09/02: Hot and Cold - August 2006
Posted by: Patrick
Hot
Jason Giambi
26 G, 74 AB, 16 R, 7 2B, 6 HR, 25 RBI, .311 AVG, .474 OBA, .649 SLG
Johnny Damon
30 G, 128 AB, 27 R, 8 2B, 3 3B, 9 HR, 23 RBI, .305 AVG, .369 OBA, .625 SLG
Bobby Abreu
30 G, 115 AB, 21 R, 10 2B, 2 HR, 15 RBI, 7 SB, .357 AVG, .460 OBA, .496 SLG
Robinson Cano
24 G, 97 AB, 12 R, 12 2B, 4 HR, 23 RBI, 1 SB, .351 AVG, .373 OBA, .598 SLG
Mariano Rivera
12 G, 14.2 IP, 1-0, 7 SV, 7 K, 1.84 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, .214 BAA
Chien-Ming Wang
6 GS, 39 IP, 4-1, 17 K, 3.23 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, .277 BAA
Derek Jeter
30 G, 122 AB, 24 R, 5 2B, 5 HR, 18 RBI, 7 SB, .295 AVG, .392 OBA, .459 SLG
Melky Cabrera
30 G, 106 AB, 21 R, 6 2B, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 3 SB, .311 AVG, .397 OBA, .453 SLG
Scott Proctor
17 G, 22 IP, 2-2, 15 K, 3.27 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, .228 BAA
Bernie Williams
20 G, 60 AB, 9 R, 5 2B, 3 HR, 12 RBI, .317 AVG, .379 OBA, .550 SLG
Cold
Ron Villone
17 G, 22.1 IP, 0-1, 24 K, 6.04 ERA, 1.79 WHIP, .282 BAA
Mike Mussina
4 GS, 21 IP, 0-2, 19 K, 5.14 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, .307 WHIP
Jorge Posada
26 G, 89 AB, 9 R, 2 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR, 14 RBI, 1 SB, .225 AVG, .304 OBA, .404 SLG
Craig Wilson
26 G, 76 AB, 13 R, 4 2B, 3 HR, 6 RBI, .244 AVG, .280 OBA, .412 SLG
Kyle Farnsworth
11 G, 8.2 IP, 0-0, 1 SV, 9 K, 6.23 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, .194 BAA
Octavio Dotel
6 G, 3.1 IP, 0-0, 4 K, 10.80 ERA, 3.30 WHIP, .438 BAA
Jason Giambi
26 G, 74 AB, 16 R, 7 2B, 6 HR, 25 RBI, .311 AVG, .474 OBA, .649 SLG
Johnny Damon
30 G, 128 AB, 27 R, 8 2B, 3 3B, 9 HR, 23 RBI, .305 AVG, .369 OBA, .625 SLG
Bobby Abreu
30 G, 115 AB, 21 R, 10 2B, 2 HR, 15 RBI, 7 SB, .357 AVG, .460 OBA, .496 SLG
Robinson Cano
24 G, 97 AB, 12 R, 12 2B, 4 HR, 23 RBI, 1 SB, .351 AVG, .373 OBA, .598 SLG
Mariano Rivera
12 G, 14.2 IP, 1-0, 7 SV, 7 K, 1.84 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, .214 BAA
Chien-Ming Wang
6 GS, 39 IP, 4-1, 17 K, 3.23 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, .277 BAA
Derek Jeter
30 G, 122 AB, 24 R, 5 2B, 5 HR, 18 RBI, 7 SB, .295 AVG, .392 OBA, .459 SLG
Melky Cabrera
30 G, 106 AB, 21 R, 6 2B, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 3 SB, .311 AVG, .397 OBA, .453 SLG
Scott Proctor
17 G, 22 IP, 2-2, 15 K, 3.27 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, .228 BAA
Bernie Williams
20 G, 60 AB, 9 R, 5 2B, 3 HR, 12 RBI, .317 AVG, .379 OBA, .550 SLG
Cold
Ron Villone
17 G, 22.1 IP, 0-1, 24 K, 6.04 ERA, 1.79 WHIP, .282 BAA
Mike Mussina
4 GS, 21 IP, 0-2, 19 K, 5.14 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, .307 WHIP
Jorge Posada
26 G, 89 AB, 9 R, 2 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR, 14 RBI, 1 SB, .225 AVG, .304 OBA, .404 SLG
Craig Wilson
26 G, 76 AB, 13 R, 4 2B, 3 HR, 6 RBI, .244 AVG, .280 OBA, .412 SLG
Kyle Farnsworth
11 G, 8.2 IP, 0-0, 1 SV, 9 K, 6.23 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, .194 BAA
Octavio Dotel
6 G, 3.1 IP, 0-0, 4 K, 10.80 ERA, 3.30 WHIP, .438 BAA
09/02: Helen Beller
Posted by: Patrick
Neat story from The New York Daily News:
The great-great-grandma from Manhattan's upper West Side has been rootin' for the Bronx Bombers all her life, which began in 1903, the same year the Yanks were born as the Highlanders.
