Comments on: Anthony Swarzak replaces injured, ineffective Nick Blackburn in Twins’ rotation

By: Detroit Michael

Detroit Michael — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 18:59:34 +0000

You may be right in regard to Blackburn specifically. Thanks for the added context.

By: hansob

hansob — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 18:33:16 +0000

Slowey took Baker’s spot when he went down. He started Friday’s game, and will go again on Wednesday.

By: trevorb06

trevorb06 — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 18:17:06 +0000

And Kevin Slowey is still pitching for AAA?

By: Cris E

Cris E — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 18:04:48 +0000

Well all that is true and I agree with much of it, but to his credit Blackburn has spoken up. He only made it through four outs before he came out of this game, and he did have surgery after last season to clean out a bunch of chips from his elbow. His problem isn’t machismo so much as a periodic and significant loss of sink on his pitches. The MIN organization used to have more trouble with macho (Morneau playing for weeks with that broken thing in his back, Mauer never sitting until he’s messed up, Span not taking much time after he got that concussion a year ago, etc) but since Morneau had to take a year off, and Mauer missed another half season, and Span ended up on the Head DL again, and Kubel missing seven weeks for a bum foot, it almost seems like they’re over compensating and letting guys take whatever they need. It’s a matter of balance, and one the org seems to be struggling with this year.

By: Detroit Michael

Detroit Michael — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 17:53:22 +0000

Eventually teams will be able to replace the “tough men play through injuries” ethic with a “be honest with the trainer” ethic. Until then, teams will continue to lose games unnecessarily.

If Blackburn felt a sharp pain, he should have told the trainer or pitching coach or someone.