Posted by thejjet at 7/20/08 1:39 p.m.

Is there a valid reason that Batista has not been placed on DL? He has supposedly had physical issues - back, groin etc. It would make more sense to keep Rowland-Smith here and stretch him out each outing. Heck - his 75 pitches yesterday is better than Batista had given in a while. Also - has anyone found the pictures Vidro must have stashed? Why else would he still be here?

Posted by unagi at 7/20/08 2:09 p.m.

I guess this team likes to reward success with demotion. The thejjet is right. It is Batista and his hideous performance that needs to be demoted. Another head scratching move by the M's. Don't get me wrong I like having Putz back, but to send Rowland-Smith down with the way he has performed is just wrong.

Posted by jamesess at 7/20/08 5:23 p.m.

RRS threw 75 pitches yesterday and would not be available to pitch anyway. If they send him down and decide they need to bring him up before the 10 day wait then they can put Batista on the DL. Rowland-Smith is my favorite M's pitcher but I will say that this was a smart move. He was off limits for the next couple days anyway and this move lets him rest and come back as a starter when Wash gets traded.

Posted by thejjet at 7/20/08 5:54 p.m.

Maybe Jamesess - but Batista is of no use - hasn't been for what, 6 weeks? He should be on the DL. Sending RRS down instead of DL for Batista is at best puzzling.

Posted by M's Defender at 7/20/08 6:17 p.m.

I agree senting Roland-Smith down may appear foolish but in reality its easier to finish breaking him as a SP there than on the MLB level.
Look for Roland-Smith back up and in the rotation by no later than Aug.5th maybe sooner.
I'm glad to have JJ back and as far as Batista goes the sooner he's demoted for good to the bullpen as either long relief middle relief at best tho trading him to a NL club for some prospects.

Posted by John H at 7/21/08 8:54 a.m.

Rockin' Rowland-Smith (R) made 2 recent starts and is already sufficiently stretched out. Sending him down wastes an option that might be needed in the future. The move is so illogical that it could only mean that a trade is on the horizon.

Posted by jamesess at 7/21/08 9:52 a.m.

He also threw 75 pitches the day before being sent down. They are not going to trade RRS but maybe they are trying to trade some other starters. If they put Batista on the DL then he can't be moved. Odds are that he won't be moved anyway but as long as he isn't on the DL that remains possible. Also RRS would have been off limits to throw for the next 5 days anyway so sending someone else down or putting someone else on the DL would have still left them short a pitcher. This way they can still put Batista on the DL and call up RRS. This move makes the most sense all the way around because they either wait the ten days and call him back as a starter or if they want him sooner Batista can hit the DL and the problem is solved. It probably didn't make Ryan very happy but they have a plan for him and I am sure he realizes that much. He was sent down to rest more than to stretch out. When he comes back he is a starter and that was his goal anyway.

Posted by M's Defender at 7/21/08 11:54 a.m.

John Hart I agree a trade of a starter is in the offing but that starter will be either Washburn or maybe Silva.
Not to mention the chances are good that Vidro may very well be next on the DFA/release list.

I fully agree Jamesess that with the outing that RRS had on Saturday does mean a minimum of 3 to 5 days rest prior to using him again.
Futhermore I also agree with Batista continued aches and pains nagging him that does leave the option open to recall RRS sooner on the injury waiver clause should the need arise to put Batista on the DL.
However I do believe there is a secret hope that an offer for Batista will arise on or before the July deadline from a club needing vet SP/RP help.
The M's are free to take that offer because they have RRS ready to fill Batista's spot in the rotation and as far as long relief goes I'm sure one of the other starters at AAA can more than fill that opening.