Post by Fish Troll on May 13, 2007 18:33:25 GMT -5
Notes: Cruz needs to pick it up
Texas outfielder pressing at the plate and defensively
By Ken Daley / Special to MLB.com
ARLINGTON -- A costly throwing error Saturday and an extended hitting slump appear to have moved Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz to the brink of a Minor League demotion.
The Rangers hailed Cruz as an integral part of last July's six-player trade with the Brewers that also brought slugger Carlos Lee. Lee's stay in Arlington lasted just three months, but the team committed last winter to establishing Cruz as its new starting right fielder.
However, Cruz is struggling to keep up his end of the bargain. His throwing error that allowed a run to score in Saturday's 6-3 loss was his third of the season and helped the Angels to a three-run rally. And his 1-for-4 performance at the plate left him entering Sunday on a 2-for-27 skid (.074) that has sunk his batting average from .246 to .190.
"He's not doing everything," Rangers manager Ron Washington said before Sunday's game. "He's not making solid contact. He's overdoing it on the defensive end. He's trying to find himself, and he's just trying to do too much."
It's difficult for the Rangers to know just what they have in Cruz. He was back in the starting lineup Sunday, but he entered the game a .210 hitter with six home runs and 28 RBI in 219 career at-bats. That's a little more than one-third of a full big-league season.
Cruz was a .289 career hitter in the Minors, but he has been unable to establish himself in the Majors. The Dominican Republic native originally was signed by the Mets, then he was traded to the A's and to the Brewers before being dealt again to the Rangers. He turns 27 in July, an advanced age for a prospect still with so few big-league at-bats.
"I wouldn't call 27 'old,'" Washington said. "He has some great skills, but it's just not coming together the way we want it. And with the team not playing as well as we'd like, his little inconsistencies are getting exposed a little more. All the teaching is going on every single day. But, at some point, you've got to take responsibility for yourself."
Cruz is playing himself out of favor at a most inopportune time. Frank Catalanotto is about to come off the disabled list, but he still has shoulder soreness that will limit him to designated hitter duty. Sammy Sosa is playing well at 38, but Washington is concerned about wearing him down by playing him too frequently in the outfield. Brad Wilkerson also must be handled gingerly after requiring shoulder surgery last year.
But if Cruz doesn't turn things around quickly, he might find himself trying to regain his consistency and confidence at Triple-A Oklahoma.
"We haven't gone there yet, but we'll make that decision soon," Washington said. "Sometimes you have to take a step backward to go forward."
Teixeira sets team mark: Rangers first baseman Mark Teixeira played his 483rd straight game Sunday, establishing a new team record. Teixeira's streak is the second-longest active mark in the Majors behind Baltimore's Miguel Tejada (1,118).
The five longest consecutive-games streaks in Rangers history are:
• 483 -- Mark Teixeira -- May 21, 2004-present
• 482 -- Alex Rodriguez -- July 25, 2000-Sept. 23, 2003
• 325 -- Ruben Sierra -- May 10, 1988-May 13, 1990
• 287 -- Michael Young -- June 24, 2005-May 9, 2007
• 264 -- Al Oliver -- April 10, 1980-Sept. 29, 1981
Millwood, Catalanotto nearly back: Right-hander Mike Wood started against the Angels on Sunday, but he is expected to be sent back to Triple-A Oklahoma after the game. That would clear a roster spot for right-hander Kevin Millwood to be activated for his scheduled start Monday against the Angels.
Outfielder-DH Catalanotto will be activated Tuesday, which likely means the demotion of Cruz or fellow outfielder Victor Diaz. Catalanotto went 0-for-4 in his Saturday rehab appearance at Double-A Frisco, and he said he still is feeling pain in the front of his shoulder capsule. Still unable to throw, he will be available only for DH and pinch-hitting duties while continuing therapy.
"It doesn't matter," Washington said. "I want Cat's bat back. He can do some damage, even pinch-hitting."
Catalanotto said the rust was apparent in his Minor League game.
"It went well, but I felt like a fish out of water," he said. "The first guy I faced was throwing 88 [mph], but to me it looked like 110 [mph]. But, with each at-bat, I felt a little more comfortable."
