Some things to read while getting extinguished.
Yesterday was a pretty quiet off day, but expect some news relatively early today: The team is expected to make a decision on Carlos Gomez and his concussion before opening their series with the Astros tonight, and a roster move could be in the works if he has to go on the DL.
Meanwhile, Jim Edmonds managed to play through his sore Achilles and pick up four hits in the Cubs series. As part of this week's Five Numbers, Jeff Sullivan notes that Edmonds leads all major leaguers (with at least 200 PA) with a 28.6% line drive rate, and the defensive metrics are also still rating him as above average in center field.
Edmonds is also one of just four active players with more starts in center field than Torii Hunter, according to Jayson Stark.
Elsewhere in role players, R.J. Anderson of FanGraphs has a look at Joe Inglett. For as much as the organization has struggled to find and develop pitching, Doug Melvin deserves a fair amount of credit for always finding a way to pluck viable bench players out of obscurity.
Ryan Braun is hitting .550/.625/.600 during his current five game hitting streak, and hopefully his season is starting to turn around. He talked with Anthony Witrado this week about dealing with his extended struggles, which are a new experience for him.
In the minors:
- We're ten days away from the deadline for teams to sign their 2010 draft picks, and first round pick Dylan Covey is one of 18 remaining unsigned first round picks. Nine of the thirteen players drafted above him also haven't signed. Jim Callis of Baseball America said he expects Covey to sign for around $2 million.
- The affiliates went 3-3 yesterday, with Huntsville beating Carolina 5-3 in 13 innings on a walkoff home run from Dayton Buller. The Stars have played four extra inning contests in their last five games. You can read about that and more in today's Minor League Notes.
- Andre Lamontagne started that game and pitched six hitless innings. Stars broadcaster Chad Anderson has more on his outing.
- The guys from StadiumJourney.com visited Joe W. Davis Stadium in Huntsville this week and, despite the fact that there were less than 500 fans in attendance, gave the park 3.4 out of 5 stars.
Once again, the impact of a disappointing season is being felt at the gate: Don Walker of the Journal Sentinel notes that the Brewers' attendance is down 9.2% this season, the NL's second largest drop.
At least naming rights sales help a bit, though: The Club Level of Miller Park is now the "PNC Bank Club Level."
Around baseball:
Braves: Placed pitcher Kris Medlen on the DL with a partial tear of the UCL in his throwing elbow.
Giants: Designated reliever Denny Bautista for assignment.
Marlins: Signed third baseman Chad Tracy.
Nationals: Placed outfielder Nyjer Morgan on the DL with inflammation in his right hip.
Orioles: Placed pitcher David Hernandez on the DL with a sprained ankle.
Phillies: Designated infielder Cody Ransom for assignment.
Rockies: Placed pitcher Aaron Cook on the DL with turf toe.
Royals: Designated outfielder Jose Guillen for assignment.
With Nyjer Morgan on the DL, the stage has been set for the major league return of Kevin Mench. Mench hasn't appeared in a major league game since hitting .243/.321/.357 in 131 plate appearances for the Blue Jays in 2008.
Indians catcher Carlos Santana is already on the DL, but the news just got worse for one of the faces of the franchise's future: He's expected to undergo surgery on his left knee and is done for the season.
I know a lot of baseball fans dream of visiting all 30 MLB parks, but maybe they'd be better off skipping Tropicana Field. Coming off a recent story showing that 100% of vendors at the park were cited for "critical violations," Rays Index has a story about beer vendors reusing cups.
On this day in 1973, Warren Spahn was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Happy birthday today to 2002-04 Brewer Luis Vizcaino, who turns 36.
I know today's Mug is a short one: If you've got time left, you can go watch people argue about chain restaurants.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get back to Favre coverage.
Drink up.