In today's column, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe wonders why pitchers seem to be hitting the disabled list at a higher rate throughout the minor and major leagues. Not only are young pitchers including Kris Medlen, Brandon Beachy, Jarrod Parker, and Bruce Rondon undergoing Tommy John surgery this spring, but Medlen and Beachy are actually having the surgery for a second time. “I think pitchers are getting abused at a younger age,” Hall of Famer Tom Glavine told Cafardo. “Most of them are max-effort guys, so it reaches the point where the stress finally causes a breaking point.” More from today's column..
- The Mets do not anticipate a deal involving first baseman Ike Davis. The Mets resumed gauging interest in Davis last week but so far, no inquiries have really blown them away. The Orioles are still among the clubs with interest.
- Joel Hanrahan has shifted his training base to Tampa, moving toward his first showcase for teams, which should happen shortly. The Red Sox have some interest in bringing back Hanrahan, but with teams like the Tigers, Orioles, and Yankees in need of back-end relievers, he probably won't wind up back in Boston.
- Twins pitcher Vance Worley, who is out of options, was placed on waivers Friday, then outrighted to Triple-A when he cleared. Minnesota may still deal Worley and a return to the Phillies would not be out of the question.
Or it could be that pitchers aren’t on the sauce like they used to be.
Figured the sauce would make ligament injuries more likely.
I think the days of starting pitchers themselves might be numbered in 10-20 years, and you get pitchers pitching 2-3 inning stints every other day or something.
A lot goes into the sauce and the frequency varies. Think no one ever out pitched their natural ability on some combination of Bourbon, greenies and morphine? It’s been done and still is on some level. Oh yeah then we have PED’s.
That would indicate just the opposite one would think? Players would all develop muscle pulls quite often, etc.. When they were on the juice.
I’d listen more to what Joe Morgan said in that article.. About players before not lifting over 8lb’s and nothing over their heads. Joe was one of the wisest it seemed (to me) of baseball people I ever talked to back when the Sox were at Winter Haven and good old Joe didn’t mind talking for what seemed forever at a time about any player, or baseball related thing. He was a walking encyclopedia when he managed the Sox AA and AAA teams way back.
The thing roids are proven to do is help rebuild muscle and reduce inflammation. It’s kind of telling Clemens never needed TJ.
Parker is having Tommy John for the second time as well.
Kevin Fransden and Tyson Gillies for Vance Worley. Everyone involved has pretty much no value.
no way. I wouldn’t give up Gillies or Frandsen for Worley. It will only take cash considerations to acquire the Vanimal back.
I’m sure if he was only for that we would take him back.. as would 20 something other teams. Frandsen is worthless, he is gonna hit FA in a few days, might as well trade him.
Wouldn’t mind the Reds taking a look at Hanrahan. We have some serious problems with the back of our bullpen right now.
How does Cafardo determine that the O’s need back-end bullpen help? Hunter closed a few games out last year. Evan Meek was an all-star closer with the Pirates. Brad Brach closed games at all levels of the Padre farm system. Alfredo Aceves closed games for Boston in 2012. How many options does a team need before it’s decided they don’t really have a need for another back-end reliever?
Meek’s all-star season was a solid half season. After the All-Star Break he regressed, and that was almost four seasons ago. He hasn’t been a back-end of the bullpen pitcher since then. Brad Brach has minimal late-game experience in the majors, so suggesting he can easily step into that role in the majors is foolish. Aceves closing games in 2012 when he had an ERA north of 5, also wouldn’t convince me that he can handle a set-up or closing spot.
Tell you, who I would loved in the back of our bullpen would have been Brian Wilson. Did you see his stuff in the ‘Down’ Under, it was filthy!
He looks like he’s back 100%
Evan Meek WAS an all-star closer, he hasn’t been good since 4 seasons ago. Aceves was brutal last year, and isn’t that great in Spring Training. Minor league closing doesn’t always convert well. He was pretty impressive last year, but can he be a late inning, reliable guy? Maybe. Tommy Hunter has 4 career saves and has no one to learn off from in late inning situations. I don’t think a low-risk high reward guy like Hanarahn or Ryan Madson would hurt.
Props to you for mentioning Aceves as a closer without adding the standard “nah, I’m just joking” tagline. He also has a few, um, issues to go along with his unreliability.
Phillies would totally swap Kendrick for Worley just based on salary.
Hanrahan better take some serious discount to come back to Boston.