The 2014 Tommy John Club Continues To Grow
Tyler Kepner of The New York Times took a look at the pack of arms (in this case very quality arms) who are or are soon to be on the mend from Tommy John Surgery. Brandon Beachy, Kris Medlen, and now Jarrod Parker are on their second one in which it is becoming quite clear that the success rate is not nearly as promising.
Ervin Santana and a mix of Freddy Garcia and/or David Hale are set to replace
Medlen and Beachy for Atlanta. While Jesse Chavez will slide into the rotation for Parker in Oakland. A.J. Griffin while not clear is also on the sidelines with elbow issues.
Patrick Corbin who was slated to start the Opening Day game for Arizona in Sydney, Australia is also facing the season ending procedure and will be replaced by Wade Miley.
Cubs' Baez Will Begin Season in Minors
Cubs GM Jed Hoyer has stated that slugging prospect Javier Baez will not be on the Opening Day roster and will in fact open the season in Triple-A Iowa. Baez is 11-37 and with four home runs. He's been tried at second base while being blocked at shortstop by Starlin Castro and while he will fall short of breaking camp with the big club, he certainly made it a hard decision.
Worley All But Out of Twins Rotation Battle
Vance Worley's post-Phillies career has not gone well. He began last season as Minnesota's Opening Day starter. After posting a 7.21 ERA in 10 starts, he was stent to Triple-A Rochester and stayed there. As the Twins added arms this off season (Nolasco, Pelfrey, Hughes) Worley would be part of a big cast competing for the 5th starter job. After some rough waters Worley entered last night's game against the Rays in need of good results. Instead he allowed 11 hits and 7 earned runs over 2.2 innings which all but officially eliminated him from the battle. Worley is out of options so his best hope is to stick as a bullpen arm in order to avoid waivers.
Sydney's own, Rowland-Smith Pitching For Two Teams Down Under
Diamondbacks pitcher Ryan Rowland-Smith gets to pitch in his hometown of Sydney, Australia twice this week at the dawn of the Opening Series. Rowland-Smith will pitch for Team Australia on Thursday night in exhibition against the Dodgers and will pitch against the national team on Friday as a Diamondback. He's competing for a bullpen spot in Arizona and considering the bullpen, it's far from a guarantee but for now he's an ambassador for a pretty big moment for his hometown as the Major League Baseball season is set to begin in his hometown.
