Benson's start being pushed back
Kris Benson was supposed to start Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays.
However, Anthony Andro reports that Benson is being bumped back to Saturday because of "elbow tendinitis," but that Jon Daniels says Benson's elbow is improving and he's not worried.
Presumably, Matt Harrison starts Wednesday, and everyone gets their spots bumped up by one date. And if Benson can't go on Saturday, well, I guess either Scott Feldman or Derek Holland takes that spot.
Personally, I'd be on board with Benson heading to the d.l., the Rangers picking up Steve Shell (just DFA'd by the Nats) for the bullpen, and plugging Feldman or Holland into the rotation right now.
Benson can rest his elbow, go do a rehab start or two, and then we can see how the rotation looks, and if we really want Benson back.
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Not too concerned here.
But i know there will be MANY people here on LSP that will be stoked Benson will be moved back. He definitely hasn’t looked good this year so far. Might be the first injury we needed to get Dutch to actually pitch since his call up.
Elvis has "shook up" Arlington!!
I am clearing my Saturday schedule
just in case Holland goes. Preparing myself for several eye rolls from my tolerant wife. I would rather watch Holland pitch than Benson approximately 100% of the time.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
same here
100% of the time, id rather watch holland pitch every time
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
by knockoutking on Apr 20, 2009 3:15 PM CDT up reply actions
can't catch a break...
if Holland goes Saturday, I’ve got tix to Game 4 of Mavs/Spurs…
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Apr 20, 2009 5:31 PM CDT up reply actions
Oh, you poor biatch...
I’ll be sure to bite a pillow for you Saturday.
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
Yes we can! November 04, 2008
thanks
I need all the support I can get through these tough times
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Apr 21, 2009 11:51 AM CDT up reply actions
+1
"It doesn't look like he's trying. It kinda pisses me off," "He could throw 110 if he tried. The way it explodes out of his hand is really something special." ~ B-Mac on Feliz.
by Kinslerhomer on Apr 20, 2009 9:10 PM CDT up reply actions
Rest/Rehab
If that can add 3-4 MPH to his fastball, I’d consider giving him more of a benefit of the doubt, but I am seriously nervous with every pitch he has thrown this season. Benson looks completely overmatched but has somehow escaped somewhat with numbers that maybe don’t reflect how bad he looks to me, at least.
His fastball
seems to be the same speed as Padilla’s these days. 89 MPH or so.
"The idea that the Rangers are going to be a solid contender for a number of years is a fantasy." - Adam J. Morris
Whatever it is...
…whatever it can be, I’m not impressed. I seem to think he’s been working in the 87-89 MPH range, and after that gigantic 2nd(?) or 3rd(?) inning vs. the Orioles, his velo had dropped. Maybe he just gold cold or stiff, but when he came back out there I was sure he was going to get creamed. Stuck with it, though.
PitchFx
The average fastball velocity according to PitchFx at Fan Graphs for Benson is 87.8.

Can anyone explain the two different bars? I’m new to PitchFx stuff. I am guessing these are the first two weeks of the season.
by Excel Hearts Choi on Apr 20, 2009 4:21 PM CDT up reply actions
What has it been for Padilla
I don’t see him top 90 much this year.
"The idea that the Rangers are going to be a solid contender for a number of years is a fantasy." - Adam J. Morris
90.7 mph
But there is a dramatic downturn since his first start:

by Excel Hearts Choi on Apr 20, 2009 4:54 PM CDT up reply actions
I believe those are the 2 starts
The dot is for his average velocity of that game and the gray bar is the range of velocities he had in that game.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
Dates
I got the dot/bar thing, I just thought there would be dates to go along with the games.
by Excel Hearts Choi on Apr 20, 2009 4:58 PM CDT up reply actions
The bar can't be his full velocity range
Otherwise his 60 MPH lollipop curveball is simply not there. It isn’t even represented on the gray bar.
by FuturePants on Apr 21, 2009 10:23 AM CDT up reply actions
May have missed something
but are they ruling Jennings out of a rotation spot because of worry about arm problems coming back? He’s been our best (or close to it) pitcher for the past couple of weeks.
I think they are ruling him out...
…because they figure it ain’t broke with him, so no need to fix it.
He’s the only reliable righty reliever they have other than Frankie.
by Adam J. Morris on Apr 20, 2009 2:49 PM CDT up reply actions
40
Adam, the 40 rules all. How does your scenario clear a spot on the 40?
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
That doesn't clear a 40 spot unless he goes on the 60-day
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
Hmmm
It doesn’t. I will have to think about that.
by Adam J. Morris on Apr 20, 2009 2:49 PM CDT up reply actions
Nippert to the 60 day DL?
