-- Clint Hurdle said Paul Maholm or Kevin Correia will start Opening Day against the Cubs at Wrigley Field on April 1st. With J-Mac on ice and Ohlie getting pummeled, his options are kinda limited at this point.
McDonald still isn't throwing off a mound, and he's running out of time to be stretched out for the start of the season.
-- Joe Beimel is having pain in his throwing arm again; this time it's a different spot. That doesn't bode well with the season beginning in less than two weeks. Garrett Olsen will get a long look (he's supposed to be game ready by Monday), and Brian Burres has to considered in the mix, especially if Beimel's injury is more than just tightness and Scott Olsen doesn't shape up.
-- Chris Snyder is still not ready to play. If he's not back in action by next weekend, his balky back could well influence the Pirate decision whether to carry a third catcher, at least for the short term.
-- Ollie Perez had another rough outing for the Mets; the word is that they're deciding his future tonight, and he may be released Sunday.
I think Beimel is headed for Tommy John surgery, if not outright retirement. Burres has pitched well enough at times to be...well, not terrible in a any-port-in-a-storm kinda way. I think he will probably make the team out of spring training. Olsen, I believe, can really help the Pirates if he can get healthy and if he doesn't melt down (again). Otherwise, I guess it's the guy they just got on waivers and maybe Justin Thomas as far as lefthanders we have on hand at the moment. Not exactly an imposing crew. Maybe they can make a deal for a last cut veteran LOOGY or something.
ReplyDeleteYah, Will, they're for sure short on lefties. Beimel had a cortisone shot and Olsen is just starting camp after that hammy problem when everyone else has several weeks under their belt.
ReplyDeleteI suspect you're right that they'll also do a little more dumpster-diving for help, although the 40-man is starting to get squeezed.