The Treatment Room
Phillies activate OF Michael Bourn
Phillies activated outfielder Michael Bourn off the 15-day disabled list.
With Jayson Werth claiming a big role in the outfield and Shane Vicorino healthy, Bourn is likely to be used as he was back in April. He can pinch-run and act as a defensive replacement.
Tigers activate RHP Jair Jurrjens
Tigers activated RHP Jair Jurrjens from the 15-day disabled list. Jurrjens pitched 5 innings of one run ball Tuesday but afterwards complained of soreness and may miss a start next week.
Pirates activate RHP Saloman Torres
Pirates activated RHP Salomon Torres from the 15-day disabled list.
Torres missed three weeks because of a sore elbow. He’ll try to work his way back into a setup role.
Pirates activate LHP Zach Duke
Pirates activated LHP Zach Duke from the 15-day disabled list. Since he didn’t fare well on his rehab assignment, Duke will spend the rest of the year pitching in middle relief.
Rangers activate RHP Brandon McCarthy
Rangers activated RHP Brandon McCarthy from the 15-day disabled list. McCarthy got hammered in his first start back and then pitched 3 innings Saturday to fine tune him for his two remaining starts.
Pirates place C/OF Ryan Doumit on the DL
Pirates placed catcher Ryan Doumit on the 60-day disabled list with a sprained right ankle. Doumit is out for the season after injuring his ankle Saturday.
Rangers activate 3B Travis Metcalf
Rangers activated third baseman Travis Metcalf from the 15-day disabled list.
There’s been little indication that Hank Blalock is close to returning to third base, so Metcalf should make several starts over the final 2 1/2 weeks. He’ll take at-bats away from Ramon Vazquez.
Blue Jays place 3B Troy Glaus on the DL
Blue Jays placed third baseman Troy Glaus on the 60-day disabled list. Glaus is done for the year.
Diamondbacks activate 3B Chad Tracy
Diamondbacks activated infielder Chad Tracy from the 15-day disabled list.
Tracy is only going to be used as a pinch-hitter for now and will probably start at third towards the end of next week.
Mets activate C Ramon Castro
Mets activated catcher Ramon Castro from the 15-day disabled list.
Castro’s back remains a problem, and it’s unclear whether he’ll head into the playoffs as Paul Lo Duca’s backup.
Transactions
Brewers call up OF Tony Gwynn JR.
Brewers recalled outfielder Tony Gwynn Jr. from Triple-A Nashville.
Gwynn shouldn’t do much more than pinch-run and act as a defensive replacement for the Brewers.
A’s call up 1B Daric Barton
Athletics purchased the contract of first baseman Daric Barton from Triple-A Sacramento. Barton is 9-for-22 with three extra-base hits since being called up. If he keeps it up, the A’s are going to have to pencil him into their 2008 lineup.
Angels call up 3B Brandon Wood
Angels recalled third baseman Brandon Wood from Triple-A Salt Lake.
Wood hit .272/.338/.497 with 23 homers in his first year in Triple-A. The Angels will have him play behind Chone Figgins and Maicer Izturis at third base.
A’s call up LHP Jerry Blevins
Athletics purchased the contract of LHP Jerry Blevins from Triple-A Sacramento.
Blevins, who was acquired from the Cubs in the Jason Kendall deal, had a 1.63 ERA and a 102/18 K/BB ratio in 73 2/3 innings for four minor league teams this year.
Rockies call up OF Steve Smith
Rockies purchased the contract of outfielder Seth Smith from Triple-A Colorado Springs.
Smith will make his major league debut after hitting .317/.381/.528 for Triple-A Colorado Springs.
Mets call up OF David Newhan
Mets recalled infielder-outfielder David Newhan from Triple-A New Orleans.
Newhan has hit .203/.295/.290 in 69 at-bats for the Mets this season.
Mets call up 2B Anderson Hernandez
Mets recalled infielder Anderson Hernandez from Triple-A New Orleans.
Hernandez ended up hitting .301 for New Orleans, but that came with a 736 OPS. The Mets shouldn’t give him any starts at second base.
D-Rays call up LHP Jeff Ridgway
Devil Rays recalled LHP Jeff Ridgway from Triple-A Durham.
Ridgway finished with a 3.06 ERA in 64 2/3 innings as a reliever for Durham. He’ll get a look as a lefty specialist.
WHO’S HOT & WHO’S NOT
HOT
Matt Holliday- No doubt Matt Holliday is a first rounder and his past week proved it. Holliday hit .347 with six homeruns, eleven rbi’s and 11 runs scored last week.
James Loney- Whats the difference between James Loney and Derek Lee? If Loney’s numbers are prorated out to the 140 games that Derek Lee has played he would have a .330/18HR/90RBI/58R line compared to Lee’s .312/18HR/74RBI/79R so as you can there is practically no difference. Loney hit .542 with two homeruns, ten rbi and six runs scored last week.
Rafael Furcal- The Dodgers must be wondering where last weeks Rafael Furcal has been all year. Furcal went crazy on the base paths last week stealing a staggering 8 bases, he also scored nine runs while hitting .308.
NOT
Jason Varitek- The dog days of September affect catchers the most and Jason Varitek proved that last week. Tek didn’t manage a homerun, rbi or hit and only scored one run
Melky Cabrera- Melky may start to see some bench time if his bat doesn’t heat up soon. Last week Melky collected only a single hit scored only one run and didn’t drive in any runs or steal any bases.
The Week Ahead- Who to Pick Up
PICK UP
LA Angels- The Angels play seven home games this week, four against the Mariners and three against the Devil Rays. Over the past month, Seattle’s collective ERA is 5.44, second-worst in the American League. The Angels should clinch by the end of the week.
Philadelphia Phillies
3.5 games back in the East and just 1.5 back in the wildcard the Phillies enter a crucial week for their playoff hopes. Luckily for them they play two teams that are completely out of contention. The Phillies play three away against the Cardinals and four against the Nats.