Well in the first installment of the Injury Bug Bites the Bombers saw Bustamante, Guzman and Jackson all go down pretty much at the same time.
They all returned and were producing, even if the game results weren't exactly what we'd like to see.
So, it's no wonder that in May the Bombers posted a sub par 12-16 record and have started off June going 0-5.
However, in the last two SIM's (end of May) the Bombers got bit hard.
Going down was:
Starting SS Gerald Pugh (back in July)
Starting CF Roy O'Quinn (back in July),
Starting LF Stephen Jackson (again!) back next SIM
Starting RF Mark Buchanan (back in August)
Backup OF Leland Rey (back in mid August)
Backup OF Martin Evans (back in 2 weeks)
Back up Closer Cal Henry (back in July)
Setup Joe Ward (April 2017)
When O'Quinn went down, the plan was to call up 2013, 2nd Round draft pick Bernardo Cisneros, who was having a good time beating up on AAA pitching hitting .328, .423 OB, .513 Slug (936 OPS) however he ALSO went down with an injury, strained hamstring, and is expected to be sidelined 2 more weeks. Cisneros window of opportunity might have closed for the 2016 season as he is not on the 40 man roster yet and he'll be coming back when everyone else is.
So, in essence, the entire starting OF (Jackson, O'Quinn, and Buchanan) all went down as well as 4th OF'er Martin Evans and Leland Rey.
The piece-meal OF is now O'Day, Lee and Fox. Not quite the guys we would like to run out there, let alone all 3 at the same time. But the games must be played and this now becomes an opportunity for them to show that they belong at the ABL level and make decisions a little tougher for GM Gary Altman.
Even with all this, the overall pitching of the Bombers needs to significantly improve for the Bombers to have a chance this season. Ranked at or near the bottom in the major categories has team officials concerned, however, even with all this going on, after just a third of the season and a AAA lineup, the Bombers sit just 3 GB of division leader San Francisco.
Friday, September 27, 2013
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Injury Bug Bites!
Well, nothing is ever simple or easy for the South Carolina Bombers.
The first two SIMS sees the Bombers sitting at 8-5 (5-2 & 3-3) in the Penthouse of the Billy Martin Division of the Thurman Munson League.
However, 33% of the Starting Lineup find them selves shelved on the 14 Day Disabled List!
These injuries are fairly significant because 1) of who they were to, and 2) the timing of them.
Orlando Bustamante, DH, finds himself on the DL for the first time in his ABL Career with a strained oblique. Bustamante has been a sort of Ironman for South Carolina, missing just 1 game over the first 3 seasons. But even at 33 years old, he's still very productive. He adequately fills the cleanup spot, and no word yet on whether Bustamante spends a week or two in a rehab assignment.
Stephen "Action" Jackson, LF, strained a hamstring and is expected back in a SIM or two, but was DL'ed for precautionary purposes. Jackson, in his first 4 full seasons in the ABL, Jackson has been in the Top 10 in OB three times.
Fernando Guzman, 1B has the most serious of the injuries. He has strained his MCL and will be out until June. What the Bombers will most most from Guzman's injury is his Gold Glove. His offense isn't too shabby either. So far this season, in 11 games he has 1 HR and 7 RBI's from the 8th spot in the order! Last season Guzman hit 28 dingers and knocked in 84, so this is a double edged blow.
And the last injury sustained was to 37 year old SP Tony Ross with shoulder tendinitis. He's expected to miss one or two starts, and more than likely a rehab is in order for Ross.
The roster moves made to fill out the roster was 2013 4th Round Draft Pick Morgan Cairns contract was purchased from AAA. He'll be the 3rd catcher on the roster.
Then recalled is ABL SB King Lawrence Fox, Brant Lee and SP Dave Nicholson.
Lineup adjustments will see the C platoon of Yarbrough and O'Neill both playing full time, with O'Neill starting at 1B. Martin Evans will play CF, O'Quinn moving over to LF and off season free agent acquisition Craig O'Day will be the DH. O'Day, 34, was signed for depth in the off season for 1.8M. He was a full time player prior to this season for Montreal and Texas, but at his age his offensive numbers are declining somewhat. Even with the steady decline over the last 3 season he still banged out 27 HR's and had 86 RBI's.
The first two SIMS sees the Bombers sitting at 8-5 (5-2 & 3-3) in the Penthouse of the Billy Martin Division of the Thurman Munson League.
However, 33% of the Starting Lineup find them selves shelved on the 14 Day Disabled List!
These injuries are fairly significant because 1) of who they were to, and 2) the timing of them.
Orlando Bustamante, DH, finds himself on the DL for the first time in his ABL Career with a strained oblique. Bustamante has been a sort of Ironman for South Carolina, missing just 1 game over the first 3 seasons. But even at 33 years old, he's still very productive. He adequately fills the cleanup spot, and no word yet on whether Bustamante spends a week or two in a rehab assignment.
Stephen "Action" Jackson, LF, strained a hamstring and is expected back in a SIM or two, but was DL'ed for precautionary purposes. Jackson, in his first 4 full seasons in the ABL, Jackson has been in the Top 10 in OB three times.
