SB Nation - Rich Rundles

Pitcher Purgatory

afh4 — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:38:10 -0000

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Transactions: The Rotation Crumbles

Ryan — Sat, 30 May 2009 21:05:20 -0000

More photos » by Pat Sullivan - AP

A week's worth of roster tinkering ended on a hopeful note with the return of Rafael Perez to the bullpen.

The Indians went almost a week (The 17th to the 23rd) without making a move. During that time, the bullpen started to right itself, with the only ongoing problem seeming to be the last two spots in the rotation (then held by Anthony Reyes and David Huff). Unfortunately, after last Saturday's game in Cincinnati, more major changes to the pitching staff were in order.

5-23-09

Placed RHP Anthony Reyes on the 15-Day Disabled List (right elbow)

Reyes started last Saturday's game, but had to leave after the third inning because of pain in his throwing elbow. Reyes had struggled to throw strikes in his brief time on the mound that day, and it was because of injury. After having the elbow looked at, the team physician recommended ulnar nerve transposition, which would move the ulnar nerve in his right elbow from its present location in the back of the elbow joint to the front so that it would no longer rub against the bone. If he had the surgery, he would be out of action anywhere from four to six months, which meant he wouldn't be available at all this season.

So who would fill this rotation spot? The easy answer, for at least a couple innings, was Aaron Laffey, who had been moved from the rotation to the bullpen not because he had been pitching poorly but because the Indians desparately needed some help in relief.

Placed LHP Aaron Laffey on the 15-Day Disabled List (right oblique)

Laffey injured himself later in that game in Cincinnati after throwing a pitch. There's no surgery needed, but the recovery period is 4-6 weeks, and meant that the Indians would have four starting pitchers on the DL for at least one month. Jake Westbrook, who has been recovering from Tommy John Surgery, will probably be the first starter of the quartet (Reyes, Laffey, Westbrook, and Scott Lewis) to return to the rotation, and that probably won't be until the end of this month. So the eight starters the Indians had at the beginning of the season (with Westbrook being the ninth) was whittled down to five.

Recalled LHP Jeremy Sowers from Columbus (AAA)

Sowers was recalled right away to give the Indians some long relief if one of their other starters would have a short start. Sowers had started two games earlier in the season, but didn't last past the fifth in either of them. He had pitched very well in AAA in between major-league stints, but hasn't had major-league success since his debut in 2006. In 290.2 major-league innings, he's struck out 4.0 batters per nine innings, and even in his good season wasn't missing many bats.

Recalled LHP Rich Rundles from Columbus (AAA)

Rundles had been up briefly with the team earlier in the season, but hadn't got in a game. If he's still with the team after all the dust clears, he might work his way into a LOOGY role as the second left-hander in the bullpen. But this time he was recalled with the same purpose as the previous time: as an emergency reserve.

5-26-09

Optioned OF Matt LaPorta to Columbus (AAA)

Recalled OF Trevor Crowe from Columbus (AAA)

LaPorta wasn't getting to play regularly, even with Travis Hafner on the Disabled List, because Grady Sizemore couldn't play the field because of a sore throwing elbow. Also, in a roundabout way, Luis Valbuena's success was reducing his playing time, since more at-bats for Valbuena meant more games at third base for Jhonny Peralta, which meant more games in the outfield for Mark DeRosa. And Matt hadn't helped his cause by struggling in his sporadic major-league at-bats. So, he was sent back to AAA to "play every day."

With Sizemore not going to the DL, or days away from heading there, the Indians needed someone who could play a competant center field. Ben Francisco can certainly fill in there from time to time, but his range isn't good enough to play at the position for any tangible length of time. That should mean Crowe will get regular playing time until Grady's elbow is sound enough to make the throw from the outfield. Trevor, in his time with the Clippers, hit an anemic .230/.321/.297, so the Indians lineup will suffer with him in it.

5-27-09

Recalled LHP Zach Jackson from Columbus (AAA)

Optioned LHP Rich Rundles to Columbus (AAA)

The Indians, because they had to use Sowers in long relief the night before, recalled Jackson to start this past Tuesday's game agains the Rays. I don't think the arrangement was intended to be permanent, but Jackson confirmed his temporary status by giving up five runs in the first inning. The Indians ended up winning the game, but no thanks to Jackson, who left after four innings.

5-28-09

Transferred RHP Anthony Reyes from the 15-Day Disabled List to the 60-Day Disabled List (right elbow)

Optioned LHP Zach Jackson to Columbus (AAA)

Purchased the Contract of Tomo Ohka and Recalled him from Columbus (AAA)

These machinations were to yet again add another stopgap arm to the bullpen. Ohka doesn't have the stuff to start anymore, but I suppose he can serve as a longman for now. With "now" meaning the next week.

