from Dennis Manaloff in the PD:
Bauer rode primarily a fastball/cutter/splitter/curveball combination to the quality start. The curve was especially good in big spots. His split is becoming a weapon.
[When I was "watching" the game on my phone last night, against one hitter in the 7th he used the fastball, curveball, splitter, changeup and cutter, and wound up with a strikeout.]
Re: Articles
4652Scouting report on new pitcher.
Once seen as being on the fast track to playing a big part in the Angels bullpen, Nick Maronde took a big step backwards in 2013 instead. Can he get himself back on track?
Nick Maronde
Position: LHP Highest Level: Majors
Bats: B Throws: L Height: 6'3" Weight: 206
Age: 24 Born: 9/5/1989
2013 Rank: #2
2013 Season Stats
Double-A: 56.1 IP, 2-4, 0 SV, 3.51 ERA, 41 H, 37 BB, 4 HR, 63 SO, 3.96 FIP, .266 BABIP, 42.0 GB%
Majors: 5.1 IP, 0-0, 0 SV, 6.75 ERA, 4 H, 8 BB, 1 HR, 5 SO, 8.11 FIP, .214 BABIP, 46.7 GB%
PITCHING
Fastball = B
Part of the reason Nick Maronde ranked so high last year was that as a left-handed starter, we saw him pound his fastball into the mitt at 92-93 on a continual basis. Not only is this slightly above average velocity for a starter in general, it’s a good 3-4 mph harder than most LHP. This past season however, he transitioned to reliever and due to arm troubles and mechanical adjustments we saw his fastball dip down into the high 80’s which was a big red flag. By the end of the season however he was back to 90-92. It still isn’t as hard as he was throwing before, but it is sign for optimism. As a reliever, we’d hope he’d throw even harder but Maronde seems to be able to get by without a mid 90’s fastball.
Offspeed Pitches = C+
Maronde throws a tight slider that is effective at any level and grades out as “plus”, but it would appear since he made the decision to pitch in relief, he’s abandoned the changeup, which isn’t such a bad thing as it needed a lot of work before.
Control = D
Another reason for Maronde’s diminished value as a prospect is the sudden inability to put the ball over the plate. In his first two seasons as a pro when he was pitching out of the rotation, Maronde’s BB/9 sat at a sparkling 2.4. Last season, his first full season as a reliever we saw that number creep all the way up to 5.9. Clearly, some adjustments are needed, or perhaps he needs to go back to pitching as a starter. Since we’ve seen him be so strong in this area before, I hold out hope that his control will again return.
Command = C
With the lost ability to throw strikes came the lost ability to spot his pitches wherever they needed to be. It’s honestly as though we were watching two completely different pitchers between 2012 and 2013.
Mechanics = C
I never liked Maronde’s mechanics in the first place. The stiff throwing arm and motion seem to take stress off the shoulder and elbow and yet at the same time I think it prevents him from reaching his full capacity as a pitcher. But his pre-release motion still seems like the simple drop & drive variety.
OVERALL
Performance = C-
To be quite honest, I expected a lot more from Maronde in 2014 and he really took a couple of steps in the wrong direction. I truly thought his calling was as a starter, and believed that despite not having the necessary change up, he’d be able to get by with such impeccable command and a dynamic fastball-slider combo. But as we saw, he transitioned to relief, lost velocity on his fastball and lost all resemblance of the command and control we saw in 2012. On the bright side, a 3.51 ERA in AA isn’t a completely terrible thing.
Projection = C
If Maronde were still a starter or still had the 92-93 mph fastball with command and control, this would be considerably higher but as of right now, he doesn’t have it. If he ever regains it, he could become a very effective 8th inning option or hopefully give starting another shot after all the success he had in that role. If he doesn’t, the best he could profile would be as a lefty-specialist. The most important thing for Maronde here is the ability to command his pitches. When he pounds the zone, he can be very good.
Grade as a Prospect = C+
Based on his past success and the fact that he used to throw strikes with a good fastball and slider and is young, you have to give him the edge over most prospects. But there is no other way around it, he’ll need to redicover his velocity and command if he wants to remain a Top 30 prospect.
