Frayed Knot

Friday [u:3io6rgly]7:35[/u:3io6rgly] (Atlanta does that late start thing on Friday's only): Niese vs Eric Stults Stults is a 35 y/o lefty who showed up via one of the 17 separate trades the Braves & Padres made this past winter. He's heading into his 9th ML season with his 5th ML team (LAD, CHW, COL, SD). Is a career 35-43 (not helped by an 8-17 in 2014) with a 4.12 ERA/1.34 WHiP in 126 games/104 starts. Saturday 7:05 -- Gee vs Julio Teheran Braves going with the 4-man rotation for now so Teheran gets his 2nd start of the year. Held Miami to 1 run over 6 IP, 8 hits, 4 K, 1 BB on opening day Sunday 1:35 -- Colon vs Alex Wood Wood (LHP) started 24 games last year (plus 11 in relief) with an ERA (2.78) better than his 11-11 record. Is 0-2/4.10 vs NYM over 5 starts. Gave up 2 runs over 5 innings vs Miami in his 1st start of the year. Braves swept the Marlins giving up only 5 runs over the whole series. Pen: Jason Grilli seems like the titular closer and has 2 saves already this year. Also Jim Johnson (the former closer in Baltimore until his ERA shot to 7+ last year), Brandon Cunniff (a 26 y/o rookie), Cody Martin (25 y/o rookie), Luis Avilan (LH - 4th season w/Braves), Juan Jamie (27 y/o - ML debut last June), Andrew McKirahan (2nd lefty, has yet to appear)

You understand that in MASK there was all kinds of makeup and prosthetics, but Eric Stults doesn't look anything like he did back in SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL or MEMPHIS BELLE either. Nice that he found a second career though.

As Butch might have said to Sundance while looking over the roster of the 2015 Atlanta Braves: Who are these guys? It�s almost easier to start with who�s NOT there as following a two-year period in which they traded for or signed (both from the outside and from within) numerous players to long-term deals. But then starting the middle of last year with the bailing out of Dan Uggla's contract despite still owing many millions, they've spent the last six+ months undoing many of those transactions. The most notably departed is their entire 2014 starting outfield of Jason Heyward + Upton x2. Also sent packing: the 400 PAs of Evan Gattis; at 2nd base the 145 PAs of Dan Uggla (145) plus Tommy LaStella and Tyler Pastornicky who were supposed to replace Uggla at 2nd; on the mound they need to replace the 31 starts they got in �14 from Ervin Santana, the 33 from Aaron Harang, and the 25 from Mike Minor; and if you look to the bullpen you won�t find Craig Kimbrel, or Jordan Walden, or Anthony Vavaro, or Eric O�Flaherty, or David Carpenter. And of course there were various role players who won't be back. Cast and crew for 2015 so far: 1B - Freddie Freeman 2B - Jace Peterson (24 y/o former 1S draft pick by SD, had 63 ML ABs prior to this season) SS - Andreton Simmons 3B - either Alberto Callaspo (formerly of Oak, LAA, KC, ARZ) or one of several Johnsons: Chris (Atl last year) or Kelly (Brave back in 2005-09) OF - Kelly Johnson, Cameron Maybin (Det, Mia, SD), Nick Markakis (Balt), Jonny Gomes (Bos et al) C - Christian Bethancourt (113 ABs w/Atl in '14) & AJ Pierzynski That's enough for now ... I'm exhausted

d'Kong76 wrote: Gary adds an interesting (amazing) factoid: he was first player in history to hit a walk-off home run in his first game on any of the New York teams ever. Hard to believe with the Yanks, Giants, Dodgers and Mets all on that list it took until 1985 for it to happen. Nuh-uh, Jeter hit a walk-off HR on the first day with his team TWICE!!!!

Edgy MD wrote: The phrase "taken significant value from him," seems so heartless, in that it suggest the injury isn't to the person but to the asset. And then reading your afterword, it further seems that he's writing about Mejia not as a person or as an asset, but as a doubly abstract fantasy asset. Like I said, he may be writing as the go-to medical guy but he's doing so for a fantasy outlet -- and not just an outlet that caters to fantasy players but one that's in business specifically to SELL fantasy games -- so that kind of language may be disturbing but it's not unexpected. Assets are the way ones thinks about players when they're betting on them on a day to day basis.

