Following a successful rehab stint with the PCL’s Las Vegas 51’s, Dodgers closer Eric Gagne has been moved from the disabled list. Since Gagne never served his two game suspension from 2005 — a ban related to his being on the Dodgers bench while on the DL — today’s move enables the Canadian to do the time while there’s no chance he’d be used before Thursday. Dodger Thoughts’ Jon Wiseman says this renders MLB’s punishment “meaningless”. Personally, I think A.J. Pierzynski should get a couple of days on top of this, just for living on the same continent as Gagne.
A day after Steve Henson hinted the Dodgers might be interested in DC’s Alfonso Soriano, Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal proposes Tampa Bay LF Carl Crawford as a likely target of Ned Colletti.
Rival clubs can do the math: The pending return of center fielder Rocco Baldelli from the disabled list will give the Rays five legitimate outfielders in the majors or at Triple-A.Baldelli, Crawford and Joey Gathright all are 25 or under.
Triple-A outfielder Elijah Dukes, one of the game’s most underrated prospects, ranks fourth in the International League in on-base/slugging percentage.
And Delmon Young, one of the best hitters in the minors, will return on June 19 from his 50-game suspension by the I.L. for throwing a bat that hit a replacement umpire in the chest.
By the off-season, at the latest, the Rays figure to entertain offers for at least one of those outfielders in their quest to stockpile young pitching.
Continuing on the Southern California tip, I’m happy to share the following :
1) Despite the noble efforts of neighborhood moralists, Reseda’s Frisky Kitty “has nine lives.”
2) Despite the passage of time, Kiss’ “I Was Made For Loving You” still occupies a prominent place on the jukebox at Barney’s Beanery.