Estimated MLB Arrival Date = 2015
If you had asked me a year ago, I would’ve said a year at the most. But now, I think he’ll need a full year in the minors to prove his issues are behind him before he joins the Angels on a full-time basis.
2013 in Review*
After the 2012 season, Nick Maronde was something of a controversial prospect. After an electric September call-up period, Maronde flashed an ability to be potential high leverage reliever, but he was still nominally a starting pitcher. The Angels were desperate for starting pitching in the system, but Maronde still needed a lot of work to become a legit rotation candidate. Alternatively, his brief period of success suggested that he could be a big piece in the bullpen in 2013, possibly as soon as Opening Day. Jerry Dipoto and the organization opted to try and reap the immediate reward and made Maronde's transition into a reliever complete. Now all they had to do is wait for it to pay off.
Well, they are still waiting because Maronde flopped in a big way in 2013. In his two previous minor league seasons, Maronde showed very good command. It was considered one of his major selling points as a major league ready prospect. But due to some mechanical changes and arm issues, Maronde could barely get the ball over the plate at times during the season. Oh, and he lost velocity too. That's a good combination, right?
Nick was able to get away with a lot in Double-A because his stuff is so good as he still managed to whiff more than a batter per inning and allow just 41 hits in 56.1 innings of work. However, he walked 37 batters in that time. By comparison, Maronde walked a total of 37 batters in his two previous minor league seasons, spanning 146 innings. So, yeah, that is kind of a problem.
Despite these issues, he still managed to get two brief call-ups to the majors. Both were made out of desperation on the part of the Angels and both call-ups were pretty disastrous. In total, Maronde walked eight of the 28 batters he faced. Five of those walks came against lefties, so Maronde couldn't even serve effectively as a LOOGY. By the time he was sent back down in August, it was clear he wouldn't be back in September as one could tell just by looking at him that his confidence had been shattered.
Looking Ahead*
If there is any good news that came from Maronde's disappointing season it was his platoon splits. Maronde was death on lefties, the biggest part of his job, by limiting them to a .558 OPS and surrendering just two extra-base hits to left-handed hitters in Double-A. Against right-handed batters though, he was almost as good, allowing a .681 OPS against and just a .131 ISO. In other words, if he could avoid walking people, nobody was going too much damage against him with the bat, regardless of what side of the plate they hit from. That bodes very well Maronde's future as a legitimate setup man or even closer and not just a lefty specialist reliever.
Before that can happen though, Mardone needs to get healthy, work out his mechanical issues and start throwing strikes again. There is hope on this front already as Maronde only walked five batters in his final 22.1 innings at Arkansas. Add to that reports of him recovering his velocity down the stretch and it would seem that Maronde is primed for a bounceback in 2014.
Given how rough his 2013 stints in the majors were, Maronde is unlikely to break camp with the Angels, though he will at least get a chance. More likely, he will have to spend a few months in the minors proving that he has worked out his issues and then wait for an opening in the big leagues due to injury or ineffectiveness. That wait will most likely be done in the Salt Lake Bees bullpen, but it is certainly possible that he could start the season in Arkansas if he shows in training camp that he still has mechanical issues that need work. Salt Lake can be brutal on a pitcher's confidence and Maronde's confidence is still going through a rebuilding phase after the events of last season.
*As we do every year, the scouting reports and grades are provided by Scotty Allen while Garrett Wilson provides the 2013 in Review and Looking Ahead sections.
Once seen as being on the fast track to playing a big part in the Angels bullpen, Nick Maronde took a big step backwards in 2013 instead. Can he get himself back on track?
