Terrmel

Sledge

Sledge has missed a couple games with a dislocated pinkie finger.

Manager Frank Robinson wanted Brad Wilkerson between Ron Calloway and Juan Rivera in the outfield for defense. Sledge has a little more flexibility now in some leagues, but his 1-for-31 start is as ugly as they come.

There has been talk of Terrmel Sledge and Peter Bergeron coming up from the minors to replace struggling players Ron Calloway and Endy Chavez, but then Calloway hit a pinch-hit home run yesterday, and Chavez had three hits. Sledge is a legitimate average/power/speed prospect who is on a tear at Triple-A Edmonton. Bergeron is hitting .351 at Edmonton, but has not played every day, and has burned fantasy owners for years.

Sledge has raised his average 212 points since Apr. 22. He’s up to .241 and looking like a contributor. Hopefully you were as patient with him as Frank Robinson has been.

RHP Seung Song and third baseman Scott Hodges could also join the team. It’s surprising it’s taken this long, as the Expos had holes this season that each of these players could have filled. Sledge is hitting .319-18-77 with 12 stolen bases and 82/59 K/BB for Triple-A Edmonton.

Budget problems are being cited. This is a team in wildcard contention, but it isn’t allowed to help itself, despite having players in the minors who could fill holes. Disgusting.

It hasn’t hurt him much at the plate as he went 2-for-4 with an RBI in Monday’s game. Sledge did not start last night but went 0-for-1 after replacing Carl Everett in left field.

Sledge was 6-for-20 with a homer after being called up on July 21, but the Padres preferred Ben Johnson. It makes sense, given that they already have left-handed hitters at the outfield corners. Sledge would be better off elsewhere.

Sledge is still hitting just .233/.348/.425 in 22 games since being sent down a month ago. This might turn out to be a second straight lost season for the 29-year-old. He’ll probably need to find another organization if he’s going to contribute.

Maybe he’ll get a start in one of the games in the doubleheader.