Greg Miller re-signed to minor-league deal, Jason Schmidt pitches in extended spring
Kudos to Marcel for having the scoop on the Miller signing, and that he was assigned to Inland Empire. ... Jason Schmidt threw 89 pitches in an intrasquad game at extended spring training today. It was a huge step forward for him, especially since it was the fourth consecutive start he was able to make on his normal four days' rest. While the tentative plan is for him to do it again on Monday, club officials are non-committal on that because they have learned to be non-committal on all things Schmidt. But if he is able to do it, I look for him to join ABQ next weekend and officially start his rehab.
These two guys probably don't have any other talents besides baseball, but I don't blame them for not giving up.
Do you think Schmidt will make it back to this team before his contract runs out?
I think they are going to throw him in the bigs as soon as he's successful and let James McDonald go fine tune things on the farm.
Thanks a lot for all the great work you have done this spring training. I really appreciate what you and Rich Hammond do for covering sports in Los Angeles. Keep it up the good work
If Schmidt returns (no one should hold their breath), and McDonald is doing a good job at the time, then McDonald is not likely to be going anywhere.
I like the idea of sending Miller to Inland Empire. Baby steps is probably the best way to go. And mile high ABQ is the last place he should be pitching. At 24, there is no reason for Miller to give up. He might never find his control again, it could come gradually, or it could suddenly just appear. Stranger things have happened.