5-29-09

Designated OF David Dellucci for Assignment

Recalled LHP Rafael Perez from Columbus (AAA)

Dellucci had begun the season on the Disabled List, and never worked his way into regular playing time even though the DH was available. He first lost at-bats to Matt LaPorta, then to Grady Sizemore and Mark DeRosa, who was getting more starts in left field. At this stage in his career, he's a liability even in left, and hasn't provided enough run production to justify being used as a DH. A team desperate for outfield help (Atlanta?) or for a pinch-hitter should have an interest in him.

Rafael Perez spent his time in Columbus productively, for it looks like he's solved whatever mechanical problems that plagued him the first couple weeks of the season. His return should further strengthen a bullpen already showing progress in the past couple weeks.

Transactions: Roster Turnover

Ryan — Sat, 02 May 2009 06:57:34 -0000

More photos » by Mark Duncan - AP

Tony Graffanino was just one of 11 Indians players to be involved in a roster move in the past 10 days.

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To set things up, let's start with last Wednesday's move.

April 22, 2009

Optioned LHP Zach Jackson to Columbus (AAA)

Recalled LHP Tony Sipp from Columbus (AAA) - MLB Debut

This first move was to reinforce a bullpen that desperately needed it. Sipp, although for several years considered an excellent prospect, was in his first season in AAA because of a series of arm injuries, including an elbow injury that led to Tommy John surgery. But when healthy, he was dominant, sporting a career 11.7 SO/9 ratio in the minors. In 2006, his last full season before the elbow injury, he struck out 80 in 60.1 innings in Akron. So while bringing Sipp up was a bit of a gamble, he's had the stuff to get major-league hitters for a couple years now. Given his rousing success in his first couple outings and bullpen problems around him, he's gone from his major-league debut to key late-inning reliever in the span of a week. The next time the Indians need someone to face a tough left-hander in the eighth inning, Wedge is going to call for Sipp, not Rafael Perez.

As for Jackson, he's still on the 40-man roster, and so as long he's healthy, he's going to see the majors again this season.

On the 25-man roster: 13 pitchers, 12 position players

April 29, 2009

Placed DH Travis Hafner on the 15-Day Disabled List (shoulder)

Recalled LHP Rich Rundles from Columbus (AAA)

Travis Hafner started the season extremely well, and showed that it was his shoulder that had torpedoed his 2008 season, not a drastic deterioration of ability. But despite the Indians religiously giving him days off after several straight days in the lineup, his surgically-repaired shoulder began to bother him again. He's going to see James Andrews in the next couple of days, which hopefully is nothing but a precautionary measure. Even if he does return in two weeks, the shoulder's probably not going to be 100% for a while. And each time Hafner takes an 0-for or looks bad during an at-bat, we're going to ask ourselves, "is he ok?"

The night before Hafner went on the DL, the Indians and Red Sox decimated each other's bullpen, so even though they were already carrying 13 pitchers, for the first time I can remember, they added a 14th to the roster for Thursday's game against Boston. Rich Rundles, who saw action with the team last year (earning himself a coveted Let's Go Tribe sponsorship on his b-ref page), was under consideration to make the bullpen out of Spring Training, and has done good work thus far for the Clippers. But, as was made clear from the callup, he was the emergency staff-saver if Fausto Carmona got chased early. That didn't happen, so Rundles just got to watch the game and enjoy the post-game spread before heading back to Columbus. The two-man bench hampered the Indians towards the end of Thursday's game, as Eric Wedge couldn't pinch-run for Victor Martinez in the ninth inning in a tie game because Kelly Shoppach was the DH.

On the 25-man Roster: 14 pitchers, 11 position players

May 1, 2009

Reinstated David Dellucci from the 15-day Disabled List

Optioned LHP Rich Rundles to Columbus (AAA)

There was some initial thought to bringing up Matt LaPorta now that regular at-bats were to be had, but Dellucci was doing well in his rehab assignment and was pretty much ready to go. As unfortunate as the Hafner injury was, it was good timing for David to be ready to go as Hafner was being shut down, for his very poor throwing arm makes him a liability in the outfield. So I would assume that Dellucci will make the majority of his starts as the Designated Hitter, though the Indians will probably also make use of it to give some regulars a day off from the field.

I had assumed that the Dellucci callup would end the roster shifting for the time being. But no, the biggest flurry of the week was yet to come.

On the 25-man Roster: 13 pitchers, 12 position players.