Last night she saw her first game at the stadium in more than a half-century - a treat provided by her grandson.
But then Beller got an unexpected treat, thanks to Yankee General Manager Brian Cashman.
Last night she saw her first game at the stadium in more than a half-century - a treat provided by her grandson.
But then Beller got an unexpected treat, thanks to Yankee General Manager Brian Cashman.
Posted by: David
A-Rod is starting to come around. On Friday night in the Bronx, he hit two more home runs and is looking more and more confident at the plate.
Derek Jeter also contributed three hits as Cory Lidle breezed through six innings with a steady rain falling. A-Rod led off the scoring with a home run to left off Twins starter Carlos Silva. Robby Cano added a two run single and the Yankees cruised to an 8-1 victory on Friday night in the Bronx.
A-Rod added another homer later in the game for the Yankees last run. With the huge lead, the Yankees avoided using Proctor, Farnsworth and Rivera. Brian Bruney and recently called up T.J. Beam closed out Minnesota.
The Twins made several errors last night and didn't look like a playoff contending team.
This series is a face off of the backs ends of both teams rotations. The Yankees used Cory Lidle on Friday night and follow up (Ernesto permitting) with Jeff Karstens and Darrell Rasner. The Yankees will avoid facing Johan Santana, Francisco Liriano (stll on DL) and Brad Radke (recently injured).
Derek Jeter also contributed three hits as Cory Lidle breezed through six innings with a steady rain falling. A-Rod led off the scoring with a home run to left off Twins starter Carlos Silva. Robby Cano added a two run single and the Yankees cruised to an 8-1 victory on Friday night in the Bronx.
A-Rod added another homer later in the game for the Yankees last run. With the huge lead, the Yankees avoided using Proctor, Farnsworth and Rivera. Brian Bruney and recently called up T.J. Beam closed out Minnesota.
The Twins made several errors last night and didn't look like a playoff contending team.
This series is a face off of the backs ends of both teams rotations. The Yankees used Cory Lidle on Friday night and follow up (Ernesto permitting) with Jeff Karstens and Darrell Rasner. The Yankees will avoid facing Johan Santana, Francisco Liriano (stll on DL) and Brad Radke (recently injured).
Posted by: Jason
So: If Mariano gets this type of muscular soreness every year....
1) Does he always get an MRI with a month left in the season for his "piece of mind?"
2) Can't an experienced trainer/doctor diagnose "muscular soreness" without an MRI, particularly if it's an annually recurring issue?
Count me as a little worried, although empirical data shows that Mariano reached his usual velocity in the 9th inning yesterday.
If I were in charge, he would not pitch against the Twinkies this weekend. Then again, he might actually get 3 days off: If the Yankees can avoid using him tonight, the rest of the weekend looks like an Ernesto inspired washout...
1) Does he always get an MRI with a month left in the season for his "piece of mind?"
2) Can't an experienced trainer/doctor diagnose "muscular soreness" without an MRI, particularly if it's an annually recurring issue?
Count me as a little worried, although empirical data shows that Mariano reached his usual velocity in the 9th inning yesterday.
If I were in charge, he would not pitch against the Twinkies this weekend. Then again, he might actually get 3 days off: If the Yankees can avoid using him tonight, the rest of the weekend looks like an Ernesto inspired washout...
