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40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full) 

28 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE, and twelve players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors. 

Last updated 3-26-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 15
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Jose Cuas
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Caleb Kilian
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Julian Merryweather
Hector Neris 
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele
Jameson Taillon
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

INFIELDERS: 7
* Michael Busch 
Nico Hoerner
Nick Madrigal
* Miles Mastrobuoni
Christopher Morel
Dansby Swanson
Patrick Wisdom

OUTFIELDERS: 4
* Cody Bellinger 
Alexander Canario
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

OPTIONED: 12 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Ben Brown, P 
Alexander Canario, OF 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Keegan Thompson, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 
Hayden Wesneski, P 

 



 

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Game 154 Thread/Pirates @ Cubs (1 of 3)

Game Chat : BR Preview : Game Notes Paul Maholm vs. Jason Marquis Lineups:
Morgan CF Soriano LF
McLouth LF DeRosa 2B
Sanchez 2B Lee 1B
LaRoche 1B Ramirez 3B
Nady RF Murton RF
Bautista 3B Soto C
Paulino C Monroe CF
Izturis SS Theriot SS
Maholm P Marquis P
Welcome, everyone, to Jeff Bennett Day at The Cub Reporter! In their 2007 annual, the Baseball Prospectus gang describes Pirates starter Paul Maholm as "a pitch-to-contact, ground-ball lefty." Sounds like Cub Kryptonite to me. The fact is, however, despite having lost to Maholm twice already this season, the Cubs have hit him hard--8 earned runs in 14 1/3 innings, including homers by Ramirez, Pagan, and a catcher who is now dead to us in a losing cause back on May 10th. Maholm, who has struggled with some back problems this season, is coming off the worst start of his Major League career, a 15-3 loss to the Astros, in which he was scorched for 10 runs and 11 hits in just 2 2/3 innings. Overall, Maholm allows lots of hits, but balances that by inducing plenty of double-plays and picking off more than his share of baserunners. Marquis takes the mound fresh off the honor of being named probable starter in a game that millions of Cub fans are praying we never have to play. He had two terrific outings, a week apart, against the Bucs in May, before they abused him in early July in a start against Maholm. Personally, I am happy for the return to day baseball. It allows us to focus all of our attention on the Cubs game and save the scoreboard-watching and ill-wishing for the evening, when the Brewers are playing and if we weren't fixated on MLB Gameday, we would have nothing better to do than spend quality time with our families.

Comments

Weird -- all year long (and for several years) I have waited and hoped for the last games of the season to be meaningful -- and now I'm afraid to watch.

"if we weren’t fixated on MLB Gameday, we would have nothing better to do than spend quality time with our families." Ha!

Soriano 7 DeRosa 4 Lee 3 Ramirez 5 Murton 9 Soto 2 Monroe 8 Theriot 4 Marquis1 Morgan 8 McLouth 7 Sanchez 4 LaRoche 3 Nady 9 Bautista 5 Paulino 2 Izzy! 6 Maholm 1

if Marquis cares to throw another 9 inning shutout against the Pirates like he did earlier in the year, that would be aces with me.

CHAD: Izturis in the lineup against his former team. should we be worried? Should we be afraid?

the wind should be blowing out a LOT today i say the cubs hit 5 homers today. hello mr soto

No Bay, no Wilson. cool Although the Cubs line-up is complete crap.

ump...

Nice to see DeRosa and Soto moved up in the order and Monroe and Theriot moved down where they both belong right now.

hope Lou sticks with a consistent lineup the next 5 days. It seems to me even though you might be putting a lineup together that should be good against lefties, it's still tough to get going when you haven't played consistently. 4-5 straight starts for Murton/Monroe would be nice, help them get their timing down. Soto wouldn't be bad too but I'm guessing Kendall gets in there for a few games.

"Although the Cubs line-up is complete crap." Aside from Monroe, what's the problem? Theriot has been awful at the plate the last month, so I'm glad to see him at the back of the order.

re: 15 i think that was one of those "TCR-isms" from a while back where dissing the lineup during the streak was leading to wins. btw, i hear the cubs have an offer on the table for j.schmidt, but the years/$$ are a bit unclear.

whats crappy about our line-up besides monroe? i'd go with everyone else.

