July 25, 2000
Special Report: Pudge Lost For Remainder of 2000
TURN OUT THE LIGHTS ... As reported by ESPN, Ivan Rodriguez -- AKA
The Best Catcher In The World -- will miss the rest of the 2000
season after breaking his right thumb in Monday night's game against
the Anaheim Angels. Though Pudge will finish the season with just 90
games and 363 ABs, his final numbers (.347/27/83/5) will likely
still be the top fantasy stats for any AL catcher. There is simply
no way to adequately recover from an injury like this; scour the
waiver wires for the John Flahertys and Joe Olivers of the world ...
and feel free to cry a little. I have!
At the Plate
WHAT A HASEL, MAN ... Sturdy defensive backup Bill Haselman is
likely to get the bulk of the playing time for the rest of the
Rangers season. Haselman has just 44 AB this year, and is hitting
.255 with five RBI; even if he plays every day, he is probably not
worth a fantasy pickup. There will be something of an effect on the
Ranger lineup; David Segui and Gabe Kapler may get more RBI
opportunities. And yes, it is even more likely now that Texas GM
Doug Melvin will blow up the roster and make several trades before
next Monday. Watch the trade announcements for any incoming
catchers!
On the Mend
THE OFFICIAL DIAGNOSIS ... Pudge suffered a "fractured metacarpal
bone" in his right (throwing) hand in the top of the first inning.
He will have surgery on Tuesday and should be fully recovered by the
start of Spring Training 2001. With Pudge, rookie phenom Ruben
Mateo, and lefty starter Justin Thompson all diagnosed as "ready by
Spring Training 2001," the most important month of next season for
the Rangers -- regardless of how well they may eventually play -- is
likely to be March, not October.
Recent Call-ups
CATCHING UP? ... Though non-prospect B.J. Waszgis (.269/13/52) may
get the call from AAA Oklahoma, the 30-year-old right-handed hitter
would be nothing more than an occasional backup. Neither of the
Tulsa (AA) catchers, Reid Secrist (.328/3/20) and Luis Taveras
(.235/5/33), are ready to face big-league pitching. And before
anyone asks, no, 2000 first-round draft pick C Scott Heard is NOT
going to be in Arlington any time soon.