08/31: August 31st vs. The Tigers
Posted by: James
Today's matinee matchup featured aging lefty Randy Johnson facing off against the 23-year old veteran Jeremy Bonderman.
After RJ cruised through the first, the Yanks looked like they would strike early after a single by Damon and then a hit and run single by Jeter. With first and third and no one out, Bonderman got Abreu to pop out (Bobby barely missed hitting a 3-run homerun in the at-bat). He then walked Posada but got A-Rod to pop out and then struck out Robbie Cano. A deep fly would have been all that was necessary to score one run and the heart of the order can't come through. Amazing.
That missed opportunity immediately came back to bite the Yanks as Magglio Ordonez started the top of the second with a homerun. 1-0 Detroit.
The Yankees tied the score in the bottom of the third. After a Jeter groundout, Bobby Abreu hit a long double off Bonderman. Posada then flied out to left but A-Rod came through with a dink RBI single that barely cleared the shortstop. It wasn't pretty but it got the job done as Abreu scored and the score was tied. After A-Rod stole second to put himself in scoring position (one of 3 stolen bases against Pudge today), Cano ended the inning with a ground out to third. Bonderman is at 53 pitches through the third but with the Detroit bullpen being as strong as it is, getting him out of the game doesn't guarantee more scoring.
However, the Yankees would take the lead in the bottom of the fourth with a two-out rally. After a Bernie ground-out and a Guiel (no sonic boom so far) strikeout, Melky got aboard with a dink single. Damon followed with another single and Derek Jeter worked out a walk bringing up Bobby Abreu, who was looking to atone for his earlier at-bat. This time, Bobby came through, singling to right and scoring Cabrera and Damon. 3-1 Yankees. Posada would ground out to end the inning but Bonderman has hit 76 pitches through 4 innings so far.
Randy on the other hand is cruising along in one of his better outings this year. So far, 5 innings, 1 H, 1 ER and 5Ks on 57 pitches (42 strikes!). He must really like facing this Tigers team.
The Yanks scored their fourth run after A-Rod legged out a double to start the bottom of the fifth. After Robbie Cano struck out for the first out, Bernie came through with a RBI single to give the Yanks a 4-1 lead. He was promptly erased and the inning came to an end when Aaron Guiel hit into an double play. The Tigers got the run back pretty much immediately as Omar Infante (yes, the Omar Infante who had 2 HRs so far this year) took Johnson deep to lead off the 6th. After that blip, Johnson got back in his groove and sat the next three Tigers down (2 of them by strikeout).
Through 7 innings, Randy has given up 2 hits (both homeruns but that's to be expected from him at this point), walked none and struck out 7. He's also only thrown 83 pitches through 7 (you see that how that works, Jaret?!)
The Yanks helped themselves to a bigger cushion in the 7th against lefty Jamie Walker. A-Rod led off with his 27th home-run of the year and the crowd was very appreciative. They even gave him a curtain call which hopefully made him feel pretty good. Robbie Cano followed with a fly-ball that Marcus Thames misplayed into a double and with Cano in scoring position, Bernie notched his second RBI of the day with a clean single that brought Robbie home. 6-2 Yankees. Bernie was erased from the bases on (another) double play off the bat of Aaron Guiel and Melky closed out the inning with a ground out.
A great 8 innings from Johnson today and with a 4 run lead and RJ up to 94 pitches, Torre should go to the pen (and I don't mean Scott Proctor!) to close out this game. With the rosters set to expand tomorrow and the Yankees cruising towards the AL East title, there's no need to risk Johnson going out for the 9th and hurting himself.
Apparently Joe Torre didn't get my memo. Perhaps I should have put that new cover sheet on top of my TPS report. Inexplicably, Johnson starts the 9th...and proceeds to walk Craig Monroe. And now Marcus Thames takes him deep. Wow. 6-4 now and here comes Mariano (who is scheduled for an MRI and reports that his elbow has been bothering him for a while now). Just wow. It's like Joe hasn't watched Randy pitch this year...he should have seen this coming a mile away and he should have had Dotel, Bruney or Farnsworth (yes, he was ready to go) warming and ready for the 9th.
It turns out not to matter much (today) as Mo gives up a double to Magglio Ordonez but gets out of the inning by getting Carlos Guillen, Sean Casey and Brandon Inge to all ground out. He's still the best at what he does...but still, I can't help but worry about that elbow.
