Hairston recalled, Jarvis sent down to Tucson

[Diamondback Jay]

Hot-hitting Hairston recalled

Bob McManaman and Nick Piecoro
The Arizona Republic
Jun. 19, 2006 12:00 AM

ARLINGTON, Texas - Scott Hairston's torrid streak in Triple-A Tucson has earned him a trip back to the major leagues - at least for a little while.

Hairston, who is hitting .340 with 18 home runs in 63 games for Tucson, is expected to be added to the roster in time for today's makeup game in Pittsburgh.

To make room, the Diamondbacks will likely outright pitcher Kevin Jarvis to Triple-A, which would leave them without a scheduled starter for Thursday at Tampa Bay. advertisement




Likely candidates for Thursday are Triple-A pitchers Dustin Nippert or Edgar Gonzalez, which is why Hairston's stay could be short.

Hairston, who has hit .375 with 14 home runs since May 1, could get into the lineup more easily against the Devil Rays on Tuesday and Wednesday because of the designated hitter.

Hairston, 26, hit .248 with 13 home runs in 2004, mostly as a second baseman. He has since been converted to a left fielder.

Jarvis was hit hard on Saturday, allowing eight runs in five innings as his ERA swelled to 11.91 in five outings.

Another decision could be coming soon on whether the club will make room for left-hander Terry Mulholland, who is eligible to come off the disabled list today

 

[BC867]

Hot-hitting Hairston recalled

Bob McManaman and Nick Piecoro
The Arizona Republic
Jun. 19, 2006 12:00 AM

... to make room, the Diamondbacks will likely outright pitcher Kevin Jarvis to Triple-A, which would leave them without a scheduled starter for Thursday at Tampa Bay ...

Likely candidates for Thursday are Triple-A pitchers Dustin Nippert or Edgar Gonzalez, which is why Hairston's stay could be short.

Is it really a good idea to bring him up, knowing it will be only for three days?

How to put pressure on a young player. You have three days (two, with a probable rain-out in Pittsburgh) to show us what you can do . . . and we're expecting better than what the veterans have been doing.

 

[Stallion]

You're right, it's probably not fair, but he's taking advantage of the start today with an RBI double.

We need a spark. Hopefully Hairston can provide it.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Hairston also puts Gonzo on the bench where he belongs.

 

[Skkorpion]

Hairston also puts Gonzo on the bench where he belongs.

Amen to that, brother.

 

[Bada0Bing]

Is it really a good idea to bring him up, knowing it will be only for three days?

How to put pressure on a young player. You have three days (two, with a probable rain-out in Pittsburgh) to show us what you can do . . . and we're expecting better than what the veterans have been doing.

He can play LF. There's a spot out there for him, and Gonzo can move to the bench.

 

[Diamondback Jay]

KDUS's Bob Kemp just reported that Hairston's gonna be getting his shoulder scoped (or I believe it was his shoulder) after he got injured crashing in to the wall in yesterday's game.

 

[KingLouieLouie]

KDUS's Bob Kemp just reported that Hairston's gonna be getting his shoulder scoped (or I believe it was his shoulder) after he got injured crashing in to the wall in yesterday's game.

It is time now to promote up Quentin and insert him into the every line-up as the Dbacks regular LF...... Especially now since it appears more and more evident that Gonzo will be dealt by the trade deadline.......

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Especially now since it appears more and more evident that Gonzo will be dealt by the trade deadline.......

...for a bag of balls and Gatorade cooler.

I can't imagine any team giving up anything worthwhile for Gonzo after what he has shown this year nor would it surprise me to see him out of baseball come next spring.

 

[Diamondback Jay]

...for a bag of balls and Gatorade cooler.

I can't imagine any team giving up anything worthwhile for Gonzo after what he has shown this year nor would it surprise me to see him out of baseball come next spring.

Maybe I'm being too nostalgic here, but I really do believe that Gonzo should be given the opportunity to retire a Diamondback.

