As we await the announcement of all the near-midnight signings here on the east coast, there is talk that the Dodgers are close to signing the previously unsignable Zach Lee. Nothing has been announced, and it all could be a bunch of nothing, but if they do sign him, it would be a major coup as Lee was written off as a tough sign on draft day due to his commitment to play quarterback at LSU.
Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez was diagnosed with a torn ligament in his right thumb and will require season ending surgery. He injured his thumb in the now famous post game fight with his girlfriend's father. The soap opera that is the Mets 2010 season continues.
Mets reliever Hisanori Takahashi got the first save opportunity with KRod out for the season, and he converted it. He struck out one in his inning of work. He has struck out 41 and walked 17 as a reliever this season.
The Rays battled back and knocked Cliff Lee around for 6 runs on 9 hits, but Lee did strike out 10 and walk only one. Lee's ERA rose to 2.77, and he is just 2-3 since being dealt to the Rangers. I heard that since the trade, the Rangers are averaged 12,000 more fans per home game, which could help in their attempt to sign him this offseason.
Yes, Alex Rodriguez did get hurt on Monday night, but it appears it is just a minor calf injury, and he is probably day to day. Fantasy owners hope he is back in the lineup on Tuesday night after his 3-homer performance this weekend.
Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez went 2-4 with 3 RBI on Monday. In 188 at bats, he is hitting .250-.336-.447 with 10 HRs and 35 RBIs. He is on pace for an 18 HRs and 64 RBIs, but is prone to the strikeout. He has struck out in 37% of his at bats, but has a solid 12% walk rate. I could see 30 HRs from him in 2011.
Tigers outfielder Austin Jackson went 1-4 with his 18th SB vs his old team, the Yankees, on Monday night. AJax is hitting .302-.355-.400 this season, while the player he was traded for, Curtis Granderson, is hitting just .245-.312-.446 with 11 HRs and 35 RBIs. The 11 homers are a far cry from the 30 homers he hit last season.
Well, apparently Jonathan Broxton isn't the only Dodgers closer who can blow a save this season, as current closer Hong-Chih Kuo blew a brilliantly pitched game by Chad Billingsley. Kuo pitched 1.1 innings, giving up 3 runs on 2 hits and a walk. Does Kenley Jansen get some save opportunities in September?
Dodgers starter Chad Billingsley held the Braves to one run in 7 innings, giving up just 5 hits and 1 walk, while striking out 8. in his last 6 starts, covering 40 innings, Billingsley has given up just 6 earned runs and has lowered his ERA from 4.61 to 3.66.
The Reds gave first round pick, catcher Yasmani Grandal, a major league contract so he will be on their 40-man roster. He could move quick and is a must own on keeper leagues, or leagues that draft minor leaguers.
Another prospect who could move quick is Pirate's first round pick, pitcher Jameson Taillon, who signed for close to $5 million on Monday night.