Still, the Yankees win 6-4 and another game gets knocked off the magic number so it's a good day!
After RJ cruised through the first, the Yanks looked like they would strike early after a single by Damon and then a hit and run single by Jeter. With first and third and no one out, Bonderman got Abreu to pop out (Bobby barely missed hitting a 3-run homerun in the at-bat). He then walked Posada but got A-Rod to pop out and then struck out Robbie Cano. A deep fly would have been all that was necessary to score one run and the heart of the order can't come through. Amazing.
That missed opportunity immediately came back to bite the Yanks as Magglio Ordonez started the top of the second with a homerun. 1-0 Detroit.
The Yankees tied the score in the bottom of the third. After a Jeter groundout, Bobby Abreu hit a long double off Bonderman. Posada then flied out to left but A-Rod came through with a dink RBI single that barely cleared the shortstop. It wasn't pretty but it got the job done as Abreu scored and the score was tied. After A-Rod stole second to put himself in scoring position (one of 3 stolen bases against Pudge today), Cano ended the inning with a ground out to third. Bonderman is at 53 pitches through the third but with the Detroit bullpen being as strong as it is, getting him out of the game doesn't guarantee more scoring.
However, the Yankees would take the lead in the bottom of the fourth with a two-out rally. After a Bernie ground-out and a Guiel (no sonic boom so far) strikeout, Melky got aboard with a dink single. Damon followed with another single and Derek Jeter worked out a walk bringing up Bobby Abreu, who was looking to atone for his earlier at-bat. This time, Bobby came through, singling to right and scoring Cabrera and Damon. 3-1 Yankees. Posada would ground out to end the inning but Bonderman has hit 76 pitches through 4 innings so far.
Randy on the other hand is cruising along in one of his better outings this year. So far, 5 innings, 1 H, 1 ER and 5Ks on 57 pitches (42 strikes!). He must really like facing this Tigers team.
The Yanks scored their fourth run after A-Rod legged out a double to start the bottom of the fifth. After Robbie Cano struck out for the first out, Bernie came through with a RBI single to give the Yanks a 4-1 lead. He was promptly erased and the inning came to an end when Aaron Guiel hit into an double play. The Tigers got the run back pretty much immediately as Omar Infante (yes, the Omar Infante who had 2 HRs so far this year) took Johnson deep to lead off the 6th. After that blip, Johnson got back in his groove and sat the next three Tigers down (2 of them by strikeout).
Through 7 innings, Randy has given up 2 hits (both homeruns but that's to be expected from him at this point), walked none and struck out 7. He's also only thrown 83 pitches through 7 (you see that how that works, Jaret?!)
The Yanks helped themselves to a bigger cushion in the 7th against lefty Jamie Walker. A-Rod led off with his 27th home-run of the year and the crowd was very appreciative. They even gave him a curtain call which hopefully made him feel pretty good. Robbie Cano followed with a fly-ball that Marcus Thames misplayed into a double and with Cano in scoring position, Bernie notched his second RBI of the day with a clean single that brought Robbie home. 6-2 Yankees. Bernie was erased from the bases on (another) double play off the bat of Aaron Guiel and Melky closed out the inning with a ground out.
A great 8 innings from Johnson today and with a 4 run lead and RJ up to 94 pitches, Torre should go to the pen (and I don't mean Scott Proctor!) to close out this game. With the rosters set to expand tomorrow and the Yankees cruising towards the AL East title, there's no need to risk Johnson going out for the 9th and hurting himself.
Apparently Joe Torre didn't get my memo. Perhaps I should have put that new cover sheet on top of my TPS report. Inexplicably, Johnson starts the 9th...and proceeds to walk Craig Monroe. And now Marcus Thames takes him deep. Wow. 6-4 now and here comes Mariano (who is scheduled for an MRI and reports that his elbow has been bothering him for a while now). Just wow. It's like Joe hasn't watched Randy pitch this year...he should have seen this coming a mile away and he should have had Dotel, Bruney or Farnsworth (yes, he was ready to go) warming and ready for the 9th.
