June 30, 2008
Connolly Signed
The wait is over for general manager Todd Marlin. He has finally landed left-hander Mike Connolly.
After leaving the Bluefish during spring training to join the Sinon Bulls of the Chinese Professional Baseball League in Taiwan, Connolly has re-signed with the Bluefish and will rejoin the team Tuesday.
There had been some concern on behalf of Marlin that Connolly, 26, would instead sign with the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks in the independent Northern League.
``We had heard a month ago that he was potentially going to come back,’’ Marlin said. ``And about two weeks ago now I guess the agent called and said, `Hey, Mike’s coming back.’ And we just started talking to him. There was the whole maybe Fargo (situation). But eventually I think there was probably a little bit of loyalty there to some extent. We’re excited to have him. He’s got a good left arm.’’
Connolly, whose 24-year-old brother, Jon, joined the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs June 11, was 4-7 with a 5.22 ERA and one save in 28 appearances (14 starts) for Wichita in the Class AA Texas League last season. He decided to leave Taiwan because the Bulls were no longer using him solely as a starter.
Connolly will start for the Bluefish. Although a definitive decision has yet to be made by manager Tommy John, it is likely that right-hander Matt Pike will return to the bullpen.
Entering his start against the Blue Crabs tonight at Harbor Yard, Pike was 3-1 with a 6.65 ERA in eight previous starts since joining the rotation in early May. He is 2-1 with a 2.70 ERA in five relief appearances.
Pike, who had not made a start since 2002, is next scheduled to start Saturday at Long Island.
``If that is the case then what Matt did for us to help us get through the last month, month and a half is great,’’ Marlin said. ``He exceeded all of our expectations I think. He fought hard every time he went out.’’
Rich
Posted by Elliott on 8:49 PM
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June 29, 2008
Pickering On The Move
Calvin Pickering downplayed his aggressive baserunning in Saturday’s 7-3 victory over the Lancaster Barnstormers as much as possible today. To him, he was only taking what the Barnstormers were giving him.
But to manager Tommy John, it went way beyond that. John went as far as saying that Pickering’s second stolen base of the season and tagging up on a fly ball helped the Bluefish win the game. Rafael Bergstrom pitched a one-hitter over seven innings. Yet, Pickering, the team’s the mountainous designated hitter, also made a sizeable impact.
``He’s got the green light any time because I just want to see him get dirty,’’ John said. ``I really want to see him slide headfirst. Really, what he did it pepped the guys up and got them going and got some fire going and laughing at him running. But him stealing second, tagging up and going to third and scoring that was a key run and essentially won the game for us.’’
With the Bluefish leading 1-0 in the second, Pickering led off with a single to left. He then stole second – his first stolen base since May 24. He would tag up and move to third on fly ball to center by Jay Caligiuri and he scored on an RBI single by Brian Munhall.
``They gave it to me,’’ Pickering said. ``If they’re going to play behind me I’m going to take off. Basically, it’s like a slap in the face. Because I’m big or whatever you think I can’t run? Ok, if they want to do it let them keep doing it. I just took off. They weren’t holding me. Plus, (Josh Hall) had a big leg kick. So it wasn’t that big of a deal. The fly ball to centerfield was deep. (Jutt Hileman) was backpedaling at the same time so I tagged up and went to third. I just play the game.’’
Pickering said today that he doesn’t know if he’s lost any weight this season. He isn’t paying attention to it either. What matters most to him is that he is producing each time he steps on the field. And through his first 57 games, he has.
Pickering, who has spent part of five seasons in the big leagues, is hitting .260 with 11 doubles, seven home runs, 32 RBIs and 26 runs scored in 57 games this season. He has reached base in 20 straight home games.
John would like to see Pickering, 31, get in shape and make another run at landing a job with a big league organization.
``He can hit,’’ John said. ``He just has to get in shape. If he would get in shape, get a trainer, he can play for somebody. And with the money that’s being thrown out there now ... I mean, this is my thinking, you’ve got to give it your best shot because there’s a ton of money out there for guys with far less talent than he’s got.’’
