More bullpen problems ...
The already battered Devil Rays bullpen took another blow Wednesday when closer Tyler Walker was placed on the disabled list due to a right elbow strain.
Walker had been the one consistently dependable reliever the Rays had, saving 10 games in 12 chances since being acquired from the Giants. He was 1-3 with a 4.95 ERA in 20 games.
Walker's injury was something of a surprise - he pitched Monday night, allowing two runs in the ninth for his second blown save, but made no mention of elbow problems. Manager Joe Maddon said before Tuesday's game that Walker was available to pitch.
To replace Walker, the Rays called up Tim Corcoran from Triple-A Durham.
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Maybe it's time to experiment with McClung in the closer role. I know its grasping at straws, but what/who else do they have?They wouldn't miss him very much in the rotation.
Posted by: msham | June 14, 2006 at 04:58 PM
THE RAYS ARE UNWATCHABLE.THIS IS A MICKEY MOUSE TEAM WITH MICKEY MOUSE OWNERSHIP. AND THINGS WERE SUPPOSED TO GE BETTER,WHAT A JOKE.
Posted by: Anonymous | June 14, 2006 at 05:12 PM
How many more 90+ loss seasons will it take before relocation or contraction is brought up? The Rays have a AAA lineup with AA pitching backed by bush-league money.
Posted by: Anonymous | June 14, 2006 at 09:51 PM
you 'anonymous' bloggers are idiots... you don't just snap your fingers and make a complete pitching staff happen in the hardest division in baseball & playing a ridiculous 'unbalanced ' intradivisional schedule... I suggest if they are 'unwatchable' that you don't watch them!With a bullpen pitcher or 2 they will be very competive... typical comments from uneducated Tampa fans
Posted by: Anonymous | June 15, 2006 at 11:55 AM
Preach on last anonymous guy...As for the bullpen, we can fix it(somewhat) by calling up some of our better relief prospects(Salas, Ridgeway, Orvella[when he's ready]) and we could always use convert Durham SP Brian Stokes into a long-relief arm. Just my thoughts, though.Regardless of Meadows and Harpo pitching well in Detroit, they need to go....and go quickly.The bullpen would be a bit "green" but it has the stuff to become a formidable staff.Long-relief: B. StokesMid-relief: J. RidgewayMid-relief: T. CorcoranMid-relief: S. CampSet-up Man: R. LugoCloser: J. Salas
Posted by: The Rocc | June 16, 2006 at 12:19 PM
I AGREE THAT JUAN SALAS WILL BE THE CLOSER SOON, HOPEFULLY BEFORE THE ALL-STAR BREAK. HE HAS ALREADY ADDED 3 K'S IN 1.1 INNS IN AAA.ORVELLA OR RUDDY L. SHOULD DO OK AS THE SET UP MEN. PLUS.. YOU ADD CORCORAN,RIDGEWAY, MCLUNG, MAYBE WAECHTER TO THE PEN AND THE CHANCES LOOK SOME BETTER. THE OTHER GUY IS RIGHT .. HARPER HAS HAD HIS UP'S & DOWNS. TIME TO GO !
Posted by: RICHIE RACARDO | June 16, 2006 at 07:00 PM
Let me address the "idiot" remark. The Rays have been "snapping their fingers" now for 10 years with little to show for it, pitching or otherwise. The Rays play in a tough division, yes, but have not competed in that division for ten years. Unacceptable. Colorado draws nicely at Coors Field, and both Florida and Arizona have won it all in the same amount of time given the Rays. The Braves went from worst to first in 1991 after years of wretchedness, "small market" Oakland has done very well, and the Mets won the World Series in '69 7 years after losing 120 games. As a fan I'm not looking for 100 wins; I'm looking for respectability.
Posted by: Anonymous | June 16, 2006 at 09:58 PM
THEY NEED TO ACT NOW ! BRING UP SALAS ... THE PERFECT CLOSER AND IT IS THE PERFECT TIME. HE DOES NOT HAVE TO REMAIN IN AAA TO DEVELOP ANY LONGER. A ZERO ERA NEEDS LITTLE DEVELOPING. PLUS HE PUTS UP A LOT OF K'S ! I HOPE THE FANS WILL MAKE SOME SIGNS LIFTING SALAS IN THE TROP & SOON. WHY WAIT TILL SEPT.?
Posted by: RICHIE RICARDO | June 17, 2006 at 01:22 PM