View: Not one experienced fantasy owners should be surprised by this.
|
|
|
|
| Double-A Jacksonville recently aligned its rotation so the Dodgers would have the option of calling up top prospect Clayton Kershaw to pitch in Anaheim over the weekend. However, the prospect remained in Jacksonville. |
Our View: In seven appearances before the Dodgers indicated they would consider the promotion, Kershaw gave up four earned runs in 33.1 innings. In two appearances since then, he has given up seven earned runs in 11 innings. Just the thought of pitching in Dodgers Stadium has commanded the young prospects attention. Imagine what his lines will look like when he actually makes the move.
|
|
|
|
| After a rain delay knocked both of yesterday's starting pitchers, Shaun Marcum and Kyle Kendrick, out the game, the team will keep Kendrick on his regular schedule. He will start Friday at Houston against Brandon Backe. |
Our View: The Phils needed to use five relievers yesterday so don't be surprised if Kendrick receives an inning or two in relief before his next start.
|
|
|
|
| Left-hander and former first-round draft pick Brad Lincoln gave up one run in five innings to win his first start since recovering from elbow surgery. |
Our View: The start came at Hickery (Low-A) where Lincoln beat the Braves Single-A club.
|
|
|
|
| The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Nate McLouth was struck by a pitch on the outside of his right leg just below his knee in the third inning of Sunday's game. |
Our View: The spark plug remained in the game and said he was fine. "It's just sore," he said. "But it's just a bruise." Still, tracking these nagging bumps and bruises is important for Daily Transaction leaguers.
|
|
|
|
| After Shawn Hill continued to experience discomfort in his pitching elbow during Friday's start, the Nationals believe the right-hander's turn in the rotation will be skipped, which is scheduled for Wednesday at home against Philadelphia, notes the Washington Post.
"For the good of the kid, we're probably going to end up skipping him," Acta said. "We'll get together tomorrow and make that decision."
Acta said left-hander Matt Chico , who was moved to the bullpen after starting the season 0-5 with a 6.87 ERA, is a candidate to start in Hill's place. |
Our View: Asked if this was something Hill would have to deal with all season, Acta said: "There's a very good chance that that's going to be the situation because nothing has been found in the tests and he's going to have to pitch through pain." Owners should obviously bench Hill this week and hope he doesn't have to make another trip to the DL.
|
|
|
|
| Nationals right-fielder Austin Kearns was a late scratch from Sunday's starting lineup against the Baltimore Orioles because of a sore elbow, this according to the Washington Post. |
Our View: Manager Manny Acta said he considers the cleanup hitter day-to-day.
|
|
|
|
| The St Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Rick Ankiel said he was feeling better on Sunday night, and team doctors suggested the Cardinals outfielder could recover from a strained right shoulder without losing 15 days to the disabled list. |
Our View: Manager Tony La Russa listed Ankiel as available for Sunday’s game but doubted that he could do anything more than run and play in the field. The Cardinals center fielder is a risky start in Fantasy Week 8.
|
|
|
|
| According to the St Louis Post-Dispatch, Joe Mather could be headed to the parent club due to Ankiel’s shoulder injury. Mather, the hottest-hitting outfielder at the Cardinals’ highest affiliate, remains in Memphis for now. |
Our View: The Cardinals had made preliminary plans to bring up Mather if club medical officials had decided that Ankiel needed at least 15 days of recovery time, but Cardinals medical supervisor Dr. George Paletta recommended a patient approach. For now, it appears Ankiel will avoid the DL and Mather will remain on the farm.
|
|
|
|
| The St Louis Post-Dispatch reports that third baseman Troy Glaus , who during the last home stand wondered whether he had an allergic reaction that limited his ability to see during night games at Busch, had a hit in five of the six games in this home stand. |
Our View: Glaus singled in two runs in his first at-bat Saturday and, after going 0-for-4 Sunday, finished the home stand 11-for-26 (.423 average).
|
|
|
|
| According to Fox Sports, the Marlins have reached agreement with free-agent outfielder Jacque Jones .
Jones will take a physical Monday morning. He initially will report to extended spring training in Florida to get back into playing shape then return to the majors as a fourth outfielder and left-handed hitter off the bench.
|
Our View: Once Jones is ready to join the Marlins, he likely will take the roster spot of either outfielder Brett Carroll or infielder Robert Andino, adding to a bench that generally includes infielder Wes Helms and outfielder Cody Ross from the right side.
|
|
|
|
| Michael Barrett is headed for Portland to begin his rehab assignment by playing Monday and Wednesday for the Beavers before transferring to Single-A Lake Elsinore to be closer to the Padres, this according to the Union Tribune.
|
Our View: Manager Bud Black said he believes Barrett, who has been out since April 7 with a strained right elbow, must play at least five games, possibly 10, before he's ready to rejoin the Padres.
|
|
|
|
| Kevin Correia threw a full bullpen session as part of his comeback from a strained intercostal muscle, this according to the San Francisco Chronicle. He is expected to pitch in an extended-spring game in Arizona when the Giants play there next week. |
Our View: His return to the rotation has yet to be determined.
|
|
|
|
| The Diamondbacks have a decision to make with Max Scherzer, according to the Arizona Republic, and it could be a difficult one with six solid starters available upon his return.
Scherzer, the former first-round pick who features a sizzling fastball, has made three starts in the rotation as a fill-in for left-hander Doug Davis . And he's looked very, very good. Scherzer could get sent back to Tucson. Melvin might also hold off on activating Davis and let Scherzer keep pitching in the starting rotation. But Melvin isn't ready to show his cards.
"I'm just not going there," he said. "We'll figure it out once Doug comes back."
|
Our View: Davis seems all but set to return from a rehab assignment at Triple-A Tucson in his comeback from thyroid cancer surgery. He picked up a win Sunday for the Sidewinders.
|
|
|
|
| The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is reporting that John Smoltz still hopes to come back from the disabled list by the end of the month, but Smoltz acknowledged Sunday that he could be out significantly longer.
"It could be anywhere between the [late May] timetable I discussed and a lot longer," said Smoltz, 41, who reported discomfort following his Thursday and Saturday bullpen sessions. He said he doesn't know yet whether he can pitch in games until the situation improves — or when it will improve.
|
Our View: He's been on the disabled list for three weeks due to inflammation in the rotator cuff and severe inflammation in a biceps tendon in his right shoulder. Smoltz said a cortisone injection and two weeks of rest didn't completely alleviate the inflammation, and throwing makes it worse.
But he said there's no guarantee that complete rest for a longer period would knock out the inflammation. And since he can't afford to lose considerable arm strength if he hopes to pitch again this season, he is caught between trying to control the soreness and preparing for a return.
If and when he does come back, it will be in the bullpen instead of the starting rotation.
|
|
|
|
| Derek Lowe pitched on three days' rest because Brad Penny was out due to arm stiffness. Lowe gave up seven runs on 10 hits in five innings against the Angels. |
Our View: Penny is scheduled to pitch tonight against the Reds and Bronson Arroyo.
|
|
