Agreed for the most part. However, a number of these chumps have just been awful all year. You like to see occasional flashes of decent pitching, but guys like Betancourt, Mujica and Mastny have been nothing short of pathetic all year. Even Kobayashi, who has looked decent at times, has come apart at the seams. Right now, I'd say Perez, Lewis and Kobayashi (based on some flashes) are the only guys I'd want back.billmac91;1229712; said:
NFBuck;1229725; said:
It's very possible that a change of scenery could be beneficial to him, but it looks to me that he was simply a one year wonder. Him and Perez were a terrific tandem last year, but this year he has just been terrible. I actually expect him to give up 2-3 runs everytime out. I don't notice anything different in the way he pitches, just seems hitters have figured him out. Perez's numbers have leveled off somewhat from last year, but he's still been pretty reliable.billmac91;1229729; said:
Reyes basically is auditioning the rest of the year. He's looked decent in his two starts, but I'll withhold judgement until I see more. Lee and Carmona are the sure things. I kinda expect them to sign another veteran middle of the rotation guy like Byrd. The other two spots will likely be filled by Laffey (if he can pull himself back together), Sowers (who has improved from dreadful to somewhat mediocre his past few starts) and a couple other youngsters. I'll be shocked if we see Jke at all next year and I really think Miller's future is in the pen.OHSportsFan9;1229784; said:
NFBuck;1230303; said:
He is continuing to have some type of problem with his fingers. I don't think he has even tried to throw again after he was shut down at Buffalo. I have to agree though that if he does come back he will be bullpen material was all the injuries that he has had.billmac91;1230343; said:
Another night of bullpen misery: Orioles score 8 in eighth to coast past Tribe, 11-6
by Paul Hoynes Thursday August 14, 2008, 11:31 PM
Chuck Crow/The Plain DealerJhonny Peralta slumps to the dirt after taking a Daniel Cabrera pitch off his left hand in the third inning of Thursday night Orioles-Indians game at Progressive Field. Peralta eventually left the game and had X-rays, which were negative.
Life isn't easy for the worst bullpen in the American League. There are so many problems and so few solutions.
Masa Kobayashi is seemingly out of gas with six weeks left in the season. Rafael Perez, manager Eric Wedge's only effective reliever for the last two months, may have finally said "no mas." Rafael Betancourt might not resurface until next season.
Then there is Eddie Mujica, who helped engineer the biggest inning by an Indians opponent this season in Baltimore's 11-6 victory Thursday night at Progressive Field. The Indians entered the eighth with the score tied, 3-3. When Perez and Mujica finished the inning, the Orioles scored eight runs to earn a split in the four-game series.
Continued......
Indians Insider: At last, Hafner's back in the swing
by Paul Hoynes Thursday August 14, 2008, 10:29 PM
Chuck Crow/The Plain DealerTravis Hafner is back taking batting practice, and hopes to rejoin the Indians in September.
Pronk visited Pronkville.
No, he didn't walk up to the second deck in right field at Progressive Field and dust off a seat. Travis Hafner actually hit a ball up there.
It wasn't in a game and first base coach Luis Rivera threw the pitch, but the way this season has gone for Hafner, he'll take it.
Hafner, on the disabled list with a strained right shoulder since May 30, took batting practice on the field Thursday afternoon for the first time since his injury. When he hit the ball into the second deck with a smooth, fluid swing, hitting coach Derek Shelton, standing on the side of the batting cage, cracked a joke. Hafner laughed and dropped his bat.
"I told Shelton, "I'm ready, activate me,'" said Hafner.
Hafner said if all goes well this week, he could go on a rehab assignment next week. The goal would be to rejoin the Indians sometime in September.
Continued......
