Giants' Roberts to have elbow surgery
Thu, May 10, 2007
By Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO -- San Francisco Giants center fielder Dave Roberts has decided to have surgery on his troublesome left elbow, possibly keeping him out for four weeks.
Roberts said he could get the elbow cleaned out as soon as Friday or perhaps Monday. He made the decision after being examined by Angels orthopedist Dr. Lewis Yocum on Thursday in Los Angeles.
''The appointment went well,'' Roberts said.
San Francisco placed Roberts on the 15-day disabled list before opening a four-game series against the Rockies in Colorado and also designated outfielder Todd Linden for assignment. To fill the roster spots, the Giants recalled outfielders Fred Lewis and Dan Ortmeier from Triple-A Fresno.
The team had hoped Roberts could avoid needing a scope until after the season. Yocum worked on Roberts' shoulder during his college days at UCLA, but the outfielder was still deciding who would perform the operation.
The procedure removing floating bone chips and bone spurs - nearly identical to what slugger Barry Bonds underwent after last season - has a recovery time of about four weeks. Though Giants infielder Rich Aurilia healed quickly when he had surgery to remove bone chips in his right elbow in 2002 during his first stint with the Giants. He was out from May 20-June 3 that year and later helped the team reach the World Series.
The 34-year-old Roberts homered in the Giants' 5-3 loss to the New York Mets on Wednesday, but noted afterward that he was heavily medicated and was fresh after not having played in the three previous games. He said he doesn't intend to stay on such harsh medication for a long period of time.
Roberts didn't travel with the club after the game to Colorado, but hoped to meet up with the team at some point during its road trip that also includes three games in Houston before next weekend's interleague series against the Athletics in Oakland.
Roberts had an MRI exam earlier this week that revealed the bone chips. He cannot fully bend his elbow, which affects him at the plate and his outfield play - so the injury is not just about whether he can tolerate the pain.
From the Giants perspective, losing Roberts is huge considering Linden's recent struggles at the plate and Roberts' speed in the leadoff spot that makes him such a threat on the basepaths.
San Francisco has up to 10 days to trade Linden or place him on waivers or he would be sent outright to Fresno. One of the Giants' most productive players during spring training, Linden was batting just .182 with no homers and three RBIs in 30 games. He misplayed a ball in right field Wednesday, but that didn't weigh into the decision.
''We felt like we needed to get some more production and the two guys that we have called up are playing well down there,'' manager Bruce Bochy said at Coors Field. ''Todd's a talented player but he was a little lost up there at the plate. I don't know what's going to end up happening with him here.''
Linden said he understood the Giants' sense of urgency,
''It's just an unfortunate situation,'' he said before boarding a plane back to San Francisco, noting he believes something will work out for him soon. ''I don't have anything bad to say about them. It's business. It's baseball.''
Roberts is batting .216 with two homers and six RBIs in 27 games and 23 starts in his first season with San Francisco. Randy Winn will be the primary center fielder with Roberts out, the spot he played last season.
''It's tough to lose a guy who plays the way Dave does,'' Bochy said. ''It's going to be good to see a couple of these kids get an opportunity, too.''
Tigers' Bonderman may miss next start
Thu, May 10, 2007
By Associated Press
DETROIT -- Tigers pitcher Jeremy Bonderman might miss his start Sunday against Minnesota because of a blister on the tip of his middle finger.
Manager Jim Leyland said the right-hander was ''very questionable.'' Bonderman (2-0) experienced blisters for the first time during spring training.
''You want to get it to a point where you don't have to worry about it,'' Bonderman said. ''You don't want to keep fighting it.''
Bonderman pitched six innings Tuesday to pick up his second victory of the season. Bonderman was 14-8 with a career-high 202 strikeouts in 2006. He has a 4.20 ERA and team-best 40 strikeouts in seven starts this season.
Leyland said Bonderman's replacement would not come from the bullpen, which is down a man after right-hander Joel Zumaya went on the 15-day disabled list May 3 with a finger strain.
Baseball Today - May 11
Fri, May 11, 2007
By Associated Press
SCOREBOARD Friday, May 11
St. Louis at San Diego (10:05 p.m. EDT). Jake Peavy, who has 56 strikeouts in 46 1-3 innings, starts for the Padres.
STARS Thursday
-Adam Dunn, Reds, hit a three-run homer, a triple and a double, coming up one single short of hitting for the cycle in Cincinnati''s 9-5 victory over Houston.
-Jose Contreras, White Sox, pitched a five-hitter for his second career shutout and Chicago beat Minnesota 3-0.
-Josh Willingham, Marlins, hit a three-run homer with one out in the bottom of the ninth, leading Florida to a 3-0 victory over the Dodgers.
-Dan Johnson, Athletics, hit two homers and finished 4-for-4 with two walks, four RBIs and four runs scored in Oakland''s 17-3 rout of Kansas City.
-Kevin Millar, Orioles, homered and drove in four runs in an 11-6 victory over Tampa Bay.
-Kelvim Escobar, Angels, pitched a seven-hitter and struck out nine, leading Los Angeles to a 8-0 win over Cleveland.
SIDELINED
Blue Jays closer B.J. Ryan will miss the season after having Tommy John surgery on his left elbow Thursday, a major blow to Toronto''s hopes. Ryan, who signed a $47 million, five-year contract before the 2006 season, is expected to be ready for spring training next year. He was 0-2 with three saves and a 12.46 ERA in five games this season after finishing last season 2-2 with a 1.37 ERA and 38 saves.
CLOUD NINE
Ken Griffey Jr. hit his 569th career homer Thursday to tie Rafael Palmeiro for ninth place on the career list, helping helped Cincinnati beat Houston 9-5. Griffey, who also had a sacrifice fly in addition to his two-run shot, has been on a tear since moving back into his accustomed third spot in the batting order. The 37-year-old outfielder has hit safely in seven of those eight games, with four of his six homers.
