If you have daily transactions, keep an eye on reports regarding Carlos Guillen this afternoon. Guillen was roughed up in a play at second base in the 9th inning of last night’s game and was examined by the training staff after the game. Guillen said he’d wait to see how he felt today. We’ll know more when the team gets to the park this afternoon.
Shaun Marcum allowed just one hit against the A’s last night going the distance in a 3-1 Jays win. The lone hit was a HR by Connor Jackson in the 7th inning. Jackson had just been activated from the DL last night. Marcum walked just 1 and fanned 5 in the win. This is a nice rebound from his last start vs. the Red Sox where Marcum allowed 8 earned in 4 IP. He had allowed 13 earned in his last 10 IP over two starts and you can thank me for last night’s performance. I sat Marcum down from my lineup this week and that will always straighten a struggling player out! Works every time.
Johnny Damon is clearly planning to play in 2011 and would like to return to the Tigers. A free agent at the end of the season, Damon may not finish this season with the Tigers however. Damon still has something to offer but his .278 AVG is propped up a bit by his .318 BHIP%. Damon’s steals and HRs are down a bit but he has 30 doubles in less than 400 ABs this year and has come to the post for 550 or more ABs for 12 straight seasons. He’ll be a factor next year, but we’ll make sure you value him correctly in the spring.
The Angels signed first round draft pick Kaleb Cowart, the 18th overall pick out of Georgia, handing him a $2.3M signing bonus. Cowert has mid-90s velocity at 18 years old he has an advanced curve with easy mechanics. The key will be continuing to develop his fastball/curve combination while bringing his change along. Cowart has top half of the rotation potential but there’s a ways to go.
The Orioles recalled Rick VandenHurk from Norfolk on Monday to replace Jason Berken in the bullpen. In 155.2 career MLB IP Rick has posted a 5.96 ERA allowing 4.6 BB/9 and 1.6 HR/9 and a .284 OBA. That about sums it up. The worst part is that he’s likely to end up with some starts down the road at the club winds down Brian Matusz and Jake Arrieta over the last month or so.
