Braves lose Gonzalez for the season
May 25, 2007
ATLANTA (AP) -Atlanta Braves reliever Mike Gonzalez will miss the rest of the season after learning he must have elbow ligament-replacement surgery.
Gonzalez, placed on the 15-day disabled list on May 16 with a left elbow strain, said Friday he has a small tear in a ligament below his left elbow.
The tear was discovered in an MRI performed in New York on Thursday by Dr. Dave Altchek, the specialist who also has performed two elbow surgeries on another Braves left-handed pitcher, Mike Hampton.
``This is the worst news you can get,'' Gonzalez said.
A first MRI in Atlanta found no serious problem, but the Braves and Gonzalez remained concerned after an unusually sharp drop in the velocity of his pitches.
``I hadn't thrown 82 (miles per hour) since high school,'' Gonzalez said.
``I was feeling something uncomfortable. You just don't drop 10 or 15 miles per hour.''
No date has been set for the surgery, but Gonzalez said he expects to have the procedure next week.
``I'm not down in the dumps or anything,'' Gonzalez said, adding he is bracing for a long rehabilitation.
``I'm going to go out there and be as aggressive through this as I am with the hitters.''
Gonzalez, obtained by the Braves in an offseason trade that sent first baseman Adam LaRoche to the Pittsburgh Pirates, was 2-0 with a 1.59 ERA and two saves in 18 games this season.
Gonzalez saved 24 games for the Pirates last season but was serving as a set-up reliever for Braves closer Bob Wickman.
Baseball Today - May 26
Sat, May 26, 2007
By Associated Press
SCOREBOARD
Saturday, May 26
Colorado at San Francisco (9:05 p.m. EDT). Giants right-hander Matt Morris threw a two-hitter with nine strikeouts in a 4-1 win over Oakland on Sunday.
STARS Friday
-Paul Lo Duca, Mets, had four hits in New York's 6-2 win over Florida.
-Kevin Kouzmanoff, Padres, hit a grand slam to lead San Diego past Milwaukee 8-6.
-Mark Reynolds, Diamondbacks, went 5-for-5 with two homers and four RBIs to help Arizona beat Houston 13-3.
-Kaz Matsui, Rockies, singled in the go-ahead run in the ninth inning and Colorado beat San Francisco 5-3.
TWENTY YEARS LATER
Every 20 years or so, Jamie Moyer beats the Braves. He was right on schedule Friday night. Moyer and the Philadelphia Phillies beat Atlanta 8-3 on Friday. The win came 20 years and two days after the only other time he beat the Braves. On May 23, 1987, he earned the win in relief as the Cubs beat the Braves in Chicago. The 44-year-old Moyer had never won in Atlanta and had lost six straight decisions to the Braves.
ANGELS' EDGE
The Angels are the only AL team to own an edge over the Yankees since Joe Torre became manager before the 1996 season. Following a 10-6 win on Friday, the Angels are now 56-52 against the Yankees in the regular season in that span - they've also beaten them twice in playoff series.
MILESTONES
Ken Griffey Jr. hit the 574th homer of his career in the sixth inning of Cincinnati's 10-4, 10-inning loss to Pittsburgh on Friday night, moving the Reds outfielder one ahead of Harmon Killebrew for eighth place on the career list. ... Toronto's Frank Thomas home run No. 494 in a 4-3 loss to the Twins to move past Lou Gehrig and Fred McGriff into sole possession of 21st place on baseball's career list.
PERFECT 10
Pittsburgh used an eight-run 10th inning to beat Cincinnati 10-4 on Friday night. It was the Pirates' biggest inning since they scored nine runs at Montreal on July 9, 2004. The Reds fell to 0-9 when the score is tied after seven innings and have lost 18 of 22, leaving them a major league-worst 18-31.
STREAKS
Derek Jeter extended his hitting streak to 19 games in New York's 10-6 loss to Los Angeles on Friday. ... Orlando Cabrera extended his hitting streak to a career-high 15 games for Los Angeles in a 10-6 win over New York. ... Arizona routed Houston 13-3 to hand the Astros their sixth straight loss.
SPEAKING
''It's not like every time we lose it's 'Here we go again.' It's not like the end of the world and we're back to playing the way we were.'' - Derek Jeter, on New York's 10-6 loss to Los Angeles on Friday after winning two of three against AL East-leading Boston.
Athletics: Chavez aims to return Saturday
Eric Chavez has missed the past three games due to tendinitis in his right triceps. However, he said he definitely would be back in the mix for Saturday's game, according to the Contra Costa Times.
Athletics: Colby moves to the bullpen
Colby Lewis will move to the bullpen for the A's rather than be sent back to Triple-A. Lenny DiNardo is going to start Tuesday's game in place of Lewis, who was just called up on Tuesday, according to the Contra Costa Times. "Colby did a great job at Triple-A," manager Bob Geren said. "He can balance the bullpen a little bit. ... He has a powerful arm. If he can get three or four guys out, he might be able to let it go and pitch more than one inning."