Fernando Guzman, 1B has the most serious of the injuries. He has strained his MCL and will be out until June. What the Bombers will most most from Guzman's injury is his Gold Glove. His offense isn't too shabby either. So far this season, in 11 games he has 1 HR and 7 RBI's from the 8th spot in the order! Last season Guzman hit 28 dingers and knocked in 84, so this is a double edged blow.
And the last injury sustained was to 37 year old SP Tony Ross with shoulder tendinitis. He's expected to miss one or two starts, and more than likely a rehab is in order for Ross.
The roster moves made to fill out the roster was 2013 4th Round Draft Pick Morgan Cairns contract was purchased from AAA. He'll be the 3rd catcher on the roster.
Then recalled is ABL SB King Lawrence Fox, Brant Lee and SP Dave Nicholson.
Lineup adjustments will see the C platoon of Yarbrough and O'Neill both playing full time, with O'Neill starting at 1B. Martin Evans will play CF, O'Quinn moving over to LF and off season free agent acquisition Craig O'Day will be the DH. O'Day, 34, was signed for depth in the off season for 1.8M. He was a full time player prior to this season for Montreal and Texas, but at his age his offensive numbers are declining somewhat. Even with the steady decline over the last 3 season he still banged out 27 HR's and had 86 RBI's.
Saturday, September 7, 2013
2016 Season Preview
The starting pitching is beginning to mature.
The bullpen was lengthened with the acquisition of Gary Payne.
Roy O'Quinn has returned from his season ending injury and started to come on at the end of spring training.
Dan Mullen wins the 3B job with a .980 OPS in spring training.
20 year old Jorge Rosas, the odds on favorite to win the Rookie of the Year Award, will be the Opening Day 2B in his rookie campaign, and is projected to put up some monster numbers by ABL Reporters covering Spring Training.
All in all there is a lot of optimism here in South Carolina. Quietly, team management believes that this squad can have the Bombers competing for a playoff berth. The Billy Martin Division is getting stronger.
Maple always seems to find a way to compete and win their games, whether it's with 60% of their rotation going down to injury or pulling off a white hot September.
San Francisco, coming off their first Division crown and playoff appearance are gunning to make it two in a row.
Jersey, is getting better and it shouldn't be too long before they're tightening the division up.
But not everything is looking well in Bomber-Land. One major surprise has taken place.
Dave Nicholson, winner of 26 games over the last two seasons finds himself being demoted to AAA.
In the last start of the spring, Nicholson only managed to go 1.1 IP, giving up 7 hits and runs with 1 K and a HR. His spring training ERA was an inflated 11.45.
GM Gary Altman was obviously annoyed with Nicholson's performance. Altman was overheard speaking with the manager and trainers, "You should be coming to Spring Training in shape, not to get in shape!".
Nicholson when asked about his demotion, "I was just trying to get my work in. I would have pitched much differently if I knew my job was on the line. This is bull crap! I'm gonna have a talk with my agent and see what can be worked out."
Replacing Nicholson in the rotation will be Aaron Harris. Harris tripped a bit in his opening start, but then locked in. In his last 3 ST starts, Harris has gone 12 innings, given up 9 hits, 2 runs/earned, 2 walks and 4 K's. For the spring, Harris has gotten 23 ground ball outs, and just 8 flyball outs. This will be important as O'Quinn improves on his CF defense.
Let the games begin!
The bullpen was lengthened with the acquisition of Gary Payne.
Roy O'Quinn has returned from his season ending injury and started to come on at the end of spring training.
Dan Mullen wins the 3B job with a .980 OPS in spring training.
20 year old Jorge Rosas, the odds on favorite to win the Rookie of the Year Award, will be the Opening Day 2B in his rookie campaign, and is projected to put up some monster numbers by ABL Reporters covering Spring Training.
All in all there is a lot of optimism here in South Carolina. Quietly, team management believes that this squad can have the Bombers competing for a playoff berth. The Billy Martin Division is getting stronger.
Maple always seems to find a way to compete and win their games, whether it's with 60% of their rotation going down to injury or pulling off a white hot September.
San Francisco, coming off their first Division crown and playoff appearance are gunning to make it two in a row.
Jersey, is getting better and it shouldn't be too long before they're tightening the division up.
But not everything is looking well in Bomber-Land. One major surprise has taken place.
Dave Nicholson, winner of 26 games over the last two seasons finds himself being demoted to AAA.
In the last start of the spring, Nicholson only managed to go 1.1 IP, giving up 7 hits and runs with 1 K and a HR. His spring training ERA was an inflated 11.45.
GM Gary Altman was obviously annoyed with Nicholson's performance. Altman was overheard speaking with the manager and trainers, "You should be coming to Spring Training in shape, not to get in shape!".
Nicholson when asked about his demotion, "I was just trying to get my work in. I would have pitched much differently if I knew my job was on the line. This is bull crap! I'm gonna have a talk with my agent and see what can be worked out."
Replacing Nicholson in the rotation will be Aaron Harris. Harris tripped a bit in his opening start, but then locked in. In his last 3 ST starts, Harris has gone 12 innings, given up 9 hits, 2 runs/earned, 2 walks and 4 K's. For the spring, Harris has gotten 23 ground ball outs, and just 8 flyball outs. This will be important as O'Quinn improves on his CF defense.
Let the games begin!
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