Kent stands a DECENT chance of playing again
They didn't find anything they knew wasn't in there during today's 20-minute surgical procedure, and he'll be able to start rehab immediately. Meanwhile, they continued to listen to music in the clubhouse pregame -- LOUD music. Anyway, Stan Conte said that there is a precedent for players undergoing Kent's surgery and coming back in two to three weeks, but no one is guaranteeing anything. ... Takashi Saito threw two-seam fastballs off a mound and will incorporate curveballs when he goes off a mound again on Thursday. If that goes, well, he'll throw a simulated game on Saturday, then another simulated game next week, then be activated. Torre said that when Saito is activated, he likely will make one appearance in an innocuous situation just to get used to competition again. But Torre seemed to say that after that, he would be perfectly comfortable with Saito closing again.
Here's the lineup. Kemp is out because Torre said he looks overanxious. He is 1 for 11 since his HR on Saturday at AZ. Berroa starting in place of Nomar for the sixth time in the past nine games. Torre basically acknowledged, without saying it in so many words, that Angel will play until he cools off.
Pierre. CF
Ethier. RF
Ramirez. LF
Loney. 1B
Martin. C
Blake. 3B
DeWitt. 2B
Berroa. SS
Kershaw. LHP
Tony,
Can you shed some more light into the atmosphere of the clubhouse? Is the music loud because it represents the dynamics of the general team or is it being dictated by a select few. I can't imagine Kent, Maddux, or some of the other veterans contributing to this. Maybe I'm wrong.
I think it's Manny-driven. It's a mix of mostly salsa and rap. The clubhouse has been a LOT looser since Manny arrived, but I think Kent's absence the past four days has made it even looser.
Thanks Tony! Let's see if this looseness materializes into some wins.
Kent should just take his time, chill a little. Rehab that knee slowly so that he's ready to return next year with another team! We are better without Kent's surly presence--despite the fact he still can turn on fastballs when Manny hits behind him. I'd rather just turn the page and let Blake DeWitt play second. Baseball is hard enough to play at the major league level--but if you have to deal with an arrogant geezer prima donna with that 'tood as welll-- it's dang near impossible to play consistently winning baseball.
Quite a contrast to the "joy" I've seen in the approach that Manny and Berroa are bringing to the clubhouse now that Kent is temporarily gone. If you love playing the game, that enthusiasm is contagious. No team wins without it.
Just say no to Kent.