Valverde On DL...Lance Cormier Starting Tomorrow..Etc...

[KingLouieLouie]

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-diamondbacksmoves&prov=ap&type=lgns

PHOENIX (AP) -- The Arizona Diamondbacks put reliever Jose Valverde on the 15-day disabled list Friday because of tendinitis in his right rotator cuff and purchased pitcher Lance Cormier's contract from Triple-A Tucson.

Cormier will become the ninth pitcher to start for the injury-plagued Diamondbacks this season. The 23-year-old right-hander will make his major league debut Saturday night in the second game of a home series against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

The Diamondbacks also moved reliever Oscar Villarreal to the 60-day DL.
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Valverde (1-2) had eight saves in 10 chances. Arizona manager Bob Brenly said Mike Koplove will close for the time being, with left-hander Randy Choate getting the call in some situations.

Cormier will start instead of Andrew Good, relegated to the bullpen after allowing seven runs on eight hits and a walk in 3 2-3 innings at Toronto on June 12.

``Cormier has been a starter, and it's his regular day to throw, so he's right on his regular turn,'' Brenly said. ``And rather than ask Cormier to do something he's not familiar with, we decided to go this direction.''

Cormier, a fourth-round draft pick two years ago, opened the season at Double-A El Paso and was promoted to Tucson on May 30. He was 1-1 with a 1.77 ERA in three starts with the Sidewinders.

Brenly, whose team ranks 27th in walks issued, said the big consideration with Cormier was his control.

``The thing that stood out was the fact that he doesn't walk people,'' Brenly said. ``He throws the ball over the plate and lets his defense work behind him.''

Well, now Koplove has been anointed as the Dbacks closer.....Thats obviously not reassuring because of his history of arm troubles..... I cant fathom what will happen next.....

 

[Evil Ash]

Well that sucks but injuries happen (especially on this team).

So does anyone know about Cormier?

 

[Ryanwb]

Lance Cormier has awesome control. His strikeout to walk ratio is amazing for a minor leaguer.... I have no clue about his velocity but if he is the same Cormier I remember at the University of Alabama he throws a really nice Kerry Wood like overhand curve... Really tough to hit because it is difficult to judge the pitch out of the hand as a breaking ball.

I'm excited to see him play tomorrow..

 

[Ryanwb]

Whoops, I misspoke...he doesn't throw an overhand curve like I was thinking, he throws a split finger. I dont know who I was thinking of...

 

[KingLouieLouie]

I guess I'm just overly concerned yet again because Cormier more than likely will be regulated on a strict pitch count, and I just dont know if Koplove is suited for the closer-role because he too has been excessively used.....Also, cant be used in successive days.......

I also saw on tonights broadcast that Mantei will have surgery to remove spurs from his shoulder....

I just wonder where the blame should be directed to as to why all these pitchers have developed shoulder/elbow ailments..... Is it a training issue? Is it Brenly misusing them? Is it the limited payroll that Joe Jr. had to contend with this offseason that he was unable to bring in anyone to solidify the rotation... Probably a combination of everything......

 

[DbaxJ]

Mantei has always had arm trouble... he was on the DL when with Fla just as much as he is here....

 

[AZZenny]

Yeah - I think Brenly can be blamed for Oscar Villareal - he was badly overused for a rookie - but otherwise, I'm not sure our pitchers have that many more problems due to team management/care than a lot of other teams. Hard to say Valverde was overused recently. Koppy is a very small guy, but he also had a rough bone spot on his shoulder blade, I believe, and that's nobody's fault. Mantei now says he has a bone spur in the shoulder - why that wasn't noticed before...?

This year in 13 games/83 innings, Cormier averages 6-7 innings a start, 1 walk per four IP, 1 SO per IP, and 1 home run per 27.6 IP. He is the 2002 4th round pick from Alabama, and reportedly has a killer instinct - one opposing coach said he couldn't help enjoying himself watching Cormier ruthlessly mow down the batters.

I almost fell off my chair to hear he got called up already - gotta be there for this one.

