The MLB Thread

[waylandboy-tw]

Yankee Michael Pineda has been diagnosed with a torn labrum, and will have surgery which will sideline him for at least a year. Worse, the recovery record for that type of surgery is spotty, ranging from Hall of Fame type success (Clemens, Schilling) to non0recovery (Marks Mulder and Prior). The balance of the trade that had looked really advantageous for the Yankees is really up in the air now.

On a related note, if there are any baseball fans in the Charleston area, they might want to check out the Yankees Low-A farm team. They're just stacked with prospects: Gary Sanchez, Mason Williams, Dante Bichette Jr, Angelo Gumbs, Cito Culver and pitcher Jose Campos (1.23 ERA in four starts), whom they acquired in the Montero-Pineda trade.

Also, the top two hitting prospects in baseball will be making their major league debuts today. The Los Angeles Angels have called up 20-year old MIke Trout, who'd been great in the Pacific Coast League, to help beef up their woefully mediocre outfield (they released Bobby Abreu, but that still doesn't answer who Trout will replace in their lineup). More questionably, the Washington Senators called up Bryce Harper, who should have an outstanding future, but is only 19 and has been only average in the International League. They need help, but it may be a bit early to expect it from Harper.

Mike Trout was called up twice last year. Once when Peter Bourjos was hurt and then again later in August. He hit .220 with 5 HRs and 16 RBIs in 2011.

I agree that it will be interesting to see how Bryce does in his debut. Zimmerman's injury forced their hand a bit earlier than they wanted on this one.

[Kirkus]

I'd heard about Pineda. I'm not a Yankee fan by any stretch, but I hope the surgery and recovery are successful.

[ptmcmahon]

I have Pineda in my keeper league so I am also hopeful he will be ok

[waylandboy-tw]

Very impressive double by Harper in the 7th for his first MLB hit.

[Kirkus]

Very impressive double by Harper in the 7th for his first MLB hit.

I saw that. Couple yards short of a homer.

[waylandboy-tw]

I saw that. Couple yards short of a homer.

And his throw home was perfect that the catcher just dropped. Strasburg has been great and Billingsley has matched him. Very good game so far.

[waylandboy-tw]

Harper gets his first RBI on a SF to break the 1-1 tie in the ninth. Great debut.

[Kirkus]

Yeah it was.

[shtexas]

Went to my first Rangers game of the season. Largest crowd of the season. Bigger than opening day.

And it was Texas versus Tampa Bay. Just five years ago, I would have laughed at the idea this match-up could be such a draw.

[Kirkus]

Went to my first Rangers game of the season. Largest crowd of the season. Bigger than opening day.

And it was Texas versus Tampa Bay. Just five years ago, I would have laughed at the idea this match-up could be such a draw.

I'm so jealous. I'd love to live close enough to Dodger Stadium to take in some games during the season.

And look your Rangers on top of the league!

[Martini4me]

Yu Darvish and the Rangers are in Toronto this week. If my son didn't have a tennis lesson tonight, I'd have organized a family outing to see the game tonight. (I haven't been to a game in several years, although I'll be seeing three or four in Washington, Baltimore and New York City in a couple of weeks.) Darvish is starting tonight against Kyle Drabek, who actually has a lower ERA on the season. In fact, the Blue Jays starter will have a lower ERA in two of the three matchups this series. However, Texas looks to have much the advantage on offence. They lead the league (and the majors) in scoring, while Toronto's offence has really struggled. While they are actually fourth in the league in runs, they haven't really been near that good. They've been quite lucky in terms of hitting well with runners in scoring position.

[shtexas]

Yu Darvish and the Rangers are in Toronto this week. If my son didn't have a tennis lesson tonight, I'd have organized a family outing to see the game tonight. (I haven't been to a game in several years, although I'll be seeing three or four in Washington, Baltimore and New York City in a couple of weeks.) Darvish is starting tonight against Kyle Drabek, who actually has a lower ERA on the season. In fact, the Blue Jays starter will have a lower ERA in two of the three matchups this series. However, Texas looks to have much the advantage on offence. They lead the league (and the majors) in scoring, while Toronto's offence has really struggled. While they are actually fourth in the league in runs, they haven't really been near that good. They've been quite lucky in terms of hitting well with runners in scoring position.

What Darvish did to the Yankees in his last start was frightening. But, I don't think at this stage, he will have that kind of control every time he pitches. He's a work in progress. Although, most of his ERA comes from the first game he pitched. More specifically, the very first inning he ever pitched in the majors, where he gave up five runs.

[Moose]

Never been a Yanks fan, but a couple of players have always held my interest. Love Jeeter and Pettitte. And always had a soft spot in my heart for Mariano Rivera, who is probably the greatest closer in history.

Sounds like his career is likely over after a torn ACL yesterday.


Rivera Hurts Knee; Career May Be Over
Published: May 3, 2012

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — If there has been one constant with the Yankees during the most recent edition of their dynasty, it has been the unparalleled success and durability of their closer, Mariano Rivera.

Since 1997, when he took over as the closer for the team, he has provided stability and reassurance as he anchored the Yankees’ pitching staff and secured the final out in hundreds of games from April until the end of October.

But that legendary calm was shattered Thursday afternoon as Rivera lay on the warning track at Kauffman Stadium after sustaining a devastating knee injury that could signal the end of his remarkable career.

Rivera, 42, tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee while chasing a fly ball during batting practice before the Yankees’ game against the Royals. As he ran toward the center-field wall, his knee buckled and he crashed into the wall, then fell to the warning track dirt, clutching his right knee as he grimaced in pain.

During the game Rivera was taken to Kansas University MedWest hospital for a magnetic resonance imaging test and Royals team physician, Dr. Vincent Key, provided a diagnosis of the torn A.C.L., which almost certainly means Rivera has thrown his last pitch of the season, if not his career.

“If that’s the report,” Yankees Manager Joe Girardi said, “if that’s what it is, that’s as bad as it gets.”

After the game, an emotional Rivera said through tears that he let the team down, and could not say if he would ever pitch again.

“At this point I don’t know, we have to face this first,” he said. After a pause to collect himself, he added: “It all depends how the rehab is going to happen. From there, we’ll see.”

As soon as Rivera fell in the outfield, the gravity of the moment could be read on the worried faces of everyone in the Yankees’ blue and gray uniforms.

Alex Rodriguez, who was waiting for his turn in the batting cage, appeared to say: “Oh my God. Oh, my God,” and immediately signaled to Girardi, who ran out to assist Rivera. For several minutes Rivera writhed on the warning track in obvious pain as grim-faced teammates and coaches stood nearby. After the game, the news was dealt with glumly in the Yankees’ clubhouse.

More of story: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/04/sp...tice.html?_r=1

[shtexas]

We must re-sign Josh Hamilton

[waylandboy-tw]

We must re-sign Josh Hamilton

Historic night.

Just don't give him a Pujols contract