From jacos' link:Mandler is one of the few willing to talk publicly about his dream. He is doing so with hopes that Cubs fans will realize he's not some corporate suit; He's also hoping fans won't realize he's just another weasel lawyer suffering from terminal ego bloatation.

Man, it would be nice to actually have someone on when Soraino hits his HR's. But he can't hit anywhere but leadoff...

Like ARAM!!!!!!!!!!! Woo!!! ARAM 3-run HR. Cubs up 4-1!!!!!! Hell yeah!!!!!!!!!!!

Brick: "Was it that monstrous?" It was a bomb. Len said it was the farthest ball ARAm has hit this year and it looked like it went down Kenmore Street.

This looks like it is going to be an old fashioned Wrigley Field wind blown shoot out. Double digits here we come!! Cubs 4-2 thru mid 2.

Well, now I'm booing in my cubicle. That's right, Julie in Accounting, I'm pissed about my team! Mind your own business.

Without seeing the play, can we really fault Ohman for giving up a bunt single? It's still early. 7 won't be enough.

The bunt single was just luck. Maholm popped the ball up directly behind the mound and it fell in.

All right Cedeño. But how are all these singles moving the runners up one base at a time?

With Marquis and now Ohman out...could the Cubs use Trachsel as a long-man today to get through the 4th, 5th, 6th? Or is he scheduled to start soon?

Again, the Pirates catcher walks off the field after two outs and Quade doesn't send our runner in to score.

Two things you don't want to see with men on base: a) Soriano hitting b) Quade coaching

well, we haven't had a shoot out like this in a long time. Marquis' performance sure gives me confidence about the playoff game.

Despite Marshall's bad September, he still has a better ERA then Marquis, especially after this game.

Marshall's bad September? Can you have a bad month if you only have one start?

What do you guys think of Sam Fuld? Maybe somebody who has seen him before he got to Chicago? I'm interested to know if any of you think he might have a shot at (eventually) sticking. He's only 25, younger than Theriot and Fontenot by a couple of years. BTW, he just got screwed on that out the past half inning. Sorry if anybody discussed this at length at some point in the past. I don't always get to check the comments section so I might have missed it. Just curious what the rest of your opinions were. I'm really loving what Soto has been doing and man do we need this one... GO CUBS!!!

Aram Home Runs good, calling them A-Bombs, not so much. Its almost as grating as 'putting it on the board' yes?

Man, get any ball up in the air and its gone. Theriots popup almost went out the other inning. AMAZING!!! Go Soto!!! Kendall who?

Introducing the 2008 starting catcher for YOUR Chicago Cubs ....

How was Kata's ball a hit? It went right thru Lee's legs and he didn't even have to move.

"Another A BOMB from ARAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Pat should start saying it so when he passes we can can piss off some NYY fans by saying how he created it since they believe Rizzuto came up with holy cow.

Can Dempster hold a six run lead? I hope Lou is just trying to keep him sharp after missing Wednesday. How much bullpen do we have left for the weekend?

"Demp might get a save out of this yet" A pitcher can't create his own save opportunity through suckage...it's based on when he comes into the game. Demp hadn't pitched since Sunday..he struggled earlier in the year when he wasn't getting regular work, so I'm glad Demp got in there, and am not worried about the 1 HR Overall, the bullpen was brilliant today. GO BRAVES!

A pitcher can’t create his own save opportunity through suckage…it’s based on when he comes into the game. Little joke, little joke. Go Cubs!

With a little help from the Braves, maybe the race for the central division will be largely over after Sunday.

I may be the only one who didn't realize this, but I just noticed the MIL/ATL game is on ESPN tonight. Sweet.

Giants announced they will not resign Bonds for next year. Doe he go to the American League and DH to finish career?

Lou Piniella was asked about Geovany Soto after the game.(the talk in the room was about how Soto looks like the complete deal) So Lou says, "yeah, it's tough ... ... long ;pause it's tough to come to the ballpark and not pencil his name in"

that's about his only hope, depends if he's willing to slum down to the $10 million range though, maybe a ton of incentives. Just can't think of many teams willing to take on that sort of internal headache even with his production. Bjays, A's, maybe Rangers, Yanks about it. Boston might, but Ortiz has DH covered.

