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| In a somewhat surprising move, Washington has released enigmatic outfielder Elijah Dukes, according to the Nationals' Twitter page. |
Our View: Dukes has the skill set to be a decent five-tool player at the big league level, though he's known for having one of the shortest tempers in the league, and you have to wonder if his behavior was a factor in his release. He's now a free agent, and you have to believe that someone out there will look past the personal baggage and give him a chance. With Josh Willingham and Nyjer Morgan as the only two players cemented in Washington's outfield, Dukes' release opens up a battle that will likely be between Mike Morse, Willie Harris, Justin Maxwell and Chris Duncan for the final starting spot.
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| Elijah Dukes was scratched from Washington's lineup on Saturday due to a sore left foot, according to MLBlogs.com. |
Our View: The injury is not serious, and he can be expected to play on Sunday against the Cardinals.
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| The Nationals and Elijah Dukes have agreed to a $444,000 contract for the 2010 season, according to William Ladson of MLB.com. |
Our View: A bargain price for someone who drove in 58 runs in 107 games a season ago. If Dukes can keep his head on straight, and stay healthy, he can have a breakout season in 2010. Stay tuned.
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| Elijah Dukes went 2-for-4 while driving in the only run allowed by a dominant Cole Hamels, but the Nationals still went quietly in Philadelphia, losing 4-2. |
Our View: The two hits upped his average to .259. Dukes has so much potential, and finally a home in Washington, that it's easy to say he will be a breakout player in 2010. But with his poisonous personality off the field, and inconsistency on it, the smart money says he will not.
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| Elijah Dukes went 3-for-4 with a run scored on Friday night, but the Nats lost a close one 3-2 in St. Louis. |
Our View: Even after his three-hit night, Dukes is still batting an abysmal .244, and is not a great option in the outfield in NL-only leagues.
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| The Nationals called up outfielder Elijah Dukes on Friday night. According to MLB.com, he will now start in right field. Adam Dunn is moving to first base, and Josh Willingham will switch to left field. |
Our View: It will be a big couple of months for Dukes, who is receiving another chance to prove he deserves an every-day job in the majors. He has a ton of natural talent and is worth a look in NL-only leagues.
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| Elijah Dukes led the Nationals in Thursday's 11-10 win over the Astros at home, as he went 2-for-4 with a single and a two-run homer off Roy Oswalt. He also swiped a base. |
Our View: Dukes ended a 16-game drought without a homer, and only has four for the season. Hopefully he has found his power stroke following his stint in the minors.
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| According to the Washington Post, the Nationals have optioned troubled outfielder Elijah Dukes to Triple-A. |
Our View: The Nats have been reportedly trying to deal Dukes as of late, and with the onslaught of recent trades there was no room on the 25 man roster for him. Don't be surprised if he is shipped out soon.
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| There is speculation that the Nationals are interested in trading Elijah Dukes after upgrading their outfield with Nyjer Morgan, according to Bill Ladson of MLBblogs.com. |
Our View: Dukes has good power potential, but has been hindered by playing his home games at pitcher-friendly Nationals Park. His fantasy stock could improve if he is traded, namely to a club that plays their home games at a hitter's park and has a better supporting cast than the struggling Nationals.
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| Elijah Dukes went 1-for-4 with a double and two RBI in Friday's 4-3 loss at Tampa Bay. |
Our View: Dukes is only hitting .184 so far in June, so it is nice to see him have a solid game. He has 29 RBI for the season.
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| Elijah Dukes went 1-for-3 with a solo homer in Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the Reds at Nationals Park. |
Our View: Dukes has found his power stroke, as he hit a homer in two of his last three games. He has six homers for the season.
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| Elijah Dukes has avoided time in prison by paying $39,767 in legal fees just a few hours before a court-mandated deadline, according to the Washington Post. |
Our View: This is good news for Dukes and his fantasy owners. Dukes is in tonight's lineup in center field against New York.
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| Elijah Dukes has been activated from the 15-day disabled list according to the Associated Press. |
Our View: No word yet on whether or not he will be in tonight's starting lineup.