Nick Maronde
Position: LHP Highest Level: Majors
Bats: B Throws: L Height: 6'3" Weight: 206
Age: 24 Born: 9/5/1989
2013 Rank: #2
2013 Season Stats
Double-A: 56.1 IP, 2-4, 0 SV, 3.51 ERA, 41 H, 37 BB, 4 HR, 63 SO, 3.96 FIP, .266 BABIP, 42.0 GB%
Majors: 5.1 IP, 0-0, 0 SV, 6.75 ERA, 4 H, 8 BB, 1 HR, 5 SO, 8.11 FIP, .214 BABIP, 46.7 GB%
PITCHING
Fastball = B
Part of the reason Nick Maronde ranked so high last year was that as a left-handed starter, we saw him pound his fastball into the mitt at 92-93 on a continual basis. Not only is this slightly above average velocity for a starter in general, it’s a good 3-4 mph harder than most LHP. This past season however, he transitioned to reliever and due to arm troubles and mechanical adjustments we saw his fastball dip down into the high 80’s which was a big red flag. By the end of the season however he was back to 90-92. It still isn’t as hard as he was throwing before, but it is sign for optimism. As a reliever, we’d hope he’d throw even harder but Maronde seems to be able to get by without a mid 90’s fastball.
Offspeed Pitches = C+
Maronde throws a tight slider that is effective at any level and grades out as “plus”, but it would appear since he made the decision to pitch in relief, he’s abandoned the changeup, which isn’t such a bad thing as it needed a lot of work before.
Control = D
Another reason for Maronde’s diminished value as a prospect is the sudden inability to put the ball over the plate. In his first two seasons as a pro when he was pitching out of the rotation, Maronde’s BB/9 sat at a sparkling 2.4. Last season, his first full season as a reliever we saw that number creep all the way up to 5.9. Clearly, some adjustments are needed, or perhaps he needs to go back to pitching as a starter. Since we’ve seen him be so strong in this area before, I hold out hope that his control will again return.
Command = C
With the lost ability to throw strikes came the lost ability to spot his pitches wherever they needed to be. It’s honestly as though we were watching two completely different pitchers between 2012 and 2013.
Mechanics = C
I never liked Maronde’s mechanics in the first place. The stiff throwing arm and motion seem to take stress off the shoulder and elbow and yet at the same time I think it prevents him from reaching his full capacity as a pitcher. But his pre-release motion still seems like the simple drop & drive variety.
OVERALL
Performance = C-
To be quite honest, I expected a lot more from Maronde in 2014 and he really took a couple of steps in the wrong direction. I truly thought his calling was as a starter, and believed that despite not having the necessary change up, he’d be able to get by with such impeccable command and a dynamic fastball-slider combo. But as we saw, he transitioned to relief, lost velocity on his fastball and lost all resemblance of the command and control we saw in 2012. On the bright side, a 3.51 ERA in AA isn’t a completely terrible thing.
Projection = C
If Maronde were still a starter or still had the 92-93 mph fastball with command and control, this would be considerably higher but as of right now, he doesn’t have it. If he ever regains it, he could become a very effective 8th inning option or hopefully give starting another shot after all the success he had in that role. If he doesn’t, the best he could profile would be as a lefty-specialist. The most important thing for Maronde here is the ability to command his pitches. When he pounds the zone, he can be very good.
Grade as a Prospect = C+
Based on his past success and the fact that he used to throw strikes with a good fastball and slider and is young, you have to give him the edge over most prospects. But there is no other way around it, he’ll need to redicover his velocity and command if he wants to remain a Top 30 prospect.
Estimated MLB Arrival Date = 2015
If you had asked me a year ago, I would’ve said a year at the most. But now, I think he’ll need a full year in the minors to prove his issues are behind him before he joins the Angels on a full-time basis.
2013 in Review*
After the 2012 season, Nick Maronde was something of a controversial prospect. After an electric September call-up period, Maronde flashed an ability to be potential high leverage reliever, but he was still nominally a starting pitcher. The Angels were desperate for starting pitching in the system, but Maronde still needed a lot of work to become a legit rotation candidate. Alternatively, his brief period of success suggested that he could be a big piece in the bullpen in 2013, possibly as soon as Opening Day. Jerry Dipoto and the organization opted to try and reap the immediate reward and made Maronde's transition into a reliever complete. Now all they had to do is wait for it to pay off.
Well, they are still waiting because Maronde flopped in a big way in 2013. In his two previous minor league seasons, Maronde showed very good command. It was considered one of his major selling points as a major league ready prospect. But due to some mechanical changes and arm issues, Maronde could barely get the ball over the plate at times during the season. Oh, and he lost velocity too. That's a good combination, right?