It turns out not to matter much (today) as Mo gives up a double to Magglio Ordonez but gets out of the inning by getting Carlos Guillen, Sean Casey and Brandon Inge to all ground out. He's still the best at what he does...but still, I can't help but worry about that elbow.
Still, the Yankees win 6-4 and another game gets knocked off the magic number so it's a good day!
Posted by: James
Kevin Goldstein over at Baseball Prospectus checks in with a positional breakdown of the top 20 right-handed pitching prospects in the minors. Not surprisingly, Phil Hughes tops the list, just slightly ahead of the Reds' Homer Baily.
Tyler Clippard also made the list as a honorable mention.
Looking at the projected 2007 pitching staff, both of these guys would be greatly appreciated...and probably very needed.
1. Philip Hughes, Yankees
Age: 20.2 H/9: 5.74 BB/9: 2.17 K/9: 10.40
Really, you are looking at 1a and 1b here. If I ranked them tomorrow I might take Bailey. The next day I might go back to Hughes. The two are remarkably similar. Bailey was born about 50 days earlier than Hughes and both were 2004 first round picks out of high school. They both have classic power-pitcher builds, with Bailey at 6-foot-4, 205 pounds and Hughes a little bigger at 6-foot-5, 220. Both have electric stuff; while Bailey has a little more juice, Hughes has better command. Both began the year in the Florida State League, both dominated there, and both have had no problems adjusting to Double-A, holding opposing batters to a sub-.200 average while striking out more than a batter per inning. Both have made 25 starts, and their total numbers are nearly mirror images. Bailey has faced 560 batters, Hughes 542. Bailey has given up 96 hits, 46 walks and recorded 156 strikeouts, while Hughes has totals of 90, 34 and 163, respectively. Their immediate futures, however, couldn't be more different. Rumors in Southern Ohio have the Reds calling up Bailey to fill a rotation slot down the stretch as the Reds gun for a playoff slot, while Hughes will enjoy a peaceful offseason and is more than likely beginning next year at Triple-A Columbus. Bailey is expected to be the savior of a Reds rotation in desperate need of an ace, while Hughes will be eased into a star-studded lineup, with only the unique pressures of playing in New York on his shoulders. Flip a coin here folks, but my gut gives Hughes the wafer-thin edge.
Age: 20.2 H/9: 5.74 BB/9: 2.17 K/9: 10.40
Really, you are looking at 1a and 1b here. If I ranked them tomorrow I might take Bailey. The next day I might go back to Hughes. The two are remarkably similar. Bailey was born about 50 days earlier than Hughes and both were 2004 first round picks out of high school. They both have classic power-pitcher builds, with Bailey at 6-foot-4, 205 pounds and Hughes a little bigger at 6-foot-5, 220. Both have electric stuff; while Bailey has a little more juice, Hughes has better command. Both began the year in the Florida State League, both dominated there, and both have had no problems adjusting to Double-A, holding opposing batters to a sub-.200 average while striking out more than a batter per inning. Both have made 25 starts, and their total numbers are nearly mirror images. Bailey has faced 560 batters, Hughes 542. Bailey has given up 96 hits, 46 walks and recorded 156 strikeouts, while Hughes has totals of 90, 34 and 163, respectively. Their immediate futures, however, couldn't be more different. Rumors in Southern Ohio have the Reds calling up Bailey to fill a rotation slot down the stretch as the Reds gun for a playoff slot, while Hughes will enjoy a peaceful offseason and is more than likely beginning next year at Triple-A Columbus. Bailey is expected to be the savior of a Reds rotation in desperate need of an ace, while Hughes will be eased into a star-studded lineup, with only the unique pressures of playing in New York on his shoulders. Flip a coin here folks, but my gut gives Hughes the wafer-thin edge.
Tyler Clippard also made the list as a honorable mention.
Tyler Clippard, Yankees: He gets better every year, and could give the Yankees a second rookie option after Hughes by late 2007.
Looking at the projected 2007 pitching staff, both of these guys would be greatly appreciated...and probably very needed.
Posted by: Jason
Pardon the recap delay, my friends, I was embroiled in a conference call that started at 11AM Paris time...My day began well before dawn and I've now had enough caffeine to resuscitate an elephant.
