Delwyn Young DL'd to make room for Juan Pierre
Apparently, he has a right oblique strain that he suffered during his ninth-inning pinch-hitting appearance on Wednesday at Colorado. I'm assuming Pierre will be in the lineup tonight, possibly with Andruw Jones sitting, but we'll see.
Never thought I'd be happy to see Pierre again. But only if Joe sits the right guy.
TeamHasHoles - start being unhappy. Batting order from Josh Rawitch's (Dodger VP) blog:
Pierre, LF
Kemp, RF
Martin, C
Kent, 2B
Nomar, SS
Loney, 1B
Jones, CF
LaRoche, 3B
Billingsley, P
Hey Tony, Any idea why they released Bellhorn, Martinez and Riley yesterday? It's kinda random (unless they're making room for something.)
Poor Andre...At least he buried Jones in the lineup.
Damaso Marte was just hugging guys in the Pirates dugout and left down the clubhouse. I think Nady was pulled after the 2nd inning of that game as well.
hmmmmmm... Wonder where they're going?
Possibly Tampa.
Looks like the Yankees got Nady and Marte
Jose Tabata, Ross Ohlendorf, Phil Coke and one other minor league prospect.
Man, I should be a beat writer. ;)
Nationals pitcher John Lannan is a lefthander. Righthander, lefthander, anyhander, Ethier deserves to start. Signing Pierre was not only a mistake based on his performance, but it has seriously retarded the development of the young outfielders. Will Kemp be benched when a righthander starts? Are the Dodgers contemplating a trade that includes Ethier? If not, then I can't understand it, and I give up trying to rationalize it. It is what is, and I guess we'll just have to live with it.
As much as I've had issues with Pierre since he's been a Dodger (and he drives me crazy as a leadoff hitter who refuses to walk or bunt), it's hard to pin the Pierre signing as the main factor in the slowing the development of the kids when Andruw Jones is hitting 100 points below his career batting average and is on pace to drive in about 25 or 30 runs if he plays everyday. At least Pierre is consistent in what he does.
Sorry B.D. but the problem is Jones at this point, IMO.
THH,
I agree with you about Jones. However, I didn't mean to say that Pierre alone has retarded the growth of the youngsters. I recognize that last year it was Gonzo and Pierre that kept the youngsters out of the lineup, and this year it's Pierre and Jones. In any case, Pierre's signing (along with Gonzo and Jones) has contributed significantly to the uneven development of Kemp and Ethier. And yes, based on performance, Ethier and Pierre belong in the lineup tonight, and that's what I would prefer to see.
The thing is BD, The Dodgers wanted Pierre along for the ride. Thus the long term deal. Signing Gonzo, then Signing Jones showed they were hedging against the kids. I certainly don't love Pierre. I think a leadoff hitter worth a damn is more concerned with OBP than hits and will do anything it takes to set the table. Fouling off pitches, taking pitches (especially early in the game), and being damn tough to strikeout. Pierre is a tough strikeout, but he's a tougher guy to walk than he should be.
Having said that, I don't even think he's contributed to Kemp and Ethier's slower than hoped progress, based on the long term deal the Dodgers gave him and the fact that he was signed before Luis G. and Jones. I think the employment of "Veteran-Loving" Managers and a Veteran-loving GM has done more to stymie Matt and Andre than anything.