DON''T CALL IT A COMEBACK
Kelly Johnson came through with a two-out, bases-loaded double in the sixth inning of Atlanta''s 5-3 victory over San Diego on Wednesday. The Braves have scored a major league-leading 88 runs with two outs - more than half of their overall production.
STREAKS
Boston beat Toronto 8-0 Thursday night to send the Blue Jays to their ninth straight loss.
SNAPPED
Torii Hunter went 0-for-4 in a 3-0 loss to Chicago on Thursday to end his 23-game hitting streak. He received a standing ovation after he flied out to lead off the ninth inning.
NIGHTMARE WEAVER
Jeff Weaver gave up six runs in five innings and has lost each of his six starts this season after a 7-3 loss to Detroit on Thursday. It''s the longest losing streak of his career.
STREAKING
Detroit won for the ninth time in 10 games with a 7-3 victory at home against Seattle on Thursday.
SLUGGING
Oakland routed Kansas City 17-3 on Thursday and improved to 29-7 at Kauffman Stadium since the start of the 2000 season. The A''s set season highs for homers (6), runs and hits (18).
TRIBUTE
Every member of the Cleveland Indians will wear Larry Doby''s No. 14 on Aug. 10 to honor the AL''s first black player, who followed Jackie Robinson in breaking baseball''s color barrier.
SPEAKING
''It''s an easy difference. He pitched well then, not so well today.'''' - Detroit''s Brandon Inge said about Seattle''s Jeff Weaver after the Tigers 7-3 victory over the Mariners on Thursday night. Weaver who beat Detroit in the clinching game of the 2006 World Series, gave up six runs in five innings, and has lost each of his six starts this season. It''s the longest losing streak of his career. He left the game with a 14.32 ERA.
Arizona rookie infielder arrested for allegedly assaulting wife
Fri, May 11, 2007
By Associated Press
PHOENIX -- Arizona Diamondbacks rookie infielder Alberto Callaspo was arrested Thursday on charges for assaulting his wife.
Callaspo, 24, was taken into custody on suspicion of assault and criminal damage, according to police who did not release any details. He still was being interviewed by detectives late Thursday.
Police officers responded to a call at Callaspo's home about noon Thursday and said the player's 22-year-old wife, Marianny Paola, had minor injuries.
Callaspo did not accompany the team on its flight to Houston, where the Diamondbacks begin a nine-game road trip Friday night.
''We do not feel that he should be with the team due to the allegations,'' Diamondbacks president Derrick Hall said.
Hall said the Diamondbacks were gathering facts about Callaspo's arrest to ''determine what exactly took place and what further action is needed, if any.''
Callaspo, a utilityman who is hitting .215 this season, could possibly be suspended, put on the restricted list or optioned to Triple-A Tucson.
Jason Giambi missed his second consecutive game Thursday due to a bone spur near his left heel, according to the AP. A doctor found a way to relieve the pain by taping Giambi's ankle differently, so the slugger is aiming to return to action on Friday.
Nationals 1B Dimitri Young (foot) and closer Chad Cordero (personal) are doubtful.
Brewers RF Corey Hart (wrist) is doubtful
Cardinals 3B Scott Rolen (rest) is doubtful.
Reds demote Encarnacion to minors
By JOE KAY, AP Sports Writer
May 10, 2007
CINCINNATI (AP) -- Third baseman Edwin Encarnacion was sent to the minors Thursday by the Cincinnati Reds, who grew weary of his inconsistency in hitting and fielding.
Encarnacion was optioned to Triple-A Louisville a day after his two throwing errors set up three unearned runs and a 3-2 loss to the Houston Astros. The Reds called up infielder Jeff Keppinger to replace him.
Keppinger was hitting .411 with no homers and two RBIs for Louisville.
Encarnacion was hitting .218 after going 3-for-16 on the Reds' homestand. His six errors were the most on the roster.
"I hope he goes down and works hard and works hard on his defense," manager Jerry Narron said. "He's got to be more selective at the plate. I think that's hurt him more than anything."
He had a pair of two-out throwing errors that extended innings and set up all of the Astros' runs Wednesday night, when the Reds lost for the seventh time in eight games and fell into last place in the NL Central.
"Last night was a tough game for us to lose and a tough game for him personally," general manager Wayne Krivsky said. "But I don't want to say last night was the reason. There were other things leading up. He'd get on a little bit of a stretch where he'd show some consistency, but it wasn't for long. It's up to him now to get down to work and prove us wrong, that he belonged here all the time. I'm confident he can.
"He's got to get to Louisville and work harder than he's ever worked before. We told him this could be a turning point in your career. You might look back on this some day and say it's the greatest thing that ever happened to me."
The 24-year-old infielder hit .276 with 15 homers and 72 RBIs last year, his first full season in the majors. He also had 25 errors, and the Reds stressed the importance of improving his fielding.
Ryan Freel can play third base while Encarnacion tries to regroup in the minors.
A's activate Bradley
May 11th, 2007
Oakland, CA (Sports Network) - The Oakland Athletics activated outfielder Milton Bradley from the 15-day disabled list prior to Friday's game against the Cleveland Indians.
Bradley had been on the DL since April 23 with a strained left hamstring. He missed six games with the same injury from April 11-18, and after going 2-for-7 in a three-game series at Texas from April 20-22, he re-injured the hamstring in the sixth inning of that final game.
Bradley is batting .263 with one home run and three RBI in 11 games this season.
To make room on their roster, the A's optioned outfielder Danny Putnam to Triple-A Sacramento.