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| Earlier reports siad that Joe Torre would use Clayton Kershaw as a starter but ESPN's Baseball Tonight is reporting that he will be used out of the bullpen. |
Our View: With prominent left-handed hitters in the Phillies lineup Kershaw could come in the game in some crucial situation.
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| The Houston Chronicle reports that Jose Castillo was outrighted to Triple-A on Wednesday. Pitchers Dave Borkowski, Jack Cassel and Ryan Houston joined him in the demotion. |
Our View: Castillo hit .246 with six home runs and 37 RBIs in 127 combined games for San Francisco and Houston last season. He came to Houston from the Giants on Aug. 20.
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| The L.A. Daily News reports that Takashi Saito may not be on the NLCS roster. After throwing a side session on Wednesday, he decided to scrap throwing from the windup. Saito said the decision rests with others, but he seemed to offer a cryptic hint that he won't be on the roster when he said this, with Kenji Nimura translating: "I'm never going to say I'm (off) the roster, because that isn't for me to decide. It's up to Joe (Torre) and the coaching staff, and they might want me to give it some time and work on my mechanics so I can be ready for the World Series." |
Our View: Saito led the Dodgers with 18 saves this season. If he were left off of the roster, Jonathan Broxton will likely be the closer. Broxton successfully filled the role earlier in the season when Saito went on the DL.
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| The Cubs have decided to pick up Rich Harden's $7 million option for 2009, according to the AP. |
Our View: The team was waiting for the 30-year-old pitcher to visit with a shoulder specialist before making a decision on his option, but the team is apparently not concerned about the injury-prone pitcher's health after picking up his option. He maintained a solid 2.07 ERA and 1.06 WHIP over 148 innings this season.
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| Indians' GM Mark Shapiro commented that the team may try to bring back Casey Blake, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. |
Our View: The Indians feel Blake is a natural fit, but that may not be the case if Jhonny Peralta ultimately moves to third base. Blake blasted 21 homers this season and is currently chasing a championship as the Dodgers are set to begin the NLCS against Philadelphia.
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| Rudy Seanez may be added to the Phillies' NLCS roster instead of J.A. Happ, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. |
Our View: Happ did not appear in the NLDS against Milwaukee. The decision to add Seanez or Happ will come down to what they feel is more valuable: a long-reliever capable of pitching multiple innings in the event of a starter breaking down, or another righthander who would be more likely to contribute in mid-to-late inning situations.
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| Reds' GM Walt Jocketty has made a call to the agent of Josh Bard, and has a mild interest in signing him, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. |
Our View: Paul Bako won't be back and Bard would be added to split time with Ryan Hanigan.
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