Odds And Ends: Clemens, Soria, Randolph, Mulder

A couple of notes for this Thursday afternoon.

• Bob Watson, GM of the U.S. Olympic baseball team, says Roger Clemens is not welcome. "We don't need that type of distraction," said Watson.
• Should the Royals give Joakim Soria a shot as a starter? I'm always inclined to say yes. If he fails in the rotation, just bump him back to the bullpen. Same logic goes for Joba Chamberlain.
• In a minor trade, the Astros have sent 34-year-old lefty Stephen Randolph to the Phillies for a player to be named later. Randolph was 0-1 with a 1.23 ERA in AAA this year.
• Rehabbing Cardinal Mark Mulder will be sidelined for the next week to 10 days with a rotator cuff strain.

Posted by Joe Pawlikowski.

Comments

[PJH]

Should the Royals Give Joakim Soria a shot as a starter? NO NO and NO! While I think Ramirez would be the logical replacement, and he would have some success, I think Soria is right where he needs to be. It is nice being confident when the closer comes in for the boys in blue for once.

[MO Boiler]

didn't the IOC remove baseball as an olympic sport?

[Laputian]

Yes, this is the last year.

Soria shouldnt be moved to the rotation as it would leave my fantasy bullpen in RUINS.

[GravediggerHebner]

Yes, baseball is out of the Olympics for 2012 but can apply for reinstatement for 2016 if it installs a tougher drug/performance enhancer testing policy.

[grimace455]

Moving Soria could be a big risk, look at what happened to Danny Graves. The Royals have three solid starters plus Hochevar so using Soria as a 5th starter instead of a closer would be a waste.

[jacklaf]

happy birthday tim!