Rumors for May, 2011
Rosenthal on: Sabathia, Angels and Rollins
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Here’s the latest from FOXSports’ Ken Rosenthal via his Full Count video:
– It is still unclear when the Dodgers’ ownership situation will resolve, but the longer it takes the worse it will be for players like C.C. Sabathia. The left handed pitcher is expected to opt-out of his contract with the Yankees, and according to Rosenthal the Dodgers wanted to sign him the last time he was a free agent. Although the Yankees will probably re-sign him to an extension, he would love to have the Dodgers as leverage.
– The Angels are looking for a corner infielder to help at first, third and on the offensive side now that they have officially lost Kendrys Morales for the season. Rosenthal suggests that the Angels could trade for Wilson Betemit, who could become expendable once the Royals promote Mike Moustakas. Other options include Russell Branyan, recently released by the Diamondbacks and Ian Stewart, who has been struggling all year with the Rockies and is now at Triple-A.
– Jimmy Rollins is not putting together a solid free agent year, but given the lack of good short stops available this next winter, he will probably do very good on the market if the Phillies decide not to re-sign him. Rollins, a Bay Area native, could be a fit for both the Giants or Athletics who could be looking for a new short stop come next season.
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Could Mark DeRosa’s latest injury put his career in jeopardy?
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Earlier this week, Giants’ third baseman Mark DeRosa re-injured his wrist and manager Bruce Bochy said at the moment that he was probably going to be out “for a while.”
According to Carl Stewart of the San Francisco Mercury News, an MRI revealed DeRosa has a partial tear in the ECU tendon. He understands it could be career-threatening but maintained he isn’t ready to call it quits just yet added Stewart.
“I’m not willing to concede to the fact that I can’t come back,” DeRosa said. “But look, I’m also cognizant to the fact that I’ve done significant damage to this thing repeatedly over the past two years. So we’ll wait and see.”
DeRosa has undergone two surgeries to repair the sheath that protects the tendon itself. He is set to fly to Cleveland early next week for further testing with the surgeon who performed his second surgery last July.
“I just want to make sure I’m doing the right thing and looking at every avenue before I make a decision — what needs to be done or if anything can be done,” he said.
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Reds release Dallas Buck
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The Cincinnati Reds have released right handed pitcher Dallas Buck today according to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Buck has a career record of 11-22 with a 4.78 ERA in 277 innings throughout 56 games, 55 starts in five Minor League seasons with the Diamondbacks and Reds.
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Armando Galarraga clears waivers, accepts assignment to Triple-A
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Right handed pitcher Armando Galarraga has cleared waivers and has accepted his assignment to Triple-A according to Marcos Grunfeld of BeisbolVenezolano.net.
“Galarraga accepted his assignment and he’ll be traveling there in a couple of days,” said Gustavo Marcano, Galarraga’s agent. “We do not know if the Diamondbacks have received any offers for him, they did not tell us anything about it.”
Galarraga was designated for assignment earlier this week. The Venezuela native shot to fame in 2010 after he almost completed a perfect game while with the Detroit Tigers. A bad call by umpire Jim Joyce led to the flaw in an otherwise flawless game.
Galarraga was admired by the world for his composure and sportsmanship in a situation that many likely would not have been able to calmly handle, but after his last outing he didn’t behave that cool with the media.
“I don’t think his designation was a disciplinary measure against him, the team wants to realize an adjustment and that’s what they did,” added Marcano. “Armando is clear he has to get the outs, he just want to turn the page and show he’s ready to pitch at Major League level.”
Prior to his designation Galarraga was 3-4 with a 5.91 ERA in 42.2 innings throughout eight starts with the Diamondbacks.
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Athletics sign LHP Lenny DiNardo
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The Oakland Athletics have agreed to terms with left handed pitcher Lenny DiNardo according to Mike Ashmore of The Hunterdon County Democrat.
The Red Sox signed the left hander back in December but released him late in March.
DiNardo pitched for the Red Sox from 2004-2006. He last pitched in the Major Leagues in 2009 when he went 0-3 with a 10.13 ERA in 5 starts for the Kansas City Royals.
