Mud Hens' roster gets changes
6/8/2007Here's the life of a Triple-A manager in a nutshell: One
moment your roster is full, the next minute it's jumbled.
Such is the life of the Mud Hens and interim manager Mike Rojas.
After Wednesday's game,
Toledo lost a pair of pitchers when right-handers Yorman Bazardo and Aquilino Lopez were promoted to Detroit. Bazardo takes the spot that opened when lefty Nate Robertson was placed on the disabled list. Lopez will replace right-hander Zach Miner, who also was put on the DL.
"When injuries occur in the big leagues, we're here to serve them - and help them win," Rojas said. "It shuffles us around a little bit, but that's the Triple-A level."
Reinforcements are on the way. Southpaw Ian Ostlund joined the Mud Hens yesterday from Double-A Erie and threw two scoreless innings in the 5-2 win, while right-hander Anthony Tomey is expected to be added to the roster today.
And the Tigers are expected to send a pitcher back on Sunday when lefty Andrew Miller is promoted from Erie to start for Detroit that day.
"You hope that you don't need to send someone up because of injuries - you hope everyone stays healthy, like the big-league club did last year," Rojas said. "This year's we've had to help out with the pitching. That's the way it is.
"But [with the injuries] guys that weren't playing got a chance to play or pitch. Now they have to step in and help out, and they have done that."
More help may come Sunday as Detroit left-hander Kenny Rogers might make a rehab start for the Mud Hens.
Rogers last pitched a simulated game on Tuesday and is scheduled to throw a bullpen session in Detroit today. After that workout the Tigers will determine Rogers' next move; his next scheduled day of work would fall on Sunday.
Currently right-hander Ron Chiavacci is scheduled to start against Norfolk Sunday.
More roster flexibility will come today when Vance Wilson, who has served as the DH since beginning a rehab assignment Tuesday, will catch five innings. Rojas said Wilson's future status would be determined after catching today.
WALKING WOUNDED: The Mud Hens hope that two injured position players will return to action soon.
Infielder Kevin Hooper, who broke a bone in his left toe in Buffalo Monday, yesterday took batting practice for the first time since the injury. If he can stand the pain from the injury he might return this weekend.
Outfield Brent Clevlen hopes to take batting practice today, which would mark his first swings since going on the disabled list May 15 after breaking his right ring finger.