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Pitching by committee tonight

610x_medium_tiny by Longhorn on

Per Evan Grant

Warner Madrigal will start. No Michael Ballard. Don't think Madrigal can pitch more than three innings.

Not sure on the reasoning for deciding on the bullpen over Ballard, but we'll get you an explanation soon enough.

 

And a little REM to take up some space:

It's the end of the world as we know it.
It's the end of the world as we know it.
It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine.

 

1 recs | Comment 90 comments

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probably

to keep from sending Harrison down. Bullpen gives a better chance to win than Ballard.

Chris Davis: He hits home runs.

by dstar442005 on Jul 9, 2008 3:52 PM CDT   0 recs

also

it seems obvious to me that we are attempting to trade Padilla. If not, he would have been on the DL days ago.

Chris Davis: He hits home runs.

by dstar442005 on Jul 9, 2008 3:54 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't think so

Having to add ballard and bring him up shows how thin we are pitching wise. I think we are just trying to keep our options as open as possible and putting padilla or anyone on the DL closes that option for a certain amount of time.

Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.

by bigsteve on Jul 9, 2008 3:56 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I think we really need

another good start out of Padilla before we start shopping him

"that suzuki guy should go back to making cars" - My girlfriend after C.J.'s close in game 2

by tdi1985 on Jul 9, 2008 4:19 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

So is Ballard coming up at all?

That would suck for the guy to think he is going to start his first ever big league game and then not be called up at all. I imagine he had probably told his parents who probably made a trip into town to watch and everything.

Not that i disagree with the move just feel bad for the guy

Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.

by bigsteve on Jul 9, 2008 3:54 PM CDT   0 recs

yep

Chris Davis: He hits home runs.

by dstar442005 on Jul 9, 2008 3:55 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

well, JD never said anything about this, i don't think...

it seemed like this was pure speculation from the beginning…

"I really think JD is probably going to be one of the best things ever to happen to the Rangers." - Longhorn, May 27th, 2007

by Longhorn on Jul 9, 2008 3:59 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

It was on texasrangers.com

Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.

by bigsteve on Jul 9, 2008 4:02 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

i agree with this assessment...

...Ballard should use this as motivation that the big-club didn’t take him serious enough…

...and throw the third no-hitter by a Rangers minor-league pitcher this year.

by oc on Jul 9, 2008 5:22 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

nice

im surprised to see him skip AA, but hopefully this opens up a spot in bakersfield for my prospect holland or maybe even gomez. Plus this hopefully doesnt stunt the development of hyatt by sticking him in the pen even though that is probably ultimately where he belongs.

I'm sorry my parents never had me sarcamsized.

by rchawk12 on Jul 9, 2008 4:00 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I think that is just a spot

the OKC staff is short right now. He probably goes back down soon.

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Jul 9, 2008 4:01 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Stop The Presses, Arias took another walk!!!

"...my balls are really like a veiny flesh color" blueballlefty on Jun 4, 2008 7:44 PM EDT
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
"If you ain't got no money, ain't nobody calls you honey," Bo Diddley

by Rodney on Jul 9, 2008 4:59 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

trade him

I hope JD can sucker some other team to trade for him.

"An effortless 98" - Scott Gardner after Neftali Feliz's first AA pitch

by RangerMad on Jul 9, 2008 5:01 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Ugh

Im glad that it seems harrison is going to stick around, especially since mendoza belongs in the pen (I know we have to give him more than a couple of starts, but I have been saying he belongs in the pen for a while now), but I was having a hard enough time getting pumped up to see ballard, and now this. I picked a great time to go make the trek out to Arlington.

Here is hoping I am surprised and run my record to 2-0.

I'm sorry my parents never had me sarcamsized.

by rchawk12 on Jul 9, 2008 3:58 PM CDT   0 recs

Harrison

Does this mean he’s sticking around?

Go Strangers.

by hightowersmith on Jul 9, 2008 3:59 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

All right!

Let’s go Mad Dog! 4 games over .500 here we come, yeah!

