Results tagged ‘ Andrew Miller ’
Ross, Cook Join the PawSox in Buffalo
The PawSox have had their share of Major League rehabbers this season. In fact, before today, six Red Sox players had rehabbed with Pawtucket this year.
1. Andrew Miller
2. Rich Hill
3. Daisuke Matsuzaka
4. Kevin Youkilis
5. Darnell McDonald
6. Ryan Kalish (later optioned to the PawSox)
We can now add two more names to the list: Cody Ross and Aaron Cook. Ross, in his first year with the Red Sox, is scheduled to lead-off tonight in Buffalo and DH. The Red Sox outfielder suffered a broken bone in his left foot that fortunately did not need surgery.
Right-hander Aaron Cook, who began the season with the PawSox, is scheduled to make his first rehab start on Monday in Syracuse. Cook’s injury is as odd as it is disappointing. In his 2012 Major League debut at Fenway Park, Cook suffered a deep cut on his knee when he was “cleated” covering home plate.
The PawSox are a league-best 43-25 and can lock down a sereis win with a “W” in Buffalo tonight. Billy Buckner (0-1, 11.42) will be opposed by Bisons’ starter Jeurys Familia (5-3, 4.35). First pitch tonight is scheduled for 7:05, pre-game coverage begins at 6:50.
Talk with you then.
-AG
@aaronmgoldsmith
agoldsmith@pawsox.com
Ross will test his left foot tonight in his frist rehab start for the PawSox. At the time of his injury, Ross was batting .271 and had appeared in all three outfield positions for the Red Sox. (Kelly O’Connor)
Cape League Gets Going, So Does Ciriaco
Although it seems like forever ago, I’m not all that far removed from my summer on the Cape broadcasting games for the Bourne Braves in 2008. Last night, the Cape Cod Baseball League kicked off yet another season that promises to be a success.
When you really think about it, the Cape League might be the best blend of talent plus love for the game on display anywhere in the country. Every young hopeful is playing for free in hopes of either being discovered or further increasing their stock.
Partially funded by Major League Baseball, the Cape League has produced such stars as Jeff Bagwell, Jacoby Ellsbury, Normar Garciaparra, Tim Lincecum, Frank Tomas, Evan Longoria, Buster Posey, Kevin Youkillis, and hundreds more.
As you keep up the with PawSox this summer, you might want to spend a couple of minutes each week checking in on what’s happening along the Cape. You never know who might be the next star to make a name for himself.
PawSox Notebook:
- Impressive work last night by Doug Mathis, Daniel Bard, and Garrett Mock. The trio of right-handers held the Bisons scoreless over nine innings and combined to allow a mere four hits. It marked the sixth shutout win of the season for Pawtucket.
- Despite walking the first man he faced, Bard saw the minimum over two innings and struck out the final four batters – one looking. Last night marked Bard’s first outing without allowing a run, and pitching more than one inning.
- Pedro Ciriaco is now riding a 10-game hitting streak (13-for-45), and is nearing his club-best streak of 12 games he set in May.
- Although we have not received official word confirming the move, RedSox.com is reporting that outfielder Cody Ross “plans on starting a Minor League rehab assignment on Friday for Triple-A Pawtucket.” Ross fractured a bone in his left foot when batting.
- Former PawSox pitcher, and current Red Sox reliever, Andrew Miller, is part of the Cape League’s 13th Hall of Fame class, scheduled for induction on November 10 at the Chatham Bars Inn. Miller pitched for Chatham and posted a 2-0 record with a 2.03 ERA in 2004 and a 6-0 mark with a 1.65 ERA in ’05. That year, Miller was named the league’s outstanding pro prospect, co-pitcher of the year, and college summer baseball’s player of the year.
The PawSox and Bisons continue their series tonight from Buffalo with righty Justin Germano (7-3, 2.56) getting the start for Pawtucket. Coming off a nine-inning complete game shutout, Germano will be opposed by right-hander Dylan Owen (3-3, 5.19).
First pitch tonight from Coca-Cola Field is set for 7:05, pre-game coverage begins at 6:50.
Talk with you then.
-AG
@aaronmgoldsmith
agoldsmith@pawsox.com
Miller has spent parts of seven seasons in the Major Leagues, the last two with Boston, after being drafted sixth overall in 2006 by Detroit. (Kelly O’Connor)
Justin Thomas Joins PawSox
After breaking camp with the Red Sox, left-handed reliever Justin Thomas has been assigned to Pawtucket as a result of Boston activating lefty Rich Hill from his minor league rehab assignment (Tommy John).
While Thomas no-doubt would’ve preferred to stay with the parent club, he’s grateful for the time he was able to put in with Boston.
“It was just great to get back to the big leagues and have the opportunity to pitch … Being at Fenway Park for the first time, seeing that place, and seeing the 100 year anniversary game there, it was awesome.”
Thomas, who appeared in seven games for the Red Sox, returns to the International League where he made a league-high 63 appearances last season.
“I’m ready to go everyday. I’m a guy who can come in and throw to one batter to get a lefty out in a situation, or go an inning or two.
Thomas joins an already crowded bullpen with rehabbing Andrew Miller and hard-throwing righty Mark Melancon. As Thomas pointed out, however, he will provide the club with a strong option versus left-handed hitting. Last season Thomas held opposing left-handed batters to a stingy .188 average (19-for-101), while allowing just one extra-base hit.
We may get our first look at Thomas tonight as the PawSox and Clippers play Game 2 of the series from beautiful Huntington Park in downtown Columbus. Thomas, and the rest of the bullpen, will need to bundle up. It’s predicted to be 48 degrees for our 7:05 first pitch. We hit the air at 6:50 with the pre-game show.
Talk with you then.
-AG
@aaronmgoldsmith
agoldsmith@pawsox.com
Thomas has appeared in 27 career Major League games combined between the Mariners, Pirates, and Red Sox. (Kelly O'Connor)
Tazawa to Boston, Melancon to Pawtucket
Roughly 15 minutes prior to first pitch last night against the Texas Rangers, the Red Sox officially announced that PawSox reliever Junichi Tazawa has been recalled from Pawtucket, while Mark Melancon has been optioned to Triple-A.
“Taz,” as he is known in the PawSox clubhouse, tossed four scoreless appearances totaling seven innings prior to the promotion. The right-hander fanned four batters in two separate outings and earned his first save of 2012 on Monday in Syracuse.
“He rested well over the winter and now looks like he’s put it all together,” PawSox manager Arnie Beyeler told me. “He’s getting ahead of hitters, locating his fastball, and putting guys away.”
This will be the third major league call-up for 25-year-old Tazawa. (Kelly O'Connor)
When I talked to Pawtucket pitching coach Rich Sauveur about Tazawa’s strong play, he echoed some of what Arnie said. “He’s locating his fastball and mixing his pitches well,” said Sauveur. “Because he’s commanding all three of his pitches, he’s trusting all three of his pitches.”
As Tazawa prepares for his first big league action since September 24 of last year when he pitched against the Yankees, Melancon makes his first trip to the minor league circuit since 2010 when he appeared in a combined 43 games between Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (Yankees) and Round Rock (Astros).
Melancon has four years of Major League time on his resume where he's combined to go 10-7, 4.03 ERA in 110 games. (Kellly O'Connor)
The righty collected 20 saves last year with Houston, but in four appearances (just 2.0 IP) with the Sox, Melancon has surrendered 11 runs on 10 hits including five homers.
2011 2012
Pitches thrown: 1,221 Pitches thrown: 71
HR allowed: 5 HR allowed: 5
The PawSox wrap up a nine-game road trip this afternoon from Alliance Bank Stadium in Syracuse. At 6-2, Pawtucket has the best road record in the International League and is one win away from their first series sweep of the season. Red Sox lefty Andrew Miller is expected to make another rehab outing this afternoon as he recovers from a hamstring injury. Right-hander Alex Wilson makes his first start of the year against the Chiefs.
First pitch today is scheduled for high noon with pre-game coverage beginning at 11:45.
Talk with you then,
-AG
@aaronmgoldsmith
agoldsmith@pawsox.com
Andrew Miller Talks About Monday’s Rehab
Following the PawSox batting practice today in Syracuse I had a chance to ask Andrew Miller a few questions about his rehab appearance Monday night where he struck out the side on 15 pitches.
For the second-straight outing Miller had to fight some heavy rain, but had by far his best outing to date with the PawSox.
-AG
@aaronmgoldmith
agoldsmith@pawsox.com
Andrew Miller has now made three rehab appearances with the PawSox (3.0 IP, 1 H, 4 R, 5 BB, 6 K). (Kelly O'Connor)
Andrew Miller Talks About Rehab with PawSox
After two successful rehab outings with Single-A Greenville, Red Sox pitcher Andrew Miller is now in Rochester with the PawSox and will pitch in tonight’s 7:05 game versus the Red Wings. At this time, it’s not known if Miller will start tonight’s game or pitch out of the bullpen, but we do know that he should pitch two innings (35-40 pitches).
Miller, who becomes the first lefty of the year for Pawtucket, feels good about how is rehabilitation is coming along. ”A lot of it is letting it heal and fix itself. Then you have to rebuild the strength and stamina. I think we’re pretty much there, I’m just here to test it out and make sure it’s right.”
How close is he to being fully recovered and ready to join the Red Sox? “I’m very close. I’m about as close as you can get. I feel like I’m going 100% on the mound, I think they just want to keep making sure – we’ll know here shortly.”
You can listen to my interview with Andrew by using the embedded audio player above. We hit the air tonight with our pre-game coverage at 6:50, first pitch is 15 minutes later.
Talk with you then,
-AG
@aaronmgoldsmith
agoldsmith@pawsox.com
