All Things Bubba

Paul Janish has been coming in as a LIDR replacement for the defensively challenged Chris Johnson. It paid off in the ninth inning Friday night, when Janish knocked down a ball smashed up the line, and somehow picked it up, jumped to his feet, and threw the runner out. I didn't think he'd get the runner, but it wasn't even all that close. He's really got a good arm.

There's an article here about the role the Braves see for Janish. It's as you would expect: LIDR for Chris Johnson and primary backup for Andrelton Simmons.

"[Janish] might be the all-time best defender I've ever been around at multiple positions," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "We saw it long term last year at shortstop. We asked him when we brought him up if he could play third base, and he said, 'Yeah I'll go over there.' He's played a little bit of it. But he's terrific."

Janish could soon make a spot start to provide Simmons a chance to rest. But it appears most of Janish's playing time will come as a late-inning substitution for Johnson, who has provided consistency at the plate and concerns with his defensive ability at third base.

"It's a luxury to have that kind of guy who understands his role, which he does, and Chris is good about it too," Gonzalez said. "Janish, you're comfortable with him and he knows the game. It really works out well."

It does sound like Janish will take over Ramiro Pena's job for the rest of the season, despite speculation that Tyler Pastornicky would get the nod instead.

Labels: Paul Janish

Looks like Tony Cingrani is back in the starting rotation. Reds ace Johnny Cueto injured himself again. No word yet, but I'm guessing it's his oblique again. Cingrani was put in to take his place. I'm guessing he'll go as long as he can, to stretch out again, and he'll take Cueto's spot in the rotation.

Off to a kind of rough start, though. Walked in two runs in the first inning.

Labels: Tony Cingrani

Well, Ramiro Pena will undergo season-ending surgery. Looks like Paul Janish will be staying with the big club. Ironically, Pena will be undergoing the same kind of surgery Janish did last fall: surgery on his shoulder to repair a torn labrum. Unlike Janish, it's on his throwing arm.

I suppose the Braves might decide to keep Tyler Pastornicky instead, but I'm guessing they go with Janish. Pastornicky is thought to have a better stick, but they need a backup infielder who can play defense. Andrelton Simmons will need the occasional day off, and the Braves clearly don't trust Pastornicky to hold down the position. More crucially, they need someone who can be a LIDR for Chris Johnson, who is epically, historically bad at third base. Pastornicky has never played third, and probably doesn't have the arm for it.

Labels: Paul Janish

The Houston Chronicle had an article yesterday on what happened to the members of the 2003 College World Series-winning team.

They must have had to make a last minute edit, with Paul Janish called up just the day before.

Janish played in his first major league game of the year today. He went in as a LIDR for the defensively challenged Chris Johnson in the 7th inning. Had one at bat (fly out), and fielded the last out of the game: a sinking liner to third.

The announcers spoke again about how impressed they were with Janish's defense. They'd heard he could pick it, but he was even better than they heard. They were especially struck by his range and his arm.

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Paul Janish arrived before last night's game, but his equipment didn't. It was on the truck back to Gwinnett. As it turned out, he did not play last night, but he borrowed cleats from Chris Johnson and a glove from Tyler Pastornicky, just in case. He's hoping his own gear will arrive in time for today's game. (Fedexed from Gwinnett, I assume.)

He seems to be remembered fondly. Manager Fredi Gonzalez was excited to get him back, saying that last year Janish "saved our butts." The Braves TV announcers admired his defense, especially the play where he was injured. He still tried to get the forceout, even though he was face down in the dirt in agony.

Janish's shoulder is apparently fine now. He says he feels it a little bit sometimes when he dives, but that's about it.

Ramiro Pena will have to be on the DL for at least 15 days. It might be longer. He's been struggling with a shoulder injury since June 9 - almost two weeks already. It's not getting better, and he's going to another doctor to get a second opinion. They said something about hoping to avoid surgery. It's his right shoulder - his throwing arm. He's had surgery on it before.

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(Photo by Chris Roughgarden)

Paul Janish was called up by the Atlanta Braves today.

I'm kind of surprised they didn't do it earlier. Backup SS (and former Yankee) Ramiro Pena has been struggling with a sore shoulder. They probably should have DL'd him a week ago. Janish is on the 40-man, and I believe he has a big league contract, so it wouldn't cost them any more money to call him up.

My guess is the Braves' hand was forced yesterday, when third baseman Chris Johnson committed three errors in one game (and botched several more plays that were not ruled errors). If Pena were healthy, they could have used him a LIDR, but he wasn't. Tyler Pastornicky, called up a couple of days ago, does not have the arm to play 3B.

Good luck to ya, Jani.

Labels: Paul Janish

Former Yankee Andy Phillips will participate in Old Timer's Day for the first time this year. It's this Sunday.

Gotta remember to turn on the TV early on Sunday.

I'm a little tempted to go to the game in person, but ugh, Yankee Stadium is such a hassle these days. I'd probably go if Bubba participated, though. :-)

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The Nasty Boys - Norm Charlton, Rob Dibble and Randy Myers - appeared together at a signing event last week.

You had to win a lottery and then pay $200 to get one autograph from each, but it sounds like it went to a worthy cause - a conservation group.

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Anthony Rendon hit his first big league home run last night, winning the game for the Nats. He was 3 for 5 on the night with two runs scored.

Meanwhile, Tony Cingrani is still in the big leagues. They are keeping him in Cincinnati even though Johnny Cueto has returned. Apparently, they're going to use him out of the pen.

Not sure I like that. Cueto's been rushed back, IMO. And Cingrani still has things to learn as a starter. I'm sure Tony's thrilled, though.

Labels: Anthony Rendon, Tony Cingrani

Tyler Duffey was selected for the Midwest League All-Star team. He won't play in the All-Star game, though, because he's been promoted to high-A. He's now on the roster of the Ft. Myers Miracle.

The manager of the Ft. Myers Miracle is longtime Twin (and former Yankee) Doug Mientkiewicz, AKA as "Eyechart."

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Wow, that was quick. Anthony Rendon was promoted from AA to AAA just three days ago. Today, he was recalled to the big leagues. Danny Espinosa has been DL'd and will likely need surgery to repair his torn labrum. If so, his season is done, and the starting second baseman's job is Rendon's, if he can handle it.

The Nationals are really struggling. They were just about everyone's pick for best team in the NL, if not MLB, but a third of the way through the season, they have a below .500 record. I guess they had to do something.

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It figures. The day I leave Syracuse, the Nats promote Anthony Rendon to the AAA Syracuse Chiefs.

He played 2B last night, and went 1 for 4 with a walk. The Nats might be grooming him to replace the ailing Danny Espinosa.

I hope to get back to Syracuse and catch a few Chiefs games in July, after the All-Star Break. But Rendon might be in DC by then.

Labels: Anthony Rendon