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| According to the Washington Post, Elijah Dukes has been ordered to pay almost $40,000 in legal fees or he will be sentenced to 90 days in prison. |
Our View: Dukes' estranged wife, who is also the mother of his three children, is the one owed all the cash. This is all a result of child support squabbles. Dukes has until June 5th to pay up, which he will most likely do so he can avoid heading to the slammer. You think no one would be that stupid not to pay on time, but this is the man that threatened his ex-wife by texting her a picture of the gun he said he would kill her with.
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| According to MLB.com, Elijah Dukes appeared in an extended spring training game on Tuesday. He is dealing with a strained left hamstring. |
Our View: Dukes only played five innings in the game, but reported no setbacks and he should be available to return from the DL when eligible in June.
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| Elijah Dukes has been placed on the 15-day DL with a strained left hamstring, according to the Associated Press. The team recalled Justin Maxwell from Triple-A Syracuse as the adjoining move. |
Our View: The move is retroactive to May 18. Josh Willingham will continue to see more action in the outfield while Dukes is down.
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| Elijah Dukes exited Sunday's game against the Phillies due to left hamstring tightness, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: The severity of the ailment is yet to be determined. He is considered day-to-day as of now.
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| According to MLB.com, Elijah Dukes is shaking off the effects of a sore hamstring and says he's feeling much better. |
Our View: Dukes is playing down the injury as a cramp and has been deemed probable for the night game of today's doubleheader. Adjust your lineups accordingly.
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| Outfielder Elijah Dukes is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Cardinals, the Washington Post reports. Willie Harris will start in center. |
Our View: The Nationals crowded outfield pushes at least one worthy bat to the bench on a daily basis. Dukes is just getting a day off.
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| Outfielder Elijah Dukes will get the day off on Sunday. Justin Maxwell is leading off and starting in center field, the Washington Post notes. |
Our View: Dukes lost a fly ball on Saturday and may be still trying to cool off. For all the good he does at the plate, Dukes still strikes out a ton and isn't the best fielder. He remains the starter, though.
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| Elijah Dukes had two hits and two RBIs on Saturday. He is now hitting .302 on the year with 10 RBI in his 15 games. |
Our View: Dukes still has only one steal on the year, and he did commit his first error of the season on the day, but his work at the dish has more than justified the teams, somewhat late, faith in him. Keep an eye on those strikeouts though as he has a whopping 17 in just 53 ABs - that amount of swing and misses would make a run at .300 impossible.
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| Updating a previous report, Elijah Dukes was held out of Saturday's starting lineup against the Marlins after showing up five minutes late for warm ups, according to MLB.com. Dukes was late because he was signing autographs at a little league event where he was representing the team. He was also fined $500 and threatened with a demotion to Triple-A |
Our View: Perhaps the team just wanted to draw some attention to Dukes for doing something positive in his community. The outfielder was back in the starting lineup on Sunday and it is very unlikely he is sent down any time soon as he is one of the best players going for the Nationals.
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| Elijah Dukes has been scratched from today's lineup against Florida for breaking an undisclosed team rule, according to the Washington Post. |
Our View: Roger Bernadina will roam center field in his place. Dukes was reportedly five minutes late for the team's workout.
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| Elijah Dukes went 1-for-4 with a solo home run against the Phillies on Thursday. |
Our View: Dukes has went yard in two straight games and has strung together a five-game hit streak. With Lastings Milledge down in the minors and Dukes guaranteed to play every day, Dukes is well worth a roster add if he happens to still be available in your league.
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| Elijah Dukes now has a starting gig in center field as the Nationals sent Lastings Milledge down to Triple-A Syracuse due to a very poor start, according to the Washington Post. |
Our View: Dukes has a nice combination of speed and power, and is worth scooping up if still dangling on the waiver wire in mixed leagues.
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| According to the Washington Post, Elijah Dukes is in the starting lineup today, starting in right field in place of Austin Kearns. |
Our View: It looks like Dukes will be getting more playing time in the Nationals' outfield as he has had five hits in his last two starts. His upside is good as long as he makes his way into the lineup on a regular basis, so this is a good sign.