But he will be the savior of our bullpen!
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Arias
I was wondering about this myself, but I don’t think they have the pieces we would need. They have precious little pitching either.
heh
I’m an Angels fan. I say we give the Padres Maicer Izturis, Erick Aybar, or Brandon Wood and we get any relief pitcher. Any. Doesn’t matter who. We’ll take anything.
Posted by: BrownLunchSack
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
by knockoutking on Apr 20, 2009 3:16 PM CDT up reply actions
Litttle desperate are they?
Keith Law on Greg Golson, "He's similiar to Cameron and Hunter in that all three are black."
http://tinyurl.com/ranger-rage
Maybe they knew this two days ago
And that is the reason Holland is here and hasn’t pitched yet. Not that he had a chance in the Millwood game anyway.
Keith Law on Greg Golson, "He's similiar to Cameron and Hunter in that all three are black."
http://tinyurl.com/ranger-rage
I like tyd's "trade Arias to San Diego" suggestion
by Adam J. Morris on Apr 20, 2009 2:53 PM CDT up reply actions
What could you get for Arias?
Peavy? ;)
Keith Law on Greg Golson, "He's similiar to Cameron and Hunter in that all three are black."
http://tinyurl.com/ranger-rage
Peavy and Adrian Gonzales
most likely
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Apr 20, 2009 5:35 PM CDT up reply actions
That is what I was thinking
Arias studly like that.
Keith Law on Greg Golson, "He's similiar to Cameron and Hunter in that all three are black."
http://tinyurl.com/ranger-rage
think any of them could manage too?
Rocky Mountain Ranger
by Strangers on Apr 20, 2009 6:38 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Hey we could always
hire Hillman away from the Royals. Because he is Ranger-rific! He has already managed the Rangers to one win in this past series.
Keith Law on Greg Golson, "He's similiar to Cameron and Hunter in that all three are black."
http://tinyurl.com/ranger-rage
I covet Jonathan Galvez
but would probably settle for a Castro type.
by Brett Perryman on Apr 20, 2009 3:50 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, I don't see them
giving up Galvez for Arias, we can hope I guess.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
I wish 3B Logan Forsythe was eligible to be traded
he won’t hit for a ton of power, but he’s got a solid glove, good OBP skills, and should hit for average.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
I suggested that at MLBTR,,,
The real question is what do you expect in return?
I don’t have a great idea what to say is fair value for Arias..
I suggested Luke Gregerson or Duaner Sanchez, but I really don’t have a reasonable expection
Gregerson
would be intriguing, but my guess is that SD would think that too expensive.
If you take the worst pitching staff in baseball, then add Kris Benson and Jason Jennings, what do you have???
surprise!!! You have the worst pitching staff in baseball, that's what.
Shell
seems like the type of guy who isn’t going to survive waivers long enough to make it to Texas, so we’d be better off working out a trade with Washington for him.
Odds are that they’d want someone off the 40 (since that is why they DFA’s Shell to begin with), but would they be willing to take anyone off our 40 that would make the requisite spot for Shell?
Waiver System
Didn’t they change the waiver system so that Texas would no longer have to wait to grab Shell?
by Excel Hearts Choi on Apr 20, 2009 3:03 PM CDT up reply actions
League Preference
Didn’t they do away with the rule that preference for a waiver claim goes to the team in the same league? In this case, the Rangers would be 13th in terms of priority for waiver claims.
by Excel Hearts Choi on Apr 20, 2009 3:22 PM CDT up reply actions
we may be proactive
and trade someone for him instead of gambling on waivers.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
Just cut him loose now...
and put Feldman back in the rotation.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
Yep, cuz it's MUCH more important...
to have a better #5 than to have enough arms in the pen.
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
Except Feldman
is proving to be a big pile of crap as a reliever.
"The idea that the Rangers are going to be a solid contender for a number of years is a fantasy." - Adam J. Morris
I'm not sold on him as a reliever either, but...
a) the options are a bit thin to replace Feldman right now
b) It’s only been two starts for Benson and his 2nd was a lot better than his 1st
c) it just gives me the willies to add a guy to the rotation because his work in the pen sucks
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
Here's a novel idea:
Put in the guy in the rotation who actually had a semblance of success in the rotation last year. Because that doesn’t make sense or anything…
"Either we need to re-calibrate our rectangle, or Alfonzo Marquez is not having a good night." - Josh Lewin
by utlonghorn24 on Apr 20, 2009 4:38 PM CDT up reply actions
Feldman
looked good in the rotation last year. Well, good for a Ranger, anyway.