I guess their idea with Uggla is to give him every chance to show what he has while Rendon is out. Espinosa is a similar high-power/low-average hitter although a MUCH better fielder, but they probably figure they know what they have in him while Uggla gets from now until the bodies (Rendon, Span, Werth) start getting healthy to show why they shouldn't just dump him. Unlike the Braves last year, the Nats aren't committed to any money beyond the ML minimum. In the meantime, let's hit it to him a lot.

According to Will Carroll, BBWAA member and author of Saving the Pitcher and The Carroll Guide to Sports Injuries, �With each pitch, Mejia is likely �slamming the elbow,� as pitching coaches and doctors describe it,�. As his arm extends with the pitch, the bones of the upper and forearm are either actually contacting or putting severe stress on the connective structures.� He goes on to argue that Jenrry needs to alter his delivery or face a repeat of the same problem later on. �Mejia�s injury is one that recurs and apparently has, so while he�s worth keeping an eye on, this injury has likely taken significant value from him,� Carroll concludes and that with proper rehab he's on a path for a late April/early May return. Carroll was at one time with, I think it was, Baseball Prospectus where he ran the injury beat -- this is from 'Fan Duel Insider', essentially a fantasy tout sheet although that alone doesn't make it inaccurate. But I seem to recall him seeming a little too sure of what was often guesswork on his part being passed of as if insider info. Fantasy players of course are looking for every edge they can get (particularly as these one-day competitions become more popular) and so are liable towards swallowing up this sort of thing as if carved in stone the same way NFL fans listen to any pre-game "analysis" that they think will tilt their Sunday bets in the right direction. So take all this for what it is.

Not a big deal but it's good to see anyway. Despite their vagabond ways recently on the AAA level, the NYM & Bingo is one of the longest continuous relationships going.

Colon - 4.0 CTorres - 0.5 Familia - 0.5 Blevins - 0.15 Carlyle - 0.25 Duda - 2.3 d'Aranaud - 1.8 Grandrson - 0.5

40 years ago today, April 8, 1975, Frank Robinson becomes MLB's first black manager. Player/manager in fact, he batted himself 2nd in the DH slot where he HR'd in his first AB off Yanqui hurler Doc Medich. Indians beat Yanx 5-3

Not only still kicking around but has landed in our division. Has yet to make an appearance in either of the first two games for the Braves but there's a decent chance we could see him this weekend. PLAYERML DebutFirst ClubLast ClubLast Date Played2015?ALEX RODRIGUEZJul 8, 1994MarinersYankees��First game played since 9/25/13LaTROY HAWKINSApr 29, 1995TwinsRockiesWith RockiesJASON GIAMBIMay 8, 1995A�sIndiansSep 27, 2014Formally RetiredDEREK JETERMay 29, 1995YankeesYankeesSep 28, 2014Formally RetiredJAMEY WRIGHTJul 3, 1996RockiesDodgersSept 27, 2014Released by Texas on 3/31ERIC CHAVEZAug 27, 1986A�sD�BacksJun 8, 2014Formally RetiredRAUL IBANEZSep 1, 1996MarinersRoyalsSep 28, 2014Formally RetiredBARTOLO COLONApr 4, 1997IndiansMetsOpening Day StarterTORII HUNTERJul 8, 1997TwinsTigers��Back with TwinsDAVID ORTIZSep 2, 1997TwinsRed Sox----Red SoxPAUL KONERKOSep 8, 1997DodgersWhite SoxSep 28, 2014Formally RetiredARAMIS RAMIREZMay 26, 1998PiratesBrewers��Has said this will be his final season=#0000BF]ADRIAN BELTREJun 24, 1998=#0000BF]Dodgers=#0000BF]Rangers����BRUCE CHENSep 7, 1998BravesRoyalsAug 28, 2014in Cleveland org=#0000BF]AJ PIERZYNSKISep 9, 1998=#0000BF]Twins=#0000BF]Cardinals��=#0000BF]Is #2 backstop on the Braves=#0000BF]CARLOS BELTRANSep 14, 1998=#0000BF]Royals=#0000BF]Yankees��=#0000BF]Still embracing the dark sideJOE NATHANApr 21, 1999GiantsTigers��Got a save on ODKYLE FARNSWORTHApr 29, 1999CubsAstrosJun 25, 2014???TIM HUDSONJun 8, 1999A'sGiants��Turns 40 in JulyRANDY WOLFJun 11, 1999PhilliesMarlinsJun 14, 2014???JOHN McDONALDJul 4, 1999IndiansAngelsSep 28, 2014???AJ BURNETTAug 17, 1999MarlinsPirates����BUDDY CARLYLEAug 29, 1999PadresMets��1st save ever on OD!!JOSE MOLINASep 6, 1999CubsRaysSep 28, 2014???ALFONSO SORIANOSep 14, 1999YankeesYankeesJuly 5, 2014Formally Retired