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| Elijah Dukes went 2-for-5 with three RBI, a run scored, and a double as the Nationals fell 8-5 to the Braves on Sunday. |
Our View: Dukes has started three of the last four games for the Nationals, and he sat out the fourth due to a sore groin. Initially it looked like he would be a fourth outfielder this season, but it appears now that he should be worked into the starting lineup regularly.
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| Elijah Dukes is penciled into today's lineup at Atlanta, according to the Washington Post. |
Our View: Dukes is 4-for-11 so far this season, but has four strikeouts. He will bat second in the order today between Cristian Guzman and Ryan Zimmerman.
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| Elijah Dukes will not start for Washington on Opening Day after losing out to Austin Kearns for the starting gig in right field, according to the Washington Post. |
Our View: While most people assumed that Dukes had the position locked down heading into March, Kearns far outperformed him this spring, so it should not come as too big a surprise that Dukes will open the year on the bench. While Dukes will still be the No. 2 man at each outfield position, it will be very tough, if not impossible, to reach the 25/25 predictions that many had placed on him if he isn't given everyday playing time.
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| The Washington Post reports that Elijah Dukes is in the running for the final spot in the Nationals' outfield. He and Austin Kearns are the two finalists for the job. |
Our View: Adam Dunn and Lastings Milledge are slated to start in left and center respectively and if Dukes can impress enough over the last few games he has a shot to win the job in right. However he got off to a rough start today striking out three times in three at-bats. We're guessing he'll end up in right eventually though as Austin Kearns has proved over his career that he can't stay healthy.
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| Elijah Dukes had a big day at the plate Tuesday against the Mets, collecting three hits in four at-bats and driving in two runs with a shot off of starter John Maine. |
Our View: There's no doubt Dukes possesses the athletic ability to be a solid player, but at times his own ego gets the best of him. If he can put his cockiness aside, as well as cut down on the strikeouts, he might actually be a real sleeper in fantasy leagues.
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| Elijah Dukes came up big for Washington in the team's exhibition against Team Italy on Tuesday, going 2-for-3 with a home run, a triple and three RBI. |
Our View: Nobody has ever questioned Dukes' skill set, as he possesses legit 25-25 potential if he can make it through a season, it's just that he's proven to be quite injury-prone and also has one of the hottest heads in baseball. He is expected to open 2009 as Washington's starter in right field, and more outings like Tuesday's will surely have owners excited at his extra-high ceiling come draft day.
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| The Washington Post reports that Nationals outfielder Elijah Dukes by paying $40,000 in child support payments three minutes before the 5:00 deadline on Friday. |
Our View: Had the money arrived four minutes later, Dukes would have received a prison sentence of 90 days.
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| Elijah Dukes will be competing with Lastings Milledge for the Nationals' starting center fielder spot next year, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Dukes only saw 276 at-bats in 2008, but was fairly productive with 13 home runs, 44 RBI, and a .264 average. Milledge, on the other hand, gave similar production in about twice the time with a .268 average, 14 home runs, and 61 RBI in 523 at-bats.
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| Elijah Dukes went 1-for-3 with a homer, two runs, and three RBI in Monday's win over the Mets. |
Our View: Dukes is on one of those hot streaks which remind us all how talented the mercurial outfielder is. He has 25-25 potential, but we're not sure he can be trusted to stay healthy or out of trouble.
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| Elijah Dukes went 1-for-4 with two RBI and was Washington's lone source of scoring in Saturday's 4-2 loss to Florida. His hit was a double. |
Our View: Dukes failed to stay healthy this season, but has been very productive in September as he has 10 RBI over 10 games. He merits fantasy consideration in NL-only leagues over the final two weeks of the season.
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| In an otherwise forgettable day for Elijah Dukes, his bases loaded double in the 14th inning scored all three Nationals runners, as Washington took down the Braves, 7-4. Dukes was 0-for-6 in the game before that at-bat. |
Our View: Dukes has had trouble staying healthy, and strikes out too frequently, but he has shown flashes, and fantasy owners should keep him in mind for 2009.