May 2, 2009

Placed RHP Joe Smith on the 15-Day Disabled List (right shoulder)

I'm not sure which move influenced the other ones, but I'll assume that the Joe Smith DL stint was a given. According to Castrovince's story, the injury is not serious, and he'll get to go to the minors (via a rehab assignment) without the Indians using an option on him. Hopefully he'll be ready to go physically and mechanically in two weeks.

Recalled 2B Luis Valbuena from Columbus (AAA) - MLB Debut

Designated IF Tony Graffanino for Assignment

Jhonny Peralta had been in a major slump, but benching him would have meant that Little Giraffe would be starting in his place, not exactly an upgrade in the lineup over even a slumping Peralta. Jamie Carroll's still at least a few weeks from coming off the DL, so that provided a nice window of opportunity for Luis Valbuena to get some major-league experience. Valbuena has played second, short, and third for Columbus, so that will allow the Indians to have a rotation of sorts among DeRosa, Peralta, Cabrera, and Valbuena for now. To make the decision a lot easier, Valbuena was hitting .321/.436/.538 for Columbus, so he should be able to go right into the lineup without the Indians worrying him being an offensive liability.

I don't forsee this promotion being permanent for Valbuena. He's probably up here until Carroll comes off the DL, as all the positions on the infield are spoken for, and the Indians aren't going to keep him on the roster as a second utility infielder.

The Indians needed to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Matt LaPorta, so I think Graffanino would have stuck around if the Indians had just brought up Valbuena. Instead, he'll probably pass through waivers, and will be free to become a free agent if he wishes.

Purchased the Contract of OF Matt LaPorta from Columbus (AAA) and Recalled him to Cleveland - MLB Debut

There's been plenty of speculation about when the Indians were going to bring up the centerpiece of the Sabathia trade. LaPorta's been sizzling at the plate for Columbus, posting a 1.054 OPS in his first month in AAA. There are service time implications involved, so there needed to be a compelling reason to bring him up now. Ben Francisco's offensive problems probably had the Indians Front Office thinking about the move, but it was probably the Hafner injury that made the decision clear. Pronk's injured shoulder cleared a spot for the returning David Dellucci to occupy, still leaving Francisco and Trevor Crowe sharing left field. If Hafner hadn't gotten hurt, the Indians probably would have been content to muddle along with Dellucci and Francisco in left, as imperfect as that might sound.

Eric Wedge mentioned in the Castrovince story that LaPorta would serve as part of a platoon with David Dellucci, which I don't buy at all. LaPorta should be playing left field on a regular basis, with Ben Francisco relegated to a fourth outfielder. David Dellucci, when he's in the lineup, should be the DH, and only rarely venture out into left field. There's a distinct possibility that LaPorta won't be going back to AAA, for the opportunity is there to win the everyday left field job.

Recalled IF Josh Barfield from Columbus (AAA)

Optioned OF Trevor Crowe to Columbus (AAA)

With the Indians bringing up two outfielders in as many days, they swapped their pinch-runner outfielder for a pinch-runner infielder to balance out their position players. Crowe didn't do much offensively in his time with the team, and with LaPorta coming up, was going to get little opportunity to play.

On the 25-man Roster: 12 pitchers, 13 position players.

Beyond the particular needs addressed by these moves, I look at these callups also as an attempt to jump-start the team. The Indians sit, despite their 9-14 record, just 2.5 games out of first. And frankly, LaPorta and Valbuena are better players right now, despite their age and experience, than the players they replaced on the roster (Graffanino and Crowe).

Transactions: Tony Sipp Called Up; Zach Jackson Optioned to Columbus

afh4 — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 05:38:42 -0000

More photos » by Charles Rex Arbogast - AP

Fly home fast, sweet angel.

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A mere three years after establishing himself as the relief jewel of the Indians' farm system, Tony Sipp is getting called up to Cleveland for the first time. In 2005 and 2006 the lefty Sipp struck out 210 batters in 177 innings between A, A+, and AA before succumbing to elbow injuries and going under the knife for Tommy John and disappearing for two years.

In 2008, Sipp was impressive again, striking out 46 and walking 11 in 33 innings of work and in his brief initial foray into AAA this year has not been terrible, though the sample is too small to really mean ~~much~~ anything.

Sipp's apperance in Cleveland doesn't have nearly as much to do with Sipp as it does with Rafael Perez. The Indians elected to break camp with only two lefthanded relievers, Perez and Jackson. Zachkson was only on the roster as a long man and he has reverse splits anyway. Perez eliminated the need for an additional lefty because there was no reason to have a LOOGY when you had Rafael Perez, who could just get everyone out.