Oh Johan's signed lots of contracts since then, signs one virtually every year. It's just that none of those deals ever get him to the majors, nor, as far as getting into actual competition, even to the minors. And this quiz is for active 2015 ML players. Beltre, on the other hand, is correct. As is Beltran. So now we're looking for the last guy, the one who came up with the Twins and is currently playing for ... well, we'll see him soon enough.

Frayed Knot wrote: A Boy Named Seo wrote: Marlins get Mat Latos. He seems like a Marlin. I already hatted Mat Latos so now that he's in the division I can hat him even more. First start as Marlin -- 7 earned in 2/3 of an inning vs Braves. Go console yourself by getting another tattoo.

d'Kong76 wrote: Mets placed RHP Jenrry Mejia on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 5, with posterior inflammation in his right elbow. I've had posterior inflammation before ... but it never had anything to do with my elbow.

Johan hasn't thrown a major or minor league pitch since 2012.

I filled in the first ML club for the remaining three (lot's of original Twins on this list!!) You guys are going to hate yourselves for not coming up with one of these. PLAYERML DebutFirst ClubLast ClubLast Date Played2015?ALEX RODRIGUEZJul 8, 1994MarinersYankees��First game played since 9/25/13LaTROY HAWKINSApr 29, 1995TwinsRockiesWith RockiesJASON GIAMBIMay 8, 1995A�sIndiansSep 27, 2014Formally RetiredDEREK JETERMay 29, 1995YankeesYankeesSep 28, 2014Formally RetiredJAMEY WRIGHTJul 3, 1996RockiesDodgersSept 27, 2014Released by Texas on 3/31ERIC CHAVEZAug 27, 1986A�sD�BacksJun 8, 2014Formally RetiredRAUL IBANEZSep 1, 1996MarinersRoyalsSep 28, 2014Formally RetiredBARTOLO COLONApr 4, 1997IndiansMetsOpening Day StarterTORII HUNTERJul 8, 1997TwinsTigers��Back with TwinsDAVID ORTIZSep 2, 1997TwinsRed Sox----Red SoxPAUL KONERKOSep 8, 1997DodgersWhite SoxSep 28, 2014Formally RetiredARAMIS RAMIREZMay 26, 1998PiratesBrewers��Has said this will be his final season��Jun 24, 1998=#0000BF]Dodgers������BRUCE CHENSep 7, 1998BravesRoyalsAug 28, 2014in Cleveland org��Sep 9, 1998=#0000BF]Twins��������Sep 14, 1998=#0000BF]Royals������JOE NATHANApr 21, 1999GiantsTigers��Got a save on ODKYLE FARNSWORTHApr 29, 1999CubsAstrosJun 25, 2014???TIM HUDSONJun 8, 1999A'sGiants��Turns 40 in JulyRANDY WOLFJun 11, 1999PhilliesMarlinsJun 14, 2014???JOHN McDONALDJul 4, 1999IndiansAngelsSep 28, 2014???AJ BURNETTAug 17, 1999MarlinsPirates����BUDDY CARLYLEAug 29, 1999PadresMets��1st save ever on OD!!JOSE MOLINASep 6, 1999CubsRaysSep 28, 2014???ALFONSO SORIANOSep 14, 1999YankeesYankeesJuly 5, 2014Formally Retired

Oh I'd still take him (depending on the price of course and keeping in mind that he can be a FA at the end of the year). He's always been prone to mistakes in the field (he's better now than he was early on in his career) but also makes some real athletic plays and I could put up with some erratic-ness on D in exchange for 20 HRs & 60 XBH/year.

