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July 10, 2008
Ellison Added/Bergstrom Improving
A decision that manager Tommy John felt should have been made when the rest of the Atlantic League All-Stars were announced Sunday was finally made today. Left-handed reliever Derrick Ellison was named to the Liberty Division team to replace teammate Eric DuBose, who has opted to spend the break with his family at home in Alabama.
Ellison is one of seven members of the Bluefish who will participate in the All-Star Game Wednesday at Commerce Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater, N.J. First baseman Jesse Hoorelbeke, third baseman Luis Lopez and outfielder Branden Florence were named as starters. Second baseman Henry Mateo and outfielder Ryan Bear will serve as reserves, while starting pitcher Barry Hertzler was also selected.
``We should’ve had eight (players named),’’ John said. ``(Ellison) should have been the third pitcher, but you have so many position players that you couldn’t have three pitchers. But if you look at his numbers, his numbers are probably better than anybody in the league with the exception of Matt Schweitzer down in Southern Maryland.’’
Entering play today, Ellison was 1-1 with one save and a 1.57 ERA in 21 appearances (23 1/3 innings) this season. Schweitzer was 0-2 with three saves and a 1.00 ERA in a league-high 38 appearances (36).
Ellison, incidentally, missed just over three weeks earlier this season due to a strained right oblique.
``It’s great to have the opportunity now that I’m going to get to go,’’ Ellison said. ``It’s an honor and I thank the Lord for the opportunity. It’s good to go with these guys and just represent the Bluefish.’’
Right-hander Rafael Bergstrom spent another day away from the ballpark today. But he is likely to return today as the lesions on his arms and legs have diminished.
Bergstrom, who was scratched from his scheduled start Wednesday, began to breakout approximately six hours after swimming at Fire Island in New York Sunday. General manager Todd Marlin and John each said Thursday that they had to yet to receive a concrete diagnosis.
``The culture has not shown up anything,’’ John said. ``But the medication that they gave him, Keflex, which is a pretty powerful antibiotic … The sores are subsiding. Thank God that it didn’t spread to anybody.’’
If Bergstrom continues to progress he will start Sunday against the Newark Bears at Harbor Yard in the final game before the All-Star break.
Rich
Posted by Elliott on July 10, 2008 8:41 PM
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