Of course, now Perez has gone from one of the best relievers on the planet to one of the worst, sporting a 16.71 ERA and more walks than innings pitched. This total lack of a late inning lefthander has hamstrung Wedge to the point that tonight against the Royals the designated ROOGY, Joe Smith, actually gave up two critical hits to lefthanded batters. When your ROOGY is facing lefties in the 8th inning, it's time to make a move.

The only possible options in Columbus' bullpen were Sipp and Rich Rundles and the Indians have gone with the higher ceiling option. Wedge was classically robotic about Sipp's role but until Rafael Perez shows that he's righted the ship, we'll probably see Sipp get a chance to show his stuff against lefthanders in high leverage situations.

While it's never pleasant to be making moves this early in the season it's nice to be calling up a guy like Sipp as opposed to, I don't know, Rich Rundles. Sipp has always had monster stuff and numbers to go with it; hopefully it translates into immediate results at the big league level. On top of that, it's Sipp's time; he'll turn 26 in July. Congratulations, good luck, and godspeed, Tony.

Jackson is going down to Columbus because he's the most expendable member of the pitching staff as when you have no good relievers a long man is an unnecessary luxury. This is Jackson's final option year.

Tuesday Rockpile: Dexter Fowler could break camp with the big club, Ian Stewart back at middle IF

Poseidon's Fist — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:00:11 -0000

Too early to expect Fowl to head south for the summer?

We didn't see this coming a month ago. Tracy Ringoslby reported late last night that "there are growing signs" that both Ian Stewart and Dexter Fowler will make the team. This seemingly contradicts his Battle Lines report earlier Monday which had Fowler 3rd in the CF battle.

Dexter Fowler

#24 / Center Field / Colorado Rockies

Height: 6-4

Weight: 175

Bats: B

Throws: R

Born: Mar 22, 1986

Fowler's steady improvement throughout spring is starting to show he is not as overmatched as previously thought. Thaks to Tracy:

In 12 games prior to Tuesday, he was not only 10-for-22, but had struck out only twice.

Those are some stat line that will turn some heads. There would be plenty more wide eyes should Fowler rapidly supercede the stud outfielder Matt Holliday yielded in that November trade.

Fowler would mitigate roster weaknesses of speed, CF defense and would be the only switch hitter on the roster. Call me conservative, but I don't make this move yet. I'm all for Fowler swinging his stick in the Springs for a couple months to compile at-bats. I don't see the need to rush him. Then again, if his statistical ascension continues over the next 12 days, I might have to reconsider.

Hurdle reads the Row?

Several Rowbots have been pining for Ian Stewart to get some playing time at 2B. Drew Goodman announced during yesterday's telecast that Stewart has been instructed to work on it, and Jeff Huson apparently witnessed it.

Three more sent down

Joe Koshansky and Greg Reynolds each got an invitation to Colorado Springs. No surprises there. Jhoulys Chacin was reassigned to minor league camp.

Other news and notes

Courtesy of Troy Renck....The Marlins may finally play in a baseball stadium. A $515 million retractable roof baseball stadium has been approved by Dade County, ready for 2012....To the dismay of RockiesMagicNumber, the Padres signed RHP Shawn Hill.

Parting Thoughts

The Rockies have received unexpected power from Todd Helton and Sal Fasano this spring. Note that Fasano's home runs have come against Jason Windsor, Rich Rundles and Yovani Gallardo. Gallardo gave up three home runs that day and clearly was off his game.

Conversely, Helton has hit home runs off of three major league pitchers: Gallardo, Kyle Davies and Chris Young. His other home run was off Arizona's Cesar Valdez.

Poll

Given Dexter Fowler's steady improvement this Spring, what would you do with him?

Give him the spot. His CF defense and speed will be invaluable, and he's earning the look. He's worth releasing Podsednik

87 votes

Send him to Colorado Springs. He has yet to play above AA and there is no sense rushing him with the capable outfield currently in place

145 votes

232 votes | Poll has closed

Transactions: Spring Training Cuts

Ryan — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 06:15:17 -0000

From 3-15-09:

Reassigned RHP Tomo Ohka and LHP Ryan Edell to Minor League Camp

Although all Spring Training stats need to be treated with a high degree of skepticism, a pitcher fighting for a roster spot giving up 14 hits and 10 runs in 3.2 innings is a sign that he's not very good. That's what the Indians saw in Tomo Ohka.

Edell was a starter all of last year, but the Indians brought him to major-league camp to (I assume) take a look at him as a reliever. If he makes the Clippers as a reliever we'll know if they liked what they saw.