Granted, I realize the time for Carlos Quentin is now, and Gonzo has done all he's gonna do for the team, but as mentioned before, I think Gonzo should still be kept on the roster and be allowed to retire a D-Back. I'm sure that's what he wants anyhow..

 

[KingLouieLouie]

...for a bag of balls and Gatorade cooler.

I can't imagine any team giving up anything worthwhile for Gonzo after what he has shown this year nor would it surprise me to see him out of baseball come next spring.

Believe me... an AL contending team in the midst of a pennant chase might be willing to sacrifice a couple of mid-tier prospects for Gonzo..especially since he would thrive as a DH and his veteran leadership could be very valuable...

I personally believe that a change of scenery could help resurrect Gonzo's career... Obviously, the Dbacks would have to pay most of his contract, however, money doesnt seem to be much of an objection when they've had to rid of a distraction/detraction (which Gonzo has become), just ask Russ Ortiz....

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Maybe I'm being too nostalgic here, but I really do believe that Gonzo should be given the opportunity to retire a Diamondback.

Granted, I realize the time for Carlos Quentin is now, and Gonzo has done all he's gonna do for the team, but as mentioned before, I think Gonzo should still be kept on the roster and be allowed to retire a D-Back. I'm sure that's what he wants anyhow..

He might pay lip service to it, but I doubt Gonzo really cares about retiring a Dback anymore after the whole Kendrick fiasco. He seemed genuinely pissed off about the whole situation. If him leaving means the team is going to improve either now or in the future, then pack your bags Gonzo. I root for uniforms, not the players who wear them.

And as far as Gonzo getting a couple mid-tier prospects. Well Lou, I happen to believe that's absolutely laughable. I don't see how Gonzo would thrive as a designated hitter seeing in that he can't hit LH pitching at all anymore and provides zero pop or run producing ability against RH pitching even playing half his games in hitter's paradise. And contenders never need a clubhouse guy to come in midseason because contedning teams nearly always have good chemistry already.

I think the only thing at this point that would resurrect Gonzo's career is the same thing that got it jumpstarted in the first place...steroids.

 

[KingLouieLouie]

And as far as Gonzo getting a couple mid-tier prospects. Well Lou, I happen to believe that's absolutely laughable. I don't see how Gonzo would thrive as a designated hitter seeing in that he can't hit LH pitching at all anymore and provides zero pop or run producing ability against RH pitching even playing half his games in hitter's paradise. And contenders never need a clubhouse guy to come in midseason because contedning teams nearly always have god chemistry already.

No, it's not entirely laughable considering that a key veteran player on a contending team sustains a season-ending injury and may suddenly become desperate and willing to sacrifice more than they could have possibly ever imagine... The old adage..... desperate situations calls for desperate measures does apply here...... Nothing ever ceases to amaze me anymore, so I wouldnt deem it as laughable at all.......

Plus... I think what has somewhat contributed to Gonzo's decline is the fact that he's extensively been used as a clean-up hitter, which does take him out of his element....... Especially if the Dbacks are inclined to pick-up most of his contract, then it might be very likely that a team would be willing to take a chance on him......

Its not like Im envisioning Gonzo reverting back to his '01 form, but I think the cure for most of his recent woes would be for him to go elsewhere.. would eliminate most of the pressure he has been under.... mainly the scrutiny.......

 

[KingLouieLouie]

I just also wanted to add.... Another reason why Gonzo's stats have declined (especially this season) is that there is no 'legit power threat in the line-up... Therefore, he's not getting a decent selection of pitches thrown to him...

At least last season he got some better pitches because Glaus produced at a decent rate and Clark was hitting virtually everything in site.... But now... Gonzo has begun to press thinking that he's the true power source and that's beginning to affect Tracy's approach at the plate as well.. He will eventually begin to want to pull most pitches as well... Just hope Jackson doesnt development that kind of mentality since he's the best pure hitter on the team at the moment.....

