Bleacher Bums Forum

Meghan Montemurro
@M_Montemurro

Alzolay said his forearm has been bothering him the last couple weeks but had been able to manage it and keep pitching.

It didn’t feel better after back-to-back games over weekend. Alzolay: “It was just to the point where I wasn't making a lot of competitive pitches out there.”

Better to have Alzolay resting his arm rather than making mediocre appearances in save situations with the possibility of a more serious injury.  With luck, he'll be back in top form for the last couple of series.

Moonlight Canario?

Canario's exile was brief - back to warm the bench with Candaelario to the IL.  At least he has PCA to talk to this time.

It’s fine, but he really needs at-bats having missed almost a full year.

The thing that really bugs me about Ross’ “we’re not developing players now” line - apart from it just being the ultimate “old-school baseball” meathead tagline - is that it makes no sense.  It assumes playing a young guy is inherently detrimental to winning.

Deeg, I agree that he needs AB.  So I'd have preferred he have these weeks at Iowa getting AB's against AAA pitchers. 

Not really sure what Hoyer's logic is in having him up.  By CBA they are obligated, correct?  We've got to have somebody?  He and Mervis were the only 40-man position players we've got?  If so, not sure why they'd choose Canario over Mervis.  Maybe Mervis has had some time in the majors, so they figure nice for Canario to get a look at big-league professionals, and a chance for Canario to get familiar with Kelly?  I admit I don't understand it. 

I don't see the "old-school meathead" thing, though?  Seems to me that Ross is fine with using young guys... when he sees them as having a role.  Amaya got used right away, and has been used heavily.  Mervis got used a bunch, until he played his way down.  PCA got used right away yesterday, and is starting tonight.  Wicks has been given full responsibility.  Assad.  Alzolay.  Palencia got significant opportunity early on, until he kind of pitched his way to the back of the bus.  Morel has obviously been used a ton.  So, yeah, I don't really see any indication that Ross has any aversion to using young players.  No assumption that playing a young guy is inherently detrimental to winning. 

I think it's more just Canario.  I don't think Ross really has identified a role for him yet.  And I'm not sure what it should be.  I kinda think he's just a roster-filler until a different time unravels or a different need.  Or until he has a longer window in AAA to prove himself.

If Happ or Suzuki get injured, maybe then?  Maybe at some point take a platoon start from Happ against some LH starter?  Maybe get a DH start from Morel, at some point?  But at this point I think it's understandable that Happ and Suzuki keep starting.  Morel has racked up a bunch of HR's, and whacked the ball a bunch of times yesterday, so maybe he's ready to go on a little hot streak?  I guess I just don't really see who Ross should be benching in favor of Canario.