-Tough times for the Diamondbacks. The Phoenix Sun is reporting that while the Dbacks find themselves 17.5 games out of first place at the moment, 10 games under .500, there are more serious matters than baseball for this club. Lefty Scott Schoeneweis was placed on the 15-day DL for treatment of depression. On May 20th. his wife was found dead in bed in their Phoenix area home. At that time, Schoeneweis took a three-week bereavement leave. Since returning, he has been ineffective, with an ERA over 8.00.
Obviously, this has been an incredibly difficult year," General Manager Josh Byrnes said. "I think he's done everything he can, to deal with a tragedy but also try to continue playing, and at this point just felt like it was a bit overwhelming. He needed a break from it, so hopefully the break serves him well, and he can return to pitch at some point this season."
-Cleveland Indians GM Mark Shapiro told the Cleveland Plain Dealer that he is not moving upstairs after this season, to be replaced by his assistant Chris Antonetti. Said Shapiro,
"I definitely feel I have unfinished business as a general manager here."
http://www.cleveland.com/sports/
-ESPN's Buster Olney is hearing from scouts that the Ray's OF BJ Upton wlll be available for trade this winter. While once considered to have big-time potential, Olney's opinion is that he is regressing offensively and with a .235 average this year, not performing offensively either. He didn't take being moved in the order from the lead-off down to ninth well either.
-Demoted Phillies starter Jamie Moyer took the opportunity at yesterday's Phillies/ Cubs game at Wrigley Field to express his displeasure over being moved to the bullpen. Ironically, he found himself at the field where he made his major-league debut on June 16, 1986,
"Whether I like it or not, this is the situation I'm in," he said. "I will deal with it. I will deal with it in a respectful way. I'll be respectful to my teammates. I do not want to be a distraction, and I refuse to be a distraction. It's about the 25 players that are here and are playing. We all have to pick each other up. We all have to support each other. And we all have to be professional."
Can't blame the guy for his disappointment. It's not what he bargained for but the guy is 46 and near the end of his career. Pedro Martinez is a marquee name and the Phillies want to see what he has left. I think he expressed himself in a classy way though. He didn't trash anyone or pout.
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/sports/20090812_Moyer_goes_after_Phils_on_new_role.html