Before tonight's Reds-Marlins game, it was announced that Jeff Keppinger (fractured knee) and Norris Hopper (elbow inflammation) would be beginning rehab starts in Sarasota. (The game was rained out, so they didn't actually play.) Keppinger is expected to be ready by this weekend, leading fans to speculate what the roster move would be. Andy Phillips DFA'd? Corey Patterson optioned back to Louisville? My guess was Paul Janish sent back down.
Turns out, they're probably safe. In the first inning, Jerry Hairston, Jr. broke his thumb sliding in head first while stealing. (Ironically, Ken Griffey, Jr. would hit his long-awaited 600th home run shortly afterwards, meaning Hairston didn't need to steal those bases.)
Really a bummer for Hairston, who was playing really well and seemed well on his way to reviving his career.
It's also somewhat alarming for the Reds, who have been going through shortstops like Kleenex. Alex Gonzalez has been on the DL since spring training with a knee fracture. Jeff Keppinger fractured his knee as well, when he fouled a ball off of it. And now Hairston has a broken thumb. Paul Janish is now the starting SS. And they have no backup for him. There's really no one in Louisville, either. John Fay thinks they might call up Valaika from AA.
Andy Phillips hasn't been getting much playing time. He pinch-hit in the 8th tonight, grounding out to SS. Paul Janish was 0 for 4 after he came in for Hairston, though he hit a ball by Cantu that was ruled an error and ended up on 2B. Janish also had an error, though some thought the fault was with first baseman Joey Votto rather than with Janish. (Votto is not known for having a good glove, and he's been struggling on defense lately.)
The Yankees had a day game today. It was 100F, and felt like 105F. It was tied...until Mo gave up a homer in the 9th. The Yankees had a chance to come back, but with bases loaded, Melky grounded out, ending the game.
Poor Melky had kind of a rough day. He nearly got ejected from the game earlier for throwing his helmet when he was called out at 1B.
So Moose pitched eight innings, held the Royals to two runs...and didn't get the win.
Nope, the Yankees really are not a very good team right now.