Endy didn't debut until 5/29/01 -- he also got released by the Mariners right before the season so he misses qualifying on both ends.

Rubin: Closer Jenrry Mejia was diagnosed with inflammation and received a cortisone injection in his right elbow, but an MRI taken Tuesday in New York did not reveal any tears. Mejia was examined by team doctor David Altchek at the Hospital for Special Surgery a day after experiencing pain in his right elbow. He was unable to enter for the ninth inning on Opening Day at Nationals Park. It is not yet clear whether Mejia will be placed on the disabled list. The Mets are off Tuesday and have a little time to make a determination. Regardless, pitchers generally must remain idle for at least 48 hours after receiving a cortisone injection. So Jeurys Familia should be closing for at least the remainder of the series against the Washington Nationals. Mejia underwent Tommy John surgery in 2011.

Just saying that I, for one, never took Al's 'back story' as literal truth. It didn't matter to me whether it was testimonial and made up out of whole cloth; it was enjoyable either way. I also seem to recall him being pretty deft at ducking direct answers if and when someone would start fishing for clues. Bottom line: No, I don't believe he ever revealed where he pitched, and I'd go no higher than maybe 20% that the whole minor league career thing ever happened in the first place.

I just made up Oliver. Was trying out something alliterative.

Edgy MD wrote: Here's an angle: Do we have any idea which organizations he pitched with? Do we have any idea as to whether his pitching career ever actually happened?

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Joe Nathan struck out Torii Hunter yesterday to end the Twins-Tigers game. Sort of.

Mets Guy in Michigan wrote: I think I saw that Frenchy is still playing. Yes, but only since 2005 for him. It's easy to forget that he's all of 31 y/o right now. As far as who Billy Marlin + Oliver Oriole is supposed to represent, I have no idea.

PLAYERML DebutFirst ClubLast ClubLast Date Played2015?ALEX RODRIGUEZJul 8, 1994MarinersYankees��First game played since 9/25/13LaTROY HAWKINSApr 29, 1995TwinsRockiesWith RockiesJASON GIAMBIMay 8, 1995A�sIndiansSep 27, 2014Formally RetiredDEREK JETERMay 29, 1995YankeesYankeesSep 28, 2014Formally RetiredJAMEY WRIGHTJul 3, 1996RockiesDodgersSept 27, 2014Released by Texas on 3/31ERIC CHAVEZAug 27, 1986A�sD�BacksJun 8, 2014Formally RetiredRAUL IBANEZSep 1, 1996MarinersRoyalsSep 28, 2014Formally RetiredBARTOLO COLONApr 4, 1997IndiansMetsOpening Day StarterTORII HUNTERJul 8, 1997TwinsTigers��Back with TwinsDAVID ORTIZSep 2, 1997TwinsRed Sox----Red SoxPAUL KONERKOSep 8, 1997DodgersWhite SoxSep 28, 2014Formally RetiredARAMIS RAMIREZMay 26, 1998PiratesBrewers��Has said this will be his final season��Jun 24, 1998��������BRUCE CHENSep 7, 1998BravesRoyalsAug 28, 2014in Cleveland org��Sep 9, 1998����������Sep 14, 1998��������JOE NATHANApr 21, 1999GiantsTigers��Got a save on ODKYLE FARNSWORTHApr 29, 1999CubsAstrosJun 25, 2014???TIM HUDSONJun 8, 1999A'sGiants��Turns 40 in JulyRANDY WOLFJun 11, 1999PhilliesMarlinsJun 14, 2014???JOHN McDONALDJul 4, 1999IndiansAngelsSep 28, 2014???AJ BURNETTAug 17, 1999MarlinsPirates����BUDDY CARLYLEAug 29, 1999PadresMets��1st save ever on OD!!JOSE MOLINASep 6, 1999CubsRaysSep 28, 2014???ALFONSO SORIANOSep 14, 1999YankeesYankeesJuly 5, 2014Formally Retired