Rumors for May, 2011
PRO Rumors will be on The Pulse Network on Wednesday, 7:15am PST
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Wednesday, 5/3, at 7:15am PST, PRO Rumors will be featured on the show Sports Buzz with Tyler Pyburn on The Pulse Network. I’ll be talking about the article I wrote yesterday regarding Manny Machado and how he’s being compared with Alex Rodriguez.
Don’t forget to tune in and watch us online (link here).
Francisco Liriano throws first no-hitter of 2011 season
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The Twins are off to a horrible start and currently sit 9 1/2 games back of the surprising first place Indians. Their season has been an up-and-down and they have not been able to find any consistent starting pitching. The Twins gave the ball to Francisco Liriano tonight who has struggled mightily posting a 9.13 ERA so far compared to a 3.62 ERA last season.
Liriano came into the game having never thrown a shutout. Tonight, he not only threw his first shutout of his career, but he also ended up throwing a no-hitter. It was an unlikely no-no as Liriano battled control problems the entire night. Liriano’s final line was 6 walks, 2 K’s, 123 pitches/66 strikes.
Liriano’s no-hitter was the first of the 2011 season after a plethora of pitchers have come close. This was also the first no-hitter for the Twins since Eric Milton pitched did it on September 11, 1999 against the Angels.
For the White Sox, this was the 13th no-hitter thrown against them and the first since Bret Saberhagen did it in 1991 as a member of the Royals.
Image by LI Phil under the Creative Commons License.
Injury updates: Utley, Hamilton, Bautista, Torres and Cueto
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Here’s a running list of injury updates around the Major Leagues:
– According to David Hale of the Wilmington News Journal, Chase Utley could be close to beginning his rehab assignment. The Phillies’ second baseman has participated in two simulated games in the past three days, but he’s not ready to proclaim himself ready for extended spring training or a rehab assignment.
– Josh Hamilton will be taking his first swings after his shoulder fracture on Wednesday reports Anthony Andro of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Hamilton will hit off a tee at Rangers Ballpark, and it’s happening a week ahead of the original time frame.
– An MRI on Jose Bautista showed no structural damage, just muscle inflammation according to John Lott of the National Post. It appears that the 2010 home run king is going to avoid a trip to the Disabled List.
– Center fielder Andres Torres played nine innings and took five AB’s in an extended Spring Training game today reports Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News. The team thinks Torres will be activated when the club returns home Friday.
– John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer tweets that right handed pitcher Johnny Cueto will be activated for Sunday’s game in Chicago.
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Giants discussed possible trade for Mets Jose Reyes
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The San Francisco Giants have discussed a possible trade involving Jose Reyes of the New York Mets, according to a Major League source close to Mychael Urban and CSNBayArea.com.
The Giants are short two infielders with Pablo Sandoval out due to a fractured right hand and Mark DeRosa being out due to wrist issues. San Francisco has since shifted Miguel Tejada to third base and they have Mike Fontenot as the starting shortstop, but if they want to repeat as World Champions, they will need to have a stronger presence on that side of the infield.
Reyes will be a free agent after the season, and many have speculated that he can fetch over $100 million on the open market. The Mets are in financial trouble in the wake of the Bernie Madoff scandal, so it’s unlikely that they can make a competitive enough offer to keep their All Star shortstop in Queens.
The 28-year-old signed a four-year, $23.25 million contract that started in 2007, and the team exercised a team option in 2011 for $11 million in November.
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Twins left handed pitcher Paul Bargas diagnosed with brain cancer
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It is always hard for us to report injuries, especially when it’s about a young player at the beginning of his career, but it’s even harder to report something like this.
Twins’ prospect Paul Bargas, has been diagnosed with brain cancer according to LaVelle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. The left handed pitcher joined the Twins for Spring Training but never had the chance to take the mound because he was having problems.
He was then sent home to California and soon admitted to UCLA Medical Center for what Twins GM, Bill Smith, said was a, “neurological condition.”
The 21-year old Bargas will now undergo chemotherapy treatments. We at PRO Rumors can only hope and wish him the best of luck during this difficult stage in his life.
