Baseball Daily Dose: Dose: Home On The Rangers?
Saturday, April 25, 2015
The Angels didn’t seem to want Josh Hamilton back. It turns out one of his former teams did.
Follow @Rotoworld_BB and @Nate_Grimm on Twitter.
After making it clear the team was unhappy with his reported drug relapse over the winter, it was reported Friday that the Angels are on the verge of dealing Hamilton to the Rangers. According to Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports, the Rangers will pay roughly $15 million of the $80 million remaining on Hamilton’s contract, and FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reports the deal will strictly be a player-for-cash transaction.
The Rangers represent a homecoming of sorts for the beleaguered slugger. Hamilton, of course, enjoyed some of his best years and moments while a member of the Rangers. From 2008 until 2012, Hamilton hit 142 home runs and collected 506 RBI hitting in the middle of the Rangers lineup. He was an All-Star in all five seasons with the club, winning an MVP in the 2010 season in which he hit .359/.411/.633 with 32 home runs and 100 RBI.
Hamilton left the Rangers after the 2012 season to sign a five-year, $125 million contract with the Angels. He struggled to live up to expectations in his first two years in Anaheim, batting just .250/.307/.432 with 21 homers in 2013 before injuries limited him to 89 games last year.
The reported relapse happened in the offseason, and there was some question whether Hamilton, who had well-documented drug issues as a minor leaguer early in his career, would be suspended for violating his treatment program under the league’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. When an independent arbiter ruled Hamilton wouldn’t be suspended, club officials publicly expressed their displeasure.
“It defies logic that Josh’s reported behavior is not a violation of his drug program,” Angels president John Carpino said at the time.
The 33-year-old still hasn’t played a game this season as he recovers from offseason shoulder surgery, but with the Rangers he’ll face less pressure to hurry back or perform — not much is expected of the club this year, unlike the division rival Angels. Perhaps a return to the place where he reached the pinnacle of his game will help Hamilton regain some semblance of the feared hitter he once was.
Editor’s Note: Play one-day fantasy baseball for cash! FanDuel is hosting a $75,000 league for Saturday’s MLB games. It’s just $2 to join and first place wins $7,000. Starts tonight at 7:00pm ET. Enter now!
Lat Sidelines Iwakuma
Hisashi Iwakuma has been uncharacteristically mediocre this season, and the Mariners’ move Friday may help explain some of that mediocrity.
The club placed Iwakuma on the 15-day disabled list Friday with a strained right lat muscle. Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said the Iwakuma first noticed the issue following Monday’s start.
“After his start, he said that he felt a little fatigued in his shoulder,” Zduriencik said. “So what we thought we’d do is wait till his bullpen session on Friday to see how he felt. And the same thing was the case.”
In Monday’s start, Iwakuma allowed four runs, including two home runs, over 5 1/3 innings. He threw just 71 piches and showed decreased velocity in the start. Overall this year, the 34-year-old owns a 6.61 ERA through three starts.
The Mariners recalled Lucas Luetge for the short term, and Roenis Elias is expected to be recalled to start in Iwakuma’s place on Sunday. The M’s haven’t hinted at how long they expect to be without Iwakuma.
Yelich Hits The Shelf
Christian Yelich also found his way onto the disabled list Friday, although his arrival was less unexpected.
Yelich had been plagued by a lower back strain in recent weeks, and the 23-year-old hasn’t played since April 20 due to the ailment. Instead of playing shorthanded or forcing Yelich to return before he’s ready, the club placed him on the DL Friday, retroactive to his last game action.
Marlins manager Mike Redmond expressed cautious optimism that Yelich won’t be out long.
“We’re not sure what’s going on there,” Redmond said. “We’ll get him checked out and hopefully it’ll be just a short-term thing.”
In the meantime, the move forces Ichiro Suzuki into an everyday role. The veteran outfielder has 2,853 hits in his career and, while he likely won’t get to 3,000, the 41-year-old still has a few left in the tank.
The news also means Martin Prado will likely spend at least a few more weeks batting second behind Dee Gordon and ahead of Giancarlo Stanton. Prado had a three-hit night Thursday, driving in four runs, and he’s hitting .297/.324/.391 on the year. More runs and more RBI opportunities could be in store for the third baseman if he stays in that spot while Yelich is out.
