Remember these? Let’s take a look at what’s been going on in the NL Central. Now presenting your first Rival Report in a few weeks. Let’s talk to it:
- Former Chicago Cubs reliever Sean Marshall is getting the opportunity to close ballgames, and according to Cincinnati Reds reporter Mark Sheldon, he’s getting the job done. The lefty has struck out 10 and collected 4 saves so far in 2012.
- But what of the Reds’ original plan for their closer? Ryan Madson has started rehab, and “should be fully recovered in 11 months” according to Joe Kay of the Associated Press. The Reds are burning $8.5 million on Madson this season. Former Reds closer Francisco Cordero is making about half of that ($4.5 million) with the Toronto Blue Jays this season. He has two saves and a 4.50 ERA.
- Also mentioned in Kay’s article is another hit to the Reds’ bullpen. Bill Bray, lefty setup man, just hit the 15-day disabled list. J.J. Hoover was called up from the minors to take his place.
- Like the Reds, the Milwaukee Brewers have lost an important arm from their pitching staff. Chris Narveson is going to have season-ending shoulder surgery to fix a torn rotator cuff. The starter had Tommy John surgery in 2002. Ryan Gaydos at Rant Sports speculates Marco Estrada will replace Narveson in the rotation.
- There was some controversy surrounding the San Francisco Giants’ beloved catcher Buster Posey and the Reds. Pitches got away and feelings were hurt. You can read about it here.
- Speaking of protecting young catchers, the Houston Astros aren’t too happy about Mat Gamel‘s collision with Jason Castro. Castro said of the Posey comparisons: ”My leg did look like it was underneath me, but I think the way he hit me, it lifted me up so I could get my leg clear.”
Baseball Prospectus highlights Ben Rouse, a leukemia patient, and his quest to attend all 162 Brewers games. Monday night was his 17th.- Have you been wondering what John Axford‘s favorite baseball movie is? Well, you’re in luck. You can read his top picks here.
- Nyjer Morgan thinks he’s faster than Tony Campana. The two bench-ish outfielders exchanged some smack talk. I’d pay to see that.
- Quirks of the new collective bargaining agreement keep trickling out. The Pittsburgh Pirates and the Colorado Rockies made history during their doubleheader, becoming the first teams to utilize the “26th man rule”. Basically, on doubleheader days, you can call up another player for the second game as long as there’s ample notice. Cool stuff.
- SB Nation Houston discusses some names that the Astros might pick for the first-year player draft this season. As the article states, they’re “on the clock.”
