Spurling to AAA Toledo
Chris Spurling was optioned to Triple-A Toledo on Thursday to make room for closer Todd Jones, who is returning from a pulled left hamstring. Jones will be active in Friday night's series opener with the Seattle Mariners.
This move came as a surprise to me, as Spurling was so strong last season and was (not unlike Fernando Rodney or Jamie Walker) pretty much guaranteed a bullpen spot entering spring training. Still, Spurling has struggled early this season, giving up 4 earned runs, including 2 homeruns in his 7 innings (6 appearances); Spurling had also recorded 2 strikeouts and 2 walks. I was thinking that either Jordan Tata, who was called up when Jones went onto the DL, or Jason Grilli would have been sent down. Both are young pitchers who can be used in long relief situations and are prospective starters.
Chris Spurling was to have been used in the middle-relief/set-up role. Joel Zumaya, who has been dominant in his appearnces thus far, seems poised to step into Spurling's role. If the 2006 Todd Jones turns out to be anything like the 2005 Todd Jones, then I like the sounds of a Zumaya-Rodney-Jones, 7-8-9 combo.
Yeah, Spurling, Walker, and Rodney were about the only guys I trusted with the ball last year. All three are nice guys, as is Rodney. I hadn't heard anything about this Tata guy and still haven't looked into him, but I assumed he would be the one sent down. You hit on this briefly, but I think the main reason is that I think of Spurling, Rodney, and Walker and Bobby Seay as short relievers. Grilli, Tata, and Zumaya are the only long guys out in the pen. Spurling was the weakest of the shorts by far - Walker is your lefty specialist, Rodney is lights-out, and from a quick glance at the stats Seay looks good as well. There simply isn't room in the pen for 5 short relievers and only tow long men. It's also possible that Leyland was thinking of what may happen if Zumaya has to make a spot start for Verlander or an injured starter. Keep up the good work. (Not sure if you noticed, but I did add you to my list.)
-Reid
http://reid.mlblogs.com
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Spurling is a no-brainer, though I thought they might sent the Tata kid back down. Looks like we have some capable youth...finally.
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