Chone Figgins left last night’s game against Chicago after a fracas in the Mariners’ dugout. Figgins simply decided, it appeared, not to chase a throw from left fielder Michael Saunders to second base that air mailed the cutoff man. It rolled past second with seeming indifference from Figgins and Mike Cameron went to third as a result. Manager Don Wakamatsu and Figgins got into a shouting match in the dugout after the inning ended and Figgins need to be restrained by several teammates. He was lifted for a pinch hitter and spent the rest of the game in the clubhouse. This a classic adding-insult-to-injury scenario for Figgins who is down to .229 for the year with 22 RBI. He has stolen 25 however so it hasn’t been a total loss for his owners. We’ll have a better gauge of the long-term fall out, if any, when the club gets to the ball park today. This stuff happens more than you think, just not so much on the dugout. Everyone will most-likely work it out in short order.
Dustin Pedroia sounds very resistant to the idea of a minor league rehab assignment and is playing catch and taking grounders with a boot on his left foot. Chances are the Sox aren’t going to think about letting him play until they get back to Boston on the 30th and he can be evaluated. From there it’s anyone’s guess but it’s hard to imagine, with three affiliates within 90 minutes of Fenway, than he wouldn’t take 3 or 4 ABs with one of them before facing off against an MLB pitcher. The take away news here is that Pedroia could be playing in the majors by the end of the first week of August.
Orioles interim manager Juan Samuel gave Nick Markakis a night off last night. He’s hitting .296 with a .380 OBP but his 6 HRs so far has been a disappointment. Two points to consider … He’s leading the majors with 32 doubles and he’s posted a very unfavorable 5.2% HR/FB percentage, nearly half of his career 10.1%. That’s going to correct itself. Chances are that Nick’s owners will be rewarded for a little patience here.
INDIANS ROTATION – Aaron Laffey was placed on the 15-day DL on Friday with left shoulder fatigue. Many Acta wouldn’t speculate on how long Laffey would be out, and as the move makes room for Shin-Soo Choo who came off the DL yesterday, this very well could be an injury of convenience. Justin Masterson will pitch on Sunday in Laffey’s place. Jake Westbrook will go Monday in Masterson’s place, and the Indians will look to AAA Columbus for Tuesday’s game. My guess, and it isn’t much more than a guess, is that it could be Carlos Carrasco.
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