With all the bad news on pitching injuries in recent days, it was refreshing to hear at least some positive reports. Earlier today, we learned that Jon Niese of the Mets is not in need of surgery. And later this evening, Padres GM Josh Byrnes said that an MRI on Joe Wieland's right elbow did not reveal UCL damage, as Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union Tribune reports. Wieland will still be monitored and assessed closely over the coming days, particularly as he is still working back from Tommy John surgery, but will hopefully remain on track to re-start his career and give the club some depth over the coming season.
- One injury situation that seems headed in the wrong direction is that of Pirates backup catcher Chris Stewart, who suffered a knee injury. Surgery is "probable," the club said today, as Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette tweets. Stewart is set to visit Dr. James Andrews before deciding on a course of action.
- ESPN.com's Buster Olney weighed in on the possible opening in Pittsburgh (Twitter links), noting that the team probably prefers to give Tony Sanchez another year of seasoning in Triple-A before promoting him. That could, Olney suggests, leave the club interested in adding a player like Miguel Olivo or one of the Yankees' surplus backstops. (As Olney notes, the Pirates' own surplus of relief arms might make for a good match with New York.)
- The Nationals will start the year with lefty Ross Detwiler working from the pen, reports MLB.com's Bill Ladson. While Tanner Roark, Taylor Jordan, and Chris Young battle it out for the fifth and final rotation slot, Detwiler will slide in alongside Jerry Blevins as a southpaw relief option. "He provides something special out of the bullpen," said manager Matt Williams. "… We just feel we are a better team with him coming out of our bullpen. He is a power lefty, mid-90s lefty. It doesn't mean he won't start in the future … ."
- For the Mets, several starting positions still appear to be in flux. At first base, the long-anticipated showdown between Lucas Duda and Ike Davis has not gone anywhere with both still not cleared to run or play defense, writes Anthony Rieber of Newsday. If neither is ready, Josh Satin could take the Opening Day gig by default. Elsewhere, Wilmer Flores is surely a longshot to start at shortstop, but nevertheless he'll get another look there tomorrow, reports ESPN.com's Adam Rubin. While the move comes as Ruben Tejada continues to struggle at the plate and in the field, manager Terry Collins said that the decision is unrelated.
- Marlins star Giancarlo Stanton says he is pleased with how things are going in Miami, but nevertheless "need[s] a season" to assess his long-term future with the club, reports Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. "There's a good vibe here," said Stanton, "and I'd say so if it wasn't."
This is Tony Sanchez’s age 26 season. Is that old for a catcher? Is another year of seasoning necessary at this point?
Agreed. At this point, a year in the Bigs under the tutelage of Martin seems to outweigh any developmental gains in AAA.
Sanchez being on the big club with Martin, Cole, Morton, and Ray Searage is better than playing at AAA IMO. I don’t think service time should be an issue here either because Reese McGuire should be ready before Sanchez is eligible for free-agency.
Detwiler just got worse and worse the second and third times through the lineup. He’ll have less exposure coming out of the pen and will see fewer guys multiple times over the season.
The Pirates will not pick up any catcher who is not in the high upper half in pitch framing and good at throwing out base runners, I can guarantee that.
No one will complain if Tony Sanchez is given the task. His bat was already better than Stewart’s, and his play during the playoff run in 2013 was exceptional. He knows the pitchers well too.
I’m not familiar with JR (I refuse to call him John Ryan) Murphy’s pitch framing, but he has heavily improved each year in throwing out base runners. SSS but if interested (and I don’t see why you would be but I”ll put it out there anyway), he threw 3 of 6 out in the majors last year.
I don’t know why B-Ref is not showing Minors stats in 2013 as far as CS% goes, but in 2012, it was 38% in AA
He did however allow a lot of passed balls. Then again, Chris Stewart did too last year in the majors.
I believe Law or Olney has stated Murphy could be a starting ML catcher right now. His downside though is his bat.
Put Weiland on the 60 day…we don’t need him right now. No sense in risking it…let him heal.
Detwiler could be a force coming out of the pen. Best way to utilize his talents.
Keep Stanton happy, Miami, keep him happy.