texas....
Dave Burba, who has a 5.01 ERA, was told last night that he has been moved to the bullpen.
Aaron Myette will be recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma and start Friday at Oakland.
=========
seattle......
FRANKLIN TO FACE ANGELS: Even had Ryan Franklin come up with a great game last night, the experiment that has him in Seattle's rotation might not last past this week.
Even as Piniella was writing Franklin's name in the lineup as last night's starting pitcher, the Seattle manager was reiterating his concern over what Franklin's absence does to the Mariners' bullpen.
"He's so versatile; you can use him in so many roles," Piniella said of Franklin. "I'm not sure we can stay like this. We're just about exhausted."
The idea was for Franklin, a starter throughout his minor league career, to get these starts against Baltimore and Anaheim, then maybe stay in the rotation. The Mariners particularly wanted Franklin, a right-hander, because the second-place Angels are 18-6 against left-handed starters.
Franklin, staked to a 4-0 lead last night, was knocked out of the game by the Orioles' back-to-back three-run innings in the third and fourth.
"He'll start Saturday," Piniella said after the game. "That's not changing."
======
Manager Lou Piniella reiterated he will start Ryan Franklin Saturday in Anaheim.
Franklin started Monday against the Orioles, was staked to a 4-0 lead, then couldn't get out of the fourth inning in a 6-5 loss. All six runs were charged to Franklin, who was activated Monday after spending two weeks on the disabled list because of a viral infection.
"I think he'll be strong next time," Piniella said. "After coming back from strep throat, that might have worn him down a bit, too. It was very hot out there, too."
Franklin has made three starts this season, going 1-2 with a 4.80 earned-run average. His numbers are better in relief -- 3-0 with a 3.82 ERA.
"I think he'll be better in Anaheim," Piniella said.
"After Saturday, we'll take another look at what we want to do with that spot in the rotation."
The other option is to move left-hander John Halama back into the rotation. Halama pitched 3 2/3 scoreless innings Monday, keeping the Mariners in the game.
======
tampa bay.......
Starting Rotation To Get New Look
ST. PETERSBURG - Pitcher Ryan Rupe's tender right knee landed him back on the disabled list Tuesday. Coupled with the uncertain status of Wilson Alvarez, the Devil Rays' starting rotation was left up in the air heading into a 15-game stretch against the American League East.
Rupe lasted 2 1/3 innings in a start Monday after spending three weeks on the DL. Although the tendinitis isn't expect to require surgery, he likely will miss at least three more weeks.
He was replaced during his previous absence by rookie Jorge Sosa, who started Tuesday in place of suspended Joe Kennedy.
To replace Rupe on the roster, right-handed reliever Brandon Backe was recalled from Double- A Orlando. Backe, 24, was 4-6 with a 4.68 ERA and two saves in 20 games for Orlando.
Alvarez reported pain in his left elbow after Sunday's start against the Mariners and could go on the disabled list today, creating the need for another starter. His next scheduled start is Saturday against the Blue Jays.
The Rays likely will add one of two starters from Triple-A Durham, either Jason Standridge (7-5, 2.99) or Luis de los Santos (6-1, 2.30) to replace Alvarez in the rotation. Another option is reliever Travis Harper, although Manager Hal McRae has come to depend on Harper out of the bullpen.
=======
yankees....
YANKEE NOTES
TORONTO - When Joe Torre warmed up Mike Thurman in the fifth inning, it was an indication something wasn't right with Ramiro Mendoza.
After the Yankees took a 7-6 win over the Blue Jays last night, Torre admitted Mendoza has been nursing a barking right elbow since pitching an inning Sunday against the Indians.
"It's better today than it was [Monday]. We will see. It's nothing major," Torre said. "It's progressively getting better, he has been throwing in the outfield."
Mendoza, who hasn't undergone any tests, believes he will be available tonight against the Tigers.
"It's a little sore on the inside but it's OK," Mendoza said. "I can pitch tomorrow."
*
Roger Clemens yesterday was at the Yankees' complex in Tampa, where he received treatment and went through a light exercise program that included making 50 tosses at 75 feet from one knee.
Clemens is on the DL with a right groin problem. GM Brian Cashman doesn't know when Clemens will resume throwing off a mound.
Sterling Hitchcock threw off a mound in Tampa yesterday for the second straight day. He is slated to repeat the process today. Hitchcock is on the DL for the second time this year due to a balky back.
