AP It’s starting to feel like a rite of spring: Barry Zito shows up with a new delivery he was working on in the offseason, only to ditch it on the advice of Giants coaches.
Zito arrived this year with a new crouched over stance on the mound. I’ll let Andrew Baggarly take it from here:
Zito, who is still owed $46 million, attempted to mimic Tim Lincecum’s delivery during an offseason working with noted pitching guru Tom House. But observers both inside and outside the Giants organization tell me that Zito doesn’t have the arm speed or athleticism to pull off that delivery. Zito’s arm drags behind his body as he plants his front foot, leading to hittable pitches at the belt.
The end results bared that out: Zito had a 7.91 ERA in five spring starts. He allowed 32 hits, including five homers, in 19 1/3 innings.
The plan is for Zito to use his old delivery in a minor league start Wednesday. He’s still slated to be the Giants’ fifth starter this season, though if he has a rough April, the team could turn to youngster Eric Surkamp. After a solid 2010 season, Zito went 3-4 with a 5.87 ERA during an injury-riddled 2011 campaign.
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If the aforementioned quote refers to a science fiction film, you can count me in. As it relates to baseball, though, I’m not on board. In a column for FOX Sports Ohio, Hal McCoy uses some dubious statistical comparisons to equate Phillips to Joe Morgan. It’s an otherwise interesting and informative column, but I can’t…
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Mike Minor homers, throws 7.1 scoreless in Braves’ eighth straight win
May 25, 2013, 11:05 PM EDT
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Starter Mike Minor tossed seven and a third scoreless innings tonight as the Braves shut out the Mets 6-0. The lefty struck out ten and walked two, and even hit a home run in support of himself — a two-out, two-run shot off of Mets starter Dillon Gee, sparking what ended up being a five-run…
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Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter, recovering from thoracic outlet syndrome in his right shoulder, felt soreness after his latest throwing session, reports Jenifer Langosch. Langosch clarifies that Carpenter didn’t feel pain, so the Cardinals won’t shut him down. Rather, they will have him long toss and throw bullpen sessions instead of facing live batters. Carpenter only…
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Right-hander Roy Oswalt, signed by the Rockies to a Minor League deal on May 3, battled mechanical issues in his first start with Double-A Tulsa last night. In five innings, Oswalt allowed three runs on three walks and four hits, including two home runs. At least reports had his fastball touching 94 MPH. MLB.com’s Thomas…
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Cardinals starter John Gast exited today’s start against the Dodgers after recording just three outs. Gast walked Scott Van Slyke on five pitches to lead off the second inning before being taken out of the game with shoulder tightness, tweets Jenifer Langosch. This was the third start of the 24-year-old’s young career. He had allowed…
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On a day of odd baseball, the Giants take home the first place prize as they defeated the Rockies 6-5 on a walk-off, one-out, two-run home run by Angel Pagan. The Rockies had taken a 5-4 lead on a Troy Tulowitzki solo homer to left field off of Giants closer Sergio Romo in the top…
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Rays closer Fernando Rodney, who saved 48 games last year while posting a 0.60 ERA, has had a lot of issues to start 2013. With the Rays up 3-1 in the ninth inning, Rodney served up an RBI double to Brennan Boesch and an RBI single to Brett Gardner to tie the game at three-all,…
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The Mets had stormed back late last night against the Braves to tie the game 5-5 after eight innings just before crew chief Dale Scott decided to halt the game, to be resumed later. At 6:10 PM ET tonight, the game was unpaused and the Braves quickly retook the lead on a Dan Uggla RBI…
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Behind five shutout innings from starter Billy Buckner and four shutout innings from the bullpen, the Angels blanked the Royals 7-0 this afternoon. Hank Conger and Josh Hamilton each contributed solo home runs to aid in the offensive effort. The win is the Angels’ seventh in a row, bringing their record up to 22-27. They’re…
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AP
Former Major League utilityman Wilson Valdez has signed with the Camden Riversharks as reported on the team’s official website. Valdez, who turned 35 years old on May 20, spent last season with the Reds, posting a .463 OPS in 208 trips to the plate while playing at short stop, second base, third base, and center…