"They could be Pink Hat Green Shirt Guy." As I said in that chat room: I have know that man since I was in Kindergarten. I went to school with his kids. I know that family very very well.

The Cubs should sign Bonds. Why the hell would they want to do that? --you ask. Well, he does two things the Cubs haven't done much of this year-----hits home runs and takes a lot of walks. We could bat Soriano, Lee, Bonds, Ramirez, and Soto all in a row. And, most importantly, it would give the Cubs an airtight excuse to move Soriano to RF where he belongs...I hope. One year of Bonds would also allow us the luxury of giving Pie another 200-300 PA's in center.

bonds cant be counted on to play in the field too much. he's outta the NL race unless some want to hand him $$.

No Bonds, I would have to stop watching the team if we had him. He would help our team certainly, but the team would at least lose me.

That's a funny story (#82), CWTP, thanks for sharing. These old managers are birds of a feather. I was thinking this morning, what would Dusty do, with Pittsburgh coming to town? He would play Kendall, of course, so as not to embarrass him in front of his former team, Pirate fans, etc. Obviously, Lou thinks the same way. "It's tough [playing Soto]." Fortunately, Lou played him, tough or not. But we'll have to see what he does the next two days.

i just turned my tv back on and it's on CSN Chicago. the anchorwoman said "At the conclusion of our cubs telecast this afternoon, our network aired a song that contained lyrics that several of our viewers found insensitive and offensive. We deeply apologize to our viewers. The lyrics in question run counter to our belief in, and commitment to, diversity and excellence in our broadcasting. We regret this lapse in judgment, and this song will never again be played on our air." The only songs I remember at the end of the game were "Go Cubs Go" and "Dying Cub Fan's Last Request". Anyone know what the hell she's talking about?

Chad- Do you really know the pink hat green shirt? I see every game, his favorite thing to yell is "Brutal" when home plat ump makes a bad call.

bonds in the NL? seriously, all "bonds being bonds" aside he's just too old and too broken to be counted on to play the field well. following that up, you cant really count on him to play the field regularly. someone can pay him to play 100-120 games in the field and pinchhit/rest the rest or he can go play occasional LF in the AL and DH the rest of time. he could end up in the NL, but he's a guy who's fielding is barely adequate at this point (he's not gonna run too hard after much and lets too much stuff fall in front of him) and he's not shown his body will let him play without many days off a season.

I've been thinking a lot about the rotation for the final weekend, and it dawned on me today that Lilly really shouldn't be the starter on Sunday, unless we are one game behind the Brewers that morning. Here's why. If the Cubs are 2 or more games ahead, he should be skipped and saved for the playoffs. If the Cubs are one game ahead, that game will be exactly like a sixth game of a 7 game series where the Cubs are up 3-2. That is, the Cubs will be in a position where they need to win 1 of the next 2 games, and if they win the first the second game won't be necessary. (Actually, it would be even better than that, because a Brewers loss on Sunday would also clinch). So, Lilly should be scheduled to start Monday (the "Game 7") and Marquis (or whomever) on Sunday (the "Game 6"). Why is this important? Because if the Monday game isn't necessary, he could be available to pitch Game 1 or Game 2 of the NLDS, which means he would be available for Game 5 (or maybe even Game 4). The same logic applies if the Cubs are going into Sunday even with the Brewers, actually. The Cubs will need to win either one or both of the next two games, and the order wouldn't matter. If the Cubs are down a game going into Sunday, however, it's a "must win" and Lilly needs to pitch. That's the only situation where he should be the starter. It seems counterintuitive at first, but when you think it through it makes sense. I don't get the sense that Lou is thinking this way though. What do you guys think?

There is a line in "dying Cub fan's last request" that refers to "dope"...

Obviously, Lou thinks the same way. “It’s tough [playing Soto].” Fortunately, Lou played him, tough or not. But we’ll have to see what he does the next two days. What? Did you read the story? He said it was tough not to write him in the lineup.

