A newsy start to Saturday
A bit of a newsy Saturday morning, though Manny Acta preferred yesterday's question-and-answer session, which dealt with strategy more than personnel. But we have to do what we have to do, so here goes.
Johnny Estrada has been shut down because of tenderness/inflammation/tendinitis in his right (throwing) elbow. Remember, Estrada had surgery on the elbow last fall, and while he said he didn't expect to be at full strength now, this is certainly a setback.
"I'm not too worried - yet," Estrada said. His knee - on which he also had surgery - is fine, but it'll be a few days before he'll try to throw or swing again.
That brings us to the other catcher, Paul Lo Duca. He took dray swings in the batting cage yesterday, and he'll have a soft-toss session today. His hope is to catch batting practice on Monday as he recovers from January surgery to repair a torn meniscus.
The concern here: The catchers, both of them veterans, need to learn this pitching staff. While Acta said the club expected both to be slowed, the catchers are clearly itching to get going. "Me and Paulie are in the same boat," Estrada said.
Catching up: Acta said he's not concerned about getting Estrada and Lo Duca at-bats, and the two concurred. They can go down to accelerated camp in a few weeks and get six or seven at-bats in a day if they need to.
More little nicks: Dmitri Young is not in the lineup today against Baltimore because of a strain in his side and down into his left quad. He said he did it swinging, and it might cost him three-four days. (Nick Johnson not in there today, either, but that's because he played yesterday. No concerns for him.)
Visa update: There are five Dominican guys - Jesus Colome being the most significant - who have been out of camp clearing up visa issues. Colome is not expected in camp until Tuesday or Wednesday, but as Acta said, he just finished pitching in the Caribbean Series, so he's loose, and he can get plenty of work as a reliever in the accelerated camp at the minor league complex if need be.
Things aren't as good for Japanese lefty Katsuhiko Maekawa. His visa has been denied, and Acta suspects it's because of his legal problems in Japan stemming from a hit-and-run accident a couple of years ago. Acta indicated the club would try to help him however they could, but it doesn't sound promising, and the club appears ready to just leave that as it is. I doubt Maekawa will ever show up here.
Rob Mackowiak: Probably out another day or so with his strained side suffered yesterday.
Shawn Hill: Threw the ball well in a live BP session yesterday, and reports he's no better or worse afterward. The soreness from his surgery is still there. I'm not sure when to get really concerned about it. He had the same thing last year and it didn't affect him - until he slid into third base in Florida and jammed his left shoulder. Acta said Hill doesn't remember a time pitching without the soreness. I'll monitor it, but try not to freak out about it.
Your lineup against the Orioles:
Felipe Lopez - 6
Bret Boone - 4
Lastings Milledge - 8
Wily Mo Pena - DH
Austin Kearns - 9
Elijah Dukes - 7
Kory Casto - 5
Jesus Flores - 2
Josh Whitesell - 3
John Patterson - 1
Patterson's first outing should be interesting, though it'll be just a couple innings. He's been told not to go all-out, but he gets amped for this kinda thing, so we'll see. The Orioles are scheduled to bring new center fielder Adam Jones (from the Bedard trade) as well as catcher Matt Wieters, their highly touted first-round pick from last year's draft. Daniel Cabrera is on the hill, so it should be fun.
Also: Boz is here! (Forgot to mention that yesterday. He's so excited he's wearing shoes that have stitches that look just like a baseball. It's incredible.) Here's his first sunny take on the Nationals.
I wrote about, of all things, batting practice and how it could be a bit different for the Nats this year. The notebook is here, and ace photographer Toni Sandys used part of yesterday to shoot a photo gallery, which is quite nice.
Talk at you later.
By Barry Svrluga |
March 1, 2008; 9:21 AM ET
Previous: Wrapping up a Friday |
Next: Orioles and Nats: Beltway Battle?
Posted by: Bob L. Head | March 1, 2008 9:40 AM
Funny, Bob L.
Hope our guys get/stay healthy as appropriate.
Nice pics. The bench does not seem impressed with Pena's dance routine.
We will also need a pic of those shoes. I wonder whether they are from the same company that does the bracelets, keychains, and cell phone holders that have been available through the team store (Game Wear or some such thing)?
Posted by: natsfan1a | March 1, 2008 9:53 AM
I'll play the spelling gremlin once again...