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| Elijah Dukes had a beastly night against the Atlanta Braves on Saturday. He was 4-for-5 with two home runs and three RBI. Both of his bombs came off of Mike Hampton. |
Our View: Dukes continues to struggle to stay healthy but he has produced when he is. In 64 games he has 33 RBI.
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| Elijah Dukes took two Dodgers pitchers deep on Thursday night as he went 2-for-3 with three runs scored and four RBI as he stole his 11th base of the season for the Nationals. |
Our View: Though he spent almost a month on the DL, the two bombs tonight give him five long balls in his last 10 games. He could easily be on waivers in your league, so take a look an consider adding him down the stretch if he is available as he has a nice combination of power and speed going right now (he has three steals in the last 10 games).
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| The Nationals activated Elijah Dukes from the DL Tuesday. He replaces the injured Austin Kearns on the roster. |
Our View: Dukes should play pretty much every day in right while Kearns is out, which could be for the rest of the year.
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| Elijah Dukes has been placed on the 15-day DL due to a strained right calf, according to the AP. The Nationals recalled pitcher Garrett Mock from Triple-A Columbus as the adjoining move. |
Our View: Dukes, who returned from a knee injury last Friday, has been sidelined since hitting himself in the leg with his bat while appearing as a pinch hitter Saturday. Dukes could return by the end of August, and is worth holding onto in NL-only leagues, based on his speed and power potential.
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| GM Jim Bowden told the Washington Post that Elijah Dukes is likely to be placed on the DL "either today or tomorrow." Dukes ad an MRI on his injured calf injury this morning, and he'll need further time to recover. |
Our View: Dukes has appeared in just two games since returning from a knee injury, and it looks like he's headed back to the DL.
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| Elijah Dukes was scratched for Saturday's game after reporting late to the ballpark, according to the Washington Post. |
Our View: He was replaced in left field by Ryan Langerhans.
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| Elijah Dukes had a successful return to the lineup as he had two hits and two RBI hitting out of the third hole. |
Our View: With all the movement with the Nationals, Dukes figures to be in the lineup everyday for the rest of the season as he attempts to prove that his time has arrived. If you need help in the outfield, he certainly is worth a look.
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| Elijah Dukes will be recalled from his rehab assignment to join the Nationals, according to the Washington Post. |
Our View: Dukes played four games on his assignment, going 5-for-15. With the Nats cleaning house, it seems obvious they will be going to play the youngsters to see what they have. Dukes had performed well so far this season, with a .367 OBP, along with six home runs, 20 RBI and 10 stolen bases. He still strikes out far too much, but may be an asset, at least in NL-only leagues, if he can continue to show power and steal bases.
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| Elijah Dukes underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Wednesday to repair two small tears in his meniscus, according to the AP. He will begin a rehab program immediately.
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Our View: As previously determined, Dukes is expected to miss four to six weeks of action.
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| Elijah Dukes was officially placed on the 15-day disabled list with a knee injury. |
Our View: Dukes injured his knee on Saturday when he crashed into the left field wall while trying to catch a foul ball. He could be out of action for up to six weeks.
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| Elijah Dukes will be out of action for four to six weeks because of a knee injury he suffered during battle with the Reds on Saturday, according to the AP. Dukes tore cartilage and partially tore a tendon in his right knee when he crashed into the left-field wall after catching a flyball in the seventh inning. |
Our View: He will have surgery on Monday, and will be the 15th member of the Nationals to land on the DL this season. The team is yet to announce a replacement for him on the roster.
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| Elijah Dukes may have severely injured his right knee after crashing into a wall while make a catch, according to the Associated Press. |
Our View: Dukes needed to be carted off the field after writhing in pain holding his knee. It appears that he will be headed to the DL after this injury, too bad considering he was hitting .325 with five home runs and five SB over his last 20 games. It remains to be seen who will fill in if he is indeed out for a while, but on this night Willie Harris replaced him in left field.