Call 1-800-DOCTORB. The B is for bargain!

by Panorama on Jul 9, 2008 3:59 PM CDT   0 recs

Mad Dog

starting against his former team.

by coolaid on Jul 9, 2008 4:00 PM CDT   0 recs

Heh,

yeah, didn’t think of that. Very, very cool. Hope he smokes ‘em.

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Jul 9, 2008 4:10 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

While this might ultimately be the right move...

it is kind of embarrassing to go up against your division leader and rival with a bullpen member as your starter…and he is only assumed to go a max three innings.

It will be interesting at least. And, I guess some of the sting is taken off that it will be Warner Madrigal because I’m sure the Angels have felt some embarrassment about him already themselves.

by ghostofErikThompson on Jul 9, 2008 4:01 PM CDT   0 recs

Embarr....

Who should be embarrassed by this? Ranger mgmt vs Angels mgmt. Are you really worried about that? Ranger bloggers vs Angel bloggers. Kind of ridiculous, if you ask me. National perception. If a trees falls in a forest and no one was there to hear it …..
Angels have a better rotation when both teams are at full strength, but if the Angels had the number of injuries we’ve had, they’d be scrambling on occasion themselves.

by mcgee48c on Jul 9, 2008 4:20 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Having to have an emergency sport start from member of the bullpen...

isn’t exactly a best case scenario. And on Angel bloggers, I’m pretty sure they think of the Rangers as an embarrassment regardless. I could care less about them. However, imagine if you were hardworking Joe bringing your family to the park to catch a game and you see your team is starting member of the pen against the team leading the division. You’d kind of slump your shoulders a little, I’m sure.

That said, I hope Warner and his Bros in the pen kick massive amounts of ass tonight.

by ghostofErikThompson on Jul 9, 2008 4:36 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Probably just want to keep

Rupe just like he is, the long guy in the bullpen. Besides, it’s a nice up yours to the Angels to start Warner, a guy who should be in their pen right now had they screwed up the paperwork.

by Hull Fan on Jul 9, 2008 4:07 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Rupe first

I probably would have gone with Rupe to start. He is the more experienced pitcher. Hopefully Madrigal and Rupe go 6 innings which would setup the bullpen as usual. If either of them ends up throwing too many pitches they can be sent down on Thursday. They have options.

"An effortless 98" - Scott Gardner after Neftali Feliz's first AA pitch

by RangerMad on Jul 9, 2008 4:12 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Rupe

I think alot of it has to do with repetition. It is completely different getting ready to pitch out of the bullpen than starting. With Rupe being an established bullpen guy you don’t want to screw that rhythm up. Madrigal has only been up a week or so and probably doesn’t have that rhythm down yet and certainly doesn’t have the seniority. Let Rupe stay comfortable in the pen and bring him in in the 2nd or 3rd inning

Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.

by bigsteve on Jul 9, 2008 4:22 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Roopaloop

has only gone more than one inning once since June 8th.

"...my balls are really like a veiny flesh color" blueballlefty on Jun 4, 2008 7:44 PM EDT
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
"If you ain't got no money, ain't nobody calls you honey," Bo Diddley

by Rodney on Jul 9, 2008 5:02 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm guessing

they wanted to avoid a roster move in case they want/need Harrison to start again on Sunday without putting Padilla on the DL.

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Jul 9, 2008 4:03 PM CDT   0 recs

Jamey speculates

That it might be because they feared Ballard being claimed.

by brettgardner on Jul 9, 2008 4:06 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

If some team has a spot on the 40

Why not take a chance, claim him then option him back to the minors. For a team like the Pirates, every extra arm helps. Wouldn’t you?

by Hull Fan on Jul 9, 2008 4:10 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

well

It’s my understanding that there is currently an open spot on the 40, plus Jennings could be moved to the 60 day DL. So Ballard could have been added to the 40, then optioned back to the minors without being DFA’d, and there still would have been some wiggle room on the 40..

Warner Madrigal makes Ezequiel Astacio look downright handsome.

by tricer on Jul 9, 2008 4:13 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

true

But the reason they were going to DFA him is looking to this winter when we will need the roster spots. Ballard doesn’t have to go on for another year so bringing him up makes less sense than say a Michael Schlact who has to go on this winter. If the rangers are going to add him now would be a good time since he is going to be added anyway this winter.

Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.

by bigsteve on Jul 9, 2008 4:20 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Ballard against LH at Frisco this year

44 AB, .250/.283/.273, 1.59 BB/9, 11.12 K/9.

I can see why the Rangers might be scared to let a potential future LOOGY slip away for no really good reason.

Baseball Time in Arlington

by jamcadbury on Jul 9, 2008 5:25 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Speaking of LOOGYs

Is Rheiny still alive.

"So you think the Celtics will beat Detroit? Hell will freeze over before that happens, mark my words." miles 5/20/08

by badradiorules on Jul 9, 2008 6:29 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Latest I've heard

He’s throwing again after minor shoulder surgery in May. We should start to hear more about his ongoing rehab as the month further progresses.

Baseball Time in Arlington

by jamcadbury on Jul 9, 2008 6:38 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

thanks

"So you think the Celtics will beat Detroit? Hell will freeze over before that happens, mark my words." miles 5/20/08

by badradiorules on Jul 9, 2008 6:41 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

from JD
“The 40-man roster was a consideration but the first priority was to put the best team on the field,” Daniels said. “We don’t want to tie up the roster but that was secondary to putting the best team on the field. This gives us a better chance of winning tonight. We’re only five days away from the All-Star break and then we’ll get four days off. Even if the bullpen is taxed, they’ll have some time to recover.”

it was all about the 40

"I really think JD is probably going to be one of the best things ever to happen to the Rangers." - Longhorn, May 27th, 2007

by Longhorn on Jul 9, 2008 4:07 PM CDT   0 recs

I hate to say told you so

But this was the first thing that popped in my mind when they first mentioned this plan to bring him up and then DFA him immediately. I imagine we learned our lesson about DFAing a guy with options left with the whole Galarraga thing

Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.

by bigsteve on Jul 9, 2008 4:10 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Agreed

Even if Ballard turns out to be nothing, we should never give up arms with any ML potential

by FirebatM3 on Jul 9, 2008 4:18 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Did you read what you posted?

”...we should never give up arms with any ML potential.”
New attitude?

"I'm extremely complex. I'm not easy to understand." - a) Charles Manson, b) Madonna, c) Milton Bradley.

by Clueless on Jul 9, 2008 5:30 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

You know every time I want

to get on board with JD and say what a great job he is doing something like this happens. IMO this clearly falls on the GM and he continues to baffle me with how he manages the 40 man roster. Ballard getting claimed is a risk but given the injuries and rotational performance when is JD going to lead by making a move to give the kids and the rotation a break. I am not advocating a big move but get someone who can fill in the rotation for a few weeks and settle this mess.

by Bigfan16 on Jul 9, 2008 4:22 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

who would that be?

Please instead of simply bashing the GM and saying what he should do why don’t you tell us what you would do so that way we can bash you.

Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.

by bigsteve on Jul 9, 2008 4:24 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

THat would require research

and therefore is a much less popular form of criticism here.

by FirebatM3 on Jul 9, 2008 4:25 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Schlact, Loe, Ramirez, Fukimori

are all in the organization and on the 40 man. In years past we had Eyre make emergency starts. I could mention Robinson Tejeda but he is a Royal now for the same issue.

Make an offer for Redman, Rusch or heck even RA Dickey.

Is starting Maddog really the best chance for winning?
Is it the best for Maddogs development?
What will the pen look like tommorrow morning.

My point is I like a lot of what JD has done but managing the roster and rotation he has yet to master.

by Bigfan16 on Jul 9, 2008 4:37 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

No big guy

Of that list only Loe is on the 40 man.

Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.

by bigsteve on Jul 9, 2008 4:39 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Loe is on the DL

and really? You think the equivalent of giving up someone like Ballard for Redman, Rusch, or DIckey in a rebuilding year is a good way to go? Say what you will about Ballard, but I’d expect he’d be a better investment than Redman, RUsch or DIckey for the future. And what do you do with them when Hurley, Padilla, and some other guys like McCarthy get healthy?

