azdad1978
Championship!!!!
David Vest
The Arizona Republic
Apr. 3, 2005 12:00 AM
ALBUQUERQUE - The Diamondbacks trimmed their roster to 25 players Saturday by sending right-hander Oscar Villarreal to Triple-A Tucson.
Opponents batted .375 against Villarreal (0-1, 12.79 ERA) this spring, but manager Bob Melvin assumed the blame for Villarreal's shaky preseason.
"I took him out of the rotation maybe a little too late, and he's had some inconsistent outings," Melvin said. " . . . This is not as much a demotion as it is getting him 'right.' He needs to be more consistent. One day he'll have a good outing and put the ball where he wants to, other days he'll rotate out there a little early and the ball comes up or stays in a little bit to a righty."
Melvin also confirmed that right-hander Jose Valverde (irritated biceps tendon) will begin the season on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 25.
Halsey suspended
Left-hander Brad Halsey must serve a two-game suspension for throwing high and tight to Dave Roberts late last season while Halsey was pitching for the New York Yankees and Roberts was with the Boston Red Sox.
The suspension from the commissioner's office begins Tuesday, allowing Halsey to take part in Opening Day ceremonies Monday.
Halsey, who won the fifth spot in the starting rotation, isn't scheduled to pitch until April 11.
The suspension will not prevent him from throwing a simulated game Wednesday, Melvin said.
Roberts now plays for San Diego.
Big surprise
Melvin said right-hander Brandon Lyon (0-0, 0.69) was the biggest surprise of spring training.
Lyon gave up four hits and one earned run in 13 innings, and retired all three batters he faced Saturday on 13 pitches.
"He was kind of an unknown," Melvin said. " . . . I didn't expect all that much, and I didn't expect what I see right now and what I've seen all spring from this guy. He's a quality pitcher. You can see why he was the guy in the (Curt) Schilling deal they couldn't do without."
Short hops
Infielder Sergio Santos was late for the team bus to Sky Harbor International Airport on Saturday morning.
As punishment, Santos was told to serve as batboy for the first inning, then forced to wear a circular clock around his neck, a la rap artist Flavor Flav, when the team walked past fans to the buses outside Isotopes Park.
"I have never been that embarrassed in my life," Santos said of his batboy duties.
• The Diamondbacks don't play today, but the team plans to assemble this morning at Bank One Ballpark for meetings and an hourlong workout, which is closed to the public.
• Fans and players at Saturday's game stood and observed a moment of silence between the first and second innings to honor Pope John Paul II.
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/special3/articles/0403dbacksnb0403.html
The Arizona Republic
Apr. 3, 2005 12:00 AM
ALBUQUERQUE - The Diamondbacks trimmed their roster to 25 players Saturday by sending right-hander Oscar Villarreal to Triple-A Tucson.
Opponents batted .375 against Villarreal (0-1, 12.79 ERA) this spring, but manager Bob Melvin assumed the blame for Villarreal's shaky preseason.
"I took him out of the rotation maybe a little too late, and he's had some inconsistent outings," Melvin said. " . . . This is not as much a demotion as it is getting him 'right.' He needs to be more consistent. One day he'll have a good outing and put the ball where he wants to, other days he'll rotate out there a little early and the ball comes up or stays in a little bit to a righty."
Melvin also confirmed that right-hander Jose Valverde (irritated biceps tendon) will begin the season on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 25.
Halsey suspended
Left-hander Brad Halsey must serve a two-game suspension for throwing high and tight to Dave Roberts late last season while Halsey was pitching for the New York Yankees and Roberts was with the Boston Red Sox.
The suspension from the commissioner's office begins Tuesday, allowing Halsey to take part in Opening Day ceremonies Monday.
Halsey, who won the fifth spot in the starting rotation, isn't scheduled to pitch until April 11.
The suspension will not prevent him from throwing a simulated game Wednesday, Melvin said.
Roberts now plays for San Diego.
Big surprise
Melvin said right-hander Brandon Lyon (0-0, 0.69) was the biggest surprise of spring training.
Lyon gave up four hits and one earned run in 13 innings, and retired all three batters he faced Saturday on 13 pitches.
"He was kind of an unknown," Melvin said. " . . . I didn't expect all that much, and I didn't expect what I see right now and what I've seen all spring from this guy. He's a quality pitcher. You can see why he was the guy in the (Curt) Schilling deal they couldn't do without."
Short hops
Infielder Sergio Santos was late for the team bus to Sky Harbor International Airport on Saturday morning.
As punishment, Santos was told to serve as batboy for the first inning, then forced to wear a circular clock around his neck, a la rap artist Flavor Flav, when the team walked past fans to the buses outside Isotopes Park.
"I have never been that embarrassed in my life," Santos said of his batboy duties.
• The Diamondbacks don't play today, but the team plans to assemble this morning at Bank One Ballpark for meetings and an hourlong workout, which is closed to the public.
• Fans and players at Saturday's game stood and observed a moment of silence between the first and second innings to honor Pope John Paul II.
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/special3/articles/0403dbacksnb0403.html