Rich
Posted by Elliott on 6:20 PM
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June 28, 2008
Ezi Suspended Three Games
Sitting out Friday’s series opener against the Lancaster Barnstormers was difficult for center fielder Travis Ezi. The most difficult part of the fallout from Thursday’s confrontation with first base umpire Mark Facto came today when he was suspended for a total of three games by Atlantic League Executive Director Joe Klein.
Ezi, who was also fined an undisclosed amount, was contrite following batting practice Saturday. He categorized the meeting with Klein as being productive.
``(Three games is) a lot for me,’’ Ezi said. ``One game is enough for me. I’d rather be out here helping the team win. I love playing. I just don’t like missing games – period.’’
Ryan Bear was in centerfield for the Bluefish Friday, while Henry Mateo occupied the position today. Bluefish manager Tommy John was not certain who would man centerfield Sunday.
The incident in question occurred after Ezi popped out to end the eighth inning in Thursday’s 8-5 loss to the York Revolution. He threw his helmet to the ground after the play and Facto immediately told him that he was going to be fined for throwing a piece of equipment.
Ezi, who was subsequently ejected from the game, then confronted Facto and had words with him in a heated exchange. John had to pull Ezi away from Facto.
Ezi and John both elected not to reveal was what was said during the altercation.
``I thought he was fortunate,’’ John said of Ezi’s suspension. ``He told Joe that he was sorry and he wouldn’t disappoint him. And I said, `Joe, that’s all you can do. You can take it at face value.’’’
Issuing an apology to Facto is also part of Ezi’s punishment. Though, it did not need to be. This was something Ezi had intended to do regardless if it was a mandatory action.
``If he said it or not I’m still going to apologize to him because I was in the wrong,’’ Ezi said. ``I understand that. I let my anger get to me. I shouldn’t have done that, and what I told him was wrong so I’m going to go ahead and apologize anyway.’’
Rich
Posted by Elliott on 6:26 PM
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June 27, 2008
Ezi Suspended
The play looked to be innocent at first glance Thursday. Travis Ezi popped out to first base to end the eighth inning. What happened in the aftermath, though, earned Ezi an indefinite suspension.
Ezi threw his helmet in disgust after the out was recorded. First base umpire Mark Facto told him that that was an equipment infraction and he would be fined. Ezi, who was ultimately ejected, then confronted Facto and exchanged words with him and Bluefish manager Tommy John had to pull Ezi away.
While John would not specifically say what Ezi said to Facto, today he said that the severity of his words warranted a suspension.
``It was a two-part thing,’’ John said. ``Earlier in the game Travis was yelling from the outfield about balls and strikes. And Mark told him to shut up. Then when he had the out he didn’t say anything. He threw his helmet. But in this league you can’t throw a helmet in anger. And Mark said that’s an equipment infraction and then Travis went at him and said what he said.’’
Ezi will meet with Atlantic League Executive Director Joe Klein tomorrow to discuss the situation. He hit in the cage today before leaving the ballpark. He was not permitted to be at Harbor Yard during the game.
Ezi said that he was surprised by the severity of the suspension. He is certain to be fine as well.
``It was heat of the moment,’’ Ezi said. ``We’re all not perfect. They missed some calls in the game and York capitalized on it. Sometimes my mouth gets a little into it, but I tossed my helmet and he gave me an equipment fine and then I said something back to him and he kicked me out of the game. So I’ve got to wait and see.’’
Ezi is hitting .276 with three home runs, 14 RBIs and 25 runs scored in 31 games since joining the Bluefish via a trade with the York Revolution in late May. He also has five doubles, three triples and eight stolen bases.
Ryan Bear started in centerfield tonight. Henry Mateo is expected to play the position tomorrow.
``I regret it because we ended up losing the game,’’ Ezi said. ``I wanted to stay in the game and help the team win. But then ended up losing and kind of lose on both sides, my end and the team’s end.’’
