Alright, getting right back to it. The last Roster Moves I published was about 30 hours overdue based on my personal goals. This one is only about 8 hours overdue. In my world that’s called progress! […]
The Designated:
The Los Angeles Dodgers have designated RHP-Ramon Ortiz (37) for assignment. I know some of you may be surprised by the fact that he was still pitching in the major leagues and considering his recent performances, also known as the last several years, your surprise would be entirely justified. At his best, Ramon was a slightly above average major league pitcher but those days are long gone. The last time his ERA was under 5.00? That would be 2004 when he put up a 4.43 ERA in 34 appearances and 128.0 innings pitched for the Los Angeles Angels. This season he turned in 30.0 innings of work for the Dodgers with a 6.30 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 1.31 SO/BB. There was a reason he hadn’t pitched in the majors since 2007, but apparently the Dodgers didn’t get the memo.
The Demoted/Optioned:
The Colorado Rockies optioned LHP-Greg Smith (26) to Colorado Springs (AAA). In 39.0 innings for the Rockies he had a 6.23 ERA, 1.87 WHIP, and 1.29 SO/BB.
2B-Matt Downs (26) was optioned to Fresno (AAA) by the San Francisco Giants. In 83 plate appearances he was hitting 0.247/.325/.370 with 6 2B, 1 HR, 8 BB and 18 SO.
The Florida Marlins optioned RHP-Burke Badenhop (27) to New Orleans (AAA). After being a solid reliever in 2009 (ERA+ 114), Burke has struggled this season. In 21.0 innings pitched he has a 6.43 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 2.14 SO/BB and 66 ERA+.
UTIL-Joe Mather (27) has been optioned to Memphis (AAA) by the St Louis Cardinals. 27 games, 50 plate appearances, 4 doubles, 1 walk and 10 strikeouts contributed to a line of 0.191/.208/.277 and an OPS+ of 29.
The Promoted:
RHP-Justin Miller (32), who signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers on December 4th, has been called up. Pitching for Albuquerque (AAA) in the PCL, he had a 2.22 ERA and 1.03 WHIP to go along with 25 SO and 8 BB in 24.1 IP. He has spent parts of 6 seasons pitching in the majors including stints with the Toronto Blue Jays (2002, 2004, 2005), the Florida Marlins (2007, 2008) and the San Francisco Giants (2009). Last season he finished with a 3.18 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and ERA+ of 138 in 56.2 innings. Those numbers are a little deceptive however thanks to a 0.244 BABIP. His 4.91 FIP and 1.33 SO/BB paint a more accurate picture of his season. That aside, he has been a serviceable, slightly above average reliever the last three seasons and in 351.1 career innings has a respectable ERA+ of 94.
To take Smith’s place, the Colorado Rockies called up RHP-Matt Daley (27) who returns to the major league roster after being sent down on May 13th. He appeared in last night’s game, faced one batter, and stuck him out. Daley now has a 3.94 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, 1.88 SO/BB and 117 ERA+ in 16.0 innings of work.
The San Francisco Giants called up RHP-Waldis Joaquin (23) to take the roster spot vacated by Downs. This is Joaquin’s 2nd major league stint with the Giants this season after making four relief appearances (4.2 IP) in April. Chances are he will be able to improve upon the 9.64 ERA, 2.79 WHIP and 0.29 SO/BB this time around.
1B/3B-Mike Lamb (34) has been called up by the Florida Marlins. From 2004-2007 he had a WAR of 5.3, but that player is long gone. Moving on …
The Florida Marlins also called up RHP-Jay Buente (26). He allowed 2 hits, 2 walks and 1 earned run in 1.1 innings last night. I’m guessing he’d like to take a mulligan on his major league debut.
The Marlins were busy yesterday! Buente and Lamb were joined by LHP-Taylor Tankersley (27) who also got called up from Triple-A New Orleans. He also appeared in last night’s game and fared better than Buente by pitching 0.2 scoreless innings with a walk and a strikeout.
RHP-Noel Fernando Salas (24) has been called up by the St. Louis Cardinals. His first appearance with the Cards will be his major league debut.
The Milwaukee Brewers called up OF-Adam Stern (30) to take Gerut’s place (see below). Stern already had a 4 game trial with the Brewers this month getting 6 at bats, in four games, between the 14th and 20th. Hopefully he didn’t take the time to unpack.
The Disabled:
LHP-Renyel Pinto (27) was placed on the 15-day disabled list, by the Florida Marlins, with a sore left hip. In his 4 previous seasons Pinto had been an above average reliever. This season he appeared to be taking his game to a new level and I hope he can keep it going when he returns to the mound.
The St. Louis Cardinals placed RHP-Kyle Lohse (31) on the 15-day DL with a forearm condition called extreme compartment syndrome. He was scheduled to undergo surgery today and early estimates are that he will miss at least 2 months.
The Milwaukee Brewers placed OF-Jody Gerut (32) on the 15-day disabled list with a bruised heel. The move was made retroactive to May 22nd, which was the last day he contributed on field. In 74 PA Gerut has hit just 0.197/.230/.366 with 2 HR and an OPS+ of 58.
The Signed:
The Pittsburgh Pirates signed Dominican RHP-Jonathan Herrand for $185,000. Always a great source of Pirates related information, Bucco Fans had this to say about their new acquisition. I’m not big on comparing untested guys to major league players, even just based on mechanics, so if anyone happens across Jonathan’s coach, you might want to tell him to ease off the Pedro Martinez comps.
"The report says that Herrand is 6′ 4″, and throws a fastball between 93 and 95 MPH, with a good changeup and an excellent curveball. Herrand’s coach compares his mechanics to a young Pedro Martinez. Herrand is a right handed pitcher, based on his picture, but no word on his age."
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