Rangers: Catalanotto eyes outfield duty
Frank Catalanotto could be available for outfield duty this weekend, the AP reports. Catalanotto's been restricted to DHing since he was activated from the DL on Monday because his throwing has been hampered by right bicep tendinitis. If Catalanotto can throw, he'll play RF Sunday while Sammy Sosa is the DH.
Tigers RP Fernando Rodney is dealing with inflammation in his right shoulder, and is expected to be out for the entire weekend.
Pirates C Ryan Doumit (head) is not expected to start tonight.
Mets RF Shawn Green (foot) is not expected to play in tonight's game.
Reds manager Jerry Narron said Josh Hamilton (stomach) probably will rejoin the Reds June 5 in St. Louis.
Twins SS Jason Bartlett (neck, shoulder) has worked out with no problems and deemed himself ready to play again.
Angels manager Mike Scioscia said Garret Anderson (hip flexor) figures to need a short rehabilitation assignment - he is expected to be evaluated Monday.
Yankees CF Johnny Damon (leg cramps) is out.
Damon to stay off DL for now
May 26, 2007
NEW YORK (AP) -Yankees center fielder Johnny Damon was out of Saturday's lineup against the Los Angeles Angels because of recurring leg problems, but for now will avoid his first career trip to the disabled list.
Damon left Friday night's 10-6 loss for a pinch-hitter because of cramps in both calves and a sore Achilles' tendon in his right leg. He's missed several games this season, and been forced to leave others, because of the lingering ailments.
There was no indication of when Damon might start again. He talked to team officials Saturday, and it was decided to keep him off the 15-day disabled list.
``I think we all thought it wouldn't be 15 days,'' Damon said. ``It's probably not even five.''
In the meantime, Damon will get massage and whirlpool treatment. He'll also keeps his legs elevated in the clubhouse during games.
``I need to be right. When I'm not, it makes it tougher for the team,'' he said.
The 33-year-old Damon is batting .269 with two homers and 16 RBIs. He played in 40 of the Yankees' first 46 games - he has played at least 145 games in each of his last 11 seasons, the longest current streak in the majors.
In Friday's loss, Damon said he had trouble catching up to a couple of long fly balls and also lacked a quick first step to get to liners in front of him.
``Johnny's not as young as he used to be, but he's not old,'' manager Joe Torre said.
Minus Damon, Melky Cabrera started in center field against the Angels and Bobby Abreu moved into the leadoff spot. Abreu has been in a season-long slump, and the former All-Star was batting just .236 with two homers and 22 RBIs going into Saturday's game.
``We need to get him going,'' Torre said.
Mets' Green breaks bone in foot
May 26th, 2007
Miami, FL (Sports Network) - New York Mets outfielder Shawn Green will likely be sidelined for at least a few days after suffering a broken bone in his right foot during Friday's game against Florida.
Green was hurt in the fifth inning of New York's 6-2 win after fouling a ball off his foot. He remained in the game and knocked in a run during a five-run ninth inning, then underwent tests after the game.
A small fracture was revealed. He is listed as day-to-day.
In 45 games this season, Green is batting .314 with five homers and 22 runs batted in.
Tigers disable Rodney
May 26th, 2007
Detroit, MI (Sports Network) - The Detroit Tigers have placed relief pitcher Fernando Rodney on the 15-day disabled list because of biceps tendinitis.
The move is retroactive to May 21, meaning the right-hander will be eligible to return June 5.
Rodney has appeared in 19 games this season for the Tigers, posting a record of 1-4 with one save and a 4.71 earned run average. He has 18 strikeouts in just 21 innings.
The Tigers have recalled pitcher Zach Miner from Triple-A Toledo to fill the roster spot.
Miner will join the Tigers for the second time this season. The righty made one start on May 17 at Boston and took the loss in a 2-1 decision after yielding two runs -- one earned -- on six hits in 5 1/3 innings.
Royals recall LaRue, put Soria on the DL
May 26, 2007
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -The Kansas City Royals put right-hander Joakim Soria on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder inflammation Saturday and recalled right-hander Ryan Braun from Triple-A Omaha.
The Royals also reclaimed catcher Jason LaRue from his injury assignment and designated catcher Paul Phillips for assignment. LaRue was in the lineup for Saturday night's game against Seattle.
Soria (1-2) has 10 saves and a 3.57 ERA in 21 relief appearances and last appeared in a game on Tuesday. The move is retroactive to May 23. Braun was with the Royals earlier this year before being sent to Omaha, where he had three saves and did not allow an earned run in 8 2-3 innings.