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Diamondbacks release Russell Branyan
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According to the Arizona Diamondback’s twitter feed, the team has released Russell Branyan to make room on the 25-man roster for Micah Owings.
Branyan who was hitting only .210 in 62 at-bats, and became the odd man out as the D-backs needed a starter for Saturdays game. Xavier Nady and Juan Miranda will now see more playing time as they share the duties.
There had been talks that the Rays were looking at an offensive upgrade at first and Branyan was mentioned as a possible option. It is unknown if the Rays will look into signing him.
Owings has a 3-1 record and 4.85 ERA in seven starts at Triple-A Reno. He has recorded 27 strikeouts and nine walks in 39 innings.
Owings is also known as one of the better hitting pitchers in the league as he is a career .293 batting average and nine home runs in 184 career at-bats.
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Dodgers Injury Updates: Furcal, Kuo, Hawksworth, Broxton, Thames, Padilla and Blake
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You know you’re having a rough to start to the season when you have an entire post dedicated to injury updates related only to your team. So here they are compliments of Joe Block of Dodger Talk 790 KABC, from manager Don Mattingly.
-Rafael Furcal could be rejoining the team Sunday or Monday as he completes his rehab from a broken left thumb and a sore knee. Furcal has been on the DL since April 12th but recently injured his knee while sliding into second base in a rehab game.
-RHP Blake Hawksworth will throw another bullpen tomorrow and will pitch Mon & Wed at High-A in rehab games with a target return date of next Friday. Hawksworth has been on the DL with a right-groin strain since Sunday.
-The Dodger hope to send Marcus Thames out on a rehab assignment at the end of next week. Thames has been sidelined since May 3 with a right-quadricep strain.
-LHP Hong-Chih Kuo will report to extended spring training in Arizona. “He’ll throw off the mound and go from there.” Kuo was placed on the DL with an anxiety disorder and a mild case of the yips in which he couldn’t throw the ball where he wanted to.
-RHP Vicente Padilla had an injection into sore forearm and was placed on the DL on Thursday. The Dodgers hope to send him out soon to throw.
-RHP Jonathan Broxton has started throwing and will visit a doctor “in the next day or two to see whether he can step it up.”
-Casey Blake has been on the DL with a staff infection in his left elbow. He is slated to start his rehab at Albuquerque as early as Sunday or Monday, which could put him on track for a return to the Dodgers when they begin a six-game homestand on May 27.
Orioles designate Troy Patton for assignment
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According to Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com, the Baltimore Orioles have designated left handed pitcher Troy Patton for assignment from the 25-man roster. He is still part of the 40-man roster though.
Patton made just one appearance this season for the Orioles (Thursday against the Yankee) where he allowed 2 runs in 2 1/3 innings.
In three Major League seasons, Patton went 0-2 with a 4.02 ERA in 15.2 innings throughout five games, two starts with the Astros and Orioles.
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Red Sox officially sign Kevin Millwood
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Right handed pitcher Kevin Millwood has passed his physical and his deal with the Red Sox is now official reports Alex Speier of WEEI.com. Millwood’s base salary will be $500,000 plus incentives.
Yesterday, we learned that the Red Sox had agreed to terms with the right hander. Millwood opted out of his contract with the Yankees in early May.
He originally signed a Minor League deal with the team for $1.5 million plus incentives but had a May 1 opt-out date in his contract should he not make the big league club.
He reported to extended Spring Training and then to Triple-A where he saw mixed results. In his first few starts, Millwood found success but his fastball was sitting in the mid-to-upper 80s. In his last start, Millwood lasted only 2 innings while giving up seven hits on six runs which probably impacted him not being called up.
Millwood in 2010, made 31 starts went 4-16 with a 5.10 ERA while throwing 190 2/3 innings.
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Red Sox designate Daniel Nava for assignment
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According to Alex Speier of WEEI.com, the Boston Red Sox have designated outfielder Daniel Nava for assignment.
Nava hit .242/.351/.360 with 1 HR and 26 RBI’s in 161 AB’s with the Red Sox in 2010.
Nava is best known for hitting a grand-slam in his first major league at bat on the first pitch.
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