Rich
Posted by Elliott on 7:13 PM
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June 24, 2008
Caligiuri's Back/Tommy To Do Mike & Mike
Jay Caligiuri waited approximately two hours today to undergo a final X-ray of his surgically repaired left wrist at The Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Center in Fairfield. It was well worth the wait.
The results came back favorable and Caligiuri was cleared to play for the first time since being injured on a play at the plate during an exhibition game against the Long Island Ducks April 22. He had surgery April 28.
``It showed total bone growth,’’ Caligiuri said. ``The doc said there’s nothing more I can do but to get in the lineup. I’ve been trying to do as much as I can for the team, trying to be a good team guy. Now I’ve got to come out and try to do some stuff for myself. The team’s kind of struggling right now. Hopefully, I can come and give a spark. I know the lineup doesn’t really need me right now, but we’ll see what happens when I get in there.’’
Caligiuri, who said the strength in his wrist is between 95 and 100 percent, is in the No. 6 spot in the lineup at designated hitter tonight against the York Revolution. He was slated to see two at-bats before being replaced by Calvin Pickering.
Manager Tommy John’s plan is to give Caligiuri at least two more at-bats at designated hitter Wednesday before playing him for five innings at second base Thursday, at third base Friday, in left field Saturday and in right field Sunday in an attempt to steadily work Caligiuri back into the fold and to also rest some players.
``He was an integral part of our team last year and we missed him this year,’’ John said. ``By Sunday, he should be able to go nine innings.’’
Caligiuri hit .320 with 14 home runs and career-highs of 33 doubles, 78 RBIs and 79 runs scored in 111 games for the Bluefish. He was named an Atlantic League postseason All-Star.
``I don’t want to push anything to where I injure something else,’’ Caligiuri said. ``I haven’t played in a few months. I’ve been running and doing sprints to get my legs under me. But I haven’t done explosive movement in the infield, running bases and things like that. The progression’s going to be good for me and it’ll allow other guys to stay sharp too.’’
Tommy John will co-host the Mike & Mike in the Morning Show with Erik Kuselias Thursday from 6 to 10 a.m. on ESPN Radio (WPOP-AM 1410, WINE-AM 940) and live in high definition on ESPN2 from 6 to 7 and on ESPNews from 7 to 10. The show will also be featured on the Best of Mike & Mike in the Morning on ESPN at 2 p.m.
John, who co-hosted Bagels and Baseball with Ian Eagle on WFAN-AM 660 in New York in the spring and summer of 1999, said he plans to wear a Bluefish golf shirt.
``It’ll be fun,’’ John said. ``I’ve got to study up on all the (NBA) draft.’’
Rich
Posted by Elliott on 6:51 PM
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June 23, 2008
Final Step for Caligiuri?
There have been several benchmarks along the road to recovery for Jay Caligiuri after undergoing surgery on his left wrist April 28. He had the hard cast removed May 31 and began his conditioning program the following day and he took batting practice for the first time last week.
No day, though, is more significant to Caligiuri at this point than Tuesday. He is scheduled to be re-examined one more time at 11 a.m. Another X-ray will be taken and should the results prove to be favorable he is expected to be cleared to play.
``The way I feel I am (ready to return),’’ Caligiuri said. ``We’ve got one more X-ray just to make it positive. The last one looked like the bone was totally healed. So it’s just looking for a little more growth on the bone and I should be ready to go. I’m looking forward to it. I’m getting mentally prepared for (today).’’
Caligiuri’s return will provide a boost to a what has proven to be formidable lineup that ranked fourth in the Atlantic League in hitting (.283) and runs scored (307) entering tonight’s series opener against the York Revolution. But, more importantly, it will provide the Bluefish with some depth that they have severely lacked throughout the season.
Manager Tommy John said that Caligiuri could be in the lineup as soon as tonight if he is cleared. John expects to utilize him at third base, second base, designated hitter, left field and right field.