In game one, Chien-Ming Wang demonstrated that he will be the centerpiece of the Yankees' rotation for at least the next two seasons. His 95 sinker (with movement) was baffling. Wang exploited the Tigers' well-known lack of plate patience and the first 25 feet of grass in front of home plate took a beating...The Yankees' ace induced at least a dozen ground ball outs.
I have heard Craig Wilson referred to as a "drop and drive" hitter. I was not sure what that meant until I saw Craig drop the sweet spot onto a Nate Robertson fastball and drive it 20-25 rows over the LF wall. The Yankees' other run came on a sacrifice fly by Giambi.
Two runs was all that was necessary. Proctor relieved Wang for a relatively uneventful 8th and Mariano did his thing in the 9th. 2-0 Yankees final.
The nightcap had all the atmosphere of game two of the ALCS. Jaret Wright surprised with an above average outing, pitching 6.1 innings while allowing 2 runs. As for the Yankees offense, on-base machine Sal Fasano cleverly arranged to be hit by a pitch and moved to third after a Melky double. Jeter drove them both in with a double of his own. Eventually Alex drove Jeter in from 3rd with a sac groundout.
In the 9th, with Mariano not available due to his game 1 save, Torre called on Scott Proctor, who walked two and then missed with either a curve or a slider. I could not specifically identify the pitch, because Craig Monroe tried to hit it to the International Space Station. The revived Todd Jones closed the Yankees out, 5-3 Tigers final.
The fun part is that they crank it up again at the Stadium for the rubber match in about 60 minutes.
In game one, Chien-Ming Wang demonstrated that he will be the centerpiece of the Yankees' rotation for at least the next two seasons. His 95 sinker (with movement) was baffling. Wang exploited the Tigers' well-known lack of plate patience and the first 25 feet of grass in front of home plate took a beating...The Yankees' ace induced at least a dozen ground ball outs.
I have heard Craig Wilson referred to as a "drop and drive" hitter. I was not sure what that meant until I saw Craig drop the sweet spot onto a Nate Robertson fastball and drive it 20-25 rows over the LF wall. The Yankees' other run came on a sacrifice fly by Giambi.
Two runs was all that was necessary. Proctor relieved Wang for a relatively uneventful 8th and Mariano did his thing in the 9th. 2-0 Yankees final.
The nightcap had all the atmosphere of game two of the ALCS. Jaret Wright surprised with an above average outing, pitching 6.1 innings while allowing 2 runs. As for the Yankees offense, on-base machine Sal Fasano cleverly arranged to be hit by a pitch and moved to third after a Melky double. Jeter drove them both in with a double of his own. Eventually Alex drove Jeter in from 3rd with a sac groundout.
In the 9th, with Mariano not available due to his game 1 save, Torre called on Scott Proctor, who walked two and then missed with either a curve or a slider. I could not specifically identify the pitch, because Craig Monroe tried to hit it to the International Space Station. The revived Todd Jones closed the Yankees out, 5-3 Tigers final.
The fun part is that they crank it up again at the Stadium for the rubber match in about 60 minutes.
Posted by: Patrick
From The New York Times:
Mariano Rivera and Jason Giambi played in yesterday’s doubleheader, so their health status is not alarming to the Yankees. But the team was concerned enough about them to schedule magnetic resonance imaging exams.
Rivera has experienced inflammation in his right elbow and will have a precautionary M.R.I. on the elbow soon, perhaps today. He earned the save in the first game yesterday but did not pitch in the second. ...
Giambi had an M.R.I. on his left wrist between games of the doubleheader, after he went 1 for 3 with a sacrifice fly as the designated hitter in the opener. He missed a start Sunday in Anaheim because of cramping in his hands, and he has had his wrist wrapped lately.
Rivera has experienced inflammation in his right elbow and will have a precautionary M.R.I. on the elbow soon, perhaps today. He earned the save in the first game yesterday but did not pitch in the second. ...
Giambi had an M.R.I. on his left wrist between games of the doubleheader, after he went 1 for 3 with a sacrifice fly as the designated hitter in the opener. He missed a start Sunday in Anaheim because of cramping in his hands, and he has had his wrist wrapped lately.
