Gosling Recalled, Medders Optioned To Tucson

[KingLouieLouie]

http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com...t_id=1112478&vkey=news_ari&fext=.jsp&c_id=ari

07/02/2005 4:34 PM ET
Notes: Bullpen makes a Minor swap
Left-hander Gosling recalled from Triple-A Tucson
By Steve Gilbert / MLB.com

LOS ANGELES -- Needing a pitcher that can pitch multiple innings out of the bullpen, the Diamondbacks recalled left-hander Michael Gosling from Triple-A Tucson on Saturday.

To make room on the roster, the team optioned right-hander Brandon Medders to Tucson.

Gosling began the season in the Arizona bullpen after an impressive spring in which he narrowly lost out to Brad Halsey in a battle for the No. 5 spot in the rotation. In seven relief appearances with the D-Backs he compiled a 9.00 ERA and was optioned to Tucson on April 24.

As a starter in Tucson, Gosling was 3-5 with a 6.14 ERA.

The Diamondbacks bullpen is shorthanded because of the absence of reliever Jose Valverde, who left the team after Thursday's game to attend the funeral of his uncle in New York. He is expected back on Sunday.

In addition, Mike Koplove was unavailable on Saturday after throwing 2 2/3 innings on Thursday and another on Friday. Medders, too, was not available after pitching on Thursday and Friday.

Tough to take: Melvin had the unpleasant task of telling Medders, who had pitched well, that his first stint in the big leagues was coming to an end after just two weeks.

"It's really nothing that Brandon Medders did wrong," Melvin said. "He's got a taste of the big leagues now and we feel like he's a going to be a guy that's going to be a Diamondback for a long time up here."

Medders compiled a 3.38 ERA in six appearances.

"I felt like I had success up here," the 25-year-old said. "I felt like I threw the ball good. First time to be brought up and sent down, I know how it feels now. It [stinks], it's not a good feeling. They had to make moves and I was just the guy they chose to make a move with. [Melvin] made it clear that it wasn't performance related. He told me there had to be a move made for the bullpen."

Medders missed most of the 2004 season after having surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder and was taken off the 40-man roster during the offseason. He responded by going 2-1 with a 1.80 ERA and seven saves in his first 27 games for Tucson this year.

"Coming off my surgery last year, I didn't know what my chances were of getting called up," said Medders. "I must have done something they liked when they called me up. That's something they can't take away. I've been up here and I have some experience now, and maybe that makes it easier to come back up in the future."

I know the Dbacks desperately needed arms, but Medders was more effective than most (albeit mostly in mop-up duty).... I would have expected them to at least consider demoting or just giving Lopez his outright release since he's been horrid (especially against LH hitters) and then Gosling would then replace Lopez in that role as LH specialist.....

 

[boondockdrunk]

I know the Dbacks desperately needed arms, but Medders was more effective than most (albeit mostly in mop-up duty).... I would have expected them to at least consider demoting or just giving Lopez his outright release since he's been horrid (especially against LH hitters) and then Gosling would then replace Lopez in that role as LH specialist.....

I would be more into that idea. I don't know what they are doing sending Medders down and calling up Gosling. Maybe they just want to keep Lopez around a little bit longer to see if he can get it together. I doubt he can though.

 

[AZZenny]

Gosling has been SO inconsistent - I would personally feel dread if he came in to a close game. Should have kept Medders; as it turned out they could work Cormier today. Maybe partly that they are either hoping to showcase Gosling, or take one last long, hard look at him?

BTW - tonight, as I listen to the Sidewinders, Carlos is playing his first pro game (as far as I know) at CF. Someone emailed the announcers to tell them Carlos played a lot - maybe mainly - CF all four years in HS. This IS an interesting little twist. Maybe it occurred to them, they really did give Green a several-year contract and HE sure as heck can't play CF, so gotta find some place for Carlos.

LOL - Chip Hale got tossed two games in a row, both times for disagreeing with the CB Buckner of the PCL and trying to protect his players (who also got tossed). I've seen this guy - he may even be the little dick-tator ump from AZFL. The announcers are openly calling him the worst ump in the minors and making jokes at his expense.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Eh, I really dont care much for Gosling out of the pen. Like Edgar Gonzalez, I think the guy profiles a whole lot better as a starter.

 

[KingLouieLouie]

Eh, I really dont care much for Gosling out of the pen. Like Edgar Gonzalez, I think the guy profiles a whole lot better as a starter.

I just hope that they actually use Gosling... It's a waste what did with Edgar Gonzalez by promoting him to appear in just 1-2 outings to then immediately demote him down w/out really getting a chance....

That's somewhat what cost someone like John Patterson a couple years ago because the Dbacks seem to be horrible with using their prospects options up all too quickly.....

 

[AZZenny]

Gosling's already been up once this season, hasn't he? So any additional up and downs this year won't affect option status. Last year was his first call-up as far as I can tell, so he's used two of his three options.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Gosling's already been up once this season, hasn't he? So any additional up and downs this year won't affect option status. Last year was his first call-up as far as I can tell, so he's used two of his three options.

Yes, he made the opening day roster.

 

[KingLouieLouie]

Gosling's already been up once this season, hasn't he? So any additional up and downs this year won't affect option status. Last year was his first call-up as far as I can tell, so he's used two of his three options.

I'm aware, however, I'm referring to that more than likely that Gosling will be the one removed from the roster when either Ortiz and Lyon return back, then they might suddenly need Gosling to return back on an emergency basis or would be among the September call-ups.... That's essentially which lead the Dbacks to immediately deal Patterson and perhaps that's one of the reasons that factored into Capuano being dealt......