cubfan33
05-06-2002, 11:06 PM
With big happenings here at UTK HQ, I've got a lot of info on some
big names, but nothing really earthshaking, so sit back and take
notes. There may be a quiz later.
Bill Mueller returned for the Cubs tonight and looked very good. He
hit a home run and ended 2-4 on the night. To make room for him,
Todd Hundley went to the DL. Baylor softpedaled it, but Hundley
wasn't happy about the move. Still, it was the smart one. Once (if?)
Hundley gets his thumb back into catching shape, the Snugglies will
have to get rid of one of Bellhorn, Stynes, or Ojeda. The smart move
would be to keep all three and sink DeShields. Bobby Hill could make
all that moot, but Baylor wants him to work on sacrifice bunting
more in Iowa.
Speaking of Iowa, Mark Prior is there for a start tomorrow. I never
want to use the words Mark Prior in this space again. Ever. Really.
Dean Taylor is evidently reading UTK and feeling my pain. He's
apparently hoping to help the 31 year old baseball obsessed
demographic by sending Jamey Wright and Curtis Leskanic for rehab
assignments to Indy (AAA). Could he please send a prospect or two
next time?
Dmitri Young will return from the DL later this week and will likely
take over at 3B. I don't have solid info, but if they think he can
make the throw over, the hernia must have healed well.
Thanks to everyone nice enough to let me know that Kevin Brown broke
up Matt Clement's no-hit bid by plunking him. Clement was steamed
and it could get interesting if Brown ever has to bat against him.
Ryan Rupe almost became the first pitcher to be plunked last night.
After hitting two guys, Trot Nixon "accidentally" threw the bat at
Rupe. Solid.
Robby Alomar leads off the injured back brigade. His strained back
has left him unable to hit right-handed. The injury is slow to heal,
but the DL is not a consideration.
Damian Miller's back is more of a concern. He took a cortisone
injection in the back, hoping to ease the inflammation in the
ligaments of his back. This will seriously affect his catching and
since rest is really the only cure, a trip to the DL may be in the
offing.
Great article on pitch counts at ESPN. Here's the link -
http://games.espn.go.com/content/flb/2002/story?page=moonlight09
Mike Timlin is listed as tomorrow's Cards starter, but since he
pitched (and gave up the game losing home run) tonight, all
indications are that Bud Smith will be rushed off the DL and into
starting at Wrigley. The Curse of the Bullpen Tomb is in full effect
and here's hoping Smith isn't the first pitcher to have his season
consumed by it.
Chan Ho Park may avoid visiting Oklahoma City. The Rangers will take
a good look at him in a bullpen session and if all goes well, he
could be back on the mound by the weekend. His hamstring is not
100%, but a rehab start wouldn't help much and the Rangers need all
the pitching they can get. Kapler will bring them some, but nothing
that will get them over the hump.
Jason Marquis, a favorite of UTK, will head to Greenville (AA) for a
rehab start. His elbow tendonitis has mostly cleared up and he'll do
a metered five innings to help shake the rust off. Once he returns
to the lineup, all indications are that Albie Lopez will be exiled.
Edgar Martinez is making great progress after hamstring surgery.
While a return wasn't expected until June 1 at the earliest, Lou
Piniella made some rumblings that Edgar may come back earlier as a
pinch hitter. The M's already have a Rule 5 guy on the bench, so I'm
not sure that would be the best move. As long as the M's are
winning, why not let Edgar rest and heal?
Ellis Burks is making no progress with his strained hamstring. He's
fast becoming Harold Baines Jr. - fine hitter, but it causes moans
and groans when he runs, even for the fans. Burks may go to the DL
with a retro to further heal.
Shawon Dunston injured his intracostals and will miss a few games.
He's a spare part, so it doesn't hurt the Giants when he's gone.
Still, Dunston is my shortstop in my 1986 simulation league so I am
reminded that while he never lived up to his hype, he's probably
played longer after his peak than anyone I can think of and kept a
major league job long after his late eighties peers are long gone.
If that's a skill, he has it. I still wish Zimmer would have tried
him as a reliever at some point. That would have been something to
see!
