Mateo faces critical days in camp
03/12/2006
JUPITER, Fla. -- It hasn't been a clear path for Juan Mateo, but as long as the right-hander is in camp, he still has a chance.
Mateo, acquired from the Cubs in the Rule 5 Draft last winter, made his closest thing to a game appearance yet on Thursday. He pitched an extra inning against the Marlins. The only thing was, the game wasn't tied -- so it was an inning created just so Mateo could get some live work.
Mateo arrived in camp late, due to visa problems. When he finally did arrive in Jupiter, his arm wasn't quite in the condition the club expected, so he has yet to pitch an inning of a Grapefruit League game when the scores really counted.
Still, Mateo hasn't been offered back to the Cubs yet, and the Cards do like his arm. The coming days may be critical as the Cards try to make a decision on him.
On the move: First baseman/outfielder Chris Duncan has drilled the ball all spring, and Duncan keeps getting at-bats as a result. He throttled a pair of majestic home runs this week. Duncan could force his way onto the roster if he keeps hitting.
On the calendar: The Cardinals Minor League affiliates begin playing games on Wednesday. The majority of the games will take place on the fields at Roger Dean Stadium, either against Marlins Minor Leaguers or against teams visiting from out of town. The complex is well-suited to host several games at once.
Names in the game: As a catcher and utility man, Danny Sheaffer spent parts of seven seasons in the big leagues -- the last three with the Cardinals. In his final two years, manager Tony La Russa moved Sheaffer all over the field, playing him at first, second, third, left and right as well as behind the dish. Now Sheaffer manages the Cardinals' Triple-A Memphis affiliate. Sheaffer's last year in the Major Leagues was 1997, and by 1999 he was managing in the Minors.
Stat machine: Minor League signee Brian Daubach has six hits this spring -- four of them for extra bases, including two home runs.
What they're saying: "I really do like Rule 5 guys. I love bringing them in. Somebody you put in a draft on, they have to have big league talent. And so it's really neat to put them through the drills." -- La Russa
Source: http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/
JUPITER, Fla. -- It hasn't been a clear path for Juan Mateo, but as long as the right-hander is in camp, he still has a chance.
Mateo, acquired from the Cubs in the Rule 5 Draft last winter, made his closest thing to a game appearance yet on Thursday. He pitched an extra inning against the Marlins. The only thing was, the game wasn't tied -- so it was an inning created just so Mateo could get some live work.
Mateo arrived in camp late, due to visa problems. When he finally did arrive in Jupiter, his arm wasn't quite in the condition the club expected, so he has yet to pitch an inning of a Grapefruit League game when the scores really counted.
Still, Mateo hasn't been offered back to the Cubs yet, and the Cards do like his arm. The coming days may be critical as the Cards try to make a decision on him.
On the move: First baseman/outfielder Chris Duncan has drilled the ball all spring, and Duncan keeps getting at-bats as a result. He throttled a pair of majestic home runs this week. Duncan could force his way onto the roster if he keeps hitting.
On the calendar: The Cardinals Minor League affiliates begin playing games on Wednesday. The majority of the games will take place on the fields at Roger Dean Stadium, either against Marlins Minor Leaguers or against teams visiting from out of town. The complex is well-suited to host several games at once.
Names in the game: As a catcher and utility man, Danny Sheaffer spent parts of seven seasons in the big leagues -- the last three with the Cardinals. In his final two years, manager Tony La Russa moved Sheaffer all over the field, playing him at first, second, third, left and right as well as behind the dish. Now Sheaffer manages the Cardinals' Triple-A Memphis affiliate. Sheaffer's last year in the Major Leagues was 1997, and by 1999 he was managing in the Minors.
Stat machine: Minor League signee Brian Daubach has six hits this spring -- four of them for extra bases, including two home runs.
What they're saying: "I really do like Rule 5 guys. I love bringing them in. Somebody you put in a draft on, they have to have big league talent. And so it's really neat to put them through the drills." -- La Russa
Source: http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home