National League Quick Hits: The Mets got some bad news Friday, as Bobby Parnell, who is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, will be shut down for a week with forearm soreness. The Mets were expecting Parnell back sometime in May, but that might not be in the cards with the latest setback … Anthony Rizzo did a bit of everything Friday, finishing 3-for-4 with a double, home run, two RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base. Rizzo is hitting .345/.493/.509 near the top of the Cubs’ order … Carlos Martinez is the Cardinals’ fifth starter but he has looked like more of an ace thus far. The right-hander struck out eight over seven scoreless innings in a 3-0 defeat of the Brewers, dropping his season ERA to 1.35 and WHIP to 0.90 … Adam Ottavino returned to closer duties Friday, striking out one in a scoreless ninth for his third save. The right-hander had a day off Thursday, prompting some to wonder if he’d been replaced by John Axford, but the role seems to remain firmly in his grasp … another closer with some questions surrounding him, Mark Melancon, tossed a scoreless inning to earn the save Friday. Melancon closed out the Diamondbacks for his fourth save of the season as the Pirates won 4-1 … six Rockies hitters had at least two hits in their win over the Giants. Charlie Blackmon, Corey Dickerson, Nolan Arenado, Justin Morneau, Carlos Gonzalez and D.J. LeMahieu had multi-hit games to make up for the absence of Troy Tulowitzki. Pitching woes aside, the team can score some runs.
American League Quick Hits: After initial reports suggested Jose Bautista might miss the weekend series against the Rays, it was reported Friday that Bautista could be back at some point in the series. There was no need for Bautista as a pinch-hitter Friday, as the Jays were trounced 12-3, but the fact that he’ll avoid a disabled list trip is very encouraging … another Jays player is expected back Saturday, as Michael Saunders is expected to be activated from the disabled list. Saunders hasn’t played yet this season after having minor knee surgery in February … Felix Hernandez was in vintage form, striking out nine in a complete-game shutout of the Twins. Hernandez gave up just five hits, all singles, while needing only 102 pitches to finish what he started … Danny Salazar continued to show why the Indians couldn’t keep him in the minors for long, striking out 11 Tigers batters in a 13-1 win Friday. Salazar allowed just one run over seven innings against the potent offense … Omar Infante (groin) returned to the Royals’ lineup Friday. The second baseman went hitless in three at-bats in his return … another middle infielder, Ben Zobrist, returned to his respective lineup Friday as well. Zobrist served as the designated hitter, his first start since exiting Sunday’s game with a left knee injury … Brandon Moss broke out of an early-season slump in a big way Friday, homering twice and notching seven RBI in the lopsided win. Moss had just one home run and two RBI heading into the game … Michael Pineda had a dominating performance of his own, striking out seven over 7 2/3 innings of one-run baseball in a win over the Mets. Assuming health, this could be the year we’ve waited for from the 26-year-old since he burst onto the scene in 2011 … Mark Teixeira provided much of the run support for Pineda, homering twice and driving in four runs. Teixeira has shown plenty of power in the early going, blasting seven homers and collecting 17 RBI thus far this season.
The Angels didn’t seem to want Josh Hamilton back. It turns out one of his former teams did.
Follow @Rotoworld_BB and @Nate_Grimm on Twitter.
After making it clear the team was unhappy with his reported drug relapse over the winter, it was reported Friday that the Angels are on the verge of dealing Hamilton to the Rangers. According to Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports, the Rangers will pay roughly $15 million of the $80 million remaining on Hamilton’s contract, and FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reports the deal will strictly be a player-for-cash transaction.
The Rangers represent a homecoming of sorts for the beleaguered slugger. Hamilton, of course, enjoyed some of his best years and moments while a member of the Rangers. From 2008 until 2012, Hamilton hit 142 home runs and collected 506 RBI hitting in the middle of the Rangers lineup. He was an All-Star in all five seasons with the club, winning an MVP in the 2010 season in which he hit .359/.411/.633 with 32 home runs and 100 RBI.
Hamilton left the Rangers after the 2012 season to sign a five-year, $125 million contract with the Angels. He struggled to live up to expectations in his first two years in Anaheim, batting just .250/.307/.432 with 21 homers in 2013 before injuries limited him to 89 games last year.
The reported relapse happened in the offseason, and there was some question whether Hamilton, who had well-documented drug issues as a minor leaguer early in his career, would be suspended for violating his treatment program under the league’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. When an independent arbiter ruled Hamilton wouldn’t be suspended, club officials publicly expressed their displeasure.
“It defies logic that Josh’s reported behavior is not a violation of his drug program,” Angels president John Carpino said at the time.
The 33-year-old still hasn’t played a game this season as he recovers from offseason shoulder surgery, but with the Rangers he’ll face less pressure to hurry back or perform — not much is expected of the club this year, unlike the division rival Angels. Perhaps a return to the place where he reached the pinnacle of his game will help Hamilton regain some semblance of the feared hitter he once was.
Editor’s Note: Play one-day fantasy baseball for cash! FanDuel is hosting a $75,000 league for Saturday’s MLB games. It’s just $2 to join and first place wins $7,000. Starts tonight at 7:00pm ET. Enter now!
Lat Sidelines Iwakuma
Hisashi Iwakuma has been uncharacteristically mediocre this season, and the Mariners’ move Friday may help explain some of that mediocrity.
The club placed Iwakuma on the 15-day disabled list Friday with a strained right lat muscle. Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said the Iwakuma first noticed the issue following Monday’s start.