Optioned LHP Rich Rundles to Columbus (AAA)

Rundles looked like he had a decent chance of making the bullpen after making the 40-man roster late last season, but Eric Wedge saw some things he still had to work on:

''It's getting to the point where innings are tough to come by,'' Wedge said. ''Rundles needs to be very good against left-handers and be able to defend himself against right-handers. It's fairly new for him to be dropping down [throwing sidearm], and he has to get more consistent with that. So he has more development to do.''

With Rundles going down, it's very unlikely the Indians will be taking a situational lefty north with them.

From 3-19-09:

Reassigned the following to Minor League Camp:

1B: Jordan Brown, Beau Mills, Stephen Head

Brown and possibly Head will be playing in Columbus; Mills is headed to Akron. Mills is the prime prospect, Brown the sort-of prospect, and Head the not prospect.

RHP Jack Cassel

SS Jesus Merchan

3B Wes Hodges

A lot of things outside of Hodges' control has gone right for him. The Indians, instead of moving Jhonny Peralta to third, traded for Mark DeRosa, who is a free agent at the end of this season. And Andy Marte is for all intents and purposes not in the indians' future plans. That means Hodges now has the opportunity to play himself onto the 2010 roster. I still think it's more likely Peralta's playing at third next season, but if Hodges plays well, it will make the Indians' decision much more difficult.

Optioned the Following Players to Columbus (AAA):

2B Luis Valbuena

While Hodges is going to have to play his way into the Indians' future plans, Valbuena seems to be the default option at second in 2010. If the Indians do shift the infield around next season, his performance this season in Columbus will be the impetus for it.

LHP Tony Sipp

Sipp hasn't been able to stay healthy (tommy John in 2007, shoulder problems last season), but the only thing preventing him from pitching with the Indians this season is proof that he can handle a relievers' workload.

RHP John Meloan, Adam Miller, and Juan Salas

It was a given that Salas would be optioned to AAA as depth. Meloan washed out of the bullpen battle fairly quickly, but my expectations are still pretty high. Adam Miller looks like he'll undergo season-ending surgery on his right middle finger; the injury is possibly career-threatening. Miller's never pitched for the Indians, but it's a huge loss nonetheless. A healthy Miller in this year's bullpen would have given Eric Wedge a relief ace capable of filling in a multi-inning cap if a starter had to come out early, and eventually a late-inning setup man.

Optioned C Carlos Santana and Hector Rondon to Akron (AA)

Both players did nothing this spring to dampen the high expectations already placed on them. Santana is already an advanced hitter, but the Indians are fine at catcher and won't need to promote him agressively. Rondon, on the other hand, probably needs a full season in Akron.

[Update: Although not listed in the official transactions, the Indians also assigned LHP David Huff to Minor League camp.]

Transactions: Indians Sign Ohka

Ryan — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 04:56:08 -0000

Signed RHP Tomokazu Ohka to a minor-league contract; Invited him to Spring Training

He has little chance of making the Indians' rotation, but Ohka's an interesting story nonetheless. He started his professional career in the Japan Central League, pitching with the Yokohama Bay Stars from 1994-1998. After the 1998 season, he was purchased by the Boston Red Sox. After a successful season in the high minors (including a no-hitter while with Pawtucket), he got a cup of coffe with the Red Sox in 1999. He bounced between the Boston and Pawtucket rotations in 2000 and 2001, and was traded with current Indian Rich Rundles to the Expos for Ugueth Urbina at the 2001 deadline.

It was with Montreal that Ohka had his best seasons, becoming a pretty good starter for Les Expos. He missed a considerable portion of the 2004 season after a batted ball fractured his right forearm. He apparently lost some velocity after that, and with his stuff not very impressive to begin with, his effectiveness began to suffer. He was dealt to Milwaukee in 2005 after showing up manager Frank Robinson when he went to the mound to remove him from a game. After an injury-marred 2006 season, the Brewers non-tendered him. He signed with Toronto, but was released half-way through the season because of ineffectiveness. He hasn't seen the majors since. Last season he threw 135.2 innings with AAA Charlotte, but wasn't all that impressive, allowing 146 hits and 63 earned runs (4.18 ERA).

Ohka's fastball, last I saw him, topped out in the high 80s, and he would rely on his breaking pitches to get opposing batters off balance. He has a pretty good idea of how to attack hitters, but his stuff isn't that good and his control isn't precise enough to make up for it. The Indians probably see him as a starter they can stash in Columbus* in case they need a pitcher in a pinch. On my mental starter depth chart, he's at least eighth or ninth.

*Man, it's going to be tough getting used to typing in Columbus instead of Buffalo.