433, I agree, except that since the last game will be the 6th in a row, no starter will be on full rest except Lilly (and whichever of Trachsel/Marshall didn't start on Thursday in Florida, but I'm guessing we'd rather avoid Trachsel starting if we can help it). Also, if we're tied, I'm not so sure. In that scenario, it's fairly likely that a tiebreaker will be necessary, in which case pitching Lilly on Sunday would get him into the playoff rotation sooner, as well as allow us to pull out all the bullpen stops for the tiebreaker game without cutting a Lilly stop short.

Braves were winning 3-1 against St. Louis (when they were still right in the think of things)....gives up 5 straight hits in the 7th, Cards win. Braves winning 1-0 against Brewers...gives up 3 straight hits (after 2 scorched outs). Brewers win. He had nothing in the tank in the 8th, and the ball was being pounded...he seems to tire quickly. Nothing has been easy for the Cubs all year, why should we expect it to be easy now?

433 - If the Cubs are tied going into the last day, there may not be a "game 7" so to speak. If the Cubs lose, Brewers win...season is over. Even with a 1 game lead, you absolutely must play to win today...and worry about tomorrow (Playoffs) later. Cubs give up that 1 game lead on Sunday, anything can happen in a one game playoff. We should know from experience (2003) that when you have a chance to ice a series (or division) you do it the first chance you get. I think it would be certifiably nuts to save Lilly on Sunday if Cubs haven't clinched already.

Fair point DP -- starting Lilly on Sunday would give him a one day head start for the playoff rotation -- if Monday's game is necessary. However, at the same time there's a chance that the Cubs win and Brewers lose on Sunday, which would leave him ready for Game 1 or 2.

Blockhead -- that's what I used to think, and it's baseball tradition, but it doesn't make logical sense. Again, Sunday would be the same as a Game 6 of a 7 game series where the Cubs are up 3-2. Monday's game is an "if necessary" just like a Game 7 in that scenario. You use Lilly on Monday because (1) he's your best pitcher and you want him in that Game 7 situation, not the Game 6; (2) you'd rather see him against the Brewers, not Marquis, and (3) if Marquis wins Sunday, Lilly is ready for Game 1 of the NLDS.

Cubs up 3-2 in the NLCS, do you sit your best pitcher down and wait to see if you need a game 7, so the best pitcher can start game 1 of the WS if you win? No, absolutely positively, 100% not. You do anything you can to win game 6 so you can avoid game 7. The same exact theory applies here. 30 of 30 managers start their best pitcher (if he is on regular rest) in game 162 with a 1-game lead, because you need to do everything you can to wrap it up in 162 and avoid the season coming down to 1 game, where a bad bounce can change the outcome of the entire season. But, this is exactly why we should root hard for the Cubs to clinch by next Saturday...then we obviously get the best of both worlds.

"You use Lilly on Monday because (1) he’s your best pitcher and you want him in that Game 7 situation, not the Game 6; (2) you’d rather see him against the Brewers, not Marquis, and (3) if Marquis wins Sunday, Lilly is ready for Game 1 of the NLDS." I really don't know what to say here...aside from that makes absolutely, positively, no sense. When you have a chance to win in Game 6, you put your best foot forward...always, 100% of the time, without question. If it's tied after game 161, it's not even a remote question that you start your best pitcher available. You lose that game, it's likely there is no "game 7". So that's just crazy talk so that's not really an issue. But if you are up 1 game...you do everything you can to win it without risking putting your whole season on the line in 1 game. It has absolutely nothing to do with "Baseball tradition". It has to do with very simplisitc, and fundamental, baseball logic. If Lou held out Lilly with a 1 game lead next sunday, he should be fired on Monday, no matter the outcome.

It's a good point about luck and the season coming down to one game, when anything can happen. The anti-choke thing cant be ignored and should be avoided, especially with the Cubs. And I agree that most managers would probably disagree with me. But at the same time, the logic is undeniable. You have 2 games to play, and have to win 1. The goal isn't to win the division/series TODAY; the goal is just to win it, period. My little plan gives you the best chance to do that, while giving your best guy a chance to start Game 1 of the next series.

