Daryle Ward to DL

by Fuk-U-Meter on May 15, 2008 9:01 AM CDT

Does this mean Pie stays up?

The Chicago Sun Times reports that Daryle Ward will be placed on the disabled list with a back injury.

According to the newspaper, an MRI exam Wednesday revealed a herniated disk, but the Cubs are hoping that he can return after the minimum 15 days.

This information is from the Chicago Sun Times. It is a newspaper that is in Chicago. I'm sure they make their writers write more than 75 words, so I can sympathize with them.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation, Bleed Cubbie Blue, or Al Yellon, editor-in-chief. FanPost opinions are, however, valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Nevermind

Pie already got optioned. Must be a day behind. Wonder who gets called back?

Fukudometer: Created 3/31/08 Wrigley Debut 4/5/08 WGN and Japan TV Debut 4/6/08 Sun Times Debut: 4/20/08

by Fuk-U-Meter on May 15, 2008 9:03 AM CDT 0 recs

they would have put him down anyway.

Pie doesn’t play 1B and further this is as much for Pie’s sake as it is for the team.

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on May 15, 2008 9:13 AM CDT up 0 recs

It Could Be Pie

it won’t be Pie, but it could have been. One of the exceptions to the minimum time that you have to spend in the minors after being sent down is the “replace the injured player” rule. If a player is injured, you can be called back right away to fill that hole.

That being said, Pie isn’t the one who will be called up. But that’s a volitional act.

by frustratedfan on May 15, 2008 12:46 PM CDT up 0 recs

Credit where credit is due...

...I had to look up the word “volitional.” Well played, sir.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

Oh, and remember, folks: Alfonso Soriano is NOT batting leadoff. He's batting first.

by dat cubfan daver on May 15, 2008 12:54 PM CDT up 0 recs

no point

in bringing Pie back up though as long as Edmonds and Johnson are both here. He won’t get a chance

by ecbc on May 15, 2008 4:51 PM CDT up 0 recs

Yup...

Pie wasn’t getting to play much anyway without Edmonds. With Edmonds, he’d never see the light of day.

by SouthernCub on May 15, 2008 5:54 PM CDT up 0 recs

hoff power?

"Anytime I want to throw 95 or 96 (m.p.h.), I can throw it. But it's not how hard you throw in the big leagues. It's how you locate your pitches and learn to pitch the game." - If Zambrano has truly figured out how to pitch, look out.

by kylejo on May 15, 2008 9:04 AM CDT 0 recs

I don't see why not...

I’d love to see him get a cup o joe…

You ARE freaking out MAN!

by crw89 on May 15, 2008 9:16 AM CDT up 0 recs

That's My Guess

He’s been back for like 3 games… hit a couple homers and 10+ RBIs

Jacque Jones is gone, and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!

by initram on May 15, 2008 12:47 PM CDT up 0 recs

No

This means Micah Hoffpauir gets the call.

I’ve been outspoken that I don’t think the Hoffpauir is ever going to a productive major leaguer, but I’m actually pretty happy about this. Anytime a long-time minor leaguer like Hoffpauir finally gets a chance to wear a major league uniform for real, then I think it’s a happy day. He’s finally going to get to live his dream and we can all hope that he exceeds expectations.

But really, there is no room for Hoffpauir on the Cubs unless Ward or Lee is hurt. And if either one of them was expected to be gone for an extended period, I think we’d need someone better than Micah to fill in. But if Ward is just going to be gone for 15 days, then it’s wonderful to let Hoffpauir live the dream. Just don’t start resting Lee so he can play, Lou.

It's a girl! Born 1-18-08. 2246 PST. 8 lbs. 1 oz.

by Josh77 on May 15, 2008 9:10 AM CDT 0 recs

Couldnt agree more

Even if its just for a cup Im happy for the kid. Hope he does well.

