Tuesday morning brought news that the Phillies closer Brad Lidge experienced tightness is his right elbow and was not available in Monday night's game vs the Rockies. Late Tuesday afternoon, we received news that Lidge was not happy with his bullpen session. There is no MRI scheduled and he won't go on the DL as the Phils will monitor his elbow in the coming days. Jose Contreras is a must pick up as he will close games until Lidge is ready.
Here are my thoughts after reviewing Tuesday's boxscores:
I am sure you have read the reports about Ken Griffey falling asleep in the clubhouse during a recent game. If this was Manny Ramirez, ESPN would be all over this story, and Pedro Gomez would be on the next flight out to LA. Am I wrong?
Braves outfielder Jason Heyward batted third for the first time this season and responded with 2 hits, 3 runs scored and a SB. He was originally slated to bat second until Chipper Jones was scratched before the game.
Diamondbacks pitcher Dan Haren struck out 9 in the first 3 innings of their game vs the Dodgers on Tuesday night.
White Sox closer Bobby Jenks earned his sixth save of the season on Tuesday night. This was after manager Ozzie Guillen stated he would mix and match closers after Jenks blew a save a few days ago. Matt Thornton pitched the 8th as both pitchers gave up a hit and struck out a batter.
Who else thought Freddy Garcia's career was over? I know I did, but he won his second game of the season on Tuesday vs the Twins, throwing 7 innings, giving up 2 runs on 9 hits and 2 walks.
Reds starter Jonny Cueto threw a complete game one hit shutout on Tuesday beating the Pirates for his second win of the season. He struck out 8 and walked none, and threw first pitch strikes to 15 of the 28 batters he faced. Ronny Cedeno got the only hit off of Cueto.
I watched some of the Reds-Pirates game and saw Andrew McCutchen ground out, and he appeared to be running back to the dugout gingerly on his injured ankle. I wonder if he will end up on the DL in the next day or so? Could the Pirates call up minor league outfielder Jose Tabata?
Mariners starter Cliff Lee won his first game of the season, holding the Orioles to one run in 7+ innings. He gave up 8 hits and struck out only two. The Cliff Lee rumors are already starting. I still think they can get more than they gave up in the deal with the Phillies in the offseason.
Austin Kearns was once a hot prospect with the Reds. Then he couldn't get a hit to save his job, even in Washington, and now he is absolutely raking in Cleveland. He went 2-4 with 3 runs scored, and is hitting .346-4.416-.538 on the season.
Indians outfielder Grady Sizemore had two hits and stole two bases on Tuesday. He should start heating up real soon. He has hit in 8 of his last 10 games with 7 runs scored, but has struck out 16 times. He needs to cut down on his Ks to return to the player he was a few years ago.
The Dodgers may have found themselves a 5th....err 4th starter in John Ely. As I write this, Ely has thrown 6 shutout innings in Arizona, giving up 4 hits and striking out 6. He is out-dueling DBacks ace Dan Haren. Ely is not overpowering, but keeps hitters off-balance with his offspeed stuff.
Mets outfielder Jason Bay went 3-4 with 2 runs scored and a SB as the Mets scored 6 runs in the 8th inning to come from behind to beat the Nationals. Bay has had a slow start to the 2010 season as he only has 1 HR and 15 RBI to date.
Mike Stanton Watch-Stanton went 3-4 with a walk on Tuesday night, while Marlins outfielders went 2-10 with a HR and 2 RBI. MLB.com reported that Stanton will more than likely skip AAA and move right to the big leagues in the very near future. All the questions about him hitting AA pitching have been answered weeks ago.
Cubs SS Starlin Castro had 2 hits in 4 at bats on Tuesday, but committed his 5th error since his call-up on Friday.