Nah, the logic is there Block. Even with the Cubs & Brewers tied on Sunday. It doesn't mean it's absolutely, positively the right thing to do (I just thought of this tonight after all). Here's why it's logically sound. If the Cubs & Brewers are tied on Sunday morning, one of two things will happen to the Brewers: BREWERS WIN. In this case, you need to win both Sunday and Monday, period. Doesn't really matter who starts which game; they are both must-win games. And in this case saving Lilly makes sense for the reasons I mentioned before. BREWERS LOSE. In this case, you need to win only once: either Sunday or Monday. Doesn't matter which game you win as long as you win one of them. And again, saving Lilly has those advantages; if you get the Sunday win, Lilly can start Game 1 of the next series, and you get your best pitcher against the Brewers when the chips are down. This isn't accepted baseball thinking, and you don't have to agree with it. But to say that its illogical, "makes no sense" and is "crazy talk" is, well, illogical.

"But at the same time, the logic is undeniable. You have 2 games to play, and have to win 1. The goal isn’t to win the division/series TODAY; the goal is just to win it, period. My little plan gives you the best chance to do that, while giving your best guy a chance to start Game 1 of the next series." Seriously, I don't know what to say to that. "The logic is undeniable". Yup, 433, you are obviously smarter than every single other baseball executive that has ever played the game. ANY team can beat any other team on any given day. It could be the Cubs versus Pittsburgh or the Cubs versus Milwaukee...you do not, ever, risk putting your season on the line in one game. You don't risk losing game 6 ever, just for a better shot in game 7. I'll say it again, with emphasis. If Lou goes into Sunday's game with a 1 game lead (or tied), and he sits Lilly and waits for game 7, he should be fired immediately, as it would be one of the most boneheaded managerial moves in the history of baseball.

"This isn’t accepted baseball thinking, and you don’t have to agree with it. But to say that its illogical, “makes no sense” and is “crazy talk” is, well, illogical." Why isn't this accepted baseball thinking? Why is it that not one single manager would put themselves in the position you want to put them in. Because it completely lacks logic. And yes, withholding your best pitcher with the season on the line needing a win to have a chance to clinch the division after being tied on the last day of the season is, indeed "crazy talk" and absolutely positively, nuts. 433, I like you and I like what you post here...and I would never, ever claim to be a baseball expert in any sense of the word. But this is a 100% slam dunk, that I have no problem calling your "logic" here "crazy" at the risk of offending you.

433...sorry, I've been home sick with a fever most of the day, so I'm a little grumpy...I just get riled up when something is so crystal clear to me, I can't even comprehend someone's thought process.

One thing that we can both agree on....Let's hope it doesn't come down to needing to make this decision. Let's hope they clinch on Saturday at the latest.

We're agreed on that! My idea's just an idea anyway. I thought TCR would be a good place to bat it around a little bit -- that's why I opened with "What do you guys think?" So, I know what you think, but I'm curious whether others see the logic that I think I see. It may not be the right answer, but I don't think it's meritless and indefensible like you seem to.

"What do you guys think?” I don't think it would be in the Cubs best interest. That better? :-)

you play to win today tomorrow is tomorrow

Realistically, I think the Cubs will clinch on the Saturday. With the Brewers playing at home against the worthless Cardinals, they can extend it a bit even if the Cubs keep on a role. The whole key is, the Cubs need to gain 1 more game this weekend to make things more comfortable, considering Milwaukee is heading home for their final 7.

Why isn’t this accepted baseball thinking? Why is it that not one single manager would put themselves in the position you want to put them in. Because it completely lacks logic. Because it goes against tradition. It's always better to follow tradition, even if it gives you a worse chance to win, because nobody questions you afterwards. 433 makes a fair amount of sense. The last game of the season is not more subject to luck than the second-to-last game. All other things being equal, if Lilly has a 60% chance to win a game, that doesn't change if it's game 6 or game 7 in a series. Pitching the weaker pitcher first increases the odds of a series going 7 games, but has no effect on your chances of winning the series, none. Now, this case is different than the usual 7 game series as Milwaukee is a more formidable opponent than Cincinnati. That's the main reason to play to minimize the odds of a playoff.

Pitching the weaker pitcher first increases the odds of a series going 7 games, but has no effect on your chances of winning the series, none." Mathematically incorrect. If you win game 6, you have a 100% chance of winning the series, so by having a better chance in that game, you increase your overall chance of winning the series. IF you needed to win both games, then yes, it would be the same...but not if you only need to win 1. In that case, statistically you have a better chance of winning a series by increasing your chances in game 6, and decreasing your chances in game 7....because there is less of a chance there will be a game 7. A decision that critical doesn't just happen because of "tradition". It happens because, without question, it's the right thing to do statistically, logically, or otherwise.