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip

by Hammer on May 15, 2008 9:11 AM CDT up 0 recs

Agreed...

give Hoffpauir his dream come true. Let him play for the team and pinch hit for a few weeks and even start a game or two at 1B to give Lee a break. Then when Ward is healthy send him back to the minors or trade him. With Ward, Lee, Fukudome, and Soriano on the team, Hoffpauir’s fate is sealed for at least this season. Maybe he can become the backup 1B and LH pinch hitter next year if we part ways with Ward.

by SouthernCub on May 15, 2008 9:13 AM CDT up 0 recs

Hoffpauir

I wonder if he could prove to be similar to Ward. Obviously he’s not a major league starter but a few years of being a lefty off the bench, playing a few games at 1B and filling in for an injured player… I think Hoffpauir can prove to have some worth here. If not, no big loss, but I’d much rather see him called up over Murton.

DmL

by dmlichte on May 15, 2008 9:32 AM CDT up 0 recs

Hoffpauir...

... cannot play the outfield. Yes, I know, they give him a glove and stand him out there, but he’s really nothing more than a 1B in OF clothing.

He hit in spring training and Lou liked that. In that sense he’s like Scott McClain, who had a monster ST in 2005 and got a September callup out of it.

If he can deliver pinch-hits in important situations, he’ll have been worth the two-week callup while Ward is out.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on May 15, 2008 9:37 AM CDT up 0 recs

Is that official,

or speculation?

by Damen Jackson on May 15, 2008 9:39 AM CDT up 0 recs

Totally agree as well. Book it.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

Oh, and remember, folks: Alfonso Soriano is NOT batting leadoff. He's batting first.

by dat cubfan daver on May 15, 2008 9:43 AM CDT up 0 recs

Sullivan and Wittenmyer both said it's Hoffpauir.

Remember our conversation yesterday?

I has a blog.

by cwyers on May 15, 2008 9:45 AM CDT up 0 recs

Absolutely

and I responded last night, although that diary has fallen off the recommended list.

To be fair to me, I did say “Unless Ward or Lee gets injured.” But you were right. Piniella was determined to get Hoffpauir in the majors.

You and I still think Eric Patterson is going to be a major leaguer though. Wish the Cubs did.

It's a girl! Born 1-18-08. 2246 PST. 8 lbs. 1 oz.

by Josh77 on May 15, 2008 10:12 AM CDT up 0 recs

The way Lee has been playing the past week...

I think he needs a day or two off. Esp. before the 17 games in 17 days stretch coming up

I haz show: http://hotbeans.wordpress.com

by digitalbenjamin on May 15, 2008 9:52 AM CDT up 0 recs

Today wouldn't be a bad day to do it, but...

... unless the Ward DL move is made today, there’s no one available.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on May 15, 2008 10:12 AM CDT up 0 recs

Perhaps This Is Another Reason...

... for getting Edmonds?

Jacque Jones is gone, and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!

by initram on May 15, 2008 12:48 PM CDT up 0 recs

If there was pause...

...on the part of Hendry or Piniella, I am sure a potential injury problem with Ward made the Edmonds decision a bit easier.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on May 15, 2008 12:52 PM CDT up 0 recs

Cubs will recall either Kroeger, Hoffpauir or Patterson

They will want a LF bat off the bench. DeRosa will be the back up 1B for now. This is not good. Bad backs linger….remember Blanco…. he looked stiff running the bases.

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on May 15, 2008 9:11 AM CDT 0 recs

40-man?

Who gets bumped from the 40 man roster due to the Edmonds signing?

by berselius on May 15, 2008 9:12 AM CDT 0 recs

I believe we had open space on the 40-man...

so no one has to be removed.

by SouthernCub on May 15, 2008 9:13 AM CDT up 0 recs

Correct.

There were two open slots. The 40-man roster now stands at 39.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on May 15, 2008 9:37 AM CDT up 0 recs

And Hoffpauir

makes forty.

It's a girl! Born 1-18-08. 2246 PST. 8 lbs. 1 oz.

by Josh77 on May 15, 2008 9:40 AM CDT up 0 recs

Wasn't Hoffpauir already on the 40-man before yesterday?

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on May 15, 2008 10:12 AM CDT up 0 recs

As of this morning, no...

The Cubs website lists 39, with Edmonds on the roster and no Hoffpauir (and Guzman on the 60-day DL).

by SouthernCub on May 15, 2008 10:22 AM CDT up 0 recs

Nope.

