Rumors for July, 2011
Injury updates: Kendall, Blackmon, Davis, Choo and Feliciano
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Here’s a running list of injury updates around the Major Leagues:
– Jason Kendall suffered a huge setback when an examination earlier this week revealed renewed tears in two tendons in his right rotator cuff according to Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star. The 37-year old catcher is scheduled to undergo surgery next Wednesday in Los Angeles. This latest setback could mean the end of Kendall’s career.
“That takes him out of the picture for this year and out of the picture for next year,” manager Ned Yost said. “I think it’s more a quality-of-life surgery so he can have function in his shoulder.”
– Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon suffered a fractured foot while sliding into third base on Thursday according to Matthew Pouliot of NBCSports.com.
– The Tampa Bay Rays have placed right handed pitcher Wade Davis on the Disabled List with a forearm strain according to Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times.
– Shin-Soo Choo, who had surgery a couple of weeks ago on his fractured left thumb, had the cast removed Wednesday according to Paul Hoynes of the Plain Dealer. Choo is telling friends he could be playing by the second week in August.
– Left handed pitcher Pedro Feliciano has been shut down again and it looks like he could be done for the season according to Marc Carig of the Newark Star-Ledger. The Yankees signed Feliciano to a two-year, $8 million deal this past winter, but he has not pitched in 2011.
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New York Yankees interested in LHP Sean Burnett
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The New York Yankees have expressed interest in left-handed pitcher Sean Burnett, but according to Bill Ladson of MLB.com, he says the Washington Nationals and the Yankees have not had any discussions. Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports adds that the Nationals have not made Burnett available yet.
Burnett is signed through 2012 after he agreed to a $3.7 million contract extension in December 2010. There is a $3.5 million 2013 team option on the lefty as well.
This isn’t the first time that Burnett has been dangled during the July trade deadline. In 2010, the Boston Red Sox inquired about the pitcher.
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Cardinals designate Bryan Augenstein for assignment
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The St. Louis Cardinals have designated Bryan Augensten for assignment to make room for P.J. Walters, B.J. Rains of FOXSportsMidwest.com reports.
The soon-to-be 25-year-old old right-handed pitcher was 0-1 with a 9.53 ERA in 5 2/3 innings over five relief appearances for the Cardinals this season. He was claimed in October 2010 off of waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks.
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Hall of Famer Dick Williams passes away
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Hall of Fame manager Dick Williams passed away at his home from what what believed to be a brain aneurysm, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.
The 82-year-old led the Oakland A’s to World Series titles in 1972 and 1973. In addition to the A’s, he won pennants with the Boston Red Sox and San Diego Padres. In his 21-year managerial career, he was 1571-1421.
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Rays prospect caught smuggling cocaine at airport
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If you haven’t seen the National Geographic Channel’s Locked up Abroad television show, then I high recommend it. If you’re a producer of the show, then you may want to check out this story.
21-year-old Christian Martinez was busted last week after trying to smuggle in more than six pounds of cocaine in JFK Airport, according to Joe Kemp of the New York Daily News. The cocaine was valued at more than $138,000.
Martinez, a native of the Dominican Republic, was a prospect for the Tampa Bay Rays until problems emerged from his visa.
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New York Mets rumors: Beltran, Rodriguez and Reyes
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Here are some rumors regarding the New York Mets:
– According to Kevin Karnen of the New York Post, the Mets are beginning to accept calls on Carlos Beltran and their group of relievers, specially their closer Francisco Rodriguez. “People are calling,” a Mets source said.
The Red Sox could be a possibility for Beltran and GM, theo Epstein has told reporters that adding a bat is more important than adding pitching right now. They have been looking to improve their offense, specially in the outfield.
“If a trade happens, I’m prepared for it,” Beltran said. “I’m just having fun.”
– Earlier today, we learned that the Mets and Jose Reyes were in secret talks regarding the shortstop’s new contract. Reyes indicated that he does not want to discuss contract issues now, but sources say that was a “smokescreen” to keep the media from asking the Mets and Reyes about the progress of the negotiations.
According to Brian Costas of the Wall Street Journal, Chris Leible, one of Reyes’ agents, said there are no secret talks between the two. Reyes is still reluctant to talk contract during the season.
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Mets in secret contract negotiation talks with Jose Reyes
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Multiple sources close to Mike Puma of the New York Post report that the Mets and Jose Reyes‘ camp are in – or soon will be – in secret talks regarding the shortstop’s new contract.
Reyes has indicated that he does not want to discuss contract issues now, but sources say that was a “smokescreen” to keep the media from asking the Mets and Reyes about the progress of the negotiations.
When asked on Wednesday night about negotiating an in-season deal with Reyes, GM Sandy Alderson said, “I am no longer commenting on that possibility.”
One of Reyes’ agents, Chris Leible, said (via Brian Costa of the Wall Street Journal) that there are no secret talks and they assert that they are not going to talk about a contract during the season.
Earlier this week, there were reports that Alderson was leaning towards a “substantial offer” after the season that could be in the $20 million-a-year range.
On a side note, multiple team sources have told ESPNNewYork.com, as reported by Adam Rubin, that they are moving toward placing Reyes on the disabled list.
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Seattle Mariners designate Jose Yepez for assignment
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In a Tweet by Shannon Drayer of mynorthwest.com and 710AM ESPN Seattle, she reports the Mariners have designated Jose Yepez for assignment.
Yepez, 30, was hitting .276/.324/.347 at Triple-A Tacoma in 28 games.
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Pitchers notes: Strasburg, Danks, Matusz and Rodriguez
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Here are a few notes regarding some Major League pitchers:
– Nationals phenom, Stephen Strasburg, continues to progress from his Tommy John surgery and the team has discussed possible dates for him to make his first Minor League rehab start reports Adam Kilgore of the Washington post. Nationals pitching coordinator, Spin Williams, was amazed at how well Strasburg was pitching after watching him throw a 30-pitch bullpen session.
– John Danks threw 36 pitches on Tuesday from the mound as part of his rehab from his strained right oblique according to Paul Casella of MLB.com. “It went well,” said Danks.
“Danks threw today, he’s fine,” manager Ozzie Guillen said. “[Pitching coach Don Cooper] has got a schedule for him in the Minor Leagues. We’re not going to rush him. We’ve got plenty of days to come back.”
“Right now, we’re going to make the decisions after the All-Star break,” Guillen said. “But for now, [Danks] is going to start two games in the Minor Leagues.”
– Left handed pitcher Brian Matusz was rocked in his first start at Triple-A since his demotion reports Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun. Matusz allowed four earned runs on seven hits, including two homers, and two walks while striking out three over 5.2 innings.
– Francisco Rodriguez is on pace to finish 61 games this season according to Brian Costas of the Wall Street Journal, and if that happens, the 2012 option for $17.5 million will vest. At the beginning of the season, it was said that Rodriguez was only going to be used in save situations, but he has finished, up to this point, 11 games where he pitched in non-save situation.
“I’ve been a little surprised in some instances myself,” GM Sandy Alderson said, referring to how Collins has used Rodriguez (via Costas). “But that’s his job. Am I aware of it? Yes. Do I spend my time counseling Terry on the proper care and feeding of K-Rod? No.”
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New York Yankees release Kanekoa Texeira
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In a Tweet by Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, he reports that the New York Yankees have released right-handed pitcher Kenekoa Texeira.
In six relief appearances for the Royals this year, the right-hander is 0-0 with a 2.84 ERA over 6 1/3 innings pitched. He’s given up 13 hits and three walks with two earned runs.
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