No, it's not Curt Schilling so quit asking. Next report tomorrow.
big names, but nothing really earthshaking, so sit back and take
notes. There may be a quiz later.
Bill Mueller returned for the Cubs tonight and looked very good. He
hit a home run and ended 2-4 on the night. To make room for him,
Todd Hundley went to the DL. Baylor softpedaled it, but Hundley
wasn't happy about the move. Still, it was the smart one. Once (if?)
Hundley gets his thumb back into catching shape, the Snugglies will
have to get rid of one of Bellhorn, Stynes, or Ojeda. The smart move
would be to keep all three and sink DeShields. Bobby Hill could make
all that moot, but Baylor wants him to work on sacrifice bunting
more in Iowa.
Speaking of Iowa, Mark Prior is there for a start tomorrow. I never
want to use the words Mark Prior in this space again. Ever. Really.
Dean Taylor is evidently reading UTK and feeling my pain. He's
apparently hoping to help the 31 year old baseball obsessed
demographic by sending Jamey Wright and Curtis Leskanic for rehab
assignments to Indy (AAA). Could he please send a prospect or two
next time?
Dmitri Young will return from the DL later this week and will likely
take over at 3B. I don't have solid info, but if they think he can
make the throw over, the hernia must have healed well.
Thanks to everyone nice enough to let me know that Kevin Brown broke
up Matt Clement's no-hit bid by plunking him. Clement was steamed
and it could get interesting if Brown ever has to bat against him.
Ryan Rupe almost became the first pitcher to be plunked last night.
After hitting two guys, Trot Nixon "accidentally" threw the bat at
Rupe. Solid.
Robby Alomar leads off the injured back brigade. His strained back
has left him unable to hit right-handed. The injury is slow to heal,
but the DL is not a consideration.
Damian Miller's back is more of a concern. He took a cortisone
injection in the back, hoping to ease the inflammation in the
ligaments of his back. This will seriously affect his catching and
since rest is really the only cure, a trip to the DL may be in the
offing.
Great article on pitch counts at ESPN. Here's the link -
http://games.espn.go.com/content/flb/2002/story?page=moonlight09
Mike Timlin is listed as tomorrow's Cards starter, but since he
pitched (and gave up the game losing home run) tonight, all
indications are that Bud Smith will be rushed off the DL and into
starting at Wrigley. The Curse of the Bullpen Tomb is in full effect
and here's hoping Smith isn't the first pitcher to have his season
consumed by it.
Chan Ho Park may avoid visiting Oklahoma City. The Rangers will take
a good look at him in a bullpen session and if all goes well, he
could be back on the mound by the weekend. His hamstring is not
100%, but a rehab start wouldn't help much and the Rangers need all
the pitching they can get. Kapler will bring them some, but nothing
that will get them over the hump.
Jason Marquis, a favorite of UTK, will head to Greenville (AA) for a
rehab start. His elbow tendonitis has mostly cleared up and he'll do
a metered five innings to help shake the rust off. Once he returns
to the lineup, all indications are that Albie Lopez will be exiled.
Edgar Martinez is making great progress after hamstring surgery.
While a return wasn't expected until June 1 at the earliest, Lou
Piniella made some rumblings that Edgar may come back earlier as a
pinch hitter. The M's already have a Rule 5 guy on the bench, so I'm
not sure that would be the best move. As long as the M's are
winning, why not let Edgar rest and heal?
Ellis Burks is making no progress with his strained hamstring. He's
fast becoming Harold Baines Jr. - fine hitter, but it causes moans
and groans when he runs, even for the fans. Burks may go to the DL
with a retro to further heal.
Shawon Dunston injured his intracostals and will miss a few games.
He's a spare part, so it doesn't hurt the Giants when he's gone.
Still, Dunston is my shortstop in my 1986 simulation league so I am
reminded that while he never lived up to his hype, he's probably
played longer after his peak than anyone I can think of and kept a
major league job long after his late eighties peers are long gone.
If that's a skill, he has it. I still wish Zimmer would have tried
him as a reliever at some point. That would have been something to
see!
No, it's not Curt Schilling so quit asking. Next report tomorrow.