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Defense is a huge concern for Terry Francona when he wants it to be. But when he needs an excuse to keep a promising young player in the minor leagues, our eyes matter less than his.
Yesterday, Yandy Diaz’s short stint on the ballclub came to an end. Diaz batted 14 times in 4 games, got hits in half of those, and only struck out once. The average exit velocity of his hits was 986 mph. But down to Columbus he goes, because he can’t play first base like Casey Kotchman and can’t play right field like Franklin Gutierrez.
But Terrence has Tyler Naquin in center field. He has played Carlos Santana in right field. He has played Mike “The Weather” Aviles in left field, center field and right field. He has played Jason Kipnis in center field in the playoffs.
That Naquin in CF thing burned him again last night, as combined with shaky Shane Bieber pitching, it led to a monster inning by the Pirates that basically ended the game before it began.
But hey, at least the Indians played for 1 run in the first inning by having their #2 hitter bunt.
Notes
• Andrew Miller struggled in AA again, facing 5 batters and retiring only 1 of them.
• Neil Ramirez had another poor appearance. That is one thing that Bastian covered in his blog recap.
• Francona is not eager to put Kipnis in the outfield again this year.
Around the mistake sport known as baseball
• Drew Pomeranz was activated off the DL.
• The Yankees traded for Zach Britton. I don’t think he’s going to ever be amazing again, but I guess he can get batters out in the 5th inning, when followed by fourteen other closers.
• Jeff Sullivan discusses a more interesting LHRP.
• FG also touched on a forbidden topic.
• A day after giving up zero hits, the Cardinals optioned rookie pitcher Daniel Poncedeleon to the minors. Maybe Daniel and Yandy can start a support group.
• Gary Sanchez is still awful at catching. And lazy, now. But this time, it’s “because injured.”
• Another Met is headed to the disabled list.