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Baseball honors the real heroes
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In the wake of Osama bin Laden’s death, several Major League teams have decided to honor the real heroes of the United States Military Forces.
–The New York Mets have decided to donate 4,000 tickets for members and their families for today’s game against the San Francisco Giants at Citi Field according to a team press release.
The team distributed 2,000 tickets to today’s series opening game with the Giants in conjunction with the USO. The tickets were distributed among the five branches of the military forces (Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard).
Also, the first 2,000 members of the military who show a valid military I.D. at the Day of Game Ticket Sales Window at Citi Field will receive complimentary tickets for themselves and their guests. Military personnel can receive their tickets, limited to six per party.
In addition to this, Marine Corps veteran Sgt. Elizabeth Quinones was invited to perform the God Bless America during the seventh-inning stretch of today’s game.
–The Washington Nationals honored the military men and women yesterday giving away tickets to active and retired service members and their families. There was also a flyover by the U.S. Coast Guard and each branch of the military was represented at the game (via Todd Karpovich of MLB.com).
Sergeant Andrew Steele, of Warrior Transition Battalion Able Troop, threw out the first pitch. The players were also excited to be playing in front of those types of heroes, several said.
–The Pittsburgh Pirates coincidentally timed a regular visit they pay to the U.S. Navy SEALs’ base on Coronado Island on Monday with the events that occurred on Sunday reports Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com. They planned the visit months ago, but no one could have imagined how impeccable the timing would be.
–Another team who joined the tributes to the U.S Military Forces are the Los Angeles Dodgers according to a press release. The team has offered free tickets at Dodger Stadium to all military members during the month of May.
Each military ID will be good for two complimentary tickets at Dodger Stadium, based on availability.
–Padres’ players decided to do something special to honor the Military Forces after they received the word Sunday night about successful military activities against Osama bin Laden.
The team wore camouflage uniforms on Monday night to honor the Armed Forces and then, they further acknowledged the armed forces that make up so much of San Diego’s population by offering two free tickets to active or retired members of the military.
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Indians OF Shin-Soo Choo arrested for DUI
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Cleveland Indians outfielder Shin-Soo Choo was arrested Monday morning for driving under the influence in Sheffield Lake, Paul Hoynes of The Plain Dealer reports.
GM Chris Antonetti issued this statement, “We are aware of the incident with Shin-Soo Choo and have spoken to him about it. The Indians organization takes these issues very seriously and we are disappointed in the matter. We will continue to monitor the situation and we will not have any further comment at this time.”
Choo is the second Indian’s player to be arrested for a DUI this year. Austin Kearns was arrested in February outside of Lexington, Kentucky.
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Tampa Bay Rays designate Felipe Lopez for assignment
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The Rays have designated Felipe Lopez for assignment in order to make room for the recently activated Evan Longoria, according to the Tampa Tribune.
Longoria was reinstated from the 15-day disabled list. He suffered a strained left oblique on April 3.
In 24 games this season with the Rays, Lopez was hitting .222/.263/.347. He signed a one-year, $1 million contract in February of this year.
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Yankees agree to a Minor League deal with Brad Halsey
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According to Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated, the New York Yankees have agreed to a Minor league deal with left handed pitcher Brad Halsey.
Halsey played for the last time in the Majors in 2006 with the Athletics. He was 5-4 with a 4.67 ERA in 94.1 innings throughout 52 games, seven starts. In three Majors League seasons Halsey has a 14-19 record with a 4.84 ERA in 286.1 innings throughout 88 games, 40 starts.
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Padres agree to a Minor League deal with Alex Cintron
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The San Diego Padres have agreed to a Minor League deal with veteran infielder Alex Cintron according to FOXSports’ Ken Rosenthal. Cintron will join the Triple-A team.
The native of Puerto Rico has played first base, second base, shortstop and third base throughout his career.
Cintron played for the last time in the Majors in 2009 with the Nationals. He hit .077/.143/.077 in 26 AB’s. He had a pretty solid career with the Arizona Diamondbacks between 2001-2005. In 2004, he appeared in 154 games and hit .262/.363/.301.
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