Friday, March 30, 2007

The Hangover: Cantu Or Gomes For Final Spot

  • Two big notes from yesterday's 3-3 tie with the Pink Sox. Edwin Jackson worked six innings and yielded only a single walk while striking out 5. Jackson has only had one start this spring in which his control betrayed him. If this keeps up, Jackson could be in for a big season. The second item is that B. J. Upton started at second and Jorge Cantu was the DH. We touched on this yesterday, but it is now looking more and more as if Upton's role as super-utility may actually turn into a regular gig at second base, while Cantu and Jonny Gomes are now battling for the DH spot,with the loser being sent to Durham.
  • The final two spots in the pen will come down to Chad Orvella, Juan Salas, Seth McClung, and Jae Kuk Ryu. McClung has given up 25 baserunners in less than 10 IP this spring so he is a long shot at this point. With Brian Stokes and Gary Glover likely to make the team, there doesn't appear to be a need for another long reliever, so Ryu is probably out. Ryu gave up two home runs yesterday. Orvella has been lights out this spring (o.87 ERA) and seems like a lock. Salas has also been strong.
  • All three of the Rays walking wounded saw action yesterday. Of the three, Rocco Baldelli, Dioner Navarro and Josh Paul, only Paul sounded confident that he would be ready for opening day.
  • Not Rays related, but Kenny Rogers was placed on the DL yesterday with a tired arm. Wouldn't it be great if this worked in real life. Boss, I need to take 2 weeks off, with pay, because I have a tired head. Thanks.
  • Manny Stiles makes a long-winded case for the greatness of Delmon Young.
  • We have no idea how good Carl Crawford can be, but it sure is going to be fun finding out.
  • On Tuesday against the Jays, Carl Crawford forgot his jersey, so he was forced to wear #98. Apparently #98 was not as lucky as his usual #13. He went 0-3.
  • Lou Piniella is not the only former Rays manager in Chi-town. Remember Larry Rothschild? Seems forever ago.

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2 Comments:

Blogger Sean said...

Don't know if you saw this or not, but Rogers had to have surgery on his left arm to remove a blood clot. There's your way out of work!

9:18 PM  
Blogger 3RunHomer said...

Chad Orvella was sent down. Rays' management must really hate that guy. Maybe he has horrible body odor. I still think he's the team's best relief pitcher ... by a wide margin.

Some intelligent team will probably trade for him.

10:37 AM  

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