Rumors for April, 2011
Ubaldo Jimenez placed on 15-day disabled list
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The Colorado Rockies have placed starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez on the 15-day disabled list and recalled pitcher Greg Reynolds from Triple-A Colorado Springs, Jack Etkin of InsideTheRockies reports. Reynolds will start on Saturday against the Pirates in Pittsburgh.
Jimenez is being shelved for a cut on the cuticle of his right thumb. The move is retroactive to April 2 which will allow the right-hander to be activated by April 17.
The 27-year-old Jimenez made one start this year and gave up seven hits and six runs in a no decision.
Kevin Mitchell sentenced to 3 years probation for assualt
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Last year, we learned that former National League MVP Kevin Mitchell was ordered to stand trial after being accused of assaulting a man at a golf club at Bonita Golf Club in Southern California.
Yesterday, Mitchell was sentenced sentenced to three years of probation for his attack according to NBCSanDiego.
Mitchell pleaded no contest in March to a misdemeanor count of assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury stemming from the July 2010 incident at the Bonita Golf Club course.
His victim, Leonard Lerma, said Mitchell started the fight on the 13th hole. “I want to show you who I am, motherf–ker,” Mitchell told Lerma. “I’m an old school gangster.”
Lerma also described a fight in which Mitchell slapped him on the cheek, punched him on the cheek and punched him in the forehead.
Mitchell, 48, won the NL MVP in 1989 with the San Francisco Giants, and was on the 1986 New York Mets team that won the World Series. He’s played for nine teams in his 13 year career including the San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners, Cincinnati Reds, Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians and Oakland Athletics.
San Francisco Giants notes: Wilson, Casilla, Ishikawa
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Here’s a running list of San Francisco Giants notes from Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle:
– Closer Brian Wilson was activated from the Disabled List.
– Right handed pitcher Santiago Casilla was placed on the 15-day Disabled List with right elbow inflammation.
– First baseman Travis Ishikawa has cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Fresno.
Brewers designate Dan Merklinger for assignment
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According to MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy, the Milwaukee Brewers have designated left handed pitcher Dan Merklinger for assignment to clear room on the 40-man roster for right handed pitcher Marco Estrada.
McCalvy adds that Estrada will start Wednesday night at Miller Park against the Braves. Estrada pitched 11.1 innings last season with the Brewers leaving a 9.53 ERA and 13 SO.
Dallas Braden to miss start tonight – Tyson Ross called up
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The Oakland Athletics have called up Tyson Ross to Toronto to make a start in place of left-handed pitcher Dallas Braden, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports. It’s unknown at this time about what ailment Braden may have have that causes him to miss his start.
Braden made his last exhibition start last week, and there was no indication of an injury. He went 5 2/3 innings and according to Slusser, he looked very good.
The 23-year-old Ross appeared in 26 games for the A’s in 2010. He appeared mostly in relief, but had two starts. The right-hander went 1-4 with a 5.49 ERA in 26 appearances.
The 27-year-old Braden made headlines last year for arguing about baseball etiquette with Alex Rodriguez and then eventually joining the elite club of perfect game pitchers a few weeks later.
Pirates release RHP Craig Hansen
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The Pittsburgh Pirates have released right handed pitcher Craig Hansen according to Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com. The right hander has been recovering from a rare nerve issue adds Langosch.
Hansen, 27, had a 5.68 ERA in 6.1 innings throughout five games in 2009 with the Pirates.
Adam Dunn to undergo appendectomy – to miss up to 5 days
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Chicago White Sox designated hitter Adam Dunn joins St. Louis Cardinals’ outfielder Matt Holliday as the latest baseball star to undergo an emergency appendectomy, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports. Dunn will be out of the lineup for up to five days after undergoing the procedure.
Prior to the surgery, Dunn had been hitting .286 with one home run and five RBIs over the White Sox’s first four games.
In Dunn’s absence, Juan Pierre will take over the DH duties.
Posada knows that his offense is the only way to remain a Yankee
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The New York Yankee’s former catcher and now designated hitter, Jorge Posada, knows that his bat has to do the talking if wants to stay in a Yankee uniform for the rest of the year. The team has already replaced him behind the plate with Russell Martin and he could be on his way out after the final year of his contract if he does not produce.
“You have to keep on producing,” the 39-year-old Posada said on Tuesday. “You have to keep on doing good so they consider you when you become a free agent, when you get older.”
Posada has taken his new role in stride and so far this season he has succeeded with three home runs. One scout doubted that he could still have an impact at this stage of his career. Late last year, he looked old and beat up and he couldn’t get to even a 91 mph fastball. Now he looks fresh,” the scout said, according to Joel Sherman of The New York Post.
One thing is for sure, regardless if the Yankees want him back in the Bronx or not, Posada sounds like he wants to continue playing into his 40’s.
“I don’t know what is going to happen after this year,” Posada said. “Let’s see how this process [as a DH] goes. Beyond this year, I have no idea. But I feel I will still be able to.”
Giants could send Brandon Belt back to Minors
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San Francisco Giant’s first baseman Brandon Belt could head back to the Minor Leagues when outfielder Cody Ross returns form his right calf injury, Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports reports. Although Belt leads the team with walks and pitches per plate appearance at 4.65, he could be a casualty of a roster squeeze.
The Giants may be motivated to move him back to Triple-A to prevent Belt from becoming a eligible for salary arbitration and free agency a year too early. Players that spend at least 20 days in the Minor Leagues will not accrue enough service time in a single season to get a full year of Major League service.
By moving Belt back to the Minors, the team could move Aubrey Huff to first base – a position that he’s more familiar, and as evident by the goofs he made in right field in the opening series.
Assuming nobody else gets hurt, the team will make a move based on Belt’s performance over the next few weeks.
Pirates sign LHP Dan Meyer and RHP Tim Wood
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According to Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com, the Pittsburgh Pirates have signed left handed pitcher Dan Meyer and right handed pitcher Tim Wood. They will be assigned to Triple-A Indianapolis to begin season adds Langosch.
Woods was released by the Nationals late in March. He was 0-1 with a 5.53 ERA and 10 SO in 27.2 innings throughout 26 games with the Marlins in 2010. Meyer, 29, was 0-1 with a 9.64 ERA in 13 appearances for the Florida Marlins in 2010.