“After his start, he said that he felt a little fatigued in his shoulder,” Zduriencik said. “So what we thought we’d do is wait till his bullpen session on Friday to see how he felt. And the same thing was the case.”
In Monday’s start, Iwakuma allowed four runs, including two home runs, over 5 1/3 innings. He threw just 71 piches and showed decreased velocity in the start. Overall this year, the 34-year-old owns a 6.61 ERA through three starts.
The Mariners recalled Lucas Luetge for the short term, and Roenis Elias is expected to be recalled to start in Iwakuma’s place on Sunday. The M’s haven’t hinted at how long they expect to be without Iwakuma.
Yelich Hits The Shelf
Christian Yelich also found his way onto the disabled list Friday, although his arrival was less unexpected.
Yelich had been plagued by a lower back strain in recent weeks, and the 23-year-old hasn’t played since April 20 due to the ailment. Instead of playing shorthanded or forcing Yelich to return before he’s ready, the club placed him on the DL Friday, retroactive to his last game action.
Marlins manager Mike Redmond expressed cautious optimism that Yelich won’t be out long.
“We’re not sure what’s going on there,” Redmond said. “We’ll get him checked out and hopefully it’ll be just a short-term thing.”
In the meantime, the move forces Ichiro Suzuki into an everyday role. The veteran outfielder has 2,853 hits in his career and, while he likely won’t get to 3,000, the 41-year-old still has a few left in the tank.
The news also means Martin Prado will likely spend at least a few more weeks batting second behind Dee Gordon and ahead of Giancarlo Stanton. Prado had a three-hit night Thursday, driving in four runs, and he’s hitting .297/.324/.391 on the year. More runs and more RBI opportunities could be in store for the third baseman if he stays in that spot while Yelich is out.
National League Quick Hits: The Mets got some bad news Friday, as Bobby Parnell, who is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, will be shut down for a week with forearm soreness. The Mets were expecting Parnell back sometime in May, but that might not be in the cards with the latest setback … Anthony Rizzo did a bit of everything Friday, finishing 3-for-4 with a double, home run, two RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base. Rizzo is hitting .345/.493/.509 near the top of the Cubs’ order … Carlos Martinez is the Cardinals’ fifth starter but he has looked like more of an ace thus far. The right-hander struck out eight over seven scoreless innings in a 3-0 defeat of the Brewers, dropping his season ERA to 1.35 and WHIP to 0.90 … Adam Ottavino returned to closer duties Friday, striking out one in a scoreless ninth for his third save. The right-hander had a day off Thursday, prompting some to wonder if he’d been replaced by John Axford, but the role seems to remain firmly in his grasp … another closer with some questions surrounding him, Mark Melancon, tossed a scoreless inning to earn the save Friday. Melancon closed out the Diamondbacks for his fourth save of the season as the Pirates won 4-1 … six Rockies hitters had at least two hits in their win over the Giants. Charlie Blackmon, Corey Dickerson, Nolan Arenado, Justin Morneau, Carlos Gonzalez and D.J. LeMahieu had multi-hit games to make up for the absence of Troy Tulowitzki. Pitching woes aside, the team can score some runs.
American League Quick Hits: After initial reports suggested Jose Bautista might miss the weekend series against the Rays, it was reported Friday that Bautista could be back at some point in the series. There was no need for Bautista as a pinch-hitter Friday, as the Jays were trounced 12-3, but the fact that he’ll avoid a disabled list trip is very encouraging … another Jays player is expected back Saturday, as Michael Saunders is expected to be activated from the disabled list. Saunders hasn’t played yet this season after having minor knee surgery in February … Felix Hernandez was in vintage form, striking out nine in a complete-game shutout of the Twins. Hernandez gave up just five hits, all singles, while needing only 102 pitches to finish what he started … Danny Salazar continued to show why the Indians couldn’t keep him in the minors for long, striking out 11 Tigers batters in a 13-1 win Friday. Salazar allowed just one run over seven innings against the potent offense … Omar Infante (groin) returned to the Royals’ lineup Friday. The second baseman went hitless in three at-bats in his return … another middle infielder, Ben Zobrist, returned to his respective lineup Friday as well. Zobrist served as the designated hitter, his first start since exiting Sunday’s game with a left knee injury … Brandon Moss broke out of an early-season slump in a big way Friday, homering twice and notching seven RBI in the lopsided win. Moss had just one home run and two RBI heading into the game … Michael Pineda had a dominating performance of his own, striking out seven over 7 2/3 innings of one-run baseball in a win over the Mets. Assuming health, this could be the year we’ve waited for from the 26-year-old since he burst onto the scene in 2011 … Mark Teixeira provided much of the run support for Pineda, homering twice and driving in four runs. Teixeira has shown plenty of power in the early going, blasting seven homers and collecting 17 RBI thus far this season.
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