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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