Nick was able to get away with a lot in Double-A because his stuff is so good as he still managed to whiff more than a batter per inning and allow just 41 hits in 56.1 innings of work. However, he walked 37 batters in that time. By comparison, Maronde walked a total of 37 batters in his two previous minor league seasons, spanning 146 innings. So, yeah, that is kind of a problem.
Despite these issues, he still managed to get two brief call-ups to the majors. Both were made out of desperation on the part of the Angels and both call-ups were pretty disastrous. In total, Maronde walked eight of the 28 batters he faced. Five of those walks came against lefties, so Maronde couldn't even serve effectively as a LOOGY. By the time he was sent back down in August, it was clear he wouldn't be back in September as one could tell just by looking at him that his confidence had been shattered.
Looking Ahead*
If there is any good news that came from Maronde's disappointing season it was his platoon splits. Maronde was death on lefties, the biggest part of his job, by limiting them to a .558 OPS and surrendering just two extra-base hits to left-handed hitters in Double-A. Against right-handed batters though, he was almost as good, allowing a .681 OPS against and just a .131 ISO. In other words, if he could avoid walking people, nobody was going too much damage against him with the bat, regardless of what side of the plate they hit from. That bodes very well Maronde's future as a legitimate setup man or even closer and not just a lefty specialist reliever.
Before that can happen though, Mardone needs to get healthy, work out his mechanical issues and start throwing strikes again. There is hope on this front already as Maronde only walked five batters in his final 22.1 innings at Arkansas. Add to that reports of him recovering his velocity down the stretch and it would seem that Maronde is primed for a bounceback in 2014.
Given how rough his 2013 stints in the majors were, Maronde is unlikely to break camp with the Angels, though he will at least get a chance. More likely, he will have to spend a few months in the minors proving that he has worked out his issues and then wait for an opening in the big leagues due to injury or ineffectiveness. That wait will most likely be done in the Salt Lake Bees bullpen, but it is certainly possible that he could start the season in Arkansas if he shows in training camp that he still has mechanical issues that need work. Salt Lake can be brutal on a pitcher's confidence and Maronde's confidence is still going through a rebuilding phase after the events of last season.
*As we do every year, the scouting reports and grades are provided by Scotty Allen while Garrett Wilson provides the 2013 in Review and Looking Ahead sections.
Re: Articles
4653Good thing this guy is free or almost free. Nothing special. Take a quick look. Fix him fast or dump him.
Re: Articles
4654Didn't read about him; what level has he been assigned to? Majors or AAA? What has be been doing this year?
Re: Articles
4655Quite a fine season he's been having in 2014:
For the Angels: 6 1/3 IP 12 hits 7 walks 9 runs.
In AAA: 8 2/3 innings 11 hits 15 walks 9 runs
In AA: 7 1/3 innings only 6 hits 15 walks 11 runs
For the Angels: 6 1/3 IP 12 hits 7 walks 9 runs.
In AAA: 8 2/3 innings 11 hits 15 walks 9 runs
In AA: 7 1/3 innings only 6 hits 15 walks 11 runs
Re: Articles
4656discussion continued from Minor Matters:
CLEVELAND -- The Indians made an adjustment to their pitching staff on Tuesday, optioning right-hander Zach McAllister to Triple-A Columbus.
Cleveland will make a corresponding move for its active roster on Friday, when the club begins a four-game series in Detroit. With a doubleheader scheduled for Saturday, it is believed that the Indians will promote a reliever to have an extra arm on hand.
Indians general manager Chris Antonetti noted on Sunday that the team plans on having right-hander Trevor Bauer start on Friday, followed by righty Corey Kluber for the first game of Saturday's twin bill. The Indians have not announced their probables starters beyond those first two games. Righty Josh Tomlin would seemingly be in line to start for the Indians on Sunday.
Lefty T.J. House -- optioned to Columbus on Friday -- is ineligible to rejoin Cleveland's rotation until Monday, when the team opens a three-game road set against the Twins. House will start for Class A (short-season) Mahoning Valley to stay on his regular rest before being recalled by the Indians.