"The idea that the Rangers are going to be a solid contender for a number of years is a fantasy." - Adam J. Morris
But he looked bad in the spring and bad in the pen
Are we really sure he’ll look better in the rotation? Hope isn’t a strategy, is it?
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
Did he really look that bad in the spring?
by Adam J. Morris on Apr 20, 2009 5:17 PM CDT up reply actions
I was suprised when Feldman lost his spot
Wash’s mgt of the rotation coming out of spring training has been odd to me. This is the second time I feel like Wash went back on his words. In this instance I thought he had stated that Feldman had earned a spot in the rotation.
Not that he went on to be any good but I remember a couple of years ago Wash said the best performers would earn the spots and then he told Loe it was a no go even after he clearly outperformed whomever it was that got his spot. Am I remembering this correctly?
I had a secret meeting in the basement of my brain.
by red shoe ranger on Apr 20, 2009 5:28 PM CDT up reply actions
Please...
like the manager has 100% control on who/what player is in what role.
I do agree that roles can change quickly, and some have on this club. Scooter prolly deserved a starting gig based on last season’s work, but the BP was fubar from minute one, and Benson showed much more in ST than the club expected, IMO. Ergo, Feldy back to the pen.
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
Yes we can! November 04, 2008
Off to a bad start, no doubt
And his previous history in the bullpen is not great, albeit before the most recent alterations to his arm slot. On the other hand, he’s only made two appearances thus far this season, the most recent being a week ago. May be a bit premature to come to a definite conclusion that he is incapable of handling a bullpen role.
Correct, and the same leash should go to Benson right now
I’m not oozing with Benson love or anything, but it’s just WAY too early to rearrange everything after two spins through the rotation.
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
For the record
I am very much against putting Holland in the rotation right now. If Padilla or Benson go down move Feldman there, bring AJM fave Mendoza up, just don’t thrust Holland in the rotation this soon. The past Rangers failures scare me off.
"Come on man you have to admit the average guy in a baseball clubhouse...... is relatively a douchebag." BGL.
The 2008-2009 Dallas Mavericks are the biggest teases in the world.
"We love Wash.....As a team, we want Wash as the head of that team." Hamilton
I think its reasonable
to be worried after his AAA start this year.
"The idea that the Rangers are going to be a solid contender for a number of years is a fantasy." - Adam J. Morris
I thought his
2 starts were “decent”, no?
I had a secret meeting in the basement of my brain.
by red shoe ranger on Apr 20, 2009 5:11 PM CDT up reply actions
damn
I thought I heard his ERA was like 3.94 or something.
I had a secret meeting in the basement of my brain.
by red shoe ranger on Apr 20, 2009 5:23 PM CDT up reply actions
That was in ST.
Where he had many appearances, and was shipped back to minor league camp on the last day possible. Of course, he didn’t pitch for eleven days before his “meh” OKC start.
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
Yes we can! November 04, 2008
and really
the only problem I have with his first start of the year is the K-to-BB ratio wasn’t there and he only went 4 innings…the HR sucks but like you said, 11 days between starts
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Apr 21, 2009 2:55 PM CDT up reply actions
Come on, Dan
4 innings is enough to be worried about after he had a good spring? I agree it’s pretty early to have him up at all, but I don’t feel that way because of 4 innings.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
I think
there was a reason they didn’t break with him in the majors, and there has been nothing he has done to show he ought to be in the majors currently. I’d rather see him getting innings in the minors for another couple months.
"The idea that the Rangers are going to be a solid contender for a number of years is a fantasy." - Adam J. Morris
Why not
just let Holland have a spot start on Wednesday, and push everyone back and let them get some rest, especially Padilla who has been been hurting
This is our year.
http://www.lonestarball.com/2009/1/29/739765/the-socket-joint-rotator-c
by FormerLSBUser on Apr 20, 2009 4:42 PM CDT reply actions
this
Mostly because I’m planning on going to the game on Wednesday, so if I got to see Holland’s debut, I’d skip out of work early to be there when the gates open!
But if I had the choice of seeing Benson go 4 IP and giving up 6 runs or seeing Holland go 4 and give up 6, I’d rather see the younger lefty with more upside…get the bad starts out of the way, get him used to starting in the big leagues and facing major league hitters, and let him build on that for 2010.
Future Rangers - Minor League Information
by fightingengineer on Apr 21, 2009 12:17 AM CDT up reply actions
I would love it if we
just rolled with Holland. Lets get to work on having at least one guy ready to help this team contend in ’10. I think the best way to get Holland experience is by starting games and I have little doubt that he can better the performances of Padilla, B-Mac, Benson, and Harrison so far this season.