He was an NRI that didn’t make the club. This should be a substantial payday for him – even if/when he gets sent back down, AAA guys on the 40-man typically make a good deal more than guys who aren’t, unless they’ve reached minor league free agency.

I has a blog.

by cwyers on May 15, 2008 10:22 AM CDT up 0 recs

Oops... didn't know this. I thougt Hoff was on there...

Jacque Jones is gone, and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!

by initram on May 15, 2008 12:49 PM CDT up 0 recs

Yeah, I didn't know either.

Good for Hoffpauir, indeed, he’ll get quite a bit more $, even if he’s only on the big league roster for a couple of weeks.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on May 15, 2008 5:06 PM CDT up 0 recs

With The Addition of Edmonds...

... the Cubs are at 39 men on the 40-man roster (excluding Guzman, who is on the 40-man roster).

Jacque Jones is gone, and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!

by initram on May 15, 2008 12:49 PM CDT up 0 recs

When did we clear space?

I was under the impression that most teams don’t have empty spots on their 40 man, typically (let alone 2)

by berselius on May 15, 2008 12:58 PM CDT up 0 recs

I Haven't Checked...

... but I think most teams like to have the flexibility to add on players without having to sacrifice their own. Also, you can carry more on your 40-man roster if you move some hurt players to the 60-day DL. Last year, Guzman and Prior were on there, which allowed for 2 new spots. Key is, if players are coming back, you leave yourself a future decision to cut or trade players.

I would bet that most teams would have 38 or 39 guys on their 40-man roster to be able to “add on”.

Jacque Jones is gone, and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!

by initram on May 16, 2008 10:24 AM CDT up 0 recs

if Micah hits

like he did in spring training, he may not go anywhere.

"I don't want to be a product of my environment. I want my environment to be a product of me." Frank Costello

by kalamazoo_cubs_fan on May 15, 2008 9:16 AM CDT 0 recs

Pie was sent down.

The Cubs are bringing in Edmonds to replace Pie in his role. Since Pie would not play they sent him to the minors. They still need another OF or 2 on the roster and one who can also play some 1B. Maybe Edmonds plays some 1b? I don’t know.

by DudeVf11 on May 15, 2008 9:26 AM CDT 0 recs

Indeed he does

He played a bit of 1st as he was coming back from an injury a few years ago in St Louis while Pujols was out. I remember him having a couple of big hits against the Cubs in his role as a 1B.

Eamus Ursuli!

by WGNstatic on May 15, 2008 9:39 AM CDT up 0 recs

Micah Hoffpauiur is about to have his Crash Davis moment

Good luck to Micah during his cup of coffee in the bigs. Derrek Lee could use a day off at 1st base, so maybe he gets his feet wet pretty quick.

Mr. Towers, tear down this wall (er, I mean give us back Greg Maddux) !

by MDBNIU on May 15, 2008 9:38 AM CDT 0 recs

And here's a link...

...to the Sun-Times article in question.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

Oh, and remember, folks: Alfonso Soriano is NOT batting leadoff. He's batting first.

by dat cubfan daver on May 15, 2008 9:45 AM CDT 0 recs

hopefully hoffpauir

gets the call up, I’d really want him to get action

2008 Cubs: Why Beat A Team in Regulation, when you can beat them in extras?

by Chanman25 on May 15, 2008 9:59 AM CDT 0 recs

It should be him...

Unless the Cubs think he doesn’t have enough Triple A at bats under his belt yet in 2008. Or if they think Mark DeRosa could be the backup at 1st base, thereby providing an extra opportunity for Ronny Cedeno to slip in the lineup at 2nd.

Mr. Towers, tear down this wall (er, I mean give us back Greg Maddux) !

by MDBNIU on May 15, 2008 10:05 AM CDT up 0 recs

then Murton gets the call up?

we need a power bat I think, so it will most likely be the hoff

2008 Cubs: Why Beat A Team in Regulation, when you can beat them in extras?

by Chanman25 on May 15, 2008 10:09 AM CDT up 0 recs

Ward's Injury A Factor In Edmonds Signing?