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| The Nats didn't struggle with offense this evening, posting nine runs on 15 total hits to beat the Marlins, 9-6. Outfielder Elijah Dukes was a force for the cause, going 3-for-5 with his fifth homer as well as his ninth stolen base of the season, totaling one RBI and three runs scored on the night. |
Our View: Dukes surged last month, hitting .292 with four homers and 15 RBIs. He's looking to keep it hot in July and is off on the right foot.
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| Elijah Dukes had a huge night on Friday as he went 5-for-6 with two runs and two RBI for the Nationals. Dukes also went deep for the second time this year while stealing two bases against the Rangers. |
Our View: It's about time. Dukes has been a disappointment this season with merely two home runs in 122 AB, a sickly total for a guy who could bench press a a dugout. Over the past 10 games he has brought his average up from .195 to .270 as he has clearly found his stroke.
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| Elijah Dukes had a run in with his manager Manny Acta on Tuesday night, in full view of TV cameras, according to MLB.com. Apparently there was a miscommunication that required Dukes, Acta and GM Jim Bowden to have a sit down meeting after the game. |
Our View: Dukes always seems to have some issue with someone which is a shame given his obvious potential to excel. Whether or not he ever reaches his potential depends on him keeping his head on straight, something he has failed to do up to this point.
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| Elijah Dukes had his best game of the season in the second game of the Nationals and Cardinals double-header as he went 4-for-6 including a game-winning home run in the 10th inning off of Ryan Franklin.
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Our View: This was Dukes first home run in 60 AB, a terribly low number for a player of his talent. The Nats have been very careful to shelter Dukes to give him a shot at success, but it remains to be seen if he will be able to take advantage of the chance.
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| Elijah Dukes was back in the lineup Saturday, a day after injuring his left ankle on a foul ball, according to MLB.com. He said the ankle is sore but not enough to keep him from playing. |
Our View: The Nats can't afford to lose Dukes with Austin Kearns already out, so it's good that he's able to play through this malady.
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| Elijah Dukes was forced to exit Friday's game in the sixth inning with a bruised left ankle, according to SportsTicker. Rob Mackowiak replaced Dukes in the lineup. |
Our View: This would be a bad time for the Nats to lose Dukes, as they're already without Austin Kearns.
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| Elijah Dukes has started in right field the last two nights due to Austin Kearns' elbow injury. However, the club will make a roster move on Friday to fill Kearns' spot, and they are expected to call up an outfielder, the Washington Post reports. Alex Escobar, Ryan Langerhans, Mike Daniel, and Justin Maxwell are some of the options. |
Our View: We'll know how the Nats feel about Dukes based on who they call up. If it's a veteran like Escobar or Langerhans, we'd expect Dukes to continue seeing at least half the starts (if not all of them) in right. If a prospect like Daniel or Maxwell comes up, the Nats would be more inclined to use the youngster.
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| Nationals outfielder Elijah Dukes started in right field Sunday and went 0-for-4 in the seventh spot in the lineup. |
Our View: The Sunday start was his first since opening day. Currently Dukes is considered the fourth outfielder in Washington.
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| Elijah Dukes, returning from the disabled list after injuring his hamstring on opening day, entered the game in the seventh inning and struck out in both of his plate appearances. |
Our View: Dukes will serve as the Nats fourth outfielder and has value in NL-only formats.
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| According to the Washington Post, the Nationals will activate outfielder Elijah Dukes on Friday, who strained his right hamstring on opening day. Dukes hit .211 in a 13-game rehabilitation stint with Single-A Potomac and Triple-A Columbus. |
Our View: Dukes was to be the Nationals' fourth outfielder originally, and Manager Manny Acta said he would return to that role. Dukes has value in NL-only formats and will receive his share of at-bats this summer.
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| With all the injuries to the team's catchers, outfielder Elijah Dukes will be recalled to active duty on Friday, according to the Washington Post. |
Our View: Dukes, on a rehab assignment because of a strained right hamstring, was 5-for-21 (.238) at Triple-A and will bring his potent bat to the Nationals lineup. Given the early struggles of Wily Mo Pena and Austin Kearns, Dukes could end up picking up quite a few AB.