*
Steve Karsay will in all likelyhood be a N/A tonight working 3 days in a row with pitch count.
S.Karsay N.Y. Yankees - 2002 Game Log
Date Vs. Score IP H R ER K BB HR Pit.
7/16/2002 @Toronto W 7-6 Relief - W 1.2 2 0 0 1 2 0 25
7/15/2002 @Toronto L 5-8 Relief 1.0 4 2 2 0 1 0 21
7/14/2002 @Cleveland L 7-10 Relief - H 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 5
======
Houston.....
Mathews returns
The Astros activated reliever T.J. Mathews from the disabled list after Tuesday's game and optioned reliever Scott Linebrink to Class AAA New Orleans. Mathews hadn't pitched since May 2 because of a strained right biceps and finished a five-game rehab assignment with a scoreless inning Monday night for Class AA Round Rock.
"I'm pretty excited," he said. "It's been two months. It's really, really hard to miss that much time. At first, you focus on getting yourself healthy, and then it's a matter of taking it a step at a time. You really have to lock in mentally."
His return will give manager Jimy Williams another proven arm for a bullpen that has been one of the National League's best the past month.
Mathews, 32, signed with the Astros shortly before spring training. He split last season with Oakland and St. Louis. In eight big-league seasons, he has a 32-26 record.
Injury update
An MRI on Tuesday revealed no damage to Tim Redding's sore right knee, but the Astros don't expect him to take his next scheduled start Friday in Chicago. They'll monitor his progress the next few days before deciding whether to place him on the disabled list.
"We'll wait and see how it plays out," general manager Gerry Hunsicker said. "That the MRI is clean is encouraging. I'm optimistic we won't have to disable him."
Righthander Nelson Cruz, who left Monday's start after two innings with neck spasms, was better when he showed up at the ballpark Tuesday.
"It's still sore," he said, "but it feels better. It feels like one of those deals where you slept funny. It hurts for a day or so, and then goes away."
If Cruz continues to improve, he'll start Friday at Wrigley Field, then the Astros might recall rookie Kirk Saarloos to start Saturday's game.
Dave Burba, who has a 5.01 ERA, was told last night that he has been moved to the bullpen.
Aaron Myette will be recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma and start Friday at Oakland.
=========
seattle......
FRANKLIN TO FACE ANGELS: Even had Ryan Franklin come up with a great game last night, the experiment that has him in Seattle's rotation might not last past this week.
Even as Piniella was writing Franklin's name in the lineup as last night's starting pitcher, the Seattle manager was reiterating his concern over what Franklin's absence does to the Mariners' bullpen.
"He's so versatile; you can use him in so many roles," Piniella said of Franklin. "I'm not sure we can stay like this. We're just about exhausted."
The idea was for Franklin, a starter throughout his minor league career, to get these starts against Baltimore and Anaheim, then maybe stay in the rotation. The Mariners particularly wanted Franklin, a right-hander, because the second-place Angels are 18-6 against left-handed starters.
Franklin, staked to a 4-0 lead last night, was knocked out of the game by the Orioles' back-to-back three-run innings in the third and fourth.
"He'll start Saturday," Piniella said after the game. "That's not changing."
======
Manager Lou Piniella reiterated he will start Ryan Franklin Saturday in Anaheim.
Franklin started Monday against the Orioles, was staked to a 4-0 lead, then couldn't get out of the fourth inning in a 6-5 loss. All six runs were charged to Franklin, who was activated Monday after spending two weeks on the disabled list because of a viral infection.
"I think he'll be strong next time," Piniella said. "After coming back from strep throat, that might have worn him down a bit, too. It was very hot out there, too."
Franklin has made three starts this season, going 1-2 with a 4.80 earned-run average. His numbers are better in relief -- 3-0 with a 3.82 ERA.
"I think he'll be better in Anaheim," Piniella said.
"After Saturday, we'll take another look at what we want to do with that spot in the rotation."
The other option is to move left-hander John Halama back into the rotation. Halama pitched 3 2/3 scoreless innings Monday, keeping the Mariners in the game.
======
tampa bay.......
