Rumors for April, 2011
Andre Ethier puts his name in Dodger’s record book
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Today in the first inning, Andre Ethier hit a slow roller to the 2nd base side of first which eventually ended up being scored as an infield single. That hit extended his April long hitting streak to 21 games. At 21 games, Ethier’s April hitting streak is now one game longer than Steve Garvey’s streak (20) which happened in April of 1978 for the longest hitting streak in April by a Dodger.
When Ethier was told about his accomplishment today, he was quick to praise the man hitting behind him, Matt Kemp. “He’s a good person to have behind you in any lineup,” Ethier said. “It provides me with opportunities to swing the bat.”
The Dodgers play the Marlins on Monday where Ethier will attempt to tie his ex-manager Joe Torre at 22 games for the longest hitting streak in April. Torre accomplished this feat in 1972 while playing for the St. Louis Cardinals.
But to put Ethier’s accomplishment into perspective, he would have to hit in 35 more games to match Joe DiMaggio’s record of 56 consecutive games which he did in 1941.
The Dodgers consecutive games with a hit record is held by Willie Davis at 31 games, which was accomplished in 1969.
Quotes were obtained from the LA Times.
Injury updates: Longoria, Rolen, Kalish, Contreras and Hill
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Here’s a running list of injury updates for several Major League players:
– Third baseman Evan Longoria took around 20 swings at pitched balls today for the first time since his oblique injury according to Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times. Longoria will travel with the Rays to Minnesota, with plans to participate in full batting practice on the field by Wednesday and Thursday.
– According to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com, third baseman Scott Rolen was placed on the 15-day Disabled List with a strained left shoulder.
– Red Sox outfielder Ryan Kalish has a partially torn labrum that could require season-ending surgery reports Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe. Kalish injured his left shoulder diving for a ball Thursday while playing for Pawtucket.
– According to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, right handed pitcher Jose Contreras has been placed on the 15-day Disabled List with a right flexor pronator strain.
– Blue Jays manager, John Farrell, told Mike Wilner of the Blue Jays Radio Network that Aaron Hill will go to the 15-day Disabled List after today’s game.
Corey Hart could return to Brewers on Tuesday
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Right fielder Corey Hart could make his 2011 debut with the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports. Hart missed all of Spring Training with a left rib-cage strain.
“We’ll see how [Monday] goes,” manager Ron Roenicke said. “If his at-bats are good and he feels his timing is there, we may try to do something.”
When Hart returns, the Brewers will need to make a roster move. Erick Almonte and Brandon Boggs are out of options, so finding space on the 25-man roster could be tricky for Milwaukee.
Nick Cafardo on Dodgers, Glavine, Gordon and Upton
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Here’s the latest from the Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo:
– Don’t expect Dodgers’ owner Frank McCourt to just sell his team for $900 million – $1 billion. Sources close to McCourt say that he’s “flabbergasted by Selig’s actions”.
– Outfielder Alex Gordon is starting to live up to expectations with The Royals. He’s hitting .361 with one home run and 14 RBIs.
– Scoring has been on the decline for the last five years. Major League teams are averaging just 4.31 runs per game this season.
– Ryan Doumit and Chris Snyder of the Pittsburgh Pirates could be trade candidates to fix the catching issues in Boston.
– B.J. Upton could be traded if the Rays fall out of contention, or even if they’re in contention.
– GM Mike Rizzo of the Washington Nationals is thought to be shopping for a center fielder.
– Former pitcher Tom Glavine is exploring the possibility of joining a group that could make a bid to purchase the NHL’s Thrashers.
– Joe Gilbert, special assistant to the White Sox, could put together a group of investors if Frank McCourt has to sell the Dodgers.
– Tom Werner, chairman of the Red Sox, eliminated himself from pursuing ownership of the Dodgers.