That pretty much elaborates on what I meant as Gonzo being out of his element.. .Surround like they did in '01 in the line-up with Williams, Bell. Sanders, and even to a certain extent Finley.. then subsquently Spivey, Miller, Durazo, Cintron, Hillenbrand, Sexson (for obviously that brief period)..etc..... then Gonzo will thrive again in what he does best... Trade him to an AL squad that already consists of several prolific HR hitters, then he will flourish and will be boon... Otherwise.. he will continue to struggle here trying to redefine his role.. which is the worst that can happen....

Edit: The lunacy.. he shouldnt be hitting clean-up... neither Tracy... but unfortunately there arent any other true options... Hit Gonzo 3rd or perhaps 6th.. he'll excel......

Edit 2: I forgot to add... Gonzo's is the Dbacks answer to Shawn Marion... True.. he might not produce up to his contract... or isnt someone a team must completely rely on to create something.. but the best complementary players in their respective sport....

 

[PDXChris]

I just also wanted to add.... Another reason why Gonzo's stats have declined (especially this season) is that there is no 'legit power threat in the line-up... Therefore, he's not getting a decent selection of pitches thrown to him...

I completely agree.

 

[Lefty]

Good news, Hairston not seriously hurt.

Crossed fingers: An MRI of outfielder Scott Hairston's right shoulder showed no structural damage.

Hairston injured the shoulder on Monday night when he crashed into the wall in left while attempting to make a catch. He was not in the lineup on Tuesday night and Hairston said he was told that the biceps tendon was swollen.

"It looks like everything is good," manager Bob Melvin said. "We're literally day-to-day with him right now."

Hairston, who had surgery last season on his left shoulder, had been recalled prior to Monday's game from Triple-A Tucson.

"It was a very emotional day," Hairston said. "I went from being really excited to being scared. I didn't know what to think. Obviously, I hurt my left shoulder last year so a lot of things went through my mind. I was confused, wondering why it happened the first day back. I was just hoping the MRI was going to go well. So far, so good."

It's Edgar: Edgar Gonzalez will start Thursday's game against the Rays in place of Kevin Jarvis, who was designated for assignment after being hit hard by the Rangers on Saturday night.

Gonzalez was 2-4 with a 3.76 ERA in Tucson and was among the leaders in the Pacific Coast League in strikeouts (78) and innings pitched (88 2/3). The 23-year-old has appeared in 20 games for the D-Backs during parts of the 2003-2005 seasons. This will be his first big-league action this year.

Melvin said the D-Backs chose Gonzalez over fellow Tucson starter Dustin Nippert because of the pair's recent performances. Nippert allowed eight runs on nine hits over 3 2/3 innings on Saturday.

"He's another guy we want to take a look at that has some big-league experience, yet very, very little last year," Melvin said of Gonzalez. "He's getting a little further along to where he's doing some things a little bit better and we feel like he's ready for the big leagues."

 

[boondockdrunk]

No, it's not entirely laughable considering that a key veteran player on a contending team sustains a season-ending injury and may suddenly become desperate and willing to sacrifice more than they could have possibly ever imagine... The old adage..... desperate situations calls for desperate measures does apply here...... Nothing ever ceases to amaze me anymore, so I wouldnt deem it as laughable at all.......

I look at our situation with Gonzo alot like the Rockies' with Walker a couple of years ago. He too was declining and had a large contract and was traded to the Cards. The complete trade was a bad relief pitcher (LHP Luis Martinez) who had pitched one year in the big leagues and two Class A minor leaguers (LHP Chris Narveson and RHP Jason Burch) for Larry Walker and $9 Million.

While Gonzo is not as good as Walker was then, he still has some value... however, look at what the Rockies got out of this trade. Yes, they dumped a large contract, but none of those players have amounted to anything. Martinez has about 16 IP in the majors to go with more earned runs [18], Burch can't make it out of Class A, and Narveson (who had potential) has just reached the big leagues, but it took so long he became a free agent and signed with the team that traded him (St. Louis).

So, if we do trade Gonzo, and a sum of cash to cover his salary, it will most likely be for one or two low level prospects who have potential but also a high risk included. There is only a chance that who we get can reach the majors, and it isn't an overwhelming percentage.