 | CarGo Leaves, Giambi Heaves - 05/20/2011
BY Drew Silva Veteran Jason Giambi shouldn't have been in the Rockies' starting lineup Thursday night against the Phillies, but hot-hitting first baseman Todd Helton came up with a sore back after sliding into home plate on Wednesday and was unable to go when the lineup was filled out on a rainy Thursday afternoon in the Philadelphia area. And thus began The Night of the Giambino.
Giambi slugged a three-run homer to deep right field in the first inning, a two-run shot in the third, and then added another two-run bomb in the fifth inning. The 35-year-old tied his career-high with seven RBI and became the second-oldest player to launch three home runs in a single game. He entered the game having not managed a hit since April 10.
Friday should bring the return of Helton and Giambi will go back ! to making rare pinch-hitting appearances. But he was an All-World slugger again for one night and the Rockies inched a little closer to first place because of it.
This is the Friday edition of the Daily Dose...
* The Dodgers grew tired of playing games with a short bullpen and finally placed reliever Vicente Padilla on the 15-day disabled list Thursday with forearm discomfort. He's not seriously injured and should return as soon as he's eligible, but the right-hander leaves behind a vacant ninth inning gig and that's something that always perks the ears of good fantasy owners.
Enter Matt Guerrier. The long-time Minnesota setup man has posted a respectable 3.22 ERA and 1.34 WHIP in 22-plus innings this season as a first-year member of the Dodgers' bullpen. He has barely any exper! ience closing games, but the 32-year-old Guerrier boasts a low-90s fas tball, a hard-breaking slider and a decent curve. He has the ability to get batters out in the ninth inning as well as he's done in the eighth and needs to be owned in every eligible fantasy league.
* The Rockies got a jolt of excitement Thursday courtesy of the Giambino, but not everything went according to plan in Philadelphia. Do-everything outfielder Carlos Gonzalez was lifted from Colorado's eventual 7-2 victory after tweaking a muscle in his left groin while running down a fly ball. Ryan Spilborghs finished out the game in left field and could see a couple starts there this weekend if CarGo is ruled out for precautionary reasons.
Gonzalez is off to a slow start this season, batting just 245/.324/.404 with five home runs through his first 42 games. He posted a remarkable .336/.376/! .598 slash line with 34 homers, 117 RBI and 26 stolen bases last year, earning a third-place standing in the National League MVP voting and a big contract extension this winter.
National League Quick Hits: The Phillies scratched Joe Blanton just before his scheduled Thursday start due to lingering elbow discomfort . Shane Victorino is expected to land on the disabled list Friday with hamstring soreness . Mets outfielder Angel Pagan played a second rehab game Thursday at Single-A Port St. Lucie . Matt Holliday is scheduled to return to the Cardinals' lineup Friday . The Cardinals have activated left-handed reliever Bri an Tallet . Mark DeRosa is back on the disabled list with yet another wrist injury . Todd Helton is day-to-day with a sore lower back . Colby Rasmus returned to the St. Louis starting lineup Thursday after battling a strained abdomen for four games . The Mets signed Jason Botts to a minor league contract . Fernando Salas earned his fifth save Thursday against the Astros . Dillon Gee took a no-hitter into the sixth inning Thursday against the Nationals . Orlando Hudson has been activated from the disabled list . Marlins setup man Clay Hensley tossed three scoreless innings Thursday in a Single-A rehab outing . Lance Berkman is likely to miss the Cardinals' weekend series against the Royals due to a sprained right wrist . Aaron Rowand remains day-to-day with a back injury . Pirates catching prospect Tony Sanchez has been benched three games for using Twitter to criticize minor league umpires.
American League Quick Hits: The Red Sox pulled Jos! h Beckett from his Thursday evening start against the Tigers due t o neck stiffness . Tyson Ross was lifted from his Thursday start after just seven pitches due to a left oblique strain . Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts has been placed on the 7-day disabled list with concussion-related headaches . Nelson Cruz will remain on his minor league rehab assignment through Sunday . Adam Lind is about 10 days from returning to the Blue Jays' starting lineup . The Indians will take an MRI of Travis Hafner's sore rib cage on Friday . Josh Hamilton could be activated from the disabled list as early as Monday . Mitch Talbot is aiming to return from the disabled list early next week . Frank Francisco has converted three straight saves as the Blue Jays' closer . Rangers outfielder Endy Chavez is day-to-day with hamstring tightness . Jeff Niemann remains on the disabled list with a back injury and has not begun a throwing program . The Red Sox have signed veteran right-hander Kevin Millwood to a minor league contract . Tra vis Buck is day-to-day with turf toe . The Indians designated right-hander Justin Germano for assignment . Derrek Lee has been placed on the disabled list with a strained left oblique . Justin Morneau hit his second home run of the season Thursday against the A's . Chris Dickerson has been diagnosed with a concussion and could need a stay on the 7-day disabled list . Michael Young was given his first day off of the 2011 regular season on Thursday . Cesar Izturis will un! dergo surgery on his right elbow Tuesday. | | This e-mail is being sent at your request. To stop receiving these e-mails, click here. | |
