Results tagged ‘ Reed Johnson ’
30 FORMER CHIEFS LISTED AS NON-ROSTER INVITEES
Spring Training is just a week away for pitchers & catchers and with the weather outside less than appealing to the baseball fan we thought we would give you an up-date on former Chiefs listed on major league rosters as non-roster invitees.
A non-roster invitee is not listed on the 40 man roster and usually is assigned numbers in the 60′s or 70′s. He’s usually the first player cut or he is a veteran who waited too long to sign his contract and is desperate for a job.
Anyway, here’s the up-to-the minute list, less of course the parent Washington Nationals:
Boston-Jason Bergmann, Hector Luna
Baltimore-Mark Hendrickson
Detroit-John Bale
Chicago (AL)-Lastings Milledge
Florida-DeWayne Wise
Chicago (NL)-Reed Johnson
Houston-Gustavo Chacin
Los Angeles (AL)-Kevin Melillo
Milwaukee-Zack Segovia
Minnesota-Chase Lambin, Chuck James
Philadelphia-Erik Kratz, Peter Orr
New York (NL)-Mike O’Connor, Russ Adams, Willie Harris
New York (AL)-Gustavo Molina
Tampa Bay-Felipe Lopez, Ray Olmedo
Texas-David Bush, Kevin Cash, Zach Jackson
San Diego-Guillermo Quiroz, Gregg Zaun
Oakland-Vinnie Chulk
Toronto-WilLedezma, Corey Patterson
San Francisco-Brad Eldred
Enjoy Ft. Myers, Florida, Jason Bergmann.
Chiefs will be well represented in MLB playoffs
The Major League Baseball playoffs will begin on Wednesday and six of the participating teams (plus the potential AL Central Champion White Sox) will have two former Syracuse players on their bench.
Kevin Cash
Mike Timlin
Chad Gaudin
Reed Johnson
Don Cooper (Pitching Coach)
Dewayne Wise
Casey Blake
Jeff Kent
Dave Bush
Garth Iorg (3B Coach)
Scott Eyre
Jayson Werth
Gabe Gross
Eric Hinske
REED JOHNSON RELEASED
The Toronto Blue Jays had to make a decision on their remaining outfield spot between Shannon Stewart and Reed Johnson and today they decided to keep Shannon Stewart and release Reed Johnson.
The release of Johnson allows the Blue Jays to pay only $500,000 of his salary that would have been over 3-million if he remained with the Jays. Johnson had a very good spring and seemed to be healthy after nagging back injuries last season. But, with Shannon Stewart also playing well and signed to only one year deal and youngsters Adam Lind and Travis Snider a year of two away, Johnson became expendable.
ALUMNI REPORT: ALL-STARS
Two former Syracuse players were selected to play in this year’s All-Star game in San Francisco. Outfielder Alex Rios was selected to his second All-Star game while 2B Orlando Hudson was selected to his first All-Star game.
Entering play today Rios is hitting .288 with 17 HR, 46 RBI and 8 SB. 12 of Rios long balls have come from the leadoff spot this season where he has filled in admirably for the injured Reed Johnson. Only the Indians Grady Sizemore has more home runs, 13, than Rios from the leadoff spot this season.
Rios was selected to play in last year’s game but was unable to play due to a staph infection in his foot.
The O-Dog will be playing in his first All-Star game. Entering play today Hudson is hitting .299 with 7 HR and 46 RBI. While Hudson has always been noted for his defensive abilities, including two Gold Gloves, this year has been a breakout-year for Orlando at the plate.
Pitcher Roy Halladay, who missed two weeks of the season, is still in the running to make the AL squad as part of MLB.com’s final vote.
Other former Syracuse players who are not playing but should have received strong consideration include Oakland pitcher Chad Gaudin, who ranks 4th in the AL in ERA, and Toronto 2B Aaron Hill, who leads all AL 2B with 46 RBI.
THIS AND THAT
Congratulations to infielder Ryan Roberts who becomes the third Chiefs player called up this season when Troy Glaus was placed on the DL. Roberts was taken off the 40-man roster this off-season but put himself back on the map with a solid Spring Training. Roberts joins Adam Lind and Jamie Vermilyea in Toronto.
It looks like Lind will be in Toronto for awhile because Reed Johnson will miss two months after having back surgery. Also closer BJ Ryan will miss 4-6 weeks with tenderness in his elbow. Former Chiefs Jason Frasor and Shaun Marcum will be called upon to close games in his absence.
Insidethedome.com is reporting that the Toronto Blue Jays have reached three year contract extensions, through the 2010 season, with Tony LaCava, Director Player Personnel, **** Scott, Director Player Development, Jon Lalonde, Director Scouting, Sal Butera, Special Assistant to the GM & Charlie Wilson, Manager Minor League Operations.
Taking a look at our Double-A affiliate the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (4-2)some former Chiefs are off to a hot start. Closer Lee Gronkiewicz has 3 saves in four outings. Outfielder Wayne Lydon is hitting .333 with 2 HR and 8 RBI in six games. Catcher Erik Kratz is hitting .583 with 2 doubles a HR and 5 RBI in five games played. Pitcher David Purcey is 1-0 and had 7 strikeouts and just one walk in six innings in his only outing.
Infielder Rob Cosby was hitting .278 in five games before being placed on the DL Saturday after being hit on the hand by a pitch.
SPRING FLINGS
The Blue Jays pitchers and catchers officially reported on Sunday. In folloiwng the Toronto papers and BlueJays.com here are some of the early topics:
* Manager John Gibbons was given a one-year contract extension.
* Gibbons believes that should Shaun Marcum not win a spot in the rotation, he would make the Blue Jays as a reliever. Other young pitchers vying for the 4th and 5th spots in the rotation, Casey Janssen, Dustin McGowan and Ty Taubenheim would all be sent to Syracuse to start.
* Another rotation candidate Josh Towers worked hard in the off-season with teammate Reed Johnson in Las Vegas and vows to take better care of his body this season.
* Victor Zambrano didn’t arrive in Dunedin until Monday due to visa problems. He is ahead of schedule progressing from elbow surgery but isn’t expected to be ready to pitch in the Majors until May or June.
BIG HURT IN SYRACUSE?
With the signing of free agent Frank Thomas by the Blue Jays on Friday the Jays took care of their designated hitter needs and unless they trade one of their three outfielders Reed Johnson, Vernon Wells or Alex Rios super prospect Adam Lind will likely begin the season in Syracuse. That’s a good thing and something we thought people in Syracuse would be excited about. Not true. A good number of fans have told us this weekend that due to the fact that Frank Thomas has been injured so much from 2003-2005, that they look forward to seeing the future hall of famer in Syracuse during the next two years on an injury rehab assignment. Go figure.