Injury updates: Utley, Feliz, Gutierrez, Jones and Hughes
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Here’s a running list of injury updates for several Major League players:
– Phillies GM, Ruben Amaro Jr., still believes second baseman Chase Utley could be back before the end of May according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. “I’m hopeful,” Amaro said. “I don’t know if it’s going to happen, but I’m hopeful. I can only hope.”
– Right-handed pitcher Neftali Feliz has been placed on the 15-day Disabled List with right shoulder inflammation reports Anthony Andro of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
– Mariners outfielder Franklin Gutierrez has been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome according to Mason Kelley of The Seattle Times. Gutierrez has been sidelined with stomach issues since Spring Training.
– According to Mark Bowman of MLB.com, Chipper Jones is dealing with pain in the lower inside of his right knee. The veteran third baseman told manager Fredi Gonzalez to sit him this Saturday against the Giants.
– Yankees starter Phil Hughes already threw an extended bullpen, and according to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News, the plan is for him to start a Minor League game on Thursday.
Marlins sign Chris Sampson and Gabe Gross to Minor League deals
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The Florida Marlins have agreed to Minor League deals with Chris Sampson and Gabe Gross according to Joe Frisaro of MLB.com. Both deals are pending physical.
Sampson agreed to terms with the Rockies back in February. The 32-year old was 1-0 with a 5.93 ERA and 16 SO in 30.1 innings throughout 35 appearances with the Houston Astros in 2010.
Gross was released by the Mariners back in March. The 31-year old signed a Minor League deal with the Mariners early in February. He hit .239/.290/.311 with 1 HR and 25 RBI’s in 222 AB’s with the Oakland Athletics last season.
Rosenthal on: Fielder, Marlins and Millwood
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Here’s the latest from Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports:
– A baseball GM predicts that first baseman Prince Fielder will be one of the most interesting free agents of all time this winter. Teams could use Fielder as a negotiating wage against Albert Pujols adds the GM.
– The Florida Marlins are off to a good start, but they are still having problems finding a solid thirdman. If the Giants are still shopping Mark DeRosa, Rosenthal suggests that he could be a perfect fit for the Marlins at third base.
– Right handed pitcher Kevin Millwood is scheduled to start today at Triple-A. According to Rosenthal, the Yankees have better choices with their prospects to help the team’s rotation. Aside from that, Carlos Silva is working his way back to the Majors, so there’s a chance that Millwood will execute his opt-out clause in his contract which is May 1 (has to be on the major league roster).
Nationals designate LHP Lee Hyde for Assignment
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The Washington Nationals have designated left-handed pitcher Lee Hyde for assignment, according to a team press release. The roster move was required in order to create a roster spot for Brian Bixler.
The Nats claimed Hyde off waivers from the Atlanta Braves in March.
The 26-year-old Hyde was a fourth-round pick by the Braves in the 2006 MLB June Amateur Draft. In five Minor League seasons he has a 12-11 record with a 2.91 ERA in 109 appearances (8 starts).
Yankees roster moves: Ortegano, Carlyle and Noesi
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According to Chad Jennings of the LoHud Yankees blog, the New York Yankees made some roster moves yesterday even though their game was postponed.
Buddy Carlyle was called up and will work with Lance Pendleton as a multi-inning reliever. To make room for Carlyle on the Major League team, the team sent down Hector Noesi. Apparently, manager Joe Girardi didn’t want Noesi to be sitting around without consistent work, so he sent him back to the Minors so he could join the Triple-A rotation.
To make room on the 40-man roster, the team designated left handed pitcher Jose Ortegano.
Braves sign Ben Swaggerty to a Minor League deal
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The Atlanta Braves have signed right handed pitcher Ben Swaggerty to a Minor League deal according to Evan Drellich of MLB.com. Drellick adds that the signing was made primarily for depth purposes.
The 28-year old was 4-5 with a 3.81 ERA in 59 innings throughout 36 games, one start with the Royals Double-A team in 2010.
