Chapman struck in face with liner

[evolver115]

I see the Pigsburg fans are showing classy by saying it was karma for the "three or four times" Chapman hit McCutchen. I think he hit him once, but don't let the details smog your minds, Parrot pussies.

I for one wish Chapman a safe and speedy recovery. As someone else said in this thread, the game of baseball is better with having Chapman in it. He's one of the most exciting guys in baseball. Hopefully he comes back soon and is better than ever.

 

[WvuDieHard]

Optimism is great but the reality of the situation is that we are going into opening day wounded. lets put this into perspective. Cueto is not healthly, Latos has been hurt, Bailey has a groin strain, Chapman is done, and Arroyo is gone. The pitching staff is in trouble as we sit right now. Maybe in 2 weeks we are healthy enough to be ok but I don't like how the season is starting by any means.

 

[JohnU]

I suspect Price would be cautious if one of his pitchers had nail polish that wouldn't come off properly.
But don't you imagine that everybody is a bit weary of spring camp now and any old reason to whine about an "injury" is connected to that. Bailey probably just needed a day to fly back to Texas for some home-made apple pie.

 

[JohnU]

I for one wish Chapman a safe and speedy recovery. As someone else said in this thread, the game of baseball is better with having Chapman in it. He's one of the most exciting guys in baseball. Hopefully he comes back soon and is better than ever.

Yeah, it's sad that we don't hear from the millions of fans who have something positive to say. I suppose we are all guilty of some insensitive comments on these anonymous boards. As I reflect, it was probably only the two or three people who were impossible not to notice because the reactions were pretty strong.

There seems to always be some attempt by somebody (usually some broadcast team) to keep up the "bad blood" theme ... and there are enough fools out there to fall for it each year.

The TV feeds keep showing the film clip of it and saying "these two teams have been going at it for awhile now. Let's see who gets plunked today, Bob. (hope, hope, so we have something to keep bitching about.)"

We also fought a war once with Japan.

 

[JohnU]

IN any case, the time frame is 6-8 weeks (or 4-6) (or 5-9) something like that ... that would assume a full recovery in the projected time, a period of emotional rehab and then some flat-ground throwing, then some simulated games and finally another spring training. Assuming he can pitch again with any verve, I'd say the middle of June.

Even then, do you want the guy closing?

More like mop-up. That's assuming he isn't gun-shy or vision-impaired.

 

[eburg5000]

I hate to be pessimistic, but this season is looking like it could be a disaster.

 

[Ryanballa]

Alright guys here's the deal
Latos: made 1st start Wednesday, pitched good.
Homer:Is gonna throw to live batters today, if everything is good, Then he will pitch in game on Sunday.
Cueto: This I am a lil worried on, But not to much.
All 3 of these guys are gonna be fine. I look for Cueto to start Opening Day, Bailey in game 2. With Latos in 2nd series in season.

 

[JohnU]

As I inferred earlier, some of these "injuries" are just the product of being in spring training since the middle of February. These guys are just tired of the preparation so any excuse they have to be "hurt" is just that. Price is no fool. He knows what's what, but he can't tell the press corps that his pitchers are bumming out at some casino up in Laughlin.

 

[Redsfan1507]

You never have enough pitching.

The Cardinals looked like World Beaters last year- and they had it all- almost. They didnt have a LHSP. They still made it to the WS, but lost...to a team that DID have a LHSP...Jon Lester isn't a CY candidate...but didnt have to be to win in the series...just had to get an occasional lefty hitter out that a comparable (or possibly better) RHSP would have let get a hit at an opportune time.

Cardinals still may be the best team in MLB...and still don't have a LHSP.

As long as being #1 is the goal, and fewer than 10% over the last half century win the big one without a LHSP, in gonna believe it's a requirement...so, the Cardinals still don't have enough pitching, IMO.

Opportunity only occasionally knocks. Not a good idea to have no sense of urgency answering the door, when it does.

 

[chico ruiz]

i'm not sure about your 'injuries' assessment john. sounds flimsy, and a little nutty. "tired of preparation," "excuse to be 'hurt'?" which red's pitcher is faking it? because, that's not what you're inferring, that's what you are stating. these aren't high school players that would rather go to their girlfriend's house because her dad is on a business trip. they get paid a ton of money to do exactly what they are doing. did you just write that so you could insert the would-be 'laughlin casino' quip? i originally thought your bailey / apple pie post was an attempt at humor. but, with all due respect, your explanations of how a mlb spring training camp is supervised, overseen, managed, and subsequently evaluated has zero credibility. the truth is; it makes no sense whatsoever.

 

[JohnU]

i'm not sure about your 'injuries' assessment john. sounds flimsy, and a little nutty. "tired of preparation," "excuse to be 'hurt'?" which red's pitcher is faking it? because, that's not what you're inferring, that's what you are stating. these aren't high school players that would rather go to their girlfriend's house because her dad is on a business trip. they get paid a ton of money to do exactly what they are doing. did you just write that so you could insert the would-be 'laughlin casino' quip? i originally thought your bailey / apple pie post was an attempt at humor. but, with all due respect, your explanations of how a mlb spring training camp is supervised, overseen, managed, and subsequently evaluated has zero credibility. the truth is; it makes no sense whatsoever.

Am I inferring it? I've heard ballplayers admit to it many times.
It has as much credibility as your denial that it occurs.

 

[Redsfan1507]

Ask Don Mattingly. His guys needed time off to recover from strained sightseeing muscles.

Unfortunately, these are pros...But they often get bored and want some freeload time. It isnt boot camp, for sure. They aren't in camp to get in shape, they're expected to show up that way. If they do, it's just a matter of getting timing, and seeing who's crippled, and building enough reps to simulate game conditions. They get sore...and time off they wouldnt get in season. There is a lot of golf, fishing, March Madness and video gaming going on.

There is a lot of hard work going on too- for the guys trying to get or keep the 1-2 open jobs normally available. There is temp work due to injury up for grabs too, but most of the regular guys are over-ready psychologically to start already.

 

[JohnU]

Obviously, a guy with a shoulder separation isn't faking it. It's not like I implied that the whole big-league roster is there for the steaks and beers, cruising for fun in the sun.

But Bailey or Votto can easily call off "sick" unless the manager has specifically planned for them to get work that day. Votto will need about 65 PA to get his game eye. A pitcher who misses a start in Arizona has probably gone through the Q-A for the day ...

"You got anything hurt? Anything at all? Don't even bullshit me about it."

"Well now that you mention it ...."

"Go take a whirlpool and run some outfield. We'll gin you up next time."

(Nods approval.)

It's not like there is some grand conspiracy here. Homer Bailey should already know by now what he intends to throw this year. I doubt he's working on anything other than working the signals with Mesoraco.

It's spring training, not the Marines. I know lots of guys who went through spring training. I know how it works.

 

[Redsfan1507]

The hardest working guys in spring training are overweight guys that aren't guaranteed spots that have minor league options and/or easily released contracts, old guys fighting off the inevidible, minor league catchers with zero chance of making the big club, the equipment manager, the traveling secretary, first year managers, and GM's with 6 guys on the DL with a week to go before opening day.

Most roofers have a lot harder day.