Jorge Cantu was
recalled by the Rays on Tuesday after a tumultuous spring and a limp
minor league stint in which he hit .267 without a homerun. He didn't
play in yesterday's game against the Yankees and it's hard to see where
he would fit into the lineup. Ty Wiggintonand B.J. Upton are
clearly ahead of Cantu on the depth chart but Carlos Pena has a hole
against left-handed pitchers where Cantu could fit. Keep a close eye on
this one. Cantu has limited fantasy value this morning, but he is still
just 25-years-old and he is talented. Should he take the ball and run
here in whatever opportunity he gets, that could open up some PT for
him in Tampa or give his trade value the goose it needs to facilitate a
trade.
Nick Swisher left
yesterday's game with strained left hamstring. We'll know more when the
press gets to the ballpark today but I wouldn't be terribly surprised
at this point if the A's have to DL Swisher. They tend to wait a bit on
these decision however so they may wait a bit before making a move. For
his part Swisher said after the game that he was "fine" and he doesn't
expect to need a stint on the DL. Hope for the best, we will keep you
posted.
The
Tampa press reports that Akinori
Iwamura's strained right oblique will keep him sidelined
4-6 weeks. He was placed on the DL yesterday after finishing the game
on Monday. Ty Wigginton will take over his duties at third for now and
Carlo Pena will play first base for the Rays. Manager Joe Maddon
suggested also that he will take a look at the newly recalled Jorge
Cantu at first base and then "spotting him against the appropriate
pitchers" (read : lefties).
Chein-Ming Wang lost
his season debut in Tampa on Tuesday, allowing 4 runs in 6.1 IP on 9
hits without a walk. He struck out 3. Wang strained his right hamstring
on March 23 and he returns to a Yankee staff in disarray. The
fact that he lasted past the 6th was a boost for the Yankees but Wang
owners hope for better going forward. Wang remains an underrated
pitcher but it is tricky not to overrate him instead. His low K rate
(3.1/9 2006) and generally average WHIP (last year) 1.31 means that he
needs to limit his walks (and he does 2.1/9 in '06) and HRs (0.5/9). We
do nothave enough history on Wang to know whether he can consistently
dance on the fine edge of those thin margins. What his biggest asset in
this regard is, however, is his ability to throw groundballs (3.0 GB
ratio last year). That is a repeatable trait. In fact, Wang got 11 GBOs
last night. In addition, he didn't walk a batter and didn't allow a
homerun. The bottom line is that there was nothing in his return start
that should make you hesitate to activate him. He gets the Red Sox and
Julian Tavares in the Bronx Sunday.
Fausto Carmona
pitched well against the Twins and Johan Santana on Tuesday gaining his
first win of the year to even his record at 1-1. Carmona gave up 2 runs
in 7.2 IP on 6 hits and 2 walks while striking out 2. he got 12 GBOs
and was efficient, needing 96 pitches. This pairs quick
nicely with a good start against the Yankees in his last outing (2 runs
in 6 IP on 6 hits, a walk, and 2 K) to lower his season ERA to 5.00.
Currently Carmona is filling in for the injured Cliff Lee and currently
he presents as a poor man's Chein-Ming Wang in that he has presented a
low K rate (4.0/9 this year). Like Wang he's controlled his walks
(1.6/9) but he's given up the long ball at 1.5 per 9. In AAA last year
he was a different pitcher, striking out 9.1/9 but so far this year
that punch out ability hasn't shown. Carmona throws quite a few GBs
(2.2 GB ratio career in the majors in 92.2 IP) and has always been
stingy with the homers. If he can keep his walk rate where it is and
get his K rate between 6 and 7/9 he has a chance. Right now he has an
opportunity with Lee out and he has earned our attention with two good
starts. Let's see if he can make good on it.
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