Gabbard "in question" for next start

by LSJ on Apr 22, 2008 8:48 PM CDT

Well, Kason Gabbard's back problems might be worse than we thought.

According to TR Sullivan, Gabbard is still feeling "discomfort and stiffness" in his back, and the Rangers are now concerned he won't be able to start on Saturday:

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080422&content_id=2569195&vkey=news_tex&fext=.jsp&c_id=tex

TR cites Sidney Ponson and Pirate Murray as the two likely candidates to replace him, and he also mentiones Doug Mathis, but says nothing of Scott Feldman, interestingly enough.

Personally, I lean toward Mathis, but Murray makes more sense because he's on the 40 man. Ponson shouldn't even be considered though, because he's not worth dropping someone off the 40 for.

Thoughts?

PS - sorry if this is a repost, but I thought it was worth a poll, and I found the insight from TR worth posting.

Poll

Who replaces Kason Gabbard if need-be?

AJ Murray

11 votes

Doug Mathis

8 votes

Sidney Ponson

2 votes

Scott Feldman

10 votes

Eric Hurley

5 votes

36 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

how is

AJ doing at AAA?

"Then, like a**holes, they took it back." -Jeff of Lookout Landing after Hamilton's 9th inning HR on April 1st.

by dstar442005 on Apr 22, 2008 9:19 PM CDT reply actions

He's 2-0

But he has a 5.14 ERA in 4 games, and has given up 22 hits in 21 IP. He has struck out 18 to 7 walks, though.

A Lonestar in California - 2.0

by LSJ on Apr 22, 2008 9:25 PM CDT up reply actions

Ponson

Heres what I think could and should happen.

DFA Melhuise and add on Ponson

Bring up Salty and relegate Laird to backup

Salty has earned his way back to the bigs. Laird has played his way to the bench. Ponson has pitched well at AAA and he is on the same schedule as Gabbard so nobody would be short or long rested. Murray is still getting used to being a starter again and Mathis isn’t on the 40 man. Also you could probably resign Melhuise later in the year when Laird gets traded to be Saltys backup.

by bigsteve on Apr 22, 2008 9:43 PM CDT reply actions

Sounds good to me

Although I’d still rather give those big-league innings to a younger player, but I just don’t like Ponson.

From a practical standpoint though, I agree, since Ponson is on the same schedule as Gabbard, and I think it’s a fair bet things work out that way.

There’s a lot of moves that need to be made right now, and I’m hoping the Rangers will do it all in once foul swoop here when we return home from this road trip.

A Lonestar in California - 2.0

by LSJ on Apr 22, 2008 9:59 PM CDT up reply actions

Ponson

His contract gives him that out clause here in another week anyway and he has pitched well enough in AAA that some team would most likely sign him. So might as well see if you have something while you can. Like I said in another thread if a young pitcher has to be added to the 40 man and brought up it will most likely be Hurley before Mathis.

by bigsteve on Apr 22, 2008 10:18 PM CDT up reply actions