BULLET-POINT STYLE!
- Nyjer Morgan's hearing on his seven-game suspension for the fan incident in Philly is Sept. 7. Could he be facing another one for the flipper incident Saturday night? With all the excitement over the entire weekend (Storen plunking Holliday Thursday night, Morgan running into Anderson Saturday, Storen throwing behind Holliday Sunday), maybe Tony LaRussa makes a call to the league office to take a closer look at Morgan's "inexcusable" play, according to Jim Riggleman. At this point, would Riggs care too much about losing Morgan for a week? Would you?
- Lot of speculation recently about September call-ups. I don't have any inside knowledge yet, but I'd be real surprised if Danny Espinosa would be included. He's jumped two levels already this year, I just don't think Mike Rizzo wants to put that type of pressure on him yet. I do expect him to compete for the 2B job in the spring though. He's still the only minor leaguer to record a 20-20 season thus far.
- Livan Hernadez re-signed yesterday. Oh boy. Look, I am as surprised as anyone with the success he's had this year, but it's simply not sustainable. As an insurance policy, a la Tim Wakefield, I guess you can accept it. But the idea that one of the five spots next season is already reserved for Livo kinda makes me sad. Another product of the Strasburg injury.
- As usual, I'll be appearing on "Nats Weekly" on PrimeSportsNetwork.com this evening at 5:30 pm. We'l be talking about the Strasburg injury, re-capping last week's games, guessing/predicting the roster for next year, and dreaming about the minor league talent with Brian Oliver from Nats Farm Authority.
If I'm not mistaken, didn't Rizzo essentially say during the broadcast on Saturday that Espinosa would be called up?
Anon, if he did, I didn't hear it as I was in the press box. I'll look into it. Thanks.
Of course Espinosa is coming up. If you expect him to compete for the starting 2B job next year you have to give him some MLB at bats this September. It's not like Kennedy is tearing it up out there.
Also, resigning Livo for a mere $1 million was absolutely the right move. We're seeing this year how valuable it is to have a guy who can MAKE 33 starts without getting injured. Also, he'll be there to mentor Maya in his transition to the majors.
Even if Livo's ERA balloons by another run over where it is now it's still worth it.
bdrube's right. If suddenly Livo pitches badly, you drop Miguel Batista and put Livo there.
Speaking of which, how about we give Batista a little credit:
1) the guy's 140 years old.
2) he's done pretty much whatever he was asked to do.
3) an ERA of 4.11 isn't that bad for a setup guy.
4) he's 7th on the team in innings pitched. Better him than Mike Bascik.
4) if it weren't for him, I'd have never seen Miss Iowa in a bikini. Rowr.