No rules, but one: Third baseman Hank Blalock's brother Jake is an outfielder at Frisco. Hank claimed his younger brother had called late Saturday night, distraught that he had to eat peanut butter-and-jelly sandwiches because Catalanotto had neglected the tradition of a visiting big-leaguer provide an upgraded postgame spread for his team.
"Not true," Catalanotto insisted. "I bought those guys Outback."
Saturday's Minors stars: The top three performances from the Rangers' Minor League teams on Saturday were:
Gold: Outfielder Marlon Byrd was 3-for-5 with a grand slam in Triple-A Oklahoma's 7-2 victory over Tucson. Byrd is 15-for-30 with 11 RBIs in his last six games, and he is batting .367 for the season.
Silver: Second baseman Jose Vallejo went 4-for-5 with a triple and four RBIs in Class A Clinton's 12-6 win over Cedar Rapids. Vallejo is hitting .293 with 18 RBIs through 34 games.
Bronze: Double-A Frisco shortstop Casey Benjamin was 2-for-4 with three RBIs in a 5-4, 10-inning victory over Corpus Christi. Benjamin's three-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning tied the game and forced extra innings.
He said it: "I'm going to take care of Sammy. I'm not going to overexpose him in the outfield. I'm not going to run him out there four or five days in a row, but I will one or two." -- Washington, on Sosa in the field once Catalanotto returns
Briefly: The start time of the Rangers' May 26 game with the Red Sox has been changed from 2:55 p.m. to 7:05 p.m. CT. The game originally was slated for a national telecast, but Fox Sports has decided not to carry it as part of its Saturday programming package. ... The Rangers went into Sunday afternoon's game with a 5-7 record in day games this season. Texas, which was 16-22 in day games last season, will play its fourth day game in a five-game stretch on Monday.
Up next: Right-hander Millwood (2-3, 5.88 ERA) will oppose Angels righty Jered Weaver (1-3, 4.26 ERA) in the afternoon finale of this four-game series at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on Monday. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. CT.
Ken Daley is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Texas outfielder pressing at the plate and defensively
By Ken Daley / Special to MLB.com
ARLINGTON -- A costly throwing error Saturday and an extended hitting slump appear to have moved Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz to the brink of a Minor League demotion.
The Rangers hailed Cruz as an integral part of last July's six-player trade with the Brewers that also brought slugger Carlos Lee. Lee's stay in Arlington lasted just three months, but the team committed last winter to establishing Cruz as its new starting right fielder.
However, Cruz is struggling to keep up his end of the bargain. His throwing error that allowed a run to score in Saturday's 6-3 loss was his third of the season and helped the Angels to a three-run rally. And his 1-for-4 performance at the plate left him entering Sunday on a 2-for-27 skid (.074) that has sunk his batting average from .246 to .190.
"He's not doing everything," Rangers manager Ron Washington said before Sunday's game. "He's not making solid contact. He's overdoing it on the defensive end. He's trying to find himself, and he's just trying to do too much."
It's difficult for the Rangers to know just what they have in Cruz. He was back in the starting lineup Sunday, but he entered the game a .210 hitter with six home runs and 28 RBI in 219 career at-bats. That's a little more than one-third of a full big-league season.
Cruz was a .289 career hitter in the Minors, but he has been unable to establish himself in the Majors. The Dominican Republic native originally was signed by the Mets, then he was traded to the A's and to the Brewers before being dealt again to the Rangers. He turns 27 in July, an advanced age for a prospect still with so few big-league at-bats.
"I wouldn't call 27 'old,'" Washington said. "He has some great skills, but it's just not coming together the way we want it. And with the team not playing as well as we'd like, his little inconsistencies are getting exposed a little more. All the teaching is going on every single day. But, at some point, you've got to take responsibility for yourself."
Cruz is playing himself out of favor at a most inopportune time. Frank Catalanotto is about to come off the disabled list, but he still has shoulder soreness that will limit him to designated hitter duty. Sammy Sosa is playing well at 38, but Washington is concerned about wearing him down by playing him too frequently in the outfield. Brad Wilkerson also must be handled gingerly after requiring shoulder surgery last year.