Fukumori requires that he be added to the 40, Schlact represents the same problems as Ballard, except that he’s younger and having a worse year, Ramirez has already gotten hammered.

by FirebatM3 on Jul 9, 2008 4:41 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

This has been an issue going back

to when Jennings wnet down. JD had insurance in AAA named Ponson and he did well for a couple months then blew it. Add in the injuries to BMac, Murray, Gabbard, Matthis, and Rheineker the depth of options has disappeared. We then (IMO) rush Hurley (now injured) and Harrison and still need another SP.

Your question is Ballard for a Redman, Rusch or Dickey a good investment in the future? I think yes because they will take the ball every 5 days, be mediocre and give time for the impact youngsters Hurley, Harrison and Maddog to develop in a more orderly and planned schedule.

A small move could go along way to giving the rotation some stability.

by Bigfan16 on Jul 9, 2008 4:49 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

You realize

You just named off 7 pitchers who we went through before we got to Hurley and Harrison. Not to mention Elizardo Ramirez for a start. How many guys is the GM supposed to plan on going down….20? We had plenty of depth in our pitching ranks. We have just been obliterated by injuries. McCarthy, Murray, Gabbard, Mathis, Hurley, Jennings, and Rheinecker are all on the DL currently. I think JD has done a fine job managing the roster this season. Hurleys “injury” is them being more cautious than anything.

And how do you expect us to get these Redmans and Ruschs and Dickeys. Are the teams they play for supposed to just give them to us? Your argument is stupid and your suggestions even more stupid.

Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.

by bigsteve on Jul 9, 2008 4:56 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

But, you're both

big. Where is the sense of kinship?

"...my balls are really like a veiny flesh color" blueballlefty on Jun 4, 2008 7:44 PM EDT
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
"If you ain't got no money, ain't nobody calls you honey," Bo Diddley

by Rodney on Jul 9, 2008 5:07 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

bashing the GM...

...how about jerking Ballard around?

by oc on Jul 9, 2008 5:11 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

No bashing the GM! No bashing the GM!

It causes bristling, hand-wringing, tears, and hot flashes.

"I'm extremely complex. I'm not easy to understand." - a) Charles Manson, b) Madonna, c) Milton Bradley.

by Clueless on Jul 9, 2008 5:37 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

bullpen start

A bullpen start is the right thing to do in this situation. It is only made possible by Nippert’s 7 innings on Manday and Harrision’s 7 last night. With the ASB next week, the rotation will be put back in order.

"An effortless 98" - Scott Gardner after Neftali Feliz's first AA pitch

by RangerMad on Jul 9, 2008 4:27 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

they could send down

Madrigal and call up Littleton. Or maybe Padilla goes on the DL.

"An effortless 98" - Scott Gardner after Neftali Feliz's first AA pitch

by RangerMad on Jul 9, 2008 6:49 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Well

Post-ASB, the rotation should end up being:

Millwood
Padilla
Hurley
Feldman

And either Mendoza, Harrison, or Nippert.

Given that, I don’t see why you need to get someone here to fill in the rotation for a few weeks.

by Adam J. Morris on Jul 9, 2008 4:31 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Will Hurley be back from the DL by then?

And what about Padilla, is he going on the DL? and when will it be effective?

Hope they all get healthy soon but the next few weeks still look troubling.

by Bigfan16 on Jul 9, 2008 4:39 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Hurley

Hurleys back after the break his DL was retroactive to June 30th meaning he can come off next Tuesday. They are being cautious with padilla and the break will give him plenty of time to get fully healthy.

Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.

by bigsteve on Jul 9, 2008 4:41 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Thank you

Do you believe the rotation will settle down after the ASB or continue to be in flux?

by Bigfan16 on Jul 9, 2008 4:51 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

in flux

But thats the case with the majority of teams. Very rarely do teams go a season with no injuries to their starters. All we can do is pencil in Millwood, Padilla, Hurley, Feldman, and one other guy and hope they stay healthy. If they don’t we will have to make do. Hopefully guys like McCarthy, Murray, Gabbard, etc get healthy and we have reserves we can call up with no roster shuffling. But until then we may have to have some spot starts from bullpen guys. i would much rather have that than lose a guy like ballard due to roster mismanagement and in a couple years he is another Galarraga or something.

Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.

by bigsteve on Jul 9, 2008 4:59 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Prolly a trade coming, too

That would neccessitate further roto shuffling.

"...my balls are really like a veiny flesh color" blueballlefty on Jun 4, 2008 7:44 PM EDT
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
"If you ain't got no money, ain't nobody calls you honey," Bo Diddley

by Rodney on Jul 9, 2008 5:14 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Well Gallaraga is another story...

but once again the Rangers are leading the league in the # of pitchers starting a game. The only other team close is the Yankees and they have also used 11.

The list of injuries did not all happen in one day. We started the season with depth and options. As they dwindled JD has not made a move. Though he is an idiot, Ponson took the ball every 5 games and had some success. More importantly he protected the youngsters from getting off their developmental plan. I strongly believe that Hurley will be a very good SP in 2010. But the fact that he is here this year MAY jeopardize his develpment. Ditto for Harrison and Maddog.

Do you think a Rusch would command such a price from our system to make it prohibitive to trade for him? He takes the ball every five days, and allows the rotation to settle down and the kids to maintian their development.

I guess I am saying that this team is heading in the right direction. It needs time for the pitching to develop. I would rather see a vet take the ball this year than change the development plan for top talent guys like H, H and Maddog.

by Bigfan16 on Jul 9, 2008 5:20 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Hurley

What has he showed you so far to say he is being hurt by pitching in the majors? I could see this argument if he was getting shelled but he has pitched pretty damn good.

Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.

by bigsteve on Jul 9, 2008 5:27 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I did say MAY risk

I like what I have seen b y Hurley and he may have been injured in AAA as well. I would like to see him work on throwing more first pitch strikes, and better command of his beaking ball. IMO AAA for a full year helps pitchers develop more endurance, experience and time to refine the little things like fielding, tipping off pitches, pick off moves. In my ideal world he gets called up in September this year and a shot to win the #5 spot in ST next year. But I do not live in an ideal world.

Hurley will be an excellent pitcher if he stays healthy and develops excellent control of his breaking ball. His fastball command is already there and it has great movement.

by Bigfan16 on Jul 9, 2008 5:34 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Well,

If we need a pitcher to plunk someone, then Madrigal might be the guy. He can nail one in his final inning and just dare someone to charge his big ass on the mound.

Just keep your mask on and umpire the game! - Tom Grieve, 5/25/08

by EssBee on Jul 9, 2008 4:18 PM CDT   0 recs

Just having Madrigal on the mound

after stealing him right from under their noses is a big time symbolic plunking in my view.

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Jul 9, 2008 4:22 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Almost as good as

Chris Davis taking them deep?

by FirebatM3 on Jul 9, 2008 4:25 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

That would be freakin' classic

if he just shuts them down for 3 innings. “More salt on that open wound, LAAAAAofAnaheimCaliforniaUSAEARTH?”

Just keep your mask on and umpire the game! - Tom Grieve, 5/25/08

by EssBee on Jul 9, 2008 4:27 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm not trying to slow your roll, son...

but could we put a moratorium on LA Angels name jokes?

by ghostofErikThompson on Jul 9, 2008 4:46 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

No, we can't

now get that damn flowerpot offayer head!

;)

"...my balls are really like a veiny flesh color" blueballlefty on Jun 4, 2008 7:44 PM EDT
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
"If you ain't got no money, ain't nobody calls you honey," Bo Diddley

by Rodney on Jul 9, 2008 5:16 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Never! I channel my sexual prowess...

through my energy dome to improve my singing voice.

by ghostofErikThompson on Jul 9, 2008 5:25 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

+too

perhaps I need to go to Ace Hardware and pick up a few flowerpots

"...my balls are really like a veiny flesh color" blueballlefty on Jun 4, 2008 7:44 PM EDT
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
"If you ain't got no money, ain't nobody calls you honey," Bo Diddley

by Rodney on Jul 9, 2008 5:34 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs