Welcome to the third installment of the Roster Guide Update: Tying up Loose Ends (AKA: miscellaneous). I really can’t think of another way to describe this entry. It’s just the odds and ends portion of the roster/organizational depth chart.
Kenshin Kawakami (Starting Pitcher)
Status: On DL at AA.
Update: Did you forget about him? I kind of did too. After a worthless performance in the exhibition season, Kawakami began the season in the AA rotation. He made just 2 starts, going 1-1, while allowing 9 runs on 15 hits and 2 walks with 8 K over 10.2 innings. He hit 2 batters and allowed 3 homers in those 2 starts. Following the 2nd start he complained of shoulder pain. He went on the DL April 17th with a shoulder stain and he’s been there ever since.
KK has less than a 1% chance of ever pitching for the Atlanta Braves again. Even if he comes back and pitches relatively well at AA, it seems highly unlikely that any team would be eager to take on part of his contract in order to acquire him. At this point I’m basically expecting him to pitch out the rest of this season in obscurity at AA and then become a free agent. $22 mil or so over 3 years down the drain.
Kris Medlen (Starter/Reliever)
Status: On DL recovering from Tommy John Surgery.
Update: When Medlen went under the knife for TJ surgery during the second half of last season, I had assumed that he would miss all of 2011. It’s usually about a 12-18 month recovery, and I figured the Braves would be more cautious with a young guy like Medlen than they would be with a veteran like Huddy. Apparently, however, Medlen may not miss the entire season. Actually, he hopes to return around the first week of August. That would be sweet if it works out.
He was cleared to face live hitters last week but ended up suffering what’s being described as a very minor setback. He felt some discomfort during a BP session and had to cut back a bit. This is not a re-injury or a case of him trying to do something too soon. Working through the pain of the scar tissue is apparently something that nearly all veterans of TJ surgery go through. I certainly remember Smoltzy having to work through scar tissue pains seemingly throughout the last 5 or 6 years of his career.
So anyway, for now the news is positive on K-Med. I’ve been super impressed by his attitude throughout the situation. He’s been very visible in the dugout during games and in celebrations both last year and this season, despite the fact that he’s been on the shelf. You have to love that if you’re a fan.
Rodrigo Lopez (Starting Pitcher)
Status: Traded to the Cubs on May 26th.
Update: Lopez put up some very respectable numbers during 9 starts at Gwinnett, going 6-1 with a 2.59 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP over 59 innings. The Braves really didn’t have a place for him and they were going to have to pay him if they didn’t move him. It actually worked out perfectly, because the Braves didn’t want Lopez pitching for them in Atlanta, and they certainly didn’t need him. They were able to at least get something out of his solid AAA numbers, sending him to the Cubs for LH reliever Ryan Buchter.
Lopez has pitched in 4 games with the Cubs, making 1 start. He is 0-1 and has allowed 7 runs on 11 hits and a walk with 5 K over 7.1 innings. He’s already yielded 3 dingers. His start was at home against weak hitting Houston, yet he went only 4.2 innings and allowed 6 runs on 10 hits. He walked none and struck out 4 but he allowed a pair of bombs and took a no-decision in a game the Cubbies lost, 12-7. His loss came during a relief appearance in St. Louis. He came on in the 10th and gave up a leadoff homer to Albert Pujols that gave the Cards the walkoff victory.
Ryan Buchter (Relief Pitcher)
Status: Working as closer at High-A Lynchburg.
Update: Buchter is the minor league pitcher who came over in exchange for Lopez. The left hander was originally drafted by the Nats in the 33rd round of the 2005 draft. He moved to the Chicago organization in 2009 and earlier this season reached AA for the first time. Over 6 seasons in the minors Butcher has pitched in 153 games, 151 in relief. He is 21-7 with 10 saves, a 3.73 ERA, a 1.55 WHIP, and 259 K over 219.1 innings. He’s pitched well at High-A for the Braves so far, making 4 appearances and going 1-0 with 2 saves. He’s allowed only 1 run on 4 hits and 4 walks with 8 K over 7.1 innings.
Julio Lugo (Middle Infielder)
Status: Struggling at AAA Gwinnett.
Update: The Bravos signed Lugo to a minor league deal in late May. He played in 93 games for the Orioles last season, and while he was fine defensively, he was pretty bad at the plate. Lugo went 60 for 241 to hit .249/.298/.282/.581 with 0 homers, 20 RBI, 15 BB, 50 K, 5 SB in 12 attempts, 6 SH, and 6 GDP. Lugo’s never been a great offensive player or even a good one but he’s certainly been better than last year. He has hit .270/.334/.386/.720 during his 11-year career with 198 SB in 267 tries (74.2%). He is 35 years old, but he was very useful with St. Louis in 2009, and he plays 2B, SS, 3B, and left field. He’s also a right handed batter and a guy with some speed.
Ed Lucas (Utility)
Status: Struggling hardcore at AAA.
Update: Lucas had a solid 2010 season and made a bid for a roster spot out of ST this year. He didn’t end up winning a job and unfortunately he has fallen hard. In 50 games at Gwinnett he has gone 35 for 167 to hit .210/.309/.281/.590 with 1 homer, 2 SB in 2 tries, 24 BB, and 51 K.
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