But if Cruz doesn't turn things around quickly, he might find himself trying to regain his consistency and confidence at Triple-A Oklahoma.
"We haven't gone there yet, but we'll make that decision soon," Washington said. "Sometimes you have to take a step backward to go forward."
Teixeira sets team mark: Rangers first baseman Mark Teixeira played his 483rd straight game Sunday, establishing a new team record. Teixeira's streak is the second-longest active mark in the Majors behind Baltimore's Miguel Tejada (1,118).
The five longest consecutive-games streaks in Rangers history are:
• 483 -- Mark Teixeira -- May 21, 2004-present
• 482 -- Alex Rodriguez -- July 25, 2000-Sept. 23, 2003
• 325 -- Ruben Sierra -- May 10, 1988-May 13, 1990
• 287 -- Michael Young -- June 24, 2005-May 9, 2007
• 264 -- Al Oliver -- April 10, 1980-Sept. 29, 1981
Millwood, Catalanotto nearly back: Right-hander Mike Wood started against the Angels on Sunday, but he is expected to be sent back to Triple-A Oklahoma after the game. That would clear a roster spot for right-hander Kevin Millwood to be activated for his scheduled start Monday against the Angels.
Outfielder-DH Catalanotto will be activated Tuesday, which likely means the demotion of Cruz or fellow outfielder Victor Diaz. Catalanotto went 0-for-4 in his Saturday rehab appearance at Double-A Frisco, and he said he still is feeling pain in the front of his shoulder capsule. Still unable to throw, he will be available only for DH and pinch-hitting duties while continuing therapy.
"It doesn't matter," Washington said. "I want Cat's bat back. He can do some damage, even pinch-hitting."
Catalanotto said the rust was apparent in his Minor League game.
"It went well, but I felt like a fish out of water," he said. "The first guy I faced was throwing 88 [mph], but to me it looked like 110 [mph]. But, with each at-bat, I felt a little more comfortable."
No rules, but one: Third baseman Hank Blalock's brother Jake is an outfielder at Frisco. Hank claimed his younger brother had called late Saturday night, distraught that he had to eat peanut butter-and-jelly sandwiches because Catalanotto had neglected the tradition of a visiting big-leaguer provide an upgraded postgame spread for his team.
"Not true," Catalanotto insisted. "I bought those guys Outback."
Saturday's Minors stars: The top three performances from the Rangers' Minor League teams on Saturday were:
Gold: Outfielder Marlon Byrd was 3-for-5 with a grand slam in Triple-A Oklahoma's 7-2 victory over Tucson. Byrd is 15-for-30 with 11 RBIs in his last six games, and he is batting .367 for the season.
Silver: Second baseman Jose Vallejo went 4-for-5 with a triple and four RBIs in Class A Clinton's 12-6 win over Cedar Rapids. Vallejo is hitting .293 with 18 RBIs through 34 games.
Bronze: Double-A Frisco shortstop Casey Benjamin was 2-for-4 with three RBIs in a 5-4, 10-inning victory over Corpus Christi. Benjamin's three-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning tied the game and forced extra innings.
He said it: "I'm going to take care of Sammy. I'm not going to overexpose him in the outfield. I'm not going to run him out there four or five days in a row, but I will one or two." -- Washington, on Sosa in the field once Catalanotto returns
Briefly: The start time of the Rangers' May 26 game with the Red Sox has been changed from 2:55 p.m. to 7:05 p.m. CT. The game originally was slated for a national telecast, but Fox Sports has decided not to carry it as part of its Saturday programming package. ... The Rangers went into Sunday afternoon's game with a 5-7 record in day games this season. Texas, which was 16-22 in day games last season, will play its fourth day game in a five-game stretch on Monday.
Up next: Right-hander Millwood (2-3, 5.88 ERA) will oppose Angels righty Jered Weaver (1-3, 4.26 ERA) in the afternoon finale of this four-game series at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on Monday. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. CT.
Ken Daley is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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