azdad1978
Championship!!!!
Bob McManaman
The Arizona Republic
Apr. 4, 2005 12:00 AM
The lion's share of save opportunities, at least to start the season, are going to go to the relief pitcher with the same name.
"Brandon Lyon's going to close," Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin said, minutes after informing his bullpen Sunday about how their roles will shake out to start the season, which begins today with a three-game home series against the Chicago Cubs.
Melvin had anointed fellow right-hander Greg Aquino as the incumbent closer at the start of spring training, and even after the pitcher missed two weeks due to tightness in the flexor mass area of his elbow, he remained Melvin's main man.
"He was my guy coming in and I still foresee him being a closer for us," Melvin said of Aquino, who collected 16 saves last season as a rookie. "But with the spring Brandon had, and having pitched him in the ninth inning a few times, I think he has the mentality to handle it and that's the way it's going to start."
Melvin had settled on Lyon days ago, but said Aquino's recent string of quality outings this past week made him rethink his decision until he reaffirmed this is the best way to go for now.
"He was a little disappointed," Melvin said of Aquino.
Big shoes to fill
Javier Vazquez becomes the first pitcher other than Randy Johnson to start Opening Day for the Diamondbacks since 1999, an honor the former Yankees right-hander said he relishes and respects.
"It's always an honor," said Vazquez, who will be making his third Opening Day start, his second against the Cubs. "I know what type of pitcher Randy Johnson is and what he's meant to this organization. I want to do well here and I know he did great."
Vazquez said he's happy in Arizona, but he still has an option in his contract that allows him to demand a trade elsewhere after the season because he was dealt midway through a multiyear deal with New York.
Short hops
Although Koyie Hill will be the starting catcher today, Melvin said Chris Snyder will be available if needed. Snyder, who dislocated the tip of his left thumb a week ago, caught a bullpen session with sinkerball pitcher Brandon Webb on Sunday and has had three straight days of batting practice.
• To make room on the 40-man roster for extra outfielder Quinton McCracken, the club designated outfielder Reggie Abercrombie for assignment, meaning Arizona had 10 days to trade or release him.
• According to General Manager Joe Garagiola Jr., eight to 12 Arizona players have been randomly tested for illegal, performance-enhancing drugs, but there have been no signs of non-compliance under the new drug program.
• Arizona continues to talk with a handful of teams about the possibility of acquiring a veteran reliever.
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/0404dbnb0404.html
The Arizona Republic
Apr. 4, 2005 12:00 AM
The lion's share of save opportunities, at least to start the season, are going to go to the relief pitcher with the same name.
"Brandon Lyon's going to close," Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin said, minutes after informing his bullpen Sunday about how their roles will shake out to start the season, which begins today with a three-game home series against the Chicago Cubs.
Melvin had anointed fellow right-hander Greg Aquino as the incumbent closer at the start of spring training, and even after the pitcher missed two weeks due to tightness in the flexor mass area of his elbow, he remained Melvin's main man.
"He was my guy coming in and I still foresee him being a closer for us," Melvin said of Aquino, who collected 16 saves last season as a rookie. "But with the spring Brandon had, and having pitched him in the ninth inning a few times, I think he has the mentality to handle it and that's the way it's going to start."
Melvin had settled on Lyon days ago, but said Aquino's recent string of quality outings this past week made him rethink his decision until he reaffirmed this is the best way to go for now.
"He was a little disappointed," Melvin said of Aquino.
Big shoes to fill
Javier Vazquez becomes the first pitcher other than Randy Johnson to start Opening Day for the Diamondbacks since 1999, an honor the former Yankees right-hander said he relishes and respects.
"It's always an honor," said Vazquez, who will be making his third Opening Day start, his second against the Cubs. "I know what type of pitcher Randy Johnson is and what he's meant to this organization. I want to do well here and I know he did great."
Vazquez said he's happy in Arizona, but he still has an option in his contract that allows him to demand a trade elsewhere after the season because he was dealt midway through a multiyear deal with New York.
Short hops
Although Koyie Hill will be the starting catcher today, Melvin said Chris Snyder will be available if needed. Snyder, who dislocated the tip of his left thumb a week ago, caught a bullpen session with sinkerball pitcher Brandon Webb on Sunday and has had three straight days of batting practice.
• To make room on the 40-man roster for extra outfielder Quinton McCracken, the club designated outfielder Reggie Abercrombie for assignment, meaning Arizona had 10 days to trade or release him.
• According to General Manager Joe Garagiola Jr., eight to 12 Arizona players have been randomly tested for illegal, performance-enhancing drugs, but there have been no signs of non-compliance under the new drug program.
• Arizona continues to talk with a handful of teams about the possibility of acquiring a veteran reliever.
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/0404dbnb0404.html