McAllister was recalled from Triple-A on Saturday for a start against the White Sox and the right-hander held Chicago to three runs on four hits across seven solid innings. It was a drastic improvement over his previous three outings, during which he posted a 19.96 ERA in only 7 2/3 combined innings for the Tribe from May 10-21.
Following that three-start stretch, McAllister spent time on the 15-day disabled list with a back issue prior to a stint at Triple-A. On the season, the right-hander has gone 3-5 with a 5.63 ERA in 11 starts for Cleveland.
CLEVELAND -- The Indians made an adjustment to their pitching staff on Tuesday, optioning right-hander Zach McAllister to Triple-A Columbus.
Cleveland will make a corresponding move for its active roster on Friday, when the club begins a four-game series in Detroit. With a doubleheader scheduled for Saturday, it is believed that the Indians will promote a reliever to have an extra arm on hand.
Indians general manager Chris Antonetti noted on Sunday that the team plans on having right-hander Trevor Bauer start on Friday, followed by righty Corey Kluber for the first game of Saturday's twin bill. The Indians have not announced their probables starters beyond those first two games. Righty Josh Tomlin would seemingly be in line to start for the Indians on Sunday.
Lefty T.J. House -- optioned to Columbus on Friday -- is ineligible to rejoin Cleveland's rotation until Monday, when the team opens a three-game road set against the Twins. House will start for Class A (short-season) Mahoning Valley to stay on his regular rest before being recalled by the Indians.
McAllister was recalled from Triple-A on Saturday for a start against the White Sox and the right-hander held Chicago to three runs on four hits across seven solid innings. It was a drastic improvement over his previous three outings, during which he posted a 19.96 ERA in only 7 2/3 combined innings for the Tribe from May 10-21.
Following that three-start stretch, McAllister spent time on the 15-day disabled list with a back issue prior to a stint at Triple-A. On the season, the right-hander has gone 3-5 with a 5.63 ERA in 11 starts for Cleveland.
Re: Articles
4657So since this need an extra starter, they option out McAllister. That is not self-explanatory.
I suppose the real answer is Masterson [when is he eligible to return?] or Salazar [when's his regular rotation turn?] is planned for second game of DH
I suppose the real answer is Masterson [when is he eligible to return?] or Salazar [when's his regular rotation turn?] is planned for second game of DH
Re: Articles
4658Masterson went on the DL on July 8 so he cannot return before july 23, hat's next Wednesday.
Re: Articles
4659Salazar's last start was July 10. Clippers have been on break the past few days so rotation is out of normal schedule. He could be held out until Saturday.
Re: Articles
4660Yep, McAllister can be and will be the "26th man".
DETROIT -- The Indians' front office is always trying to find creative ways to get the most out of the team's roster. With only three active starting pitchers to begin the second half, Cleveland is at it again.
"We're trying to maximize our roster," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "[General manager] Chris Antonetti and his guys really did a good job of making this work. There was a lot of moving parts. They really did a good job."
During Thursday's optional workout at Comerica Park, Francona detailed how the ballclub plans on handling its rotation for the four-game weekend series. Trevor Bauer (Friday), Corey Kluber (Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader) and Josh Tomlin (Sunday) will cover the original three games.
For Game 2 on Saturday, the Indians plan on promoting Zach McAllister from Triple-A Columbus for a start as 26th man on the Major League roster. Lefty T.J. House, who was optioned to Class A (short-season) Mahoning Valley on Friday, will then be recalled to start again for Cleveland on Monday in Minnesota.
To stay sharp, House made a start for the Scrappers on Wednesday, turning in five shutout innings with no walks, two hits and four strikeouts against Connecticut.
Cleveland will need a sixth starter for Tuesday's game in Minnesota, but Francona was not ready to reveal who might get the call. The leading candidate would seem to be right-hander Danny Salazar, who has posted a 3.00 ERA with 48 strikeouts and 19 walks in 36 innings across his most recent six starts for Columbus.
"Yes, but we haven't gotten there publicly," said Francona, when asked if Salazar was an option for Tuesday. "We need to talk to players. I have no problem telling you -- I just want to do it in the right order."
