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Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy has retired from the Dayton Daily News after covering the Cincinnati Reds for 37 years. Hal's blog, though, will continue to be a must-read for Reds fans. He'll share his thoughts on the team this season and will file updates from Great American Ball Park. You also can catch Hal in print every Sunday in his popular Ask Hal columnHome > Blogs > The Real McCoy | Cincinnati Reds baseball news > Archives > 2009 > May > 20 > Entry
Volquez to skip a rotation turn
When he said it, manager Dusty Baker didn’t know what was ahead, just a few minutes ahead, as he talked to the beat writers before tonight’s game.
“Baseball is a game of adjustments,” he said. “You have to adjust. Before the season you say, ‘I hope nothing bad happens,’ but it always does.”
And it happened a few minutes later. Pitcher Edinson Volquez walked into his office and told Baker he not only couldn’t pitch Saturday, but that he should be skipped a turn.
Baker already had adjusted. To give Volquez’s stiff back an extra day, he moved him from his scheduled Friday start to a Saturday start, moving Bronson Arroyo from Saturday to Friday. A Saturday start would have given Arroyo an extra day of rest, but now he goes on his normal four days of rest.
“I wanted to give Arroyo an extra day and I wanted to give Aaron Harang an extra day. Just didn’t work,” said Baker. Harang was originally scheduled for Thursday and Micah Owings for tonight. But when Owings pitched 5 2/3 innings of relief Saturday in the 16-inning loss to San Diego, he was moved to Thursday and Harang slipped into tonight’s start on his normal rest.
Volquez tried to throw on the side today but after a couple of tosses he knew it was a no-go.
“I tried, but I couldn’t finish it,” said Volquez. “I just threw a couple of pitches and it was stiff on my left side a little bit. I talked to Dusty and told him that for me it would be better to miss a start. I don’t want to go out there at 70 per cent. That’s no good for me and no good for the team.”
WHO STARTS Saturday? That would be Ramon Ramirez, called up Tuesday from Class AAA Louisville, where he was 0-3 with a 5.02 ERA in seven starts.
Amazingly, when Ramirez starts Saturday, it will be the first time one of the five original starters didn’t make his start - 42 games into the season. That’s one short of 1994, when John Roper was the first pitcher to start for the Reds who wasn’t in the rotation at the start of the season (43rd game).
WHAT’S UP with JOEY Votto. Same ol,’ same ol. He had tests in the morning and tests in the afternoon. Still nothing conclusive about his dizziness and lack of focus. Asked if there was chance Votto could land on the DL, Baker said, “We haven’t found out what it is. Hopefully they’ll find it out soon. We won’t use him as a pinch-hitter because what if he gets dizzy in the batter’s box? And we don’t want to use him that way if we do have to put him on the DL and make that day the backdate day.”
BAKER MADE a slight adjustment in Wednesday’s lineup. Ramon Hernandez was at first base and Ryan Hanigan was catching. Adam Rosales was out of the lineup and Darnell McDonald was still in left field.
Still in the lineup, too, were slump-ridden Alex Gonzalez and slump-ridden Willy Taveras. Why, why, why?
“Gonzo is one of the few guys who has hit Jamie Moyer a little bit,” said Baker. “He is 4 for 6 with a homer and two doubles. And Willy is 2 for 5. Of course, I know it is also about how they were hitting at the time.”
BAKER ON his lineup decisions:
“With Joey out, I mix and match who I think has the best chance of doing something against who’s pitching,” he said. “I try to match a highball hitter against a highball pitcher, an offspeed hitter against an offspeed pitcher, a fastball hitter against a fastball pitcher. It may look unorthodox at times, but it’s my opinion and my personnel against their personnel.
“Sometimes my opinion may not agree with theirs, but that’s part of the job,” Baker added.
So there.
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By wizard
May 22, 2009 10:31 PM | Link to this
Now this is pretty intelligent baseball from you—forget the other. I don’t agree with the other previous remarks you made. I do agree with this blog, except for EE. I’d like to see him involved someway for additional pitching, in a trade. We have too many people who leave him in the dust defensively and hitting wise. his twenty or twenty five homeruns/plus strikeouts and bad D, leave me cold. Especially when I think of the alternatives at 3rd—Hairston, especially. Hairston is not even close to being as good at SS as Janish and Gonzo, defensively. Janish is still hitting, under trying circumstance, of not getting ENOUGH regular playing time; and it looks like tonight that Gonzo may be coming out of his funk, which could make all the difference to this teams winning! I am all for him, when he is hitting—when he is not, Janish should be playing. We have lost several games because Gonzo did not get key hits when needed! If Gonzo hits and Gomes becomes a pleasant surprise—then this team could become the surprise of this season.I still like Nix and Dickerson in left—playing time is key for both. I wish Gomes could play third{has he ever done that?} I still predict 88 wins! This teams starting pitching will determine our success this year, and our bullpen. But, as I said before our offense could still surprise. I see some heart on this team—and that can and has carried many teams in all sports.
By jocketty
May 22, 2009 9:42 AM | Link to this
wizard..not at all..I think Phillips/Votto are players, Bruce could be a good player, Ive not given up on EE, Hernandez is ok we have 3 pretty good staters and I like Hairston because he can help you about anywhere other then that not much to get excited about
By Wizard
May 22, 2009 9:22 AM | Link to this
And, I guess you think Gonzalez and Nix ARE everyday players? NOT.Janish and Dickerson are every bit as deserving of playing time as those two!Your points hold no water. End of conversation.
By jocketty
May 22, 2009 9:02 AM | Link to this
Wiz..never once called you a name…all I have said is that Janish, Dickerson are not everyday players in the majors..you think they are..so if you cant take ones opinion wirthout 1st grade then shut the up
By Wizard
May 21, 2009 4:49 PM | Link to this
Jocketty Strap: When the bloggers read your ignorance, they will observe the fact that you have attempted to put words into my mouth, which I never said. You have attempted to insinuate that I have predicted stardom for a number of players. Anyone who can read my posts, knows that I have asked for “fair” playing time for all Reds who have done well statistically this season, and last. I have never predicted HOF for anyone—and if you could read, and comprehend what you read—you would admit that your coloring of my comments is a blatant lie. Your kind on this blog is a waste of everyone’s time—since you don’t discuss and consider other view points—you smear and demonstrate ignorance. You’re very unimportant Jock strap! You sound like a Bush repug.
By jocketty
May 21, 2009 2:16 PM | Link to this
fat joe blanton shutting down that minor league offense..the Reds are terrible..they DO NOT have good players..look at that lineup Wizard likes it..headed to cellar by July..
By jocketty
May 21, 2009 12:46 PM | Link to this
wizard…Hanigan, Janish, rosales, Nix in lineup today..u ought to be loving this..lets see what they do against a mediocre big league pitcher..Nix might get a couple of hits against a RH..my bad its Janish u think is great, Dickerson and Hanigan that are going to help the Reds get to postseason
By Michael
May 21, 2009 10:34 AM | Link to this
Why not bring up a lefty and someone who is doing well as a SP at AAA? Rameriez had a 5.08 ERA in AAA, hardly someone I would want in an MLB game.
By jocketty
May 21, 2009 10:06 AM | Link to this
wizard..I forgot Janish,,is he the next Concepcion/Larkin..u have no clue about talent..these guys are minor leaguers or at best roll players..if this team has to count on players like that they will finish 5th or 6th
By colgar
May 21, 2009 9:56 AM | Link to this
Guess what DDN non geniuses? The lineup worked the Reds won. Dusty knows what he’s doing and you do not.
By Wizard
May 21, 2009 9:18 AM | Link to this
Jocketty strap: You obviously have the wrong Wizard: I have NEVER, I say NEVER, commented on either Larue or Rosales- EVER in my life! You are in error. What do you do just throw sh_ _ on the blog so it makes your ignorant point? Get your facts straight dummy.
By W.Va. Fan
May 21, 2009 9:16 AM | Link to this
Why not bring up Homer Bailey? He had a great spring and battle Owings for the 5th spot in the rotation. He could also be used in long relief, if and when Volquez comes back. And bring up Gomes and cut McDonald. We need some offense !