Find the funny word in these two sentences [hint, it's not Paul, Lo, or Duca, although those are tempting choices]:
"That brings us to the other catcher, Paul Lo Duca. He took dray swings in the batting cage yesterday, and he'll have a soft-toss session today."
1-6 looks pretty nice for today, if everyone plays right. Looks like a nice proportion of speed and pop to me.
At this point, Flores has to be gunning for the #1 spot, because of the misfortunes of the other two. Games like today are his chance to show that he belongs up with the big boys all season long as our #1 catcher. Gotta take advantage of an opening when it's given to you.
Posted by: faNATic | March 1, 2008 9:55 AM
I hope Flores is the opening day Catcher he diserves it.
Posted by: DJ 26 | March 1, 2008 10:00 AM
Nice pics, they do add something to the coverage. Also, Boz seems a lot more positive now that he's in FLA. Coverage Is Lacking now applies solely to MASN.
Posted by: Bazz | March 1, 2008 10:05 AM
"Also, Boz seems a lot more positive now that he's in FLA."
He must have been able to find a parking space right next to the front gate. Either that, or he's pumped about getting to see the Orioles today. He can't seem to write a column any more without at least one Earl Weaver quote, y'know. Was Earl the last manager who would actually talk to Boz?
Posted by: Anonymous | March 1, 2008 10:33 AM
GREAT PHOTOS !!!
Posted by: Bethesda Fan | March 1, 2008 10:38 AM
me oirish ancestors spent many a muscle haulin' drays hither an' yon. dray is synonymous with ol' man river's tote dat barge, lif' dat bale. a weight or a burden. so i took it a dray swing was one with a lot o' energy behind it to move lots o' mass. thus etymology doth make wordsmiths of us all.
Posted by: natty bumppo | March 1, 2008 10:59 AM
Sadly, natty bumppo, dray has nothing to do with baseball. While the Olde and Middle English roots of the word are absolutely correct, it is more properly connected to the word "drag," instead of weight or burden. A dray may now be known as a sledge or sled, or a cart without sides.
Thus, unless PLD is dragging the heavy weight or burden to which you refer along the ground (the essential part) with his bat, then he's likely not taking dray swings, but what are commonly known as dry swings... which, of course, are swings without pitches.
Unless, of course, you might argue, PLD is putting a lot of work into his drag bunting ;).
Posted by: Informed Etymologist | March 1, 2008 11:08 AM
I just read Boz' column. Whoa!!!
I think that is the most positive column that he has written since the rumors began floating that the Mtrl franchise would eventually move here (that would be about '95 or '96, you can check some of the more primitive boards as the no reasonable plan for a stadium began to surface). I see two possibilities:
A. Boz is off his meds (or back on them)
B. This is going to be a frightening and fun to watch ball team for about a decade.
If B, Snyder better watch out and work on moving back to DC with a more sensible plan. This city could go back to wearing more Red, White and Blue than Burgundy and Gold.
Posted by: Catcher50 | March 1, 2008 11:32 AM
We can dream, Catcher50, we can dream.
Posted by: Positively Half St. | March 1, 2008 11:59 AM
Bazz, please speak for yourself.
Posted by: Coverage is Lacking | March 1, 2008 12:07 PM
Evidently there's no pregame on 107.7 today.
Posted by: natsfan1a | March 1, 2008 12:37 PM
Try it now, 1a.
Posted by: Hendo | March 1, 2008 12:45 PM
Thanks, Hendo, I've got it.
Posted by: natsfan1a | March 1, 2008 12:46 PM
OK-
Here's my self-serving theory:
The Nats took on a number of problem cases and perceived malcontents. One of them was bound not to work out. That one is Maekawa. All done, full speed ahead.
I have to admit I didn't understand why Bowden was bothering, since Maekawa didn't even have good numbers in Japan.
Posted by: Positively Half St. | March 1, 2008 12:49 PM
so who'd we lose to waivers to sign jimbo's japanese party animal?
Posted by: Bill from DC | March 1, 2008 1:21 PM
Didnt lose anybody...Maekawa signed to a minor league deal
Posted by: Los Doce Ocho | March 2, 2008 12:58 AM
there is the professional world of warcraft power leveling here. welcome.
Posted by: jimelyyes | May 2, 2008 9:32 PM
there is the professional world of warcraft power leveling here. welcome.
Posted by: jimelyyes | May 8, 2008 11:09 AM
The comments to this entry are closed.
Boverall, not a bad lineup. Catcher50, I was wondering the same thing about whether Flores might end up being the #1 after all.