Mark Bowman of MLB.com explains how Takashi Saito’s bad vision cost the Braves in last night’s loss to the Rockies: Interesting, but it’s also worth noting that on a per-inning basis Saito has thrown fewer wild pitches in night games (passed balls are attributed to catchers) and has also been every bit as effective as he is during day games.
Not only has Jim Thome switching from the White Sox to the Twins had a massive impact on the AL Central race, Baseball-Reference.com’s blog points out that he’s having one of the best seasons ever by a 39-year-old.
Bobby Cox said yesterday that Kenshin Kawakami will be used as a reliever when he returns from his stint at Triple-A, which is no surprise given how impressive rookie Mike Minor has been in three starts since stepping into the rotation.
Juan Rivera made his first career start at first base Monday and manager Mike Scioscia said yesterday that he’ll split time there with Mike Napoli for the rest of the season.
Last month Rocco Baldelli made the transition from coach to player, and since moving up to Triple-A two weeks ago he’s 10-for-30 (.333) with two homers and three doubles.
After holding the Nationals to one run over 7.1 innings last night for his best start of the season Carlos Zambrano left the Cubs and flew home to Venezuela to be with his sick 11-year-old nephew.
Last week the Reds demoted Mike Leake to the bullpen in an effort to keep the rookie’s innings count in check, but after back-to-back ugly relief outings they’re now thinking about shutting him down altogether.
Claimed off waivers by the Dodgers earlier this week, Rod Barajas went 3-for-4 with a homer and two doubles last night to become the first player to smack three extra-base hits in his debut since the team moved to Los Angeles.
Last year a blogger named Jerod Morris made headlines for writing an article suggesting that Raul Ibanez’s career-best production at age 37 “raised questions” about whether he was using steroids.
Jason Beck of MLB.com reports that Johnny Damon will not approve a move to the Red Sox, with the veteran outfielder telling him “I’m not going” prior to this afternoon’s game.
Ron Mahay will likely miss the remainder of the season after tearing the rotator cuff in his non-throwing shoulder while trying to make a fielding play Saturday.
A couple weeks ago Matthew suggested that Dan Uggla and the Marlins might be able to find some common ground on a contract extension worth around $30 million over three years, but Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that Uggla is seeking a deal worth $55-60 million for five years.
Troy Glaus’ prolonged slump and knee problems convinced the Braves to replace him at first base with Derrek Lee, so now Glaus is somewhat surprisingly seeing action at third base while rehabbing in the minors.
Joe Girardi’s three-year contract is up at the end of this season and the New York media is already starting to speculate about him potentially replacing Lou Piniella in Chicago.
Even after shifting rookie Mike Leake to the bullpen last week the Reds still have more capable starters than their rotation can hold, so it sounds like they’ll end up using Aaron Harang as a reliever once he returns from the disabled list.
Carlos Guillen is eligible to return from the disabled list on August 31, but said yesterday that he’s still experiencing “sharp pain” in his bruised left knee.
Not so long ago Dusty Baker was believed to be on the hot seat after back-to-back losing seasons, but now the veteran manager is taking his sweet time deciding whether or not to accept the Reds’ contract extension offer.
Jim Riggleman said this afternoon that Stephen Strasburg is all but certain to be placed on the disabled list and a short time later general manager Mike Rizzo revealed that an MRI exam has confirmed the initial diagnosis of a strained flexor tendon in his right forearm.
At the risk of being blocked from following him like he did to Craig, this recent Johnny Damon note from SI.com’s Jon Heyman qualifies as the most Heyman tweet of all time.
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