Tom Gorzelanny is a perfect example of a pitcher who could, possibly, return to his former good performance after recovering from injuries. He had a fine year in 2007, winning 14 games for the Pirates. In 2008, he was horrible -- I'm sure you all remember the game on May 16, 2008, where the Cubs hit four homers off him at Wrigley Field -- and he spent time on the DL and in the minors.
He's thrown well at Triple-A this year -- though I know there are some here who have seen him throw there and think his velocity is down -- and he will be given at least three starts in place of Ted Lilly to show what he's got.
Tomorrow, when Aaron Miles is activated (per tweet from Wittenmyer), Jeff Stevens or Jeff Samardzija. Me, I'd send the Shark down and stretch him out to start again. Bruce Miles agrees.
It will be more interesting to see who goes when Geovany Soto returns, which could happen as soon as tomorrow. As I have said before, I think it should be Micah Hoffpauir, who could use more regular at-bats. There is one distressing note in that link:
[Lou] Piniella also said Aaron Miles is almost ready to return from Iowa, which could mean a demotion for Andres Blanco.
Blanco has been placed on the DL, to make room for Gorzelanny. Honestly, how anyone could think that Aaron Miles could do more for this team than Blanco... all it is, apparently, is the contract they are paying to Miles, which I wish the team would just eat.
No lineup via Twittermyer yet -- he also tweeted that it's been pouring rain all day, so there's a good chance the game may be delayed.
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Johnny Cueto has started twice against the Cubs this year, both at Wrigley Field. He threw very well and won on April 22, but the Cubs hit him pretty well, including homers by Aramis Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano, on July 25. Soriano, in fact, is 7-for-15 with 3 homers off Cueto.
Tom Gorzelanny made nine relief appearances for the Pirates in late May and early June. He managed to get four decisions (three wins) out of those appearances, a very high ratio. He allowed runs in only three of those games; now, he tries to recapture the success he had as a starter for the Pirates in 2007. The bad news: he has a 7.54 ERA lifetime vs. the Reds and an 18.69 ERA (two really horrendous starts) in Cincinnati. The good news: current Reds did almost none of that damage; no one who is on their active roster has ever homered off him.
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Discuss amongst yourselves.