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Yankees claim left-hander David Huff off waivers from the Indians
May 25, 2013, 5:30 PM EDT
AP
The Yankees announced this afternoon that they have claimed left-hander David Huff off waivers from the Indians. Huff was designated for assignment by Cleveland earlier this week when fellow left-hander Scott Barnes was added to the active roster. Huff, a supplemental first-round pick of the Indians in 2006, owns a 5.40 ERA over 52 starts…
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Dodgers not rushing Hanley Ramirez back from hamstring injury
May 25, 2013, 4:10 PM EDT
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While the Dodgers lost 7-0 to the Cardinals last night and currently sit at 19-27 on the season, they aren’t about to rush Hanley Ramirez back from his left hamstring injury. Austin Laymance of MLB.com reports that Ramirez ran curves, took batting practice and fielded ground balls before last night’s game. He estimated that he’s…
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AP
The Orioles have placed right-handed reliever Pedro Strop on the 15-day disabled list with a lower back strain. Steve Johnson has replaced him on the active roster and is available out of the bullpen for Saturday’s game against the Blue Jays. After posting a 2.44 ERA in 70 appearances last season, Strop has really struggled…
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Joe Mauer has broken up three no-hitters in the ninth inning during his career
May 25, 2013, 2:02 PM EDT
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Joe Mauer broke up Anibal Sanchez’s no-hit bid last night with a one-out single in the ninth inning. He has made a habit out of spoiling history. Last night was the third time in Mauer’s career that he has broken up a no-hit bid in the ninth inning. He previously did it in on May…
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Yankees place Curtis Granderson on disabled list, call up Brennan Boesch
May 25, 2013, 1:15 PM EDT
AP
As expected, the Yankees have placed outfielder Curtis Granderson on the 15-day disabled list after he broke a knuckle on his left pinkie finger when he was hit by a pitch last night. He’s expected to miss a minimum of four weeks, which pushes his return to late June or early July. It’s awful luck…
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Indians manager Terry Francona and Red Sox broadcaster Don Orsillo had a playful wrestling match
May 25, 2013, 12:48 PM EDT
Indians manager Terry Francona is back in Boston this weekend, so naturally he’s mingling with old friends and former colleagues. And beating them up, too. Before last night’s game, NESN broadcaster Don Orsillo stopped by the Indians’ dugout to visit Francona and well, it suddenly turned into Wrestlemania. Sideline reporter Jenny Dell documented it all.…
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Josh Reddick has no issues with wrist during batting practice, eyes rehab assignment
May 25, 2013, 12:09 PM EDT
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Josh Reddick was talking about the possibility of wrist surgery less than two weeks ago, but he it turns out that he could be back in the Athletics’ lineup in the near future. According to Jane Lee of MLB.com, Reddick took 20 swings during batting practice yesterday at Minute Maid Park in Houston and said…
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Nationals to designate right-hander Yunesky Maya for assignment
May 25, 2013, 11:24 AM EDT
AP
The Nationals thought they were getting a potential rotation staple when they signed Cuban right-hander Yunesky Maya to a four-year, $6 million deal back in 2010, but they are now prepared to turn the page. According to Mark Zuckerman of CSNWashington.com, the Nationals will designate Maya for assignment in order to make room for infielder…
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Alex Sanabia says he didn’t know the spitter was against the rules
May 25, 2013, 10:48 AM EDT
Marlins right-hander Alex Sanabia was seen spitting on the baseball during his start Monday night against the Phillies, a clear violation of MLB rules. However, it went unnoticed by umpires and it appears that he will not receive any sort of punishment. As for Sanabia’s defense, well, he’s pleading ignorance on the whole thing. The…
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Brandon Beachy makes first rehab start since Tommy John surgery
May 25, 2013, 10:07 AM EDT
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The Braves currently sit at 28-18 on the season and hold a four-game lead over the Nationals in the National League East, but they could get even stronger soon. Brandon Beachy began a minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett last night and allowed two runs over four innings. The 26-year-old right-hander has already thrown…
