The Cubs are trying to break an 11-game losing streak, their longest in 15 years, as they take on the Pirates this afternoon at PNC Park. Manager Dale Sveum has changed closers, according to Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune. Sveum didn't reveal who would replace Rafael Dolis if a save opportunity presents itself, but Sullivan writes he did mention James Russell and Casey Coleman.
Here are some more links on this Sunday before Memorial Day.
- MLB.com's Mark Bowman tweets the Braves may be looking for starting pitching because of the struggles of Mike Minor and Jair Jurrjens. Bowman cautions money will be an issue.
- Manager Bud Black told reporters including Bill Center of the San Diego Union Tribune that Carlos Quentin could make his Padres debut this week when the team travels to Chicago. Quentin has yet to play this season because of knee surgery performed in March.
- Chase Utley also hasn't seen action in 2012 because of a knee injury. Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com writes Utley is feeling better but there is still no timetable for his minor league rehab. Salisbury points out Utley has been working in left field to ease the strain on his knees and to work on his agility.
- Kevin Mulvey has retired, reports ESPN New York's Adam Rubin. Mulvey had been pitching in relief with the Mets' Double-A affiliate. Mulvey was part of the Johan Santana trade and rejoined the Mets late in spring training after being released by the Diamondbacks.
That did not work out for the twins whatsoever. None of the players they received in return has amounted to anything spectacular.
What happened to Utley? That guy was a superstar, maybe not Hall of fame bound, but almost. Then he all of a sudden lost it all, due to a chronic knee problem?
All we get is this constant “the knee is getting slightly better” “it’s the same as the week before, but it’s not worse” drivel.
What’s with the baloney? Why not get some accountability and get a proper evaluation for the knee. Until there is a proper evaluation, a solid rehab plan, then Phillies needs to keep looking. I doubt that Theo, Beane or Daniels in Texas would’ve let crap pro long like this.
If you can’t get it fixed, guess what? Eat as much as you have to of Utleys contract, trade him and let some other team gamble with it.
They may have the skills to get his knees fixed. Phillies apparantly don’t, and shouldn’t keep wasting millions on not getting it right.
There’s absolutely nothing that makes sense in this post….
Utley is one thing, but I am more concerned about Doc Halladay.
He was pulled today after giving up four runs on four hits.
As a side note I saw Volquez pitch a good game today. Not terrible efficient with 109 pitches on 5 and 2/3 rd’s, but he did pitch well.
should have traded jj at last years trade deadline but the braves were still in the playoff hunt. so he hurts his value some and didnt want to sell low on him this offseason. now he has no value. could have traded minor for pomeranz but didnt which still may work out. point being the braves were stock piled with young talented pitching but instead of selling high everyone of them have lost value.
I don’t think Beachy, Hanson, or Delgado have lost any value from last year. Jurrjens, absolutely. They weren’t going to trade the NL leader in ERA in the middle of a playoff hunt, so they hoped he could finish out the year healthy and strong and move him in the off-season. He got hurt, and we all know the rest…..
Reports indicate that he’s throwing 93-94mph at AAA and despite getting hammered in a few starts, he’s kept his walks low(location was his biggest problem before being sent down). Last night he went 8 innings, gave up 3 hits, 0 runs, 0 BB, and struck out 5. If those reports about his velocity are true, Braves might be seeing him pretty soon if Minor or Delgado disappoint in their next starts.
And I don’t think the Braves could’ve gotten Pomeranz for Jurrjens alone over the off-season…..
the rumor on here was minor for pomeranz. and im glad jj had a good outing since two recent starts he allowed 8 er and 11 er. now fredi had excuses for both of those starts. i dont think beachy has hurt his value.nor hanson yet but i dont see either being the pitchers that they would have moved. we just disagree on delagdo. last year at this time teheran,delagado,and arodys were all on fire and in demand so was minor.
Casey Coleman isn’t qualified to be the bat boy on most teams.
…And he may be closing games for the Cubs?
Luckily, on any team with Joe Mather batting third- I don’t forsee a whole lot of save opportunities ahead.
I’m really excited for the new direction we’re taking.
It’s just comical watching in the meantime.
We’ve got Castro, LaHair and a slew of future designated for assignments.
I feel like the Bad News Bears, and we’ve got Lupus at every position.
I honestly felt bad watching that series against the Cubs, they are probably the only team that could make me feel good about the Pirates. They are such a mess right now. I guess Theo decided to tank the season before it started and this is going to be a long rebuild. I’m anxious to see how good of a job he’s going to do because I’m not sold on him.
You guys made us look pathetic.
I think Theo was planning on a lot of over slot draft bonuses and international signings. After the new CBA, I bet he’s pretty worried.
The funny thing is, the Cubs still have some decent assets. They really need to blow it up.
However, I am excited for some of the young arms in the Pirates system. They should have a pretty solid homegrown squad by ’14. The light is at the end of the tunnel!