Starting Rotation To Get New Look
ST. PETERSBURG - Pitcher Ryan Rupe's tender right knee landed him back on the disabled list Tuesday. Coupled with the uncertain status of Wilson Alvarez, the Devil Rays' starting rotation was left up in the air heading into a 15-game stretch against the American League East.
Rupe lasted 2 1/3 innings in a start Monday after spending three weeks on the DL. Although the tendinitis isn't expect to require surgery, he likely will miss at least three more weeks.
He was replaced during his previous absence by rookie Jorge Sosa, who started Tuesday in place of suspended Joe Kennedy.
To replace Rupe on the roster, right-handed reliever Brandon Backe was recalled from Double- A Orlando. Backe, 24, was 4-6 with a 4.68 ERA and two saves in 20 games for Orlando.
Alvarez reported pain in his left elbow after Sunday's start against the Mariners and could go on the disabled list today, creating the need for another starter. His next scheduled start is Saturday against the Blue Jays.
The Rays likely will add one of two starters from Triple-A Durham, either Jason Standridge (7-5, 2.99) or Luis de los Santos (6-1, 2.30) to replace Alvarez in the rotation. Another option is reliever Travis Harper, although Manager Hal McRae has come to depend on Harper out of the bullpen.
=======
yankees....
YANKEE NOTES
TORONTO - When Joe Torre warmed up Mike Thurman in the fifth inning, it was an indication something wasn't right with Ramiro Mendoza.
After the Yankees took a 7-6 win over the Blue Jays last night, Torre admitted Mendoza has been nursing a barking right elbow since pitching an inning Sunday against the Indians.
"It's better today than it was [Monday]. We will see. It's nothing major," Torre said. "It's progressively getting better, he has been throwing in the outfield."
Mendoza, who hasn't undergone any tests, believes he will be available tonight against the Tigers.
"It's a little sore on the inside but it's OK," Mendoza said. "I can pitch tomorrow."
*
Roger Clemens yesterday was at the Yankees' complex in Tampa, where he received treatment and went through a light exercise program that included making 50 tosses at 75 feet from one knee.
Clemens is on the DL with a right groin problem. GM Brian Cashman doesn't know when Clemens will resume throwing off a mound.
Sterling Hitchcock threw off a mound in Tampa yesterday for the second straight day. He is slated to repeat the process today. Hitchcock is on the DL for the second time this year due to a balky back.
*
Steve Karsay will in all likelyhood be a N/A tonight working 3 days in a row with pitch count.
S.Karsay N.Y. Yankees - 2002 Game Log
Date Vs. Score IP H R ER K BB HR Pit.
7/16/2002 @Toronto W 7-6 Relief - W 1.2 2 0 0 1 2 0 25
7/15/2002 @Toronto L 5-8 Relief 1.0 4 2 2 0 1 0 21
7/14/2002 @Cleveland L 7-10 Relief - H 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 5
======
Houston.....
Mathews returns
The Astros activated reliever T.J. Mathews from the disabled list after Tuesday's game and optioned reliever Scott Linebrink to Class AAA New Orleans. Mathews hadn't pitched since May 2 because of a strained right biceps and finished a five-game rehab assignment with a scoreless inning Monday night for Class AA Round Rock.
"I'm pretty excited," he said. "It's been two months. It's really, really hard to miss that much time. At first, you focus on getting yourself healthy, and then it's a matter of taking it a step at a time. You really have to lock in mentally."
His return will give manager Jimy Williams another proven arm for a bullpen that has been one of the National League's best the past month.
Mathews, 32, signed with the Astros shortly before spring training. He split last season with Oakland and St. Louis. In eight big-league seasons, he has a 32-26 record.
Injury update
An MRI on Tuesday revealed no damage to Tim Redding's sore right knee, but the Astros don't expect him to take his next scheduled start Friday in Chicago. They'll monitor his progress the next few days before deciding whether to place him on the disabled list.
"We'll wait and see how it plays out," general manager Gerry Hunsicker said. "That the MRI is clean is encouraging. I'm optimistic we won't have to disable him."
Righthander Nelson Cruz, who left Monday's start after two innings with neck spasms, was better when he showed up at the ballpark Tuesday.
"It's still sore," he said, "but it feels better. It feels like one of those deals where you slept funny. It hurts for a day or so, and then goes away."
If Cruz continues to improve, he'll start Friday at Wrigley Field, then the Astros might recall rookie Kirk Saarloos to start Saturday's game.
