Will Wins Duh Award, Doesn't Rant

[cubfan33]

I will not rant today. I will merely discuss injuries.
I will not rant today. I will merely discuss injuries.
Sure I will.

One thing I will do is give myself a “duh” award. I mentioned the excellent Kevin Goldstein Prospect Report the other day as an essential read and forgot to give the address: http://www.nextstopsix.com/prospectreport

KEVIN BROWN underwent surgery today to remove disc fragments from the foraminal herniation that had been previously reported. This is a relatively unusual type of injury. According to an interview available at MLB.com, the surgery lasted about two hours and was termed successful. He will undergo a “trunk stabilization” rehab program and Dr. Watkins would not be pinned down on a timetable. Watkins revealed for the first time that Brown did suffer from right leg weakness due to the nerve impingement. Brown will not be returned to any baseball activity until he is pain free. This is significant and means that its very unlikely that he will return this year. If you get a chance, listen to the interview – the reporters were fairly humorous in trying to drag a timetable out of the doctor.

While you’re over at MLB.com, check out the Tommy Lasorda article on steroids. I’m hoping that MLB has someone besides Tommy to trot out on this issue.

MANNY RAMIREZ took batting practice last night and all reports are that he looked good, but not great. Ramirez apparently surprised the doctors by taking BP – it’s unclear whether he was cleared to do this. Some suggestions have been made that Manny might be activated as soon as Friday – I’d guess more like Monday.

Early Cy candidate and Peter Gammons’ adopted son DEREK LOWE has a blister on his pitching thumb that forced him to leave the game early. He will not miss a start.

ROBERTO ALOMAR left last night’s game after attempting to field a ball in right field and landing awkwardly, straining his knee. He was held out of tonight’s lineup. If the knee continues to bother him, Alomar will be sent for an MRI. Lee Sinins had some great stuff today in his ATM about Alomar being the hitting version of Bret Saberhagen.

FLASH GORDON pitched in the bullpen before yesterday’s game with the Astros and reports are good. Gordon was pain free and threw his entire arsenal, including that nasty hammer curve. He could be back as soon as a couple weeks. Baylor has said that Gordon would not return to closing, but would be an eighth inning man, essentially giving the Cubs three closers for the last three innings. Nice if the Cubs had some hitters to give them a lead going into those innings.

Baylor remains a moron, giving indications that BOBBY HILL will be sent down when DELINO DESHIELDS is activated. This makes no sense on any level that doesn’t involve the terms “gritty,” “veteran leadership,” and “my kind of guy.” It does nothing to help the Cubs win now or in the future, which, last I checked, is the manager’s job. Which makes me wonder … why is it still his job?

KEN GRIFFEY JR. should be available to hit, but not play in the field, as early as tonight. The Reds are in Texas, so using Griffey as a DH is a great option. Reports are that Griffey’s hamstring is healing nicely and that the organization’s collective pulse is returning to normal.

CARLOS ALMANZAR will miss two months with a fractured finger. Why pitchers insist on sticking their pitching hand in the way of a ball is still beyond me. The Reds rotation is a shambles right now and its unclear who will take Almanzar’s turn.

The Tigers took two hits on the injury front. Well, more like two jabs that two real solid punches. DANNY PATTERSON is back on the DL with elbow pain. There’s nothing new, but Patterson is not able to recover quickly enough to pitch without a day’s rest between outings. It’s hoped that rest will help. BOBBY HIGGINSON will miss the series with the Expos to guard his slightly strained hamstring. He could play DH, but there is no DH in Montreal.

Valuable Angels reliever AL LEVINE, a player few notice but may be just as valuable as TROY PERCIVAL … wait, let’s look at this statement I made off the top of my head. Using the excellent Sabermetric Baseball Encyclopedia (available for purchase at
www.baseball-encyclopedia.com), I note that over the last three years, Levine has had an RSAA (Runs Saved Against Average) of 14,12, 20. Percival’s RSAA is 7, 3, 14. It’s not even close! Yet the save stat is making Percival a millionaire. Levine has a sore shoulder with no cause. An MRI came back inconclusive so Levine will be shut down as a precaution and more tests done next week.

EDGAR MARTINEZ will likely be activated on Friday and will serve as a pinch hitter while the club is in NL parks. I’m not sure what the value is in doing this versus giving him some extra time, but the Mariners usually know what they’re doing. It will, if nothing else, give fantasy managers a couple looks at Edgar before the roster deadline.

PRESTON WILSON is in a slump and will miss some time with an “upper back strain.” This is one of those chicken and egg situations – did he go into the slump because of the strain or did the strain come because Torborg needs a reason to sit him? Since Tim Raines is the replacement, the Fish have to hope the slump is over quickly.

MASATO YOSHII was hit with a comebacker tonight and early reports indicated he may have broken his jaw. The results came back negative and Yoshii will likely be able to make his next start.

DENNIS TANKERSLEY was sent back to the minors. He’s not hurt, but I like saying Tankersley and I’m hoping someone will explain the logic of the Padres minor league system to me. All the good hitters are in A ball, then move to Triple A when ready. All the good pitchers are in Double A Mobile. The Pads are loaded so it may be working.

ERIC HINSKE, who would look better in a Cubs uniform than SCOTT CHIASSON did, was scratched late yesterday with a sore hamstring. He’s not in the lineup again tonight, but the injury does not appear severe.

In the real world, NICK BIERBRODT is doing better after being shot twice, once in the right arm and once in the chest. (He’s a lefty.) According to his physician, he has been moved out of the ICU and is improving rapidly.

I have a poll up on the UTK forum at www.netshrine.com - be sure to head over and check it out. I’ll be over there later tonight pretending to be one of the intelligent people discussing all things baseball.

[SmedIndy]

What's the slogan? Who won?

[ChicagoDave]

Originally posted by cubfan33
Baylor remains a moron, giving indications that BOBBY HILL will be sent down when DELINO DESHIELDS is activated. This makes no sense on any level that doesn’t involve the terms “gritty,” “veteran leadership,” and “my kind of guy.” It does nothing to help the Cubs win now or in the future, which, last I checked, is the manager’s job. Which makes me wonder … why is it still his job?

I am sick of this! Let the Kid play! Deshields is not the future and won't make a difference for the Cubs. What is it that Baylor likes about this Guy?!?

Prediction: Bobby Hill gets traded and ends up being another R Palmerio. "

[KCBOOMER]

Originally posted by cubfan33
PRESTON WILSON is in a slump and will miss some time with an “upper back strain.” This is one of those chicken and egg situations – did he go into the slump because of the strain or did the strain come because Torborg needs a reason to sit him? Since Tim Raines is the replacement, the Fish have to hope the slump is over quickly.

Yeah, he's in hell of a slump. He whacked home runs in his first two at bats against Paul Byrd yesterday. Both of them rockets.