D Ward was a LH power hitter off the bench. With his being on the DL, Edmonds is the only guy on the team, who might be a legitimate LH power hitter. The operative word is “might”. I still don’t like the signing, but I can understand it a bit more now.

by memphiscub on May 15, 2008 10:15 AM CDT 0 recs

I don't think so

Lou has been wanting a left-handed power threat in the lineup all year long. I think they’d have signed Edmonds even if Ward had been healthy.

It's a girl! Born 1-18-08. 2246 PST. 8 lbs. 1 oz.

by Josh77 on May 15, 2008 10:35 AM CDT up 0 recs

Correct...

I think Piniella envisioned two moves during the offseason: get a speedy LH bat for the top of the order (or #2 spot) and get a power LH bat for the middle of the order. He originally thought Fukudome would provide the power in the middle of the order, and that’s why he wanted Matsui or Roberts. Now, he sees that Fukudome is probably not a power source and wants to move Fukudome to the #2 spot and thinks Edmonds can be the #5 guy.

by SouthernCub on May 15, 2008 10:40 AM CDT up 0 recs

Makes a lot of sense

n/t

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on May 15, 2008 12:35 PM CDT up 0 recs

Only if you ignore that Edmonds is probably going to be awful...

by SouthernCub on May 15, 2008 12:48 PM CDT up 0 recs

Oh, maybe you were referring to my theory...

of why Piniella is doing this, and not the theory of getting Edmonds? Sorry if I misinterpreted.

by SouthernCub on May 15, 2008 12:49 PM CDT up 0 recs

Then you cut him loose...

...it’s not like he is taking someone’s spot who was tearing it up, and Pie needs AAA to workout his swing flaws.

They are banking on the psychological effect of Edmonds being in an exciting atmosphere, and hoping it brings out a period where he can produce a bit like he used to. If he is done, you really don’t lose much from what you were getting out of that spot anyway.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on May 15, 2008 12:51 PM CDT up 0 recs

Agree to disagree...

as we’ve discussed before, you and I have philosophical differences of opinion on sending Pie down. I think we agree on the rest of the matter though.

And I’ll definitely agree that, given that Piniella wasn’t going to play Pie anyway, it’s not as big a negative if Edmonds fails.

by SouthernCub on May 15, 2008 4:33 PM CDT up 0 recs

That's ok...

...that’s what this venue is for, to say what is on your mind.

Regarding Pie, we will never know what would have happened if Pie would have been given a long stretch to play the first 40 games, and I know that frustrates some people. With that said, IMO, I don’t think he would have improved in this venue and in fact, it would have been best to start him at AAA this year vs bringing him North with the club. I realize the club may not have had too many other options, but I also don’t think his minor league instruction in the past has done him any favors. Thankfully, it appears everyone is on the same page now in regards to what he needs to do, and they should be able to focus 100% on helping him, without the daily expectations at the big league level.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on May 15, 2008 5:04 PM CDT up 0 recs

Agreed...

I think the organization did the same disservice to Pie that they did to Corey Patterson. One difference is that Pie seems very willing to try to make adjustments, whereas Patterson was not willing. That bodes better for Pie’s future. Doesn’t mean he’ll make it, but it does give him a better shot.

Hopefully you are right that he can more easily make the adjustments against AAA pitching. I do agree that getting a handful of AB per week against MLB pitching isn’t going to allow him to make adjustments, so if that’s the case, then perhaps it’s better that he’s down in AAA to work on things, where he’s at least facing competitive pitching regularly (even if it is greatly inferior to MLB pitching).

by SouthernCub on May 15, 2008 5:52 PM CDT up 0 recs

What about...

Jake Fox?

by wrigleyrocker12 on May 15, 2008 9:01 PM CDT 0 recs

What about him?

The Cubs just demoted him to AA. He was hitting just .222 at Iowa with 2 walks and 31 Ks. He did have six bombs though. But he was making way too many outs in the PCL (.242 OBP) to call him up to the majors.

It's a girl! Born 1-18-08. 2246 PST. 8 lbs. 1 oz.

by Josh77 on May 16, 2008 4:00 AM CDT up 0 recs