Astros physician Dr. Jim Muntz examined Hampton on Monday evening and again on Tuesday morning. The veteran lefthander ultimately didn’t need to undergo a procedure to correct his heartbeat with the application of electrical current, which had initially been planned.
“We have a bunch of guys who approach the game the right way. It’s a scrappy group. They work very hard before the game and during the game. It’s probably the hardest-working team I’ve ever played on. I’m excited to get back and get started.”
That’s Darin Erstad, no slouch in the hard working department Link
As if to prove it, Valverde toughs out a mosquito bite
Jose Valverde abruptly left the Astros Spring Training complex with (new) head athletic trainer Nathan Lucero Monday morning to have a bump on his arm examined by one of the Astros’ Florida-based doctors. They discovered an infection on Valverde’s right [pitching] arm, possibly from an insect bite.
The doctor prescribed an antibiotic, and Valverde returned to camp within an hour …Valverde was cleared to throw and the infection is not expected to hold him back . Link
Valverde also says he wont play in the WBC Link
Other bumps
Geoff Geary Going in for a routine procedure to fix a right hip abductor last October, doctors discovered a tear to his abdomen and a groin muscle that had frayed.
But, Geary says he’s ready,
“I’m fully participating in everything,” he said. “My groin just gets sore, especially when you put on spikes and are doing erratic movements. But during the offseason, I did pretty much anything and everything.” Link
Chris Sampson, who had right elbow surgery in October, … is throwing off flat ground. “On flat ground and mechanical stuff, I’ll be able to do everything,” said Sampson, who says (new) athletic trainer Nathan Lucero told him it likely will be at least 10 days before he can throw bullpen sessions. Link
First in, first out?
Second baseman Kaz Matsui became the first Astros starter to report and work out Sunday morning, Link
That should shut Footer up, for about a minute.
Name names says Roy
About the list of steroid cheats,
“Let’s get them all out there, move on and start playing baseball. That’s the worst thing about it … the way they’re going about it.”
“I think the big thing for us is if we get the other names out there instead of releasing one here and there,” Oswalt said Saturday . “I mean it’s been … years. Get it over with. Don’t let it linger and go on for three more years.” Link
As for that Pudge rumor and the catching situation
Footer wrote on 2/12 “I do believe the Astros would pay $3 million for a pitcher, but for a catcher? Doubtful.” Link
and that’s what they tried to do, the Astros made
“11th-hour” offers to right-hander Braden Looper and lefty Randy Wolf.
According to Wade, the Astros were in the running for both until the very end.
The Astros’ payroll is expected to be $107 million on Opening Day, so had Wade been successful with either Looper or Wade, someone else would’ve had to go, likely via a trade. With Looper and Wolf off the table, it’s unlikely the Astros will pursue any of the free agents still available.
However, and in spite of the widely known FACT that the Astros are cheapskates, “reports have recently surfaced that the Astros made a bid for catcher Ivan Rodriguez. Not so, Wade said.”
“We haven’t had a conversation involving Pudge in several weeks and have never made a formal proposal,” Wade said. Link
“never made” not “haven’t yet made ” and who are they going to trade to add Rodriguez?
Still, headlines say “Ivan Rodriguez is still looking for a place to play.” and
The 14-time All-Star catcher told The Associated Press on Sunday night that he might sign with the Florida Marlins, Houston Astros or New York Mets. He also said he might need to stay patient.
Link
One of Boras’ tricks is to throw out a bunch of false rumors. This one looks dead, but he’ll keep flogging it to keep the other teams off balance. We should shortly see rumors about “and other teams” offering Rodriguez a contract.
Meanwhile, Ortiz is dredging up the soap opera from when the front runner for Astros catcher, Humberto Quintero, was designated for assignment last season and no other team picked him up.
“As a player and a person, I felt devastated when they told me I didn’t make the team,” he said. “I thought there weren’t going to be more opportunities for me.”
First-base coach Jose Cruz told Quintero there was no use feeling sorry for himself. Wandy Rodriguez and Carlos Lee delivered similar messages, (the list goes on, in typical Jose de Jesus Ortiz fashion) as did Quintero’s fiancée, Michelle Schooley, and his mother, Nelly.
Link
“I apologize,” Tejada said.
“A-Rod’s numbers shouldn’t count for anything,” Oswalt told Alyson Footer over the phone. “I feel like he cheated me out of the game.”
“…it was such a loosey-goosey era,” Rodriguez said.
