Sunday's MLB action brought us injuries to Yankees starter Andy Pettite , Angels starter Scott Kazmir, Astros starter Roy Oswalt, and Pirated outfielder Andrew McCutchen, along with a few blown saves by two teams looking to prevent getting swept in 4-game series.
Yankees starter Andy Pettite left Sunday's start in the 3rd inning with a groin injury after giving up 3 runs on 6 hits. GM Brian Cashman stated after the game that Pettite will be placed on the DL and be out of action for 4-5 weeks. I bet Cashman is making a few phones calls to a few GMs this evening.
Astros starter Roy Oswalt caught a line drive off of his left ankle, but continued to pitch till the swelling got to be too much. Reports state he will make his next start. This injury could reduce Ed Wade's demands come July 31st.
Angels starter Scott Kazmir was placed on the 15-day DL with a shoulder contusion. Is shoulder contusion another way of saying 'he's not pitching to expectation, and we want him out of the rotation."?
Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen left Sunday's game with an injury to his AC joint diving for a ball in centerfield. Those of you in weekly leagues have a decision to make as we may not know till gametime tomorrow night whether he will be back in the lineup.
Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton was called upon to get 5 outs on Sunday and to protect a one run lead, but he proceeded to give up 4 hits and 2 runs with two out in the 9th inning. The last hit, by Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday, was almost caught by Andre Ethier. I think the Dodgers should be in the market for a right fielder next offseason, as Ethier is not a right fielder in my eyes. He has the bat, but not the glove.
Pirates outfielder Jose Tabata went 3-5 with 2 runs scored, an RBI and a SB on Sunday. He has raised his BA from .226 to .269 since July 8th, and is 7-14 since the All Star break. For the season, he has 9 SBs in 13 attempts, and has an excellent 18-14 K/BB rate.
Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez blew his 5th save of the season, but got the win after Ike Davis doubled in Jason Bay in the 10th inning. He was called upon to preserve another excellent start from Johan Santana, but barely got out of the 9th, giving up 2 runs on 3 hits and a walk.
Is there a better hitting catcher than Carlos Santana? Santana went 0-3 with 2 walks and a run scored on Sunday. For the season, Santana is hitting .274-.432-.557 with 6 HRs, 18 RBIs and a 20-30 K/BB rate. Yes, he has walked 30 times in his 106 at bats. How soon before Frank McCourt has to sell the Dodgers? It can't happen fast enough.
Tim Kurkjian has always said when watching a baseball game, one will see something he has never seen before. Well, on Sunday we saw Rockies starter Aaron Cook and Pirates starter Paul Maholm throw 7 and 9 shutout innings. I can't recall the last time Cook and Maholm held his opponent scoreless for more than 3-4 innings.
Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks went 3-4 with 2 HRs, 3 runs scored and 2 RBIs. He is now hitting .275-.374-.466 with 17 HRs and 57 RBIs. He has stolen only 6 bases so far this season, but I am sure fantasy owners don't mind. 57 RBIs!!! No wonder Prince Fielder only has 44 RBIs to go with his 22 long balls. Weeks has stayed healthy this season, and is rewarding fantasy owners who drafted him this season.
Blue Jays SS Yunel Escobar appears to be on a mission to prove the Braves wrong for dealing him, as he is 6-13 since the deal. He went 3-4 with a grand slam and 5 RBI on Sunday, his first HR of the season. I thought he was capable of at least 15 HRs coming into the 2010 season.