08/31: Lester & Ortiz
Posted by: James
MLB.com (and several other sources) are reporting that Red Sox rookie Jon Lester is dealing with more than just a bad back. Although Red Sox officials are being tight-lipped about the matter (as they should be), reports are that Lester has been undergoing an array of exams in Boston for internal medical issues, including cancer.
At this point, no one knows for sure if Lester has cancer or not but whatever it is, our little corner of the blogosphere wish him well. The same applies to David Ortiz, who is still at Massachusetts General Hospital being examined after he, on multiple occasions over a 10-day span, experienced a rapid heartbeat. Hopefully, both these cases turn out to be minor but even so, these aren't baseball related injuries, these are life-threating ones and so, we wish you the best and a speedy recovery.
The Boston Herald reported on its Web site Wednesday night that rookie left-hander Jon Lester, who was sent back to Boston earlier this week to have his ailing back examined, is also being tested for far more serious matters, including the possibility that he has cancer.
Reporter Tony Massarotti wrote that Lester "was diagnosed with enlarged lymph nodes, according to sources. Such a symptom can be caused by an array of issues, from infections to cancer."
...
The 22-year-old Lester was rear-ended in a car accident on Storrow Drive while on his way to pitch at Fenway Park on Aug. 18. Before and during his next start at Anaheim -- a win -- his back locked on him as he was dealing with an apparent case of whiplash.
...
When the Red Sox went to Seattle last weekend, Lester, a native of Tacoma, Wash., wasn't seen in the clubhouse during media access hours for the entire series. A source confirmed to MLB.com that Lester spent much of the weekend in a Seattle hospital undergoing, among other things, a CT Scan.
Reporter Tony Massarotti wrote that Lester "was diagnosed with enlarged lymph nodes, according to sources. Such a symptom can be caused by an array of issues, from infections to cancer."
...
The 22-year-old Lester was rear-ended in a car accident on Storrow Drive while on his way to pitch at Fenway Park on Aug. 18. Before and during his next start at Anaheim -- a win -- his back locked on him as he was dealing with an apparent case of whiplash.
...
When the Red Sox went to Seattle last weekend, Lester, a native of Tacoma, Wash., wasn't seen in the clubhouse during media access hours for the entire series. A source confirmed to MLB.com that Lester spent much of the weekend in a Seattle hospital undergoing, among other things, a CT Scan.
At this point, no one knows for sure if Lester has cancer or not but whatever it is, our little corner of the blogosphere wish him well. The same applies to David Ortiz, who is still at Massachusetts General Hospital being examined after he, on multiple occasions over a 10-day span, experienced a rapid heartbeat. Hopefully, both these cases turn out to be minor but even so, these aren't baseball related injuries, these are life-threating ones and so, we wish you the best and a speedy recovery.
08/30: Jaret Wright It Is...
Posted by: James
My (and Ben Kabak's) dreams were dashed today as Peter Abraham has reported that Pavano's been shut down (probably for the year).
Oy vey. I was really hoping that Pavano could have stepped up and taken the spot from Jaret Wright.
Well, Darrell Rasner just had a good AAA start and I think he'll be called up once the rosters expand. With the AL East division title sewn up (yes, I said it), maybe Rasner can get a shot or two. Who knows, maybe the kid can impress enough to bump Wright out of the rotation (hey, it could happen!) and as Joseph P. from the Sporting Brews pointed out, Rasner is on the 40-man roster so he's postseason roster eligble already.
Carl Pavano has been shut down again after being examined by team doctor Stuart Hershon. He will be sent to Tampa for two weeks and not allowed to pitch off the mound.
According to Brian Cashman, Pavano called him and said he wanted to pitch through the injury. But the organization doesn't seem to want much to do with him.
According to Brian Cashman, Pavano called him and said he wanted to pitch through the injury. But the organization doesn't seem to want much to do with him.
Oy vey. I was really hoping that Pavano could have stepped up and taken the spot from Jaret Wright.
Well, Darrell Rasner just had a good AAA start and I think he'll be called up once the rosters expand. With the AL East division title sewn up (yes, I said it), maybe Rasner can get a shot or two. Who knows, maybe the kid can impress enough to bump Wright out of the rotation (hey, it could happen!) and as Joseph P. from the Sporting Brews pointed out, Rasner is on the 40-man roster so he's postseason roster eligble already.