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| The Washington Nationals report OF Elijah Dukes is nearing return to the majors, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Dukes went 0-for-4 on Monday for Triple-A Columbus in his continued effort to complete rehab for a strained right hamstring. He has been on the DL since March 30 and is now 4-for-14 with a double, a triple, and three RBIs. "We just want to make sure he's ready when we bring him up," manager Manny Acta said. "When the (coaches) tell us that he's ready and we think he's ready, he'll be there."
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| Elijah Dukes, in the minors rehabbing a hamstring injury, is continuing to work his way back into game shape at Single-A Potomac, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: No one on the Nationals is hitting much of anything right now, so there is certainly a chance that Dukes could find himself with a regular turn in the lineup if he proves he is healthy enough to play.
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| Elijah Dukes jogged at a vigorous pace yesterday afternoon, and is closer to returning from a strained hamstring, according to the Washington Times. He will continue to work out, then likely rejoin the team Friday in Miami.
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Our View: He will fight for a role in the outfield when he returns.
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| Washington OF Elijah Dukes has been taking part in team batting practice and appears to be near a return to the field, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Dukes, recovering from a right hamstring strain, was seen taking batting practice with the team on Saturday and is scheduled to take part in running activities on Tuesday when the team is in New York to play the Mets. Dukes’ return is greatly anticipated as one of the top bats and defensive talents on the Nationals roster. When he is cleared to play, Dukes is likely to be listed as the top reserve in the outfield and could see significant playing time in the not-so-distant future.
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| Elijah Dukes has been placed on the 15-day DL due to right hamstring tightness, according to MLB.com. Dukes said, "It's not getting any better by me going out there and still trying to run on it. I'm going to give it some time and let it heal properly so I can give 110 percent." Dukes has won the starting spot in LF. |
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| Elijah Dukes will remain out until Saturday, according to MLB.com. Dukes is nursing a strained hamstring and could ultimately replace Wily Mo Pena in the starting lineup in left field if he comes back strong. |
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| Elijah Dukes said he should be ready to play in "a day or two," according to the Washington Post. Dukes left Friday's game with a strained right hamstring, though the ailment appears to be minor. Assuming he can get back in action soon, he's expected to replace Wily Mo Pena (torn oblique) as the starting left fielder. |
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| Elijah Dukes strained his right hamstring sliding into second base in the bottom of the third inning of today’s 8-4 loss for the Nationals, falling to the Cleveland Indians in Grapefruit League action, according to the Associated Press. According to Dukes, “It was almost like a little strain or cramp kind of feeling.” The injury is not considered serious by any means and the Nationals are hoping Dukes can get back in the lineup and continue his work towards earning a spot in the outfield rotation in quick order. |
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| Elijah Dukes out on quite the display in batting practice, according to a report at MLB.com, as he attempts to earn a spot in the Nationals OF rotation with a strong spring. "Having guys like Lastings [Milledge] and [Wily Mo] Pena helped, too," Dukes said. "They are hitting that ball hard. It was like, 'All right, I can't be looking like the wimp of the group,' you know what I mean? So you have to come with your 'A' game." No one questions Duke's talent, it's his 10 cent brain that has gotten him in trouble so far. With legitimate 30 HR power, Dukes will look to be the team's fourth OF option this year behind Milledge, Pena and Austin Kearns at the start of the season. |
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| Elijah Dukes arrived at Nationals camp Wednesday saying he's a new man. The outfielder has battled numerous off-the-field problems and has had issues with managers, but he's hoping to turn over a new leaf. "I've been working on myself a long time, and I finally found a breakthrough," Dukes said in the AP. "And from now on, everybody gets a chance to really see (what) the real Elijah Dukes is like. I've always been working on it, it's just been issues of mine and I think now I finally tuned it up a bit so I can stay on the field the whole year." Dukes is a supreme talent capable of being a star if he's serious about cleaning up his act. He'll come off the bench for the Nats to start the year, but he could get regular playing time if he plays up to his ability. |
