Rumors for June, 2011
Injury updates: Wright, Kendall, Rodriguez, Pujols and Hughes
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Here’s a running list of injury updates around the Major Leagues:
– Mets third baseman David Wright felt good after his short session of minor baseball activity on Sunday reports Mike Mazzeo of ESPNNewYork.com. He reiterated that he will see a doctor later this week in an attempt to gain clearance to start a rehab program down in Florida.
– Jason Kendall flew to Arizona on Sunday to continue his rehabilitation for his right shoulder reports Dick Kaegel of MLB.com. Kendall will play for the Royals’ Rookie team in the Arizona League, which opens on Monday.
– Alex Rodriguez has been bothered with a shoulder injury for the last couple of weeks according to Wallace Matthews of ESPNNewYork.com. “It’s just a small issue that only bothers him when he dives for a ball,” manager Joe Girardi said. A clubhouse source though, who asked that his identity not be revealed, said that Rodriguez has been suffering from a “strain” for several weeks. “He’s managing it as best as he can,” the source said.
– Albert Pujols‘ will be out four to six weeks with a small fracture in his left wrist according to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports. Pujols was taken out of Sunday’s game against the Royals after appearing to injure his left wrist and shoulder while stretching for a wayward throw from second baseman Pete Kozma.
– Right handed pitcher Phil Hughes hit 95MPH in his first rehab start yesterday. He threw 61 pitches, 41 for strikes in 4.1 innings for the Staten Island Yankees reports Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com. He also struck out seven hitters and allowed three hits.
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Phillies made inquiries on Michael Cuddyer and Josh Willingham
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Last week, we learned that the Phillies were looking for a right-handed hitting outfielder and sources close to Buster Olney of ESPN said the team has made inquiries specifically on Michael Cuddyer and Josh Willingham.
Olney’s statement contradicts what GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said a couple of weeks ago about his team not making any significant moves before the deadeline.
“I wouldn’t expect it,” Amaro said at the time.
The GM thinks his team has enough balance of hitters on both sides of the plate to get them back to the World Series.
Willingham would be a good fit for the Phillies, but the $2.5 million balance on his 2011 salary would be difficult for the Phillies to support.
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Marlins hire Jack McKeon as manager
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According to Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated, the Florida Marlins have hired Jack McKeon as their new manager. Heyman adds that an official announcement is expected this afternoon.
McKeon will replace Edwin Rodriguez as the team’s skipper. Rodriguez unexpectedly resigned from the position on Sunday.
McKeon last managed at the age of 74 for the Florida Marlins in 2005. In 15 years as a Major League manager, he has compiled a 1011-940 record with a World Series title with the Marlins from 2003.
It is not known if McKeon will manage beyond this season. Florida has been known to covet current Chicago White Sox manager, Ozzie Guillen. However, the team will probably have to wait until the end of the season to bring him on board.
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Jack McKeon expected to be named Marlins manager
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According to sources close to ESPN’s Buster Olney, 80-year-old Jack McKeon is expected to be named as the next manager of the Florida Marlins.
McKeon will replace Edwin Rodriguez as the team’s skipper. Rodriguez unexpectedly resigned from the position earlier today.
McKeon last managed at the age of 74 for the Florida Marlins in 2005. In 15 years as a Major League manager, he has compiled a 1011-940 record with a World Series title with the Marlins from 2003.
It is not known if McKeon will manage beyond this season. Florida has been known to covet current Chicago White Sox manager, Ozzie Guillen. However, the team will probably have to wait until the end of the season to bring him on board.
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Diamondbacks waive Sean Burroughs
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Infielder Sean Burroughs was waived by the Arizona Diamondbacks, Jack Magruder of FOXSports Arizona reports.
Burroughs was signed by the Diamondbacks to a Minor League deal in November 2010. In 22 games with the Diamondbacks this season, Burroughs hit .261/.261/.304.
The 30-year-old infielder was a first-round pick in 1998 out of high school. He’s had mostly a disappointing Major League career, but he did bring Long Beach, California back-to-back Little League Championships.
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Braves designate Joe Mather for assignment
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The Atlanta Braves have designated outfielder Joe Mather for assignment according to David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. This move will create room for Nate McLouth who was activated today from the DL.
Mather was hitting .213/.272/.272 with 1 HR and 9 RBI’s in 75 AB’s for the Braves in 2011.
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Blue Jays sign Yunel Escobar to a two-year extension
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The Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to a two-year, $10 million ($5 million in 2012 and $5 million in 2013) extension with short stop Yunel Escobar according to the team’s official Twitter account. The deal also includes two club options of $5MM each for the 2014 and 2015 seasons.
The 28-year old Escobar is hitting .281/.359/.431 with 8 HR’s and 26 RBI’s in 253 AB’s for the Blue Jays in 2011.
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Marlins’ Edwin Rodriguez resigns
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According to Clarks Spencer of the Miami Herald, Marlins manager Edwin Rodriguez has unexpectedly resigned and bench coach Brandon Hyde has been named the interim manager.
Buster Olney of ESPN says that former Marlins manager, Jack McKeon is also being considered as interim manager. A source close to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports says that Bobby Valentine is also “under consideration”.
Yestarday, we learned via Rosenthal, that the Marlins ultimate choice to be the team’s manager is Ozzie Guillen, but they will probably have to wait until the end of the season to bring him aboard.
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No extension talks between Brandon Phillips and Reds
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Cincinnati Reds infielder Brandon Phillips told John Fayman of the Cincinnati Enquirer that nothing is going on between the Reds and him regarding a contract extension.
“It was bothering me earlier. But now I’m just playing,” Phillips said.
The second baseman is in the final year of a four-year, $27 million contract, but there is a $12 million team option for 2012. “I want to give back to the city. I want to be the type of person Barry Larkin was to the city. It would be nice to be here for the rest of my career.” Phillips said in February that he would like to have a new deal before the option becomes a factor. “When it comes to that, I’d love to get an extension,” he said. “They could pick my option up or not. I want to know a guarantee instead of a possibility.”
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Yankees have ‘zero interest’ in Carlos Zambrano
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A baseball source close to Wallace Matthews of ESPNNewYork.com says that the New York Yankees have “zero interest” in making a trade for Chicago Cubs’ starting pitcher Carlos Zambrano. Zambrano indicated to FOXSports that he would be willing to waive his no-trade clause if the Cubs wanted to move him.
“If they come to me and want to trade me, obviously it’s because they don’t want me here anymore,” Zambrano told FOXSports.com (via Rosenthal). “I always say that. I’ll be here until the Cubs decide to trade me.”
There have been recently reports that the Yankees have been scouting Zambrano, but Matthews’ source says that is not true.
“It’s all (B.S.) There’s no seriousness to it at all.”
“He’s just not worth the money,” the official said. “The Cubs would have to pick up most if not all of the contract. I just don’t see it happening.”
The 30-year-old Zambrano is owed the remainder of his $17.875 million salary for 2011 and $18 million for 2012 with a vesting option for 2013.
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