Caligiuri played every position but center field and catcher last season for the Bluefish when he hit .320 with 14 home runs and career-highs of 33 doubles, 78 RBIs and 79 runs scored in 111 games. He finished fifth in the Atlantic League in hitting and fourth in doubles and on-base percentage (.414) and was named to the league’s postseason All-Star team.
``Getting Jay back will help tremendously,’’ John said. ``If they give him the go-ahead, what (team trainer) Jessica (Jewell) suggested, and it’s pretty intelligent, is just let him go and play and have him do two at-bats tomorrow, two at-bats Wednesday. Maybe take Thursday off to see how it is and then maybe play half a game at third base or second base on Friday. You just go into like you would at spring training and then in a week he’s got three, four at-bats and he gets his stamina back up.’’
Rich
Posted by Elliott on 6:31 PM
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June 11, 2008
Pike Progressing
The move was made out of necessity and nothing else. Rather than bring right-hander Barry Hertzler back on three days rest at Southern Maryland May 21, Bluefish manager Tommy John opted to use reliever Matt Pike in the role of spot starter.
Five starts later, Pike is still in the rotation and still progressing. He assembled his best start this season Tuesday in helping lead the Bluefish back into first place in the Liberty Division with a 3-2 victory over the Camden Riversharks.
Pike (5-1) allowed two runs and seven hits, struck out four, walked two and threw a season-high 109 pitches in a career-high seven innings. He had twice worked 6 2/3 innings in back-to-back starts at Billing in the Pioneer League (Rookie ball) June 22 and 28, 2001.
``He sinks the ball and he’s got a good split-finger, a good breaking ball,’’ John said. ``Like I told him, the only thing that he’s got to work on is he’s got to get his (pitching) hand up. When his hand gets down then everything kind of shoots up. I said other than that he threw the ball well.’’
Pike (5-1) had not made a start since Aug. 23, 2002 for Tampa in the Class A Florida State League and he had made just 17 starts in 168 career appearances prior to this season. Entering play Wednesday, he was tied for second in the Atlantic League in wins.
Pike, who led the independent Canadian-American League with a career-high 24 saves at Atlantic City last season, has won his last two starts as he continues to get stretched out. He threw 103 pitches over six innings in a win at Newark June 4 before eclipsing both marks Tuesday.
It had been 133 appearances since Pike worked as many as six innings.
``(I’m) just getting used to the starting role again,’’ Pike said. ``I think that’s five starts now so I’m just starting to get in a groove, trying to pace myself a little bit as opposed to a reliever where you come in and you just have to really be fired up and just go all out. I’m starting to learn a little bit how to step into that new role.’’
Rich
Posted by Elliott on 6:54 PM
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June 10, 2008
Ellison Activated
The Bluefish received a considerable boost this morning when left-hander Derrick Ellison was removed from the disabled list. He had been battling a sore oblique and was activated shortly before the start of the game.
Manager Tommy John didn’t waste any time in using him. Ellison came on to work a scoreless eighth inning in a 3-2 victory over the Camden Riversharks. He allowed one hit, struck out one and threw 18 pitches in his first appearance since May 17.
Ellison (1-0, 0.77) has allowed one earned run in 11 2/3 innings this season.
``He throws the ball real good,’’ John said. ``He can get the ball up there at a pretty good clip, plus he’s good against left-handers. And if he gets behind he can throw that 90, 92 mile an hour fastball. Why some ballclub doesn’t need him is beyond me. Really, how many left-handers do you know that can throw it 89 to 92 or 93 miles an hour. There aren’t very many.’’
Left-hander Chad Bentz was placed on the disabled retroactive to June 5 to clear a spot for Ellison on the roster. John said Bentz experienced numbness in his throwing arm as he took off his headphones while jogging in Lancaster, Pa. last week.
Bentz will be evaluated today.
``He said it’s fine now, but there’s a reason why that happened and you can’t run him out there with that,’’ John said. ``There’s no possible way. So, hopefully, tomorrow we’ll see what the doctor says.’’
Rich
Posted by Elliott on 3:28 PM
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