Masterson pleased with progress but needs more time
DETROIT -- Justin Masterson may not have wanted to go on the disabled list, but the Indians' sinkerballer is willing to accept that it was the right decision for the team. While sidelined, the pitcher has worked diligently on both his delivery and his recovery.
"We've made it beneficial," Masterson said prior to Thursday's workout at Comerica Park. "We've done a great job to make it beneficial. Whether you think you need it or not, make it be in our favor."
During the club's optional practice on Thursday, Masterson threw off the mound in a bullpen session, marking his fourth mound workout since being placed on the 15-day DL with a right knee injury on July 8. Over the All-Star break, Masterson has also played catch to avoid going too long without throwing.
Indians manager Terry Francona noted that the next step for Masterson will be to make a Minor League rehab start for Triple-A Columbus on Sunday, though the team is still determining how many innings the right-hander will go in that outing. What is clear is that Masterson will not be able to return to the big league rotation on Wednesday, when he is first eligible for activation.
Masterson has been pleased with the progress he has made behind the scenes.
"Yeah, I think so," Masterson said. "[I'm] feeling a little bit better. We're putting our body in a better position and not put any more stress on it. Just a touch better in mechanics and a couple other things. Pounding the zone."
On the season, Masterson has gone 4-6 with a 5.51 ERA in 19 starts, during which he has been admittedly bothered off and on by his right knee. Prior to landing on the DL, the big righty posted a 9.50 ERA with nearly as many walks (17) as strikeouts (19) in only 18 innings in his previous five starts combined.
Masterson, who was an American League All-Star last season, knows he needs to be better for his team in the second half.
"When I am doing well," Masterson said, "everyone else is having a good time and playing well. Being one of the leaders on the team, definitely . I don't feel like it is added pressure. go out and be me and a lot of great things will happen."
DETROIT -- The Indians' front office is always trying to find creative ways to get the most out of the team's roster. With only three active starting pitchers to begin the second half, Cleveland is at it again.
"We're trying to maximize our roster," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "[General manager] Chris Antonetti and his guys really did a good job of making this work. There was a lot of moving parts. They really did a good job."
During Thursday's optional workout at Comerica Park, Francona detailed how the ballclub plans on handling its rotation for the four-game weekend series. Trevor Bauer (Friday), Corey Kluber (Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader) and Josh Tomlin (Sunday) will cover the original three games.
For Game 2 on Saturday, the Indians plan on promoting Zach McAllister from Triple-A Columbus for a start as 26th man on the Major League roster. Lefty T.J. House, who was optioned to Class A (short-season) Mahoning Valley on Friday, will then be recalled to start again for Cleveland on Monday in Minnesota.
To stay sharp, House made a start for the Scrappers on Wednesday, turning in five shutout innings with no walks, two hits and four strikeouts against Connecticut.
Cleveland will need a sixth starter for Tuesday's game in Minnesota, but Francona was not ready to reveal who might get the call. The leading candidate would seem to be right-hander Danny Salazar, who has posted a 3.00 ERA with 48 strikeouts and 19 walks in 36 innings across his most recent six starts for Columbus.
"Yes, but we haven't gotten there publicly," said Francona, when asked if Salazar was an option for Tuesday. "We need to talk to players. I have no problem telling you -- I just want to do it in the right order."
Masterson pleased with progress but needs more time
DETROIT -- Justin Masterson may not have wanted to go on the disabled list, but the Indians' sinkerballer is willing to accept that it was the right decision for the team. While sidelined, the pitcher has worked diligently on both his delivery and his recovery.
"We've made it beneficial," Masterson said prior to Thursday's workout at Comerica Park. "We've done a great job to make it beneficial. Whether you think you need it or not, make it be in our favor."
During the club's optional practice on Thursday, Masterson threw off the mound in a bullpen session, marking his fourth mound workout since being placed on the 15-day DL with a right knee injury on July 8. Over the All-Star break, Masterson has also played catch to avoid going too long without throwing.
Indians manager Terry Francona noted that the next step for Masterson will be to make a Minor League rehab start for Triple-A Columbus on Sunday, though the team is still determining how many innings the right-hander will go in that outing. What is clear is that Masterson will not be able to return to the big league rotation on Wednesday, when he is first eligible for activation.