I don't know if it was mentioned but I hate what Cox did to Hudson. He let Hudson allow the go ahead run on base and took him out of the game. I am a big believer that in a sitaution like that, if Braun gets on, Hudson goes. You don't let your pitcher get a loss with another pitcher on the mound. That's how I manage. CHADBALL!

Managing to better favorite players' statistics has already been pattened by one Dusty Baker.

Yeah Chad, I thought he stuck with him a little too long as well. Pitch count was good, and he still had the shutout going. But for them, every game is a must-win. And Bobby didn't play that one like it was a must-win last night.

One other thing of note, since I was catching crap about Soto in Parachat yesterday. I said multiple times that the problem I was going to have was how well Soto handled the pitching staff. Sully drops this knowledge this morning (emphasis mine): Piniella allows Soto to call the pitches, and the staff seldom shakes him off. Soto at first was reluctant to go to the mound to settle down his starters, but things are beginning to change. Which really eases my worry about the whole thing.

Mathematically incorrect. If you win game 6, you have a 100% chance of winning the series, so by having a better chance in that game, you increase your overall chance of winning the series. No, because the same goes for game 7. Let's say Marquis wins 50% of the time and Lilly wins 60% of the time. If you pitch Marquis, Lilly, your odds of losing both games are 50% x 40% or 20% If you pitch Lilly, Marquis, your odds of losing both games are 40% x 50% or 20%. The second order decreases the odds of a game 7, but does not affect the chance of losing both games.

Scott's right, and he put it better than I ever did. Mathematically and logically it's the same either way, which is why I like the idea of saving Lilly in case Marquis can win the game 6.

Block -- do we at least agree that if the Cubs have to win on BOTH Sunday and Monday to get into the playoffs, the order of Marquis/Lilly doesn't matter?

Recent comments

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Javier Assad started the Lo-A game (Myrtle Beach versus Stockton) on the Cubs backfields on Wednesday as his final Spring Training tune-up. He was supposed to throw five innings / 75 pitches. However, I was at the minor league road games at Fitch so I didn't see Assad pitch. 

  • crunch (view)

    cards put j.young on waivers.

    they really tried to make it happen this spring, but he put up a crazy bad slash of .081/.244/.108 in 45PA.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Seconded!!!

  • crunch (view)

    another awesome spring of pitching reports.  thanks a lot, appreciated.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Here are the Cubs pitchers reports from Tuesday afternoon's Cardinals - Cubs game art Sloan Park in Mesa:

    SHOTA IMANAGA
    FB: 90-92 
    CUT: 87-89 
    SL: 82-83 
    SPLIT: 81-84
    CV: 73-74 
    COMMENT: Worked three innings plus two batters in the fourth... allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits (six singles and two doubles) walked one, and struck out six (four swinging), with a 1/2 GO/AO... he threw 73 pitches (52 strikes - 10 swing & miss - 19 foul balls)... surrendered one run in the top of the 1st on a one-out double off Cody Bellinger's glove in deep straight-away CF followed one out later by two consecutive two-out bloop singles, allowed two runs (one earned) in the 2nd after retiring the first two hitters (first batter had a nine-pitch AB with four consecutive two-strike foul balls before being retired 3 -U) on a two-out infield single (weak throw on the run by Nico Hoerner), a hard-contact line drive RBI double down the RF line, and an E-1 (missed catch) by Imanaga on what should been an inning-ending 3-1 GO, gave up another run in the 3rd on a two-out walk on a 3-2 pitch and an RBI double to LF, and two consecutive singles leading off the top of the 4th before being relieved (runners were ultimately left stranded)... threw 18 pitches in the 1st inning (14 strikes - two swing & miss, one on FB and the other on a SL - four foul balls), 24 pitches in the 2nd inning (17 strikes - three swing & miss, one on FB, two SPLIT - six foul balls), 19 pitches in the 3rd inning (13 strikes - seven swing & miss, three on SL, two on SPLIT, one on FB - three foul balls), and 12 pitches without retiring a batter in the top of the 4th (8 strikes - no swing & miss - four foul balls)... Imanaga throws a lot of pitches per inning, but it's not because he doesn't throw strikes...  if anything, he throws too many strikes (he threw 70% strikes on Tuesday)... while he gets a ton of swing & miss (and strikeouts), he also induces a lot of foul balls because he doesn't try to make hitters chase his pitches by throwing them out of the strike zone... rather, he uses his very diverse pitch mix to get swing & miss (and lots of foul balls as well)... he also is a fly ball pitcher who will give up more than his share of HR during the course of the season...   
     
