Saturday, May 14, 2005 |
Pickoff Moves, Mid-Day Edition
Gagné Activated
Eric Gagné is reactivated after appealing his suspension. To make room for him on the 25-man roster, Steve Schmoll was sent down to AAA Las Vegas.Angels Split Twinbill
Didn't watch either the Angels' 4-2 win or their 3-2 loss. (I was at the CSULB game watching the Dirtbags lose, 4-1, to a fine Cal Poly squad.) Now that the pitching's working on all cylinders, the offense has vanished.Oakland's Closed Door Meeting
A brief mention of this AP item, in which the 14-21 A's try to decide on a plan for their 2005 before the season's irretrievably lost.The A's entered a six-game homestand Friday night with a season-long five-game losing streak. Oakland, which made the playoffs in four of the past five seasons, had lost eight of nine overall to fall a season-worst six games below .500.That can't possibly be their big plan. But -- well, no it wasn't. They called up outfielder Matt Watson (.305/.378/.461 in 2,087 minor league at bats) instead; he's starting in left for the A's in tonight's contest against the Yankees.Beane, who didn't return a phone call seeking comment, could be contemplating changes to his roster. [You think?] Three team officials confirmed the meeting, saying Beane focused on personnel matters and gave a vote of confidence to his staff. [Something I'm sure he says just before one of them gets the axe.]
...
Not surprisingly, first baseman Dan Johnson's name came up in the meeting. Oakland's top hitting prospect began the day batting .305 with six homers and 29 RBIss in 34 games for Triple-A Sacramento, and he seems ready for a promotion.
It's difficult to know how long the A's can afford to keep both designated hitter Erubiel Durazo and first baseman Scott Hatteberg in the lineup while still giving Johnson enough playing time once he is called up. Durazo began the day hitting .248 with just four homers, while Hatteberg was batting .264.
Update: after three innings, Yankees 9, A's 1; all nine earned runs belong to Joe Blanton, who appears to have turned back into the barnyard animal he was pre-fairy-godmother.
In related news, A's starter Rich Harden, who was injured in Friday's game, appears healthy enough to avoid the DL.
Scott Rolen Has Surgery, Out 4-6 Weeks
Scott Rolen, who was injured in a collision with Hee Seop Choi, will undergo surgery and miss "a minimum of 4-6 weeks" of the season.
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