Rumors for August, 2011
Lyle Overbay clears waivers- becomes a free agent
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According to Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com, veteran first baseman Lyle Overbay has cleared waivers and will become a free agent. Overbay was designated for assignment by the Pirates late in July.
Overbay was hitting .227/.300/.349 with 8 HR’s and 37 RBI’s in 352 AB’s for the Pirates in 2011.
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Nationals unlikely to sign draft pick after racist tweets?
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Zach Houchins, the Washington Nationals’ 15th-round selection in the 2011 draft has not heard from the team since being drafted in June and Bill Ladson of MLB.com suspects the team will not sign the shortstop.
In June it was discovered that Houchins made racist and homophobic remarks on Twitter.
“I called [the Nationals]. I apologized to Mr. Roy Clark [the team's assistant general manager]. I apologized to him for what was said on Twitter,” Houchins said. “[Clark said], ‘Yeah, anything you said on Twitter was completely unacceptable.’ I understood where he was coming from. That was pretty much the conversation.
“I’m not a racist, not at all. … Four of my best friends, two of them are black, one of them was my roommate. He is probably one of the closest people I’ve ever been around. … Me and my four best friends became so close, it’s just how we talk. It wasn’t anything derogatory or anything like that. It’s just how we talk.”
Teams have until August 16 to sign their draft picks. Houchins is expected to return to Louisburg College.
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Rookie notes: Alonso, Montero and Darnell
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Here are a few notes regarding some Major League rookies:
– It appears that the Yonder Alonso experiment in left field is over according to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Reds manager Dusty Baker said that Alonso won’t play left field again in the near future.
Alonso was taking balls at third base yesterday in Cincinnati, so he will get a shot there eventually. “You don’t want to do it in the big leagues,” Baker said. “But that’s the position he started at. It’s an mirror image of first base really.
“You get more plays. Most first baseman are at first base because they’re left-handed or they don’t have the arm to play third. We’ll see. We’re trying to find the best place to get his bat in the lineup.”
– Yankees’ Jesus Montero won’t be in the Majors today according to a person with knowledge of the situation close to Marc Carig of the Newark Star Ledger. The Yankees decided to bench Jorge Posada as their regular DH, and a lot of people thought Montero would be called up to get some AB’s at that position. But the Yankees will “hold off on a promotion for Montero,” as Carig writes.
– With Chase Headley injured, the San Diego Padres will give James Darnell and Logan Forsythe a shot at third base according to Bill Center of the Union Tribune. Darnell was called up to fill in for Headley and Brad Hawpe.
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Carrasco to DL; Hannahan Returns From Paternity List
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Carlos Carrasco, who is currently serving a suspension, has been placed on the DL with elbow inflamation according to Danny Knobler of CBS Sports. He will need to serve his suspension once he returns from the DL. In a corresponding move the Indians activated Jack Hannahan from the paternity list.
Carrasco, 24 is 8-9 with a 4.55 ERA in 21 starts this season.
Hannahan, 31, is hitting .213/.302/.332 with 5 home runs this season.
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Yankees release J.C. Romero
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The New York Yankees have released left handed pitcher J.C. Romero at his request according to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.
Romero had a 2.92 ERA with 10 SO in 12.1 innings throughout 11 games for the Yankees’ Triple-A team. The left hander was released by the Nationals and signed with the Yankees back in July.
The Nationals signed Romero to a Minor League deal late in June who has been outstanding so far at Triple-A. He was given his unconditional release by the Philadelphia Phillies on June 24.
Romero was 0-0 with a 3.86 ERA in 24 relief appearances for the Phillies this season. The 35-year-old was designated for assignment on June 16.
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Rockies to sign Kevin Millwood
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According to Troy Renck of the Denver Post, the Colorado Rockies have agreed to a deal with right handed pitcher Kevin Millwood. Renck adds that there’s a chance Millwood could start this Wednesday.
Millwood left the Red Sox organization this weekend. In 2010, Millwood made 31 starts and had a 4-16 record with a 5.10 ERA while throwing 190 2/3 innings.
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Rangers release Arthur Rhodes
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The Texas Rangers have placed left handed pitcher Arthur Rhodes on release waivers according to Anthony Andro of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Rhodes will become a free agent by Wednesday.
The team designated the left hander earlier this month. The 41-year old veteran is 3-3 with a 4.81 ERA in 32 relief appearances this season.
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Tigers extend manager Jim Leyland and GM Dave Dombrowski
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The Detroit Tigers have agreed to a one-year contract extension with manager Jim Leyland, and a four-year contract extension with General Manager, David Dombrowski according to a team press release.
“Dave has built a solid foundation for this organization and assembled competitive teams that give us a chance to win year in and year out. We have a lot of confidence in his continued leadership of the Detroit Tigers,” said Owner Michael Ilitch. “I am pleased Dave has agreed to continue to lead our organization.” Regarding Manager Jim Leyland, Mr. Ilitch added, “I know Jim shares our desire to deliver a winner. We’re pleased to have him continue leading the Detroit Tigers on the field.”
Jim Leyland issued a statement regarding his contract extension. Via Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports. “… I look forward to managing the Detroit Tigers in 2012 … My thanks go out to generations of fans who have supported the Tigers through the good times as well as the tough times.”
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Injury updates: Murphy, Headley, Reyes and Cobb
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Here’s a running list of injury updates around the Major Leagues:
– Daniel Murphy was diagnosed with a Grade 2 tear of the MCL (medial collateral ligament) in his left knee and will be out for the reminder of the 2011 season according to a source close to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com. Murphy will not require surgery.
– Chase Headley fractured his left pinkie finger and will be out indefinitely reports Corey Brock of MLB.com. A non-specialized doctor told Headley on Sunday that any fracture would mean the bone would need 4-6 weeks to heal adds Brock.
– Short stop Jose Reyes was removed from Sunday’s game after feeling a tightness in his left hamstring reports Mets WFAN (via Twitter). That same hamstring landed Reyes in the DL back in July.
– The Tampa Bay rays have placed right handed pitcher Alex Cobb on the Disabled List with hand discomfort reports Roger Mooney of TBO.com. Cobb was taken to St. Anthony’s Hospital for test, but the tests didn’t reveal anything serious adds Mooney.
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Kevin Millwood leaves Red Sox organization
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Right-handed pitcher Kevin Millwood has left the Boston Red Sox organization, according to sources close to Maureen Mullen of CSNNE.com. The 36-year-old had been pitching for Triple-A Pawtucket and had a 5-1 record with a 4.28 ERA in 13 starts.
In 2010, Millwood made 31 starts and had a 4-16 record with a 5.10 ERA while throwing 190 2/3 innings.
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