Masterson has been pleased with the progress he has made behind the scenes.
"Yeah, I think so," Masterson said. "[I'm] feeling a little bit better. We're putting our body in a better position and not put any more stress on it. Just a touch better in mechanics and a couple other things. Pounding the zone."
On the season, Masterson has gone 4-6 with a 5.51 ERA in 19 starts, during which he has been admittedly bothered off and on by his right knee. Prior to landing on the DL, the big righty posted a 9.50 ERA with nearly as many walks (17) as strikeouts (19) in only 18 innings in his previous five starts combined.
Masterson, who was an American League All-Star last season, knows he needs to be better for his team in the second half.
"When I am doing well," Masterson said, "everyone else is having a good time and playing well. Being one of the leaders on the team, definitely . I don't feel like it is added pressure. go out and be me and a lot of great things will happen."
Re: Articles
4661Salazar worked Thursday night, so Tuesday will be his scheduled start. He pitched shutout ball for 5 2/3 innings, but again had poor control, walking 5.
Re: Articles
4662Right-hander C.C. Lee was at Comerica Park for Thursday's workout, but the Indians will not officially recall the reliever from Triple-A Columbus until Friday. Lee will give Francona a 10-man bullpen for at least the first two games in Detroit.
That seems dopey to me, unless it has something again to do with the facility of finding room for the next promotion. Why not someone for bench depth? Ramirez, Aguillar, Holt, Sellers are all available on the 40-man roster.
Lee of late has been pitching very poorly:
In his last 3 times out: 3 2/3 innings 4 runs on 8 hits and 2 walks.
That seems dopey to me, unless it has something again to do with the facility of finding room for the next promotion. Why not someone for bench depth? Ramirez, Aguillar, Holt, Sellers are all available on the 40-man roster.
Lee of late has been pitching very poorly:
In his last 3 times out: 3 2/3 innings 4 runs on 8 hits and 2 walks.
Re: Articles
4663• Francona noted that outfielder Chris Dickerson (left hamstring tightness) is feeling improved and will be available to play on Friday. Dickerson has hit .471 (8-for-17) in five games since being acquired from the Pirates in a trade on July 7.
• Indians center fielder Michael Bourn, who is on the 15-day disabled list with a left hamstring injury, remains in Cleveland while the team begins its 11-game, 10-day road trip. Francona said Cleveland will have an update soon on Bourn's rehab schedule.
• Indians center fielder Michael Bourn, who is on the 15-day disabled list with a left hamstring injury, remains in Cleveland while the team begins its 11-game, 10-day road trip. Francona said Cleveland will have an update soon on Bourn's rehab schedule.
Re: Articles
4665Cleveland Indians
Evaluating the AL Central Division race, post All-Star schedules
By MARLA RIDENOUR Published: July 18, 2014
A look at the American League Central Division as play resumes today after the All-Star break (courtesy Cleveland Indians):
Indians: 47-47
Third place, 71/2 games back
Games remaining vs. Kansas City, Detroit: 21
Games vs. teams at or over .500: 35
Home/road: 33/35
Detroit Tigers: 53-38
First place
Games remaining vs. Cleveland, Kansas City: 17
Games vs. teams at or over .500: 41
Home/road: 34/37
Kansas City Royals: 48-46
Second place, 61/2 games back
Games remaining vs. Cleveland, Detroit: 16
Games vs. teams at or over .500: 30
Home/road: 34/34
Evaluating the AL Central Division race, post All-Star schedules
By MARLA RIDENOUR Published: July 18, 2014
A look at the American League Central Division as play resumes today after the All-Star break (courtesy Cleveland Indians):
Indians: 47-47
Third place, 71/2 games back
Games remaining vs. Kansas City, Detroit: 21
Games vs. teams at or over .500: 35
Home/road: 33/35
Detroit Tigers: 53-38
First place
Games remaining vs. Cleveland, Kansas City: 17
Games vs. teams at or over .500: 41
Home/road: 34/37
Kansas City Royals: 48-46
Second place, 61/2 games back
Games remaining vs. Cleveland, Detroit: 16
Games vs. teams at or over .500: 30
Home/road: 34/34