AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2008 > April > 27
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Glavine ready, Soriano … not so fast
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
New York — You can expect to see Tom Glavine on the mound Tuesday night at Washington, probably see Chipper Jones at third base for that series opener against the Nationals, and possibly see Yunel Escobar.
But don’t expect to see closer Rafael Soriano come off the DL at least until we get back to Atlanta and play a weekend series against the Reds.
That’s the long and short of developments this morning within the Braves infirmary, er, clubhouse.
Oh, and good morning (or early afternoon) from Shea, where we’ll spend one more chilly, damp day here in scenic Flushing before heading south for an off day in D.C. (and a two-game series against the Nats, the result of moving a game to make ESPN happy and create a single-game special opener at Nationals Park).
Chipper’s back spasms have subsided, but he said he’s still got pain in his middle back and that there’s no way he could field his position or swing at 90-mph pitches without making things worse.
“I could try to play, but they’d be carting me off the field in the first inning,” said Hoss, who added that the back thing made it difficult watching the NFL draft in his room last night. Dammit.
He was here early this morning, doing the hot tub, stretching and getting “adjusted” by the trainer. Chipper said he hopes to be ready to play Tuesday and sounded optimistic about it.
Escobar said the swelling in his injured right index finger has decreased and that he expects to play Tuesday. But Bobby Cox said “we’ll see” and pointed out that Escobar couldn’t even grip a bat on Saturday.
Glavine threw a bullpen this morning and felt good. Said he injured right hamstring felt much better, and barring any unexpected setbacks he’ll come off the DL to start Tuesday.
Soriano, that’s another story. He threw a bullpen today, first time he’s thrown off a mound in exactly three weeks, since an April 6 game against the Mets, after which he went on the DL with elbow tendinitis.
Said the elbow felt better today, but still had a bit of soreness in there. Didn’t throw anything but fastballs, either. So yes, there’s reason for concern, if you ask me.
Cox said it was “encouraging,” however, and that Soriano would throw another bullpen in D.C., then probably one more after that.
Let’s say both of those sessions go well. That’d still probably take it through next weekend before he’d be activated, since Braves are off Thursday and I wouldn’t expect him to throw that second bullpen Cox alluded to on an off day (yes, two scheduled off days for Braves in next four days. Not typical.)
But we’ll just have to wait and see on Soriano. I’m going to guess that it’ll be at least Sunday or Monday before he’s activated. And even then, I don’t know if they will need to monitor him when he gets back, to make sure he doesn’t make back-to-back appearances or whatever until the elbow feels completely healthy.
Today’s lineup: Looks like we’re going to start on time, and hopefully get in a game before the rain arrives.
Braves have three young’uns in the lineup — Gregor Blanco in left, hitting second against RH Nelson Figueroa, and Martin Prado and Brent Lillibridge in the seventh and eighth spots in front of Smoltz.
The full lineup: 1. Johnson, 2B; 2. Blanco, LF; 3. Francoeur, RF; 4. Teixeira, 1B; 5. McCann, C; 6. Kotsay, CF; 7. Prado, 3B; 8. Lillibridge, SS; 9. Bearded Icon.
A big absence: Chipper leads the majors with a .433 average, but did you realize he’s batting .550 (22-for-40) with runners on base? Pat Burrell (.474) is second in the NL, and Reed Johnson (.464) is third.
Bringing up the rear? Andruw at .100 (4-for-40) and another frequent blog subject, Austin Kearns (5-for-40).
Campillo, bueno: If he keeps up anything close to this pace, reliever Jorge Campillo is going to make a Braves scout and the front office look very astute for signing him off the scrap heap this winter. Already has, really.
I mean, who could ever have expected this from the journeyman and longtime former Mexican League pitcher?
Campillo’s two hitless, scoreless innings with four strikeouts on Saturday reduced his ERA to 0.96 in 9-1/3 innings and trimmed his opponents’ average to .103, second in the NL to Mets closer Billy Wagner, who’s yet to give up a hit in nine innings entering today.
His 6.4 baserunners per nine innings ranks third among NL relievers.
On the road, Campillo has allowed one walk. That’s it. Opponents’ are 0-for-21 with eight strikeouts and one walk against him on the road.
And regardless of where he’s pitching, he’s not allowed a hit with two strikes. In two-strike situations hitters are 0-for-25 with one walk and 11 strikeouts against him.
All this from a guy who made five appearances last season for Seattle and had a 6.75 ERA, with 18 hits and 10 earned runs allowed in 13-1/3 innings.
Wow.
Even other Braves pitchers are amazed at the unusual movement he’s getting on his pitches. Bobby says his success all stems from locating the fastball, first of all.
Campillo doesn’t say much. Doesn’t speak English, and walks around with a serious look that says, I’m here to pitch and only to pitch.
I like it. You need that in a reliever or two, don’t you? Especially when the scowling closer isn’t able to scowl on the field these days.
City never sleeps: Stopped by the Virgin music store in Union Square last night, was amazed it was no only open but crowded at almost 1 a.m. Roamed their huge selection. Dropped some coin on six CDs, including two of the Replacements expanded reissues, Let It Be and Hootenanny, plus the new Billy Bragg CD, and the debut by the duo She and Him (him is M. Ward, she is versatile and extremely cool actress Zooey Deschanel), and a remastered, first-time-on-CD version of 70s folk/blues singer Karen Dalton’s In My Own Time. Ever heard of her? Without exaggerating, she’s one of the greatest female singers ever. I mean, Billie Holliday-like greatness. And a serious guitar player, to boot.
OK, game’s starting. Fill it up, folks.
My dad used to play some great music on his newfangled car cassette player when I was a kid, including a lot of Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jr. Walker and the All-Stars, Fats Domino, Lorette, Sinatra, Nat King Cole … and this: From her seminal album “Tapestry.” (Hey, my old man had eclectic taste.)
“IT’S TOO LATE” by Carole King
Stayed in bed all morning just to pass the time
There’s something wrong here, there can be no denying
One of us is changing
Or maybe we just stopped trying
And it’s too late, baby, now it’s too late
Though we really did try to make it
Something inside has died
And I can’t hide and I just can’t fake it
It used to be so easy living here with you
You were light and breezy and I knew just what to do
Now you look so unhappy and I feel like a fool
And it’s too late, baby, now it’s too late
Though we really did try to make it
Something inside has died
And I can’t hide and I just can’t fake it
There’ll be good times again for me and you
But we just can’t stay together, don’t you feel it, too
Still I’m glad for what we had and how I once loved you
But it’s too late, baby, now it’s too late
Though we really did try to make it
Something inside has died and I can’t hide
And I just can’t fake it