Dewan Brazelton on Tampa Bay is a very, very highly-regarded prospect/rookie pitcher as well. He has been up and down a bit because they tried to tinker with his mechanics and he couldn't adjust, but when he's on: The Rays' first-round pick of the 2001 draft figures to be either the No. 4 or No. 5 starter coming into the season. He had great location on his fastball, constantly pounding the zone and then finishing off hitters with his plus-changeup, the best pitch in his arsenal.

 

[KingLouieLouie]

Mantei has always had arm trouble... he was on the DL when with Fla just as much as he is here....

If that was the case....then I fail to see the logic as to why Brenly would over-extend him in the first place..... Also, I will reiterate again...why didnt the Dbacks either give him an extended Spring Training or put him on the DL when the season began since he obviously wasnt in good shape following that fingernail-ailment.....

Yeah - I think Brenly can be blamed for Oscar Villareal - he was badly overused for a rookie - but otherwise, I'm not sure our pitchers have that many more problems due to team management/care than a lot of other teams. Hard to say Valverde was overused recently. Koppy is a very small guy, but he also had a rough bone spot on his shoulder blade, I believe, and that's nobody's fault. Mantei now says he has a bone spur in the shoulder - why that wasn't noticed before...?

I came across this regarding Brian Bruney....

Rookie Brian Bruney threw 138 pitches in five games over an eight-day span before he was placed on the disabled list with inflammation in his right elbow.

It just concerns me that Brenly didnt monitor his pitch-count more effectively......

Also, knowing tht Koplove has a "rough bone spot on his shoulder blade"... that doesnt make sense then to put him into the closer role....Probably best to use Dessens and Service since both seem very durable.....

Im not completely directing the blame toward Brenly....As we have discussed several times before....I'm dumbfounded as to why they acquired damaged goods.....Reynolds was added to the staff in the role of an "inning eater", but obviously he has an inflamed shoulder....Then there's Fossum, Nance, and Lyons who obviously suffered from the same....

This is why the Dbacks must focus on bringing in some solid starters during the offseason because they'll continue to exploit their prospects like they have been doing....

 

[AZZenny]

Koplove's surgery last fall was to smooth that spot and clean up debris - the real issue is he's maybe nine months removed from surgery, and it takes a full year minimum, and he's already on pace to throw more innings than he ever has in a season. I forgot about Bruney - you are right on that one, too.

I keep thinking some responsibility has to go to Kniffin - what is a pitching coach for, if not to be tuned in to this stuff? I am also wondering what Mark Davis does as Bullpen coach. Not defending BB - I am quite ready for him to be removed - but I think some of the issues with pitchers falls on his staff, and as you mention, a lot of the problem goes straight back to the GM. People can say what they want in his defense, but he does not know how to pick (non-Ace) pitchers worth squat. He's shown that over and over and over.

That's one reason any trades he might make scare the bejeezus out of me. I can imagine him trading Finley for another Albie Lopez, for example.

 

[AZZenny]

Real bad night for rookie pitching prospects, eh? Phew. Maybe it's something about BOB - none of our guys can find the damn strike zone. Maybe...maybe the mound is askew or something.

Certainly was ugly.

 

[KingLouieLouie]

I keep thinking some responsibility has to go to Kniffin - what is a pitching coach for, if not to be tuned in to this stuff? I am also wondering what Mark Davis does as Bullpen coach. Not defending BB - I am quite ready for him to be removed - but I think some of the issues with pitchers falls on his staff, and as you mention, a lot of the problem goes straight back to the GM. People can say what they want in his defense, but he does not know how to pick (non-Ace) pitchers worth squat. He's shown that over and over and over.


That's one reason any trades he might make scare the bejeezus out of me. I can imagine him trading Finley for another Albie Lopez, for example.

Oh, I fear now (and willing wager) that Choate and Villafuerte will be on the DL w/in the next couple weeks because they've been over-extended as of late and will continue to be out of necessity....

Choate is generally was acquired specifically to get that one LH hitter retired that would change the ball-game around, however, he's been averaging over an inning an outing (and has struggled against LH hitters for that matter)......

The most innings Villafuerte has pitched in his career was 40.2 last season and he's currently on a staggering pace.....

Randolph's lack of control has been obviously well documented as of late, and I bet he has some undisclosed ailment (which will be revealed w/in the next week or so)....Yeah, it could be mentally, it seems he's been getting progressively worse.......