    JOE NAHAS
    FB: 90-92 
    SL: 83-85 
    CV: 80-81 
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day... relieved Imanaga with runners at first and second and no outs in the top of the 4th, and after an E-2 catcher's interference committed by Miguel Amaya loaded he bases, Nahas struck out the side (one swinging & two looking)... threw 16 pitches (11 strikes - two swinging)...   

    YENCY ALMONTE
    FB: 89-92 
    CH: 86 
    SL: 79 
    COMMENT: Threw an eight-pitch 5th (five strikes - no swing & miss), with a 5-3 GO for the first out and an inning-ending 4-6-3 DP after a one-out single... command was a bit off but he worked through it...   

    FRANKIE SCALZO JR
    FB: 94-95
    CH: 88 
    SL: 83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 6th inning... got the first outs easily (a P-5 and a 4-3 GO) on just three pitches, before allowing three consecutive two-out hard-contact hits (a double and two singles), with the third hit on pitch # 9 resulting in a runner being thrown out at the plate by RF Christian Franklin for the third out of the inning... 

    MICHAEL ARIAS
    FB: 94-96
    CH: 87-89
    SL: 82-83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and allowed a hard-contact double on the third pitch of the 7th inning (a 96 MPH FB), and the runner came around to score on a 4-3 GO and a WP... gave up two other loud contact outs (an L-7 and an F-9)... threw 18 pitches (only 10 strikes - only one swing & miss)... stuff is electric but still very raw and he continues to have difficulty commanding it, and while he has the repertoire of a SP, he throws too many pitches-per-inning to be a SP and not enough strikes to be a closer... he is most definitely still a work-in-progress...   

    ZAC LEIGH: 
    FB: 93-94 
    CH: 89 
    SL: 81-83 
    CV: 78
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and tossed a 1-2-3 8th (4-3 GO, K-swinging on a sweeper, K-looking on another sweeper)... threw 14 pitches (11 strikes - one swing & miss - eight foul balls)... kept pumping pitches into the strike zone but had difficulty putting hitters away (ergo a ton of foul balls)... FB velo is nowhere near the 96-98 MPH it was a couple of years ago when he was a Top 30 prospect, but his secondaries are better...   

    JOSE ROMERO:  
    FB: 93-95
    SL: 82-84
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 9th (14 pitches - only six strikes- no swing & miss) and allowed a solo HR after two near-HR fly outs to the warning track, before getting a 3-1 GO to end the inning... it was like batting practice when he wasn't throwing pitches out of the strike zone...

  • crunch (view)

    pablo sandoval played 3rd and got a couple ABs (strikeout, single!) in the OAK@SF "exhibition"

    mlb officially authenticated the ball of the single he hit.  nice.

    he's in surprisingly good shape considering his poor body condition in his last playing seasons.  he's not lean, but he looks healthier.  good for him.

  • crunch (view)

    dbacks are signing j.montgomery to a 1/25m with a vesting 20m player option.

    i dunno when the ink officially dries, but i believe if he signs once the season begins he can't be offered a QO...and i'm not sure if that thing with SD/LAD in korea was the season beginning, either.

  • crunch (view)

    sut says imanaga getting the home opener at wrigley (game 4 of the season).

  • crunch (view)

    cubs rolling out the who's who of "who the hell is this guy?" in the last spring game.

  • videographer (view)

    AZ Phil, speaking of Jordan Wicks having better command when he tires a bit, I remember reading about Dennis Lamp 40 years ago and his sinker that was better after 3 or 4 innings when he would tire a bit and get more sink with a little less speed on the pitch.  The key for Lamp was getting to the 4th inning.