I don’t see the downside of Holland starting. Of course I would probably go ahead and bring Feliz up as well. If this is turning into a get ready for ‘10 kind of season I say lets get on with it. And seriously, haven’t both Feliz and Holland performed better than Harrison did in the minors? I’m still not sure why he is in the rotation.
I had a secret meeting in the basement of my brain.
by red shoe ranger on Apr 20, 2009 5:15 PM CDT reply actions
I'm suspicious...
why is Shell being DFA’ed? Is there a problem that’s not real obvious? Otherwise, I’d rather bring up Diamond and give him a shot.
he was DFA'd en masse after giving up home runs in what seems to be a fit of frustration
so there might be a real reason but there might not be either.
Ceterum censeo Cat esse delendam - Cahill the Elder
I don't know why we wanted Benson here in the first place
Save for the fact that we where trying to bone up a shitty bullpen with Scott Feldman, and that backfired in a big way.
I don’t see the sense in waiting for him to rehab – he offers us nothing but an expendable arm to soak up innings in the first half, and we can’t use and abuse him in that role if he’s pitching hurt. We’re wasting time by not cutting him, and plugging either Feldman or Dutch into the rotation now.
Coach Washington inspires me to be an hero.
Projections
Here are three projections for Benson’s IP this year:
- Marcel – 60.0
- CHONE – 75.0
- ZiPS – 112.2
I just wonder how many innings he could soak up. 2 of the 3 projections predict a major injury (at least that is how I interpret the low IP totals). Though he lost the 2007 season due to a torn rotator cuff, his current problems are with the elbow.
by Excel Hearts Choi on Apr 20, 2009 7:55 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, but he can't do that if he's pitching hurt
So, if he’s not healthy there’s really no point in keeping him around – just roll with Scott Feldman and his rubber arm.
Coach Washington inspires me to be an hero.
That's my take
Here’s what I don’t get – the guy hasn’t pitched in two years, but seemed by all accounts to finally be healthy. He has a horrible first start, then starts his second game poorly but seems to finally settle in a bit as the game progresses. To me, that’s about what I would have hoped for from a guy shaking off the rust. Overly rosy on my part maybe, but I saw signs that he could be a reasonable filler, especially at the back of the rotation, until midseason when hopefully some young stud forced his way into the rotation.
Of course, his elbow could be about to implode, but it could also be simple soreness after a pretty long layoff.
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
The problem for me
is that he is still looking like crap out there. The results haven’t been the worst, but you’re talking about a guy with crappy stuff and mediocre command and control. I just don’t see how he goes out there and succeed without improving his stuff or control.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
His stuff can play OK as a 5th starter...
as long as his command improves. he’s got a whopping 11 ML innings logged in the last 3 years, so maybe I’m just a little more willing to give him a bit more time. It’s not like we really have anyone breathing down his neck.
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
his stuff can play as our # 5 starter any day
but when you’ve got other options that need seasoning, it’s time to say goodbye
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Apr 21, 2009 2:57 PM CDT up reply actions
Google any number of plastic surgery sites and check out the before and after pics..
I’m sure you’ll get the same basic view.
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
Speaking of plastic surgery sites...
Is there ANY more clear indicator that some Americans have some seriously f’ed up priorities than the mere existence of a procedure called labiaplasty???
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
Maybe you should check out
Some of these women before you knock the procedure.
by brettgardner on Apr 21, 2009 10:23 AM CDT up reply actions
Fair point, but...
I’ve asked Hotel management for a new room for all sorts of reasons – bad climate control, faulty plumbing, lack of comfort, view wasn’t what I expected, etc, but I’ve never left a room because the curtains weren’t up-to-snuff.
;-)
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
You might
If the curtains were so long and overflowing that they obscured every beautiful thing in the room.
by brettgardner on Apr 21, 2009 10:30 AM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, reeeallll good point....
Even I have my limits….
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
Only Americans?
Just for you, Bob.
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
Yes we can! November 04, 2008
I wouldn't click on that link here at the office for all the tea in China....
but it’s bookmarked for later. Morbid fascination IS a hobby of mine.
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
Its safe to click on
British chick who got surgery to look like her daughter
"The idea that the Rangers are going to be a solid contender for a number of years is a fantasy." - Adam J. Morris
Sheesh, I wouldn't do that.
Whatever.
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
Yes we can! November 04, 2008
I shouldn't have doubted you, but the stakes are too high these days...
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
Understandable.
Freakin’ economy…
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
Yes we can! November 04, 2008

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