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| The domestic violence charges against Elijah Dukes have been dropped, according to the Washington Post. In a petition filed Dec. 10, Amanda E. Reese, who said she dated Dukes from August to October, claimed Dukes sent her threatening text messages. |
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| A woman who says she dated Elijah Dukes from August to October filed a domestic violence charge against the outfielder last week. Amanda E. Reese, 23, was granted a temporary injunction for protection against domestic violence on December 10, saying Dukes sent her threatening text messages in October and November. "I don't know a lot about it," Scott Pucino, Dukes's agent, said in a telephone interview last night with the Washington Post. "I do know that it's an old issue that happened before the Washington Nationals got him. That I do know. I'm not allowed to make a lot of comments until the legal process is complete." We'll keep you posted on this, the latest of Dukes' many legal problems. |
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| The Nationals have landed another young outfielder. Elijah Dukes has been sent to the nation's capitol in exchange for minor league left-hander Glenn Gibson. At the moment, it doesn't look like Dukes would have a starting job in Washington, but we'll have to see what the Nats do over the rest of the offseason. |
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| Elijah Dukes will play winter ball in the Dominican Republic over the offseason as he tries to get his career back on track, according to the Tampa Tribune. "Elijah continues to make great strides,' Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman said. 'We're still at the point in the process where it'd be premature to elaborate much more, but we feel like he is at the stage where it's appropriate for him to go out and play some in the winter league and take it from there." Dukes dealt with personal problems over the course of the 2007 season, and also struggled during his time in the big leagues, hitting just .190 in 184 at-bats. Assuming he cleans up his act, he could compete for a roster spot next spring, but it's also possible the Rays could use him as trade bait. |
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| On Friday, the Devil Rays optioned Elijah Dukes to Single-A Vero Beach and placed him on the temporary inactive list, according to the St. Petersburg Times. The move will allow him to deal with his personal problems and leaves open the possibility to return to the Devil Rays at some point in the future. |
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| Elijah Dukes was held out of the lineup for the fourth straight game Saturday, the AP reports. "I thought Jonny Gomes is swinging the bat well and he's been hustling in the field," Joe Maddon said. |
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| Joe Maddon said it's "more than likely" that Elijah Dukes will start Friday night at Colorado, the AP reports. Dukes returned to the club but didn't play Thursday, one day after he left the team for personal reasons. |
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| Elijah Dukes, in an 0-for-17 slump, was given Wednesday off, the AP reports. "I just thought he was pressing a little bit," Joe Maddon said. "He'll be back in there tomorrow." Dukes went 0-for-6 on Tuesday, dropping his average to .200. |
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| Elijah Dukes and his estranged wife NiShea agreed Tuesday night to a one-year injunction in which the outfielder will stay away from his wife. NiShea alleged earlier this month that Dukes had threatened to kill her and their two children, according to the Tampa Tribune. "I'm just happy they granted it for a year," said NiShea Dukes. "And I can move forward." |
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| Elijah Dukes was back in the lineup Friday after missing two games amid allegations that he threatened to kill his estranged wife and their two young children, the AP reports. Dukes was in center field, batted leadoff, and had a home run in his final trip to the plate. "I chose tonight because I felt it was time to move things along," manager Joe Maddon said. "He's a member of this team. I thought about it a lot, talked to (executive vice president Andrew Friedman) about it a lot. I just want to get back to playing baseball and put this thing behind us. A lot of thought has gone into this. I won't deny that I've lost sleep over it because I have." Dukes declined comment before the game. |
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| The estranged wife of Elijah Dukes claims the ballplayer threatened to kill her, the St. Petersburg Times reports. NiShea Gilbert is alleging that her husband, among other things, sent a photo of a handgun to her cell phone and left angry and threatening voice-mail messages; she showed evidence of both and claims Dukes is the source. "I just don't think I should live in fear," said Gilbert. "When (the Rays) go out of town, I come home. When they're at home, I go stay with my mother. I shouldn't have to live like that because he's a baseball player." Dukes, who has fathered children with four women and has faced a host of legal problems in the past, is denying the allegations. |