Kniffin should be terminated.....I just dont see how the Dbacks have improved with him as pitching coach..... Mark Davis obviously was a former CY Award Winner, but he probably doesnt feel at liberty to voice his input on anything since he believes he'd be overstepping Brenly and Kniffin....

One issue I'm trying to figure out is to why they still have all these position players on the roster who arent being used (IE Green and Zinter), when they could really benefit from another arm...... I understand they need those position players during Interleague Play, but that would only apply when they're in the AL park with the DH in place......

I still project that Brenly will be forced to mutually resign by the All-Star Break, which would enable the team to make a complete transition......

 

[AZZenny]

One issue I'm trying to figure out is to why they still have all these position players on the roster who arent being used (IE Green and Zinter), when they could really benefit from another arm......

What arms do you have in mind? Cormier was the only arm that looked real promising, although I thought the call-up was premature. He 'pitched for the cycle' in 1/3 inning, btw. Has to be some kind of record. Poor kid.

But we can see why Zintner is a career minor leaguer - he gets up here and loses it. I'd give Andy Green the playing time, not Zintner.

 

[KingLouieLouie]

What arms do you have in mind? Cormier was the only arm that looked real promising, although I thought the call-up was premature. He 'pitched for the cycle' in 1/3 inning, btw. Has to be some kind of record. Poor kid.

But we can see why Zintner is a career minor leaguer - he gets up here and loses it. I'd give Andy Green the playing time, not Zintner.

Captain Hook's Arm! JK!

Seriously, though..... Not any pitcher in particular, but just someone to be called up to provide some innings in relief (whether it be in long-relief, mop-up role, etc..).. Just to take the strain off of Choate, Koplove, and Randolph... Also, to prevent any damage that may happen to Villafuerte at the rate he's been used....

I know the Dbacks dont want to bring-up a prospect who wouldnt be able to play in a regular basis, but I just cant see the benefit of having Zinter....
They already have Hillendbrand and Tracy (even though he isnt completely experienced) to play 1B.....I guess Zinter will be demoted either once Alomar and Colbrunn are reactivated.... I was surprised that Brenly didnt reward Green with a start after his HR.....Cant he play both 3B and 1B as well? So why have 2 players who are essentially alike wasting away on the bench when there's more pressing needs to be addressed?

Edit: Why not finally give Gosling an opportunity to start since he's still their prized pitching prospect? Or even Aquino.....I know theyll both probably struggling, but at least they've pitched in the AAA level for awhile, compared to Cormier......

 

[schillingfan]

It occurs to me that the D-Backs are not real good putting insurance arms at AAA. Most teams stash a few experienced AAAA starters and relievers so they can be called up in the case of short term injury and at least not put in the kind of performance that Lance Cormier did.

Brady Raggio seems to be the only one the D-Backs had and it's showing right now. You need those replacement level arms just to avoid killing the arms that you really care about.

Phillies had a rash of starting pitcher injuries so they called up guys from AAA. Their starting core got so thin that they traded for Robert Ellis, he of 2001 D-Backs fame. He's 3-0 in AAA and probably would get a shot if we have another pitching injury.

 

[KingLouieLouie]

It occurs to me that the D-Backs are not real good putting insurance arms at AAA. Most teams stash a few experienced AAAA starters and relievers so they can be called up in the case of short term injury and at least not put in the kind of performance that Lance Cormier did.

Brady Raggio seems to be the only one the D-Backs had and it's showing right now. You need those replacement level arms just to avoid killing the arms that you really care about.

Actually.... they had several like Scott Service, Shane Nance, and Jim Parque who were all "stashed" away as experienced "AAAA" pitchers, however, the problem is that they've already been promoted or are injured...

Edit: I forgot to include Brandon Villafuerte who had a couple of years of Major League experience as well, but he too has been overly used over the past week....

Plus, they recently signed Mike Fetters to a Minor League deal and still have Shane Reynolds and Brandon Lyons still awaiting medical clearance to pitch... I guess Reynolds is now on a rehab assignment in Tucson and might be on track to join the rotation w/in 2 wks or less....