By scott from cincy
May 21, 2009 9:07 AM | Link to this
It’s not just Dusty here….it’s those unwritten baseball rules that plague this team. Rule 1, always play the SS who makes more money, no matter what (tell the fans that he is the best defender you have, when he isn’t really that great anymore). Rule 2, leave spring training with the attitude that “this club can compete” until you waste away ten games because you struggle offensively—then, and only then, if you are “in it” in July, make the Dye deal. Rule 3, don’t bring up guys who are doing well at Triple A because they are not on the 40-man, because it means you leave some other “can’t miss” unprotected. Stop ripping Dusty! There is enough blame to go around. How long will Walt wait before he makes this team better offensively? The time is NOW!!!
By scott from cincy
May 21, 2009 9:07 AM | Link to this
It’s not just Dusty here….it’s those unwritten baseball rules that plague this team. Rule 1, always play the SS who makes more money, no matter what (tell the fans that he is the best defender you have, when he isn’t really that great anymore). Rule 2, leave spring training with the attitude that “this club can compete” until you waste away ten games because you struggle offensively—then, and only then, if you are “in it” in July, make the Dye deal. Rule 3, don’t bring up guys who are doing well at Triple A because they are not on the 40-man, because it means you leave some other “can’t miss” unprotected. Stop ripping Dusty! There is enough blame to go around. How long will Walt wait before he makes this team better offensively? The time is NOW!!!
By scott from cincy
May 21, 2009 9:06 AM | Link to this
It’s not just Dusty here….it’s those unwritten baseball rules that plague this team. Rule 1, always play the SS who makes more money, no matter what (tell the fans that he is the best defender you have, when he isn’t really that great anymore). Rule 2, leave spring training with the attitude that “this club can compete” until you waste away ten games because you struggle offensively—then, and only then, if you are “in it” in July, make the Dye deal. Rule 3, don’t bring up guys who are doing well at Triple A because they are not on the 40-man, because it means you leave some other “can’t miss” unprotected. Stop ripping Dusty! There is enough blame to go around. How long will Walt wait before he makes this team better offensively? The time is NOW!!!
By jocketty
May 21, 2009 8:58 AM | Link to this
wizard..you once claimed jason larue was the next johnny bench..now you think Dickerson, Rosales, hanigan are all star caliber players
By steven ross
May 21, 2009 6:26 AM | Link to this
Now Dusty, you look to see who is pitching then stack your lineup based on lefty-righty combinations. You’re the only manager in baseball who would play McDonald. Think Patterson and Bako. Only you.
By Wizard
May 20, 2009 7:47 PM | Link to this
Well, hell yes, keep Hanigan on the damn bench! He can’t hit. He’s a career minor leaguer! “It’s outa here!”
By Mark in Sun Valley
May 20, 2009 6:56 PM | Link to this
More amazing is hitting A-Gon and McDonald 6 and 7, then Hanigan 8th. .174, .189, .311. Makes sense to me. Dusty, unorthodox is one way to put it, I prefer idiotic.
By JBABS
May 20, 2009 6:53 PM | Link to this
Rather than attack Dusty’s intellect etwonredsfan why don’t you simply make an argument for what lineup you think would work. Of course your lineup will not be subject to second guessing but at least we’ll get a chance to see how smart you are.
By jim m.
May 20, 2009 6:46 PM | Link to this
hmmm nice of Dusty to explain why Mr. Out McDonald is STILL playing and in the lineup!! I thought about going to the game but seeing 3 weak hitters from 6-7 and 9 i was like why waste my money.. Dusty doesnt care to put a better lineup out there.. I would have gave Janish a start tonight and let Nix play LF since Gomes isnt good enough to make this team but McDonald making outs is!!
By etownredsfan
May 20, 2009 6:27 PM | Link to this
Dusty Baker is a full blown moron that thinks he’s the smartest man in baseball. That’s the only way to explain this lineup and his decision making. Whatever success this team has this season will be inspite of him.