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| Elijah Dukes was given a routine day off Saturday as Joe Maddon wanted to give Carlos Pena some at-bats. Pena wound up going 0-for-4, with Dukes pinch-hitting for him late in the game (Dukes popped out). Maddon is expected to return Dukes to the lineup Sunday, giving him the start in center field and having Rocco Baldelli DH. |
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| Elijah Dukes hit his second homer of the season in Thursday's win at New York. He's making a case to stick as a semi-regular, at minimum, even when Rocco Baldelli is ready to play center field again. It wouldn't surprise us if Dukes picked up DH at-bats at the expense of Jonny Gomes. |
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| In his big-league debut against the Yankees on Monday, Elijah Dukes and went 1-for-3 with a home run. He started in center field and batted eighth. Dukes will continue to start in center field until Rocco Baldelli recovers from his hamstring injury. |
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| With Rocco Baldelli dealing with hamstring issues, Elijah Dukes will open the year as the Devil Rays starting center fielder, according to the AP. Dukes, who hit .367 with seven RBI this spring, is known for his on- and off-the-field problems, but he carries significant upside with a starting role. |
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| Elijah Dukes tweaked his right quadriceps on Saturday and sat out of Sunday's contest as a result, according to the Tampa Tribune. It doesn't appear to be serious, as he's expected to play on Tuesday. |
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| It looks like Devil Rays are leaning toward keeping Elijah Dukes with the team when the season starts, even in a reduced role, because they feel he has nothing left to prove in the minors, according to the Tampa Tribune. "Physically, obviously, Dukes is among the most talented players in all of baseball," said executive VP Andrew Friedman. "Physically, he has proven that he can handle Triple-A offensively, defensively and every nuance of the game. Between the lines, nobody plays the game harder than he does. Off the field, it's been more of a work in progress." They might want to keep a closer eye on him, too, to keep him from more off-field incidents like January's arrest for marijuana possession. |
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| Elijah Dukes was arrested this week and charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession after a traffic stop, according to the AP. The Devil Rays said they would later release a statement about the arrest. Dukes, who has constantly had trouble keeping his nose clean, was suspended for 15 games at Triple-A Durham last year for disciplinary reasons, and five games by the International League for arguing balls and strikes. |
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| The Devil Rays added Elijah Dukes to their 40-man roster Monday to protect him from the Rule 5 draft in December, according to the Tampa Tribune. Dukes, who underwent a minor knee operation last Wednesday, is expected to be ready for spring training. |
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| The Marlins remain interested in acquiring Elijah Dukes from the Devil Rays, though the club doesn't see him as an option in center field, according to the Sun-Sentinel. They see him more as a corner outfielder. Dukes underwent a minor knee operation yesterday but should be fine for spring training. |
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| Elijah Dukes will undergo surgery on his left knee Wednesday to repair "loose bodies", according to the Tampa Tribune. He is expected to be unable to work out for a month, but he'll be ready for spring training. The paper also reports that despite the injury, the Marlins are viewing Dukes as a potential trade target. |
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| The Devil Rays have suspended prospect Elijah Dukes for 30 days following his five-game suspension by the International League for refusing to leave the dugout when ejected from a game July 25, according to the St. Petersburg Times. The suspension is retroactive to Tuesday, meaning he could return for the final week of the minor league season. However, Rays executive VP Andrew Friedman said it's not clear if that would actually happen. |
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| Elijah Dukes, who was recently scheduled to be reinstated from a five-game suspension handed down by minor league baseball, had the suspension extended by the Devil Rays while they review his newest outburst, a refusal to leave the dugout after being ejected from a game on July 25. Dukes will remain suspended indefinitely until the Tampa Bay organization decides what to do about his behavioral issues. In the meantime, Dukes told Baseball America that he wasn't sure if he was going to return to Triple-A Durham. "I packed all my stuff and I'm headed home," said Dukes. "To be honest, I don't even know about baseball anymore. Everything is just wearing on me, and this year has just been so frustrating. I'm trying to keep my nose clean and keep to myself, but things just keep getting turned around and I'm tired of it." |
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