All About Prior

[cubfan33]

It seems the entire baseball world is focused on Wrigley Field
tonight as MARK PRIOR makes his first start. He's through five
innings with eight strikeouts and two walks. It seems like anything short of Johnny Vandermeer would be a disappointment, but somehow, Prior's start seems to have energized the team. I'm listening on WGN so I can't SEE the game (damn you, MLB for not televising this!) but
MOISES ALOU and FRED MCGRIFF have both had excellent games. Of note to fantasy players - the Cubs didn't update their pitching matchups. Its usually about five days ahead, but the next JUAN CRUZ start wasn't added. (NOTE: He left after six innings with 10 K's, 2 walks, and 103 pitches.)

MOISES ALOU starts off our injury parade. Sliding into the brick
wall in left field yesterday doesn't seem to have had much effect on him. He's played well tonight. In other Cubs news, ALEX GONZALEZ will return to the lineup on Friday which will cause another decision for the Cubs - at some point, they will have to lose one of CHRIS STYNES, MARK BELLHORN, or (our vote) DELINO DESHIELDS.

We checked in with KEVIN ORIE again and he's ready to return for Triple A Iowa, but the team is being very conservative with him. Orie mentioned that the Cubs had discussed returning him to the Phillies as part of a deal for SCOTT ROLEN. Hmmmm ...

MANNY RAMIREZ will not need surgery on his finger. He was inspected by Red Sox team doctors but, of note, not treated. There have been indications that Manny does not trust team doctors and has stuck with Anne Oulette, a Miami hand specialist, in order to maintain the control over his rehab that PEDRO MARTINEZ and CARL EVERETT didn't have last year. The report on Ramirez indicates he could be back in three weeks.

The Yanks pitching problems got worse with EL DUQUE going on the DL with a mild herniation in his back, MARIANO RIVERA complaining of groin problems, and ADRIAN HERNANDEZ's ineffective start against the Blue Jays. I still don't see ANDY PETTITTE being rushed when they have a couple options (BRANDON CLAUSSEN, RAMIRO MENDOZA) in house.

RAFAEL PALMEIRO did not play today after a late scratch. The
complaint was again the strained right calf that kicked my fantasy
league team in the teeth last week. The scratch was blamed on
playing a day game after a night game, but the injury remains very worrisome.

COREY KOSKIE will be activated Saturday for the Twins.

DAVID ECKSTEIN is still an X File to UTK ... he's been playing above his head so long, it can't be above his head anymore. He twisted his knee but the injury is not considered serious and he should miss a couple games at most.

WADE MILLER will make one more rehab start at New Orleans before returning to the Astros rotation. He's most likely to make his return start on the 27th.

TINO MARTINEZ has flu-like symptoms. Heck, I have flu-like symptoms which is why I'm not in Wrigley tonight. I'm not going on the DL, dammit. EDGAR RENTERIA is also out a couple games with an abdominal strain.

Reports out of Seattle indicate that despite the upcoming
interleague schedule, EDGAR MARTINEZ will be sent on a rehab
assignment (likely to Triple A Tacoma) for the weekend and could be activated as soon as next Tuesday.

CHUCK KNOBLAUCH may be the next big name to become a sunk cost. Is this a succession of GM's waking up to bad contracts or is this posturing in advance of the work stoppage?

DAVID DELLUCCI is continuing his rehab in Triple A Tucson. I have a hard time feeling sorry for anyone dating Gina Lee Nolan.

Next report tomorrow.

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[KCBOOMER]

Originally posted by cubfan33
CHUCK KNOBLAUCH may be the next big name to become a sunk cost. Is this a succession of GM's waking up to bad contracts or is this posturing in advance of the work stoppage?

I doubt he gets whacked. The Royals simply have no one else to hit leadoff. They were reduced to letting Neifi Perez leadoff last night and for the life of me I couldn't think of a better choice.

[spitball]

Don't forget Eckstein fouling a ball off of his face in Detroit. That was bizarre.

[gyb13]

Originally posted by cubfan33
There have been indications that Manny does not trust team doctors

Based on their track record, can you blame him?